2015 8 28

GUYANA

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

Budget 2015 No. 104295

FRIDAY AUGUST 28, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $80

INCLUDING VAT

APPROVED! – paves way for moving nation forward

President calls for comprehensive approach to gender equality

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President David Granger

No more Expect ‘action’ in the House ‘doubling-up’ at GPHC Maternity Ward Armed bandits hit PPP says...

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– Public Health Minister assures House

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Popeye’s again

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

Agricola man charged with robbery – of Land Court judge, husband

By Clestine Juan WARREN McKenzie, 22, of 80 Brutus Street Agricola, East Bank Demerara appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday charged with robbery under arms committed on a businessman and his wife, Land Court Judge, Nicola Pierre.

The court heard that on July 9, at Montrose, East

Coast Demerara, being in company of three others and being armed with a gun, he robbed businessman, 50-yearold Mohamed Chand and his wife, 43-year-old Nicola Pierre, of a safe containing US$7,000, gold and diamond jewellery and a suitcase containing other valuables, among other items, totalling over $ 2.6M. It is alleged that the ac-

cused on the same day, at the same location, discharged a loaded firearm in the direction of Ron Peters with intent to maim, disfigure or disable.

McKenzie, who is the fourth bandit accused of robbing the couple during a home invasion, was yesterday discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital after being shot to his stomach during a police shootout.

The armed-robbery accused was brought to court in an ambulance, and was on

Warren McKenzie yesterday as he waited to be taken into the courtroom

a stretcher dressed in a white vest and adult pampers, while his stomach was bandaged and his feet shackled.

The bedridden prisoner had to be lifted in his stretcher into the courtroom to be read the two counts of armed robbery and discharging a loaded firearm.

Magistrate McLennan enquired of McKenzie if he was able to stand or sit upright to answer the charges and he said that he could not, since he had been shot and was only told he was discharged from the hospital when he had awakened from his afternoon nap prior to his court appearance.

The court was told by the police prosecutor that Damien Millington,22, of 118 Caesar Street, Agricola; Nicholas Narine, 18, also of Caesar Street, Agricola and Anthony David, 28, of 63 Hadfield Street, Stabroek had appeared before her for the said offences and were remanded to prison.

However, the charges were read to McKenzie while he lay on his stretcher.

The first charge alleged that on July 9, at Montrose, East Coast Demerara, he being in the company of Damien Millington, Nicholas Narine, and Anthony David, armed with handguns, robbed Mohamed Chand of five wristwatches, a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone, US$7,000, a wedding ring, four Oakley sunglasses and one brown leather wallet.

The second charge alleged that the four men, at Montrose, ECD, robbed Nicola Pierre at gunpoint.

They allegedly relieved her of a quantity of gold and diamond jewellery, a clump of gold, a quantity of gem stones among other items, all totalling $1M. McKenzie was not required to plead to any of the charges and was remanded until September 8, when he will appear at the Sparendaam Magistrates Court

along with the three other co-accused.

Before he was whisked away he requested to address the court and was granted permission by the magistrate. He explained that the only thing he remembers was waking in pampers at the hospital from a coma after fighting for his life on a life-support machine.

The accused further questioned why he was released from the hospital since he is still currently paralyzed and needs medical attention.

The magistrate in response told the defendant that he would be guided by the doctor on his medical condition when he is sent to the Camp Street Prison and might be taken back to the hospital.

According to the police, at about 01:20hrs, the perpetrators were able to gain entry into the judge’s premises after they had overpowered a female special constable who was in one of the guard huts.

The men reportedly gagged and bound the unarmed special constable, before proceeding to the three-storey house which was occupied

by Justice Pierre, her husband and their 11-year-old son.

Smashing through a window, the bandits then headed for the bedroom in which the couple lay asleep. They then preceded to gun-butt Justice Pierre and her husband before carting off a small money-safe and a briefcase.

But an armed security guard at a businessman’s property nearby saw the robbers, numbering about six, scaling the wall with their loot. The men also spotted the guard and heavy gunfire was exchanged between the guard and the bandits.

Overwhelmed by the guard’s firepower, the bandits dropped the safe and briefcase and fled in their car.

The police were alerted and captured the suspects minutes after, while the security guard handed over the stolen safe and briefcase.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

Budget 2015 approved!

– paves way for moving nation forward THE 2015 National Budget was approved at 03:16hrs yesterday.

On August 10, Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented a budget for $221B, the first for the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

Yesterday morning, the Finance Minister moved Appropriation Bill 2015 to the tune of $181.7 billion reflecting an amendment to what was presented in the budget.

Both sides of the House had agreed to the amendment so that the budget would conform to Constitutional amendments that allow for the financial independence of constitutional bodies and agencies, such as the Rights Commission and Service Commissions.

Ministers of Government faced three gruelling days of questions, with each of those days extending into the wee hours of the morning on the following day.

Presented under the theme, ‘A Fresh Approach to the Good Life in a Green Economy,’ Budget 2015 sets the platform for the Government’s vision of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in the year 2020. It provides measures to ease the financial burden on citizens, while improving their living conditions.

Some of these measures are: ● An increase of the minimum wage from $39,540 to $50,000. ● All public servants above the minimum wage will receive a 5% increase plus $5000

● A 54% increase in the hourly rate paid to schools’ Sweeper/Cleaners. ● Old Age Pension increased from $13,125 to $17,000 ● A 10% increase in Public Assistance from $5900 to $6500 ● An increase in the uniform allowance voucher from $1,500 to $2,000. Also, persons receiving payment for sewing uniforms in remote hinterland locations will receive a 25 % increase on the amount, from $800 to $1,000. ● Eligible members of the Joint Services would be exempted from paying excise tax on motor vehicles. ● Toshaos in approved Amerindian communities would be exempted from paying excise tax on All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) ● Eligible small and medium-scale gold miners would be exempted from paying customs duties on fuel, matting, ATVs, jack-hammer drills, flex hoses, expanding metals, pumps, pump housing, impellers, shafts and engines. ● Workers will no longer have to pay Income Tax on their NIS contributions. ● The following items will not attract VAT: Yogurt, cereals, fresh carrots, Milo and Ovaltine, Nestum, mustard and mayonnaise, locally-produced fruit juice, locally-made chowmein, vinegar, locally-made uncooked pasta, ketchup, chicken sausages in packets, locally-produced Chinese sauce, baking powder, liquid detergent, household cleaning agents, rolls of paper towels, and computer printers for non-commercial use.

● The subvention to the Critchlow Labour College was reinstated. ● Exemption from customs duties for the following: fishing boats, spare parts, equipment for fishing boats and equipment and supplies for use in the processing plant-for use in the Fish/ Seafood and the Aquaculture Industry. ● The Berbice Bridge Toll reduced from $2200 to $1900 for mini- buses and cars and a 10% reduction for all other categories of vehicles. ● Shrimp to be made eligible for the export allowance granted to non-traditional exports. ● $1.9 billion for housing development ● $2.9 billion to improve water delivery countrywide. ● $33.8 billion for education. ● $23 billion to pay rice farmers. ● $21 billion to strengthen and improve national security. ● $1.6 billion to upgrade Sherriff Street/ Mandela Avenue in the city. ● $1.2 billion to complete the East Bank Demerara Highway. ● $300 million for Georgetown restoration. ● $544 million to upgrade community roads and bridges countrywide. ● $133 million to upgrade the Maternity Unit of the Georgetown Hospital and add 50 more beds. ● A $115 million allocation for the Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) initiative that would aim at stimulating community growth opportunities at the

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

grassroots level. ● A $155 million allocation for the Linden Enterprise Network to re-energise business activity in Linden and its environs. ● $1.4 Billion to strengthen sea defences ● $1.2 billion to upgrade farm-to-market roads as Laluni, Parika, Onverwagt, Ruby ● $5.7 billion to rehabilitate and extend drainage and irrigation infrastructure countrywide. ● $544 million to upgrade community roads and bridges countrywide.

The reading of Appropriation Bill 2015, Bill No 7 of 2015, was read for a third time, as presented by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, and successfully passed by the National As-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

sembly.

Successfully moving a Motion to adjourn the National Assembly to August 28 was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, following the House’s acceptance of the National Budget 2015.

The completion of the Budget means that the nation can now move forward, according to Prime Minister Nagamootoo. He said that whilst most of the moneys allocated encompassed a significant portion of what has already been spent for this year, government has still managed to implement many of the measures promised during the pre-elections campaign.

Said he: “Look at how happy the pensioners are!

Many of them never expected to get $17,000 dollars!

Even the school cleaners are happy now; and they thought that no one remembered them, and they protested for years for better pay!”

The Prime Minister, who is also leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, indicated his desire to work together with the political Opposition to move Guyana and its people forward.

And this is despite their differences. “I would like to have a conversation... in fact, a series of conversations with Jagdeo to examine the various ways in which all of us, together, can come up with ideas on how to take this country forward, so that we all can have a good life,” the Prime Minister said.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Truck of corpses, new shipwreck intensify Europe’s migrant crisis

By Karin Strohecker

PARNDORF, Austria(Reuters)-As many as 50 corpses were found in a parked truck in Austria yesterday, and another migrant boat sank off Libya, deepening a crisis that is overwhelming Europe and throwing up new tragedies by the day.

The abandoned refrigerated truck was found by an Austrian motorway patrol near the Hungarian border, with fluids from the decomposing bodies seeping from its back door.

“One can maybe assume that the deaths occurred oneand-a-half to two days ago,” Hans Peter Doskozil, police chief in the province of Burgenland, told a news conference, adding that “many things” indicated the migrants

were already dead when the truck crossed the border.

Police said it could take until Friday to determine the exact number of victims, which they thought were more than 20 and could be as many as 50. They suspected those responsible were already out of the country.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a summit on the West Balkans in Vienna: “We are of course all shaken by the appalling news. This reminds us that we must tackle quickly the issue of immigration and in a European spirit - that means in a spirit of solidarity - and find solutions.”

A security official in the Libyan city of Zuwara said several hundred people had been on board a boat that

tion, according to survivors.

Poseidon disembarked 471 migrants who were among the more than 3,000 rescued by several ships on Wednesday.

“There are thousands and thousands of dead lying in the Mediterranean whose bodies will never be found, and no one is paying attention,” said Palermo’s Mayor Leoluca Orlando.

Hundreds of thousands, many fleeing war in countries such as Syria and Libya, have made it into the European Union. Germany alone expects 800,000 asylum-seekers this year; Hungary is building a barbed wire fence along its border with Serbia.

sank off the coast on Thursday. Some appeared to have been trapped in the hold when it capsized.

“Some 100 illegal migrants have survived,” the official said, adding that rescue operations were continuing. Those on board had been from sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, Syria, Morocco and Bangladesh, he added.

Even before the latest incidents, the International Organization for Migration estimated 2,373 people had died so far this year while trying to reach Europe by sea, and 3,573 in the past 12 months.

On Thursday, the Swedish coastguard ship Poseidon arrived at the port of Palermo on the Italian island of Sicily with 52 corpses found on a boat off the coast of Libya on Wednesday. Most of the victims had been trapped in the hold and died of asphyxia-

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SMELL OF DEATH Investigations were launched in Austria and Hungary after the bodies in the truck were discovered.

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The truck had Hungarian number plates, a Hungarian official said.

Helmut Marban, press officer for Burgenland police, said a highway patrol had spotted the truck and at first thought it was damaged or had been in an accident.

“When they checked they found it had no driver and blood was dripping out of the vehicle and there was a smell of dead bodies,” he said.

Janos Lazar, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, said a Romanian citizen had registered the number plate in the eastern Hungarian town of Kecskemet.

The truck was towed to the Austrian village of Nickelsdorf, close to the Hungarian border, where workers clad in white protective suits and yellow boots could be seen wheeling body bags into a building.

Police said forensic experts would work through the night before the bodies would be transported to Vienna on Friday for further examination and to help establish their identities and cause of death.

Gerald Tatzgern, head

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of the Austrian police unit in charge of fighting human trafficking, told Austrian broadcaster ORF: “I see a good chance that we can catch the perpetrators.”

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann told the summit in Vienna: “The refugees who died today wanted to save their own lives by fleeing, but instead lost their lives at the hands of traffickers.”

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said she hoped the tragedy would push member states to “take decisions and responsibility”. European Commissioner Johannes Hahn reiterated that Brussels would propose within weeks a fresh look at the situation, with a view to sharing responsibility between countries.

“We will have another go at quotas. I hope that in the light of the most recent developments now there is a readiness among all the 28 (EU member states) to agree on this,” he said.

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic put the onus on EU countries to find a better way to handle the influx of refugees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Four dead as Tropical Storm Erika batters Caribbean island of Dominica AT least four people were killed as Tropical Storm Erika battered the Caribbean island of Dominica yesterday, bringing heavy rain, calamitous flooding and landslides to the tiny nation.

