Chronicle 02 15 2016

101

POLICE TOP BRASS No. 104463

MONDAY FEBRUARY 15, 2016

PRICE: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

... key deputy commissioner posts still to be discussed

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We are the champions!

West Indies players celebrate with ICC Under-19 World Cup Trophy (WICB photo, see story on back page)

Man Drainage, Men to dead in rice price, access Essequibo suicide WoW programme accident Page 2

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–major parties in race to fix problems in Region Two

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 15, 2016

Men to access WoW programme

Participants at the meeting with Minister Lawrence

By Alva Solomon A COMPREHENSIVE Family Empowerment Programme will replace the Public Assistance Programme in order to empower the family to reduce poverty; while the Women of Worth (WoW) programme will soon accommodate men accessing loans.

According to a release, Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, told Proba-

tion and Social Services staff -- members of her Ministry -last Wednesday at a first-quarter meeting that the $6,500 given as Public Assistance to some 9,000 perennially ailing, destitute, differently-abled Guyanese, including children under the age of 14, must be eliminated and replaced with a more robust programme “to empower the entire family to reduce poverty.”

According to the release,

the Government has expressed its unhappiness with the nation’s deepening dependency on Public Assistance. As a result it is moving towards transforming the current financial assistance package to include skills training, opportunities to secure jobs, micro-credit, provision of equipment to start businesses, and other forms of assistance, “instead of just financial support.”

CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER Lawrence told the meeting that Guyana is hoping to introduce the conditional cash transfer system that Brazil has been using for 50 years, and which has been replicated in several Latin American and Caribbean countries.

“As Probation and Social Services officers, you will

Minister Lawrence interacting with the audience at the meeting last Wednesday

have to conduct an investigation on the entire family, analyse the case, and make recommendations on the needs of that family and how the Ministry could meet those needs, which may differ from the specific request of the family,” Lawrence said.

The release said Minister Lawrence challenged the officers to make efforts to link members of each family seeking assistance with the other services provided by the Ministry and sister agencies, including skills training through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), micro-credit through the Women of Worth (WoW) Programme, and job placement through the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA).

She also announced that the WoW programme will shortly be expanded to accommodate men accessing the loan scheme.

BRINGING POVERTY LEVELS DOWN “The idea is that we have to seek ways in which we can impact the families the most. So even though a parent may be working, that parent still cannot take care of his or her children because of what they earn, or maybe their employment is seasonal. We should be able to

support them, because we are here to help bring the poverty levels down as well….

“We are going to make the focus on the family a reality this year; so, by year-end, we will replace the Public Assistance with something else that speaks to the roundedness of the family,” she said.

The Minister warned that sterner measures must be taken against parents and caregivers who neglect and exploit children, and use them for material gains.

She urged her audience to be more alert to the social needs of their communities, pointing to recent cases of school-age children becoming mothers.

“Why are things missing us, when we live and work in these communities?” she questioned.

While acknowledging that the system is broken and information may be short-circuited, she challenged officers to still “take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to social issues”.

While the Social Protection Ministry has been hamstrung by a staff shortage, its staff complement will be

boosted this year to adequately meet the social needs of the society, the release stated.

Lawrence challenged staff members to enhance their services through greater diligence, transparency, and commitment to the public welfare; and she also called for increased visits by staff.

DECENTRALISED SERVICES She announced further that the Ministry will this year have a greater presence in rural and hinterland areas through decentralised services.

“We are hoping to make changes to the things we do, and how we do things, to have greater impact…we have to change our approach” to include greater collaboration and more networking with other agencies and corporate Guyana.

Lawrence added that the Ministry is working to improve the living and working conditions of officers, especially those working out of Georgetown, and several measures will be taken to improve the welfare of those officers.

Man dead in Essequibo accident

THE Guyana Police Force is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on the Reliance Public Road on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two on Saturday evening.

A police press statement has said that at about 23:30hrs on Saturday, Dennis Persaud of La Belle Alliance, Essequibo Coast, was driving a motorcar along the Reliance Public Road when he lost control of the vehicle and ended up in an accident. The vehicle turned turtle and ended up in a nearby canal.

Persons who rendered Persaud assistance pulled him from the vehicle and rushed him to the Suddie Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police are investigating the incident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

POLICE TOP BRASS ... key deputy commissioner posts still to be discussed

By Leroy Smith AMIDST the recent announcement of promotion of several officers in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo are yet to discuss the appointment of deputy police commissioners.

President David Granger The structure of the GPF caters for four deputy commissioners, but for a number of years, the Force has been operating without any substantive deputy.

Deputy Commissioners are usually appointed by the President after consultations with the Opposition Leader, but this has not happened as yet.

Contacted on Sunday, President David Granger confirmed that he has not commenced any discussion with the Opposition Leader in relation to the appointment of Deputy Commissioners of Police.

The President also said he had not paid much attention to the list released by the Police Service Commission with the promoted senior officers, as he was otherwise engaged.

He, however, stated that he is not necessarily mandated to review and make sanctions regarding the list, as he acknowledged that the Police Service Commission, which is a constitutional body, has been given that mandate, and he said it should be allowed to function without interference.

In an invited comment on Sunday, Mr Jagdeo told the Guyana Chronicle that the recent police promotions are a welcome move which should serve to motivate the ranks and encourage patriotic service by those who were not fortunate to make the list.

He said that while he understands that there are those who may be disgruntled at this time because their names might not be on the list for promotion, he is encouraging them to continue working with the interest of the Guyanese people at heart. He stressed that not everyone can be promoted at the same time.

Mr Jagdeo reminded that he was always in favour of promoting police ranks, and would have been happier to see the promotion announced earlier; but he noted that the Police Service Commission, which is a constitutional body, has its job to do.

Mr Jagdeo, a former President, also said that once he is invited by President Granger for discussion on appointment of the Deputy Commissioners of Police, he will not hesitate to participate, as it is his hope to see the men and women who serve the country at the level of the armed forces be rewarded for their hard and patriotic work.

RETIREMENT Meanwhile, with the Police Force now

having the full complement of Assistant Commissioners, two of these officers are slated to head into retirement this year, and one of them is presently on sick leave.

There is therefore the belief that there will be elevations of two other senior police ranks to the post of Assistant Commissioners of Police after the two go into retirement.

Additionally, once the discussions regarding the appointment of Deputy Commissioners occur, there will be additional vacancies for Assistant Commissioners.

The Deputy Commissioners, in keeping with tradition, would be taken from the already existing pool of Assistant Commissioners of Police, mostly based on seniority.

The Guyana Police Force last Saturday released the list of police promotions as approved by the Police Service Commission.

After the Police Force received the list, the Force Operations Officer, Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, who is also performing the functions of Deputy Commissioner, Administration, informed the senior ranks of their promotions and invited them to visit the quartermaster’s stores at Force Headquarters to uplift their respective instruments to represent their new ranking.

With the promotion list out, there is expected to be several changes within the Guyana Police Force in terms of responsibilities and office holders. At the moment, the Police ‘A’ Division, as of Sunday, has two Assistant Commissioners of Police in the persons of Commander Clifton Hicken and his deputy, Ian Amsterdam, who previously served as the Divisional Commander of ‘D’ Division and later Traffic Chief.

One of the Assistant Commissioners would now have to be removed from that division.

The same development presently obtains over at the Presidential Guards, where long-serving Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph and recently promoted Lyndon Alves are now of the same rank, hence one would have to be removed.

There is talk in police circles that the more senior of the two would be heading to Force Headquarters, while Alves would remain and head the Presidential Guards.

There are likewise reports that the Commander of Berbice, Christopher Griffith, would also be heading to the City at Force Headquarters, while another recently promoted Assistant Commissioner would be

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo heading to Berbice to head that Division.

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud and Force Operations Officer David Ramnarine are likely to meet this week with the recently promoted officers and those who are to be reshuffled, following which they would be issued with their respective letters, instructing them to take up their new command.

Balram Persaud to head into retirement HOSPITALISED Assistant Police Commissioner Balram Persaud is not likely to return to office as the Force Administration Officer.

This was confirmed by multiple sources at the senior level of the Guyana Police Force, who have blamed his present hospitalization for this development.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that ACP Balram Persaud, who was on annual leave when he became involved in a car crash, has suffered such severe injuries, as would

require him to have weeks of rest, even after his discharge from hospital.

In the scheme of things, ACP Persaud, who has accumulative annual leave of almost two months, would have returned to work sometime in late March.

He had previously proceeded on his leave, but was required to return to work after the mother of another senior police officer had passed away and the Force had granted that officer compassionate leave to deal with this death in his family.

Once that officer had

Assistant Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud

resumed duty, Mr Persaud had resumed taking his

annual leave, but was unfortunately involved in an accident, which saw him being hospitalized, and this has affected his annual leave.

With Mr Persaud hospitalized, his annual leave has been placed on hold and he has been listed as being on sick leave. The exact period of that sick leave would be determined by his doctors. When Mr Persaud’s sick leave has expired, he would continue his annual leave.

Information available to this publication suggests that this senior officer is

slated to head into pre-retirement leave in early July, when he would celebrate his 55th birthday, following which he would go into retirement in early August.

Given the present situation, all those activities have allegedly been placed in abeyance, and ACP Persaud would not be able to return to active policing after his sick and annual leave would have been completed, as they would run consecutively. Doctors monitoring his condition and response to treatment are continuously updating Police Commissioner

Seelall Persaud and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan.

Contacted on Sunday, Traffic Chief, Superintendent Dion Moore, confirmed that Mr Persaud was still seeking medical attention at a city hospital. Asked if the police would have launched an official investigation into the accident of the senior police officer, Mr Moore responded in the affirmative and said that the investigation is still active, even as ranks are waiting to secure a statement from Mr Persaud.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 15, 2016

Calls made for Turkey to end assault on Kurds THE Foreign Ministry of France has urged Turkey to end its assault on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.

The Ministry has said in a statement (in French) that it was “worried about the continued worsening of the situation”.

Turkey, on Saturday, began shelling the militia, which it says is linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

The fighters -- the YPG militia based in Syria -have rejected Turkey’s demand to leave areas it has seized, saying Islamists would return if it left.

Turkey’s assault is a new thread in an already complex conflict that has drawn in competing regional powers.

A statement on Syria’s state news agency also condemned Turkey’s intervention, calling it “outrageous violation of international law”.

France has called on the regime and its allies to stop their bombardments “across the whole of the country”.

France said priority should

and both have since vowed to continue fighting.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Friday that he intended to retake “the whole country” from rebels -- a statement the US Gov-

ernment said was “deluded”.

Syrian Government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, have almost encircled rebels in parts of the northern city of Aleppo.

