GUYANA
The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com
No. 104232 FRIDAY JUNE 26, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER
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Auditor General Deodat Sharma
PRICE: $80
INCLUDING VAT
Auditor-General unmasks PPP/C’s abuse of Treasury while in Office
– Report shows billions held in special accounts, millions overpaid to contractors PM Nagamootoo says…
Chronicle now the bastion of credible public information
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– praises ‘magical transformation’ of State newspaper
Emotional Colwyn Harding testifies about baton assault – at start of trial Page
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Colwyn Harding
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Kamalesh Sharma
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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo
Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit Guyana
Gov’t to implement systematic gun licence programme Page 15
Non-Immigrant U.S. visas ready for pick-up today 9 Page
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Emotional Colwyn Harding testifies about baton assault - at start of trial By Clestine Juan
COLWYN Harding, the young man who alleged that he was brutally baton-raped and otherwise assaulted by two police officers while in custody at the Timehri Police Station in 2013, yesterday testified at the Providence Magistrates Court as the case began. In the courtroom of Magistrate Leron Daly, Harding told the court that on the day in question, he was with his girlfriend, Tenisha Evans, in a house at Timehri on November 15, when he suddenly saw a light in the yard and asked her to go to the window and see what it was. He then explained that after she failed to respond, he proceeded to the back
door of the house to do his own investigation. However, when he approached the door and saw the lights flickering, he called out, enquiring who was it in his yard, when an unknown voice replied, demanding that he “open the f***ing door.” “I then refused to open the door, because the person had failed to identify himself. Suddenly, the back door was kicked open, and men armed with torchlights and guns entered,” Harding testified. Harding, who was further probed by the prosecutor, believed that a group of 10 officers entered the house. However, it was Constable Singh who handcuffed him and dragged him into the bedroom while the other officers continued to search
the said house. Singh, Harding noted, had enquired of him if he
to shout, the officer gagged him with his underwear and continued to beat him. The witness explained that he was then dragged into the kitchen, where he was further interrogated and brutally beaten by the said officer, causing him to drop to his knees. Harding then broke down in tears, causing the matter to be adjourned. Upon the recall, Harding was still traumatised and the magistrate adjourned the matter until Friday, July 10, 2015.
Earlier in court, Roselle Douglas’s lawyer Leslie Sobers in his address to the court asked for the case to be dismissed. Mr Glenn Hanoman, representing constable Devin Singh also made a joint application for dismissal of the matter. Hanoman disclosed that the officer had been interdicted from work for over a year and had suffered financial constraints. Mr Hanoman stressed that the prosecution was unable to satisfy the court which has been ongoing since 2014,
Police Constable Devin Singh
stating that the officer had already suffered enough. The magistrate however disapproved and was ready to set
Female Police Constable, Roselle Tilbury-Douglas
was a part of the notorious ‘Hot Skull’ gang, and began to beat him when he denied the allegation. He further explained that when he began
Colwyn Harding yesterday at the Providence Magistrates Court (Photos by Samuel Maughn)
an adjournment date when the prosecutor arrived and started the proceedings. Police Constables Devin Singh, of Lot 125 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, and Roselle Tilbury-Douglas of Alliance Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara have been jointly charged with assaulting Harding during the period November 1 to November 13, 2013, at the Timehri Police Station, so as to cause him actual bodily harm. Devin Singh was also slapped with an additional assault charge, separately. The constables had made their first appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and strongly denied the allegations. Singh was released on $200,000 bail, while his colleague was granted bail in the sum of $100,000. According to reports, the two police officers who were based at the Timehri Police Station, pushed a condom-covered baton up Harding’s anus in November, 2013. Harding, who was at the time a prisoner on remand for allegedly assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, had suffered a ruptured intestine. Harding later underwent two private examinations, one at a private hospital here and the other in Jamaica and the conclusion from both examinations was that a foreign object had been inserted into his anus.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Auditor-General unmasks PPP/C’s abuse of Treasury while in Office
– Report shows billions held in special accounts, millions overpaid to contractors By Gary Eleazar BILLIONS held outside of the formal treasury, an abuse of the Contingency Fund, millions overpaid to contractors and continued weaknesses in a system that impacted negatively on governance and accountability were among the glaring discrepancies unmasked by the Auditor General (AG) in his analysis of the expenditure by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration for 2013. Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, yesterday made public the Auditor General’s annual report on Government’s expenditure for 2013 and, according to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, he is concerned at the lack of implementation of the Audit Office’s recommendations over the years, meant to remedy the discrepancies. Outside of the National Budget, the laws of Guyana provide for the Finance Minister of the day to access the Contingency Fund to meet emergency expenditure, provided they meet the criteria as stipulated in the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act. The Auditor General found, however, that while in 2013, there was a closer monitoring of advances from the Contingency Fund to ensure compliance with the law the PPP/C administration still made three advances totalling some $510M, which did not meet the legislative requirements. A whopping $360M of that was transferred to the Guyana Sugar Corporation
‘In many instances, recommendations are repeated each year without appropriate action and as a result, weaknesses and issues which impact negatively on Government’s governance and accountability mechanisms continue to occur’ - Auditor General Sharma, in his report, noted too that amounts totaling $217M were shown as contingent liabilities for entities, but none of the entities were still in existence. Sharma noted too that Government continues to operate on a cash basis and has not adopted or implemented the International Public Sector Accounting Standards.
Auditor General Deodat Sharma
(GuySuCo) to make payments on its fertiliser debts. OVERPAYMENTS UNRECOVERED The Auditor General found too that in 2013 a number of Government agencies made overpayments totalling more than $22M, monies the agencies were unable to recover. According to the 2013 Annual Report, these overpayments were made on measured works and added to more than $187M previously overpaid to contractors but which the agencies were unable to recover. NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION Compounding the findings, the Auditor General reported too that there was no disciplinary action taken by any of the defaulting Government agencies. “This continued trend coupled with no evidence to suggest that disciplinary action of any kind had been meted out to engineering or other staff involved in the assessment of works in progress and the certification of progress payments is troubling and hints at
Cover of the Auditor General Report
management’s perceived inaction to remedy the current situation,” according to the Auditor General. In his assessment of Government’s spending in 2013, AG Sharma noted that while internal control systems promote efficiency, reduce risk of assets loss and help ensure the reliability of financial statements and compliance with applicable legislation, it was found that in 2013, “several instances were identified where the design or operation of one or more of the internal control components were weak and non-existent.” The Auditor General noted that this has since allowed for millions to be overpaid in salaries and deductions, the clearing of cheque orders long after the stipulated time frame and
the non-compliance with the applicable legislation.
INT’L ACCOUNTING STANDARDS The Auditor General said the implementation of the international accounting standards will enhance the quality consistency and transparency
of public sector financial reporting, leading to better informed resource allocation decisions to be made by Government. Overall, the Auditor General said he was concerned with the lack of implementation of the recommendations made to Government over the years. He observed in his report “in many instances, recommendations are repeated each year without appropriate action and as a result, weaknesses and issues which impact negatively on Government’s governance and accountability mechanisms continue to occur.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Nismes fatal accident…
Driver charged with causing death by dangerous driving THE motorist responsible for the dangerous- driving death of 37-year-old Odessa Howard, and life-threatening injuries to her husband, Peter Howard, on Tuesday morning appeared in the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates Court and was granted $135,000 bail. But the investigating police rank who had witnessed the post- mortem(PM) and was present when the motorist appeared in court, allegedly did not produce the PM certificate showing the injuries and cause of death.
A copy of the post- mortem results determined that the victim suffered a fractured spine; broken neck; punctured heart and fractured skull. On Sunday June 21,2015, Peter Howard, policeman and former marathoner and his wife Odessa as pillion rider were driving his motor cycle CH 4855 along the Nismes Public Road, West Bank Demerara, when they were struck from behind by a motor car. On impact, Odessa was hurled into the air and landed heavily on the road, instantly breaking her neck. The couple was picked up and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where Odessa was pro-
nounced dead on arrival. Her husband was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted in an unconscious state and suffering severe brain injury and other injuries to the head, left leg and arm. Yesterday, as he continued to slip in and out of consciousness, Howard’s condition remained critical. Peter Howard, 55, who resides at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, was apparently visiting his wife at Nismes. However, the couple had left the home temporarily to go out to a shop to buy snacks for their children to take to school the following day, when the accident occurred.
Logger remanded over firearm, ‘ammo’ possession Peter Howard: Unconscious on hospital bed
A MEMBER of the Regional Association of Loggers was yesterday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
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Devon Robeiro, owner of a logging concession, pleaded not guilty to three charges, two of which said on June 23 at Liberia, Upper Demerara River, he had in his possession one .32 pistol and one .38 revolv-
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er without a firearm licence. It is also alleged that on the same day at Liberia, Upper Demerara River, he also had in his possession nine live rounds of .32 ammunition when he was not a licensed
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firearm holder. According to the prosecution, the police received information and went to the home of the defendant where a search was conducted. During the search, the firearm and ammunition were found and Robeiro accepted ownership under caution. However, Robeiro’s attorney told the court that his client admitted to ownership of the firearm and ammunition after the police made threats to arrest his mom who fainted. He added that his client does not have a criminal record and has cooperated with the police during investigations. H e w a s re f u s e d bail and the matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for Tuesday. (Geeta Rampersaud)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
AML and the Guyana experience MONEY laundering is a very pervasive criminal action, whereby the proceeds of crime are transformed into legitimate or other assets, using rather complex measures. In simple terms, it is a defined methodology of criminality, disguising the original ownership and control of ill-gotten gains, by making the latter appears to have been derived from a legitimate source. It is now a proven fact that such “washed” funds are also used to fund terrorism activities. Thus, this is a crime of a trans-national nature, and is persistent within every state within the international system, affected directly or indirectly by its menacing tentacles. Therefore, a crime of this nature, often involves persons of varied professions, because of its mazelike structure. It is as a result of this international illegality that has grown into a truly worldwide problem, rather lucrative, with a reported US$300B annually sifting through this sophisticated process, that has caused most countries to enact legislation to counter this criminal threat. COMPLIANCE CARICOM nations, inclusive of Guyana, are no exception, since they all have been made to enact legislation to combat the risks of money laundering and finance for terrorism, based on recommendations by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force ( C FAT F ) , t h e r e g i o n a l oversight body, tasked with overseeing and reviewing member states’ compliance. This means that legislation is an absolute compulsion, since failure to do so, attracts punitive sanctions from oversight bodies mandated to ensure compliance.
Attorney General Basil Williams GUYANA LEGISLATION Guyana would have legislated the Money Laundering (Prevention) Act in 2000, and then followed by the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act in 2009. However, in November 2011, the Guyana Government was informed by (CFATF) regulators that there was need to ensure that the country’s financial regulations were reinforced, elevating such to the level of compliance with existing international best practices. In fact, it was reported that concomitant to this advice, was a set of amendments which was given, for such an important exercise; and that it was to be shared with the then political Opposition, and other key stakeholders. Attached, was also an action plan with target dates to address these deficiencies. It is instructive to note, however, that such information had not been imparted to the political Opposition, or to other stakeholders. Two years later, nothing had been done by the then administration. SELECT COMMITTEE But in April 2013, with a further demand from CFATF, this critical issue then became public knowledge, as the Government sought to introduce the measure for
Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall urgent, parliamentary vote/ approval. The political Opposition, of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) parties, recommended that the Bill be forwarded to a Parliamentary Select Committee, citing deficiencies, and for reasonable time in ensuring a proper compliant Bill for legislation. This Parliamentary Committee, was made up of representatives from both sides of the House, and chaired by the Government’s Chief Whip. Six months later, and with no consensus as to amendments agreed for a finished legislative product, the Donald Ramotar government withdrew the Bill from the Committee, and returned it to the House for action. As was expected, the opposition side of the House defeated this renewed attempt, giving as reasons its premature removal from the Parliamentary Committee. They contended that because of this, the Bill was incomplete, as far as making it compliant had been concerned. This resulted in CFATF, advising member countries to effect safeguards against risks of money laundering
Former President Donald Ramotar and financing of terrorism, when doing business with Guyana. ASSISTANCE OFFERED In February, 2014, in efforts to assist Guyana towards the desired goal of legislating a compliant Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill(AML/CTF), CFATF’s financial advisor, Roger Hernandez visited, during which he advised the Parliamentary committee that a compliant Bill should be legislated, for consideration by CFATF’s plenary session in May, 2014. There was also a similar visit in April, 2014 by the organisation’s most senior personnel, its chairperson, Ms Allyson Maynard-Gibson, and Executive Director, Calvin Wilson, in a bid to end the stalemate. The political opposition maintained its line of non-support; and adding to its contention of insufficiency of amendments for a compliant Bill, were also demands for unsigned Bills approved by the National Assembly to be assented; the establishment of a procurement commission; and the announcement of a commencement date for Local Government elections.