Photos and videos on social media showed floodwaters inundating streets and causing buildings to collapse on the eastern Caribbean island. Up to 15 inches of rain fell there between late Wednesday and early Thursday, the Antigua Weather

Service said.

The storm is continuing to track toward Puerto Rico and could impact the USA’s East Coast by early next week.

Three of the deaths on Dominica occurred during a mudslide in the southeastern part of the island, police superintendent Daniel Carbon told the Associated Press. The other death occurred in the capital of Roseau. At least 20 homes on the tiny eastern Caribbean

island were destroyed.

“The situation is grim.

It is dangerous,” Ian Pinard, Dominica’s communications minister, told the AP. About 80% of the island was without electricity, and the water supply had been cut off, the AP reported. The main airport was closed because of the flooding.

“Erika is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches with maximum amounts of 12 inches possible across por-

tions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southeast Bahamas through Saturday,” the National Hurricane Center said in an online bulletin.

As of 2 p.m. ET, the storm center was located 160 miles west of Guadeloupe and had winds of 45 mph, the center reported.

The storm is moving west at 16 mph.

Tropical storm watches have been posted for eastern portions of the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, and tropical storm warnings are in place for Puerto Rico and some of the northern Leeward Islands.

The latest forecast track shows Erika heading toward the U.S. by Monday and Tuesday, potentially hitting somewhere along the East Coast from Florida to the Carolinas as a hurricane.

However, the hurricane

center warned that “potential impacts for the Bahamas and beyond are unusually uncertain.”

Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Ignacio has winds of 90 mph and is located 1,135 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, and is moving west-northwest at 13 mph.

It’s predicted to approach the Hawaiian Islands by late Sunday and Monday. (USA Today)

T&T Police urge public to be vigilant in run up to general election PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Members of the public are being urged to be vigilant of crimes being committed in the run up to the September 7 general election.

Public Information officer with the Police Service, Michael Pierre on Wednesday said the police will ensure that safety and security will not be compromised during the general election period. “….so that electors can freely exercise their right to vote by effectively policing election activites and suppressing crime through a pro-active, intelligence-led strategic approach.”

Pierre who was speaking at the weekly police press briefing noted that the police have stepped up their presence as campaigns have

intensified.

The Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) has also weighed in on issues related to the upcoming polls, stating that the party will be vigilant against commission of any offences particularly during the campaign.

The party says it will use tools such as video recordings to record evidence against offenders.

“We are very concerned that TT (Trinidad and Tobago) understands that we in the PNM, our very large machinery are diligent to take recordings to take any form of evidence that is available to us, that we will be watching these election offences and whilst we will not be able to catch everyone, we will certainly be able to catch a few,” said PNM public re-

lations officer Faris Al-Rawi during a media briefing on Wednesday.

The party called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to condemn all election offences and on the Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams to do what is required to uphold the laws of the country He added that the party has received an “alarming” number of reports of vandalism of posters and the party’s chairman Franklin Khan had written Williams alleging a conspiracy to bribe persons by the People’s Partnership.

“We have reasons to suspect significant sums of money have been and will be distributed by the People’s Partnership on the days leading up to the election and, in particular, on election day

in order to prevent voting for the People’s National Movement,” Khan says in his letter, dated August 25 which was distributed to the media at the briefing.

Meanwhile, 18,727 persons are expected to begin casting their ballots between next week Tuesday and Sunday, a week before the rest of the electorate.

CEO of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Ramesh Nanan said the process will take place from 9 a.m on September 1 to 3 p.m on September 7, and will allow only persons who have registered as special

voters to vote.

Among the categories of special voters are members of the protective services, fire officers, polling staff, members of the EBC, persons with dis-abilities

and persons who otherwise would have to travel between Trinidad and Tobago to vote.

Nanan said Muslims who will be leaving the country to participate in Hajj next month will also be voting during this time period as the EBC had approved several applications from such persons seeking special-voter status.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

EDITORIAL

Guyana

The Role of the State-owned Newspaper THERE has been quite a bit of controversy over the Prime Minister’s stated disappointment with a headline that appeared in the Tuesday, August 25 edition of this newspaper.

The PM contended that he did not think the headline reflected what actually transpired in Parliament. What followed were wild statements about, and insinuations of, Government interference in the editorial decision-making of the paper.

Some reports went as far as to suggest that the PM decides on the headlines that should accompany stories.

Nothing is further from the truth. We can say with absolute certainty that since its assumption of power, no official of the Government nor any party in the Government has sought to influence the content or editorial direction of this paper.

While we do not deny such interference in the past, we have committed ourselves to producing a newspaper that covers the news as impartially, and as inclusively as possible. In that regard, the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for the public media, has been our loudest supporter.

We do not wish to comment on the accuracy of the headline, but we do not see anything wrong with the PM publicly expressing his disappointment with it. He is the representative of the owners of the paper, and has every

right to speak up if he feels that the paper has unfairly covered the activities of its owners. It is our view that there is an attempt to make a mountain out of a molehill.

Operating a State newspaper is a very complex undertaking. Where does one draw the line between the obligations of ownership and autonomy in editorial decision making?

Should the paper ever be critical of Government actions? The answers to these questions are not cut-and-dried. They are determined by the dynamics of the situation. A State newspaper, like all other newspapers, has vested interests, politically and ideologically. Ours arise from the Government’s thrust; there is no running away from that.

But what is very certain is that there must be a distinction between Party and Government in the operation of the paper.

In our heavily party-centred environment, this has been a difficult area for the State media. But perhaps because we now have a multi-party Government, the distinction has been less blurred. If a party feels disgruntled by our coverage, it has a right to express that publicly or privately. But we are not beholden to any party.

Our newspaper is owned by the State, and is, therefore, expected to editorially support the general thrust of the Government of the day. The Government then has a right to set out the broad parameters within which the paper operates, and to question the paper when it deviates from such. However, what it should not have a right to, in whatever form,

is the running of the day-to-day affairs of the paper. It is our view that such a scenario reduces the paper to a mere mouthpiece of the narrow partisan interests of the party or parties which constitute the Government. Again, we are at one with the Prime Minister on this.

Ultimately, we feel that our paper must strike a balance between covering and articulating Government policies and practices on the one hand, and performing the traditional functions of the media, including the right to be an impartial medium and a watchdog of the interests of the society at large. Ultimately, our paper is owned by the people, and the Government acts on their behalf.

We are satisfied that we have struck that balance in recent times. Our news coverage is diverse, both in terms of subject matter and political viewpoints. Editorially, our op-eds reflect a much larger chunk of public opinion, some of which have been critical of the Government. So, too, are our editorials, which have moved decisively away from the party’s viewpoint to a more national outlook. Of course, there is always room for improvement, but we believe we are on the right track.

PPP says...

Expect ‘action’ in the House --reiterates promise to be responsible Opposition

By Tajeram Mohabir THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday stressed that while it will be a responsible Opposition, it will not falter in holding the Government accountable and some action could be expected in the House in the days ahead.

Speaking at a party press briefing at Freedom House, former Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill said the Opposition has acted responsibly, even though it had many opportunities to gravely embarrass the Government.

He told reporters that when errors in the estimates and expenditure of the budget were discovered, the party chose to point them out and be constructive rather than obstructive.

Edghill was referring to the situation where the budgetary estimates clashed with two laws that were passed under the David Granger Administration.

Those laws are the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2015 and the Fiscal Management and Authority (FMA) (Amendment) Act 2015.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in a subsequent statement, said the Government does not agree with the Opposition that the estimates violate any laws, but agreed to adjust the structure of the estimates to specify block votes for certain public agencies.

These agencies include the Parliament Office; the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Judicial, Police, and Public Service Commissions;the Public Service Appellate Tribunal; Office of the Ombudsman; and the Guyana Elections Commission.

Edghill declined to disclose what actions will be taken by the PPP/C, and instead said all must stay tuned to see what the party will do when it enters the House.

He also said the Opposition is disappointed that the Government members are yet to provide answers to questions they could not readily answer during consideration of the Estimates and Expenditure period.

The Government members had promised to provide

See Page 7

PPP/C MP Anil Nandlall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

President calls on ex-GNS members to help mould nation’s youths

NAMILCO comes on board ‘Rupununi Festival’

THE National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), in an effort to ensure the success of this year’s Rupununi Music and Arts Festival, has donated a significant sum to the hosting of the event billed for September 18-20 at the Rock View Lodge at Annai, in the North Rupununi.

The company will also be supplying the event with a variety of mouth-watering delicacies such as Phoulourie, Byganie and Wheat Up Porridge to complement other providers of meals.

It says that not only is it pleased to be a part of this unique camping event in an idyllic setting such as the Rockview Lodge, but that it also looks forward to seeing there persons from all across Guyana and from overseas.

President David Granger as he interacted with ex-GNS members at their reunion event at the Carifesta Sports Complex IN keeping with the administration’s vision for youth development, President David Granger on Wednesday evening called on ex-Guyana National Service (GNS) members to play a greater role in moulding the nation’s youths.

The occasion was the gathering of dozens of ex-GNS members at the Carifesta Sports Complex for a grand reunion, during which ideas were shared on what role the organisation can play in youth development.

Even as members shared their views on what can be done to deal with social issues affecting the country’s youths, President Granger underscored the importance of education in nation-building.

He said that too many youths have fallen prey to the social ills of society, and that he strongly believes that a lot of talent is wasted by having youths locked away in correctional facilities for minor offences.

“The big problem facing this country, facing young people, is not the absence of national service; it’s poverty,” the President said. Recognising this, the President said the cycle of poverty must be broken, and one sure way of doing so is by affording children access to education.

“My analysis is that the major cause of poverty is the education system; the poor education.

Many of us started off life poor, but we were able to escape from poverty because we decided to educate ourselves. And that is what National Service did,” President Granger said.

Against this backdrop, President Granger said his Administration will continue to make education a priority by ensuring that every child has easy access to education and that equal opportunities are created.

This evening’s event was among a series of activities, which started on August 22 in observance of the second GNS local and overseas chapters reunion. The forum afforded members the opportunity to put forward ideas which would see the organisation playing a greater role in overall youth development, while at the same time, addressing social ills of society. The last such reunion was held in 2012. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Company Managing Director Roopnarine Sukhai presents a cheque to event coordinator, Bob Ramdhanie

Expect ‘action’ ...

From Page 7

answers to the Opposition MPs by Wednesday. But this aside, the former junior Finance Minister said the reduction of time for consideration of the Estimates to three days was unnecessary.

He said it in effect limited scrutiny by the Opposition

Indranie Chandarpal

since in the interest of time, the Speaker had to limit the questions asked.

CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE In addition, Edghill noted that the reduction of the days put the Speaker, MPs and Parliament staff under considerable pressure, as they had to go to work early and finish in the wee hours the next day.

Meanwhile, veteran PPP/C MP Indranie Chandarpal said the Opposition is not afraid of scrutiny of its tenure in office, but expressed reservation with the process being used by the government to carry out audits of several state agencies.

She contended that the approach is not compliant with the law, pointing out that the work was not advertised, it is being done by two known critics of the former Administration, and quite surprisingly, the Office of the Auditor General was excluded in the process.

This, along with several other decisions made by the Administration in their first four months in office, Chandarpal said, does not speak well of them.

But, she said, the PPP/C will be holding the Administration accountable and has already begun documenting their “arrogance” and “discrimination.”

Another PPP/C MP Anil Nandlall said the Opposition is dissatisfied with the explanation given by government members to questions asked on some sectors.

During consideration of the estimates and expenditure of the budget, there were occasions when there were more Opposition than government MPs in the House.

When asked why the Opposition did not use the opportunity to vote down expenditures it finds disapproving, Nandlall

PPP/C MP, Juan Edghill said the Opposition is aware of a court order barring them from cutting the budget.

He said, too, that the Opposition does not want to slash monies that would go towards creating jobs and stimulating the growth of the economy.

But he said the PPP/C will be robustly exposing the flaws of the Government for all to see, and for the people to make a judgement.

Nandlall said that as a responsible Opposition, the PPP/C will be pressing the government hard on its promise to reduce VAT, significantly increase Old Age Pension and wages and

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

President calls for comprehensive approach to gender equality

President David Granger addressing the gathering yesterday at the first-ever National Conference on Gender and Development Policy at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre

jobs.

A section of the gathering at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre, for the opening of the National Conference on the Gender and Development Policy

GENDER equality will be a top priority of his Administration over the next five years.

So said President David Granger yesterday while delivering the feature address at the first-ever National Conference on the Gender and Development Policy.

He said the Government will be working to bring about true gender equality, which he says is needed to create opportunities, promote empowerment, and provide protection for women.

The conference, which is being hosted by the Ministry of Social Protection, is a twoday event and is being held at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre, under the theme, ‘Equal rights for all-Be good to People.’

The President told attendees that increasing economic opportunities, tackling domestic violence and educating the nation’s women are among the key priorities of his Administration.

One of the measures he announced is a plan to consider tax rebates for companies that are prepared to offer day-care facilities to working mothers.