Justice Scalia succession fight begins

The Menagh air base was captured by Kurdish fighters last week be given to implementing an agreement reached in Munich this week, and the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) group.

Almost five years of civil war in Syria have led to the deaths of more than 250,000 people. About 13.5 million people have been displaced.

Among the targets shelled by Turkey is the Menagh airbase, which was seized by the YPG on Thursday from Syrian Islamist reb-

els. The YPG controls much of Syria’s northern border with Turkey.

Speaking on Turkish TV on Saturday, PM Ahmet Davutoglu warned that Turkey would retaliate if the YPG did not leave the airbase, which lies south of the town of Azaz and near the Turkish border.

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said Turkish forces shot at Kurdish fighters inside Syria on Sunday, after coming under fire themselves.

Ankara sees the group as being linked with Kurdish guerrillas from PKK,

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which has waged a campaign against security forces in Turkey for decades. (BBC) Under the agreed cessation of hostilities plan, efforts are planned to make urgent aid deliveries to besieged and hard-to-reach areas in Syria.

Steps will also be taken to work towards an eventual ceasefire and implementation of a UN-backed plan for political transition in Syria.

The halt would not apply to the battle against the jihadists of IS and al-Nusra Front.

However, neither the Syrian Government nor the rebels were involved in the deal,

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REPUBLICAN lawmakers and presidential candidates hardened their positions on Sunday on blocking a move by President Barack Obama to replace the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, a lifetime appointment that would help decide some of the most divisive issues facing Americans.

The next justice would tilt the balance of the nation’s highest court, which now consists of four conservatives and four liberals.

The vacancy left by the death of Scalia, 79, quickly became an issue in the 2016 presidential race.

“We ought to make the 2016 election a referendum on the Supreme Court,” U.S. Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The nine-justice court is set to decide its first major abortion case in nearly 10 years, as well as cases on voting rights, affirmative action and immigration.

Cruz said the vacancy makes November’s election even more critical, warning that a justice chosen by Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders would mean the Second Amendment right to bear arms would be “written out” of the Constitution, and ‘abortion on demand’ would become the law of the land.

He lumped Donald Trump in with the Democrats, saying that the Republican front-runner’s views were indistinguishable from theirs.

Democrat Obama said on Saturday that he would nominate someone to fill the now-empty seat, setting up a battle with the Republican-controlled Senate, which must approve any nominee.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

TT Mayor to resign for Haiti chooses interim President controversial comments

Jocelerme Privert is the current head of Haiti’s National Assembly HAITI’S Parliament has chosen an interim President a week after Michel Martelly stepped down, leaving the country without a head of state.

The new leader, Jocelerme Privert, was elected at a marathon session of the National Assembly, which continued into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mr Privert is the current head of the Assembly. He will serve as President for up to four months, while Haiti holds a new presidential poll.

A run-off vote in January was cancelled because of violence and instability; and earlier this month, a

man believed to be a former soldier was beaten to death by a mob during continuing anti-government protests.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, is still struggling to recover from a huge earthquake in 2010.

In a speech before he was elected, Mr Privert vowed to “foster confidence” across society, ensure stability, and hold the much-delayed runoff vote “as soon as possible.”

The election will now be held on April 24, with a new President due to be sworn in on May 14. The last-minute deal aims to prevent the country

from plunging into an immediate power vacuum.

Speaking before he stepped down, Mr Martelly said his biggest regret was that January’s presidential election had been postponed.

Mr Martelly is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, but has thrown his weight behind Jovenel Moise, a banana exporter who won the first round of the presidential election in November.

But the result was contested by the Opposition challenger, Jude Celestin. He accused the electoral authorities of favouring Mr Moise, and threatened to pull out of the run-off vote. (BBC)

A MAYOR who sparked outrage at home and abroad for comments he made about women’s behaviour at Carnival, following the death of a Japanese woman who travelled to Trinidad to play mas, appears to be buckling under the pressure of the widespread criticism and calls for him to go.

Mayor of Port-of-Spain, Raymond Tim Kee, announced in a statement to the media on Sunday that he plans to call it quits.

“I intend to call an emergency meeting of [the City] Council, and tender my resignation as Mayor,” he said.

“It is hoped that with this decision the Office of the Mayor is now protected, my unreserved apology accepted by my fellow citizens, and that the focus can now be placed fully on solving the murder of a visitor to our shores,” Tim Kee has said.

Tim Kee has been under fire ever since Wednesday, when he said that women had a responsibility to ensure they were not abused, and they needed to maintain a level of dignity during Carnival festivities. He said this in response to reporters’ questions about the discovery of the body of a woman, still dressed in a Carnival costume, in Queen’s Park Savannah that day.

The deceased was identified later that day as Asami Nagakiya, a Japanese pannist who often visited the twin-island republic for Carnival, and was well known in the local pan community.

Women’s rights groups, civil society groups, Opposition

Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other citizens, as well as other people living outside of Trinidad and Tobago, gave Tim Kee a tongue lashing, repri-

Port of Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee says he will resign manding him for his “insensitive” and “offensive” comments.

His statements were also carried in the international media.

The Mayor issued a statement on Thursday in which he apologized, but also insisted that his statements were taken out of context. But the apology was not enough. An online petition was launched which collected over 10,000 signatures, and there

were protests in the capital, led by civil action group Womantra Trinidad and Tobago, and by a group of Trinidadians living in the United Kingdom, outside the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in London, all calling for him to quit or be fired.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said he had no plans to sack Tim Kee, saying that the Mayor was a “decent man” who had perhaps not expressed himself in the right way. He contended that the remarks, though unfortunate, did not warrant his dismissal.

But Tim Kee, who is Treasurer of the ruling People’s National Movement, said in a statement that the continued outrage and hurt over his comments have been “sufficient to cause damage to the Office of the Mayor of Port of Spain, which any holder of this office should be concerned to protect at all costs”.

The Mayor apologised once again, and insisted that as a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, and as a man and father, he had unreserved respect for women and all other people, regardless of their race, gender or religion. (Caribbean360)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

‘Long walk to freedom’

ON FEBRUARY 11th, 1990, Mr. Nelson Mandela was released from prison after serving 27 years for fighting an apartheid system and government. His was a struggle to ensure all South Africans are treated as normal human beings, enjoying rights and freedoms prescribed by the United Nations, which also entail the right to vote for a party of choice to form the government.

In his autobiography, ‘Long walk to Freedom’, Mandela had this to say: “Freedom is indivisible; the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me.” This sagacious statement transcends borders, is timeless, and serves as motivational force. As Guyanese observe this 50th year of freedom from colonial domination, it helps to examine what freedom means to us; the path travelled; the leadership given, and the opportunities to do better.

One of the first and most important acts in ensuring the fostering of nationhood from 26th May 1966 -- given that we were a people who emerged from a divided history, where the management of the nation’s business was premised on a policy of divide-and-rule -- was the identification of a motto which speaks to unity, inseparableness: ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny.’

This, conjointly with the establishment of systems and institutions through policies and laws, set in train efforts that would not only ensure the chains of domination were unshackled, but that the freedom to strengthen and deepen self-determination is realised. Some instances have been the freedom to practise one’s faith, national observation of diverse religious holidays, and respect for diverse religious unions. These have created space for enjoying one of the most basic, yet assumed rights, i.e. freedom of expression, sharing of ideas and information.

A public education system built on the principle that each child should be afforded an education, regardless of economic ability, race or religion, opens opportunities to free the mind from viewing oneself as the subject of another to seeing oneself as embracing the endless possibilities that come from a mind convinced in its equality, proud of its identity and determined to prove its ability.

As an independent nation, we commenced not only the intellectualising of our destiny, including revisiting/rewriting our history through our lenses, but we embarked on indigenous programmes which included research and development.

Being free to think and explore in determining our destiny has seen production of our own foods, such salt fish, salt beef, cereals and preserved local fruits.

Political freedom has also seen infrastructural development, manufacturing and assembling industries such as high-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 15, 2016

I was wrong Dear Editor

I AM grateful that the Minister of Finance found time, in his closing address of the Budget debates of 2016, to focus on my presentation in those debates.

The Minister of Finance was kind enough to point out that I was wrong in my contention that 28 billion dollars were standing in the Lotto Funds.

He informed the Nation that only 500 million dollars are in that account.

I admit that I was wrong.

What I intended to say was that there exists approximately 28 billion dollars in all the extra-budgetary

funds and statutory agencies within the State’s financial architecture.

More fundamentally, however, the Minister completely ignored the gravamen of my contention. In my presentation, I recalled the relentless agitation of the APNU+AFC, while they were in the Opposition, for this money to be transferred to the Consolidated Fund. I reiterated the arguments which they advanced:- that it was “unlawful and unconstitutional” for this money to be kept out of the Consolidated Fund, and that the money was so kept for “corrupt purposes”.

I drew attention to a Motion laid in the National As-

sembly, during the Tenth Parliament, calling upon the then Government to forthwith deposit this money into the Consolidated Fund and I referred to legal proceedings instituted in the High Court by Desmond Trotman to, inter alia, achieve this objective. The extra-budgetary funds/statutory agencies to which I referred include the Lotto Funds, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Gold Board, the Guyana Forestry Commission, and the Central Housing and Planning Authority, among other agencies.

While the Minister informed us that, after a transfer of a billion dollars, 500

million dollars still remained in the Lotto Funds, he failed to address my main concern, which is: Why were these billions, which were “unlawfully” and “unconstitutionally” kept separate and apart from the Consolidated Fund by the PPP/C Govt, not and are not immediately deposited into that fund after nine months of the APNU+AFC being in Government?

Am I, and the Nation, to conclude that this money is kept away from the Consolidated Fund for “corrupt purposes”?

more strident in holding the PPP government accountable.

This nation is encouraged to examine the GTUC’s record on issues of good governance in this country and holding governments accountable. The GTUC is proud of its record and stewardship.

The GTUC, for years, has been making a clarion call for the respect of rights and the rule of law. The issue of the sugar industry has the hallmark of a government that wants to control every space, ignore the principle of collective and representative leadership, agencies, and affected stakeholders.

S uch actions clearly demonstrate an absence of regard for the Constitution and laws they swore to uphold.

Article 147 of the Constitution protects the right of persons to be represented by a trade union of their choice. Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act says that so long as there is a recognition agreement between an em-

ployer and a trade union, it requires the employer to treat with the union.

Workers at Wales Estate are unionized, and this must be respected. Outside of trade union representation, as in the instance of cane farmers, they have formed a group; and consistent with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution, they must be involved in the management and decision-making of this industry, which will impact their wellbeing with the proposed closure.

The regional and local governments are also affected, because unemployment and loss of economic opportunities will impact residents socially and economically.

This is where contempt continues to be shown by the government in addressing an issue that has serious consequences for this nation.