HIGH LEVEL COMMITMENT Since the visit of these high officials, Guyana has been granted at least two extensions; and because of missed deadlines, it was then referred to the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) International Cooperation Review Group (IRCG) for its October 2014 plenary in Paris. At this important meeting, the then Attorney General, Mr Anil Nandlall, representing the PPP/C government, gave what was described as a “high level commitment”, in addition to a Letter of Commitment by the then President, Donald Ramotar. Also there was a commitment to plug the loopholes in the country’s existing Anti Money regime. These assurances averted a blacklisting. STRINGENT DUE DILIGENCE Accordingly, due to CFATF’S prior advisory to member countries when negotiating business transactions with Guyana, effects were being felt; for according to Governor of the Guyana Central Bank, Dr Gobin Ganga, he was already in receipt of complaints from local financial institutions of the intense scrutiny to which their transactions were subjected. He opined that because of the stringent level of due diligence, higher transaction costs were incurred, with direct effects on commercial
Banks and businesspersons. AML/CFT READY FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Guyana, since the Paris Plenary, has been implementing a seven-point plan, shaped by the Americas Region Recovery Group (ARRG) as mandated by t h e FAT F I n t e r n a t i o n al Co-operation Review Group (ICRG), to address its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. And at this time of writing, the newly appointed Attorney General, Mr Basil Williams, on behalf of the recently elected coalition Government, has reported that the AML/CFT Bill has been properly amended to include whatever proposals it has recommended, inclusive of those of the ARRG, and was therefore ready for (yesterday’s) Sitting of the House. Guyana is required to pass a Bill, that will fully criminalise money laundering and terrorist financing issues; address all the requirements for suspicious transactions, reporting, improve international cooperation, and ensure the freezing and confiscation of all terrorist assets. (GINA)
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EDITORIAL
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
GUYANA
Concerns of ordinary citizens are being addressed Public Infrastructure Minister David Paterson has indicated that the Ministry, over the next five years, intends to build approximately 4,000 houses in cohesive communities to benefit more than 4,000 households and approximately 16,000 persons. According to the minister, the idea of cohesive communities is to ensure that the shelter and other needs of households are met in an effort to address issues such as availability of day-care facilities, functioning playgrounds, proximity to jobs, schools and other amenities that are consistent with improved quality of life in communities. In the cohesive communities, emphasis would be placed on the provision of social infrastructure and other amenities, in addition to the regular services, such as electricity, roads and water distribution networks.
Minister Keith Scott, who functions within the Ministry of Communities, has been meeting with members of the public on a weekly basis every Wednesday morning in a drive to address their problems. According to Minister Patterson, a collaborative effort by various ministries will be undertaking several initiatives to address issues impacting the lives of residents, including taking zoning laws to the next level, where adherence to these laws will become the new norm. He noted that infringement of these laws have been conducted with impunity and has contributed to much lawlessness within communities and discomfort to residents. Among the supporting bodies would be City Hall, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) across the country.
Enforcement of the laws of the land, or rather, the lack thereof, has long plagued this society and violators are being warned of “tough decisions” by the minister. According to the minister, “We have to make some tough decisions and the tough decisions will be for the betterment of the country. We can’t allow the transgression of people who did what they did because there is no enforcement to respect the growth and development of the entire country.” Citizens of the land whose plight in many regards has remained unaddressed by the relevant authorities are reassured that they would have relief at long last. Relative to the cohesive communities, only working parents can appreciate what such an initiative would mean. That goes double for single parents. Governments are elected by the people and it is essential that the basic needs of the citizens of the land are met. In this regard Minister Patterson is on the right track.
Haags Bosch fiasco…
IDB wants BK Int’l dumped By Ravin Singh REGIONAL multilateral financial institution, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is refusing to continue funding the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill (HBSL) project until the contractor for the operation, Brian Tiwari of BK International Inc., is removed. This startling revelation was made yesterday by Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, in an exclusive interview with this publication. Minister Bulkan said the financial institution is “dissatisfied and unhappy” with the delivery of services provided by BK International. The HBSL project which commenced some four years ago has had a fragmented execution process, with the contractor routinely failing to meet a number of deadlines - the last proposed date being November 15, 2014, as was promised by then Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker. Signed in 2007, the then Government of Guyana (GoG) and the IDB had entered a loan agreement to finance the estimated US$20 million Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill (HBSL) Project. Despite being signed in 2007, however, the project was not operationalised until the latter part of 2011. Construction giant, BK International, supported by Puran Brothers Disposal Services was awarded a US$9.7M contract whereby the two entities were tasked with constructing the landfill and operating the site over a five to nine-year period. Initially, the bank had commenced disbursing the resources from 2007 with the expectation of the project being completed within five years. But not limited to financing, the IDB has also been providing training and capacity-building skills to those persons managing the project.
According to the Government at that time, the project entailed provision for: * Institutional strengthening and capacity-building. * Public awareness and community participation. * Construction and operation of the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill. * Waste- collection and disposal from NDCs. * Treatment and disposal of hazardous waste. Prior to the minister’s announcement yesterday, there were unconfirmed reports which suggested that a number of discrepancies were discovered by the IDB. This has reportedly aided in a deviation from the plan of seeing a successful completion of the project on the part of the IDB. However, the Communities Minister clarified yesterday that this was not the case and it was in fact that the funding agent which in this case is the IDB, is “dissatisfied and unhappy” with the contractor’s quality of work, which has resulted in the financial body withholding additional funds, until he is removed. High on the agenda therefore is seeking avenues to “get the current contractor off the site,” the minister noted, while adding that the Government of Guyana is currently in discussion with him (BK). “We had a meeting with him at the AG’s Chambers a week ago and discussed how we could effect that,” Bulkan revealed. But according to the Minster, they remain “hopeful” that they will “arrive at a stage where the contractor removes himself from the site.” But prior to these developments, Bulkan disclosed that the then Local Government Ministry had written to the contractor, requesting that he vacate the site, but was greeted with an active response from Mr. Tiwari who moved to the courts and sought to stay that action for the ministry to show just cause why they should terminate his contract. Initiating litigation, as was described by Bulkan, was
Mr Brian Tiwari of BK International Inc
Minister Ronald Bulkan
not wise of BK since according to the minister, “he was not in fulfilment with a lot of the requirements that he was expected to deliver.” “I think he’s in an exposed and vulnerable situation of why the past administration never saw it fit to actually initiate litigation against him and why they were so tolerant,” the minister related. Furthermore, he said that both institutions – the ministry and the bank are unhappy with the conditions that obtain at what is now a dumpsite, when it was meant to be a landfill site. Additionally, the site was described as one having “no environmental safeguards, an environmental hazard and a ticking time bomb.” Inasmuch as this current state exists, the minister assured this publication that they are working assiduously to remedy the situation in an effort to bring back the operation at the site in conformity with how it was originally designed. It was reported in 2013 that the sanitary landfill which was initially designed to facilitate 6,000 tonnes of solid waste per month was processing in excess of 10,000 tonnes per month, while its construction was still a work in progress. Intended to last for 26 years, the rate of usage at the facility had projected a significantly reduced lifespan. The landfill is expected to facilitate garbage disposal from Georgetown and some 15 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
PM Nagamootoo says…
Chronicle now the bastion of credible public information – praises ‘magical transformation’ of State newspaper By Clifford Stanley PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has pledged a complete reform of the Public Information sector, so that it informs and empowers members of the public to make wise choices rather than fall prey to narrow and partisan agendas that are not healthy for national development. During his address to the second session of the 11th Parliament yesterday afternoon, Prime Minister Nagamootoo loudly praised the State-owned Guyana Chronicle newspaper, which he said had been recently transformed from a “partisan, propagandistic rag” to now become a bastion of public information. The Prime Minister said he was pleased to report that since the change of Government, Guyana is witnessing what appears to be a magical transformation of the public information landscape with the Chronicle newspaper leading the way. “Today, Guyana is witnessing what appears to be a magical transformation of the public information landscape. It’s amazing that you could have transformation in the Guyana Chronicle, which had hitherto been purveying all the things that would divide and set us up against each other,” the Prime Minister said. According to him, Chronicle has now turned to “become a bastion of public information that is credible…” At this point his colleague Member of Parliament, Minister Khemraj Ramjattan interjected: “We have revolutionised it”. And PM Nagamootoo continues: “…as my learned friend has said, we have revolutionised this newspaper. And here I would like to wish them well, and as I have said, this government will not only promote professionalism in journalism and promote the ethics and high standards of journalism, but we will also protect journalists who practice the profession, faithfully to their own standards, faithfully to their own ethics, and that you will see less perhaps, and ideally, no interference from this Minister, as the Minister responsible for Public Information…” NEW BOARDS FOR NCN, CHRONICLE He also made it clear that the Guyana National News-
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Second Vice President and Minister of Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin in conversation yesterday
papers Limited (Printers and Publisher of the Chronicle newspaper) and the Stateowned National Communications Network (NCN), will both have new Boards of Directors very shortly. “I can assure that these boards will have professional representatives, and they will have people committed to some standards of business so that both Chronicle and NCN, as public information media, they must not only carry out the functions to inform the people, educate and entertain people, but they also must be accountable, and they must also be viable,” the Prime Minister posited. GINA He also pledged that there will shortly be a complete shake-up of the Government Information Agency (GINA), so that it could move from being a channel of harassment and victimization of those who do not share the views of the Government of the day, to one which practises and disseminates a more equal distribution of economic, social, cultural information and a more enlightened and representative political discourse. The Prime Minister was, however, particularly harsh on GINA. “GINA must not be an agency that will pay people to monitor calls of individuals, to wiretap, to intercept Facebook messages and to do things that are not in the domain of public information, but are within the narrow confines of political vendettas,” he chided. The Prime Minister also alluded to the fact that GINA was on record as owing the Guyana Chronicle over $70M for advertisements requested and carried, something that is “unacceptable”.
He said the new administration will ensure that the advertisements that entities pay for GINA to place into the larger media are not sidelined to pay propaganda ads for political parties. He explained that this is the reason for the poor performance of GINA and why it has become a “heavy lead pulling down
public domain. REFORM The Prime Minister also indicated that Government is taking steps to ensure that the people of Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) get back their own television station so that they could have the programmes
they desire and those that serve their needs. He said the reforms in the information sector will also ensure that the people of Linden get back their own television station, noting that many years ago Linden had its own television station and the benefits of two channels. The return of the television station to the people, he said, is a work in progress. The Prime Minister made the disclosures about the public communication policy of the Government within the context of the speech made by President David Granger during the formal opening of the 11th Parliament on June 10th last. PM Nagamootoo observed that in the President’s address, he had spoken about the information superhighway and he wished to endorse the President’s observations on this phenomenon. He said that given the existence of the information superhighway, Guyana can no longer be content with being insular and isolated. This situation means that
Guyana is in fact part and parcel of a global village and has to place its agenda on the information superhighway which goes beyond the walls of Parliament; which can be seen around the world. He said: “We are being monitored and the information that goes out must impress the world that we deserve their sympathy and support.” He assured the National Assembly that under the coalition Government there will be full respect for the media; for the plural nature of the communications media and no attempt will be made to deny any journalist of his or her constitutional right to freedom of expression or freedom to impart knowledge, information and entertainment. He added: “But of course, the information has to be circulated in a re s p o n s i b l e w a y ; i n a way to help, not to destroy Guyana; not to destroy the reputations of people.”
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the House yesterday
NCN and Chronicle.” The money paid to GINA to remit to the television and state newspaper has never been paid over, the PM said. He explained further that an investigation is underway as to these outstanding payments including the huge sum owed to the Chronicle alone. “It is horrible that we could have had such abuse; that the former Government could have used the newspaper at election time to carry advertisments that are propaganda material and not pay them.” The Prime Minister said GINA will be re-organised to become what it ought to be: a professional body to tell the world what the Government is doing; what the ministers are doing; what the public officials are doing and putting the required information for political, economic and social development into the
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Trotman warns Venezuela against underestimating Guyana –‘We will defend, enjoy what is ours’ By Derwayne Wills IN the National Assembly yesterday, Governance Minister Raphael Trotman told the National Assembly that Guyana will continue to guard its resources jealously against the “rapacious advancement of our neighbours to [the] west.” Tr o t m a n , w h o w a s tasked with responsibility for the country’s natural resources, addressed the assembly on the recent oil find by United States oil giant, Exxon Mobil. “It is no secret, Mr. Speaker, that oil has been discovered and in fact, it is no secret that the discovery is not an insignificant amount. “It is believed,” he continued, “that being in the basin known as the Guiana Basin, and given what corresponds off the coast of West
Africa, where at one time the two continents were aligned or joined to each other, that the patterns in West Africa were mirrored in the Guiana Basin.” The minister ’s comments came as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was slated to address the National Assembly of Venezuela yesterday on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.Telesur, a news agency out of Venezuela, reported that Maduro will instead address Venezuela’s Assembly today, Friday, June 26, 2015. Meanwhile, Venezuela has continued to lash out at Exxon Mobil and Guyana for allowing the US transnational corporation to operate in Guyana’s waters. In his address to Guyana’s National Assembly, Trotman asserted: “Venezuela knows
what is has to do, and that is to behave itself.” Trotman,who also served as Speaker of the National Assembly in the 10th Parliament, bemoaned Venezuela’s attempts to stymie Guyana’s economic development over the years in the Essequibo region, and now Guyana’s economic development in the Stabroek Bloc of Guyana’s maritime boundaries. The Governance Minister went on to endorse the statements of both the Governments of Suriname and Colombia in defence of Guyana’s territorial integrity. “Just as they have been entitled to develop what is theirs without interference… so too we [will] enjoy and will guard jealously, the right to do the same to our resources without interfer-
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman
ence,” Trotman added. “And whilst, Mr. Speaker, we might not number in the millions, rest assured the desire to defend and to enjoy what is ours is not to be underestimated,” he charged. Venezuela’s challenge comes in the face of its repudiation of the 1899 Arbitral award, which demarcated the boundary between Guyana, then British Guiana, and Venezuela. While Guyana has exhausted every avenue to bring the issue to a close, Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge has made it clear that Guyana will be appealing to Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations to act as a third party. The UN Secretary-General is slated to attend the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Barbados in early July. Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge will accompany President David Granger to that meeting.
