Chronicle 01 10 2016

SHOCKED No. 104428

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2016

Price: $80

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– Kildonan residents rattled by alleged home-grown killers

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Fire leaves 8 homeless

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The remains of the house at Fifth Street, Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara which was yesterday afternoon gutted by fire (Samuel Maughn photo)

Triumph Human Rights looks forward Commission to come on stream 11 to LGE 13 P.

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Fraud uncovered at Region 10 RDC 8 P.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

PM to oversee governance, constitutional matters … GPOC now under Public Telecommunications Ministry WITH the recent adjustments in ministerial responsibilities, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has been handed two key portfolios - governance and constitutional matters.

Nagamootoo, who had been holding the responsibility for public information, now has, as part of his gazetted functions, the following responsibilities: governance, constitutional matters and parliamentary affairs.

Minister Cathy Hughes,

who has been given the portfolio of Public Telecommunications and Tourism, will now also be in charge of the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

This ministerial responsibility was previously held by Annette Ferguson, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

After seven months in office, President David Granger made the changes to his Cabinet two weeks ago. A release from the Ministry

of the Presidency had said that the Head of State made it clear that these changes do not involve any changes to his Cabinet, and do not mean that there is an increase in the size of the Cabinet or that any reshuffling has taken place.

They are, instead, a step towards developing capacity in certain policy areas.

Regarding Minister Cathy Hughes, President Granger said, “The reason is that, after seven months, we detected a gap -- that there is no single spokesperson in the National Assembly, a Ministerial spokesperson dealing with the digital economy [and] dealing with information technology. So we decided that it was necessary to have a minister responsible for information and communication technology.”

Additionally, the Ministry of Governance and the Protection of the National Patrimony was renamed the

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Ministry of Natural Resources, with Governance going to Prime Minister Nagamootoo and Minister Raphael Trotman taking charge of Natural Resources.

Minister Simona Broomes has also been moved from the Ministry of Social Protection to be Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources. The

President had said that her knowledge of the hinterland makes her a great asset to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“Minister Broomes has tremendous energy and skill, and she is going to be functioning from the Ministry of Natural Resources. She has a very good knowledge of the hinterland, and we are concerned with the enforcement of certain practices and regulations in that Ministry,” the President said.

Minister Keith Scott has meanwhile been moved to the Ministry of Social Protection, and will be responsible for labour issues.

A new minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson, has also been appointed. In an OP-ED in this newspaper last week, Director of Public Information, Imran Khan, had said that: “Today’s global construct is dynamic, fast-moving and ever-changing. Government and its leaders must con-

stantly take decisive action, after careful review and assessment, to keep apace of the needs of the people and the national priorities. As a conscious practice, governments must seek to avoid being inflexible and resistant to change and adjustments, as these are red flags on a path to unproductivity.”

He said, too, that it can be expected that Cabinet review and adjustment will be a constant feature of the Granger Administration.

The end of the budget year and the 2016 budget presentation being imminent, this has presented an ideal opportunity for review, re-organisation and refocusing, Khan said.

He said that in May 2015, when the Cabinet was appointed, it was done on the basis of the best information available at the time, along with the priorities and policies outlined in the APNU+AFC Coalition manifesto for the May 11th election.

Corpse fished out of Mahaica canal

By Rabindra Rooplall THE partially decomposed body of 28-year-old Haffeza Rohoman, a mother of four, was yesterday fished out of a canal at Helena Number 1 Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, one mile from the Belmont, East Coast Demerara residence where she had lived with a new lover.

The woman had reportedly walked out on her husband and children four months ago, and had gone to live with another man, who is now on the run.

Her children -- aged five, eight, 10 and 14 -- were being cared for by her sister and grandmother when she abandoned her previous place of abode at Tranquility Hall, Mahaica East Coast Demerara.

Mahaica police yesterday received information that a body was spotted in a canal, and their investigation confirmed the gruesome discovery. The body, clad in a black top and jeans, was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour in Georgetown, and a post-mortem will be done today.

The dead woman’s sister, Sheniza Rohoman, said Haf-

feza was supposed to return home to take care of two of her daughters since last Thursday, but never did. “She was getting problems returning home, because the man she was living with didn’t want her to return home…. When she moved out months ago, she always had problems in her new relationship.”

Sheniza said the family received a phone call from the police after her sister’s purse was found with her body. The police called various numbers stored in her phone.

The dead woman’s father described her death as untimely. “I don’t know anything much about what happened, but I am hoping police can figure it out,” he said.

Relatives of the dead woman suspect foul play, and are requesting that the police apprehend all suspects with the aim of solving the suspected murder.

Domestic violence is becoming more pervasive.

Around the world, a woman is beaten every nine seconds, with one in four women experiencing severe physical abuse in her lifetime. Annually, 10

Dead: Haffeza Rohoman

million children witness their mothers being beaten inside their own homes, while approximately three women are murdered every day by those who had promised to love them.

Local records indicate that 29 domestic violence-related murders occurred in 2013, with 21 of the victims being women and girls. Six of the victims were children, with the youngest being eight months old and the oldest 15. In addition, two 17-year-old girls were among the victims.

Domestic abuse that leads to violence and murder is seldom sudden or spontaneous.

It is usually cold-blooded and calculated, and comes as the climax of a continuum of indicative incidents. Deaths at the hands of partners and spouses have increased, a fact that suggests that perpetrators still feel confident that they can escape punishment for their crimes. This means that there is a need for stronger enforcement of the legislation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

– Kildonan residents rattled by alleged home-grown killers

By Nafeeza Yahya

THE gruesome murder of 18-year-old British citizen Dominic Bernard, who went missing after arriving in Guyana on October 14 last, has left many residents in the Region 6 community of Kildonan/Nurney in a state of shock.

Located 21 miles from New Amsterdam and 23 miles from Crabwook Creek, Kildonan and Nurney are closely knit villages, and most of the residents are related. Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, several residents said the murder hit home pretty hard, and the community has been taken by surprise.

They still have not yet come to accept that the lads “Stayee” (Staymon George) and Aaron (Hing) committed the gruesome act with the help of two of their friends.

They are all in police custody, assisting with investigations.

The two prime suspects, whom police say have since confessed to the crime and have fingered two other lads who either had knowledge or played a part in the murder, all have one thing in common -- that is they come from broken homes.

Staymon George, now 23, is an orphan, having lost both his parents in his pre-teen years. He and his younger brother were brought up and schooled under strict guidance by his aunt, who had ensured they were properly schooled.

Staymond made it to the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), where he studied electrical installation and had a job as an electrician. He was a former GPL contract employee. He is described as a jovial person, an outspoken young man who listens to advice and takes steps to improve himself.

COMPUTER SCIENCE Hing, now 22, was born in England, but moved to Guyana with his mother after his parents separated.

He also was a student at NATI, where he did computer science. He has been travelling back and forth between Guyana and England,

A section of Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice

The street that leads to the backdam where Dominic Bernard’s body was buried in a shallow grave

where, according to a source, he served three years on a drug-related charge.

According to the source, both Hing and Bernard were fingered in the charge, but Aaron was the only one who did the time. However, the two never had any bad relations with each other, and Hing had even spent time by Bernard’s place on a recent visit last year.

Everyone who knows Aaron keeps asking the same question: “You sure is the same Aaron? But he so quiet!”

OTHER SUSPECTS The other two suspects, aged 16 and 18, reside in Nurney and Kildonan respectively, and are close friends with both of the accused.

They, too, are living with single parents due to parental separation, and are both educated to secondary level.

The 18-year-old recently started his own business with funding from a relative, and the business is doing well.

The 16-year-old has recently completed secondary schooling, and would take odd jobs

within the communities to make ends meet.

Guyana Chronicle did a walkabout in the community and spoke with several residents, who all expressed shock and disbelief that these young men were capable of committing such a heinous act. According to a businessman, who said he knew all the young men since they were little children, they were always respectful towards him, and

never seemed aggressive or violent.

He said “Stayee and the 16-year-old used to work for me during school holidays, and I still cannot believe that they did it, because they were the last person I believe could do such an inhumane act”.

GOOD CHILDREN Another resident, a teacher, said: “In all the time I have known these

youths, I’ve known them to be good kids. I cannot wrap my head around the fact that this happened right here in this community. I’m saddened that the young man lost his life. I was really hoping and praying that he would be found alive.”

Another resident, a member of a vibrant youth group, is still in denial, even though the suspects have confessed. “I still refuse to believe that these boys did this, as I cannot see them as being capable, having known them from birth.”

She is calling for unity in the community in the implementation of more activities that would engage youths meaningfully, so that they can channel their energies positively, and not have idle time to think of illegal activities.

“There needs to be an avenue for youths to let off steam, and what better way than to channel it to sports or physical exercise? But it will take a collaborative effort on all fronts, such as the schools, parents/ guardians recognising this need and making it possible for those affected to be able to do so without any pressure.”

This murder has attracted a lot of negative attention to the communities, with coverage daily in the

media, both locally and internationally, and residents are not pleased with the image that is being portrayed of their community.

Moreover, they are saddened that a young firsttime visitor lost his life in such a cruel manner, and they are saying it should not have happened in the first place. He should have been protected by the ones he had trusted.

More importantly, they are seeking the motive of the crime, since some sections of the media reported that the grave was dug two days prior to Bernard’s arrival.

This shows it was a premediated act, and there is more to the story than what is being revealed thus far, they say. “Even if robbery is to be considered as a motive, why kill the boy?” they ask.

The badly decomposed body of the teen was discovered in a two-foot shallow grave in the backlands of the community.

As the police continue their investigations, the suspects were brought to the scene of the crime, and they also identified the murder weapons, believed to be a cutlass and a hammer which were left not far away from the crime scene.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

Sean Penn’s ‘El Chapo’ interview scorned

THE Obama administration and a US presidential hopeful have criticised Sean Penn’s interview with Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

It was conducted in October in the Mexican jungle after Guzman’s jail break, and published by Rolling Stone.

A White House spokesman said the Hollywood actor’s “socalled interview” was “maddening,” while Republican Marco Rubio said it was “grotesque”.

Guzman, 58, was recaptured on Friday after months on the run.

Unnamed Mexican officials say Penn’s secret meeting helped lead them to the boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

He has now been returned to the maximum security Altiplano jail, from where he

escaped in July via a tunnel dug to the shower in his cell.

In the Rolling Stone article, the result of a seven-hour “sit-down”, Guzman said he was the world’s leading supplier of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough told CNN: “One thing I will tell you is that this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening.

“We see a heroin epidemic, an opioid addiction epidemic, in this country... But El Chapo’s behind bars -- that’s where he should stay.”

The Mexican authorities are reported to be considering whether to investigate Penn and a Mexican actress, Kate del Castillo, who apparently

The meeting took arranged the interview.

McDonough declined to answer a question about whether the US would hand Penn over to Mexico for questioning.

“Well, it poses a lot of very interesting questions both for him and for others involved in this-so-called interview, so

place in October we’ll see what happens on that -- I’m not going to get ahead of it,” he said.

Rubio told ABC: “If one of these American actors who have benefited from the greatness of this country, who have made money from our free enterprise system, want to go fawn all over a criminal

and a drug trafficker in their interviews, they have a constitutional right to do it. I find it grotesque.”

Mexico has said it will begin the process of extraditing Guzman to the US, in line with extradition requests from 2014.

No detail has been given about the timeframe for an extradition but experts say the process could take months.

The BBC’s Katy Watson, in Mexico City, says the extradition of “El Chapo” to the US is by no means a foregone conclusion. The two countries have an extradition treaty but there are many steps that need to be taken and officials who need to approve the request.

Previous extradition requests from the US have been turned down.

The US has filed requests for his extradition so he could face charges of smuggling vast amounts of drugs into the country.

Guzman, who was named Public Enemy Number One by the Chicago Crime Commission in 2013, has been indicted by at least seven US federal district courts.

He was recaptured on Friday in the north-western city of Los Mochis in his home state of Sinaloa, which he had come to dominate through his drugs cartel.

During the raid, he managed to flee through a drain but was later caught by marines in a shootout.

Five drug gang suspects were killed in the operation and one marine wounded.