While the government speaks about inclusionary democracy, national unity and social cohesion, an ideal opportunity is in front of it to bring the

opposition and other stakeholders on board to address Wales and the sugar industry.

A g ricu ltu re Min is ter Noel Holder is on record as dismissing every proposal made by anyone on the Wales matter, without even engaging any individual or group.

The GTUC has submitted a proposal to the minister and requested to meet with him.

Up to the time of writing this letter, not even an acknowledgement has been received.

There is no dispute that sugar is in crisis. It has been a drag on the economy, and something has to be done about it. Arriving at solutions for sugar and the welfare of those who will be affected must be in accordance with laws, rights and time-honoured principles.

This is what the government is failing to adhere to, and we, the people, must insist they come to their senses.

Regards, ANIL NANDLALL

We must insist gov’t upholds laws in handing Wales and sugar industry Dear Editor,

THE support given on any issue to a group or individual, governmental or non-governmental, is premised on upholding and respecting laws, international conventions, charters, time-honoured principles, and the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens/workers.

No one must count on me to give support on any matter that borders on the violation and transgression of these.

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), which I have the honour to represent, has consistently taken a stand on these tenets, regardless of who forms the government or which non-governmental organisation/person is affected.

When the APNU and AFC were in opposition and were vacillating on issues of national import, the GTUC took principled and strident positions. There is no other organization -- including the APNU and AFC -- that was

ways, roads, bridges, textiles, housewares, building materials, arts and crafts, furniture, clothing, electrical appliances (radio, stereo, refrigerators, freezers), motor vehicles (tapir) and bicycles (Caloi). Such were the abilities displayed by innovative minds, which allowed for national and personal development.

No pretence is made that post-independent life has been all hunky-dory, without conflicts and challenges, be it in our personal lives, politics, system of governance, quality of governance, and the type of leaders. Out of these recognitions, Mandela’s conviction that “the chains on any one of my people were the chains on all of them, the chains on all of my people were the chains on me” becomes relevant.

For while political freedom has been achieved, where any citizen feels constrained or is prohibited from enjoying the freedoms and rights that come with independence and is enshrined in an indigenous constitution, there remains work to be done. It

Regards, LINCOLN LEWIS

means that none must be denied the freedom Guyanese fought for, and all must ensure our efforts are redoubled to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers.

It means the political leadership has to take cognisance of the shortfalls, and assiduously work to remedy them. This is applicable to both government and opposition. Freedom means every Guyanese must enjoy what the laws guarantee him/her, and every government must assert its freedom to safeguard and defend the nation’s sovereignty from domestic and foreign threats, and enforce the laws in protection of its citizens.

There is a long walk to freedom. It started with the first enslaved, centuries ago. Thus, each generation is required to do its bit and bequeath to future generations a deeper and stronger freedom. Lest we forget, freedom in not free; it requires eternal vigilance and sacrifice, and is never fully attained until every man, woman and child is unshackled.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

Boat-building is in his blood

By Shauna Jemmott “I DIDN’T really learn the trade with somebody,” he said. “I just, of meh own commonsense, decide to try a thing.”

One sometimes has to identify one’s passion, and press on in order to reap great rewards from one’s gifts and talents. One man who simply had a hunger for progress has made boat-building his magnum opus even though he has had no formal training in the craft.

Sixty-seven-year-old Kenneth Daniels, who hails from the Pomeroon, now lives at Two Friends, East Coast Demerara.

There is no denying that boat-building is in his blood; he was born and raised in the Region 2 district of Pomeroon/Supenaam, where water transportation is the most dominant means of getting around.

“We Pomerooners know to make boat, you know; that’s our trade!” Daniels

Kenneth Daniels standing next to a finished boat proudly told the Sunday Chronicle recently.

And even though his first attempt at boat-building was a success, he knew from early that he needed to focus if he wanted to become a successful boat-builder.

A SPECIAL SKILL Boat-building is not as easy as it sounds; there are a few technicalities one needs to master in order to get it right. Or, as Daniels puts it, there are parts which take a special skill and a strong will in order to put them together

correctly.

“These boats get oneand-two technical parts that you gotta know,” the accomplished boat-builder said. “If somebody come and measure boat like that, they can’t really make it like duh. No matter the measurement, it got a technique inside,” he disclosed.

Mr Daniels is the “go-to” man on the East Coast when it comes to boat-building.

His customers come from all across Guyana, and there are those who come from as far away as the United States.

Better bed-&-breakfast accommodations

By Rabindra Rooplall

WITH Guyana preparing for its 50th Independence anniversary in May, the Tourism arm of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), in anticipation of a massive influx of foreigners to participate in the various events, is encouraging homeowners to get in on the action by developing their existing facilities to offer bed-andbreakfast accommodations.

According to GNBS Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lloyd David, the Bureau can assist to implement the requirements of the National Standard for Bed and Breakfast, as it was the said Tourism arm that developed the Code of Practice needed to guide the industry.

The Code of Practice for Bed-and-Breakfast facilities, he said, was approved as a national standard by the National Standards Council in 2010, and specifies the minimum requirements for bed-and-breakfast facilities operating in Guyana.

It was formulated to improve the quality of services offered by local providers of bed-and-breakfast facilities, and can be utilised by all stakeholders in the Tourism sector, but more specifically by local bed-and-breakfast providers and potential investors in this line of business.

“The standard provides minimum requirements for three categories of facilities: A, B and C categories. For bread-

--as Jubilee celebrations draw closer

and-breakfast facilities to be considered as Category A, they must include self-contained double or single-bedroom accommodations with an air-conditioned unit, television, and other basic amenities, including telephone, access to a ‘mini’ refrigerator, and comfortable functioning furniture in a quiet and attractive setting,” David said.

The standard stipulates

GNBS PRO Lloyd David that private access to rooms is preferable; and hot water, hotand-cold showers; fresh, clean linens and breakfast must be provided. Lunch, dinner or any other meals could be arranged on request and at an additional cost.

Requirements for facilities falling under Categories B and C are similar to those of Category A, with a few exclusions, in descending order.

The Code of Practice also addresses minimum requirements for rooms, which include sufficient size for freedom of movement, privacy, as well as requirements for beds and sheet coverings and other furniture.

Electrical installation, fire safety, hygiene and pest control are also addressed by the standard.

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), he said, provides guidance and monitoring of facilities endeavouring to meet the requirements outlined in this Code of Practice.

The Authority, he said, is also working to promote facilities which are registered and inspected according to the requirements of the Code of Practice.

“The quest to fulfill the growing needs to provide quality service and comfortable accommodation to all categories of tourists and other visitors to our country would be tested during the upcoming national celebrations,” David noted.

Acquiring a copy of this standard and implementing the requirements therein would certainly aid entrepreneurs and operators in the tourism industry, particularly providers of bedand-breakfast facilities, to offer a level of service that can satisfy the accommodation needs of visitors.

Copies are available upon request from the Technical Standards Information Unit of the GNBS.

What is incredible in all of this is that Daniels works alone.

He’s not the only one in the family to make a living off boat-building, he said; there are others back in the Pomeroon who also make boats. One family member has even relocated to Vreed-en-Hoop, on the other side of the Demerara River, where he has started his own boat-building business.

VARIOUS SIZES Mr Daniels said boats can come in various sizes and lengths, depending on what the customer wants. His specialty, it seems, is the speedboat, which is used primarily for riverine travel. There’s also the flat-bottomed variety, which are highly favoured by farmers, who use them to navigate ‘the backlands’.

Those are usually 16 to 18 feet long, and can fetch loads of up to 1000 lbs, whereas the speedboat can carry thrice that amount of weight.

Some farmers attach engines to the flat-bottom boats

to make them go faster, while others use bamboo poles to help them navigate the waterways.

“We normally get the wood dressed and everything,” the father of four said. “And then you do some measurements, depending on what shape you want design the boat with…. We got a way that we does set it on a frame and raise up this bow.

We does frame it up with the bow and the stern and the centre wood in the middle; they call it the keel. That is how you really does start it; the same way you does build all,” he disclosed.

He works from home, from within the quiet of Nimrod Street, where he lives; and this helps him to concentrate. Working alone, it takes him about a week to finish a boat, as long as he keeps at it every day. And though production can be costly, he still manages to keep his prices “reasonable”.

PRICING For instance, he said, for

a flat-bottom boat, the overall cost of materials alone can cost between $60,000 and $70,000, but he manages to keep his prices down and still turn a profit.

He also offers reconditioning services, as some boats would need some repair and a facelift from time to time. “It’s important, because if you recondition it at the right time, you will get more service from the boat,” Mr Daniels said, adding: “It’s all about caring and maintenance…. With good caring, a boat like this would last a reasonable time -- about 15 years or more…”

PREFERRED WOODS Silverballi and determa are some of the common types of wood used in boat-building, but the former can sometimes be hard to come by.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Mr. Daniels’s boat-building establishment can contact him via telephone on 592666-8975.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

Caricom team discusses investment opportunities INVESTMENT opportunities in agriculture and agri-business in the Caricom region was brainstormed when a team of officials representing the region met with several firms here on Thursday, the second day of the Caricom/Cuba/Florida Trade and Investment Conference organised by Outreach Aid to the Americas (OAA).

The team of officials, headed by the Minister of Trade and Investment of Belize, the Honourable Rafael Contreras, included Ambassador Bayney Karran of Guyana, Dean of the Caricom Diplomatic Corps in the United States; a team from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Devel-

opment Institute (CARDI) headed by its Executive Director Dr Barton Clarke; Captain Gerry Gouveia, former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission of Guyana; and Mr Wesley Kirton, Director of Caribbean outreach at OAA, participated in a forum hosted by Fowler White Burnett, PA, which represents several US and international firms that have investments in, and do business with, Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Fowler White team was headed by shareholder Mr John Friedhoff.

The cultivation and processing of key crops with significant export potential was identified, and a menu of incentives for investors was outlined. Minister Con-

treras and Ambassador Karran spoke of the encouraging investment climate in the Caricom region, and the availability of arable land; while Captain Gouveia addressed issues relating to logistics, to ensure the efficient transport of produce and products to international markets.

In addition to discussing agricultural development, environmental needs and economic impact, the forum addressed the need to move to agro-processing and agriculture-based manufacturing.