Constitution Amendment, AML/CFT Bills read before National Assembly By Derwayne Wills ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams yesterday read the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2015, and the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2015 for the first time in the National Assembly. The introduction of these Bills in the House signals the resolve of the Coalition Government to fulfilling those commitments in the 100-day plan of its Manifesto. Contrary to popular belief that the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is needed to advance the Government’s Constitution (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly, Williams is confident that that is not necessary. In an interview with this publication, he said, “We don’t require [a] two-thirds majority to amend the particular provision that is under the microscope.” The provision at reference seeks to liberate constitutional agencies such as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the Service Commissions, thereby allowing them to function independently of the National Assembly, particularly in terms of financing. Meanwhile, the AML/CFT Bill saw its first reading, even in the face of challenges from the PPP/C to the amendments put forward by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and the Alliance For Change (AFC) during their stint in the House as Op-
position during the 10th Parliament. This publication caught up with the Attorney-General who said without any doubt that the Bill currently before the National Assembly is “our version of the Bill, which we had introduced in the Special Select Committee in the last Parliament.” The bill, Williams spoke of, was sent to the Special Select Committee in the National Assembly after much debate between the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, and Opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and Alliance For Change (AFC) parties. Customarily, when the Parliament dissolves, as was done in February of this year, the business considered in any parliamentary committee ends. WhileWilliams agreed with this, he said, “Once the Parliament ends, any work that was in progress would have been ended also, [and] it means that in this new Parliament, we come fresh. That’s why we could tell you we are bringing our bill.” The AG was further asked if the David Granger administration is moving ahead with a bill that does not include inputs from the Opposition PPP,and he responded: “Our bill was in the last Select Committee, and they [PPP/C] addressed issues in our bill in that committee. They know everything about our bill. “Our bill is to improve the governance structures, for example, and to make the AML part of the bill more efficacious in terms of combating money laundering,” he added.
But the PPP recently has come out to challenge those amendments, even continuing to challenge the decision of the APNU+AFC Government to strip the Attorney General of specific powers in the legislation and instead vesting that power in the Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). “Don’t forget” Williams declared, “I am the Attorney General, and I don’t feel there is a need for me to have that power. That power would reside in an independent appointee because our members provide for criteria for that candidate to be the director.” Those criteria include the good character of the candidates for that position, as well as academic credits, and professional experience in law and finance, according to Williams. The AG saw this as a necessary step because of what he deemed the lack of checks and balances existing in Guyana. “In countries like Barbados for example,” he explained, “they have checks and balances and respect for institutions, but Guyana is a kind of laissez-faire, free-forall. And that was too awesome a power to be left in the hands of the Attorney-General under the previous Government.” Williams saw this as the first step in his Government’s efforts “to restore respect for legal institutions, and have due regularity again under our system of governance.” The current amendments also include a provision of an independent, 10-man authority overseeing the affairs of the FIU, appointed by the Selection Committee in the National Assembly. Both the Constitution (Amendment) Bill
Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams
and the AML/CFT (Amendment) Bill will be read for the second time today, and after the third reading of those Bills, the National Assembly will approve those to be submitted to the President for his assent. Williams was confident that President David Granger will assent to Bills passed by the National Assembly, once they have been done in the correct manner.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Local ‘Lennox Lewis’ kayoed by cutlasswielding assailants
Non-Immigrant U.S. visas ready for pick-up today THE United States (U.S.) Embassy in Georgetown yesterday announced the restoration of Visa Processing Systems which allow the printing of visas for applicants whose nonimmigrant visa (temporary visit – holiday/tourist/student) applications were approved on interview dates - June 08 to June 23, 2015. The Embassy said applicants who were issued blue coupons between June 08 to June 23 should appear on Friday, June 26, 2015 (today) to pick up their passports at the respective times indicated
below. The Embassy is urging applicants to refer to the schedule below and please confirm their arrival time at the Embassy for those specific pick up times. This will prevent unnecessary delays and long wait lines. The Embassy said this is specific to non-immigrant visa applications only (temporary visit – holiday/tourist/ student). “Please DO NOT bring any personal belongings with you to the Embassy, just your ID card and the blue slip. Information about Immigrant
Visa (Permanent Visas) pickup times will be announced as those visas become available. We deeply regret the inconvenience to travellers who are still waiting for their visas,” the Embassy advised. “We strongly encourage applicants who were approved for visa issuance to appear on June 26 as per the below schedule; however, if circumstances do not permit you to appear, please contact our Visa Inquiries Unit via e-mail to visageorge@state.gov to make alternative arrangements,” it added.
‘LENNOX LEWIS’: Chopped with a vengeance
A 42-year-old construction worker, who was attacked by three cutlass-wielding men on Pike Street, Kitty on Tuesday morning, is currently warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), nursing multiple chop wounds to both hands and feet. The victim, Lennox Lewis of 131 Pike Street, Kitty, who shares the famous name of the last undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion, recalls walking along Pike Street on Tuesday around 10:00
hrs when he was confronted by two or three men, each armed with a cutlass. Lewis, a father of two, said he recognised the men as being persons with whom he previously had a misunderstanding. As the men began firing chops at him, he ran into a yard, but they hotly pursued him with a vengeance, dealing him several chops. He said he grabbed an available piece of wood and tried warding them off, but was eventually overpowered. Neighbours witnessing the commotion shouted at
the men to leave Lewis alone, but they persisted, Lewis recalled, adding that they seemed determined to chop him to death. “By then we ended up under an old shed, and like a zinc sheet or something fall ‘pon dem and they suddenly stopped chopping and run away,” the injured man related. The wounds to Lewis’ hands and feet took several stitches; one of his left fingers is almost severed, while the wounds to his feet went bone deep. (Shirley Thomas)
Young father of two jailed – for firearm, ‘ammo’ possession By Geeta Rampersaud A 20-year-old father of two was yesterday jailed for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition by Magistrate Ann McLennan. Timothy Taylor, a labourer of Timehri, East Bank Demerara was fined $1,000 and sentenced to one year imprisonment on each of the charges, which will run concurrently. On a prior court hearing he was found guilty on the charges that said on January 6 at Avenue of Republic, Georgetown, he had in his possession a .32 revolver with three live rounds of matching ammunition when he was not a licensed firearm holder. He made his first court appearance before Magis-
trate Ann McLennan and was remanded to prison after pleading not guilty to both charges. Magistrate McLennan in her ruling stated that the penalty attracts a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000. The custodial sentence that accompanies the fine is not less than three years and not more than five years. The magistrate informed the court that in order for an accused to be found guilty of the charge, the prosecution must prove that the person had physical or custodial possession of the weapon, what he had was indeed a firearm and ammunition and he did not possess a firearm license. She recalled from the evidence presented that on the day in question the police
were on patrol when they saw Taylor. A search was conducted and the weapon was found in his possession and when questioned he admitted that he was not a licensed firearm holder. The magistrate ruled that the court was satisfied with the chain of evidence and also the testimony of Sergeant Jackson that the ammunition was live. In addition, the court had no reason to doubt that the firearm was found in Taylor’s crotch. The court heard that the prosecution also established that Taylor had knowledge of the firearm and ammunition. In mitigation, his attorney-at-law pleaded that he is a father of two minor children and asked the court to use its discretion in the decision, since his client’s liberty was at the court’s mercy.
Sophia man set free on firearm, ‘ammo’ charges – in absence of ballistics expert By Geeta Rampersaud CITY Magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday dismissed firearm and ammunition charges against 26-year-old Desmond Williams after the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case in the absence of the ballistics expert. Williams of Lot 1267 ‘B’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was charged with having in his possession 11 rounds of .32 ammunition and a .32 Taurus semi-automatic pistol on October 22, without being the holder of a firearm licence. He was denied pretrial liberty by Magistrate Latchman on his first appearance after the prosecution opposed bail, citing the seriousness and nature of the offence and the fact that the gun he was allegedly found with was used in the murder of Abdool Saleem Azziz. Wi l l i a m s ’s a t t o r ney-at-law, Onassis Granville submitted that the prosecution failed to make out a prima facie case
against the defendant. The counsel argued further that the prosecution also failed to satisfy each element of which Williams was charged. Granville said that the prosecution was supposed to address the evidence to establish that the defendant was in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Such evidence, the lawyer argued, is addressed through an expert’s testimony and so far no such evidence was being led. The defence further argued that no ballistic reports had been tendered as evidence and no evidence was before the court to satisfy that Williams was found with a firearm and ammunition. Police prosecutor Kerry Bostwick made an application yesterday for the court to go to the home of one of the prosecution witnesses who was unable to attend court due to his illness. The witness was ballistics expert Corporal Sampson who had been continuously sick and unable to present himself to court to give evidence in the matter.
However, the application made by the prosecution was denied and the court called on the prosecution to close its case. Corporal Bostwick then closed his case and conceded that the prosecution could not prove its case without the evidence of the ballistic expert. Magistrate Latchman then ruled that there was no evidence led as to the defendant being in possession of a firearm and ammunition, therefore a prima facie case had not been made out on either of the charges. Four men were charged with the murder of 23-yearold engineer Azziz as he was about to enter his Lot 33 Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar home on October 19 last. H o w e v e r, t h re e o f them, Glenroy Griffith, 21, Jarrell Ward, 26, and Julian Mack were committed to stand trial for that offence on June 2 by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The charge against the fourth person Justin Griffith was withdrawn before the PI commenced since there was insufficient evidence to proceed against him.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Timothy Noel manslaughter trial…
Accused to know fate today By George Barclay SIXTEEN-year-old Timothy Noel was said to have been running away from another youth, Delwin Mc Queen, who was chasing him with a knife. Noel won the battle on June 11th 2008 when, it is alleged, he picked up a length of timber measuring about 8’x 4”x 2 which had eight nails in it. He struck Delwin on the head with the piece of timber and ran away. The timber, looking like a length of rafter, is said to have caused an injury to Delwin which later para-
lysed him and caused death. The doctor who performed the post- mortem concluded that the injury could have caused death. As a result of police investigations, the accused was arrested and charged with manslaughter. At the close of the prosecution’s case, defence counsel Mr. Hewley Griffith relied on a no-case submission in the absence of the jury. But on ruling at the resumption the following day, Presiding judge Mr Brassington Reynolds supported the view by the prosecution that the case was one for the jury to consider.The accused
was therefore called on to lead a defence. The judge told the accused that he is presumed to be innocent and that it was the prosecution who would have to satisfy the jury through the evidence, of his guilt or innocence. The accused was told that he could sit in the dock and say nothing, he could remain in the dock and give an unsworn statement and no one could question him, or he could go into the witness box and give a statement on oath, and he could be questioned. The accused then told the judge that he would rely
on the caution statement which he had given to the police. Then in an unsworn statement from the dock he said, “My name is Timothy Noel. I was born on 21st of December, 1990. “In 2007 I was 16 years old. I relied on the statement which I gave to the police. I did not intend to kill or injure Delwin.” Defence counsel told the court, “That is the case for the defence.” The accused will know his fate today. Attorneys-at-law, Messrs Hewley Griffith and Lawrence Harris are defending
the accused. Prosecuting are Ms. Mercedes Thompson, Ms. Orinthea Schmidt and Mr. Michael Shahoud. The defence and prosecution lawyers addressed the jury yesterday afternoon. Mr. Griffith reviewed the evidence to show that the deceased was in the habit of calling the accused nicknames and had banned the accused from walking a certain street. On the day in question, the deceased had attacked him with a knife and was running away when his attacker was following him. In defence, the accused
picked up a piece of timber and pelted his attacker with same. Defence counsel urged the jury to give his client the benefit of the doubt by returning a verdict of not guilty. On the other hand, Prosecutrix Miss Mercedes Thompson urged the jury to return a verdict in keeping with the evidence and the oath they had taken. On the resumption today, presiding Judge Mr. Brassington Reynolds will sum up the evidence to the mixed jury after which he would hand over the case to them (the jury) ,for their consideration and verdict.