(BBC)

No winner in record US$900M lottery NO-one has won the largest lottery jackpot in US history, the $900m (£620m) on offer in Saturday night’s Powerball draw.

Lottery fever in the US

had resulted in long queues outside lottery-ticket vendors, driving up the jackpot value.

A single winner could have taken home about

$558m (£384m) if they had chosen a lump-sum prize.

The prize will now be rolled over to Wednesday when the jackpot is expected to be $1.3bn.

Optimistic lottery ticket purchases have taken place all over the US

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The winning numbers for the Saturday jackpot were 32, 16, 19, 57 and 34, and the Powerball number was 13.

Powerball is played in 44 of 50 states and three American territories. It takes place each Wednesday and Saturday at 22:59 PM (03:59 GMT).

Winners can be paid the full jackpot in annual instalments over 29 years or take a lower cash prize.

Lottery officials quoted in US media said the odds of winning last night were one in 292 million.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

ISIS is threat to Caribbean US repatriate over

A TOP army general in the United States is worried that a few Islamic extremists in the Caribbean could carry out terrorist acts in the region.

Commander of US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), General John Kelly, said about 100 Islamic extremists left the Caribbean region to join Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters in the Middle East last year.

Some of them have been killed, but the number had risen to about 150 this year.

However, his worry is less about the impact those Caribbean nationals have on the ISIS fight overseas and more about what they can do in their respective

homelands.

“I am more concerned, particularly now (that) it seems like the Islamic extremists and terrorists have shifted a lot of their message, and that is: ‘hey, rather than come to Syria, why don’t you stay at home and do San Bernardino, or do Boston, or do Fort Hood?’,” he said, referring to incidents of terrorist attacks in the US. “My concern as the SOUTHCOM commander, is that…even just a few of these, you know, nuts can cause an awful lot of trouble down in the Caribbean, because they don’t have an FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation], they don’t have law enforcement like we

do. They don’t have TSA [Transportation Security Administration]. They don’t really have the same kinds of things at the airports that we do, in terms of checking the comings and goings of people…. And many of these countries have very, very small militaries, if they have militaries at all,” Kelly told journalists at a Department of Defense press briefing at the Pentagon on Friday.

The army general said the US was therefore trying its best to help those countries, like Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

“We work with them and give as much information as we can,” he said.

(Caribbean 360)

200 Cuban migrants

THE US Coast Guard has, within the past week, repatriated 216 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas in Cuba.

These repatriations are a result of 18 separate migrant interdictions at sea in the South Florida Straits. In each instance, the Coast Guard helped to secure the US border and prevent these perilous sea voyages from ending in tragedy.

The Coast Guard has observed a steady increase in illegal maritime migration attempts from Cuba to the southeastern US since the US announcement of improved diplomatic relations with Cuba in December 2014, nearly 13 months ago. In the first five days of January 2016, some 176 Cuban migrants have attempted to reach US shores.

“Immigration policies have not changed, and we urge people not to take to the ocean in unseaworthy vessels,” said Capt. Mark Fedor, Coast Guard 7th District Chief of Response. “It is illegal and extremely dangerous.”

The Coast Guard and partner agencies aggressively patrol the Florida Straits and the Caribbean Sea to detect and deter illegal and unsafe maritime migration. Safety of life at sea is always the Coast Guard’s top priority.

The Coast Guard 7th District estimates that since October 1, some 1,800 Cubans have attempted to illegally migrate via the sea. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.

(Caribbean News Now)

A Cuban migrant raft sinking off the coast of Florida, December 31, 2015. The migrants safely embarked a Coast Guard smallboat and were repatriated to Cuba (US Coast Guard photo)

Commander of US Southern Command, General John Kelly (US News and World Report photo)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Tackling suicide

FOR the past couple of years, suicide has been a problem that has bedevilled Guyana, and even though much has been said about the scourge, not much has been done to address it.

Many would recall, with shock, that prominent social activist Zenita Nicholson took her own life last year because of abuse and depression. In November of that very year, the nation read about the tragic death of teenagers Kavita Ackloo and Ramesh Persaud, who took their lives by consuming a poisonous substance. Their bodies were found on the Kingston Seawall. The young couple was said to have had a rocky relationship.

Fast forward to 2016, and with only a few days in the New Year, 14-year-old Sherryanne Alli and her adult lover, Deoraj Persaud, who under the law would have been deemed a statutory rapist, were found hanging in a bedroom of the home of a relative. Media reports suggest that their dreadful act stemmed from well-intentioned advice to end their illicit relationship.

These are just few of the many cases of suicide that have occurred over the past five years. It is important to point out that, immediately after the death of Nicholson, Ackloo and Ramesh Persaud, the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) had issued an appeal to the Government, Opposition and religious leaders, among others, to come together and develop a national strategy to address the scourge of suicide.

Accordingly, it is refreshing to hear that President David Granger, through a multi-sectorial approach, will be mobilising experts, both local and foreign, to enquire into the real causes of suicide, and have those causes tangibly addressed.

Some of the prominent risk factors local health officials have identified include acute emotional distress, mental disorder, impulsivity, aggressive tendencies, adolescent maladaptive disorder, and alcohol abuse.

The President’s concerns are understandable, because, in Guyana, 34.7 per 100,000 deaths, and not 44.2 per 100,000 as was reported in both the local and international press, are from suicide. This is way above the global average of 11.4 per 100,000 and towers over the average 6.1 per 100,000 rate in Latin America and the Caribbean, as was highlighted at the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s 60th health research conference in Grenada last year.

While there is no cure for suicide, as people will

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

GRA responds to PSC Dear Editor, THE Private Sector Commission (PSC), on Thursday, January 7, 2016, accused the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) of searching the home of Mr. Khurshid Sattaur. It is important to emphasize that the GRA did not search or seize any property, as maliciously claimed by the Private Sector Commission.

While I agree that the protection of human rights is important, that concern did

not apply to the case wherein GRA officials went to the home of Mr. Sattaur by mutual agreement, on December 31, 2015, to retrieve the property of the Government of Guyana and to ensure that sensitive taxpayers’ data was properly secured.

The most alarming feature of the PSC press release is the embellishment of erroneous information with the allegation that a search occurred at Mr. Sattaur’s home and that seizure of items ensued without any regard

for Mr. Sattaur’s rights. The troubling feature of that erroneous claim is that the PSC seems to be seeking to drive fear and mistrust of GRA into the minds of taxpayers, the very things that the new Governing Board is seeking to heal in its relationship with taxpayers.

That the PSC would take time to carefully construct unsubstantiated statements without seeking to find out the position of the GRA does not speak well for its own integrity, and comes across as

a deliberate attempt to malign and frustrate an organization that is trying to repair its tarnished image.

The PSC ought to be careful, since continued distortion of facts would make it difficult for those who have to deal with it to rely on anything that it has to say.

RAWLE LUCAS, MA, CPA Chairman Governing Board Of GRA

Benschop’s activism is unquestioned

Dear Editor,

MARK Anthony Benschop and I have had our ups and downs in politics. We have never had a personal problem, and whenever we see each other, we get along well.

Mark will be Mark, but not one of us can question his contributions in the area of political and social activism. He has worked tirelessly to highlight the plight of the poor and downtrodden, and has

given selflessly through his charitable organisation to ease their burdens and poverty.

Let me be brutally honest: Had it not been for his original style and pattern of fearlessly and continuously taking the fight to the past regime, the brand of activism that eventually saw the fall of the dictatorship would not have taken flight.

He has inspired a whole generation in that sense.

Benschop’s struggle to see a better Guyana was not

without tribulations, and yet he never relented. We have moved into a different era, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his hard work and commitment to the cause of Guyana.

We must give due recognition to those who have made major sacrifices to pilot our nation through its most turbulent period.

Today, Mark Benschop is intensifying his campaign to become Mayor of Georgetown, and I would urge all of you to lend him

your shoulders to get there.

If you use the same passion and drive that so define him and his work in the struggle to see a better Guyana, he will be successful. It is only right that we stand by him the same way he stood by us.

I wish to also personally endorse him, and wish him the very best in his quest to lead Georgetown.

Regards, NORMAN BROWNE LONDON

Lone Suddie mortuary worker needs help

Dear Editor,

THE workload is too much for me to endure as the lone porter presently employed at the Suddie Hospital mortuary, and the regional administration needs to take positive action to bring about relief to my predicament.

In a “can’t-do-better” situation, given the difficulty to secure permanent employment in the region,

advantage is being taken of me to work round-theclock (24 hours per day) while receiving payment for just an eight-hour period.

Because of my dedication, and because I live nearby, contact is made with me at any time to provide a service which includes the cleaning of the parlour, stitching after post-mortem examinations, picking up the dead -- be it

always do as they see fit, suicide is 100 per cent preventable. The unfortunate problem we are faced with in Guyana is that, although this country has gained notoriety for its high suicide rate, no sustained strategic effort was ever undertaken by the previous administration to tackle the social debacle.

The recent announcement by President Granger is a significant step in the right direction, since it would address the travesty of the neglect of a grave problem especially affecting the East Indian community. Some 80 per cent of the victims of suicide in Guyana are of East Indian descent. That aside, the vast majority of victims take their lives by consuming poison, while a small number hang or shoot themselves.

It is imperative to note that tackling suicide must first

day or night -- to put bodies in the freezer, and removing the bodies at the request of families.

At times I would be called upon to bathe and dress the dead, with the money paid for doing so going to the parlour.

A corpse recently fell out of my hands because I was under strain to remove the body from one point to another. This is a clear indication that I cannot do the

job alone. More hands are needed, and urgently too, for the dead to be properly taken care of at all times.

Bad management coupled with deplorable working conditions is responsible for a lot of employees quitting, and though I want to stay on, improvements are necessary.

LINCOLN RAMBARRAN

begin by controlling the means people use to take their lives. And it cannot be overstated that the Government must do all it can to get poisonous substances out of the hands of farmers and others who are vulnerable.

We think that persons buying chemicals should simultaneously be made to pay for the services of an extension officer or any other designated professional to administer it.

But whatever measures are taken, greater attention should be paid to the East Indian community, since this is by far the most affected group.

The general impression in society is that the Afro-Guyanese slog their way out of personal relationship problems whilst East Indians turn to alcohol and resort to suicide.

Region One outreach…

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

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Adventist Church feeds Removal of homeless on Water St Merriman Mall vendors is callous act

PASTOR Jumoul Sancho and a team of Advent i s t C h u rc h m e m b e r s from 222 Peter Rose and Lance Gibbs Streets in Queenstown, Georgetown yesterday held a feeding programme that catered for more than 120 persons.

The activity was held in the vicinity of Guyana Stores Limited on Water Street, and the homeless were treated to a sumptuous meal of fried rice, macaroni and cheese, salad, fruits, a cold beverage, and a snack bag with goodies.

Dear Editor,

The homeless and the church members yesterday Seating accommodation was provided, and while the less fortunate -- who showed up in large numbers -- enjoyed the meal, they

also benefited from a sermon and hymns by the church members.

Pastor Sancho told the Guyana Chronicle that he is

Some of those who benefited from the feeding programme hosted by the Adventist Church

the Director of Community Services for the Adventist Church headquarters, and the church also has an active school-feeding programme as well as other community-based projects.

He said that, from money set aside by the 216 congregations countrywide, the church feeds the homeless thrice weekly.

Several persons present yesterday were very pleased about the kind gesture, made more pleasing by their ability to have a second helping. (Michel Outridge)

Restore Parade Ground for youths

Dear Editor,

By the way, wasn’t revenue generated from vending IN the words of my late on the Merriman Mall? As a mother -- who was devoid consequence, was there ever of a secondary education, a situation where a substanbut ensured that all of her tial amount of money was children subsequently ben- ever set aside for sanitation? efited from one -- “six of To designate the Merone and half-a-dozen of the riman Mall between Cumother are all the same!” mings Street and Orange Editor, within this con- Walk as a recreational faciltext, I find it extremely amus- ity is nonsensical! Suffice it ing that the council’s town to say that the rectangular clerk, along with probably area, inclusive of the skating the world’s longest- serving rink, cannot accommodate a mayor, have at last found full-sized basketball or voltheir voices. As such, two leyball court, much less the crucial areas of public con- basic amenities to facilitate cern under the auspices of the seated spectators, scorer and M&CC are as follows: “City referee!