It was also agreed that faculty interaction among the University of the West Indies, the University of Guyana, the Guyana School of Agriculture and Zamorano University in Honduras

From left to right: Richard Morris, Esq, Fowler White Burnett; the Honorable Rafael Erwin Contreras, Minister of Trade and Investment of Belize; John Friedhoff, Esq, Fowler White Burnett; Ambassador Bayney Karran, Dean, Caricom, Diplomatic Corps & Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States; and Dr Barton Clarke, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Development and Research Institute (CARDI Trinidad)

From left to right: Christine Walker, Esq, Fowler White Burnett; Richard Morris, Esq, Fowler White Burnett; Wesley Kirton, Director, Caricom Outreach Programme, Outreach Aid to the Americas; the Honorable Rafael Erwin Contreras, Minister of Trade and Investment, Belize; John Friedhoff, Esq, Fowler White Burnett; Ambassador Bayney Karran, Dean, Caricom, Diplomatic Corps and Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States; Dr Barton Clarke, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Development and Research Institute (CARDI TRINIDAD); and Captain Gerry Gouveia, former Chairman, Guyana Private Sector Commission

should be encouraged, as well as increased interaction between the Caricom nations and the private agriculture sector in the United States, with a focus on bilateral and multilateral funding to promote investment and agro processing in the region.

Meetings were also held with other companies, including Ocho Rios Foods, whose brands are widely distributed in the international market.

The Ocho Rios team, headed by its chairman, Mr Aston Lue, outlined a variety of new agri-based products for which there are markets, and requested additional information related to cultivation and processing, especially in Guyana and Belize.

Conference Chair Wesley Kirton said that meetings with the individual firms

provided an opportunity for more in-depth discussions following the previous day’s deliberations, and for questions to be answered and ideas exchanged.

He said follow-up discussions will take place on issues such as the legal framework under which land for cultivation would be made available to investors, and the willingness of farmers to sell their crops directly to companies that invest in processing facilities.

“We had two days of very good deliberations, and these will be followed up with more meetings later this month, when the Executive Director of CARDI visits Florida en route to a meeting in Central America,” Mr Kirton said.

Masqueraders enthrall Victoria crowd PRANCING and flouncing their way to the Victoria Community Centre Ground on the Demerara East Coast, masqueraders from across the country delivered electrifying performances that collectively excited and enthralled a substantial crowd that

had gathered to enjoy their scintillating performances and have fun and laughter in the process.

As the annual Regional Masquerade Competition kicked off, the masqueraders went all out to woo the judges as well as

members of the public. Dancers of all ages, decked out in the traditional “Mother Sally”, “bull cow” and other creative outfits, pranced around, gyrated, and otherwise expressed themselves unabashedly as each tried to outdo the other to claim the title and bragging

rights as the best masqueraders in Guyana; much to the delight of an appreciative audience.

The results of this competition are expected to be out in about two days, according to one of the judges.

Members of the Golden Arrowhead Group going all out to impress the judges

A glimpse of the Victoria Renegades doing their flounce on Sunday

T h e A n n ’s G r o v e Warriors flouncing to the ground

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

President hails Banks DIH as pacesetter PRESIDENT David Granger has reiterated that his administration will continue to strengthen and support communities to create jobs in agro-processing, so that commodities can be produced for local corporations.

He has praised Banks DIH Limited as a pioneer in manufacturing in Guyana, even as he addressed

the various products being made and packaged, the President said the company is a pacesetter and a pioneer in industry, and he is convinced that Guyana’s industrial and business future is being led by a corporation that has a vision and the interest of Guyanese at heart.

“When I look around: the Guyanese employees, the engineers, the exper-

declared.

“This is not just a profiteering company; it is a company that is going to enhance the relationship with communities,” the President said.

Communities and villages are very capable of producing raw materials, like fruits and milk and other agricultural commodities that could be supplied to companies like President David Granger addressing Banks DIH staff at Thirst Park, Georgetown. At right of the President is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Company Managing Director, Clifford Reis

President David Granger greeting Banks DIH staff the staff of that company following a recent tour of the Thirst Park facility. After touring the factory and getting a first-hand look at

tise, the care they exercise in giving citizens quality products, I really feel very, very proud of you, Banks DIH,” President Granger

Banks, President Granger said.

“Communities are where people live, and if we can provide employ-

ment in the communities, Guyana will not only be a happier country, but this will be a richer company…. I do believe that from what I’ve seen today, you will continue to lead us into a realm, an era, of economic prosperity,” the President said.

Guyana’s economy has been heavily reliant on the traditional sectors: rice, sugar, timber, bauxite, gold and diamonds.

These sectors are, however, subject to the perils of price volatility on the world market. As such,

the country must venture into non-traditional areas, like agro-processing and manufacturing.

President Granger said Government is looking to increase the supply of meals to more than a quarter of a million school children, and that Banks DIH can play a significant role in this process.

“I would like to guarantee them healthy Guyanese meals, and what I saw convinces me that this is going to be one of the vanguard companies in providing cheap, nutritious

food for our children and our adults,” he said.

At a little over 60 years old, Banks DIH is home to popular household brands like Trisco, I-Cee, Homestyle, Demico Ice Cream, the finest rum, and a host of other quality products that are produced under the highest standards and are ISO certified.

More than 800 Guyanese are employed at the Thirst Park facility alone, and the company has branches, outlets and distributors across the country.

GECOM to focus on electronic registration – Dr Surujbally

By Rabindra Rooplall THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will soon be moving to introduce electronic registration in the voting process, according to Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

mission.

The automated voting system, Dr Surujbally said, was used in the University of Guyana Student Council (UGSS) election, and had smooth and successful results.

The system is being mulled by the Commission as it recognises the need to tabulate, certify, and announce accurate results of elections in

assistance to democratic institutions, and GECOM is thankful.

DIG DEEPER In the context of journalists executing their duties, Dr Surujbally said they must dig deeper into investigations before printing stories on issues that can negatively impact society.

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally addressing journalists in attendance at the Local Government Elections training for journalists, held at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) building in Georgetown “Within the next month or so, the Commission will be using its time to deal with that particular subject,” Dr Surujbally said on Sunday at the conclusion of a two-day Local Government Elections training workshop for journalists, held at the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) building in Georgetown.

The workshop was organised by the Guyana Press Association, and was funded by the Canadian High Com-

a timelier manner.

In 2015, several observer missions that came to monitor the General and Regional Elections had recommended in their reports that GECOM move to electronic tabulation in the interest of time and efficiency.

Noting that, over the last 15 years, the Canadian High Commission has always been supportive of GECOM and its ventures, Dr Surujbally said the High Commission places a high level of importance on its

In giving an example, the GECOM official said: “When one hears a statement in the media that GECOM staff has hired 95 per cent of one ethnicity on behalf of someone speaking, something must be wrong. I would think it would be the journalist’s job to question such a statement. Firstly, is that true? Did the reporter challenge this? Because, if it is true, what the person is saying is that GECOM is biased,” he said.

Hinting at a question which a journalist should

ask, the GECOM official said, “It should be inquired how many people applied of the various groups; and of those (that) applied, how many actually passed the test exam? Now these are things that would get us to the truth, because it’s not good enough to be making and allowing this nation to read statements that, when reported, cause cleavage; we should instead be building a society of togetherness.”

REPORT RESPONSIBLY He said the media should not promote division, and no one should be allowed to create a cleavage in society.

Meanwhile, President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings, said GECOM has a high level of competence and greater willingness to facilitate the media in its duties in disseminating information. Gibbings said that journalists have a responsibility to the constituencies who rely on the media to make very important decisions in their lives.

“We owe them a duty to do our jobs as well and professionally as possible.

Most of the elements of being able to conduct ourselves professionally at elections’ time were explored during the training sessions, and journalists must be professional,” he said.

Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux said this

year is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and Guyana, and it coincides with the country’s own 50th Independence anniversary. He said a strong democracy must start with requisite elections which are monitored by the fourth estate, the media.

“You are the media by which the population can

try to understand what is going on, and it can also express itself. When you actually don’t do that, what happens is that democracy weakens…. But you have a great advantage and a strong democratic streak because people want democracy, and that is why we support GECOM,” the envoy explained.

Monday, Frbruary 15, 2015 - 10:00 hrs Tuesday, Frbruary 16, 2015 - 11:30 hrs Wednesday, Frbruary 17, 2015 - 13:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

Drainage, rice price, suicide ––major parties in race to fix problems in Region Two

By Tajeram Mohabir WITH Local Government Elections (LGE) just weeks away, and Region Two gearing up for the long-delayed occasion, APNU/AFC representative Mark McLean is urging residents to “take a stand for development.”

Currently the Chair of the Anna Regina Interim Management Committee, Mr McLean is contesting for a seat on the Anna Regina Town Council. Originally a member of the People’s National Congress (PNC), the businessman has spent more than 30 years of his life on the Essequibo Coast.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that he grew up on the Essequibo Coast, and has first-hand knowledge of its problems, particularly of the challenges facing the La Belle Alliance/Richmond area, from where he hails.

McLean, also a counsellor, said that over the years there have been earnest attempts at development in

McLean also plans to initiate small agro-processing projects by tapping into donor funding to generate employment among the poor and vulnerable in the township. He is urging residents to put their community first, and vote on issues, and not party loyalty.

APNU/AFC representative, Mark McLean ed out, and the situation (becomes complicated), as many of the trenches are not clean, thereby impeding the smooth passage of water.”

If elected, Mr McLean said, he would be in a better position to address the problems of poor drainage; encroachment on reserves; and unemploy-

“We don’t need vigils to address suicide; what we need to do is to get resource persons out in the fields, go house-to-house and meaningfully engage social support organisations; not sit in the office and wait on people with problems to come to you.

This is a lazy and uninspiring way to address a serious matter, which is a national problem,” – APNU/AFC representative, Mark McLean the region, but much more can be done. Drainage, he said, has for years been a serious problem in the region, and the attempts made to fix it have been piecemeal at best.

A situation that has existed for the past couple of years, the IMC Chair said, is that when it rains the township of Anna Regina gets flooded. He said that situation never previously existed. He thinks that the heart of the problem is poor drainage and dereliction of duty by regional officials.

McLean said that, in many areas in the township, persons have built stop-offs (earthen bridges) with either no pipe through them or with pipes as narrow as six inches, or sometimes four inches in diameter. In some cases, he said, it is difficult to identify the trench from the road.

“When it rains a bit heavy, (there are) problems in the town, (because the rainfall creates) a sad state of affairs. The town is flood-

ment, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, which are worrying problems in the region.

SEVERELY FLAWED This businessman is contending that the way the region has been handling the problem of suicide is severely flawed.

“We don’t need vigils to address suicide; what we need to do is to get resource persons out in the fields, go house-to-house and meaningfully engage social support organisations; not sit in the office and wait on people with problems to come to you. This is a lazy and uninspiring way to address a serious matter, which is a national problem,” a passionate McLean said.

He said that, given the number of persons on the Essequibo Coast who have become victims of the scourge this year, the region should, as a matter of urgency, set up a suicide hotline to respond promptly to the depressed.