Government committed to Gov’t to look favourably upon empowering working-class, poor REPSOL extension request
Minister within the Ministry of Communities Keith Scott and Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA Myrna Pitt, meet with General Secretary Eslyn Harris and President Harold Shepherd of the GPTWU
THE Government is committed to empowering the working-class and poor by reducing the disparity in the distribution of wealth across Guyana. Minister within the Ministry of Communities with responsibility for the Housing Department, Keith Scott, noted that he is pleased that leaders of the Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers Union (GPTWU) are interested in improving the living conditions of its members. During a courtesy call on the minister on Wednesday, GPTWU’s President, Har-
old Shepherd and General Secretary Eslyn Harris, enlightened Minister Scott of the union’s desire to acquire land from the Ministry of Communities for about 200 of its members. The minister encouraged the union to have its members apply for houselots, while advising that land will not be allocated en bloc. He emphasised that Government, though keen on building houses in cohesive communities, will also offer serviced lots to those persons who prefer to design and construct their own homes.
He noted that the turnkey houses which cost $4.9M, would be suitable for some members of the GPTWU. The minister reiterated that Government is aggressively engaged in delivering on the promises to “Renew the Dream” by improving the quality of life of Guyanese in sustainable and cohesive communities. The Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Myrna Pitt, was also part of the meeting which was held at the minister’s Brickdam office.
Post-mortem reveals...
Barama miner died of serious head, other injuries A POST-MORTEM performed on the body of Barama River miner James Goddett on Tuesday at the Suddie Funeral Parlour has revealed that he died as a result of serious injuries to his head and body. The miner, who had migrated from Friendship Canal in the lower Pomeroon River to Lima Sands Housing Scheme, was covered by tons of sand, rock and earth
while working with another miner in a pit at Barama in the North West District last Sunday. He was, however, quickly dug out by his colleagues, and was still alive when he was pulled out from under the earth. He died on the way to Charity. Reports said Goddett had some 25 years’ experience working as a miner in the interior. (Rajendra Prabhulall)
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman with REPSOL executives Mr. Allan E. Kean (second right), and Mr. Giancarlo Ariza (right) yesterday
MINISTER of Governance, Mr Raphael Trotman said yesterday that the government is inclined to look favourably upon a request for a six-month extension on their contract by the oil exploration firm, REPSOL. The request was made during a courtesy call on Minister Trotman by REPSOL executives, Messrs Allan E. Kean and Giancarlo Ariza. Minister Trotman’s role at the meeting was to deputise for the President, who has portfolio responsibility for the petroleum sector. The purpose of the requested extension is to continue gathering seismic data on the Kanuku Block, where the firm is currently conducting exploratory work. REPSOL is currently re-
quired to either commit to drilling or relinquishing exploratory rights by mid-November, 2015. A six month extension would give them up to May, 2016 to make a decision on drilling just one year before the projected drill date, which will remain at the middle of May, 2017. Acting Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commissionn Mr Newell Dennison, who was also present at the meeting, is tasked with presenting a report to the President before the request can be granted. According to Minister Trotman, the President is eager to fast-forward the development of Guyana for all Guyanese, and sees the extractive sector as one that can provide “the fuel that can take Guyana from zero
to 100 fast.” He also noted that the President is keen on expanding investments in the petroleum sector. REPSOL also applied two years ago for exploratory rights for Ultra Deep water Block C. The company boasts being the first to discover oil in Guyana in July 2012, when they began drilling at the Jaguar-1 Well and found the presence of hydrocarbons. Though that drill site did not produce oil in economic quantities, REPSOL was able to gather significant seismic data that will be useful for future exploratory work. During the REPSOL ‘reps’ visit, Minister Trotman was presented with a sample of the hydrocarbons found at the Jaguar-1 drill site by the company. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Ministry of Tourism, GTA donate cleaning tools to ECHO THE Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have made good on their promise to help beautify the country by donating to the Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO) a number of tools to aid in the clean-up and beautification of Guyana. Speaking briefly at the handing-over ceremony held at St Margaret’s Primary School on Camp Street, GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh explained that the sector had embarked on numerous clean-up projects prior to this initiative. He stated that for the tourism industry to flourish, a clean and beautiful environment is of paramount importance. The director explained that the country has always been under severe criticism concerning the state of the environment, especially the city. He noted too that since President David Granger’s call for the clean-up of the city, many private and public entities have thrown their support behind the initiative.
Reiterating his point, he noted that for tourism in Guyana to flourish, a clean environment is necessary, and urged Guyanese to take pride in their environment and “let us clean up our country.” The sector donated a number of rakes, forks, shovels, long boots, trash bags, gloves, cutlasses and a wheel borrow to the ECHO club. Director of ECHO, Clive Muridalall, explained that there are 60 ECHO clubs country wide and the St. Margaret’s Primary School is one of the most vibrant. He noted that the club consists of 30 members. The director explained the reason behind the organisation targeting schools: he noted that the change of attitude towards the environment needs to start at an early age. “We need to educate persons from a young age and look at the future that these students will be able to impart their knowledge to their elders as well as their younger peers.” Georgina Lewis, also a
GTA’s Director Indranauth Haralsingh hands over tools to Clive Muridalall, Georgina Lewis and some of the members of St. Margaret’s Primary School ECHO club (Photo by Adrian Narine)
Director of ECHO, thanked GTA and the Tourism Ministry for their contribution and assured Haralsingh that the tools will be put to good use.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Finance Minister heads to Venezuela for PetroCaribe talks THE rice industry has come under sharp focus in recent weeks since the new Government disclosed it would have to find some US$15M to pay rice farmers as the monies accrued for that payment under the PetroCaribe initiative had
been diverted to other projects by the previous PPP/C Administration. In the meantime, the new Government has signalled its intention to accept the resignations of a number of senior Government functionaries, including Jagnarine Singh
of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). The announcement was made by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon who, during his post-cabinet press briefing this past week, announced a major restructuring of the rice development board.
He accused the GRDB of being complicit in the maladministration of monies meant for the sector. The previous Administration expended the money on projects such as the Hope Canal. Minister Harmon was asked if the now bare PetroCaribe Fund would be replenished by Government, and he told media operatives this would be difficult, but the monies spent will be subject to an inquiry. On the matter of the GRDB, Harmon reported that Cabinet had been briefed on the composition of the board, “and the actual management of the rice sector.” He reported that Cabinet was of the view since monies would have to be plugged into the sector immediately; this will have to be accompanied with a formula as had
been the case with the recent bailout of the sugar sector. According to Harmon, “We will not be putting money into the hands of people who have been there and diverting it to all different types of projects.” He told media operatives that Jagnarine Singh indicated a desire to demit office, “and we will accept his resignation and wish him well.” Government, Minister Harmon said, would be hard pressed to justify handing over monies to the same people. As it relates to the other members on the GRDB, Harmon said, “We have to clean up the board as well.” He made it clear that it was not a matter of reshuffling persons but rather replacing the GRDB Board altogether.
Harmon also used the opportunity to announce that Finance Minister, Winston Jordan will next week be heading a delegation to neighbouring Venezuela with a view to seeking an extension on the concessionary arrangements under which oil is purchased and rice sold between the two countries. Harmon noted that the Venezuela market represents some 36 percent of all of Guyana’s rice exports and as such was an important trading partner. The existing PetroCaribe arrangement between Guyana and Venezuela comes to a close in October and according to Harmon, the Guyana delegation headed by the Finance Minister will have a strong representation from the rice sector.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
PPP/C urges Gov’t to release info on missing State-owned vehicles THE Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has called on the David Granger Administration to publish information pertaining to the 28 allegedly missing state-owned vehicles. In a statement to the press, the PPP/C yesterday said it noted with dismay, “the big noise being made by the Granger de-facto Administration, fuelled by sections of the media, about missing state-owned vehicles amounting to over 28.” The PPP/C stated that Minister of the State, Joseph Harmon is purported to have said: “We have a bigger amount [of vehicles] missing across all Government ministries and agencies.” The PPP/C is calling on Harmon to publish information showing the type and registration number of each vehicle, as well as the name of each ministry and agency to which the vehicles were attached. The Party is also calling upon the Administration to publish the names of the
“former Government officials who have been filling up their tanks and those of their families.” During his weekly press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon disclosed that police investigations are continuing into the alleged misappropriation of state-owned vehicles; and he noted that eight from the Public Service Ministry have been returned. He revealed that between June 19 and 20, five vehicles were returned, and “all except one drove in on their own steam.” Three vehicles were returned before June 19. The set of vehicles was reportedly transferred in the final days of the previous Administration at the behest of former Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford, to several individuals. A State Asset Recovery Programme has been set up to ensure the return of state assets, wherever they may be located. The unit is headed by Professor Clive Thomas and persons who will function in that unit
Friday, June 26, 2015 - 12:30 hrs Saturday, June 27, 2015 - 13:30 hrs Sunday, June 28, 2015 - 14:30 hrs
have been identified. He said that offers to assist in this effort have even been obtained from persons residing overseas, “people who know where things are. In fact, every morning you [are] getting reports about two vehicles gone somewhere, they take
off the number plate and somebody throw canvas over it, but we will get to all of them.” It was pointed out by Minister Harmon that in one day alone in May, 28 vehicles were transferred. The State Asset Recovery Unit will examine all
of the cases and decide on how they will proceed. “That is why I said to all persons who have Government assets to bring them in. I don’t want to come after you because I want to look forward.” He emphasised that Government is interested
in looking forward to the future and is not interested in looking back, “I don’t have time for looking back, so help me, help this Government in looking forward by bringing in the assets, because we’ll have to send people behind you if you don’t!”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
President meets with IDB officials PRESIDENT David Granger and Mr Alexandre Meira da Rosa, Vice-President of Country Department, for the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) greet each other before a brief meeting Wednesday at the Ministry of the Presidency. During the meeting, discussions were held on existing projects Guyana has with the IDB, and plans for further projects. (GINA)
President David Granger meets Mr Alexandre Meira da Rosa, Vice-President of Country Department for the IDB
GDF spearheads search for missing Pomeroon farmer
– following boating mishap on Pomeroon River THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said yesterday that following a report of a collision involving one of its vessels on the Pomeroon River, it immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation in order to find the missing Pomeroon farmer, Mr. Orton Benjamin. This GDF-led operation, the Army said in a statement yesterday, is utilising specialist equipment and the services of divers. The GDF is reportedly in contact with Mr. Benjamin’s
family, and will provide them with all necessary assistance during this difficult time. It will also remain engaged in the search for Mr Benjamin until he is recovered. Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips has ordered an investigation into the accident involving the GDF vessel and Mr Benjamin’s boat. According to our Essequibo correspondent, the search for the 47-year-old farmer is primarily concentrated in the St John area of the lower Pomeroon River, “not far from the river mouth,” and is
being conducted by relatives and friends of Benjamin, as well as members of the Guyana Police Force and the GDF Coast Guard. Benjamin was reportedly taking his wife and young child to school by boat on Wednesday morning when the accident occurred. Of the boat’s three occupants, he was the only one to have fallen overboard, and is believed to have been badly injured in the process. (Additional reporting by Rajendra Prabhulall)
Personal effects now subject to random inspections – says GRA IN the interest of revenue protection and adherence to the country’s border laws and regulations, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will now be randomly selecting personal effects for inspection. Customs procedures have been revised to facilitate profiling of non-commercial cargo for examinations based on a criteria that seeks to avert smuggling of prohibited, restricted or undeclared goods. The examination will be done jointly by officers of Customs Excise and Trade Operations, (CETO) Goods Examination Unit (GEU) & Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID)
who will also determine the degree of examination (i.e. 25%, 50% and 100%) and present a report on all the examinations to the Commissioner-General for his information. The GRA, in a statement yesterday, noted that prior to this new system, personal effects such as barrels, boxes, bins skids, pallets, and other packages, were not subject to inspections. They were released after a flat rate duty was applied. However, with the frequency in attempts in recent years to use personnel effects as a smuggling guise, the modifications were seen as necessary. Chief among the violations are attempts to declare Commercial Cargo as Non-Commercial Cargo by
shipping them in barrels, boxes, bins skids, and pallets. Consignees who make false declarations will be subject to a fine implemented by LEID. Meanwhile, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), passengers who voluntarily join the Nothing to Declare line will be profiled for 100% baggage examination by CETO & LEID and a report will be presented to the Commissioner-General. The GRA said it is confident that the new system will strengthen its capacity to detect discrepancies in classification and valuation of goods, ensure the customs duty and taxes are remitted and improve compliance from importers/ exporters resulting in increased revenue collection.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Gov’t to implement systematic gun licence programme – Security Minister tells Upper Corentyne businessmen PUBLIC Security Minister, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan has announced that the government intends to clamp down on the erratic issuing of gun licences as obtained during the previous administration. He made the observation Wednesday during a meeting between Executives of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and members of the Upper Corentyne Fisherman’s Coop Society Limited at City Inn Hotel at Line Path, Skeldon. Noting that the trend back then was to issue licences in an ad hoc manner, Minister Ramjattan said that it is for this very reason that the Public Security Ministry has put applications on hold, and is moving to implement a systematic and transparent procedure for their issuance. He said he has since asked the Ministry’s Advisory Board to come up with systematic policies and programmes that should soon see the licences being granted "with a sense of reasoning." He said that this change in the way things are done where the issuing of gun
Minister of Public Security and Second-Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan addressing the Executives of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and members of the Upper Corentyne Fisherman’s Coop Society Limited Wednesday at City Inn Hotel at Line Path, Skeldon
licences is concerned should bring not just order to the system, but dissuade the existing regime of tolerance for corruption. "I do not want people to pay bribe for anything; you go through the process, and if the process did not grant you what you want, you are entitled to make a complaint," the Minister said. GUN AMNESTY The minister also spoke of other plans to have a gun amnesty for firearms that are