Hall suspends vending along Wouldn’t it have been section of Merriman Mall” more prudent to rehabili(SN:05-01-06); “Town Clerk tate the existing run-down Royston King had expressed infrastructure of the Burnconcern about the deposit ham Courts (basketball and of sludge in these canals” volleyball); Parade and St. (KN: 06-01-16).

Stephen’s Grounds, along For public edification, with those that fall directly how long has Mr. King been under the auspices of the employed by the M&CC? M&CC? This I ask in relation to both With non-collection of of the aforementioned, since revenue from vending, how what is regrettably absent is would additional money be extensive research. Vending obtained for maintenance? on the Merriman Mall has Regarding the build-up been ongoing for decades of sludge, this is the result now, and sludge has likewise of filters being washed on been deposited in the canals! a nightly basis at GWI,

and the perceived waste from the process being discharged into the city’s drainage system! When I was an employee there, way back in the 70s, sludge was deposited into the drainage system from the washing of filters and the periodic desludging of the sedimentation tanks! This had to be known to the M&CC, which at the time was responsible for the collection of water rates from the GS&WC. Consequently, it’s extremely good to hear that “a recycling process will be done shortly, to re-use the waste water.” Hats off to the recently appointed CEO of the GWI, Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, for this timely innovation!

Why the sludge was never diverted from the sewage system for drainage over the decades when it could have been facilitated is anyone’s guess.

Maybe the King, with his “new- found clothes”, can provide the answer if he cares to. By the way, does the M&CC have the technical expertise to deal with the specifics of erecting a basketball and volleyball court

on the Merriman Mall? Since the erection of two basketball backboards, markings with proper paint are necessary along with the requirements for volleyball. Would two changing rooms in addition to a sanitary block be constructed? With the “sun about to set” on His Worship, Mayor Hamilton Green, in March, when local government elections are held, at least the restoration of Parade Ground, benefiting the schoolchildren of St. John’s College, Christ Church, Bishops, St. George’s, St. Agnes and private schools in close proximity should be a front-burner issue, especially with reintroduction of physical education in the school curriculum.

For over two decades, it was left in a poor state, compliments of the M&CC. For a few years, “heavy duty equipment for the Miners Week of Activities” was displayed there.

It is time for a “moral and spiritual revival!” Charity begins at home!

Regards CONCERNED CITIZEN

THE recent attempt by Royston King and his ragtag police outfit to harass, bully and prevent hardworking farmers, gardeners and wholesale produce vendors from vending their produce on the Merriman Mall is a most shameful, callous and self-serving act.

All over the world, there are farmers’ markets at which citizens are given opportunity to purchase fresh produce at special prices on specific days, and this is what happens two days a week on the Merriman Mall.

His lame excuse that they are not meeting the high standards of excellence expected of them by the council is laughable. How does he then explain the failure by all the other hundreds of vendors in the downtown area and around the city, who do not meet these lofty standards, but who are not being moved?

Why is he treating those vendors the way he is treating them? Is it because those vendors are deemed to be weaker, or is it because they cannot be shaken down by the City Constabulary?

It is clear that King and company have their eyes set on acquiring the mall for their own purposes, as this brutal action comes on the heels of similar vile attempts to remove the Pan-African Movement from the same area.

The vendors should not sit back and believe that the battle has been won because they were allowed to return to the area based only on the intervention of the President, and not on the goodwill or good sense of King or the council.

What are these honest, hardworking rural Guyanese agri-producers expected to do for a living? Are King and company not aware of how pervasive the crime situation already is in this country?

C’mon, use your band of constables to make the city safer, not to pester small business persons.

Sincerely, NADINE JERRICK

Violating the law

Dear Editor,

A well-established business enterprise trading under the name of Universal Pharmacy at Suddie, in Region Two, is operating without a qualified pharmacist, which is in violation of the law.

It is a compulsory requirement for the certificate of the pharmacist and a photograph of the person serving in this capacity to be placed in a conspicuous place on the premises for the purpose of dealing with prescriptions issued by a doctor.

Just a few days ago, I personally took a prescription from a Suddie Hospital doctor and requested to have a word with the pharmacist on an issue of interest to me.

Much to my surprise, a young man, son of the proprietor, informed me that, for some 10 years now, the business has been functioning without a pharmacist.

My enquiries as to how prescriptions from a doctor were being dealt with were met with the answer that staff members were competent to deal with the matter.

So here is a dangerous situation in which patients are at risk of being provided with wrong drugs.

The relevant authority makes regular spot checks, and for this malpractice to be occurring for almost a decade is most unacceptable when better needs to be done.

While this proprietor is saving a lot of money by not having to pay for the services of a pharmacist, he is doing an injustice to the society by endangering the society’s health, which is ever so important and needs to be protected at all times.

This presumptuous anomaly needs to be exterminated once and for all -- with enforcement of the law.

LENNOX JACOBIS

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

Fraud uncovered at Region 10 RDC ...three Region 10 RDC employees charged with allegedly falsifying contracts

By Vanessa Braithwaite THREE employees of the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council have been charged and placed on $50,000 station bail each for allegedly colluding to falsify contracts.

They are expected to appear in court soon to answer to the charge.

A team from the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency, visited the region on Friday to commence investigating what was unearthed in a 2015 auditor’s report.

Police ‘E’ Division Commander Calvin Brutus told this newspaper on Friday that the employees were taken into custody by the team, and they gave the SARU team statements. The employees were placed on station bail until the external investigation being carried out by the team is completed. Upon completion of the investigation, the employees will be placed before the court.

The report has revealed several discrepancies that

Region 10 REO, Gavin Clarke

were deemed the basis for serious investigation, as they can result in conviction for those being found guilty. In view of these revelations, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Gavin Clarke has pledged to expose any employee or contractor under his watch who is engaged in fraudulent activities against the State.

Clarke, being cognisant of the legal consequences attached to these white collar

crimes, said he will not, in any way, cover for any officer who has been found guilty. In a correspondence to the Office of the REO, the State Assets Recovery Unit referred to the seriousness of these offences and the consequences that will follow.

“An official who falsifies any account, statement, receipt or records; or conspires or colludes with any person to defraud the State, is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable of a fine of ($2M) and imprisonment of three years,” quoted the correspondence.

The REO told members at the Statutory Meeting held last Thursday that his job is to ensure proper management of the state’s assets and funds, and that he will make it his mandate to ensure those assets are not abused or misused.

“I am not here on any hustle, and I will make it my duty that persons under my watch remain in full compliance of what should be done the right way,” he said.

COLLUSION According to Clarke, the majority of the discrepancies

lie in the department dealing with public infrastructure.

According to the report, there have been noticeable overpayments for contracts that are non-existent or have not been completed. In addition to this, the quality of the work done does not reflect the payment made.

It is strongly believed that the officers within the region are colluding with the contractors to falsify contracts and projects by adding variations to their work. In addition to this, the officers are allegedly making variations to contractor’s payments and are not reporting same to the REO. The report has noted several other fraudulent acts that will be investigated. The Regional Chairman and the REO have noted several fictitious contracts that were hurriedly given to them to sign. They had to ask the Ministry to hold on some already signed.

These malpractices are a cause for much worry, and it seems that it has been happening for some time now under the tenure of the previous administration.

The Regional Chairman, in agreement with the stance of the Regional Executive Officer to be free from corruption, will be proceeding with whatever action is recommended by the Assets Recovery Unit.

DISAPPOINTMENT The REO also voiced his disappointment over the quality of work that has been carried out by contractors after performing the final inspections on several projects.

He said his mandate is to not only have the monies spent correctly, but to have value for the money.

“Upon doing several final inspections to buildings, I have noticed in some cases about 95 per cent of faults in the work done, and this has caused me to do a minus variation on several payments, as a lot of the work has not been completed to the standard it should,” the REO said.

Councillor Sandra Adams, commenting on the issue, voiced her disappointment by saying that every time the State is robbed of its funds, the progress of something or

someone is hindered.

“Every time something like this occurs, a child may be uncomfortable in school due to the toilet facilities not fixed, or the furniture not being purchased; and these people need to understand that their actions are hindering the progress of the region,” she stressed.

The REO recommended that the Works Committee be re-enacted so that the burden is not left on his office to oversee all the projects. This committee will do continuous inspection on projects, and must do so at scheduled periods when important aspects of the construction are being carried out. This, he said, will minimise the amount of discrepancies which would be revealed at the final inspection.

The committee will also make a comparison with the inspection officers of the region so as to eradicate the amount of financial malpractices in the region.

REO Clarke said his mandate is to get it right; and whenever his tenure ends, his integrity must be unchallenged.

Non Pareil fire leaves 8 homeless The house after the blaze

By Michel Outridge EIGHT persons, including six children, are now homeless following a fire at Fifth Street, Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara yesterday afternoon.

One of six children who were at home when the blaze ripped through the entire two-storey concrete house escaped without major injuries after he jumped through a window onto a shed, then to safety.

Shane Persaud, an occupant of the home, told the Guyana Chronicle that he was on the verandah when he observed fire in the living room in the upper flat of the building. He said he managed to exit the edifice while alerting his siblings, who were in various parts

of the house, about the present danger.

Persaud added that the blaze was spreading rapidly, and he made sure his siblings were out of the building before alerting neighbours to the situation.

They assisted in taking out some household appliances from the kitchen on the lower flat.

He was thankful that no one was injured yesterday, and was also in loud praise for the assistance the family received from villagers.

A very distraught Bevon Austin, mother of six, said she was not at home when the fire started, but she received a telephone call informing her of the incident, and she rushed home only to see her house being reduced to charred

A distraught Bevon Austin at the scene yesterday

rubble.

The woman said she had prepared lunch, and had

stepped out without having the meal. She broke down in tears as she watched

firemen battle the flames, which devoured the building within minutes.

A section of the wall collapsed while firefighters were dousing the blaze, but luckily, no one was injured.

Austin said she had moved into the property with her six children and husband three months ago.

She used to reside at Princes Street, Georgetown. This mother said that, at time of the fire, no cooking was being done, but there was a power outage; and after electricity was restored, the house went up in flames.

Persaud said he observed that the fire started from the wall where a phone charger was plugged in. There was a series of power outages yesterday.

The fire started at about

14:30 hrs, and it was sometime before the fire tender arrived on the scene and contained the blaze to that building.

Austin said she is unsure what to do next, since she has lost all her worldly possessions in the fire.

Neighbours have been trying to comfort her.

The razed building was once occupied by a businessman, who was murdered several years ago; and after some time had elapsed, out of fear, his sons and wife vacated the place and it went up for sale.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), meanwhile, disclosed that there was a decrease in the number of fires last year as compared to prior years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

Second suspect in Bush Lot double-murder confesses – implicates third man

By Clifford Stanley A SECOND suspect in the double-murder at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice has confessed to the crime, police reported.

The two men have also implicated a third man, and Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said yesterday that the police are now trying to

contact that third person for questioning.

The name of the third suspect, a 24-year-old, has been given, including his alias and his last known address -- McKenzie Street, Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice.

The brutal murder of 81-year-old Arthur Rajkumar and his reputed wife

Dianne Chamanlall, 44, took place at their home at 93A Middle Dam, Bush Lot village, WCB in the wee hours of Saturday morning last.

The mutilated bodies were found when the police responded to a call reporting screams emanating from the home. Prompt response by officers and ranks of the Fort Wellington Police Station interrupted the robbers, and they fled the scene with the police in hot pursuit.

They, however, managed to escape.

The police have since determined that the motive was robbery, since the bandits, on fleeing, left behind valuables they had packed up to take away from the scene.

With the successful investigation still ongoing, capital charges are expected to be laid against the confessed perpetrators sometime this week.

NGO reaches out to Tiger Bay residents

By Michel Outridge CARING for Others Inc, a United States-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), yesterday held a clothing drive in which 200 residents of Tiger Bay received brand name clothing, footwear and hats through the agency of its local representatives.

Shabakie Fernandes, its Guyana representative, said the NGO teamed up with the Lions Club to distribute brand new clothing to children, adults and the elderly in Tiger Bay as a way of giving back to the community. She said that only quality clothing were distributed, and the gifts were well received by residents, who were grateful for the gesture and showed up in their numbers to benefit from the exercise.