READY Over at the PPP office at Anna Regina, former Region Two Vice Chairman, Vishnu Samaroo, who now serves as supervisor of that office, said the oldest political movement in Guyana will launch “an all-out campaign.”

The PPP is contesting all five of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the municipality in the region. He said the PPP’s List of Candidates submitted on January 26 had some minor errors, but those errors have been corrected, and the party is ready to face the electorate.

Mr Samaroo said party members contesting for places in the NDCs and municipality will shortly put their manifestos to the people, and will be ramping up public and bottom house meetings.

He said some of the burning issues facing the region include low and slow payments to rice farmers, lack of irrigation water, and the generally poor shape of the rice industry.

“The PPP has never wavered (in its commitment to the people), and will continue to champion the cause

A scene from the township of Anna Regina of the people,” Mr Samaroo said, as he criticised the decision of House Speaker

state of the rice industry in the National Assembly.

According to Samaroo, the Speaker had ruled that the issue was a private matter, but

be treated as a matter of urgent national importance, and had also expressed public disagreement with the Speaker’s ruling.

“The PPP has never wavered (on its commitment to the people) and will continue to champion the cause of the people” — PPP Region Two Leader, Vishnu Samaroo

PPP Region Two Leader, Vishnu Samaroo Dr Barton Scotland to turn down a motion to debate the

Samaroo’s opinion of the ruling is erroneous. The Speaker had ruled that although the matter is one of national importance, it did not fit all the criteria to be considered as being of urgent national importance.

The PPP had asked that the issues facing the industry, as stated in the motion,

Mr Samaroo said the loss of the Venezuelan market has contributed to the reduction in prices farmers receive for their rice, and some millers have capitalised on this situation and have refused to pay farmers a decent price for their paddy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 15, 2016

Herbalist joins race to ‘cure’ neglected communities

By Shirley Thomas MR Albert Park, a Herbalist and the Managing Director of First World Symmetry Health Care, is a candidate for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) on March 18.

Bubbling with enthusiasm, and excited about the prospects for the ‘forward march’ with the holding of these long-awaited Local Government Elections, he

is soliciting the support of citizens to be elected Councillor for Community #2 - Kitty North, Central and South Subryanville, in the municipality of Georgetown.

Park promises that, if elected Councillor, he would work assiduously towards seeing the Garden City of Georgetown, and in particular his community, ‘rise again’.

He has declared: “There is no power on earth to keep

Albert Park

us down!

I am aware that the residents of this beautiful City of Georgetown, of which we are a part, are hoping to see the rekindling of yet another light of hope.

And when elected, I, Alfred Park, will do everything in my power to ensure a better life for my constituents in both economic and social terms.

“Let us, as citizens of this constituency, unite and dedicate ourselves -- re-

gardless of political, religious or ethnic persuasions -- to work together for the development of a better community and capital city of Georgetown,” he asserted.

Albert Park has issued a challenge to citizens: “On Election Day, vote wisely and vote for the ‘Lion Head’, so that we can stand together and build our community to ensure total development.”

Cevon’s equips GPHC gym Laparkan awards two customers

By Shirley Thomas

CEVON’S Waste Management has presented gym equipment to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), effectively boosting resources there. This equipment serves to boost resources available at the hospital’s gym, located at the south-eastern end of the upper floor of the Accident and Emergency Building on Quamina Street, Georgetown.

The initiative was the brainchild of Mr Mark Lewis, Cevon’s Head of Security, and the donation was received by Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Mr Allan Johnson, last Thursday.

Johnson expressed gratitude for the donation, and said it was timely, as the GPHC continues to place emphasis on the benefits of exercise to good health.

The gym is being used by both technical and non-technical staffers of the GPHC who

-- with Valentine’s Day dinner

Cevon’s Maintenance Manager Kwesi Boston handing over the gym equipment to CEO of the GPHC, Allan Johnson understand the benefits of exercise to good health. Benefits to be derived through regular exercise include control of weight, strengthening heart and lungs, reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, lowering blood pressure, improving cholesterol levels,

reducing risk of contraction of Type 2 Diabetes and metabolic syndrome, reducing risk of developing colon and breast cancers, strengthening bones and muscles, boosting endurance, improving mental health mood, and adding zest to emotions and sex life.

GPHC CEO, Mr Allan Johnson (third from left), flanked by staff of Cevons. From right are: Kwesi Boston, Maintenance Manager; Maurice Archer, Research and Development Officer; and Andre De Souza, Operations Manager

THE Laparkan Trading Company has awarded the two winners of its GTPAK Valentine’s Day Promotion. This is the third year running for this promotion.

Laparkan provided a complimentary dinner for two at the Marriott Hotel on Valentine’s Day for the winners: Rondhill Wilson, also called ‘Slick’, and Omardath Samaroo. Because of the distance, however, Samaroo was unable to be present at the winners’ award ceremony.

Pondering just who would be the one to share the joyous occasion with him, the excited Wilson said he was quite impressed with the PMB GTPAK service from its beginning, and would encourage other customers to utilise it.

The Laparkan Sales and Marketing Manager, Yonette Jeffers, said customers had a chance to win a variety of prizes by using the Private Mail Box (PMB) GTPAK service during the period January

16, 2016 to February 12, 2016.

In a release, the shipping company said the Valentine’s Day promotion was held in an effort to give back to loyal customers who use the PMB GTPAK service. This service has been available to customers for several years. It is an express service that allows Laparkan customers to make purchases online using their credit cards, and ship to a Laparkan assigned address in the United States.

One of the winners, Rondhill Wilson, in the GTPAK Valentine’s Day promotion (centre) is flanked by officials of Laparkan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

Teenage mothers to be re-integrated into schools

SCHOOL-AGED mothers would now have a better chance to complete their education, because the Ministry of Education recognises they need to be reintegrated into the school system.

This is among a number of areas of concern that have been identified to be confronted in 2016, as the Education Ministry seeks to overcome the challenges and launch new initiatives for the enhancement of the education system. The sum of $40.3B has been allocated to this sector in the 2016 budget.

This improvement would eventually impact the system’s ultimate goal, resulting in the production of ‘better all-round citizens’ and the creation of ‘a better society’, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine explained.

The minister made these remarks as he addressed the House on the focus of the Education Ministry’s agenda during his contribution to the 2016 National Budget debate.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said other areas of concern

identified to be addressed by that Ministry include the need for psycho-social support programmes for schools and residential facilities; provision of more opportunities for continuous professional development; widening of the scope of the Learning Channel; expansion of the Ministry’s radio broadcasts Skills for Life Training programme generally, with emphasis on the hinterland areas; and the need for accommodation for teachers in the hinterland.

The sum of $80M has been budgeted for the latter.

Minister Roopnaraine noted that a number of initiatives are envisaged and provided for in the 2016 Budget, in response to these challenges and in pursuit of the educational objective which the APNU+AFC Coalition Government has set for realisation by 2020.

He explained that some of the initiatives will unfold at the level of policy formulation, while others have advanced to the level of programmatic engagement.

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine BREAKFAST INITIATIVE From a programmatic perspective, he explained, the Breakfast Initiative will be rolled out in four coastal schools, inclusive of Buxton and Enmore, even as its implementation continues in the hinterland; and it will be expanded to cater for 81 percent of the hinterland schools.

For this programme, a total of $1.9B has been budgeted. As a consequence, jobs would also be created for approximately 200 persons.

Additional boats to transport children to and from schools will also be acquired,

and according to the Education Minister, Canje in Region Six has already been earmarked as the next recipient.

Continuing along the path of enhancing welfare, the minister explained that $30M have been allocated for the acquisition of footwear, to be distributed primarily to schools in the hinterland. A total of 31,500 students are slated to benefit from this programme.

The introduction of more school counsellors is also to be undertaken, and rotation of social workers will be introduced at schools that have dormitories.

The Education Ministry has also already embarked on establishment of a Public Relations Unit which will better inform the public about the ongoing efforts and new initiatives of the Ministry, in its quest to improve the education system and ultimately to assure Guyanese of a good life.

The Ministry is also actively pursuing World Bank funding for a successor project for the University of Guy-

ana (UG).

CURRICULUM REVIEW Minister Roopnaraine explained that the World Bank has also indicated its preparedness to consider a new project to facilitate a complete schools’ curriculum review.

In addition, a facilities audit would be undertaken in 2016. This assessment should provide information on the deficits of each and every public education institution with regard to the stipulated standards, Minister Roopnaraine explained. He told the House that, in 2016, some audits were already conducted from the manpower and facilities’ perspective.

Meanwhile, from the standpoint of policy, the Ministry would be embarking on quite a few new initiatives. Among those will be a policy in relation to the reintegration of teenage mothers into the school system, Minister Roopnaraine said.

He added that policy initiatives would be undertaken in relation to how teachers can be recruited and retained in the hinterland; and in this regard, data collection is

already being done, so that evidence-based policy can be formulated.

On the agenda for policy formulation, as well, is the issue of utilisation of school facilities for extra-curricular activities, with a literacy programme and a technical and vocational programme being highest among them.

The development of a new appraisal instrument for assessing teachers should also be completed in 2016, the Minister said.

Of the sector’s total allocation, the sum of $4.3B has been earmarked for infrastructural development.

Included in this aspect is the completion of the Kato Secondary School complex and construction of new buildings for the Peter’s Hall Primary, South Road Nursery, and the Aurora and Golden Grove Secondary schools.

The sum of $2.2B has been allocated for post-secondary education, for equipping and upgrading technical institutes and training centres. UG has been allocated the sum of $3.2B for its upgrade.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 15, 2016

UG boosts Computer Science Department

WITH people of all walks of life demonstrating a growing interest in technology, the University of Guyana is rolling out three new certifications and two upgraded courses under the Department of Computer Science.

Speaking to members of the media on Friday at the Department’s annual computer science exhibition, Head of the Department, Len Singh, said, “Our department is appreciative of the requirements that industries expect of our graduates. In this regard we are moving towards implementing new programmes and courses that will address the need of our local and global industrial partners. We hope to achieve this without compromising the dreams of developing into true computer scientists.”

These programmes, he noted, will include an upgraded existing diploma in computer science to an associate of science, as well as an upgraded bachelor of science in computer science.

Under the theme, “Optimising our tomorrow by shaping young minds of today”, Singh said the University intends to continuously boost the capacity of the department as time goes by.

As such, with the use of the exhibition, the Department of Computer Science is hoping to attract potential computer science students as well as show employers what the students are capable of doing.

Students, particularly final year students, showcased projects which they had completed as members of the private sector, given that almost every job requires persons to be as part of their research work and final-year project. computer literate.