illegally held. He explained that the ministry is still working out the details for this, but once this amnesty is granted those caught after with illegal firearms will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. CPG VEHICLES FOR POLICE FORCE The Minister told the gathering that underutilised vehicles issued to Community Policing Groups (CPGs) are being transferred to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Minister Ramjattan dis-
closed that his ministry will be delivering to the Force,
38 vehicles that were handed over to CPGs by the last
administration. These were underutilised by the CPGs, and will be better used by the police force which is not only in need of vehicles, but also "the first line of defence for public security." He explained further that these vehicles will be transferred to those divisions where crime rates have spiked. He said that this move should ensure more patrols in these areas. The Minister also urged care of the vehicles explaining that he has visited several police stations and witnessed the state of vehicles just under three years old. He also advised against unauthorised use of the vehicles stressing that those found guilty will be prosecuted. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Protest continues at GPHC as ‘dismissed’ Director of Nursing Services stays put By Shirley Thomas THE protest by nurses of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday entered its seventh day, with dismissed Director of Nursing Services, Matron Coleen Hicks, still at her desk and nurses vowing to continue demonstrating until their demands are met. The nurses are pressing demands for a letter of termination of services issued to Hicks by Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Khan to be rescinded. They are also calling for the removal of Khan as CEO. Speaking on behalf of the protesting nurses, Senior Departmental Nursing Supervisor, Keith Alonzo yesterday said: “The nurses will continue to protest until the situation is addressed by the Ministry of Health and the decision to terminate Ms. Hicks’ contract rescinded.” Matron Hicks was issued the dismissal letter on Wednesday, June 17, sparking protest action the same day by nurses who insist that the decision was grossly unfair and it was a plan carefully orchestrated by persons known to have a very junior and unqualified member of staff replace Hicks. The CEO had earlier last week said that he had dismissed the matron on the grounds of insubordination,
adding that she was on probation, so in his estimation her action warranted dismissal. However, as it turned out, it was not Hicks’ ‘action’ that led to her receiving a termination letter, rather it would seem more like ‘inaction’. This newspaper was informed that what the CEO interpreted as insubordination was her alleged refusal to respond to memos he had written to her. Khan has since said that he is seeking advice from his lawyer and the Minister of Public Health on the matter. This newspaper understands that on Wednesday morning, a high-level team of health officials from the Ministry of Public Health met with Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit, Dr. Zulificar Bux, and Head of the Human Resource Development, Rhomena Chung at the GPHC’s Conference Room. However, the nursing directorate finds it difficult to believe that the meeting had anything to do with the matron’s dismissal, since there was no representation from that directorate. REPLACEMENT Last week, the CEO stated that Hicks is to be replaced by an Assistant Director (matron) once she is not ‘reinstated’. But the Senior Departmental Supervisor and protesting nurses contend that such a move would be beyond anything they could comprehend, since the replacement identified is a relatively junior
staff nurse brought from a private hospital to do parttime nursing at the Accident and Emergency Unit, while attending the University of Guyana. The particular nurse only recently did midwifery and was also just made Head of Infection Control, but she is said to have only about four years’ nursing experience. And interestingly, the candidate does not have the requisite 5–6 years post-graduate experience and therefore cannot be in charge of a unit, according to the nursing directorate. The replacement named, this newspaper understands, did an interview for acceptance to the position of Assistant Director, but failed it and so does not qualify for the position. The panel of professionals conducting the interview on April 21 last included GPHC’s Matron Coleen Hicks; the Matron of a private hospital; GPHC Human Resource Director, Rhomena Chung; Human Resource Manager, Odessa Wickham and Ms. Bibi Hack. In contrast, Hicks who has a nursing degree and some 17 years’ experience as a nursing professional is duly qualified and has done and continues to do the GPHC proud, according to the nurses. She has been a senior departmental supervisor for more than five years; has
worked as senior supervisor with the Centre for Diseases Control; Supervisor of the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit; Supervisor of the High Dependency Unit (HDU); Head of the Intensive Care Unit; the Burns Care Unit and has several other professional certifications. Responding to claims that the matron had arbitrarily transferred nurses within the institution, Senior Departmental Supervisor, Alonzo dismissed that as an ill-informed statement, if not a malicious
claim. “As Nursing Director, Ms. Hicks rotates nurses so they can get the clinical practice and experience needed to become well rounded nurses,” Alonzo explained. He said that on no occasion did the matron ever cause any nurse to be transferred out of the hospital complex. Alonzo said about three months ago, Hicks was employed on a three-year contractual basis and is not on probation, as claimed. Other nurses on the picket
Nurses outside the GPHC protesting the ‘dismissal’ of the Director of Nursing Services
line declared: “She works extremely well; has brought back standards and principles to nursing. She instills in nurses the principles of nursing and informs them about the policies and regulations governing the profession, as well as the importance of getting good clinical practice for upward mobility. She has done the profession proud and is deserving of no less than the position of Director of Nursing Services for which she is duly qualified.”
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Female ranks targeted to help deal with domestic, gender violence --Minister Ramjattan tells Berbicians
Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan addressing the meeting at City Inn Hotel, Line Path, Skeldon MINISTER of Public Security Mr Khemraj Ramjattan has several plans to propel the security sector, one of which sees women playing a better leadership role in confronting issues such as gender and domestic violence. Addressing executives of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and members of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Coop Society Limited at a meeting held at the City Inn Hotel at Line Path, Skeldon on Wednesday, Minister Ramjattan said the ministry will be working with the Canadian and British Governments to provide capacity-based training, specific to females within the force to deal with these issues. A survey commissioned in 2012 by the Ministry of Human Services in collaboration with the United Nation’s Population Fund has revealed that the lifetime prevalence of physical violence against women was highest, at 77 per cent, in Region Six, followed by 65 per cent in Region Four and 63 per cent in Region Ten. The study has revealed that most of the victims suffered injuries and ill health, and were unable to work, while 50 per cent of them were sexually abused by their intimate partners
Community Policing Groups’ members at a meeting conducted in the boardroom of the Corriverton City Council He pointed to his dismissal, immediately after taking during the course of their lives. office, of Mohanram Dolai and Narine Lall who were found Meanwhile, as part of the government’s efforts to restore criminally liable of burning the genitals of 15-year-old Typublic confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Minister won Thomas in 2009. “You cannot have policemen in our Ramjattan is emphasising the importance of ensuring ‘quality’ Force who are going to do misconduct of that nature and to ranks are recruited to serve. The Minister said that the new ad- those vulnerable in our community…,” the Minister said. ministration intends to carry out rigorous background checks Despite their actions, these two cops were promoted, one on new recruits. from Constable to Sergeant and the other from a Sergeant to “We want quality policemen and so we are going to vet an Inspector. “That is what the last administration did, and in a better manner the recruits that are going to come in the quite a lot of you here did not utter one word,” he pointed out. police force,” the Minister said, adding that quality recruits Minister Ramjattan said that the new administration will ensure fewer rogue cops in the Force, a situation for which is against such behaviour and will instead work to ensure the new administration has zero tolerance. honest cops and better community-policing relations. “We want to ensure that communities start respecting policemen and policemen not only demanding the respect, but ensuring that their conduct deserve the respect by virtue of how they perform,” the Minister said. To this end, he also called on ranks to work closely with members of the community, “to ensure that that respect and confidence is redeemed.” He added that it is only when the community respects their policemen that they will want to do such things as share information, go to court to testify and report suspicious characters. In turn, the police will gain greater respect for the community if they respond to information supplied by citizens in a timely and lawful manner. “This is what we would want in the new administration, a kind of civilian oversight over police stations in the various divisions, and that there be communication and dialogue with the citizens who we seek to protect and serve,” the Minister said. No longer must policemen be seen as “bullies or little Caesars” in the communities, who harass and keep at bay the public, he said, but instead be seen as “embracing and working with the community so that the entire theme of protect and serve will be realised.” Whilst in Region Six, the Minister also met and engaged the different chapters of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs). Minister Ramjattan underscored the Members of the Guyana Police Force, the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and the need to have good community- policing relationship at Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Coop Society Limited at the meeting at the City Inn Hotel at Line Path, Skeldon each of these meetings. (GINA)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit Guyana
– slated to arrive tomorrow for series of high-level engagements COMMONWEALTH Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma will arrive in Guyana tomorrow for a threeday visit, to gain a clear understanding of the Region’s concerns and priorities. Mr Sharma will call on recently elected President, His Excellency David Granger, and some members of his coalition Government. According to a statement yesterday from Ms Natricia Duncan from the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, Mr Sharma will also meet with the Speaker of Parliament and other key stakeholders in the country. The visit will continue a series of high-level engagements in the Caribbean. Last week the Secretary-General met with recently elected St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Hon Dr Timothy Harris, and attended the Commonwealth Conference of Education Ministers in The Bahamas. From Guyana, Mr Sharma will travel to the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in Barbados. The trip to the Region and consultation with Heads of Government is part of the Secretary-General’s preparations for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), in Malta on 27-29 November 2015. “The aim is to meet with as many Commonwealth leaders in the Caribbean
Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral Kamalesh Sharma
as possible to ensure their concerns and priorities are reflected in the CHOGM agenda,” Mr Sharma said. The Secretary-General will also address key issues affecting small states in the Region, including ocean governance, climate change, education and youth empowerment, debt, trade, natural disaster management and access to development finance. He said: “In addition to our advocacy work to raise the Caribbean’s concerns and needs on the global stage, the Commonwealth Secretariat is leading a number of cutting-edge initiatives that offer practical solutions to the challenges facing the Caribbean.
“For example, our debt management software, which is used in 60 countries worldwide, manages a global portfolio of more than US$2.5 trillion of public debt, including approximately US$50 billion in the Caribbean. “Our Commonwealth 2013 debt restructuring exercise in Jamaica resulted in annual savings of approximately J$17 billion and a projected reduction of 8.8 per cent of debt-to-GDP by 2020.” The Secretary-General will also discuss the ground-breaking ‘Building the Resilience of Small States: A Strategic Vision for the Caribbean 2050’ project. The initiative examines the underlying reasons for slow economic growth in the Region and its findings were dubbed a “wake-up call” for Governments. The project proposes a set of decisive actions, including empowering the youth with creative and interpersonal skills through revamped curriculums; reinvigorating the spirit of entrepreneurship; political reform; utilising local resources to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy; improving employment opportunities for young people in the private and public sectors and securing access to development of finance.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Phone# 616-0301 or 699-6156
The University of Guyana’s ‘Academic Freedom Party’ was unleashed just recently and fans came out in their numbers. As the Bombshell cameras whirred and flashed all night it was evident that these kids certainly possessed both party and fashion flair. Here they are in their royal glory, the enthusiastic few who made the cut for the Bombshell pages. Be sure to peruse our next three pages and get your fill of intoxicating entertainment... A double dose of Caribbean flava
Flaunting her assets as she showcases demure simplicity
Granny was right when she said good things always come in threes A triple-dose of Guyanese Fashion
The curvy ladies were nicely represented
This is certainly the right manner for curvy damsels to showcase
These dudes kept it nice and simple
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‘Princess Star Show’ moves in to compelling second gear THE excitement is at volcanic degrees, such that claws are being unseated as the ‘Princess Karaoke Star’ event moves into second gear. At the first round of the event, which exploded last Saturday inside Club Next (Princess Hotel), some twenty-five singers blazed a trail to impress the judges, as they each battled for whopping cash prizes and an opportunity to represent Guyana in Trinidad & Tobago later this year. The contestants brought out their ‘A’ Game as they fused rich vocals, creativity and props, with each contestant striving to evade the whiplash of elimination. At conclusion of the first round, five unlucky persons were ousted from the contest because of half-hearted and lacklustre showcases. This produced the inevitable sullen faces, but they have only themselves to blame. At this round, Georgetown’s Lashaun Charles took the top spot, with ‘Queen Maria’ Iodele Gilbert and Lisa Walcott following in hot pursuit. The Bartica ‘hottie’ Sylene Griffith surprised the judges by belting out a Whitney Houston selection to nab a
spot amongst the top ten best showcases. In this lineup, too, were Sharon Jacobs, ‘DJ Mongo Slade’ Junior Corbin, Michael Spencer and Sharon Martin, all of Georgetown. Promising contestants to watch out for are Oquela Jones, Amanda Khanai, Dameon Apple, Sandra King and Michael Leung, who have each displayed winning potential. Tomorrow night at 8:30 pm, round two will be staged at the same venue, and the contestants have all promised to rain ‘fire and brimstone’ as they each stake a claim on the coveted 205 Princess Star crown. Make sure you are there to witness this exciting and entertaining spectacle!!! Those competing on Saturday, June 27, are Oquela Jones, Sharon Martin, Amanda Khani, DJ Mongo Slade, Sandra King, Lashaun Charles, Sharon Jacobs, Elizabeth Leung, Michael Leung, Petal France, Iodele Gilbert, Junior Corbin, Dameon Apple, Sylene Griffith, Queen Maria, Lisa Walcott, Michael Spencer, Brian
“DIPLOMATIC BLOW” FOR NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE AT MONTH-END THE H&T Theatre Arts Group will be staging “Diplomatic Blow” on June 27 and 28 at the National Cultural Centre. This hilarious comedy is written and directed by Ronald Hollingsworth, one of Guyana’s most celebrated playwrights. The play features a local Guyanese playboy who meets and develops an inappropriate relationship with an overseas-based diplomat. This relationship provided him with the opportunity to meet and mingle with people of higher social standing, and he soon turns his back upon his friends and his fiancée, whom he had faithfully promised to wed. Things turn sour as events would give credence to the idiom “all that glitters is not gold”. The cast includes Leslyn Bobb-Semple, Mark Kazim, Sean Thompson, Clemencio Goddette, Nirmala Narine, Leza Singh, Paul Budnah and Alana Craigen. The production manager is Mark Luke-Edwards; and the production will be co-produced and co-directed by accomplished dramatist/director/producer Sheron Cadogan-Taylor. The dynamic cast is working assiduously to set the stage of the National Cultural Centre ablaze on production nights. In other words, it is a must-see production. Tickets will be released shortly, and will be available at the National Cultural Centre.