The activity started at 10:30 hrs, but word got around, and within minutes the place was crowded. Everyone received something of

IT SEEMS that someone out there feels that the PPP/C has no right to identify itself, or to use

signage to make statements on the party’s behalf.

The party has reported that three signs placed in front of its headquarters have been removed by persons “who appeared to be employees of the Mayor and City Council”.

The statement went on to say that the security guard spotted the persons “who swiftly grabbed up the signage and ran into a vehicle”.

The imagery is a bit hilarious, I must admit, but to the PPP, I ask: what’s the use of your security guard? Was he too busy taking the photograph attached to your post to actually make an effort to stop the perpetrators? Maybe you’ll think about better installments for your signage, especially if they can just be carted off in a jiffy. But to the alleged thieves, I ask, in the words of the popular song: “Why you gotta be so rude?” Explain yourselves!

Save our Youth On a grimmer note, it’s sad that the New Year is riddled with so many instances where people have lost their lives in the cruelest of ways.

Now the public can’t seem to shake the horror Some of the children of Tiger Bay who benefited from the clothing drive

quality and departed the venue pleased, Fernandes said.

She added that clothes for babies, toddlers, teenagers, adults and even the elderly were distributed, and it is just part of the NGO’s community outreach programme.

Similar exercises were held in Linden, Pomeroon, Golden Grove and Ithaca.

Caring For Others Inc is

a human services organization that was established in November 2001. It provides meaningful improvement in the quality of life and economic opportunity for low-income individuals and families.

Founded by Eslene Richmond-Shockley of Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, the organisation is on a mission to

help eradicate poverty around the world by feeding, educating, clothing and housing one family at a time.

Richmond-Shockley was motivated to start this organisation because of her personal experiences while growing up in poverty as a child. As a result, she wanted to give back and restore hope to others.

Primary school for Yarrowkabra before year-end THE Linden/Soesdyke Highway community of Yarrowkabra, Region Four will get a primary school by year-end, after years of pleading by residents.

The $12 million school funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is being constructed by Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited (CBCSL).

Sign out

Community Development Officer Derrick Boyce said the community has been in dire need of a primary school for years.

“We only had a nursery school here. The primary-school-aged children and their parents have had to travel or take their children to the nearest primary schools at Kuru Kuru, four miles away or to Dora some six miles

away on a daily basis.

Sometimes with many difficulties, especially with transportation.”

The building will be Y-shaped and will accommodate 300 children. It will comprise of sanitary facilities, a canteen and a staff room for teachers.

Work began on the school late December and it is expected to be completed

by October 31 latest.

Bounded by Hararuni to the east and Madewini to the west, the village of Yarrowkabra is a two-hour drive from the city.

Yarrowkabra is an Amerindian word, which is derived from the fish, the Yarrow, which is plentiful in the area. The village has a population of about 800, the majority of whom are of Amerindian and African descent.

of the news that the missing British teen was indeed murdered by his God-brother with whom he was supposed to stay in Guyana. Following the God-brother’s confession and that of his accomplice after they were captured, the chilling details reveal that the senseless act was done out of greed, and was certainly premeditated, as the young man’s shallow grave had been dug days before he even set foot in the country.

And to think that all they wanted was his money, to buy fancy things, including a motorbike. Was that the cost of his life?

Now, while it is not the time to do so, some are pointing fingers at the parents, saying that their failure to contact their son and be more involved in his travel arrangements was a crucial error in the entire process. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly the consensus that such an event calls to mind a type of inhumanity that is comparable to crimes committed by the clinically insane, and the worst thing about it is that the killers are so young…

So the public questions: Who will save our youth?

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

GWI improving service in Bartica THE Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has commenced implementation of a programme to improve the quality of service provided to its customers in Bartica, Region 7.

The programme, being led

by GWI Senior Engineer and Head of Technical Services, Dwayne Shako, is meant to provide improved services to customers of Four Miles, Five Miles, Carabese Hill and Byderabo, a release from the water company said.

These communities are served by the Bartica water treatment facility located in the compound of the Bartica Secondary School at 7th Avenue.

Customers of the abovenamed communities were experiencing reduced levels of service due to the consistent expansion of new housing schemes. According to GWI Divisional Manager, Bartica, Elson Khirattie, “Due to the increased number of new homes in Carabese Hill and

Bartica plant can now effectively serve communities on the higher elevation,” Senior Engineer Dwayne Shako has said.

In addition, all four communities are benefitting from the installation of a new ‘booster pump’, which will further enhance the level of service provided to customers.

Shako indicated that while customers will still be served on a scheduled basis, the programme involves two additional phases which aim to provide service for 24 hours. “As part of the The water storage tank at Bartica, Region 7 2016 capital programme, we Byderabo, the Bartica water The facility required a high The programme to im- will be installing two booster treatment facility was unable level of service to sufficiently prove the level of service pro- pumps, two additional filto provide an adequate level serve customers residing in vided by the facility involved ters, one additional clarifier, of service to all communities those communities. construction of a new res- and an additional ‘raw water According to GWI’s Head ervoir and installation of an pump’ in order to provide supplied by the facility.”

In addition, the elevation of Technical Services, “The additional transmission main service for 24 hours.” of the Four Miles, Five Miles, communities are approxi- capable of delivering water Further improvements Carabese Hill and Byderabo mately 30 metres above the directly to the communities include the removal of mud communities is higher than Bartica Water Treatment of Four Miles and Five Miles. from the area in the vicinity the Bartica facility, and this Plant. This resulted in some “The new reservoir is of the ‘raw water intake’ from created the challenge of ad- customers not receiving ade- capable of storing sufficient which the Bartica facility equately serving customers. quate service at peak hours.” amounts of water so that the sources its water supply.

According to the Divisional Manager, “Mud located around the ‘raw water pump’ posed a challenge in adequately obtaining water for treatment. We successfully conducted a dredging exercise which removed a large amount of mud from the raw water intake, which allowed the facility to receive adequate amounts of water for treatment.”

Following a telephone survey conducted by GWI, residents indicated that they were experiencing higher levels of service. “There is a considerable increase in water pressure,” stated Desmond Stoby, a resident of Four Miles, “I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in the overall service provided by GWI.” Upon completion of the additional phases of the programme in 2016, customers of Four Miles, Five Miles, Carabese Hill and Byderabo can anticipate 24 hours of service, the release concluded.

Local Gov’t ideal for moulding youth leaders – YFLG organiser

By Svetlana Marshall LOCAL Government is an ideal platform to mould the minds of young people into becoming leaders, Clayon Halley -– whose brainchild Youth for Local Government (YFLG) is –- has said in a one-on-one interview with Guyana Chronicle.

The 25-year-old entrepreneur and auditor has started a movement with the anticipation of generating a massive support group of young people to contest the Proportional Representation (PR) and First-Past-The-Post components of the Local Government Elections, but only in the municipality of Georgetown.

Halley said it is important for youth to take the lead in Local Government Elections, considering the current construct of A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government.

Despite the important role played by the young people of Guyana during the May 11, 2015 General Elections, which led to the defeat of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) after

approximately 23 years in office and the rise of the APNU+AFC coalition, Halley said, there is a lack of youth representation at the level of Cabinet.

“My belief is that we are not seeing a push for youth development and youth-related activities within the current construct of the Government, and that is because of the fact that there isn’t any youth representative at the Cabinet level. If we had a direct minister responsible for youth, or even a youth activist there, it would have been a different story,” he opined.

With no such representation at the level of Cabinet, the young entrepreneur said, he is now left to conclude that youth are being used as political tools in the lead-up to local, regional and general elections.

“I believe that we are being, to some extent, used as a political pawn. It is as if we are playing a chess game.

At campaign season, when it is time for election, the energies and the creativity of the youth, it is being exploited for a good purpose, of course, to some extent;

Founder of Youth For Local Government (YFLG), Clayon Halley

but we don’t see a meaningful youth engagement after that.”

In all fairness, Halley said, it is often dependent on the capacity of young people to lead, based on the required standard; but he maintained that those with the capacity should be utilised to make meaningful contribution on behalf of the majority.

YOUTH IN LOCAL GOV’T “With the lack of youth involvement in Central Government, I think Local Government is a great avenue

for young people to use to get involved in politics,” the 25-year-old said.

It was his initial plan to contest the upcoming elections as an individual, but he subsequently adjusted this to include youth in the municipality of Georgetown, based on the positive indications received from young people who are desirous of contesting the elections as well.

He said that, for many years, young people have shied away from being involved in local politics because of the racial and ethnic divides or stigma associated with the two primary parties in Guyana – the PPP/C and the People’s National Congress (PNC), hence establishment of YFLG to contest the Local Government Elections.

“I kind of shifted my thinking from running as an individual and decided to start a movement – YFLG – and I use it as a platform to educate young people on Local Government Elections and educate them on the importance of them playing a part in the elections.”

With Local Government Elections less than two months away, YFLG has already submitted for approval its symbol to the

“Our main audience is young people…. We want to show them that youth leadership is possible, and we want to encourage them to foster an attitude of youth leadership” - Clayon Halley Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), in keeping with the established deadline CIRCLE OF HOPE The symbol, which is awaiting the approval of GECOM, constitutes all the colours of the Guyanese flag, and includes a circle representing the circle of hope. “A circle has no broken ends, and the circle of hope in this case represents a continuous flow of never-ending development. It also represents the desire of the people for positive and energetic change,” Halley explained.

He added: “At the centre of the Circle of Hope, the letters YL represents Youth Leadership. With youth in leadership positions, the creativity, skill, energy and knowledge needed to bring to fruition the hope of our constituents will be realised.

To sum this up in one sen-

tence: Youth leaders working for the greater good of Guyana, one community at a time.”

Under the YFLG umbrella, Halley is hoping to contest these elections as an individual candidate along with 14 other young leaders.

Already, six individual candidates have stepped forward to contest in their constituencies. With no large source of finance readily available to run a campaign, Halley has decided to finance educational fora on the importance of youth participation in Local Government Elections.

Additionally, the voluntary group will be pursuing a social media campaign.

“Our main audience is young people….We want to show them that youth leadership is possible, and we want to encourage them to foster an attitude of youth leadership,” he disclosed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

Human Rights Commission to come on stream

By Derwayne Wills

EVEN as the Government and Opposition went headto-head over budgetary allocations for constitutional agencies on Thursday evening in the National Assembly, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has given commitment that the Human Rights Commission will be set up by the end of 2016.

The subject of the debate was the budgetary allocations for various constitutional agencies and whether the Government had the right to counter sums of money initially proposed by those bodies through Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairperson Irfaan Ali. According to Mr Trotman, the Human Rights Commission has not functioned fully in Guyana “except on paper in the Constitution”. Trotman told the House that Thursday evening was the first time in 15 years that money had been included in the budget for the agency’s work.

Mr Trotman, Speaker of the National Assembly in the 10th Parliament, said the action “shows the intention of this Government to ensure that, by the end of 2016, there shall be, for the first time in the history of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, a Human Rights Commission”.

This position did not sit well with Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who not only challenged Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s holding direct responsibility, even in the “token sense”, over the financing of these agencies, but also challenged whether the various sums of money for these agencies could be adjusted AT THE Finance Minister’s recommendation.

As part of the David Granger Administration’s legislative agenda when it came into power in 2015, amendments were made to the Constitution as well as the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA). The extent of those amendments was to allow constitutional agencies like the Rights Commissions, GECOM, Parliament Office, and the Supreme Court to draw money directly from the Treasury.

GOOD GOVERNANCE On the Constitution amendments, Attorney Gener-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira

al Basil Williams, said: “This legislation raises a question of good governance, and it seeks to restore due constitutionality at the independence of certain constitutional commissions and bodies.

“The expenditure of each of the entities shall be financed as a direct charge on the Consolidated Fund determined as a lump sum by way of an annual subvention approved by the National Assembly”.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan noted the importance of giving constitutional agencies their financial autonomy.

In Thursday’s sitting of the House, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira recalled that before the amendments made by the coalition government to those two laws, “monies for [the] Human Rights Commission and other commissions was included as subvention items under the

Ministry of Finance.”