Being an annual event, the students are given a chance to exhibit their teachings and Students’ projects ranged from the creation of a new SMS boosting system, a system creations, not only to fellow students, but also to potential and aspiring students, as well that will decrease the number of accidents, along with a whole host of other fascinating things that would not just impress potential students but also the average person.

The University of Guyana Computer Science programme provides opportunities for students to master and apply the computer skills they will need in the future, when they are let into the world of work. The knowledge areas currently covered in the programmes include computer graphics, information systems, simulation, and modelling and software engineering.

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Heydorn’s beauty pilots Guyana to 2 – 1 win over Guatemala From back page was too hard and it (the ball) landed in the path of Heydorn, Who then cranked up from about 30 yards out from goal and let loose a thunderous right-footed shot that went sailing over the head of Franco who was caught off her goal-line.

Pandemonium broke loose in the stands. Guatemala’s goal scorer Lucia Martinez tried, but failed to come up with the equalising goal; but would only want to blame the excellent glove-work by Sandiford in goal for Guyana.

Earlier in the game, both teams created their equal set of chances, but it was the Central Americans who came close to finding the goal.

In the first half, Captain Ashley Rodrigues went down in the penalty area, but Referee Tatiana Guzman said “play on”. However, the play looked questionable after reply showed the Lady Jags play-maker was clipped from behind by the Guatemalan defender.

Sandiford was called upon to make some crucial saves for Guyana ,who would now face Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday in a must-win game, if they want to be one of the two team’s advancing from Group B. Match Stats: Guyana starting line-up: Chante Sandiford (GK), Alison Heydorn, Briana De Souza,Lea Ramalho, Justine Rodrigues, Ashlee Savona, Ashley Rodrigues (Captain), Otesha Charles, Kailey Leila, Julia Gonsalves and Oliva Gonsalves.

Substitutions: 45th minute - Mariam El-Masri IN (Julia Gonsalves Out), 62nd minute – Brittany Persaud IN (Otesha Charles OUT), 80th minute – Kayla De Souza IN (Leah Ramalho OUT).

GOALS: Mariam El-Masri (71’), Alison Heydorn (76’).

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Tour De Var 08:50 hrs Jaguar 09:20 hrs Glinka 09:55 hrs Take Two Turns 10:30 hrs Seattle Spice ENGLISH RACING TIPS Plumpton 10:00 hrs Bella 11:00 hrs Cannon Fodder 11:30 hrs The Cider Maker 12:00 hrs Torero

12:30 hrs Lord Bryan CATTERICK 10:10 hrs Yes I Did 10:40 hrs Sailors Warn 11:10 hrs Askamore Darsi 11:40 hrs So Satisfied 12:10 hrs Another Hero 12:40 hrs Very First Time WOLVERHAMPTON 09:50 hrs Lizzy’s Dream 10:20 hrs Fairy Foxglove 10:50 hrs Beauly 11:20 hrs Pass The Time 11:50 hrs Gabster 12:20 hrs Solar Diety 12:50 hrs Toga Tiger AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 Percussion Race 2 Quiet Kitten Race 3 Scuba Sue Race 4 Bull Dozer Race 5 Moonshine Promise Race 6 Ousby Race 7 Purely Boy Race 8 Trouble Kid Race 9 Manchurian High

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

Aussies tighten grip on first Test after Voges 239

By Greg Stutchbury WELLINGTON, (Reuters)-Brendon McCullum’s dismissal in the final over of the day put Australia firmly in control of the first Test in Wellington yetserday as

made his debut in the Caribbean last June, has scored 1,267 runs in a bountiful test career to date, boasting an average of 97.46.

“I’m giving myself every chance to get in each time I bat and when I do

Adam Voges kisses the badge after raising his second double-ton of the summe in Wellingtonr, New Zealand, yesterday,

New Zealand were reduced to 178-4, still 201 runs behind the tourists’ mammoth first innings of 562.

Trapped lbw by Mitchell Marsh for 10, the captain’s wicket all but ended New Zealand’s hopes of saving the test at the end of the third day’s play.

Debutant Henry Nicholls was on 31 and will be joined by Corey Anderson when play resumes.

McCullum scored 302 and batted for almost 13 hours to save his team against India on the same ground two years ago, but was unable to mount any sort of a rescue against the Australians.

The 34-year-old appeared anxious and was almost caught behind the wicket twice before all-rounder Marsh removed him with three balls left before stumps.

Adam Voges earlier scored his second Test double-century to drive Australia to a 379-run first innings lead.

The late-blooming Voges, who was 35 when he

get in I’m hungry to score big runs,” Voges told reporters. “It has been a great day to get to 200 and to get us into a great position is a very satisfying feeling.”

New Zealand’s second innings had begun promisingly enough with Tom Latham and Martin Guptill putting on 81 for

the first wicket.

Guptill’s fall for 45, however, appeared a wasted chance as he had looked well set before slogging off-spinner Nathan Lyon to Marsh at extra cover.

Kane Williamson and Latham took their side through to tea but Williamson fell shortly afterwards for 22 when he feathered a Josh Hazlewood delivery through to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

Latham also wasted a golden opportunity to push on when he fell to a poor shot off Lyon for 63 after notching his seventh half-century.

“There are a couple of guys who would be disappointed with their dismissal, but they batted well,” New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said.

“We want the guys to show intent and be aggressive but sometimes that can go wrong. Sometimes those dismissals look worse than others but for me as long as the guys show the positive intent we will be better off for it.”

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 183 (J. Hazlewood 4-42) Australia 1st innings (Overnight: 463-6) J. Burns c Watling b Southee 0 D. Warner c Watling b Southee 5 U. Khawaja lbw b Boult 140 S. Smith c&b Craig 71 A. Voges c&b Craig 239 M. Marsh c&b Boult 0 P. Nevill c Watling b Anderson 32 P. Siddle c Anderson b Bracewell 49 J. Hazlewood c Southee b Bracewell 8 N. Lyon c&b Anderson 3 J. Bird not out 3 Extras (b-4 lb-3 nb-3 w-2) 12 Total (all out, 154.2 overs) 562 Fall of wickets: 1-0 J. Burns,2-5 D. Warner,3-131 S. Smith,4-299 U. Khawaja,5-299 M. Marsh,6-395 P. Nevill,7-494 P. Siddle,8-508 J. Hazlewood,9-532 N. Lyon,10-562 A. Voges Bowling: T. Southee 31 - 5 - 87 - 2(w-1),T. Boult 33 - 6 - 101 – 2, D. Bracewell 33 - 4 - 127 - 2(nb-2), C. Anderson 18 - 0 - 79 - 2(nb-1 w-1), M. Craig 35.2 - 2 - 153 – 2, K. Williamson 4 - 0 - 8 – 0.

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings T. Latham c Khawaja b Lyon 63 M. Guptill c M. Marsh b Lyon 45 K. Williamson c Nevill b Hazlewood 22 H. Nicholls not out 31 B. McCullum lbw b M. Marsh 10 Extras (b-1 lb-4 nb-2) 7 Total (for 4 wickets, 62.3 overs) 178 Fall of wickets: 1-81 M. Guptill,2-121 K. Williamson,3-157 T. Latham,4-178 B. McCullum To bat: C. Anderson, B. Watling, D. Bracewell, M. Craig, T. Southee, T. Boult Bowling: J. Hazlewood 17 - 3 - 42 – 1,J. Bird 11 - 2 - 26 - 0(nb-1), P. Siddle 8 - 0 - 30 – 0, M. Marsh 9.3 - 1 - 40 - 1(nb-1) N. Lyon 17 - 6 - 35 – 2.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

AB de Villiers smashes South Carty, Paul steer Windies Africa to ODI series win

By Nick Said

C A P E TO W N , ( R e u ters)-South Africa captain AB de Villiers smashed an unbeaten 101 in his 200th one-day international to lead the hosts to a five-wicket victory over England and a 3-2 series win yesterday.

England spluttered to 236 all out in 45 overs after being sent in to bat at Newlands despite a second ODI century of his career for opener Alex Hales.

South Africa slumped to 22-3 in reply but a magnificent fourth-wicket stand of 125 between De Villiers and Hashim Amla (59) steadied the ship and the captain was there at the end to finish it off as they reached their target with 36 balls left.

De Villiers’ 24th ODI

century came from 94 balls with 11 fours and a six.

“I’ve been a bit off my

AB de Villiers smashes an unbeaten 101 game in the last month or so, so it’s nice to finish like that,” De Villiers said at the post-match presentation.

“It’s an integral part of being a captain, you’ve got to lead from the front, you can’t just chip in with small performances.”

The Proteas are the first team since Pakistan in 2005 to come back from 2-0 down in an ODI series and claim victory, and just the fourth in the history of the 50-over game.

“I didn’t think we were that far off in the first two ODIs so the belief was still there, we just had to find a little bit of confidence and that’s where things turned around,” De Villiers said.

ADMIRABLE PATIENCE Man of the Series Hales had scored half-centuries in each of the four previous matches but finally converted to three figures, to his obvious relief.

His 112 came from 128 balls and included 14 fours as he showed admirable patience.

The next highest score in the England innings was a brisk 29 from Ben Stokes as indifferent shot selection ensured the tourists lost wickets at regular intervals.

Hales put on 61 for the second wicket with Joe Root (27) and 70 for the fourth with Stokes, but there was little else of substance as captain Eoin Morgan (2) again failed to deliver.

“We were outplayed here today,” Morgan said. “We did have chances in previous games to wrap up the series but we weren’t good enough.

“The chances probably would have been taken if we had more experience, but we are growing and learning as a side.”

GCB congratulates WI U-19 team for first World Cup title

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is extending congratulations to the West Indies U-19 team on their first World Cup title, which they captured yesterday in defeating India by five wickets in the International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup 2016.

Our boys played particularly well throughout the tournament, exemplifying great team work ethics, and timely individual performances. Throughout the tournament, the players assume the necessary leadership roles with the bat, the

ball, and while in the fielding – taking whatever individual responsibility was required for the progress of the team.

Such a collaborative effort must be recognised and acknowledged, as it epitomises the characteristics of professionalism that is required by West Indies and regional teams.

We are extremely proud of the attributes demonstrated by our young West Indies Team as they consistently exhibited their expertise in a “We can do It, We must do it, and We shall do it manner.” Such burgeoning

commitment to West Indies cricket is semblance of the player characteristics of the West Indies dominant teams of yesteryear.

We congratulates this young team on their invaluable accomplishment and encourage the players to continue to advance by building on their exhibited valuable attributes to ensure that the saying “Our Youths are our Future” is illustrated by this crop of players.

The GCB sincerely believes that the time is opportune to make the necessary

adjustments to our WICB PCL Regional Tournament to ensure the continued growth and development of our young West Indies players.