As to the issue of violence against women, he said it will be addressed forthwith as the National policy is being crafted.

And, given that domestic violence has penetrated every facet of society, President Granger said the national policy therefore must take into

consideration the causes of violence, and focus should be placed on the transformation of attitudes.

EQUALITY ESSENTIAL The President said equality for women is essential if everyone is to benefit from Guyana’s bountiful resources. “Women have made significant strides over the past four decades, and there is now greater awareness of women’s rights,” the President said, adding: “There is, however, still a long way to go for women to achieve full equality. The gap in economic, political and social achievements remains wide.”

He said that despite the episodic initiatives to promote women’s rights, and to offer greater opportunities, inequality is still a problem.

And it is with this in mind, he said, that the new Administration will be working to craft a comprehensive, longterm gender policy.

“The proposed National Gender Policy should aim to eradicate discrimination against women, to safeguard the emotional and mental integrity and physical safety of women. It should result in women having a greater say in decision-making at all levels of society,” the President said.

President Granger pointed out that Guyana’s legislation clearly provides for the promotion of women’s rights and the country’s com-

mitment to gender equality has always been reflected in its adherence to several international conventions and agreements.

“Your Government will work more assiduously with women’s organisations to ensure that there is greater compliance. We must do more to ensure greater equality, to eradicate poverty, to enforce the law and enable everyone to be treated as equal, under the law,” President Granger stated.

POVERTY REDUCTION Another major obstacle which stands in the way of gender equality is extreme poverty. “Poverty reduction,” the President said, “ought to be an important means to lift the living standards of women and children in the communities. This aspect of Government policy, however, has not had its intended effect.”

In an effort to address this issue, President Granger said the solution would be to reduce poverty rather than increase the number of institutions that cater to vulnerable groups, such as drop-in centres, night shelters and correctional facilities.

Some measures to be implemented are: encouraging greater entrepreneurship, the establishment of micro-credit schemes and creating access to small-business loans.

On the issue of enhancing employment opportunities for women, President Granger

said the reality is that many women cannot find satisfactory jobs, but over the next five years efforts would be made to bring an end to this issue. The Government will be working towards setting up employment schemes in every administrative region, which will provide women with opportunities to seek employment closer to their homes.

As it relates to improved access to education for women and young girls, the President said there is still a huge gap to be filled between what is available to females on the coastland and those in the hinterland regions. In the years to come, moves will be made to create remedial programmes for young girls who have fallen prey to teenaged pregnancy and other social ills. Specific emphasis will also be placed on promoting technical studies for young girls and women, in an effort to prepare them for technical

PROMOTE CHANGE Also on the occasion, Minister of Social Protection Ms. Volda Lawrence expressed her pleasure at being able to host the event, as the aim is to promote behavioural changes, and send a strong signal to all Guyanese that gender equality is important.

As the conference continues today, issues including gender in governance, gender in productive resources and employment, gender-based violence, gender in security, gender in information and communication technology among others will be discussed. Also coming out of this forum will be the launching of the University of Guyana’s Gender Studies Unit.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s effort to strive for gender equality was applauded by United Nations Country Representative Ms. Khadija Musa. She said that the UNDP remains committed to aiding Guyana in its effort going forward.

TIMELY FORUM Noting the timeliness of

the forum, she too pointed out the need for a policy framework to address the issue, which she said does not only affect women.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. Jean Ricot Dormeus, Country Representative of the Organisation of American States, who stated that the event is a historic one. “This initiative speaks volumes about the importance the Government of Guyana attaches to equitable participation to every walk of society, and to the equal treatment to all Guyanese,” Dr. Dormeus said.

Further, Dr. Dormeus said the conference echoes one of the OAS’s pillars: the promotion and protection of human rights for people of the Americas.

He too pledged the continuous support of the OAS towards Guyana’s move to achieve gender equality.

The aim of the conference is to craft effective and efficient developmental policies that will promote gender equality. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Monkey Mountain ‘ganja’ farmer jailed A SELF-confessed ganja farmer of Monkey Mountain was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment along with a $30,000 fine, after he pleaded guilty to the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking before Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Clifford Nathaniel, 25, was charged with having 18 grammes of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking at the Monkey Mountain Police Station.

According to the facts, Nathaniel was arrested on the charge of disorderly be-

haviour when a party of ranks went to his house on the said report and conducted a mandatory search and he was taken to the Monkey Mountain Police Station.

The search unearthed the said drugs which he had concealed in his left back pocket and was weighed in his presence.

Nathaniel, when given the chance to address the court, told the magistrate that, indeed, he was the owner of the marijuana and that this was his first time planting it to bring him some money.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Guyana must confront issues of violence and cultural division

9

--says UNDP official

By Leroy Smith

GUYANA must confront and deal with the issues of violence and cultural division as a country, says Head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guyana, Khadija Musa.

The UNDP official was speaking yesterday at the National Conference on Gender and Development Policy which was organised by the Ministry of Social Protection at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The theme of the conference is: “Equal rights for all – Be good people.”

The opening session yesterday of the two-day conference was attended by several government ministers, representatives of ministries and the private sector.

Men and women registered for the conference at its opening

Addressing the opening also were President David Granger; Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence; and Country Representative of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Jean Ricot Dormeus.

no coming together, then as a society this country will not be able in any constructive manner to promote the nation as one people, should the division persist.

She added that to provide opportunities and good policies and a nurturing environment, Guyanese first have to work GUYANESE FIRST together and appreciate and enjoy the different cultures According to the UNDP country representative, which speak to the beauty of the country. the issues of violence and cultural division “must” Failure to move in that direction will only see a stalemate be addressed by Guyana. She stressed that if Guyana in moving forward. In that vein, she commended the condoes not unite as a society and persons choose to think ference for being on the right track in addressing the issues of themselves as different to others rather than seeing that speak to equality and pledged the continued support of everyone as Guyanese first, the country would not be the UNDP to the process. able to develop.

She spoke of the need for Guyanese to enjoy the various MEN ALSO heritages and cultures of each other, otherwise the nation will Additionally, the UNDP Representative told the gathbe trapped. Musa said that Guyana has the potential to be ering that they need to understand that when the issue of UNDP Country Representative Ms. Khadija trapped into the issue of division and electing politicians who equality and gender comes to the fore, it does not only adMusa addressing the gathering do not serve the interest of the people. And should there be dress issues of women but men also. She spoke of both men and women being the backbone of families and their roles in taking the new generation to the next level. Those things, she noted, can only work once they are complemented by good governance.

The gathering on Thursday was told that the issue of gender is not restricted to Guyana, the Caribbean or the developing countries but is relevant to the well developed countries also.

“All countries do have on their books equal-rights policies, but you find women both in the developed world and developing countries who actually have less chances of making equal pay for equal work,” she said.

In his address, OAS Country Representative,Jean Ricot Dormeus said the conference which will form aspects of strategies speaks volumes of the importance that the Government of Guyana attaches to gender equality and also echoes the principles of the OAS, which speaks to protection and promotion of human rights.

“The OAS has been in the forefront in the equality agenda leading an inspiring progress in the Americas and the rest of the world,” Dormeus stated. He said further that the Region has come a far way in fighting for the civil and political rights of women.

In concluding, Dormeus spoke of his expectations for improvements in the conditions of women in years to come, stressing the need to look at income as well as outcome opportunities.

Government ministers were present at the conference yesterday morning

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

‘D’ Division police, religious leaders share school supplies

– launch ‘See-Something-Say-Something’ initiative against crime

By Michel Outridge IN its quest to reduce crime in ‘D’ Division, the Guyana Police Force (GPF), in collaboration with the religious leaders on the corridor of the West Coast Demerara/East Bank Essequibo, yesterday launched its “See Something, Say Something” initiative in the Cops and Faith project at Tuschen Car Park, East Bank Essequibo.

This was done during the

GPF back-to-school distribution exercise.

Addressing the large gathering of residents from Tuschen and its environs, which included parents and children, ‘D’ Division Commander Stephen Mansell said that the Cops and Faith initiative was launched by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in 2013 to reduce crime in the community.

He described it as part of the GPF’s social inter-agency project under which C-PETS The police and religious leaders pose with several children who showed off their backpacks yesterday at Tuschen

A section of the children present yesterday, with parents in tow, to receive the back-to-school hampers (Photos by Delano Williams)

-- Creating Positive Environment Through Safe Communities and Partnership – was able to assist 83 youths to successfully complete a six-week skills training programme at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Institute recently.

Mansell spoke of the objectives of that project, in which the GPF partnered with several agencies to set the initiative into high gear.

He said it was well received, since almost all the graduates have further enrolled for the one-year programme to make themselves marketable in the world of work.

Mansell admonished that the police alone cannot fight crime, therefore projects such as “See Something, Say Something” are geared towards building a better relationship between the community and the police.

He urged residents to do their part by volunteering information in relation to incidents of crime to police officers or to the faith-based leaders. He assured that it would assist in the reduction of crime in the division.

He asked that citizens work with the GPF to curtail incidents of crime and admonished them to speak to the people they feel comfortable with, and promised that whatever is garnered would be treated with strict confidentiality. He said citizens need not be afraid to pass on information, since by so doing they would be playing a vital role in regard to crime-fighting.

Mansell said, “If you have information, pass it on to us or the pastors.” He reminded the gathering that crimes can be prevented if the police respond quickly

and maintain law and order.

He pointed out that there is always a soft side of the police, and that side seeks to foster better relations with citizens. He described as a part of the soft side of the police yesterday’s activity in which 60 children were presented with backpacks with school supplies in time for the new school term.

The commander said the police and the religious bodies in ‘D’ Division have combined their efforts to make the initiative a success, since they want to lend a helping hand to children and build a safer environment, because children are our future.

He said, “The police are not the enemy, we are here to uphold the law and maintain order, because we want to go back to the days when people can sleep with their Turn to page 11 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

No more ‘doubling-up’ at GPHC Maternity Ward – Public Health Minister assures House

By Tajeram Mohabir WORK on the extension of the Maternity Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is halfway complete, and will cater for 50 beds.

This disclosure was made on Wednesday by Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton during consideration of the 2015 Budget Estimates and Expenditure for GPHC and the Ministry of Public Health.

Dr Norton, in response to questions from the Opposition, said the increase by 50 beds was based on an assessment by the hospital and pointed out that the Administration will work diligently to ensure that there is no “doubling-up” of patients on beds at the country’s main hospital.

The $235.9 million project will house offices, a neonatal clinic, “doctor-on-call” rooms, two operating theatres, a birthing room, and a remodelled ground floor with training rooms, as well as a Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit on the top floor.

The extension of the ward is expected to be completed in February 2016.

The GPHC is regarded as the national referral hospital where it caters for high-risk pregnancies among other emergency cases. The hospital delivers approximately 60 per cent of the babies born in Guyana each year.

Last year, the hospital

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton

recorded its highest birth rate with a figure of 6,085, and the services of this institution are always in demand by an abundance of patients.

Once the revival of health centres across Guyana is realised, it will aid in reducing the traffic of patients at the GPHC as they would be able to handle some of the cases that are referred there.

With the completion of the Maternity Ward project, the GPHC will be able to cater for the needs of referred patients as they will be provided with better and improved services. $10M FOR SALVATION ARMY Meanwhile, Dr Norton also informed the House that some $10 million has been allocated for the Salvation

Army.

But while the allocation was praised by the Opposition, they enquired whether the Administration intends to partner with that organisation strategically to tackle issues such as drug abuse and other related illnesses in the near future.

The minister was receptive to the suggestion from the Opposition, and pointed out that he will be meeting with the Salvation Army to find out the areas in which it would be willing to work more closely with the Public Health Ministry.

PPP/C MP Cornel Damon in a passionate tone, asked the minister if any provision was made for snake venom for the Charity and Suddie hospitals on the Essequibo Coast.

He informed the House that a person in Region 2 died due to the absence of the medication at those hospitals.

Dr Norton in responding said such substances are provided on the basis of a request from the respective regions.

The Opposition also asked the minister about the large number of contract workers in clinical services and why they were not given permanent employment.

But Dr Norton told the House that the situation is not new, as it was inherited from the former Administration and he would make a concerted effort to correct the situation.

‘D’ Division police, religious leaders share...

From page 10

windows open; and for that to be a reality today, we have to work together to rid our community of crime.”

Pastor Derick Anderson, who spoke on behalf of the religious leaders, said the Cops and Faith initiative is a collaborative effort. He said that religious leaders are working side by side with the police to reduce crime in the community; and the station sergeants of all police stations in that division are tasked to come up with community-based projects.

As a result, the back-toschool hamper initiative was

realised by Corporal Michael Clarke of Leonora Police Station.

He revealed that he was once afraid of the police, but said that after working with the GPF, he is not scared anymore. He urged residents to assist the police to have a safer community, because it would ultimately enhance residents’ lives and those of their children.

Pastor Anderson told the gathering that there are still good cops around, and they are there to assist residents and to foster a better relationship with residents. Any

activity will certainly bring them closer.