Gonsalves, Oconell Morgan, and Winifred Mason. At the end of the competition, the eventual winner will take home cash prizes, bragging rights, and a recording deal with one of the top
GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Some of the ‘hotties’ to watch out for tomorrow recording studios; plus an all-expenses-paid weekend for two at a top resort in Guyana, and the opportunity to represent Guyana in the exciting Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.
Vizion Kids Show set to energise Linden and Georgetown
Dexter Mc Clennon
The contestants were particularly pleased with the charisma Judge # 2, Dexter Mc Clennon, brought to the table
‘Spice’ to set ablaze Club 704 tomorrow night IT’S nice to see that someone is actually catering for the whims and fantasies of the kids. The Vizion Sounds entity is poised to host one of the biggest kid shows ever at two locations in Guyana. The first show will be staged on July 26, 2015 at the Mackenzie Sports Complex Ground in Linden, while another massive show will explode at the DCC Ground in Queenstown, Georgetown on July 27.
And folks, this will be a kids show with a difference, in that promoters will be bringing the Jamaican magician ‘The Wizard’, who will be a climax feature at both events. Other attractions will include the popular ‘fire eater’ Shawn Thomas out of Linden. Parents are urged to bring out the kids in their numbers since the Dora and Sponge Bob characters will be hopping and prancing all over the place. Tr a m p o line, Ferris Wheel and Merry-GoAround will bring extra excitement as the kids are allowed to mingle and interact with their favourite cartoon characters.
GRACE HAMILTON, better known as “Spice”, will be heading to Club 704 for the “Spicy Saturday Party” on Saturday, June 27. Hamilton was born on August 6 in Jamaica, and grew up in Old Breaton, St Catherine, where she attended Breaton Junior High School, and later St Catherine High School. Throughout her career, she has performed at various stage shows, both locally and overseas, the biggest of which was Sting 2005. She has also collaborated with Jimmy Cliff on one of his albums with the hit single “I Want I Do I Get”. She is currently signed with Madhouse Records, and her most current song -- “Fight Over Man” -was released on the Madhouse Label and has been creating some buzz in the Caribbean and further afield.
Spice i s n o s t r a n g e r to Guyana, since she has performed here many times at the Guyana National Stadium and inside Club 704 and Gravity Lounge. On June 27, she is expected to create a whirlwind with several of her new hits, and will be accompanied by the sounds of Deej a y Ta l l e s t , S e l e c t o r Diamond, and Gully Ras from Fusion Sounds. The event is sponsored by Fly Jamaica, and admission to the event is $2000. Doors will be opened from 21:30h.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Bombshell Artiste of the Week
OVERSEAS-BASED Guyanese rapper Louie Banks can arguably be termed one of the more talented rappers originating from the local shores. He is chalking up notable points on the international front. This raunchy-styled, very energetic, hard core hip-hop artiste brings to the platter dashing good looks coupled with intense stage presence and a versatility unmatched by well nigh anybody. This entertaining bombshell will, tomorrow night, be launching his new album, comprising some 21 hit singles, inclusive of ‘Hated’ and Guyanese singer Louie ‘Cold World’. This album Banks is set to invade is set to be launched at the the Hip-Hop arena. Southview Tavern on Aubrey
Vizion Sounds set to launch Louie Banks’ album at Southview Tavern Barker Road in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Louie is presently under the wings of the Vizion Sound Recording Studio, hence his rapid ascendancy to the top of the musical kingdom. This 23-year-old artiste told the Bombshell in an exclusive interview yesterday that while in his early teens, he was not as focused on music as he is today; but after his first song (On My Block) was released when he was just ten years old, he began to understand that music was in his veins and was there
Paul Charles to represent Guyana in The Bahamas MR. Guyana International 2014, Paul Charles, will be representing Guyana in The Bahamas for the Music, Model and Talent Search (MMTS) 2015 International Conference, slated for July 13-18. Submissions for the conference were accepted from May 5 through May 25 using Instagram, Soundcloud and YouTube, because those are the social media platforms where international scouts, agents, record labels and talent managers are discovering raw talent. It took a panel of international judges much longer than expected to narrow down all of the entrees to only 12 finalists. The panel of judges selected a music, model and talent winner, and each won an all-expense-paid scholarship to attend the top Caribbean music, model and talent search in the region. Each of the 12 finalists selected had the opportunity to share his submissions with his friends, fans and followers, to garner votes for the People’s Choice. The inaugural Virtual Auditions Competition held between June 9 and June 12 yielded great support, as nearly 2500 votes came in from across the Caribbean in support of delegates from throughout The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Each of the 12 finalists chosen also had the opportunity to share his submission with his friends, fans and followers to garner votes for the People’s Choice Award. The finalist who earned the top number of online votes won “People’s Choice” and the fourth scholarship spot. At end of the selection, Guyana’s Paul Charles was selected as a model among the other three – Music: Alyssa Bullock Sterling (St Vincent
Reigning Mr. Guyana International, Paul Charles el and talent conference.
and The Grenadines); Talent: Trevis Belle (St Kitts and Nevis) and People’s Choice: Kazia Aurelien (Saint Lucia). Nevertheless, all the finalists are officially invited to attend Island MMTS, which is an invite-only music, mod-
The week-long event offers the opportunity to network closely with entertainment industry executives, agents, talent managers, record labels, modelling agencies, music producers, songwriters and international media.
Miss World Guyana 2015 set for today
Reigning Miss Guyana World, Rafeiya Husain
to stay. Three years later, his dreams crashed around his feet when an individual who had made brilliant promises to help with the distribution of his music fell through miserably, breaking his teenage heart as well. “It was a harsh experience for me when the promises did not come through and I suffered a major blow to my ego. I felt betrayed and abused, but I just picked myself up and, with perseverance, learned to overcome this blunder,” Louie said.
Today Louie certainly has a claim to fame, and has thus far performed on shows with hip-hop giant ‘Rick Ross’. He has even recorded in Japan an album dubbed ‘The Rich Boy’. Louie assures that he tries to keep his dream “reality-based”, and despite struggles and constraints, remains positively focused on achieving the best life has to offer. He did let on that he loves to be a motivator to others, and that he sees himself having his own record label in the next two years. Commenting on chal-
lenges faced in his musical journey, the singer noted that his biggest setback has been encountering persons who make promises they are unable to fulfill; persons failing to uphold contracts; copyright disputes; and bad payment patterns of promoters. Louie advises other musicians to be careful of whom they trust, since promoters often view artistes as gold mines. He urges musicians not to sell their rights, and to always keep in mind the goal of ultimate success.
Who will be the lucky Carlsberg Supa 6 millionaire? FROM inception, the Carlsberg Supa 6 promotion has been generating quite a frenzy among regular beer drinkers. And that is quite natural now that they can enjoy an excellent beer and win cash to boot. Quite a few, having already won the cash prizes at the weekly draws, have been made richer Carlsberg style. The big buzz is, however, generated around who will be the lucky person to win the $1M up for grabs at the drawing of July 04, 2015? Well, today, folks, the 5th draw will be held at the Southview Tavern (Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown). The 6th drawing will be hosted tomorrow at the Brazilian Embassy (Church Street, G/town). Meanwhile, fans are urged to continue drinking Carlsberg and submitting their crowns to win the weekly cash prizes. You can, of course, win cash from purchasing and depositing your entries at Seeta’s Bar (Station Street, Kitty); G-Spot Bar, and Son’s Bar, (Sandy
Babb Street, Kitty), Blue Martini Club (Lamaha Street); 704 Sports Bar (Lamaha & Albert Streets, G/town); and Gravity Lounge (Camp & Regent Streets) This offer is also available at the Police Consumers entity (Robb Street); The Grill (Thomas Lands, G/town); Rabbie’s Snackette (New Market & Thomas Streets); Cool Square Bar (Mandela Avenue); The Garage (Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt); White Castle Fish Shop (Hadfield Street); Pet
Boy’s (Ketley Street, Charlestown); and Stephon’s Sports Bar (Leopold Street). Same is also offered at KK Gas Station (Unity, Mahaica); Airport Bar (Ogle); Seeram’s Bar (Alexander Bar); Stadium View Bar (Providence); Kozy Nook (Soesdyke); Sase Bar (Crane, WCD); Mary’s Bar (Crane); Caribbean Temptation (Anna Catherina); Bora’s Bar (CI); Club Hamnonie (Parfait Harmonie); Tajoe’s Bar (Pouderoyen) and Mark’s Bar (Parika).
THE Miss World Guyana Committee has selected a delegate to represent Guyana at the Miss World pageant to be held in Sanjay, China in December. That delegate will be revealed to the public at a coronation ceremony at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown tonight. That lucky young lady has outshone 14 other contestants, and despite having no pageant experience, is deemed the most suitable delegate to represent Guyana at the international pageant. The new queen will be crowned by reigning Miss World Guyana, Rafieya Husain, at a lavish ceremony. Husain’s platform as the 2014 Miss World Guyana Queen has made an indelible mark on the lives of victims of domestic violence, particularly teenagers. She has used her “Beauty with a Purpose” platform to engage thousands of young people in Guyana, the Caribbean, and further afield with messages of hope, love, and respect. Having had one year of campaigning for young people in violent relationships, Husain has to pass the baton to the new Miss World Guyana Queen, who was selected by the Directors of the Miss World Guyana franchise. Apart from the crowning, the much-anticipated event will see performances by popular radio host Nuriyyih Gerrard, and talented poet Randolph Critchlow. The coronation ceremony will be hosted by former beauty queens Ruqayyah Boyer, Miss World Guyana 2013, and Husain. All donations received will go towards the Miss World Guyana Beauty with a Purpose humanitarian fund. The 2015 Miss World Guyana coronation ceremony is sponsored by the Marriott Hotel and Caribbean Airlines.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
BOMBSHELL PARTY ROUNDUP
Palm Court readies for ‘4th of July’ Independence Celebrations
Palm Court presents ‘Karaoke Tuesdays’
COME sing your heart out in comfort and style. Folks at the Palm Court nightclub (Georgetown) have prepared for, and are expecting, you every Tuesday from 8pm. Don’t go getting bashful now, my dears… For you know that in Guyana we say karaoke is all about ‘carrying your own key’; so practically anyone can sing, if they would just put some soul into it. And things are different at this location, in that you can chose from over 100,000 songs in English, Spanish, Indian Portuguese and many other languages. ISN’T THAT FANTASTIC? Enjoy cocktails, platters and beer specials all night… What more can you possibly ask for? The admission is FREE!!!