The GCB stands ready to host, integrate and nurture such a promising group of players in a cricket developmental structure that has proven beneficial to our Guyanese players over the years.

We are prepared to support new initiatives that will once again propel West Indies Cricket to the pinnacle of world cricket.

WICB president praises U-19 team on its first World Cup win ST. JOHN’s, Antigua - West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President, Dave Cameron is expressing heartiest congratulations on behalf of the Board and Management, to the players and management of the under 19 team, which won the World Cup for the first time.

Cameron credits the over 15 months of preparation the team underwent which he thinks “gave them the tools necessary to win the title.”

The five-wicket win Cameron says “was intense, but the players showed resilience and patience required to take them through to the

very end. The region is proud this morning of the achievements of this team and we see a clear path to the development of our future stars.”

Cameron thinks, “this was a comprehensive team effort and this is indicative of how we would like to move forward with all categories of our game.”

The President in expressing his joy said, “it was a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift to all the people in the Caribbean.”

He also wanted to highlight the contribution of the families of the young men. He noted also that the team will be appropriately recognised once they return home.

to U-19 ...

From back page

as Chemar Holder, who was brought back in for a new spell, sent him back with an awaygoing delivery that was well pouched by Imlach behind the stumps.

Sensing the inevitable, Sarfaraz tried to break the shackles and found his hitting range, sweetly timing a flick over midwicket for six. He also brought up a half-century off 83 deliveries before perishing in an effort to up the ante. While he was clearly far from his best, Sarfaraz was still miles ahead with his judgment in lengths.

With India collapsing in heaps, the inaccuracy of the West Indies bowlers went unnoticed as they conceded as many as 23 extras by the time India’s innings came to a grinding hat in 45.1 overs.

Any thoughts of a regulation chase was quickly put on the backburner as India came back hard; West Indies slipping from 67 for 2 to 77 for 5 in the 29th over. The man who orchestrated the comeback was Mayank Dagar, the left-arm spinner, who teased the batsmen with his gentle flight and drift.

Shimron Hetmyer, the captain, lofted one to long-on, while Shamar Springer top-edged a hoick to long-off.

In Dagar’s next over, Jyd Goolie’s attempt to blast him down the ground ended up in a sharp caught and bowled, making West Indies lose their third wicket in six overs.

Paul and Carty had to dig deep. That Carty had an opportunity to do so was courtesy a reprieve when Sarfaraz put down a sharp chance at slip off Dagar. But the pair battled slowly to ensure India’s biggest threat was safely negotiated.

As the innings progressed, India began to get edgy as Pant failed to hold on to a thin edge off Carty in Dagar’s last over. As if to break the shackles, he was lofted down the ground for six in the same over. Slowly, the equation boiled down to 24 off the last five overs.

With nine needed off the last two overs, Paul’s attempted inside-out hit over cover resulted in him hitting one towards Avesh Khan, who put down a tough chance even as the ball was dying on him. Carty then reached a half-century off 122 balls.

By then, the celebration had well and truly begun in the West Indies camp. The party had kickstarted in earnest when Paul’s top edge flew over the keeper’s head to bring an end to a pulsating clash.

SCOREBOARD INDIA U19s R Pant st Imlach b Joseph 1 Ishan Kishan lbw b Joseph 4 Anmolpreet Singh c wkp Imlach b Joseph 3 Washington Sundar c Joseph b John 7 S Khan lbw b John 51 Armaan Jaffer c Paul b Springer 5 M Lomror c wkp Imlach b Holder 19 M Dagar c Carty b John 8 R Batham c wkp Imlach b Paul 21 Avesh Khan c John b Paul 1 K Ahmed not out 2 Extras (b2, lb5, w16) 23 TOTAL (all out, 45.1 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-8, 3-27, 4-41, 5-50, 6-87, 7-116, 8-120, 9-123, 10-145.

Bowling: Joseph 10-0-39-3 (w5), Holder 10-2-20-1 (w6), John 10-0-383, Springer 9-1-24-1, Paul 6.1-0-17-2 (w4).

WEST INDIES U19s G Pope c Ahmed b Avesh Khan 3 T Imlach c Lomror b Ahmed 15 S Hetmyer c Armaan Jaffer b Dagar 23 K Carty not out 52 S Springer c Armaan Jaffer b Dagar 3 J Goolie c & b Dagar 3 K Paul not out 40 Extras (lb1, w6) 7 TOTAL (5 wkts, 49.3 overs) 146 Did not bat: M Frew, R John, A Joseph, C Holder Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-28, 3-67, 4-71, 5-77.

Bowling: Avesh Khan 10-1-29-1, Ahmed 9.3-2-32-1 (w3), Sundar 9-118-0, Batham 3-0-12-0 (w1), Lomror 8-0-29-0 (w2), Dagar 10-1-25-3.

Man-of-the-Match: Keacy Carty.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 15, 2016

Windies players sign contracts for World T20

ST JOHN’S – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has 12 signed contracts from players who were selected for the upcoming 2016 ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

Those players who were originally named in the 15man squad include: Darren Sammy – captain, Sulieman Benn, Jason Holder, Andre Fletcher, Dwayne Bravo, Samuel Badree, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Denesh Ramdin and Chris

Gayle.

Following the withdrawal of Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard, selectors have named Ashley Nurse and Carlos Brathwaite respectively, to replace them.

Middle-order batsman, Darren Bravo has since written to the selectors.

Indeed I’m very grateful and humbled for the opportunity to represent the West Indies Cricket Team at the World Cup. However, I’m of the firm belief that I have a very big part to play

..Darren Bravo opts to play in PCL

Darren Bravo

Darren Sammy

Spurs beat Manchester City to keep title hopes bubbling

(REUTERS)- Christian Eriksen celebrated his 24th birthday with the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur when they beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium yesterday to stay second in the Premier League table.

Spurs broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute after referee Mark Clattenburg ruled that City’s Raheem Sterling had handled in the area even though he turned his back as Danny

But that did not worry Kane who fired his spot kick down the centre of the goal and past his England team mate Joe Hart into the net.

Ya y a To u r e a l m o s t equalised for the home side when he hit the bar with a 57th minute free

Christian Eriksen

Rose crossed and the ball hardly seemed to hit his arm.

Volcanoes facing defeat

BRIDGETOWN – Windward Islands Volcanoes, trailing Barbados Pride by 200 runs, are in danger of an innings defeat after struggling to 134 for seven off 49 overs in their second innings at the close of play on the third day of their WICB Regional Professional Cricket League sixth round first-class match at Kensington Oval here yesterday.

The batsman dismissed were opener Tyrone Theophile (six), Johnson Charles (25), Sunil Ambris (three), Keddy Lesporis (29), Andre Fletcher (25), Kavem Hodge for a firstball “duck” and captain Liam Sebastien (seven).

Off-spinner Roston Chase has taken three wickets for 19 runs in 15 overs while the experienced left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn has two for 38 in 19 overs. There was one wicket each for fast bowler Miguel Cummins and Carlos Brathwaite.

Earlier, Barbados Pride, resuming from 272 for two overnight, replying to the Volcanoes’ first innings total of 250, declared at 450 for five with Chase unbeaten 40 and Shane Dowrich not out on 24.

kick, but they were soon level when Kelechi Iheanacho swept a cross from Gael Clichy into the roof of the Spurs net.

Eriksen though gave Spurs all three points when he scored in the 83rd minute after a surging run from Erik Lamela.

Notable Dates

Wayne Harris was 35 years old when he challenged Stephane Ouellet on February 15, 2000 in Montreal, Canada. Ouellet, a former Canadian and Continental of Americas middleweight champion, won the bout by TKO after referee Gerry Bolen called a halt with one second remaining in the sixth round.

The fight was scheduled for eight rounds. The defeat started a downward plunge for Harris who lost the next seven encounters over a five year period. Harris came from a family of boxers.

His younger brother Vivian remains the youngest Guyanese male to have won a world title. The elder Harris started fighting in the professional ranks in December 1984 and his career would end 22 years later.

The Pisces born fighter won the World Boxing

Wayne Harris Council (WBC) FECARBOX middleweight title on December 15, 1990 with a points decision victory over Trinidadian Anthony Brown. Harris would challenge WBA middleweight champion American Reggie Johnson on May 4, 1993 but gave a lacklustre performance and was defeated via unanimous decision.

in the resurgence of West Indies cricket in the longer formats of the game and I will like the opportunity to play in our Professional Cricket League (PCL) because it will put me in good stead and will allow me to achieve those goals that I have aligned myself for the year 2016 and beyond,” Bravo said.

His replacement will be named shortly.West Indies

are ranked No. 2 in the Twenty20 format of the game and were the winners in 2012.

The tournament is set for March 8 to April 3 in India.

Details of the pre-tournament camp will be released soon.

Players had protested a reduction in salary for the tournament, prompting Sammy to write a letter to the WICB which had given the players a Sunday deadline to sign the contracts.

Night two full of close shaves in Guinness football

THE second night of the West Coast/Bank and East Bank Zone of the Guinness Greatest In Da Street had close victories by all eight victors at the Pouderoyen Tarmac on Saturday.

Champion Boys bounced backed with a 1 – 0 victory over Water Street Agricola as Kevin Rahat registered the lone goal in the 13th minute.

Showstoppers eased past Patentia Street Ballers 2 – 0 with a third-minute goal from Owen McGarrel and a late second half goal from Marvin Josiah (25th).

Crane Raiders’ 1 – 0 win over De Kinderen United came on the back of goal scored in the 14th minute by Kevon Jones.

Comfort Ballers registered an eventful 1 – 0 win over Samaroo Dam as Mark Boyce scored in the 11th then the following minute Nathan Allicock picked up a rare red card following a spitting incident the next minute.

Eon Alfred scored in the 11th minute for Bagotstown Warriors who needled Harmony Ballers while Gadi Hoyte’s goal in the seventh was all it took to win against Best Road Ballers.

Agricola Upsetters claimed their second win with a 1 – 0 results over Shattaville Gunners.

Jermin Jefford scored the decider in the eight minute.

Meanwhile, West Side Ballers and Harmony Ballers ‘B’ went down to penalty kicks to separate the two sides.

As keeping with the rules of the tournament, it went down to penalty kicks to decide a winner after the match ended 1 – 1 at the final whistle.

Harmony drew first blood in the 16th minute through a Keifer Adams strike but Morgan Denny equalized in the 23rd which put them right back in the game. However, it was Harmony Ballers ‘B’ that prevailed 1 – 0 in the penalty shootout.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 15, 2016

Johnson, Permaul put Guyana Jaguars in commanding position ...Guyana Jaguars captain slams unbeaten

By Rajiv Bisnauth SKIPPER Leon Johnson fashioned a scintillating unbeaten 111 as Guyana Jaguars further consolidated their position with an overall lead of 302 runs, at stumps on the penultimate day of their sixth-round West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day game against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Guyana National Stadium The Jaguars were 244-4, in their second innings after they secured a first innings lead of 58 runs.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul produced a mesmerising spell,taking 5-65 to skittle out the hapless visitors for 179.