He also encouraged residents to embrace the crime-prevention initiative “See Something, Say Something,” and to speak out against crime in that corridor.

Parents of children who were gifted backpacks with stationery and water bottles, among other things, told this newspaper that they are pleased at the gesture of the police and the religious leaders, and that it goes to show they care about the less fortunate.

The GPHC Maternity Ward

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Police checking on phone calls to victim’s home ––as probe continues into cash-crop farmer’s murder

By Leroy Smith

THE police on Wednesday received a list of several phone calls made to the home of cash-crop farmer Pamela Kendall on the night she was murdered at No. 45 Village, Corentyne.

They requested the list after one of the woman’s relatives said that someone had phoned the house after she was shot, asking them not to implicate the caller in the killing.

The police are of the view that the call might have been placed to throw them off track.

Meanwhile, the relative who took the call on Tuesday told the police that she recognised the voice of the caller as that of the woman’s husband, Deoram Sookchand, which is what prompted the man’s arrest.

However, usually reliable sources in Berbice have said that at the time the call was made to the woman’s home, her

City wards being impressively transformed ––by M&CC drainage works

THE Mayor and City Council’s massive drainage works in several wards of the City have resulted in parapets and verges presently being cleaned and manicured, street drains in Carmichael and Main Streets being desilted, and drains in the Ruimveldt area and in Kingston and Agricola presently being cleaned and desilted.

The Council has said it would embark on a massive maintenance programme to ensure sustainability of work done. “In the past, much emphasis was not placed on maintenance of critical drainage works.

However, at this juncture, Council cannot afford to ignore the importance of proper

maintenance,” Town Clerk Royston King has said.

He noted that the administration would ensure that a system is employed to ensure works done are not on a one-off basis.

“The Council is imploring residents in these and other communities not to dispose of refuse in alleyways, canals, and drains that have been cleaned. It is important that citizens work with the Georgetown municipality to ensure the integrity of the drainage system,” King said, adding: “It is anticipated that similar works would be conducted across the city of Georgetown.”

reputed husband was in the presence of several reporters.

The source, however, said that it is unclear if that was the only call which was placed to the dead woman’s home.

When the police received the list of numbers that had called the home, it did not include names and addresses. The police have since requested from the phone company the names and addresses of the persons in whose name the numbers are registered, so they may determine who needs to be questioned.

Additionally, the police from Georgetown yesterday morning revisited the home where the woman was shot and carried out additional investigations.

Sookchand is in police custody in Georgetown where he is being questioned

by ranks of the Major Crime Investigation Unit.

He was brought to Georgetown on Wednesday following a decision to conduct a more in-depth probe into his statement to the police in Berbice.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that they have not yet received the results of the tests carried out on the man to see if he had traces of gunpowder residue on his person. A decision was taken to “swab” him after his account of where and how his reputed wife was shot contradicted the results of an autopsy conducted on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Sookchand has lashed out at the police for being unable to capture his wife’s killer.

M&CC to meet faith-based bodies ––to discuss tax exemptions,other matters

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be meeting with faithbased organisations today at City Hall to discuss exemption from taxes and seek support on the “Green Clean City” initiative.

According to the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, Section 212, the Council may grant such exemptions to religious and other non-profit organisations.

“It is important that Council meet with these organisations to discuss the modalities of such applications,” a

statement from M&CC said.

The Council will also be meeting with all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) tomorrow at 10:00hrs at City Hall. The focus of this meeting is to foster an alliance with NGOs in order to promote Council’s plans for the “Green Clean City” initiative, and for other municipal projects.

Council is cognisant that NGOs are important pillars in this society.

Moreover, they are an important partner in promoting democracy and civic participation.

Town Clerk, departmental heads in city walkabout today ––to solicit business community help in city restoration

TOWN Clerk Royston King and departmental heads of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will today engage in a walkabout beginning at 11:00 hrs.

They aim to examine the extant conditions around Georgetown and to solicit involvement of the business community in the “Green Clean City” initiative.

The M&CC said it would be promoting the “Green Clean City” concept in every area of municipal work and activity.

“Therefore, every person who lives and works within the precincts of Georgetown is expected to be a part of this programme.

This programme will span every sector of society, and would have managerial and custodian components,” M&CC said.

The “Green Clean City” programme will definitely promote the general aesthetics of Georgetown, and the identified standard of cleanliness to be achieved within the city would involve tree-planting exercises, refurbishing of parapets and verges, reduction of wanton disposal of waste, maintenance of the environment and drainage system.

All registered itinerant vendors are expected to cooperate with the municipality in raising awareness of the Clean Green City. The vendors’ project is expected to improve the aesthetics in which they operate, make their businesses more attractive and marketable, and simultaneously promote a Green Clean City concept.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

Armed bandits hit Popeye’s again

ARMED bandits have struck once again at Popeye’s Fast Food Restaurant on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, carting off cash after terrorising staff and customers on Wednesday night.

According to a police release, around 20:35hrs on Wednesday, two men armed with firearms held up two female cashiers at the Popeye’s Restaurant on Vlissengen Road and took away a total of $212,000.

During their escape, the perpetrators damaged a glass door to the building and discharged shots.

Ian Jupiter, 27, of Campbellville Housing Scheme, who was in the vicinity was struck to his right foot and was treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The men escaped on motorcycles driven by two accomplices. Investigations are in progress, the release added.

The eating house had been robbed several times before and cash taken.

On January 25, 2015, four men entered Popeye’s on Vlissengen Road and robbed the restaurant after which one of them was shot and injured by an off-duty cop, who was

making a purchase at about 19:30hrs. Customers were making various purchases when the gunmen arrived and held up the cashiers.

Three of the robbers escaped, but one was not so lucky since he was shot in the buttocks and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he underwent a surgical operation. However, he managed to escape while under police guard at the institution.

During the incident, several gunshots were discharged, damaging the glass section of the building.

Digicel takes dental outreach to Hararununi, Port Mourant – other areas to soon follow DIGICEL Guyana on Wednesday said that they will continue with their back-to-school dental outreach in which children benefit from oral health care free of cost across Guyana.

The dental team on Monday saw more than 30 children during the outreach at Hararununi, on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

The children came from Kuru Kuru, Hararununi and other villages along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway for their free dental check-ups.

“We have completed four of the eight areas that were selected for this year’s dental outreach programme;

we are looking forward to visiting the other areas and hoping for bigger responses than we have gotten so far.

The response has been tremendous,” said Sponsorship Executive, Louanna Abrams.

The team visited Port Mourant, Berbice on Wednesday and attended to more than 70 children from there and surrounding areas.

Digicel’s dental outreach was scheduled to be at the KK Gas station in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara yesterday and is carded to be at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo at the Two Brothers Service Station area today.

The Digicel dental team tomorrow will be at

Children being attended to in the mobile unit during the Digicel back-to-school dental outreach in Berbice

the Anna Regina Market Square in Essequibo. The outreach caters for children between the ages of 6-16 years and starts at 10:00hrs on selected days.

Child Evangelism Rally kicks off at Diamond Tarmac tomorrow HUNDREDS of boys and girls are expected to assemble tomorrow at the southern end of Grove, East Bank Demerara, from where they will march to the Diamond Tarmac for a spirited rally to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Child Evangelism Fellowship in Guyana, from 09:00hrs.

The Diamond Tarmac is located opposite Fifth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara and the rally will be conducted by National Leader Ms. Margaret Smith and the National Board.

Child Evangelism Fellowship® of Guyana is a non-profitable, inter-denominational Christian organisation that is tasked with ensuring the lives of children are reached and transformed through the teachings of the Word of God in Christ Jesus.

Its purpose is to evangelise boys and girls, to disciple them, and to see

them established in local churches for Christian living. CEF aims to be the premier children’s outreach ministry in Guyana, offering cutting-edge programmes and literature to complement the ministries of the local churches and to help them fulfil their biblical mandate in making disciples of all men.

The Mission of the Fellowship is realised through its functional ministries the Party Clubs, Good News Clubs, School Ministries, Fair Evangelism, Mail Box Club, Five-Day Clubs and the Daniel Prayer Network.

The execution of the functions of these ministries is made possible by 20 fulltime workers serving under the National Board and approximately 600 volunteers.

These volunteers are Prayer Partners, Good News Club Teachers, Summer Missionaries, Mail Box Club Workers, Instructors, Office Helpers, National and Local

Board Members.

The CEF National Leader manages all activities of the ministry and is accountable to the National Board.

The National Board is the decision- making body of the Fellowship and reports to the Regional Director for the North America/Caribbean area.

CEF Guyana is under the umbrella of CEF International, whose President is Reese Kauffman. Contact information for the International Headquarters is PO Box 348 Warrenton, Missouri, USA, 63383 with telephone number 636-4564321 and website: www. cefonline.com.

For further information, expressions of concern, comments or queries please make contact with our headquarters at Lot 15 Azore Street, Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, Guyana on telephone number 592-233-5485 or by email cefguyana@y.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

Low manganese prices slow Matthews Ridge project REUNION Gold, the Canadian company which has been prospecting for manganese at Matthews Ridge in Region 1 (Barima/ Waini), has said that low prices for manganese on the world market had led to a slowdown of its activities in Guyana.

The company’s Matthews Ridge manganese project is currently in the care-and-maintenance phase, while it is evaluating different financing options, including the sale of certain assets, joint ventureship, or other arrangements, the company said in a media release.

It will, however, seek to obtain an extension of its prospecting licences at Mat-

thews Ridge.

According to the release, the economic slowdown in Asia and other parts of the world had led to a significant drop in the demand for steel and related products, including manganese.

This slowdown and other economic factors have had a direct impact on the market price of manganese; and combined with a depressed equity market for junior mining companies, it has become difficult to finance the development of manganese projects, the release said.

Reunion Gold Corporation had up to mid last year assembled a large, strategic land position to conduct exploration and development

MACORP staffers conduct voluntary blood drive

Two Macorp employees donating their pints

STAFF members of the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP) recently donated a total of 36 units of blood to the National Blood Bank.

The donation took place through a voluntary blood drive which was conducted at MACORP, and was coordinated by the company’s Human Resources Department and the National Blood Bank.

Occupational Health and Safety Officer of Macorp, Mr. Richard Coddett, indicated that the blood drive

is part of Macorp’s Health and Wellness programme.He noted that the company has recognised the importance of blood-donation and as such the employees were eager to respond to the national need.

Dr. Julian Amsterdam, Director (Ag) of the Blood Bank, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the company and its employees and said the National Blood Bank looks forward to similar collaboration, as they work together to help save lives.

activities for manganese in the North West District .

Manganese is said to be the fourth largest metal consumed in the world, behind iron, aluminium and copper. It is a key component in steel and iron production with no viable substitute.

The company announced that it has filed its audited consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the year ended March 31, 2015.

The company also announced that it will hold its

annual general and special meeting of shareholders on September 30, 2015. The record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the AGM is August 14, 2015.

With respect to the Matthews Ridge project, Reunion Gold said that the

company’s priorities for the current financial year is to complete financing to settle its working capital deficit, fund ongoing obligations and to secure an extension of its prospecting licences in the area, the release concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Haiti’s ability to improvise and recycle

By Ravin Singh in Haiti

THERE is an old proverb that says, “Necessity is the mother of all invention”, which translates into when the need for something becomes essential, one is forced to find ways of acquiring or achieving it.

In a rapidly advancing technological world, where

––in the face of grinding poverty

rubber and cardboard have all contributed significantly to expanding the artistic culture of the land.

STEEL One of the unique forms of art is the Haitian steel drum art. Metal drums, traditionally used for transporting oil in Haiti, or storing garbage as people in Guyana do, have found themselves contributing to art in Haiti.

Fifty-five-gallon oil drums are dissected and flattened through the use of a hammer. Artistic designs are then etched onto the flattened metal, after which a hammer, chisel and various primitive tools are used to cut the shapes, while various decorative patterns are pounded into the metal. The finished product is then signed by the artist and coated with a protective finish.

This particular art form, which was birthed in Haiti in the early 1950s by a simple blacksmith

Hard at work, chiselling away on a steel drum globalisation has shifted the traditional social and cultural orientation, the small French-speaking nation of Haiti remains one of the few countries in the western hemisphere where art revolves, primarily, around its ability to improvise and recycle.

But what exactly does this have to do with necessity paving the way for invention in Haiti?

With a population of 10.32 million people recorded in 2013, the country has been registered by the World Bank as being the poorest in the western hemisphere.

Of this amount, a figure standing just shy of 80 per cent live below the poverty line in the French-speaking nation.

This staggering level of poverty in Haiti is associated with a profile of social indicators including a low literacy rate, low life expectancy and the lack of access to potable water in most parts of the country, among others.

CYCLE OF POVERTY Trapped in the social cycle of poverty, which is nevertheless enriched by culture, the country has evidently relied heavily on the emergence of its local art to aid in the survival of its people.