8th Annual Wales Village Day promises to be a blast!!! IT will for sure be fun and frolic and intense ‘entertainment and thrills’ when Promoter ‘Suga’ and Avinash present their 8th Annual ‘Wales Village Day’ event. Slated for Sunday, July 05, 2015, this event will wake up the Wales Centre Ground (West Bank Demerara) with a whirling showcase of festivity, frolic and colour. When the gates are opened at 9am, fans will juggle to pulsating beats from TRS Sounds, Big Life System and Power Sonics. And patrons would be offered variety, since they can participate in the Kingdom Domino Competition and the Double Wicket Softball Cricket game. That aside, the centre of attraction would be around the much-anticipated ‘Cars Sound Off’, which will determine the champion of champions among the hot cars from the Westside. The wise will purchase their tickets early for only $500, knowing they would have to pay $800 at the gate.
YOU are strongly advised not to miss the excitement as Palm Court nightclub (Main Street, Georgetown) readies for its ‘4th of July’ Independence Celebrations on Saturday, July 04, 2015. Lick your lips and drool in anticipation: folks there would ‘tun up de grill’ with finger-licking Bar-b-Que chicken, baby back ribs, steak, and so much more! And whilst you revel the night away, you can enjoy Sam Adams Beer Specials all night! What’s more, music will be provided by the exciting DJ Carl!
‘BASHMENT GRANNY 3’ FOR CARICOM WEEKEND AT NCC YOU saw them four years ago when they set the place on fire with Episodes One and Two of “Bashment Granny”; now the entire cast is heading Guyana’s way for three big shows as the third edition of the Theatrical Spectacle, which has been creating a storm in the Caribbean and further afield, is promoted. “Bashment Granny 3” was performed to a sold-out audience in London, England, where members of the cast performed with excellence, thus winning the hearts of the Britons. The performing group, “Shebada and Friends”, leaves an indelible mark wherever it performs. Keith Ramsay is a Jamaican actor and comedian best known
Quote of the Day
for his appearances in “roots” plays, but is popularly known as “Shebada”. The show is set for July 4, 5 and 6 at various locations across the country. The first show is slated for July 4, and will see Lindeners getting the first bite of the pie at a venue to be announced later. So Lindeners, be ready for the time of your life. On July 5, the show heads to the National Cultural Centre to give coastlanders a chance to be a part of the action. The final show is billed for the New Amsterdam Technical Institute on July 6 (Caricom Day). Guyanese who intend to participate in the audience are advised to brace themselves for one of the biggest comedy extravaganzas to rock these shores.
Hottest T&T DJ to feature at Club 704’s ‘Pretty Z Pink’ SHE’s hot! She’s saucy! She‘s so versatile and electrifying! She is the hottest female DJ to come out of that mesmerizing musical atmosphere so pervasive in Trinidad and Tobago. And she is none other than ‘DJ Charlotte’!! She will be bringing the vibes on Saturday, July 02, at Club 704 (Albert and Lamaha Streets, Georgetown) alongside Selector Diamond. Persons arriving before midnight will be admitted without charge, while bottle specials will be available all night. The first 50 ladies will receive free shots of Pink Pussycat cocktails on arrival.
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GCF AGM null and void THE much anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Cycle Federation (GCF) which came off last Saturday at Olympic House, High Street, Georgetown, should be deemed null and void as it was unconstitutionally conducted. The current constitution, which came into existence in the mid 1950s when the late Justice Ralph Phillips was president, has not been reviewed since, which means that what the constitution stated then still stands. With that in mind, how can an Annual General Meeting (AGM) be held when there was no audited financial report, no notices in at least two daily newspapers and no selection of a cyclist to represent
the other cyclists’ interest. Prior to becoming president of the Federation some six years ago or more, former national cyclist now General Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Hector Edwards, was tasked with the responsibility of reviewing the constitution and suggesting certain changes to it, but to date that has not been done. Here are some examples of the irregularities that went on at Saturday’s AGM. In the 1950s, the cost for registering a club was a mere $5, today it is $5 000 even though the constitution has not been changed. A cyclist licence used to be two dollars, today, and for a few years now, it has
climbed to $2 000. To add some more spice to this pot, let me also state that constitutionally, the GCF’s AGM should be held during the month of March every three years. This 2015 AGM was held during the month of June. Also, the federation must publish a Notice of the AGM in at least two daily newspapers, 28 days before the AGM and also 14 days before the AGM. Active cyclists must select a cyclist to represent them on the Federation’s Council (that person will be called the cyclists’ representative). The delegates and candidates to represent the various clubs to sit on the Council must be scrutinised by the incumbent Gen-
eral Council before the AGM, and the affiliated clubs must be notified if their respective candidates/delegates are approved and the reasons for them not being approved, if that is the case. At the last election (2012), Continental cyclist Wayne DeAbreu, at the time an active cyclist, was elected Racing Secretary and Mohamed his deputy, but that year DeAbreu was merely an observer and neither a candidate nor a delegate. However, after a few months DeAbreu stepped down and Mohamed acted as Racing Secretary until Saturday. The GCF was established in the mid1950s just before the 1956 Melbourne (Australia) Olympic Games.
Roshandin moves to third in CMRC Group 2 standings GUYANA’S Mohamad ‘Shairaz’ Roshandin has rocketed upward in the Caribbean Motor Racing Association’s (CMRA) 2015 Championship standings for Group 2. The driver who is also the vice-president of the club had a solid showing last weekend in the second leg of the Championship at Wallerfield in Trinidad and Tobago. He amassed a total of 61 points to sit third in the standings. Speaking after picking up the Champion Driver for the Group 2 division on Sunday, he explained to Chronicle Sport that he was always intent on picking up wins. “We came to do well and that’s all. As a motor racer, every time you get
in the car, you get in the car to win. Sometimes you have competition which is better than you but today (Sunday), even though we had cars that were faster than ours, we managed to walk away with the champion driver trophy.” He remained steadfast that the day’s accomplishment was due to the reliability of the car, something he says his brother and mechanic was responsible for. “My brother is my mechanic, my team: everything. Without him and the work of family, I can’t get the car to be reliable as it is.” Ahead of Roshandin in the standings are Trinidad’s Marc Gill (96 points) and Jamaica’s Jordan Powell (75 points).
Mohamad ‘Shairaz’ Roshandin gets in a fender bender with Barbados’ Mark Thompson
NOTABLE DATES ANDREW `Six Head’ Lewis was on a rampage early in his career. The power-punching southpaw had stopped all five opponents leading up to his battle with South Korean Han Kim at the National Sports Hall on June 26, 1994. Kim and Lewis battled to a technical draw in round two. Lewis had fought a total of 10 rounds in his five previous fights. He debuted in February 1993 and knocked out Fitzroy Davidson in round two of a scheduled four-rounder. Eight months later, Patrick Farley succumbed to the
heavy-handed welterweight from Albouystown. Farley took the bow in round four. While Lewis took two rounds to get rid of Calvin John in December 1993, Rockford Abrams and Benjamin Modeste both found rest during the first round. Lewis became Guyana’s first world title-holder after defeating American James Page in February 2001. His first loss in the professional ranks occurred when he came against Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga in March 2002.
JUNIOR middleweight Tony Marshall was in the second of three fights of the year when he won a decision over American Rob Bleakley on June 26, 1999. The fight was held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and was a preliminary bout on a card that featured Paulie Ayala battling Johnny Tapia in the main event. Marshall was born in Guyana, but lived in the USA from an early age. In November 1994 he travelled to Argentina to challenge homeboy Julio Cesar Vasquez for the World Boxing Association junior middleweight
title. Vasquez prevailed via unanimous decision. For his second attempt at a world title Marshall was forced to travel to Spain to challenge Javier Castillejo for the World Boxing Association crown. However, the Guyanese orthodox fighter again lost by unanimous decision. Marshall is from a small group of Guyanese who, although born in Guyana, never fought a professional bout on home soil. The group includes Cleveland Denny, Egerton Marcus, Adrian Dodson, Steve Frank, Dennis Andries and Vivian Harris.
SOUTHPAW Shawn `The Heat’ Garnett is a Guyanese junior middleweight boxer who plied his trade out of Canada. He had his last professional bout on June 26, 2009. Garnett came up against an undefeated Austin Trout, another southpaw, and lost by unanimous decision when the eight-rounder ended. Trout went on to win the World Boxing Association junior middleweight title in February 2011 and is still
active today. Garnett snatched the World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino junior middleweight crown in March 2003. His career started in November 1998 when he defeated Charles Clarke in Maryland, USA, and ran for 11 years. Garnett participated in 19 bouts, one of which was held in Guyana. He boxed a total of 116 rounds and secured 11 victories, six losses, two draws.
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 11:00 hrs Diamond Tiara 11:35 hrs Cutting Edge 12:10 hrs The Lonsdale 12:45 hrs Dark Rose 13:20 hrs Scots Party 13:50 hrs Acrostar 14:20 hrs Tevez 15:00 hrs Snow Rose 15:35 hrs Princess Milo ENGLISH RACING TIPS Ascot 09:30 hrs Jersey Breeze 10:05 hrs Stravagante 10:40 hrs Limato 11:20 hrs Found 12:00 hrs Gold Trail 12:35 hrs Fabricate NEWMARKET 13:00 hrs Harry Bosch 13:30 hrs Open The Red 14:05 hrs Elronaq 14:35 hrs Flying Fantasy 15:05 hrs Buckstay 15:40 hrs Next Approach
16:10 hrs Star Fire GOODWOOD 13:15 hrs Banditry 13:45 hrs Debit 14:20 hrs Bella Nouf 14:”50 hrs William Of Orange 15:25 hrs Enlace 15:55 hrs Reflation IRISH RACING TIPS Limerick 12:40 hrs Jacobean 13:10 hrs Spinamiss 13:40 hrs Tom Dooley 14:15 hrs Lake George 14:45 hrs Loved 15:15 hrs House Limit 15:50 hrs Benkei AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race 1 Trophee Race 2 Colonel Juanita Race 3 Roman Fire Race 4 Fear Race 5 Upgrade Race 6 Liam’s Head
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
El Dorado Trading sponsors GSSF First Anniversary Shoot
THE Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) has secured Demerara Distillers Limited to fully sponsor their first anniversary shoot this weekend at the Timehri Ranges. The shoot features four stages of action where shooters will shoot at five individual steel targets per stage. Shooters will be scored using an electronic timing device. Penalties of added time are applied for any misses after the designated stop plate is shot and the total time taken is the score - all the while being closely monitored by the Federation’s Range Safety Officers. The shooter with the lowest time to hit all the plates overall in the match will be declared the winner. GSSF SC’s Match Committee reported that everything is set for tomorrow’s match which will see shooters compete in two SCSA Divisions - Wildcat and Limited. Prizes up for grabs will be awarded to the top three overall in each division. Wildcat Division will have competitors using .32ACP and any other calibre less than a 9mm while those in the Limited Division will shoot 9mm or higher calibre hand guns.
Pavasky Jagmohan hands over sponsorship funds to GSSF President Vidushi Persaud (left).
To add to the prestige of this GSSF’s first anniversary match, members who will be shooting full power handguns (Limited Division) will be competing for the rights to hoist the El Dorado Trading Steel Challenge Cup. Managing Director Tamesh Jagmohan, indicated that this Cup will be a Challenge Trophy which the winner will have to defend annually in the month of June to commemorate the anniversary of the federation. Each year the winner’s name and corresponding year will be inscribed on a plaque attached to the Cup’s base. At the ceremony at the headquarters of El Dorado Trading, located at Lot 136 Young Street, Kingston, Georgetown, president of the GSSF, Vidushi Persaud, in accepting the kind sponsorship, expressed thanks to the company. Persaud, in her capacity of Match Director noted that “Steel Challenge is the perfect way to introduce new shooters to the safe sport of steel shooting because it is easy to understand the rules and scoring, coupled with the satisfaction gained from the instant audible “ping” when the bullet hits the steel plate. (Stephan Sookram)
Antony Islam opens Digicel Senior C’ships with upset win THE DIGICEL Senior National Squash Championship got under way on Wednesday evening with three matches at the Georgetown Club Squash Courts. The 13-year-old Antony Islam defeated senior Yang Hapoei 3-2. His win came via his improving form and fitness, ending the match 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-8 marking an impressive comeback. The evening’s second game saw veterans Alwyn Callender and Pedro Towers go head-
to-head with the former claiming victory 11-2, 11-7, 11-9. Callender’s style of play never allowed Towers to settle as he made certain he closed the game just as his opponent was approaching his best form on the night. Daniel Islam showed promise in his matchup with veteran Medhi Ramdhani, but in the end was treated to an exhibition of experienced ball placement, most noticeable in the first two games. As the match
moved into the third game the fitness of youth was enough for Islam to wrest away that game 11-7. As the metaphorical grey hairs started to show for the former badminton player, Islam was able to secure a 4th game win, before the winded veteran secured victory, 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 13-11. The tournament continues today with several junior players seeking to unsettle a plethora of experienced seniors.