On the composition of the Human Rights Commission, Teixeira said, “The Human Rights Commission is made of the chairpersons of the ERC (Ethnic Relations Commission), Rights of the Child, Women and Gender [Equality Commission], [and the] IPC (Indigenous People’s Commission).”

The Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, she continued, “is brought about by the President after having received six names submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.”

LAPSE Teixeira lashed out at the David Granger Administration for the missed attempts by now-President Granger, when he was Opposition Leader from 20112015, to submit six names to then-President Donald

Ramotar of her party.

She similarly chided the Administration for those names not being submitted by then-Opposition Leader Robert Corbin of the People’s National Congress (PNC), following the 2002 Constitution amendments, to then-President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is now the Opposition Leader.

“As an employee of the Office of the President (now the Ministry of the Presidency) at that time, I am cognisant of the number of letters sent to the then-Leader of the Opposition, Mr Corbin. The then-Leader of the Opposition, Mr Granger, and I have all the letters electronically that show attempts over and

over,” Teixeira continued.

She noted that proof of her remarks could be accessed by State Minister Joseph Harmon, who is also the Head of the Presidential Secretariat.

The Opposition Chief Whip is calling on the Government, specifically President David Granger, to approach her party’s Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, for the six names to be considered for the chairpersonship of the commission; a list from which the President must choose one.

Until that action is taken, Teixeira added, the Human Rights Commission will serve as a secretariat for the other commissions. On the importance of the Human Rights

Commission, Teixeira said the body “takes care of all other civil rights and political rights [issues] that are not mentioned under…the other commissions.”

While Government MP Trotman rose to apologise for his statements, asserting it was not his intention to mislead the House, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo accused the Opposition party of not activating the Human Rights Commission even when it was in government, although there were “death squads” and even the burning of the genitals of a teenage boy by ranks at the Leonora Police Station.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

High-quality seed paddy for Berbice farmers

THE recently commissioned paddy seed processing plant at No. 56 Village, Corentyne, Region Six, is ready to clean and inoculate 300 bags of paddy per hour, and will provide high-quality seed paddy for the region’s rice farmers.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in Region Six, Mr Gobin Harbhajan, told the Guyana Chronicle that the facility will produce seeds which will enable farmers to obtain denser seedling emergence after sowing, and subsequently lead to increased production of paddy through higher yields per acre, with higher profitability per crop.

Mr Harbhajan said that, apart from the establishment of this facility to make high quality seed paddy available, an additional benefit for all on the Corentyne,

especially motorists, is that farmers would no longer have to resort to using sections of the public highway to dry paddy after harvesting.

Harbhajan said: “This practice by farmers used to cause traffic issues and accidents, some of them fatal.

Drying of paddy on the road will now no longer be necessary.”

He said he has been assured that the processing plant, being run by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), will be fully available to farmers, who are expected to begin harvesting the spring crop by early March this year.

Mr Harbhajan made the comments following a recent visit to the new plant in his capacity as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister.

The paddy seed plant was established by the Government

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Mr Gobin Harbhajan, fourth from right, and some staffers of the Paddy Seed Facility

of Guyana under the Agriculture Support Services

Programme (ASSP) funded by the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB).

The ASSP lasted from 2002 to 2015, and the plant was finally commissioned in May last year. The GRDB

staff at the facility comprises five quality control officers, five extension officers, and 11 other technical personnel.

Operational Head of the

Monday, January 11, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday, January 12, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

Facility, Mr Narine, disclosed that the facility will dry seed paddy to the required moisture at which the commodity can be safely stored without damage and other problems related to high moisture content in paddy.

This will be useful for varieties which have to pass through a period of dormancy before they can be ready for germination and sowing.

Mr Narine said the paddy seed plant will also clean seeds by separating full grains from “wind paddy” and separating paddy varieties, which may have gotten mixed up during harvesting, so as to prevent this harmful mix from getting back into the fields in subsequent crops.

Among other services, the plant will inoculate the seeds by means of chemical treatment, to protect them after sowing from early crop pests such as the leaf miner and the water weevil.

Mr Harbhajan said he has been assured that these services to the rice farmers will be provided at a minimal cost. He added that he had been very impressed with the management and staff structure at the facility, as well as the work of the GRDB’s liaison officers in the region.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

Triumph looks forward to LGE

– residents say elections will provide opportunity to better manage their community

By Shauna Jemmott AFTER decades of struggle, which had left their community a victim of neglect, residents of Triumph, East Coast Demerara, have decided to look up and see the signs of a victory!

Standing now with authority in their own hands, they have begun taking up the challenges of restructured infrastructure, ownership and leadership; and are working on enabling themselves to be triumphant.

Listening to the voices at Triumph brings to mind the FIFA World Cup chorus sung

A shoemaker relocated from Soesdyke, many miles away, to work in Triumph

Fishermen riding joyfully after a morning’s catch

lands were sold to another popular businessman, who developed a posh housing scheme and sold houses to others while citizens of BV/ Triumph needed lands to build homes of their own.

“Villagers need lands,

The presence of this pile of garbage annoys many residents

by international superstar R. Kelly. Citizens and new residents alike reported that signs of change are in the air with a new national government.

Guyana is this year preparing to stage Local Government Elections (LGE), last held in 1994. With the holding of LGE, local communities believe, they will no longer lack proper management, as management will be placed in the hands of an organised team or a trusted individual of popular choice, based on local nominations.

Struggles have lasted long enough, Triumph villagers say, and they told the Guyana Chronicle they are ready to vote out the reigning council which, according to one resident, has allowed outsiders to take over lands bought by their ancestors.

Residents believe that if lands in Triumph are occupied by any major business, the community should benefit in terms of that business contributing to its development.

Sixty-two-year-old Elton McRae said many things

have been taken away from them and given to others, who failed to fulfill promises they made in regard to contributing to youth and other areas of development within Triumph.

But he said residents are bound as a unit this time around, and are getting ready to take back what they believe was ‘stolen’ from them.

Apparently upset, he spoke against the idea of strangers receiving easy ownership of Triumph’s lands while residents are in need of space to construct new homes. He said a particular businessman had approached the village and its NDC with a proposal for development years ago, and had been able to secure vast lands for himself, but failed on his promises, and has begun selling the lands to others.

BROKEN PROMISES “This is a village that was bought by our fore-parents, and the village is suffering seriously. (Other) people are coming and residents of this

village are not getting the benefits of this village from our fore-parents’ labour.

“He came into our community and he promised that he’s gonna be building a senior citizens’ home, he will be building a hospital where he will be doing herbal treatment, he will do a farm to produce medical herbs for treatment of patients, and a whole hosts of things…. Everybody said that was good for the village.”

McRae said that although there was no agreement by bona fide citizens to lease or sell lands to the man, he believes that, in future, citizens should be consulted.

“He was leased the land by the Village Council, but some way or the other, by some jiggery-pokery, he now owns the land.” Part of the land was then sold to a car dealer.

Similarly, in Triumph’s twin village, Beterverwagting (BV), another man was given land to establish a bus company, which failed. After that man faced a jail term on drug-related charges, the

and we cannot get lands from the Council, but others are benefiting from the fruits of our fore-parents’ labour; and for that, I am pissed!” McRae declared.

He said a change is in the air with an opportunity to change the local authorities within the community at the level of the NDC. “People are looking forward for the local govern-

ment elections. We will have an opportunity for the better management of our community,” he said.

BACKLANDS “We want our roads, we want our backlands, to be once more integrated into the economy of our village.

We want to be facilitated by Turn to page 17 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

Route 56 bus drivers ‘under pressure’ – Patterson, Ferguson commit to workable solution BUS drivers of the Route 56 Minibus Association are complaining that the introduction of water taxis has seriously hampered their operation.

They made known their concerns during a recent meeting with Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Minister within that Ministry, Annette Ferguson, a release said.

According to the release, a dozen Berbice bus drivers

turned up at the Ministry, where they received full attention from both ministers.

During the meeting, acting President of the Association, Dennis Chesney, indicated that the bus drivers were “under serious pressure” since introduction of the Berbice River water taxis.

According to Chesney, the association is very structured, with seven groups of established drivers who work according to a sched-

ule. In total, there are approximately 50 buses in the association.

He explained that before the introduction of the water taxis, the schedule had seen the operation of about four groups of drivers each day.

However, he said, this schedule was changed when the water taxis came on stream.

Now the daily groups have been reduced due to reduced bus users, Chesney said.

“There are days when,

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, interact with the Berbice bus drivers

Route 56 Minibus Association President (ag), Dennis Chesney

if the four lines come out, those on the last line would not have work,” another driver said. “Three days of work is not enough….Right now we don’t know where we’re headed.”

The drivers stated that the situation has greatly impacted their lives and those of their families, particularly during the Christmas season.

“Almost all of my earnings go to paying insurance and other fees,” an emotional Chesney said.

While the drivers expressed pleasure with the recent news that the Government of Guyana provided a $31M commuter subsidy to allow the reduction of tolls from $2,200 to $1,900, they believe that more must be done for them.

The association presented the ministers with a few proposals, among which were reduced hours of operation for the water taxis and the removal of the service on weekends. In regard to the reduction of hours, the association suggested a new schedule of 6:00am to 9:00am followed by 3:00pm to 5:00pm. These hours, the association said, would cater for schoolchildren and workers who travel during weekdays.

“At least cutting the

hours would help us catch our hand,” a driver said.

These proposals were noted by the Public Infrastructure Ministers, but Minister Patterson emphasised that “decisions must not be made in a vacuum.” He noted the benefits of the service, including improved school attendance and improved business in New Amsterdam, and said that these benefits have gone a long way in bettering the lives of the public.

Minister Patterson explained that while he understood the bus drivers’ concerns, it would not be fair to serve only one section of the populace while neglecting another.

Both Ministers Patterson and Ferguson noted that parents of schoolchildren have saved greatly due to the water taxis. Hence, Minister Patterson said, common ground must be found.

He further emphasised that the impact on all relevant stakeholders must be taken into account before a final decision is reached.

Additionally, the ministers committed to giving serious consideration to the proposals, and indicated that they would confer with technical personnel to determine the feasibility of the proposals.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

Region 10 launches Jubilee celebrations simultaneously.

Town Week celebrations were previously held during the last week in April and ended on May 1, but this has been adjusted for this year’s Independence celebrations.

Region 10’s events will consist of several cultural activities which will hopefully see participation from everyone in the region, including the elderly and schoolchildren. Steel pan music, calypso, singing, dancing, karaoke and drama are some of the cultural events in which competition is expected.

By Vanessa Braithwaite REGION 10 has commenced its calendar of activities, in keeping with what is expected to take place in the rest of the nation in light of the countrywide celebrations in recognition of Guyana’s Jubilee Year.

The grand observances got off with an inter-faith church service on Sunday, January 3, at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground. More than 1,000 churchgoers attended the Thanksgiving Service for the 50 years of

Independence.

A Thanksgiving Service was also held in Kwakwani on the same day, as this little Region 10 community opened its calendar of events.

The proposed calendar of events, still open for additions and adjustments, will conclude on July 23 with a magic show at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground.

However, the celebrations will see its climax in May, and the planners are collaborating with the Linden Town Week Committee to have the events and celebrations occur

Pouderoyen man injured by speeding vehicle

By Shirley Thomas FORTY-SEVEN-year-old Francis Persaud of Main Street, Pouderoyen West Bank Demerara, who was, days ago, struck there by a speeding motor car, is in serious condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Persaud sustained a compound fracture to his left shoulder; injuries to his head and face; and multiple abrasions to his chest, abdomen, knees and elbows. He has had to have his arm fitted with a fixator.

The victim, since exhibiting occasional spells of delirium, recalled that at about 11:00 hrs on Monday, he had visited his sister Babita’s home at Phoenix Park and had left to return home.

On the way, he stopped at Plantain Walk, and was

heading home to Pouderoyen when he spotted a speeding motor car heading in his direction. He said he tried to avoid the vehicle by jumping out of the way, but the car slammed into him, hurling him several feet into the air and causing him to land dangerously on the roadway.

Fortunately, no other vehicle was passing at the time.

As he lay bleeding and helpless on the road, public-spirited villagers who had witnessed the accident summoned an ambulance from the West Demerara Regional Hospital, which transported him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital; but because of the seriousness of his condition, he was immediately transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

His condition is currently listed as serious but stable.