Testimony of this lies in the fact that at almost every corner in Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital and largest city, there are seemingly lower middle-class people attempting to solicit sales for paintings and/or other forms of artwork.

But what is keen to note about Haiti is that the visual arts in this part of the Caribbean is not limited to drawings and paintings, although those forms dominate the very limited markets. In fact, steel,

which are entirely new to Caribbean culture. From its assembly to form replicated motorcycles in local parks, to swan designs in ponds across the city, the usage of tyres in Haiti is limitless.

Uniquely though, Haitians have also used this same rubber to create jewellery and symbols to represent elements of Caribbean life. One creative design which has been going like “hot cakes” at the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) is a pendant taking the form of a Rastafarian’s head with the locks being the highlight of the design.

CARDBOARD A school project or poster would most definitely need the use of a cardboard, as Guyanese know it. But for Haitians, the paper-like material serves more than just that purpose.

The story of Jeanot Dossus, a 15-year-old Haitian boy who was making bags from cardboard, was reported months ago in the media.

In a public health tent in Port-au-Prince, which was filled with children absorbed in a variety of activities Dossus sat, totally focused, and with meticulous care, he folded strips of cardboard wrapped with pieces from empty crisp packets, then weaving See page 18

Proudly displaying the finished product named Georges Liautaud, has been used to promote domestic life and mythical creatures of the land, through their representation on these pieces.

RUBBER In Guyana, among the few recreational use of car tyres apart from its intended purpose, are as children’s swings and improvised plant pots.

In Haiti, though, this “valued” piece of material has also found its way into the artistic field, used in forms

The rubber chain pendant, taking the form of a Rastaman’s head

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

‘Green City’ initiative to be launched Tuesday – M&CC seeking 1000 volunteers

By Navendra Seoraj IN its move to restore Georgetown to its former glory, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be launching on September 1 its “Green City” initiative aimed at cleaning up the city and making it more environmentally friendly.

Making this announcement Wednesday was Town Clerk Royston King during an exclusive interview with this publication.

According to King, “The initiative will be launched on September 1, and will be geared at cleaning up the city through a combined effort by the residents of Georgetown, managed by the Mayor and City Council.”

In order to make this materialise, the M&CC is in need of 1000 volunteers be-

The ‘Green City’ sign could be seen in the background of this well cleaned area (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Town Clerk Royston King during his interview on Wednesday with the Guyana Chronicle

tween now and September 1, and they will receive identification materials including tee-shirts and hats.

The object of the volun-

teer initiative is to encourage volunteerism, and also enhance leadership skills in communities.

Volunteers will be split

into groups and some will cover the public- awareness aspect; some the environmental counseling; some environmental leadership; and others practical work in the communities.

The volunteers he highlighted will benefit from being part of a new initiative;

a national effort to improve the nation; utilise leadership and other skills; and they will receive certificates to show that they were involved in a local practical initiative.

Hence, he reiterated his call for all interested persons to apply at the Town Clerk’s office which is located at

City Hall; the required age for participation is 17 years and above.

Meanwhile, King emphasised that the children are not forgotten, as they will have an opportunity to be a part of the schools initiative which is expected to be launched soon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Haiti’s ability ...

From page 16

them into what was obviously a bag–a glorious green basket-weave bag.

He was making a variety of items from empty crisp bags, which people were collecting. The 15-year-old artist had worked out how many he had to make and what he could charge for them, to help pay for his school fees and supplies.

The poverty-stricken lad related to those around him that, “I want to improve the quality [of art],” adding that he played the drums and guitar and his dream was

to be a musician.

While Haiti, plagued by natural disasters and negative stereotypical attributions, continues to build its economic and social foundation which has been fragmented since its acquisition of independence, its cultural elements, primarily visual arts, continue to contribute significantly to the country’s unique identity.

But despite attempts at pushing this artistic agenda, the lack of local and regional markets, according to local artists, has stifled growth of the sector in this regard.

But Haiti remains one of the beauties of the Caribbean; a country which has been isolated due to the language barrier, but which prides itself in the face of neglect. (Sponsored by Fly Jamaica)

Jeanot Dossus working on his cardboard bag

Friday August 28, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Saturday August 29, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Sunday August 30, 2015 - 05:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Phone# 619-1952

Barticians and city crew in broiling faceoff at Princess Star karaoke finals

Silyne Griffith

NOW that the Princess Star 2015 Karaoke Contest is moving into its final stage and the excitement is broiling amongst fans, a surreal volcano is exploding amongst the eight singers who made it to the finals, and they can hardly wait to take to the stage on Saturday, September 05, 2015 when the riveting show comes to a close inside ‘Club Next’ (Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara).

The final leg has been dubbed ‘Survival of the Fittest’, and one can only imagine the showcases that will burst asunder on the stage that night. So far, throughout the show, the competition has been really between Georgetown’s Lashaun Charles and Barticians Dameon Apple and Silyne Griffith. But in a recent interview, Bartica songbird Silyne Griffith issued a warning that she would make a mess of Charles on the night of the finals. Charles continues to be cool and calm as usual, throughout the entire showcase.

Apple, on the other hand, has vowed to teach both Griffith and Charles a lesson worth learning at the finals, since he feels it is time these two singers move over to give him his rightful place in the competition.

Louis Ebenezer has come from the back of the lot to spiral to the number three spot at the semi-finals, and has declared he will have no mercy for anyone in the competition.

At the recent semi-finals, the talented Romichelle Brummelle disappointed the judges with a lacklustre performance of Whitney Houston’s ‘How Will I know’. At this leg, Ebenezer had received a standing ovation from the judges for his selection -- ‘Thinking out Loud’.

The Laljie guy will surely have to up his game to rake in a good spot, and Daniel Dondrake will surely need to push his vocals to the limits to match the intensity coming from the other contestants.

At the semi-finals, Jamal Benjamin, Alwyn Mitchell and Jonathan Basteano were all eliminated for poor performance, but in a wildcard

Trendy Plus stocks ‘big girl’ fashions for our curvy ladies OUR luscious curvy girls can now cover those glorious curves with the sheerest of fabrics, thanks to Trendy Plus, which is ready, willing and able to fulfill the ultimate fashion fantasies of those ‘big divas’.

You may have known that it was always a worry and a ponder for our plus-size girls to actually decide on a suitable outfit, shoes and accessories, since it appeared like all the stores and boutiques had one aim in mind: Catering to the whims of the skinny ladies.

My big sisters can now rejoice that their troubles are over.

With your taste and fashion cravings in mind, the classic ‘Trendy Plus Boutique’ has come to your rescue, offering you almost anything you can ever dream of wearing.

And now the Big gals can give their skinny counterparts (counterfeits?) a run for their money, since this joint even showcases exquisite big girls’ lingerie in the most dreamy and daring cuts.

And trust me: you can pick up your swimsuits in both twopiece and full-bodied styles.

Check this, girls: there are hot pants there for you in all dashing colours, and your fish net stockings and necklaces will speak high volumes of today’s fashion.

Evening dresses in shimmering styles await you; and, of course, elegant office attire for the career-minded woman.

Dameon Apple

save yesterday, the judges have brought back Basteano into the competition. Let’s hope he makes ample use of this opportunity mercifully given to him.

For the finals, the judges have selected two songs each for the participants, one of which will be performed as a ‘warm-up entry’ to decide the top five to be selected from the eight singers.

The top five selectees will then each be made to sing for their lives in the ‘Ultimate Showdown’, before the first, second, and third place finalists are decided for the night.

Make sure you are there inside Club Next when the ‘vocal thunderstorm’ engulfs the venue with vociferous intensity. Showtime is at 9:15 pm. See ya!

Trophies for the event will be provided by the Trophy Stall (Bourda, Georgetown)

Mr. Vegas to perform live at Gravity Lounge tonight!

Mr Vegas

The shoes and bags there are items to die for. And girls, don’t worry, they have sizes there for our divas whose footsteps are hard to fill.

Finally you can flaunt your considerable assets in all the glamorous clothing you desire, and show the world that you can be big, bold, and beautiful after shopping at Trendy Plus Boutique, located at 83, Robb Street, Lacytown (Between Camp and Alexander Streets) The boutique can be contacted on phone numbers: 674-4331 or 225-7567.

FOLKS at the Gravity Lounge (Camp & Regent Streets, Georgetown) are always striving to keep their entertainment ventures hyped and riveting, as expected.

And tonight they are doing just the same when they host their King of the Summer Party featuring international dancehall sensation ‘Mr Vegas’.

With this show-stopper performing live in the club, one can be assured of excitement at hitherto unprecedented levels.

The doors will be open from 7pm, and the ‘Vegas Showdown’ will commence promptly at midnight.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Soyini Fraser goes to Miss Grand International Pageant in Thailand Fraser has represented Guyana on the international stage on numerous occasions, and is confident going into the pageant.

She intends to represent Guyana to the best of her abilities.

The competition commences on October 5, and will end with the grand coronation night on October 25 at an indoor stadium – Huamark in Bangkok. The delegates will be completing in several segments in various cities in Thailand. These are swimsuit, national costume, and talent and

intelligence, among others. The scores from the preliminary competitions will be tallied in order to select the top 20 delegates to compete for the crown on the night of October 25.

Guyana’s National costume is expected to be designed by Olympia Small-Sonoram; and while one of Fraser’s gowns will be created by Michelle Cole, others will be designed by other local designers. Fraser wings out in mid-September 2015, and will spend some time in New York before heading to Thailand.

Young budding talent…

Louis Ebenezer is versatile and very talented

The local goddess Soyini Fraser

F

ORMER Miss United Nations and Miss Jamzone International, Soyini Fraser, will take to the stage once again to represent Guyana at the Miss Grand International Pageant 2015, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, October 25.

This third staging of the world-renowned Ms Grand International will see delegates from around the world assembling to compete fiercely in the pageant. No stranger to pageantry, Fraser was selected by local franchise holder Clive Prowell to attend this pageant, which will address the scourge of war and violence around the world. Each delegate is expected to derive strategies to reduce war and violence.

SOME persons in our beautiful universe are just so talented and infectious that they leave you with a lasting positive impression upon your very first encounter with them.

And in most cases, these individuals are the quietest, the most secluded, and the humblest of the lot.

We are made aware of their worth and natural skills only if and when they are engaged in a forum or venture that finally digs up and unleashes their valuable possessions.

One such individual is 20-year-old Louis Ebenezer, who has one of the most beautiful and melodious voices you can find around. Yes, he can be a bit timid and maybe nervous when performing, but that can happen to practically anyone. Once he has a hold on those ‘vocal reins’ of his, one can only imagine the melodious tones that flow like liquid honey from his lips as he belts out rendition after rendition.

He began singing from the tender age of five in church, and this has, over the years, fuelled his passion for music. Eventually, as he grew older, he met friends who shared the same drive, and soon he was bettering his act to the point where he is a masterpiece at a very prestigious song competition.

Banks ‘Yachts Rally Beach Party’ set for Hurakabra Resort on 9/13 ON September 13th, Hurakabra River Resort on the Essequibo River (3 miles from Bartica) will be hosting the second ‘beach party’ for the Nereid’s Rally, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism.

This is the 3rd year of the Annual Nereid’s Rally, which will have about 10 to 15 yachts arriving in Guyana from Trinidad and Tobago between September 6th -9th.

Last year, because of the interest expressed by the public to see the yachts anchored in the Essequibo River, Hurakabra River Resort hosted a ‘Beach Party’ for the public. The event consisted of a full day of fun and games, including giving the Guyanese public an opportunity to go on board the yachts, being involved in games against the cruisers, and winning prizes donated by the main sponsors, Banks DIH. Games such as water melon-eating, volleyball, tug-of-war, paper planes and others will again be staged.

Inclusive in the cost for the event is a sumptuous BBQ lunch.

The event starts by boarding the bus outside the Ministry of Tourism at 8:00pm for an hour’s ride to the Roeden Rust Marina (near to Parika), then boarding the jet boat for another hour on the river before arrival to Hurakabra. After a fun-filled day, visitors will depart Hurakabra by 3:304:00pm to return to Georgetown before 6:00pm.

All-inclusive tickets (transportation and lunch) are being sold at $17,000 and are available at the National Cultural Centre and at the Guyana Tourism Authority.

Persons from Bartica and Parika who would like to transport themselves down to the Resort would pay only $6,000. Those tickets are available at Angellina’s Travel in Parika, NDC Region 7 Registry office, and at Ryan and Ruben in Bartica.

Action lasts from 10:00am to 4:00p.m.

Louis Ebenezer is poised to rake in the 2015 Prince Karaoke Star crown

Louis performs soul, rock, hip-hop, classical and R & B selections, and sees himself in the next two years having several albums and mixed tapes. He is presently working on an album consisting of ten tracks, to be released in the near future.