In fact ,Johnson was dropped on two occasions, but he capitalised on the reprieves and his innings was a mixture of elegance and power as the 28-year-old looked determined from the start.

When the bails were lifted, Johnson had so far faced 175 balls in his 241 minutes at the crease. He struck 11 fours and a six, while Anthony Bramble is the other not

Leon Johnson acknowledges his teammates and small gathering of spectators after reaching his third first-class century out batsman on 39.

Johnson got good support from Tagnarine Chanderpaul (42) as the duo shared a 71-run stand for the third-wicket that really set the platform for the host.

Off-spinner Jon Russ Jagessar was the lone destructive force for the Red Force, claiming all four of the Jaguars second innings wickets so far.

Despite Permaul’s figures, the visitors proved architects of their own downfall,when they were skittled out during the morning session, in reply to the Jaguars’ total of 237.

They managed to add just 43 in 27.3 overs.

Resuming at the overnight score at 136-3, and with a deficit

of 101, the Red Force batsmen Yannic Cariah and Jason Mohammed continued their efforts, occupying the morning session for 33 minutes.

However, it needed a superb delivery from Permaul to dislodge the right-handed Cariah.

Cariah added just nine to his overnight 58, before he was caught at forward short-leg by Chanderpaul in the ninth over of the morning. His innings of 68 spanned 154 balls, inclusive of six fours and a six.

The Red Force predicament was accentuated by the dismissal of skipper Jason Mohammed.

Permaul struck the big blow to the visitors’ hopes when he trapped Mohammed (30) leg be-

fore, immediately after Cariah’s dismissal, with one that kept straight after pitching.

Permaul continued with his classical exhibition of left-arm spin bowling that left the visitors bemused when he removed both Steven Katwaroo (1) and Rayad Emrit (0), thanks to sharp slip catches by Leon Johnson and Assad Fudadin, to complete his five-wicket haul.

Leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo then got into the act, removing Imran Khan without scoring and Marlon Richards for one at 173-9.

Bishoo (3-48), then completed the demolishon job by trapping Yannick Ottley for a fighting 13.

Batting a second time, the Jaguars openers, Chanderpaul and Rajendra Chandrika then negotiated the six overs before the luncheon interval to reach 21 without loss, A lot was expected from the pair after the interval, but Jagessar was able to eject the promising right-hander, Chandrika for 22.

Things got better for the tourists when Jagessar had Assad Fudadin (0), caught off bat-

Brigadier Phillips retains GNRA Presidency

CHIEF of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Mark Phillips HAS retained the presidency of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) following its annual General meeting and election of office bearers over the weekend.

The body has also re-

tained its two vice- presidents in Richard Fields and Paul Slowe while the Honourable Secretary remains Ryan Sampson.

Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Terrence Stuart will take up the helm as the new treasurer and replaces Ray Beharry while the assis-

tant secretary/treasurer is Hemant Narine.

Mahendra Persaud retains the full bore captaincy while his deputy is Dylan Fields .The Smallbore Captain is Dale Hing and vice-captain is Gordon Richards The Committee members are Dr. Johan DaSilva, Len-

nox Braithwaite, Sherwin Felicien while the auditors are Murtland Smith who replaces Terrene Stuart and Leo Ramalho.

Prior to the election of office bearers, Secretary Sampson gave an overview of the body’s activity for the 2015 year.

The new executive committee of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA)

pad at forward short leg without scoring, playing defensively forward to a delivery that spun sharply. Both wickets fell at 40.

The Red Force continued to bowl with discipline, but the flat pitch was unforgiving, and Chanderpaul and Johnson started the host’s revival.

Johnson was given a life on ten, but apart from that slice of luck, Johnson played with much comfort, mixing sound defence with aggression.

Chanderpaul, meanwhile, was calmly building his innings before rain intervened with the Jaguars on 74-2.

During the final session, the pair added a further 37 runs before Chanderpaul was dismissed in unfortunate manner for 42.

Chanderpaul pushed forward to a Jagessar delivery, and although silly mid-off was not able to take the catch, the

ball rebounded to the short extra cover fielder, where Marlon Richards completed the offering.

First innings centurion Vishal Singh joined Johnson, and began in an attacking mood, hitting four sweetly timed boundaries before Johnson reached his 26 FirstClass half-century from 98 balls, aided with four fours and a six.

However, a lack of concentration caused Singh his demise when Jagessar trapped him plumb in front for 23.

Johnson, who was also put down on 91, was in company with Anthony Bramble when he registered his third firstclass ton from 162 balls, with ten fours and a six.

The pair then took the host safely to the close. Play resumes today at 09:30h.

SCOREBOARD

T&T RED FORCE 1st innings E Lewis c Bishoo b Joseph 26 K Hope c Johnson b Permaul 9 Y Cariah c Chanderpaul b Permaul 68 N Deonarine lbw b Reifer 18 J Mohammed lbw b Permaul 30 Y Ottley lbw b Bishoo 13 S Katwaroo c Johnson b Permaul 1 R Emrit c Fudadin b Permaul 0 I Khan c Reifer b Bishoo 0 M Richards c Reifer b Bishoo 1 JR Jagessar not out 3 Extras: (nb-9, lb-2) 11 Total: (all out; 70.3 overs) 179 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-49, 3-98, 4-159,5-161, 6-167, 7-167, 8-167, 9-173, 10-179 Bowling: Joseph 16-3-34-1, Reifer 10-3-20-1, Permaul 22-6-65-5,

Bishoo 17.3-5-48-3, Motie 5-3-10-0 GUYANA Jaguars 2nd innings T Chanderpaul c Richards b Jagessar 42 R Chandrika b Jagessar 22 A Fudadin c Ottley b Jagessar 0 L Johnson not out 111 V Singh lbw b Jagessar 23 A Bramble not out 39 Extras: (nb-2, w-3, lb-4, b-6) 1 5 Total: (for four wickets; 69 overs) 244 Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-40, 3-111, 4-159 Bowling: R Emrit14-4-43-0, M Richards 10-0-58-0, J Jagessar 25-5-67-4, N Deonarine 10-414-0, I Khan 4-0-23-0, Y Cariah 6-0-32-0

Scorpions fall to 85-run defeat to Hurricanes

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Scorpions slipped to an 85-run defeat to Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) four-day match at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Starting the day on 58-2 in need of 366 runs for victory, the Scorpions were dismissed for 280.

Scores: Hurricanes 155 & 368-8 declared; Scorpions 158 & 280.

Kirk Edwards led the scoring for the Scorpions, hitting 13 fours and three sixes in his knock of 93.

Burly off-spin-

Rahkeem Cornwall ner Rahkeem Cornwall grabbed 7-131 for the Hurricanes, who were winning their first game of the 2015/16 season.

See Guyana story on page Jaguars 23 captain slams unbeaten 111 LEON JOHNSON

Carty, Paul steer Windies to U-19 World Cup glory WEST Indies’ mix of high-speed hustle with the ball and patience with the bat help them beat pre-tournament favourites India by five wickets in a tense final in Mirpur yesterday to lift their maiden Under-19 World Cup title.

India, who were bowled out for 145, held their own and fought till the end admirably until Keemo Paul and Man-of-the-Match Keacy Carty’s ice-cool approach helped West Indies eat into the target and eventually cross the line with three balls to spare.

That meant India lost a Youth ODI for the first time since their quarterfinal exit of the same tournament in 2014.

India’s crash began with Rishabh Pant wandering outside his crease, only to find wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach flick an underarm throw back to the stumps to catch him unaware.

Imlach’s match awareness that gave

them a breakthrough off the fourth ball of the morning set the tone for a dominating display against a batting unit high on confidence.

Anmolpreet Singh, who had done well in the two knockout games prior to the grand finale fell next as he was unable to get his bat out of the way to a rising Alzarri Joseph delivery in the third over, as he gloved a nick to the wicketkeeper Then came a blow that ended Ishan Kishan’s run of poor scores as he played across the line and was trapped lbw, even though replays showed the ball had pitched just outside leg stump. When Washington Sundar chipped a simple catch to mid-off, a top order wobble seemed complete at 41 for 4 in the 15th over.

India needed a rescue act, but West Indies didn’t drop their intensity even by an inch as Arman Jaffer found out while driving away to

A smiling West Indies captain Shimron Hetmyer receives the Under-19 trophy from ICC president Zaheer Abbas. the cover fielder to leave Sarfaraz Khan with the unenviable task of reviving the innings and batting through, like he had done for most parts of the tournament.

He did so by adding 37 with Mahipal

Lomror, who sweetly timed two fours in his 43-ball 19. Even as a recovery looked a sudden possibility came yet another blow See page 21

Heydorn’s beauty pilots Guyana to 2 – 1 win over Guatemala –Lady Jags scores Guyana’s first win in a CONCACAF tournament

By Rawle Toney in Houston, Texas

The Celebration! Alison Heydorn (#2) celebrates after scoring her game winning goal against Guatemala yesterday at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Texas.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9

ALISON Heydorn scored Guyana’s game-winning goal in the 76th minute, as the Lady Jags came from behind to defeat Guatemala 2 – 1, yesterday at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Texas, to keep their Rio Olympic dreams alive.

The win was also historic, as much as it was of great significance, since it was Guyana’s first at a CONCACAF tournament, with this being their second game. The Guyanese women went winless at the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Playing in their second game of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier tournament, which is being used to select the Confederation’s two representatives for Brazil later this year, the Lady Jags, as they are more popularly known, held their nerves to rebound from being down 1 – 0 in the 54th minute, when Guatemala scored through Ana Lucia Martinez.

Guatemala, according to match statis-

tics, enjoyed 54% of ball possession and had more complete passes than the Lady Jags.

Head Coach Mark Rodrigues made some adjustments to his starting line-up from the team that went down 5 – 0 to Canada last Thursday, replacing Mariam El-Masri and Kayla De Souza with Julia Gonsalves and Lea Ramalho.

El-Masri had scored Guyana’s equalising goal against Jamaica in the CFU qualifier last year, and the Canada-based forward replicated her feat in the 71st minute, when she collected a through-ball from Captain Ashley Rodrigues and placed her effort past the arms of Guatemala’s Yoselin Franco.

The Guyanese supporters went wild in the stands and would get crazier at the Houston Dynamos’ facility five minutes later.

El-Masri had a play broken up on the right wing when attacking Guatemala’s goal, but the defender’s touch on the ball See page 19 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016