For the schoolchildren, there will be Spelling B and debating competitions, as well as sporting activities.

A Futsal competition will commence in March and end in May. This will see several teams from within the region competing for prizes.

MISS INDEPENDENCE PAGEANT In addition, a pageant to be held on May 14 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground will see several delegates vying for the crown of Miss Independence. This

calendar of events will generally cater for everyone, with sports, parties and cultural events.

Planned for May 25 is a grand concert which will feature an international artiste, and this event will run straight into the flag-raising ceremony. In contrast to previous years, the flag-raising ceremony will be held in front of the Regional Democratic Council building as that building holds the seat of government in the region.

On that same day 50 years ago, the flag was raised at the

building, which housed the Council at that time.

The 50th Independence celebrations will also see the restoring of the town’s monuments, such as the water wheel and the aluminum plant.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the commemoration team of the Regional Democratic Council and the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Vybz Entertainment, will be working diligently to make these events memorable and successful.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

MONDAY JANUARY 11, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, January 11, 2016

Triumph looks forward...

our district council and the government. In other communities, government has been facilitating farmers by designing and providing massive schemes like MMA….

All we are asking is that they allow us to be able to access our backlands,” an impassioned McRae declared.

He explained that only about one per cent of farmlands in Triumph have been occupied, because of drainage and irrigation problems and dams not being properly maintained, among other issues.

Another resident, Osafo Odinga, told the Guyana Chronicle that the community market, which was once a place where many would travel to shop for groceries,

among other items, now features a few operational stalls and is in need of repair. A riot in 1964, he said, had left the market highly dysfunctional, but villagers are ready to raise its status again.

Complaints about the lack of healthy recreational activity and the need to upgrade a recreational ground in a neighbouring community are among difficulties Triumph expects to overcome with the staging of the LGE.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL The problem articulated most was that of the sloppy practice of disposing garbage in the community’s streets.

A resident said he had complained to various organisa-

tions about a garbage dump he had spotted in vicinity of the public road along the old train line (railway embankment road). He said the ugly sight was there for quite a while, but no one is doing anything about it.

“I personally went to the District Council, (and am) willing to give evidence against those who have been dumping there. I went to the regional office, I went to the environmental people.

Nobody is interested! They say we will put up notice. I have approached the District Council. I have approached the regional authorities – Mr Corlette was in office – and the environmental people. I have approached the environ-

mental people at the health centre. I have approached the environmental people in Georgetown, and nothing has been done,” he said angrily.

Meanwhile, despite the negatives, Triumph remains a beautiful, quiet place. Located nine miles from the capital city, it has in the past been considered one of the most livable places on the East Coast of Demerara. It has a population of approximately 2,000 people, many of whom are of African and

Indian origin.

OFFSPRING OF FREED SLAVES Prior to its ownership by 21 descendants of freed slaves, who had purchased Beterverwagting, the village was called Plantation Profit.

Triumph was home to the first mechanical drainage pump in Guyana. The community stretches from the middle of Republic Drive (BV/Triumph) to Agriculture Road, and is bordered by

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From page 13

Beterverwagting on the west and Mon Repos to the east.

Bakewell and Fibre Tech Industrial Plastics are just two of the major businesses there. They provide employment and contribute towards development of the village. With the hope that will come through the LGE, residents are planning to establish new industries and businesses, and re-establish some of those which have been suffocated in the past.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

Clippers extend winning streak, Warriors too good for Kings THE Los Angeles Clippers overcame the slumping Charlotte Hornets for an eighth consecutive win, while the Golden State Warriors rolled on.

Chris Paul starred as the high-flying Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 97-83 in the NBA on Saturday.

Paul posted 25 points and seven assists for the Clippers, who extended their winning

streak to eight games in Los Angeles.

Jamal Crawford scored 19 points, J.J. Redick added 17 points and DeAndre Jordan contributed 11 points and 19 rebounds as the Clippers improved to 7-0 in the absence of injured star Blake Griffin.

The out-of-form Hornets, who fell to a sixth consecutive defeat, were led by Jeremy Lin’s game-high 26 points on the road.

Reigning champions the Golden State Warriors won again, this time defeating the Sacramento Kings 128-116.

NBA MVP Steph Curry showed no signs of the shin injury that has proved troublesome recently, top-scoring with 38 points and 11 assists in Golden State’s sixth straight win.

Warriors team-mate Draymond Green chipped in with 25 points, while DeMarcus

Cousins had 33 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double for the Kings.

The Chicago Bulls’ sixgame winning streak came to an end, beaten 120-105 at the Atlanta Hawks.

Chicago had accounted for the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers during the run but came unstuck against the Hawks and Al

Horford, scored a season-high 33 points and 10 rebounds.

The Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic for a 12th consecutive game, winning 105-99.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan led the Raptors past the Philadelphia 76ers 108-95, the Utah Jazz upstaged the Miami Heat 98-83 and the Detroit Pistons were too good for the Brooklyn Nets 103-89.

(Sportsmax.com).

Canadian football great arrives today for two-week visit

By Rawle Toney CANADIAN football great Alex Bunbury arrives in Guyana today for his almost two weeks-long visit, geared to not only reconnect with his roots, but also to lay the foundation for his ‘Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy’ in Guyana.

Born in the village of Plaisance, Bunbury migrated to Canada at age nine and began playing football when he was 12 years-old.

The former Canadian National team striker, who made 65 appearances for ‘The Canucks’, will be back ‘home’ until January 25 and in a

recent interview with Chronicle Sport, Bunbury pointed out that he’s looking “forward to sharing my lessons and my story with young Guyanese boys and girls of every race, and to inspire them to work hard, learn the fundamentals of football and play the game the right way” He added “during my twoweek visit, I will host four free youth football clinics, the first of which will be held in my hometown of Plaisance,” The 48-year-old Bunbury said that the aim of his academy, to help young people, especially football players, realise their full potential as productive, innovative and caring citizens in the game of life.

“My dream journey as a professional footballer took me from Canada to England and then to Portugal where I found my niche at CS Maritimo in the first division of La Liga. Over seven amazing years, I became (and still remain) CS Maritimo’s All-Time, leading goal scorer. Finally, I finished my distinguished career in the MLS with the Kansas City Wizards,” Bunbury said.

Alex is the father of four children; Kylie an award-winning actress, Teal a current professional footballer and member of the U.S. Men’s National football Team, Logan an aspiring musician and Mataeo

the youngest at age 10, following in his father and brother’s footsteps.

“I am passionate about giving back to my country of birth, the country that gave me a unique set of values, discipline, humility and a strong work ethic that helped shape my success as a Hall-of-Fame professional footballer”.

Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport understands that Bunbury, his brother, Coach Sam (Bunbury), and a group of local coaches will host a free youth soccer clinic in the Plaisance/ Buxton area during the first week.

They will be joined by Brooklyn, NY-based coach Stan Harmon, and Golden Jaguars captain Christopher Nurse (awaiting final confirmation) for a second week of the clinic for boys and girls aged 12-15.

Bunbury was accepted into the Canadian Soccer Hall Of Fame in 2006, following his illustrious career.

In total, he represented Canada in 21 youth internationals, including the FIFA World Youth Championship in the Soviet Union in 1985 — the same year he kick-started his professional soccer career as a striker with the Hamilton Steelers.

Over the next four seasons, he scored 28 goals in 76

2016 Racing licenses for cyclists available-GCF THE Racing Committee of the Guyana Cycle Federation (GCF) issued a press release informing all cyclists and clubs that registration of cyclists for the 2016 Racing License has begun.

According to the release, Vice President and Head of the Racing Committee, Paul Cho-wee-nam has indicated that the GCF has all systems in place and they are awaiting the member clubs and riders to apply for their 2016 licenses. License Application Forms cans be uplifted from the Racing Secretary Hassan Mohamed at his office at Homestretch Avenue or contact can be made with Cho-wee-nam on telephone number 6806927 for any other details.

games before moving on the Toronto Blizzard, Montreal Spura, West Ham United and Maritimo in Portugal, where he remains the club’s all-time leading scorer.

He returned to North America in 1999 and retired after two seasons and an MLS championship with the Kansas City Wizards.

Bunbury made his debut

with Canada’s senior team while still a Steeler in 1986. In the 11 years that followed, he earned 65 caps and 16 goals — including a record 11 in World Cup qualifiers.

He was twice named the country’s player of the year and in 2012 was named to the all-time men’s team as part of the Canadian Soccer Association’s centennial celebrations.

West Indies ...

From Backpage

two-match series with a seven-point lead. Losing it 0-2 meant they were yet to win a T20 series since becoming World T20 champions (although they beat England in a one-off match in May) and were pushed off their No. 1 slot.

West Indies fare far worse in the other formats. They are at No. 8 in Tests, after losing the Frank Worrell Trophy 2-0, and No. 9 in ODIs. The top ten teams in T20Is 1. West Indies (118 rating points) 2 Sri Lanka (118 rating points) 3. Australia (118 rating points) 4 England (117 rating points) 5 South Africa (115 rating points) 6 New Zealand (114 rating points) 7 Pakistan (114 rating points) 8 India (110 rating points) 9 Afghanistan (80 rating points) 10 Bangladesh (69 rating points)

South Africa Racing Tips 08:25 hrs Haizi’s Daizy 09:00 hrs Readytogorightnow 09:35 hrs Oh So Modus 10:10 hrs Pepe 10:45 hrs Ngong Hills

10:00 hrs Flighty Fella 10:30 hrs O ‘ Connor’s Girl 11:05 hrs Fable Of Arachne 11:40 hrs Exalted 12:10 hrs Royal Normandy 12:40 hrs Arizona Snow

English racing Tips Wolverhampton 08:45 hrs Bogsnog 09:15 hrs War Glory 09:50 hrs By Rights 10:20 hrs Global Avenger 10:55 hrs Frivolous Prince 11:25 hrs Tijuca 12:00 hrs Elle Rebelle

American Racing Tips Laurel Park Race 1 Stormy Invasion Race 2 Start Swinging Race 3 Super Fund Race 4 Bioterp Race 5 Reach for Yield Race 6 Cherished Prize Race 7 To the Flag Race 8 Dr. Toole Race 9 Escrow Kid

Kempton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

Butt and Perth Scorchers beat Hobart Asif return Hurricanes in a cliffhanger to cricket after bans

Salman Butt (left) was captain of Pakistan when players deliberately bowled noballs as part of a betting scam. At right is Mohammad Asif.

FORMER Pakistan internationals Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif have returned to cricket after five-year bans for spot-fixing in a 2010 Test against England.

Butt scored 135 runs and Asif returned bowling figures of 2-22, both for Water and Power Development Authority in Pakistan’s domestic one-day tournament.

Butt, 31, and Asif, 33, were exiled from the sport, along with bowler Mohammad Amir, after Pakistan bowled no-balls to order at Lord’s.

“It’s a sort of rebirth,” said Butt.

Butt’s figures Tests Runs Average 33 1,889 30.5

Wickets 1

Average 106

“I will do my best to perform and return to Pakistan team.”

The duo finished on the winning side, with Water and Power Development Authority beating Federally Administered Tribal Areas by 141 runs.

Amir, 18 at the time of the offence, was recalled by Pakistan earlier in January.

Although his ban - like Butt and Asif’s - was originally from all forms of cricket for five years, Amir was cleared to play domestic cricket in January 2015 and is part of the Pakistan tour of New Zealand which begins with a Twenty20 match on Friday.

Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis has said there would be no reason to deny Butt and Asif their international comebacks if their form justifies selection.

After their series against New Zealand, Pakistan will play four Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international on a tour of England that begins in June.

Asif’s figures Tests Runs Average Wickets Average 23 141 5.6 106 24.4 Batsman Umar Akmal will miss the first meeting with the Kiwis after he breached tournament rules by wearing two, rather than one, sponsorship logo in the final of Pakistan’s domestic Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

(BBC Sport)

DARREN Sammy’s 12 ball 28 at the end went in vain as Hobart Hurricanes fell short of the target by just 1 run as they ended up on 172 for 6 against Perth Scorchers. The crowd but were thoroughly entertained in a nail –biter.