To have a sampling of his melodious vocals, ensure you are inside Club Next (Princess Hotel) on Saturday, September 05, 2015 when he competes in the finals of the Princess Karaoke Star 2015 showdown.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Escape the rush hour CRUELTY Fridays at Palm Court TO WOMAN (By Roshan Khan)

IT’S such an unpleasant experience to be caught in the middle of the seemingly never-ending rush hour traffic on Fridays, especially in the sweltering, humid heat of the tropics…

Well, here is the perfect solution to that problem -- Palm Court Club (Main Street, G/town) is giving you the perfect getaway in an invitation to its ‘Rush Hour Fridays’ event. This allows you to bask in the refreshingly cool, relaxing and breezy atmosphere of one of Guyana’s top clubs as you get lost in soothing, mesmerizing music.

And that’s not all, folks: While you are there, you can enjoy a 5% discount on all ‘bar bites’ and the fantastic ‘beer bucket specials’. Cocktail lovers would be allowed a 5% slash on all their cocktail choices.

So be smart and avoid the rush hour Friday traffic whilst you enjoy great bar offers as you relax in style.

You Shouldn’t Do That!

This dude should certainly know better than to endanger lives

ON one of my many recent treks around Guyana I was almost run over by a young man speeding by on a bicycle. As alarmed I jumped to safety, I was aghast to note that this youth seemed to be making a ‘death dash’ on his bicycle with two very young school children perched in rather precarious positions on the machine, whilst he filled their nostrils with dust and sand from the traffic competing for space on that busy roadway.

I was mad at what I saw, and would not let it pass.

Dropping my belongings, I sped after that youth, bellowing at the top of my voice. Finally, I caught up with him as he slowed to take a turn; and, dashing before him, I managed to take this photo.

Now, my good people, Shouldn’t this silly dude know better than take a long hard look at this to endanger the lives of innocent children photo and ponder on what who have put their trust in him? could have possibly been the outcome had this bicycle in deadly jeopardy through with riotous traffic, is not chain broke, the brake failed, the thoughtless actions of an the wisest course of action or a tyre burst open from insensitive individual, and I to take. Readers, if ever you see someone practising this a puncture. Quite frankly, couldn’t live with that.

What some people do not dangerous stunt, get them I couldn’t care less what would have happened to the realise is that transporting to stop and immediately rider; but the two innocent students in this manner, give them a deserved tongue kids would have been placed especially on busy roadways licking.

Beat her! Kick her! Shove her down the stairs!

Stamp her chest!

Kick her in the stomach…then chop her!

Mother dear bleeds; mother cries, her husband beats, Licks like peas; hits that will kill an elephant Punch Ma in the chest, break her ribs, kick her back, Already weak from starvation, blows on her arms…

The children are silent, terror in the terrorist eyes, scared mother Heart fails, dead!

Cover up! No charge. Mother dies, silence, silence, silence, Silence, the terrorist escapes, mockery for law mocking the bereaved family.

They chop her! They chop her, Mother dead, no justice Chop woman hands off, both! Yet she forgives No, not enough. Rape her, ravish her body. Rape the little Daughters.

Rape the little infants, rape the little babes before they grow…fun They seek, a life of terror create, call police, no action.

Ashamed, child takes poison. Police charge for attempted suicide.

Do not, I say, do not counsel, jail her! Jail the victim! You Good for That!

Culprit terrorize from remand, brother fear, brother shame for Sister, brother dies…could not take it, kills self.

The Law!!! The Law!!! Asleep…no justice…blind law No! Not enough. Shove her out the lorry, yes, she is too pretty, Jealous friend! Crush he head!!! Smash her bones!!!

Dead she must.

Kill mother they must.

Society, they kill woman, they kill Mother.

The nation to suffer the wrath of God. For she who tarried for nine months of writhing pain to Create the Son, at times raped by him, beaten by him or put on fire. Yes! Beloved son of the womb, baby that she cuddled, produce of her womb…

Her womb he rapes; the sanctuary that is life.

She who has the sweetest name, and weans her child in 2 years is helpless . The father had his sweet, the pleasure done…

He is gone, gone forever, no sweet no more.

Mother cries… Alone, baby in arms, dreaming a great dream For her beloved infant…Tears pouring, still she dreams a pretty dream.

Mother who suckled her infant from her blood stream, A mother who feeds her child in her stomach as a weight of the world…

No complaints from her The arms cuddle the new born, the fingers that wipe the nose, and The hand that wipes the tears, the lips that kiss the pain away…

The pain is gone! Mother’s love! Mother’s love! Mother’s love!

Most divine God on Earth The arms that cuddle the husband, The warmth and comfort of her Body, a great joy for him.

She gives her body and soul freely to the one she loves. But, alas, The blue enamel pot is beaten into her face, A bleeding pulp, The enamel gone, the pot useless, yet she cooks the midday meal for her family…

Mother’s love, a testimony for humanity.

Grabbled from the wardrobe, punched in the mouth, Damaged face again! Again? A son cries his bitter tears, the son little, the light, pure and dear, Cries for his mother dear, his God on earth…

His heart aches forever.

Man, oh man! She is God on earth…

Religion teaches: paradise lies at her feet Existence teaches: only through her holy womb, her placenta, her Umbilical cord can life be sustained in the world!

No woman, no life Only woman bleeds, man, child, man! Only woman bleeds Only woman by God’s permission can create life in her body…

Honour your mothers, honour your mother’s love, your wives, Your daughters, as if they may not be there again. The society that fails: the country pays. For me, everyday is Mother’s Day. Everyday is Woman’s Day.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Flashback!!!

Miss Albouystown declared Ms. Youth Ambassador 2015 CENTRAL Georgetown Police Youth Group, in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, held its inaugural Ms. Youth Ambassador pageant on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the St. Stanislaus College foyer.

The Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Travis Chase, after being introduced, set the tone for what was anticipated as a fierce battle for the coveted title of Ms. Youth Ambassador 2015.

Patrons were treated to a creative introductory dance by the delegates -- Ms. Naomi Rossan (Tiger Bay), Ms. Charlene Gilliard (Grove), Ms. Morisha Joseph (Mocha), Ms. Lisa Smartt (North Sophia), Ms. Onica Lynch (Albouystown), and Ms. Diandra Sampson (Central Georgetown).

The talent segment saw the delegates exhibiting natural aptitude with their performances, and it had the audience glued to their seats since, from all indications, it was a close race. Ms. Diandra Sampson opted out of the pageant at this stage, after failing to take part in the sportswear for reasons unknown.

The next segment was the evening gown, and after displaying fabulous pieces, the final three were selected based on the highest accumulated points from the preliminary rounds. The decision went down well with the audience, as the names of the final three were announced and the lucky ladies were Ms. Charlene Gilliard, Ms. Naomi Rossan and Ms. Onica Lynch.

After responding to their final questions, Ms. Onica Lynch

of Albouystown was declared Ms. Youth Ambassador 2015, much to the applause of the crowd in attendance. Ms. Charlene Gilliard of Grove was declared first runner-up, and Ms. Naomi Rossan of Tiger Bay second runner-up.

The judges were Ms. Monique Meusa, Ms. Marva Langevine and Mr. Desmond Fernandes.

Police Commander Mr. Clifton Hicken, in his closing remarks, noted that, without a budget and with limited resources, the pageant was well coordinated. He said his team would have focused on the males with the recently concluded inter-youth group U-15 football tournament held in June, and has now shifted its attention to the females, since his division has noted an increase in crimes being committed by females.

Hicken urged Ms. Onica Lynch and the other participants to be “true ambassadors” within their respective communities, and to share the knowledge they had garnered through this experience.

Ms. Charlene Gilliard was adjudged Ms. Photogenic. She received a digital camera, compliments of Dreamworks photo studio.

Ms. Onica Lynch was adjudged Ms. Congeniality, and received a Microwave, compliments of Christine’s Fashion and Variety Store.

The queen received a Computer, cellular phone and three

Bombshell’s eye-catching little divas

Arissa Richmond: Countryside cupcake infused with bubbly frolic and fun

Arissa Richmond: the countryside cupcake that is infused with rich ‘countryside fun and laughter’

I have noticed these days that our countryside lasses are certainly working against the stigma fuelled by disillusioned individuals who proclaim that “Country gyals ain’t ready yet!”

Such thoughts are just silly notions on the part of many

misinformed individuals, who have not taken time out to explore the vast lands of Guyana. Had they so done, they would have realized that it’s actually the ‘country villages’ that are popular for serving up simple lasses who are simply attractive…

And I mean lasses who are very pretty without all that war paint some girls plaster on their faces to look breathtaking.

Hence, with pleasure, we bring you the delightful Arissa Richmond, representing the West Coast of Demerara.

This lass enjoys dancing, reading, modelling and interacting. She sees herself soon representing Guyana on the international runway, despite her being a ‘simple country gyal’.

With her very appealing features and radiant smile, she enhances her personality with that natural charisma that is characteristic of a confident and budding diva.

This damsel best describes herself as a tasty countryside cupcake filled with fun and laughter.

Now, my good gentlemen, Arissa is also on the lookout. She also stands as a ‘heart-warming damsel’ to defy her odds and haters.

Bombshell wishes her all the best in her future endeavours.

This lass can be contacted on phone numbers 682-0443 or 626-8045.

computer courses. First runner-up received a Note pad, cellular phone and two computer courses. Second runner-up received a gold necklace, cellular phone and two computer courses. The remaining delegates each received a computer course.

The event was sponsored by Brassonics, Cellphone Shack, Hair Tech International, Junior’s Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Christine’s Fashion and Variety Store, Troy Resources Guy. Inc, TCL Shipping, and DreamWorks Photo Studio.

Bombshell’s Artiste of the Week…

Lambert Semple continues to spread those musical vibes Born in Georgetown, Guyana in 1975, Lambert ‘I Lambi’ Semple is a Reggae artist of the generation that emerged in the rise of the famous ‘First Born’ group, influenced by Wally Fraser of the Vizion Sounds Records.

In 1998, ‘I Lambi’, who started his career with the group Three the Hard Way, joined the group First Born under the Label Vizion Sounds Record and management of Walter Fraser. Upon joining the group, he was asked to do the lead vocals for the songs ‘How are we going to survive’ and ‘Repatriation time’, which then became the first two hit singles for the group. While in First Born, he wrote and sang lead for several songs, including ‘Bounce dem head’, ‘Jah blessings’, ‘Got style’, ‘War and Crime’ some of which helped to propel the group to fame.

‘Firs tborn’ be c a me a household name in Guyana, and started to perform at major shows and flag raising and other prestigious events in Guyana. In March 2003, the group opened for Sizzla at the Block party concert that led into Sizzla’s ‘Rise to the Occasion’ birthday celebration in 2004 at Caymans Park, Jamaica, where they shared stage with Coco Tea, Beres Hammond, Sizzla, Marcia Griffiths, Richie Stephens and Chezidek.

Lambert Semple

In 2005, the group performed at Sting Jamaica, Reggae Sumfest, Kingston Jamboree, and many other events.

The group went on to record five albums and commenced its tour to Jamaica and the United States of America.

In 2008, the group travelled to the USA and did shows in several states, including a performance at Club SOB. In 2009, the group was nominated for nine accolade awards (Guyana’s Music Award) and won six.

Returning from a successful tour to the USA, some group members decided to venture into solo careers. In 2009, ‘I Lambi’, working as an independent artiste, returned to Jamaica and recorded several singles with Cannon Ball Productions and Bobby Digital, after which he travelled to Trinidad and did two albums.

As a solo artiste, he has been the opening act for Luciano, Jah Cure, Glen Washington, Admiral Tibett and Konshens, to name a few.

Since in Guyana, I Lambi has been showcasing his talent at several local venues, including Linden Town Week, Rasville Village Day, Folk Festival.

He has been the opening act for Natural Black at Club 704.

He is once again recording with Vizion Sounds Records, and is expected to release his new single, featuring Blakk Rasta of Ghana.

“I Lambi continues to live his life through the motto of the Group:- Forever Inspirational; Reaching Souls; Teaching Brotherhood, Obedience, Righteousness...Naturally’. There will be more of Lambert “I Lambi” Semple” featuring in these pages.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, August 28, 2015

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:40 hrs Astro News 09:15 hrs Cat And The Moon 09:55 hrs Copper Parade 10:30 hrs Amarillo Starlight 11:05 hrs Wicked Lass English Racing Tips Thirsk 08:50 hrs LadyArgentum 09:20 hrs Bo Bridget 09:50 hrs Dagher 10:25 hrs Snap Shots 11:00 hrs Scoreline 11:35 hrs One More Go 12:05 hrs Le Rouquin Newmarket 09:00 hrs Promising Run 09:30 hrs Diploma 10:05 hrs Sterling Work 10:40 hrs Tashweeq 11:15 hrs Eager Beaver 11:45 hrs Free Running 12:15 hrs Field Game 12:50 hrs Jan Van Hoof Newcastle 11:40 hrs Sartori 12:10 hrs Secret Clause 12:45 hrs Rockcandy Mountain 13:15 hrs Orbit The Moon 13:50 hrs Card High 14:20 hrs Rosy Ryan 14:55 hrs Punk Rocker Irish Racing Tips Down Royal 11:20 hrs Persiflage 11:50 hrs Emmy Lou 12:25 hrs Dai Bando 13:00 hrs Clankyle 13:30 hrs Little Mitch 14:05 hrs May Dullea 14:35 hrs Cottersrock American Racing Tips Saratoga Race 1 Sudden Surprise Race 2 Sax Change Race 3 Temper Mint Patty Race 4 Lead by Example Race 5 She’s All Ready Race 6 Miss Kew Race 7 King Kreesa Race 8 Heated Verdict Race 9 Discreet Marq

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Aussies beat Ireland in rain-hit Nakhid ODI at Stormont questions

AUSTRALIA secured a 23-run (D/L) win over Ireland in a rain-interrupted one-day international in Belfast.