President of the Guyana Squash Association, David Fernandes, speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on the opening evening of the event, said that he expects the tournament to be a high-level one with some of the junior guys stepping up to the plate. “We have a lot of great players like Ashley Khalil and Ashley De Groot (in the ladies) and Jason Ray Khalil and others in the male end of things, so we expect a great and intense weekend of Squash.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Marsh shines against Kent Windies slump to eighth in ODI rankings BANGLADESH have overtaken West Indies for seventh spot in the latest International Cricket Council one-day team rankings. The Tigers have moved to 93 ratings points following their 2-1 win over World number two India in the three-match series which ended in Mirpur on Wednesday. Bangladesh won the opening ODI by 79 runs and sealed the series with a six-wicket victory in the second game. They lost the final game by 77 runs. The triumph was Bangladesh’s first-ever victory in a bilateral series over India. This was engineered in large part
by all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who scored 52, 51 not out and 20 in the three games, while taking three wickets, to return to the top of the ICC All-rounder rankings. World champions Australia remain on top the standings with 129 points, well clear of India on 115. World Cup losing finalists New Zealand lie third on 112, marginally ahead of South Africa on the same number of ratings points. Sri Lanka are fifth on 106 while England are sixth on 98 points. West Indies are also eighth in the Test rankings headed by South Africa and are fourth in the Twenty20 rankings led by reigning World champions Sri Lanka.
SHAUN Marsh made his claim for a place in Australia’s Test team with a century against Kent on the opening day of their Ashes tour. The left-handed opener, 31, scored 114 as Australia racked up 348-3 after being put in to bat on a true pitch under cloudless skies in Canterbury. Chris Rogers, vying with Marsh for an opening spot, made 84, while captain Michael Clarke scored 56 off 73 balls. Steve Smith was unbeaten on 71 at the close with Shane Watson eight not out. Clarke’s men are playing Kent, who are bottom of Division Two of the County Championship, as part of their preparation for their defence of the Ashes, with the first of five Tests starting in Cardiff on July 8. Following the day’s play, Marsh told the media: “I haven’t really thought too much about selection. It was nice batting out there with
GTA to celebrate Olympic Day on Sunday with Olympiad and Fun Day THE Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA) is collaborating with the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to observe this year’s Olympic Day with a promotional activity to celebrate the Olympic Movement for the sport of tennis. The inaugural Tennis Olympiad
and Fun Day will be held on Sunday at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue & Camp Streets, from 10:00hrs to 15.00hrs. Racquets and balls will be provided and there will be free tennis lessons, special high-energy fun activities and competitions geared for all ages. According
to a release, members of the public who wish to pursue tennis as a recreational sport will have an opportunity to try out the sport, watch top players and beginners challenge one another, meet tennis coaches and join a club. The GTA hopes to attract at least 40 new participants to the sport.
Australia’s Shaun Marsh executes a pull shot against Kent. Chris today. I thought we worked really well together and kept each other going. I thought he batted really well so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens over the next couple of weeks. “We want to play the brand of cricket we’ve been
playing for a little bit and I thought today was a good step towards that. We’ve got a really important day tomorrow. Hopefully we can bat a bit more time and then the bowlers can come out and have a crack as well.”
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday June 25, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Rodney Marsh (1970-1984) 96 Tests/355 dismissals (2) Peter Sleep (1979-1990) 14 Tests/31 wickets
Today’s Quiz:
(1) West Indian Deryck Murray once captained the WI in a Test? When and where? (2)Which WI player contested all of his 19 Tests at different venues?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Ramdhani/Robinson duo trumped in GOA badminton tourney ACTION in the GOA Olympic Day Future Badminton Tournament 2015 progressed to day two yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, with the team of Grandmasters Gokaran Ramdhani and Grandison Robinson being trumped in the semi-final stages. The duo lost an exciting three-set affair (21-12, 18-21, 21-16) to the pair of Jonathan Mangra and Avinash Odit. In the other semi-final Narayan Ramdhani and Nicholas Ali defeated William Holder and Haymant Ramdhani 21-10, 21-14. Meanwhile, on the distaff side, Pri-
yanna Ramdhani and Abosiade Cadogan trounced Ayanna Wickham-Watson and Emelia Ramdhani 21-7, 21-7 while Kara Abrams and Siya Persaud bettered Andrea Bernard and Amanda Daniels 21-11, 21-11. In other results, Narayan whipped Odit 21-9, 21-11 in the men’s semifinal while in the ladies’ semis, Priyanna Ramdhani crushed Wickham-Watson 21-3, 21-7 and Kara Abrams got the better of Abosaide Cadogan 21-18, 21-4. Third place went to Abosaide Cadogan who also overcame Wickham-Watson.
Avinash Odit is being observed by his team mate Jonathan Mangra as he executes a shot.
GKC to host grading exams today By Stephan Sookram THE Guyana Karate College (GKC) will later today host a grading exercise for students to enhance their status (belts). According to senior instructor Sensei Jeffery Wong, the grading comes as several athletes prepare for the International Karate Diagaku (IDK) world cup and camp set for July in Toronto, Canada. Speaking after a session yesterday, Master Frank Woon-A-Tai, president of the IDK indicated that the athletes are in good shape ahead
of the championship, but noted some shortcomings. “I evaluated them. I made them come out to do their Kata, their team Bunkai (the application of the Kata) and the Embu which is a demonstration. Right after the class we started with the first course to bring them up to that standard, but the main weakness is that they are not coming out as a team to train. “You may have one person out of a team coming or you may have two. It’s very rare that you have all three of them at the same time training, which makes the work of Sensei Wong very,
very difficult.” He stated that nonetheless, he is confident of improvement. “Other than that, they look pretty good. Then I have to fine-tune them in the week and a half that I’m here, but I’m hopeful that as long as they come, they are going to improve.” Meanwhile, sensei Wong is confident of having all his students graduate with excellent results as he has had them in training for this day for months now. The grading exercise is set for 16:30hrs today at the Carifesta Sport Complex on Carifesta Avenue.
Master Frank Woon-A-Tai shares his knowledge with students at yesterday’s training session.
Ramdyhan kayos Chung from GBTI 2015 Tennis C/ships NICOLA Ramdyhan in her quest to retain her GBTI Ladies’ title wasted no time to knock junior Allan Chung, out of the Ladies’ Singles Open when play in the competition continued on Wednesday at the GBTI’s Bel Air Park Court. Ramdyhan won the match comfortably at 6-0, 6-0, while on the other court, Kalysia Fraser continued to look strong as she dispatched Kizzy Richmond 6-3, 6-2 out of the competition. In other results, Philbert Clark started strong in his match against Mindat Lallbeharry in what would appear to be a trouble-free win for Clark until Lallbeharry levelled the set at 4-4. Clark did not hesitate after this point to close the set at 6-4 and quickly repeated a 6-4 win in the second set. Philip Squires, who finished runner-up last year to Anthony Downes, had a
surprising battle for his first match of the tournament, as GBTI 2014 novice winner Orande Dainty played exceptionally well for his transition into the Open category. His big serves and aggressive ground strokes earned him four games, but the higher margin of errors on his part handed the game to Squires at 6-2, 6-2. Squires’ path to the final is threatened by the likes of No. 4 seed Daniel Lopes, and No 2 seed Leyland Leacock. On the same half of the Men’s Open draw, Lopes demolished Charles Adams 6-1, 6-0. The last match of the evening went to Harry Panday after his opponent; Alfonso Field tweaked his back during the third game of the first set. Field tried to press through the pain but serving became extremely difficult.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday June 26, 2015
Guyana will rebound Abbas installed as against Antigua – Shabazz new ICC president
FOLLOWING their 2-0 loss to Cuba in the opening game, head coach Jamaal Shabazz said that Guyana’s National Under-23 team will bounce back when they come up against Antigua and Barbuda today in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Olympic Qualifier. The game kicks off at 18:00hrs after the Cuba/Aruba clash which gets on the way at 15:30hrs. While Guyana had a sour start to their campaign in the tournament, Antigua and Barbuda crushed Aruba 7-0. “I think we will battle them with courage,” Shabazz said while speaking on today’s important encounter, given the fact that only one team will advance from the group. “Going into the game versus Antigua we must treat them with the same respect as Cuba. They are a formidable opponent, more offensive than Cuba and in front of their home fans. Our squad are disciplined and work to the point where they will give their blood,” said Shabazz. Reflecting on the game against Cuba where the Spanish-speaking island were led by goals from Frank Manuel Lopez (7th minute) and Darian Perez (41st minute), Shabazz is of the opinion that Guyana “put up a brave fight” against a team he believes is “more experienced and superior to us in several departments.” “We battled well and created some chances especially in the second half, but the experience and composure of Cuba overwhelmed us. I am proud of the effort of the lads and we look forward to an equally challenging
encounter against the hosts Antigua,” Shabazz opined. Against Cuba, Guyana started with Anthony Whyte between the uprights and a defensive line-up that featured Joshua Brown, Daniel Whyte, Les Charles Critchlow and William Europe. In the midfield, head coach Jamaal Shaba-
JAMAAL SHABAZZ zz turned to English-based Kadell Daniel, Alpha United’s Daniel Wilson, GFC’s Kareem Knights and Trayon Bobb who plays in the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League with Caledonia AIA. Up front, Bobb’s team-mate at Caledonia Pernell Schultz was paired with Den Amstel FC’s forward Dellon Lanferman. Asked if any changes will be made, Shabazz stopped short by saying “we may bring in Jamaal Harvey into the team he came on and was solid.”
FORMER Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has been installed as the new president of the International Cricket Council. The 67-year-old, who played 78 Tests and 62 ODIs from 1969 to 1985, replaces Bangladeshi Mustafa Kamal, who controversially quit the post following the Cricket World Cup last April. “I feel truly honoured and humbled to be appointed as the president of the governing body of our great game,” said Abbas, who was confirmed on the third day of the historic ICC Annual Conference here Wednesday. “This is the sport which has given us friendship, respect, recognition and an opportunity to serve our countries in different capacities. Personally speaking, it has given me more than I can ever possibly repay. “I am thankful to all of you for the support and confidence placed in me by confirming my nomination. I am also grateful to the PCB for proposing my candidacy as the ICC president. I assure you all that I will stand shoulder to shoulder with all the ICC members.” Abbas, who has served as an ICC match referee in the past, will serve a oneyear term in the post before handing over to a candidate from South Africa, under the ICC’s rotation policy. ICC chairman N. Srinivasan hailed the former player’s appointment. “Zaheer’s outstanding career as a stylish right-handed batsman is reflected in his re-
markable record with 108 first-class hundreds and more than 7,500 international runs,” he said. “Zaheer is clearly an iconic cricketer who always played the game with skill, flair and in the true spirit. He is a worthy ambassador of our great game.”
ZAHEER ABBAS Abbas managed 5 062 runs in Tests and accumulated 34 843 runs in his first class career. The ICC Annual Conference, which is being staged in the Caribbean for the first time, concludes today.
GCF’s national championships to wheel off tomorrow THE Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) National individual and road race championships will wheel off tomorrow at 07:00hrs from Montrose, East Coast Demerara (Starlite drive-in cinema). The annual event, which is normally used to select cyclists to represent Guyana at the Regional and International levels, is expected to be a keenly contested affair as several riders have been excelling since the 2015 season started. The National championships will get under way with the Individual Pro-Log
time trial, a distance of four miles. The cyclists will pedal off from Montrose and finish at Conversation Tree. There will be five categories of riders facing the starter at varying hours. Competitors in all five categories will start off from outside the Ocean View International Hotel and proceed to Celina’s Resort after passing the Russian Embassy and return to Sparendaam to complete one circuit. These five categories of cyclists will have to go around the same circuit three
more times to complete 21.7 miles before the winner is decided. The veterans will wheel off at 08:45hrs and will do seven laps around the same course (50 miles) while the juniors, who will be sent on their way at the same time as the veterans, will do six laps, a distance of 42 miles. The seniors, on the other hand, will contest a 92.86-mile event or 13 laps around the same circuit and they will be sent on their way at 11:30hrs. Raynauth `Obeahman’ Jeffrey is
the defending champion of the senior men’s individual time trial while Romelo Crawford won the juveniles’ category last year. Raymond Newton won the veterans’ category and Clair Fraser-Green the ladies’ title. For the road race, Geron Williams won the senior category last year, Andrew Hicks won the juvenile category, Stephano Husbands won the junior, Newton the veteran category and Fraser-Green for the ladies.
Sport CHRONICLE
The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com
GKC to host grading exams today See story on page 30
Guyana will rebound – Shabazz against Antigua See story on page 31
Windies slump to eighth in ODI rankings See story on page 29
West indies during a training session last week
Antony Islam opens Digicel Senior C’ships with upset win See story on page 28
CPL Summary St Lucia Zouks vs. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (June 24) Zouks won by seven wickets. Patriots 149-6 (20 overs) Zouks 150-3 (15.4 overs) Player-of-the-match: Shannon Gabriel
Guyana Amazon Warriors vs. St Lucia Zouks Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia (20:00hrs local)
Yesterday’s match (June 25) Barbados Tridents vs. T&T Red Steel Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados Today’s match (June 26)
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FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015