In an important game for the Hurricanes, who are lying at the bottom half of the table, Scorchers won the toss and elected to bat first . In the absence of Shaun Marsh, Marcus Harris (12 of 15 balls) opened the batting with Michael Kilinger (36 of 29 balls) and added 32 in the first four overs.

Michael Carberry (62 of 35 balls) then came next to the wicket and started playing aggressively from the start.

Scorchers then lost two quick wickets first Klinger with the team score on 70 and next Adam Voges (2 of 3 balls) within 8 runs with the scoreboard for the Scorchers reading as 3 for 78 after 11 overs. Cameron Bancroft (26 of 22 balls) then

increase the run rate in a tough chase.

Christian (26 of 22 balls) played a good knock in the middle order 53 runs for the third wicket before being dismissed.

Paine also fell quickly after Christian to peg back the chase.

Darren Sammy ( 28 of 12 balls) quick fire knock was not enough to see the Hurricanes through as they fell short by one run at 172 for 6 to give the Scorchers a nail biting win at the end.

Ashton Agar took 2 for 38 for the Scorchers.

Crowds though enjoyed the Michael Carberry plays a sweep shot in his last ball finish and totally got their money’s worth at the end top score of 62 for Perth Scorchers. of the match. Scorchers remain added an important partner- per Tim Paine (57 of 47 balls) at the top of the table while ship with Carberry first of played an attacking innings at Hurricanes remain at the bottom 55 runs and next with David the top to give a good start to half of the table at number 5.

Willey (25 of 9 balls) to power their chase. Although Kumar Brief Scores Perth Scorchthe Scorchers to 173 for 5 Sangakkara failed yet again in ers 173 for 5 (Carberry 62, at the end of their 20 overs. the middle order and thus the Kinger 36 , Agar 2 for 38) beat Shaun Tait took 2 for 29 for lower middle order of Daniel Hobart Hurricanes 172 for 6 the Hurricanes.

Christian and Darren Sammy (Paine 57, Sammy 28 n.o, Tait In reply, Hurricanes skip- was under a lot of pressure to 2 for 29) by 1 run.

Swansea shocked, Chelsea win, Kane saves Spurs

LONDON, (Reuters)-Premier League Swansea City fell victims to the first major giant-killing of the FA Cup third round yesterday when they lost 3-2 away to League Two (fourth tier) side Oxford United.

Chelsea, fielding a near fullstrength team, came through their home tie with League One Scunthorpe by two goals to nil and Tottenham Hotspur needed a controversial late penalty by Harry Kane to draw 2-2 at home to Leicester City.

There were more than 50 league positions between the clubs at the Kassam Stadium, where Oxford came from behind to lead 3-1 after Ecuador international Jefferson Montero had put Swansea ahead.

Liam Sercombe equalised from a penalty just before halftime and two goals in 10 minutes soon after the interval from Kemar Roofe put the home side in sight of victory.

Bafetimbi Gomis pulled one back for the Welsh club, who had made 10 changes from their last Premier League game, but Oxford held on.

“I thought the performance was outstanding, it was always going to be a difficult game against a Premier League side,” their manager Michael Appleton told BBC Sport.

Roofe, who signed for them from West Bromwich Albion in the close season after a successful loan period, felt the triumph was down to his team’s efforts rather than any lack of applica-

tion by Swansea.

“I don’t think they underestimated us, we were just on our game,” he said.

Alan Curtis, recently appointed Swansea manager until the end of the season, said his much-changed team had been “poor” for the first hour of the game.

“It’s a huge setback for the club,” he told reporters. “We’re going to have to lift everyone for our next game.”

That match is a crucial Premier League fixture against

embarrassment to last season’s stunning 4-2 FA Cup defeat at home to Bradford City, although at times they made hard work of their tie against another third-tier side in Scunthorpe.

Spanish international Diego Costa put them ahead in the 13th minute from a cross

by Branislav Ivanovic but the visitors rallied well in the second half and were furious to be denied a penalty when Ramires appeared to trip Kevin van Veen.

A few minutes later

struck the post.

“It was not an easy game,” said Guus Hiddink, who is hoping to repeat his feat of 2009 by winning the FA Cup as Chelsea’s interim manager.

The experienced Dutchman has been unbeaten in four games since taking charge again after Jose Mourinho was sacked.

He told reporters that Costa was “doubtful” for Wednesday’s game at home to West Bromwich Albion as the Premier League champions seek to improve on their poor defence of the title.

Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester were denied a repeat of last season’s 2-1 FA Cup win at Tottenham in an exciting tie at White Hart Lane, after the teams, who meet in the Premier League on Wednesday, made 15 changes between them.

Spurs held the lead for only nine minutes after Christian Eriksen scored early on, Polish defender Marcin Wasilewski equalising with a header.

Japan’s Shinji Okazaki then Ruben Loftus Cheek celebrates scoring scored only two minutes after the second goal for Chelsea with Diego coming on as a substitute at the CostaAction Images via Reuters / John interval.

SibleyLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. The home side threw on England internationals Harfellow strugglers Sunderland on 19-year-old Londoner Ruben ry Kane and Dele Alli and Wednesday.

Loftus-Cheek, a half-time Kane’s penalty for handball Sunderland are bottom but replacement for Oscar, scored by Nathan Dyer, his 50th goal one with 15 points and Swansea his first goal for the club for the club, earned them a are two places ahead of them on from Cesar Azpilicueta’s low replay.

19 points. centre.

“I’m very pleased with Scunthorpe were denied a our performance,” said RanPENALTY DENIED consolation goal when fullback ieri, who declined to complain Chelsea avoided a similar Jordan Clarke’s fierce shot about the penalty award.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

Record breakers Guptill, Munro lead NZ sweep

(REUTERS)-Colin Munro blasted New Zealand’s fastest Twenty20 half century to surpass a mark set by Martin Guptill earlier in the innings as the hosts swept their two-match series against Sri Lanka with a nine-wicket win in Auckland yesterday.

Guptill first rewrote the record books when he took just 19 deliveries to bring up his eighth half century in the shortest form of the game before he was eventually dismissed for 63 after smashing six boundaries and five sixes.

His mark was then eclipsed by Munro some 20 minutes later when the left hander hit his seventh six to take New Zealand to 147 for one, the hosts chasing down Sri Lanka’s 142-8 total at Eden Park in just 10 overs.

Munro’s half century came off 14 balls, the second fastest in international cricket behind India’s Yuvraj Singh (12 balls). He hit one four along with his seven maximums to finish unbeaten on exactly 50.

“It went really fast. I didn’t really know how many balls I faced until I got off the field,” Munro said in a televised interview. “Guppy (Guptill) has had a really good summer so far and to beat that record is very pleasing.”

Captain Kane Williamson was 32 not out from 21 balls as the visitors completed victory with 60 deliveries to spare.

“It was great viewing,” Williamson said of batting with Guptill and Munro.

“The way the two local boys batted... was pretty special.

“It has been a hard fought series but today it was a great effort (and)... it’s exciting to see for the team and hopefully we can build on this as we move on to the World Cup.” The 2-0 series defeat also ensured Sri Lanka, the 2014 World Twenty20 champions, were replaced

by West Indies at the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 rankings.

Sri Lanka’s innings had been held together by test and one-day captain Angelo Mathews’ 81 not out, his highest score in the format, while opener Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a streaky 28.

No other batsmen got into double figures.

Colin Munro smacked seven sixes in his 14-ball 50 in Auckland, yesterday.

As in most of the limited overs matches on the tour, Sri Lanka’s top order failed to get their innings going, slumping to 39-3 in the seventh over.

Their normally reliable, and deep, middle order also failed to capitalise on Eden Park’s small boundaries as New Zealand’s bowlers varied their pace, line, length and flight, with part-time medium pacer Grant Elliott taking 4-22.The sixth Twenty20 World Cup takes place in India from March 8 to April 3.

THE Brisbane Heat have scored their second Big Bash League victory this season, holding off the Sydney Sixers in a battle of the cellar-dwellers at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The last-placed Heat managed a six-run win despite dropping three regulation catches during the Sixers’ chase.

Chasing the Heat’s 8 for 162, the Sixers finished six runs behind at 8 for 156, the loss putting their finals hopes in the dreaded ‘mathematical chance’ category.

The last-placed Heat did their best to keep it close and lend a helping hand, spilling five catches in total, but the Sixers could not capitalise.

Two veterans in Michael Lumb (47 off 38) and acting captain Brad Haddin (42 off 24) did their best to keep the crowd in party mode, but the final margin flattered the Sixers, who got closer with a few late hits.

Debutant leg spinner Swepson took 2 for 27 from his three overs, while paceman Ben Cutting finished with 2 for 41 off his four.

A crowd of 24,192 turned up to see if the Sydney-siders could keep their finals hopes alive, but the magenta-clad Sixers struggled for most of the game against a Heat team already out of finals calculations.

Earlier, returning Test batsman Joe Burns proved

nings subsided.

Sean Abbott (3 for 8 off two overs) dragged the finals-chasing Sixers back into the game and was on a hat-trick in a frantic final over in which the Heat lost 3 for 6.

Paceman Doug Bollinger (1 for 23 off four) and Test spinner Nathan Lyon (0 for 27 off four) also bowled tidily, with Sydney conceding just 33 off the last five overs.

(AAP/ABC)

Brisbane Heat register Parika Salem Sports second Big Bash victory Club congratulates Kevon Boodie

PARIKA Salem Sports Club of East Bank Essequibo has extended congratulations to wicketkeeper batsman Kevon Boodie on his selection to the Guyana team now contesting the 2016 Regional NAGICO Super 50 Tournament in St Kitts and Trinidad and Tobago.

According to a release from the club, Boodie has indeed made us proud, being the first player from the Club to be selected on a senior Guyana Team.

Although his achievement of being the first and only player in Guyana to score a double century in a Senior Inter – County 50-overs match in 2014 was played down, Boodie continued to constantly produce good scores which has undoubtedly resulted in

Kevon Boodie

his selection.

U n lik e h is ag g r es sive style of batting, the 22-year-old is an extremely cool and quiet individual, who we are positive, will live up to the expectation of discipline on and off the field.

We wish him well and hope that he contributes significantly to Guyana winning the Tournament, a release concluded.

Lendl Simmons pulls en route to his 30-ball 54. he was no one-format pony, scoring 60 off 51 in just his second BBL game of the season.

Burns showed his adaptability by smashing three sixes to go with three fours.

His chief accomplice was West Indian Lendl Simmons, whose BBL form prior to yesterday could most kindly be described as mediocre.

A top score of 34 and three ducks in his previous

four innings did not bode well.

Luckily, current form can be quickly updated and upgraded in cricket’s ‘blink and you miss it’ format.

Simmons smashed his way to 54 off 30 balls and added 73 in eight overs with Burns.

Although in-form skipper Chris Lynn fell for just 1, Heat were well placed at 3 for 136 after 16 overs before their in-

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Ramdhani moves to 53rd in World Juniors Badminton Rankings

GUYANA’S Top Badminton Player Narayan Ramdhani is now Ranked 53 in the World Juniors Rankings for 2016 released by the Badminton World Federation.

This outstanding achievement includes No. 1 Ranked in the Caribbean and No. 3 Ranked in the Pan American countries.

This amazing news came about as the World’s Under-19 players who are now over aged in the year 2016 will go into the Senior Events bringing up the current Under-19 Players where Narayan Ramdhani gained his place from his achievements last year.

Acording to a release from the Guyana badminton Association (GBA) for Guyana to be ranked so high up in the World competing against the top Badminton countries like China, Indonesia, Denmark, Peru, Brazil, India, Canada, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico etc. is a remarkable commitment of hard work, dedication and discipline.

There are 173 countries in the world playing Badminton.

“We do hope that all involved in the Management of Sports like The Guyana Olympic Association & The National Sports Commission will give us their co-operation to help us to reach the very top as it is in this direction we will be heading” noted GBA president Gokarn Ramdhani.

Narayan Ramdhani

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday January 11, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY

STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) 43 times (Tests) (2) Damien Fleming (AUST vs PAK, Rawalpindi, 1994-95) Today’s Quiz: (1) What is the highest score made by a WI player in a Test innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground?