An opening stand of 139 between David Warner (84) and Joe Burns (69) gave the Aussies, fresh from their Ashes defeat,

the foundation for a big score.

Scores: Australia 222 for 6 (Warner 84, Burns 69) beat Ireland 157 (O’Brien 45, Coulter-Nile 3-13) by 23 runs (DLS method) However, the tourists were reduced to 222-6

DAVID WARNER

when they closed their innings following a rain delay.

Ireland were set a target of 181 from 24 overs and were skittled out after Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien put on 86.

Steve Smith started life as Michael Clarke’s successor by opting to bat first at Stormont following a lengthy delay.

Man-of-the-match Warner and debutant Burns scored at 6.36 runs an over in a dominant onslaught before Craig Young dismissed the latter Australia never quite enjoyed the same comfort thereafter, Tim Murtagh nipping out Warner and George Bailey, with Andy McBrine adding Glenn Maxwell as the momentum slipped.

Shane Watson, not seen since the first Ashes Test, finished 26 not out from 25 balls.

Ireland, initially chasing 195 in 27 overs, lost openers Paul Stirling and William Porterfield inside two overs before a gutsy third-wicket fightback.

Veterans Ed Joyce (44) and Niall O’Brien (45) put on 86 in just 12.4 overs, but neither man could go on.

Maxwell’s off-spin was expensive but accounted for both top-scorers.

Only Stuart Thompson backed the pair up with a score above 20 as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins each took two wickets.

Nathan Coulter-Nile finished with three wickets as he returned at the death to end things early by taking the last two scalps. (BBC Sport)

Masters ‘Keep-Fit Road Run’ on Sunday THE Guyana Masters Athletics Association (GMAA) will return to action this weekend when it hosts a 5km Keep Fit road run on Sunday at the National Park.

The run will feature some of the premier male distance athletes including Cleveland Thomas, Shewelyn Gardener, Ian Archibald, Gary Fagundes, Dorway Logan, Curtis Archer among others On the distaff end, athletes like Alisha Fortune, Cyrleen Phillips, Ebony Nelson and Carla Adams are expected among the starters.

The event will commence at 16:00 hrs.

credentials of FIFA presidential rival Platini

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - FIFA presidential candidate David Nakhid, the former Trinidad and Tobago captain, is questioning the credentials of rival Michel Platini, who is also seeking to replace Sepp Blatter as president of the world’s football governing body.

Nakhid, who is seeking the support of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) 25 FIFA nations, is also questioning Platini’s long-standing association with Blatter and his ability to enact changes to a global body that has been rocked by scandal.

Platini, the president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), has been a FIFA executive committee member for 13 years.

“Platini has been positioning himself as a reformer, but how can that be?” Nakhid said.

“Those who are vying for the post should be scrutinised and looked at. How can someone claim to be free or not tainted when he has been part of the circle that has basically brought football down a sorry path?”

Nakhid has focused his campaign on a promise to consult rather than impose changes to the 32-team World Cup and to ensure that richer nations spread their wealth to the developing world.

He also wants to overhaul FIFA’s management structures to ensure that technocrats, rather than people like disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, would sit on audit and finance committees.

“There has not been the scrutiny placed on (Platini) as has been placed, on for example, Sepp Blatter,” Nakhid said.

“On several occasions I was blacklisted by Jack Warner for the national team because I advocated the rights of players who were inadequately paid.

We need to change that type of leadership from that maximum power leadership - something that involves consultation. That will lessen the corruption that goes on and increase expertise.”

Nakhid needs the support of five of FIFA’s 209 federations by October 26 to compete in the FIFA presidential elections carded for February 26.

“I fought against Jack Warner since I was 24 years old,” said Nakhid who played in Europe between 1988 and 1995 for Grasshoppers in Switzerland, Waregem in Belgium and PAOK in Greece.

“I fought against him when everyone was afraid to fight against him and I paid the consequences.

Now it’s in vogue to do it.”

Nakhid moved to Lebanon to join Al Ansar before signing up with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer between 1997 and 1998.

Before ending his career at Al Ansar between 2000 and 2001, he played at Al Emirates in the United Arab Emirates.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Taylor takes triple-jump gold with second-longest ever leap

Christian Taylor of the U.S. celebrates with a national flag after winning gold at the men’s triple jump final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, yesterday. (Reuters/Dylan Martinez)

U.S. asks Swiss to extradite Nicaraguan in FIFA case

By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA, Switzerland (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice has asked Switzerland to give priority to a U.S. request to extradite former FIFA official Julio Rocha in preference to a later request from his native Nicaragua, the Swiss Justice Ministry said.

Six of seven soccer officials detained in Zurich in late May remain in Swiss custody pending extradition requests from the United States to face charges in a corruption scandal that has rocked world’s soccer governing body.

The seventh, former FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb, agreed to extradition last month to New York.

Rocha, a former FIFA Development Officer and a former president of Nicaragua’s football association, agreed on August 14 to an extradition request sent by Nicaragua. Days later, Managua’s attorney general Julia Guido said it had charged him with money-laundering and embezzlement linked to soccer broadcasting rights.

“This week U.S. authorities have asked that the FOJ (Federal Office of Justice) gives priority to their request for Rocha’s extradition,” Swiss Justice Ministry spokesman Folco Galli said.

Switzerland has an extradition treaty with the United States and not with Nicaragua. But extradition to either jurisdiction is possible providing an alleged offence is punishable by at least one year in jail under both countries’ laws.

Swiss authorities expect to decide in September whether to extradite all six soccer officials to face corruption charges in the United States, Galli said earlier this week.

“There won’t be a separate decision. We will decide on the U.S. request concerning Rocha and also decide the question of which state has priority,” Galli said.

In all, 14 men were indicted in the United States in late May on bribery, money-laundering and wire fraud charges involving more than $150M in payments.

BEIJING, China (Reuters) - American Christian Taylor produced the second-longest triple jump in history as he soared

18.21 metres to take gold in a high-quality world championship competition yesterday.

In a week of outstanding head-to-heads in the Bird’s Nest Stadium, the men’s triple jump final always promised to be among the best and it did not disappoint. Taylor and Cuba’s Pedro Pichardo came to Beijing having between them produced the 10 best marks of 2015, with the Cuban leading the way with 18.08m.

Taylor delivered the coup de grace with his sixth and final jump, landing just short of the 18.29m world record that has stood to Britain’s Jonathan Edwards since the 1995 world championships.

Edwards, who was watching the contest at the stadium, later tweeted to Taylor: “You gave me a scare, my friend!!

Brilliant performance.”

Jumping last, Pichardo too had his best jump in the sixth round but his silver medal-winning 17.73 seemed modest compared with what the packed stadium had just witnessed.

The bronze medal was also won by a last-round jump as Nelson Evora, of Portugal, the Olympic gold medallist in the Bird’s Nest Stadium seven years ago, cleared 17.52 to snatch third place from Omar Craddock, the American who had moved into medal positions with a 17.37 effort in the penultimate round.

The event had been competitive from the beginning.

Taylor took the outright lead for the first time with his fourth-round jump before achieving a U.S. national record with his final leap.

Taylor, 25, from North Carolina, who had previously won the world title in 2011, said: “It was a great

fight.

“When you’re that close to a record, it just makes you even hungrier for the next time you compete.

“This is all just gearing up to Rio.” Pichardo, 23, the world number one going into the final, was desperately disappointed. “I feel so upset and disappointed,” he told reporters. “I did not feel 100 percent OK and I could not get into my speed.

“I really expected longer jumps and even attacking record marks. I thought I was going to get it together, but I was just not fast enough.”

For Evora, it was a third world-championships medal, following silver in 2009 and winning gold in 2007.

“I couldn’t be happier with a bronze medal,” the Portuguese said. “I’ve had a tough year. My heart made the difference today.”

Felix uses 200m knowhow to take 400m title BEIJING, China (Reuters) - Allyson Felix of the United States won her ninth world championships gold medal and first at 400 metres with a dominating performance at the Bird’s Nest Stadium yesterday.

“I had to take advantage of the speed that I have and bring that to the 400,” said the 29-year-old from Los Angeles. “I wanted to control the race.”

The Olympic 200-metre champion set off by far the quickest of the eight women finalists to hold a commanding lead by 150 metres.

Off the final bend she was four metres clear of her nearest rival, Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas, who could not close the gap down the final straight.

Felix’s 49.26 seconds winning time was the fastest in the world this year while Miller claimed silver in 49.67.

The bronze medal was won by Shericka Jackson, who led home Jamaican team mates in fourth (Christine Day), fifth (Stephenie McPherson) and sixth (Novlene Williams-Mills).

Britain’s Christine Ohuruogu, the champion in 2007 and 2013 and Olympic gold medallist on this track seven years ago, faded on the home straight and finished eighth in 50.63.

“I saw her (Felix) easing up going into the (final) bend and I wasn’t sure if she’d misjudged the strides and I thought, let me just stick with her,” said the Briton. “But then she just had this kick and I couldn’t match that.”

Miller said she had been struggling for the past month after picking up a hip injury in Monaco.

“I feel so blessed and shocked,” she said. “To gain silver in such a tough race is unbelievable. And the personal best is the icing on the cake.”

Allyson Felix (USA) poses with the United States flag after winning the women’s 400m in 49.26 during the IAAF World Championships in Athletics at National Stadium in Beijing, China. (Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Felix, three times the 200m world champion, has focused on the one-lap sprint for the first time this season. “It’s so different. I just wanted to challenge myself this year, and I’m just glad I could be successful,” she said.

The gold medal won by 29-year-old Felix is only the third won by the U.S. team after six days at the Beijing world championships.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Guyana finish third in CAREBACO Group tournament TEAM Guyana finished third at the CAREBACO (Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation) Under-19 Team Championships which concluded on Wednesday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, at the Club Los Prados.

The Guyanese Team defeated Puerto Rico 3-1.

In the Boys Singles Jonathan Mangra defeated Luis Perex 21-9, 21-12 before Priyanna Ramdhani lost to Genesis Valentin 21-17, 2114 in the Girls singles.

However, in the Boys Doubles, Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra defeated Luis Perex and Joshua Soler 21-17, 21-13 before the Mixed doubles siblings of Narayan and Priyanna brought the title home, disposing of Joshua Soler & Genesis Valentin 21-10, 23-21, 21-12 The other countries were

Under-15, Under-17 & Under-19 divisions featuring Girls Singles, Boys Singles, Girls Doubles, Boys Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

(REUTERS) - Derrick Rose, the 2011 National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player, is being sued by a former girlfriend who claims he and two friends drugged and gang-raped her in 2013, TMZ reported.

Rose’s accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, said she and the three-time All-Star Chicago Bulls guard dated from 2011 to 2013, the celebrity news website reported.

In August 2013, she said, Rose and two friends invited her to Rose’s home in Beverly Hills, California, where they slipped a drug into her drink with the aim of raping her, TMZ reported.

The woman said she escaped from the house, but later that night, Rose and his friends broke into her apartment and gangraped her while she was incapacitated, it said.

TMZ said Rose’s accuser, who is seeking unspecified damages, said she waited for two years to file the suit because she was “ashamed and embarrassed” of what happened. It did not say where the suit was filed.

A spokeswoman for Rose said in a statement the “plaintiff’s allegaDERRICK ROSE tions are completely false and without any factual basis”.

“This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to shake down a highly respected and successful athlete,” the statement said. “Mr Rose was in a non-exclusive, consensual sexual relationship with the plaintiff for over two years.”

“We have complete confidence that the case will be dismissed and that Mr Rose will be vindicated. This lawsuit is outrageous.”

Rose, who missed a large portion of last season due to a knee injury, averaged 17.7 points, 4.9 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 51 games.

“We just learned about this matter and do not know all the facts,” the Bulls said in a statement.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Serena Williams

Rain disrupts WICB Under-15s Tour of Britain

Guyana’s CAREBACO contingent the hosts Dominican Republic, Barbados, Panama, Trinidad, Jamaica, Puerto Rico & Guyana.

With the Team Cham-

pionship concluded, the players will now prepare for the CAREBACO Individual Championship which starts today at the

Serena faces strong home challenge at U.S. Open

By Larry Fine NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - Serena Williams must navigate a heavily American quarter of the draw, including sister Venus, to complete a calendar sweep of the four grand slams, while two sensational quarter-finals loom on the men’s side after yesterday’s U.S. Open draw.

Top-seeded Serena, who opens against Vitalia Diatchenko of Russia, is in a quarter that includes nine Americans, notably Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys and Venus, whom she could meet in the quarter-finals.

Men’s top seed Novak

Djokovic of Serbia, the 2011 champion, begins against Brazilian Joao Souza and appears to have a smooth path to the quarters where he could find 14-time major winner Rafael Nadal of Spain, seeded eighth after a subpar season.

Third seed Andy Murray of Scotland, who won in 2012, had French Open champion Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, the fifth seed, drawn into his quarter for another potential last-eight showdown worthy of a final.

But first Murray must get through a blockbuster opening clash with talented young Australian Nick Kyrgios, who has made

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday August 28, 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:

Australia vs South Africa, Manchester, 1912 New Zealand vs East Africa, Birmingham, 1975

Today’s Quiz:

When and where was the first Test match staged in the WI? When and where was the first ODI contested in the WI?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

headlines this month for vulgar comments he directed towards Wawrinka that landed him a suspended ban and a $25 000 fine.

Second seed Roger Federer, the all-time slam singles king with 17 titles, opens against Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer and is seeded to face Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych in the quarters before a possible semi-final against the Murray-Wawrinka winner.

Defending men’s champion Marin Cilic of Croatia, seeded ninth, could face fourth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan in the quarters for a rematch of their 2014 U.S. Open final.

While various scenarios are suggested in the men’s draw, the women’s tournament is focused on Serena and her bid to add a record seventh U.S. Open title to her 2015 triumphs at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

The world number one will have to bring her focus early.

Serena’s second-round opponent could be Croatian Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who pulled off a shock win over Simona Halep in the second round of this year’s French Open.

Also posing threats in

Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose, two others, accused in lawsuit of rape

her quarter are eighth-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova and 12th seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, who beat Serena in the Toronto semi-finals less than two weeks ago.

In the lower quarter of the top half, Russian third seed Maria Sharapova and Serbian seventh seed Ana Ivanovic are seeded to compete in the quarters for the chance to meet Serena in the last four.

Second seed Halep begins her tournament against New Zealander Marina Erakovic with dangerous floater Victoria Azarenka of Belarus lurking in her quarter.

Caroline Wozniacki, the fourth seed from Denmark, is seeded to meet fifth seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the other quarter.

LONDON, England (CMC) - Rain has wreaked havoc with two of the three opening matches of the West Indies Cricket Board Invitational Under-15s Tour of Britain.

Not a ball was bowled in a highly-anticipated contest with the Chris Gayle Academy at Woodford Green in the British capital.

Only 27 overs were possible against the Kent Emerging Player Programme.

Opener Nico Reifer finished with an undefeated 68 from 77 balls that included half-a-dozen fours and a pair of sixes, after the WICB Under-15s were put in to bat.

However, in the only completed match, the visitors suffered a 64-run defeat against the London & East Region squad.

Captain Kirstan Kallicharran led by scoring 33 but the WICB Under-15s failed to reach the 168 target.

The Under-15s are due to play three more matches on the tour including one against the Hertfordshire Emerging Player Programme.

The Tour, which is being considered as an annual event, was organised following an invitation from the England Barmy Army Colts.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday August 28, 2015

Segway knocks Bolt off his stride at the Bird’s Nest BEIJING, China (Reuters) - A television cameraman and his Segway succeeded in doing what none of Usain Bolt’s rivals could in the 200 metres final at world championships yesterday - knock the Jamaican off his stride, and his feet, during his lap of honour.

Bolt was taking the plaudits of the crowd after winning his fourth straight 200 metres world crown when the wheel of the cameraman’s Segway caught a trackside rail and flipped over, sending man and machine into the barefooted sprinter.

The 29-year-old Olympic champion, who had his back to the man, was knocked to the ground and sustained a few minor cuts.

He was not about to let the accident ruin his celebrations after beating American rival Justin Gatlin to a sprint title for the second

time in five days, however.

“I did not hit a cameraman. He took me out,” said Bolt, who held on to his track spikes with his right hand as he did a backward roll to get back onto his feet.

“The rumour I am trying to start right now is Justin Gatlin paid him.”

Silver medallist Gatlin, sat next to Bolt at the post-race news conference, quipped ruefully: “I want my money back.”

Bolt, who is hoping to run for a third gold in the 4x100m relay at the weekend, joked that he might have to consider taking out insurance after the incident.

“I probably should have my legs insured.

It was pretty scary when it happened,” he added.

“Accidents happen. I have a few cuts but it is nothing that I have never done to myself in training. I will be alright.”

Former Indian spinner joins Courtney Walsh on coaching panel DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) - Former Indian spinner Venkatapathy Raju would be part of the coaching team for the ICC Americas Cricket Combine to be held in Indianapolis, USA next month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday.

Raju joins a high-calibre coaching panel for the Combine which also includes West Indies great Courtney Walsh and internationally renowned American fielding coach Mike Young.

“I can’t wait to work with Courtney, Mike and the other coaches to help the players improve their skills, in what really is an exciting initiative for the development of the game,” said Raju.

“I played for a couple of seasons, mainly in the Washington and New Jersey areas, and therefore have already seen first-hand the talent that exists in the Americas Region.”

About 100 of the best players within the region will take part in the Combine, following which an ICC Americas representative team will be selected to play in the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) NAGICO

Super50 tournament during January 2016.

The best performing players could then receive an opportunity to trial for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

In an international career spanning 11 years, Raju played 28 Tests and 53 ODIs, including the ICC Cricket World Cups in 1992 and 1996.

“Raju has had a long and distinguished career as an international player, selector, coach and administrator, and is now an important member of the ICC’s development team,” said ICC’s Head of Global Development, Tim Anderson.

“It’s therefore great that he is able to assist in this important project in the America’s region, in what is an example of the integrated approach the ICC is now taking to assist cricket’s global development.”

The Combine will have two phases, with Phase 1 being an open trial from September 18 to 21.

The best players from Phase 1 will then be invited to attend Phase 2 of the Combine from September 24 to 27, after which the ICC Americas team will be selected.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica is hit by a cameraman on a Segway as he celebrates after winning the men’s 200 metres final at the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China. (Reuters/Stringer)

Colts edge Royals to reach Burnham basketball final ... Post-match brawl mars tournament

LINDEN’S Victory Valley Royals’ impressive run in the inaugural Forbes Burnham Memorial Basketball Championship came to an abrupt end after losing to the Colts 57-64 when the two teams met at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Wednesday night.

National point guard Shelroy Thomas was unstoppable on the night, scoring an impressive 22 points and was supported by Rayon Cummings who netted 12 points.

The Royals’ Orlan Glasgow did exactly what was asked of him by his team and hammered in 22 points and Lawrence De Costa assisted with 10 points.

Some of the 90 participants of the NSC Glasgow ‘Teach them Young’ camp which was coordinated and conducted by Garfield Solomon & Deborah Ward and was facilitated by Sports Officer A Munroe.

Colts have now booked a place in the final where they would play the winner of the Half Mile Bulls/Pacesetters clash which is set for Saturday at the same venue.

In the earlier exchanges, Royals held on to a one

SHELROY THOMAS point (15-14) lead at the end of the first period and held on to their advantage; scoring 22 points in the second half as compared to the 17 scored by Colts to close the half leading 37-31.

The Lindeners played well at both ends of the floor and continued their up-tempo style of play to close the penultimate period with a 52-45 points lead.

But, things took a turn in the final stanza of the contest. Colts turned up the pressure defensively and restricted the Royals to just seven points and netted 19 of their own to

make their trip to the final.

Meanwhile, after the conclusion of the game, things got physical between Colts and National point guard Dave Causeway and Pacesetters centre Jermaine Hamilton.

Causeway had thrown a basketball off the court that struck Hamilton during the game and the Pacesetter player, who was heckling the Colts team from the stands for the duration of the game, felt that Colts point guard act was deliberate.

Hamilton then approached Causeway after the game dealt him several blows, even though his teammates attempted to talk him out of physically harming Causeway.

President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds, in an invited comment, made it clear that his Federation would not entertain such behaviour in the sport and added that the two players will be disciplined.

“Both players are suspended until further notice from GABF,” said Hinds, who added, “The GABF has a meeting scheduled for September 6, 2015 - where the GABF executive will address the conduct of both players and make a definitive pronouncement on the issue, based on our current gathering of information related to the altercation.”

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Nakhid questions credentials of FIFA presidential rival Platini

See story on page 28

DAVID NAKHID

Usain does it again for Beijing sweep

Usain Bolt of Jamaica (L) crosses the finish line ahead of Justin Gatlin (2nd R) from the U.S., Zharnel Hughes of Britain (2nd L) and Ramil Guliyev of Turkey in the men’s 200m final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, yesterday. (Reuters/Lucy Nicholson)

By Nick Mulvenney BEIJING, China (Reuters) - Usain Bolt delivered Justin Gatlin a second knockout blow in five days to win his fourth straight 200 metres world title yesterday and to prove that when it comes to major championship sprinting, he simply has no peer.

In the seven years since the Jamaican first lit up the Bird’s Nest at the 2008 Olympics, a disqualification in the 100 metres at the 2011 world championships is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record in major global races.

Six Olympic gold and now 10 at the worlds are glistening metal proof of his ability to get the best out of his huge natural talent when the stakes are highest.

It was all supposed to be different this time around, however.

Bolt has struggled with pelvic problems this year and been burdened with the unwanted task of ‘saving’ athletics after allegations of

widespread doping in the sport dominated the month leading up to the championships.

Gatlin, 33, is in the form of his life and their showdowns in the two sprints in Beijing were the most highly anticipated contests of the championships.

Yet, when it came to the crunch, Bolt brushed all that and Gatlin aside, digging deep to win the 100 metres by a hundredth of a second on Sunday and his pet event by almost 2/10ths of a second yesterday.

“This season a lot of people have been doubting me and saying I’m going to lose. I’ve just shown my championship potential,” the 29-year-old told reporters after clocking 19.55 seconds, the best time in the world this season.

“The 100 is really for the people and for my coach and the 200 is for me because I really put my heart into perfecting the 200. It means a lot more to me than anything else.”

Bolt said it was vital he

was not behind at the bend and after a strong start he had his nose just in front of Gatlin as the field tore into the straight.

The American looked as if he was gaining on his rival just after the turn but Bolt puffed out his cheeks and lengthened his stride to pull clear.

Gatlin, who has been cast as a pantomime villain because of his two failed drug tests, said he hoped his two silver medals in Beijing would prove he was a very good athlete.

“It was never my attempt to come to the championships to win over any fans,” he said.

“My attempt was to come here to compete to the best of my abilities. I think the people saw a different view of me. I am just a competitor.

NO ILL WILL “I have no ill will toward Usain. I have no ill will towards anybody. We work very hard to stay away from injury and just get out there and run nine

seconds and run 19 seconds.

“I think that mission was accomplished.”

Anaso Jobodwana took bronze in 19.87 for South Africa ahead of Panama’s

Alonso Edward who was awarded the same time but lost out on a medal by 2/1,000ths of a second.

With four 200-metre gold medals from world championships and Olympic Games, Allyson Felix is another proven performer and she showed she was just as effective at double the distance by winning her first 400 crown.

The American set off at a stunning pace and built a huge lead she was able to defend over the last 100, edging out Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas after clocking 49.26 seconds, the fastest time in the world this season.

While admitting to “bitter” feelings about missing the 200 because of a schedule clash, Felix was delighted with her ninth world championship gold.

“It’s my first 400 title,” she said. “It’s a huge blessing.”

Compatriot Christian Taylor produced the second longest triple jump in history to win his showdown with Cuba’s Pedro Pichardo and claim a second world title.

Taylor soared 18.21 metres with his sixth and final jump, pushing Pichardo into second place as he landed

just short of Jonathan Edwards’ 20-year-old world record of 18.29.

“When you’re that close to a record it makes you even hungrier for the next time you compete,” he said.

World record holder Anita Wlodarczyk’s victorious throw in the hammer was also the second best of all time as she seized her second world title.

The 30-year-old Pole is the only woman who has thrown the hammer beyond 80 metres and did it twice yesterday, winning with her fourth effort of 80.85 meters.

“The title, the world record, I cannot ask for more this year,” Wlodarczyk said after falling shy of the 81.08 she threw earlier this month.

Not everything goes entirely the way of even the greatest champions, however, as Bolt discovered when a cameraman and his Segway collided into him on his lap of honour.

Bolt was knocked to the ground but sustained only minor cuts, joking that he was trying to start a rumour Gatlin had paid the man to do it.

“I want my money back,” the American quipped ruefully.

Usain Bolt of Jamaica (L) shakes hands with Justin Gatlin from the U.S. as he poses for photographers after winning the men’s 200 metres final. (Reuters/ Kai Pfaffenbach)

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015