(2) Who is the first man to captain the WI on his Test debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

‘Continue to be strong’, Sarwan tells Holder after Aussie series defeat

By Stephan Sookram

Former Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has come to the rescue of the regional team’s current Test and One Day International (ODI) skipper Jason Holder following Caribbean side recent series loss to the Australians Down Under.

Holder, who replaced Denesh Ramdin as the test captain for the West Indies in October 2015 for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, nine months earlier was handed Dwayne Bravo’s spot at the helm of the 50 over team.

And Sarwan, who succeeded the retiring Brian Lara as captain of the regional side in 2007 believes that the youngster was tossed in the deep end.

Ramnaresh Sarwan.

“He’s a real good kid; I don’t think they should have given it to him. I think they should have probably kept Denesh (Ramdin) as captain and give him (Holder) some more time even if they wanted him as captain,” contended Sarwan.

Sarwan’s comments were echoed by many pundits across the region

who felt that the 24 year old’s appointment, both as test captain and as ODI skipper, was premature.

Nonetheless, the 35 year old had words of advice for the Barbadian.

“Continue to be strong. Australia is a very tough place to play and I think getting beaten in Austrail-

ia, he shouldn’t be too ashamed as a captain; obviously I don’t think it’s easy to send such a young team out there and a captain as well to play Australia”, said the Guyanese.

He backed Holder in moving forward, telling the media that, “Nevertheless I think that he would learn from it and he would mature and get better.”

The West Indies lost the Frank Worrell Trophy for a second decade running when they failed to beat the Aussies down under following an innings and 212 run loss in the first Test and a 177 run defeat in the second Test.

The whitewash was avoided however, following the drawn third Test, which was marred by a two washout in Sydney.

Photo name: Holder

Albion CC announces sub- committees

THE newly-elected executives of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, under the presidency of Imtiaz Bacchus met recently and have named the Club’s various Sub-Committees, captains and vice-captains of the Club’s respective teams among others for the year 2016.

The Club’s Selection Committee will once again be chaired by Vemen Walter and will include Orvin Mangru and Romeo Singh.

Vice-President Singh heads the Disciplinary Committee with Totaram Haricharran, Dhanraj Budhu, Baccus and Walter being the other members.

Gudakesh Motie

Walter will also chair the Cricket Development Committee with Sew Misir, Mangru, Doorasammy Thimmaryan, Baccus and the Club’s coach Andre Percival making up the reminder of the committee.

Tr e a s u r e r D a v i d Latchaya is the chairman of the fund-raising committee which will also comprise of businessmen Permaul Mangali and Devendra Permaul, Aslim Amerally, Josiah Dhanai and Singh West Indies left-armspinner Veerasammy Permaul was re-appointed as captain of the Club’s First Division Team with fellow West Indies spinner Davendra Bishoo as his deputy.

In the event both Permaul and Bishoo are unavailable, Jonathan Foo will lead the team.

National Under-17 batsman Adrian Sukhwa will captain the Club’s

Second Division Team with Berbice Under 17 left-arm-spinner Joshua Harricharan as the vice-captain.

Guyana left-arm-spinner Gudakesh Motie will be the man captaining the club’s Under 21 Team with Sharaz Ramcharran as his vice-captain.

Sukhwa and Haricharran are the captain and vice-captain respectively of the Under-19 team while Kelvin Omroe will captain the Under-17 Team with Steven Kalimuadeen as the vice-captain. Gouraf Ramesh is the Club’s Under-15 captain with Saif Amoi as the vice-captain.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday January 11, 2016

Greaves denies being Welcome home, tested positive for drugs football maestro

By Michael DaSilva

Guyanese pedal cyclist Alanzo Greaves has denied being tested positive for drugs after the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) carried out a random test on ten cyclists that participated in the `Tour of Guyana’ Five Stage road race which concluded on November 1.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport yesterday via telephone, Greaves, one of the country’s most successful cyclists of this time said he knows nothing about the findings since he has not been informed of this situation by RADO and it is protocol that the athlete in question should be informed first before the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) is informed.

Greaves said at this time he would not comment further on the matter until and only when he receives word from RADO. However, in another section of the media, it has been reported that Greaves was tested positive along with three other cyclists whose names were not mentioned

Members of the GCF would like to thank Mrs. Karen Pilgrim and Guyana Olympic Association for conducting these tests.With these random tests that was conducted, not only Alanzo Greaves has tested positive but Cyclists from Barbados, Jamaica and Columbia also tested positive. Guyana Cycling Federation will continue to work closely with Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) to continue to conduct random testing and to bring order to the sport that we all love”.

Alanzo Greaves An e-mail received by Chronicle Sport yesterday where he dictates what from Jamaica’s Cycling Federation (JCF) Kirk happens in cycling locally.

According to the face Franklin, responded to book posting, Burrowes Burrowes’ release which said “Alonzo Greaves is stated a Jamaican was testfacing suspension for a ed positive also.

Franklin in his e-mail positive Anti-Doping test.

I can confirm Mr. Alanzo said “the article above was Greaves has tested posi- brought to the attention of the tive for a prohibited sub- Jamaica Cycling Federation stance. He was tested on within the last 45 minutes Sunday November 1, 2015 and I have read the post. at the tour of Guyana. The statement is unfortunate M r. A l a n z o G r e a v e s as JCF’s President nor the was notified by the Re- athlete has been contacted in gional Anti-Doping Or- relation to any such proposg a n i s a t i o n ( R A D O ) . terous test result by any forin the article.

This information was conveyned via a face book posting from president of the GCF, Horrace Burrowes, who is based in the United States of America from

mal testing body, which is protocol based on the understanding of the JCF. Marloe Rodman is a Jamaican who trains hard and executes on race day, drug free.

We are preparing a formal response to this defamatory and untrue post and we hope that good sense prevails with the withdrawal of the allegations posthaste accompanied by a formal apology using the same medium that was used to defame our athlete and sully Jamaica’s reputation”.

Two of three Guyana Olympic Association’s representatives (Dr. Karten Pilgrim and treasurer Garfield Wiltshire) that were chaperons to the random drug test told Chronicle Sport that they cannot comment on test results as it pertains to the Guyanese who tested positive for using a ban substance.

They both said it is protocol for RADO to inform the athlete then the relevant association and from there the athlete could request that his B sample be sent for testing and if not satisfied with the result can move to the courts to challenge the results.

Shahzad hits historic century as Afghanistan seal series win AFGHANISTAN sealed a Twenty20 series whitewash over Zimbabwe thanks to a historic century from Mohammad Shahzad.

Mohammad Shahzad became the first Afghanistan player to score a Twenty20 international century and made the fourth-highest total in the format in an 81-run hammering of Zimbabwe to complete another series win.

The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 118 not out from only 67 balls at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday as Afghanistan posted a daunting total of 215-6 after being put in to bat by Elton Chigumbura.

Hamilton Masakadza made an entertaining 63 off just 44 deliveries in reply, but Zimbabwe were never going to get home after slumping to 34-5 and were eventually all out for 134 in

through the gears with a demonstration of sheer power and crisp timing.

He dished out brutal punishment and the Zimbabwe bowlers had no answer, with his century coming in just 52 balls before Richmond Mutumbami dropped the right-hander.

Mohammad Nabi was the next highest scorer with only 22, while Chamu Chibhabha recorded forgettable figures of 1-56 from his four overs and was then the first wicket to fall for only three runs when Zimbabwe started their reply.

Mohammad Shahzad’s 118 became the Dawlat Zadran (2highest individual score from an Associate 21), Amir Hamza (2-15) nation and fourth overall and Sayed Shirzad (2the 19th over. stan less than three months 31) claimed two wickets It was a miserable end after being consigned to a apiece as only Masakadza (63) and Peter Moor to the tour for Zimbabwe, 2-0 defeat on home soil. who lost the one-day inShahzad launched Ten- (35) made notable contriternational series 3-2 and dai Chisoro for the first of butions on another diswere beaten in both T20 his eight sixes in the sec- mal day for Zimbabwe. matches against Afghani- ond over and then shifted (Sportsmax.com)

By: Ras Wadada

THE much-anticipated return to the land of his birth begins for Plaisance-born Canadian Football Hall of Famer Alex Bunbury when he touches down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at about 08:00 hrs today.

This visit to Guyana will last for two weeks, during which Bunbury and his entourage will conduct coaching clinics for young boys and girls around the country, host workshops, and have dialogue with Government and key stakeholders on his vision to establish the “Alex Bunbury Sports and Academics Academy” (ABSAA), a state-of-the-art facility, here in Guyana.

Accompanying Bunbury on his historic visit are Sam Bunbury, Alicia Nichols, Stan Harmon, Tim Baker, James Paul, Paul Bowen, Les Logsdon and Christopher Nurse.

Bunbury migrated with his family to Canada when he was just nine years old. He went on to represent his adopted home country at the Junior (9 caps, 3 goals) and Senior (65 caps, 16 goals) levels; and in 2006, the Guyanese was inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.

Six years later, Bunbury was named in an all-time Canada Men’s X1 as part of the centennial celebrations of the Canada Soccer Association.

The 48-year-old began his professional career in the Canadian Soccer League with Hamilton Steelers, before playing for the Toronto Blizzards and the Montreal Supra. After a brief stop-over in England with West Ham United, he suited up for C.S Maritimo in the Portuguese Division One, where he is still the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 59 goals from 165 appearances. In his second season with the club, he was named ‘Foreign Player of the Year’, and in his final season (1998-1999), he scored a record 15 goals.

From Portugal, Bunbury took his skills to the Major League Soccer in the USA, where he spent two seasons with the Kansas City Wizards before bringing a successful professional career to an end.

While here in Guyana, Bunbury’s tour party will visit potential sites for the realisation of his first landmark project, which is being established to create hope and opportunity through sports and academics.

The Hall of Famer said his vision is about empowering young people. “Empowering Guyanese youths of all races, especially the less-advantaged, to achieve their full potential as productive, innovative and caring citizens in the Game of Life”, Bunbury emphasized.

Bunbury’s first call of duty will be today at noon, when he hosts a media brief at the Pegasus Hotel. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has endorsed the visit, and is assisting with its successful hosting.

Canadian football great arrives today for two-week visit

Alex Bunbury

See Story on Page 23

West Indies climb to No. 1 spot in T20 rankings W

Sri Lanka’s 0-2 loss to New Zealand has been West Indies’ gain .(ESPN Cricinfo)

GCC takes Roy Fredericks Cup THE Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) whipped Blairmont Cricket Club by 89 runs to take the Roy Fredericks Cup yesterday at the Blairmont Community Centre ground.

Score in the match: GCC 177-9 in 40 overs; Blairmont Cricket Club 88-9 in 23.1 overs.

The match was planned in order to unveil the naming of the Roy Fredericks pavilion. Fredericks, a dashing left-hander, played for the Blairmont Cricket Club in his heyday, before representing Guyana and the West Indies.

Fredericks represented the West Indies in 59 Tests and 12 One Day Internationals.

est Indies have claimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20 rankings after Sri Lanka, who had largely occupied the top rung since they won the World T20 in 2014, were caned by New Zealand in Auckland yesterday.

West Indies have 118.36 rating points, and are now marginally ahead of both Sri Lanka and Australia who have exactly 118 rating points each.

West Indies have played eight matches since the end of the World T20 in April 2014 and won four of them, including a world record chase against South Africa in January 2015.

They gunned down 232 in 19.2 overs. Coincident to that has been Sri Lanka’s fall - they have lost five of their last six matches, the latest a nine-wicket drubbing as New Zealand raced to their target of 143 in a mere 10 overs.

Sri Lanka had begun the

See page 23

NAGICO Super 50 tourney continues today

GCC Captain Raj Nanan collects the Roy Fredericks Trophy

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

PLAY in the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) NAGICO Super 50 tournament continues today with four matches.

In the first of the matches, the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force will face the ICC Americas at Shaw Park from 09:00 while the Barbados Pride and the Jamaican Scorpions go toe to toe from 13:30 at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Over in St Kitts, the Leeward Islands Hurricanes take on the Windward Islands Volcanoes from 13:30 hrs,while the Guyana Jaguars suit up for battle against the Combined Campuses Marooners from 09:00hrs at St. Paul’s ground.

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016