Chronicle 02 16 2016

No. 104464

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

Schoolboy with Zika - Health Ministry steps up fogging - More than 5,000 treated mosquito nets distributed

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See stories on pages

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Composite photo shows Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Minister Raphael Trotman squaring off on Monday as the process for the passage of budget 2016 began. Teixiera demanded immediate answers to her questions, while Trotman, a former Speaker, argued that when the PPP was in office, the Opposition accepted that some answers could not be provided immediately, but could wait for the answers to be submitted at a later date (Samuel Maughn photos)

Government, ‘Taliban’ sentenced Barama discuss to 17 years; 8 farmhand new agreement Attempted murder of Berbice plantain farmer…

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gets 12 years

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy…

Venezuelan Opposition wants ‘mediation’ with Guyana 7 Page

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HIGH DRAMA

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

- as process for passage of Budget 2016 begins - Ministry of the Presidency, Prime Minister, other estimates cleared THE National Assembly on Monday night approved the $4.8B current and capital expenditure for the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) when considerations of the estimates for Budget 2016 began.

The total represents four billion, three hundred and ninety-eight million, nine hundred and ninety-two thousand dollars ($4,398,992,000) for total current expenditure; while the sum of four hundred and thirty-six million, nine hundred and forty-five thousand dollars ($436,945,000) represents the total for capital expenditure.

But the approval of the expenditure for the subject ministry was not without objection from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The Opposition was quite interested in the number of contract employees attached to the Ministry, and this resulted in much drama between the two sides.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, was called upon by the Committee of Supply to state the four highest and lowest paid persons employed under the MoTP by Opposition Member and former Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford.

It was then that Harmon disclosed that Guyana’s lead negotiator on Climate Change, Andrew Bishop, was the highest paid contract worker. He receives in excess of $1.35M per month. Following Bishop is Head of the E-Governance Project, Floyd Levi, who is paid $930,000; Chairman of the Civil Defence Commission, Chabulall Ramsarup, receives $830,000; while Janelle Christian, Head of the Climate Change Unit, receives a salary of $700,000.

The four persons who receive the lowest salaries from the MoTP earn the minimum wage. They were identified as three cleaners and a handyman.

Before providing the names of the four highest and lowest paid workers, Minister Harmon had requested to provide that information to the House in writing today, but Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira objected, stating: “I am sure Mr Harmon has it in front of him. I do not agree with giving him until tomorrow. I call on you to uphold what was demanded of the Opposition!”

But Chairman of the Committee of Supply, Dr. Barton Scotland, cautioned the Opposition parliamentarian about “pushing the envelope.” With there being an increase in the number of contracted employees from 162 last year to 288 this year, PPP Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill asked the reason for the increase in contracted workers, their dates of appointment and the process used for their engagement.

The Minister of State indicated that the increase by 126 persons represents an increase across-the-board of persons employed since May 2015. He explained that several ministries and departments that were independent are now part of the MoTP. “What we have seen is basically a coming together of ministries and departments; therefore, those hirings were conducted,” Harmon said, noting that the “persons were employed based on a need and a vacancy that existed when we took office.”

The Minister, in response to the process used for recruiting the contract workers, said most of the persons were identified for the available posts based on the urgent needs at the time; some of the vacancies were advertised.

“Persons were identified. They were interviewed; some of them were advertised and some were identified based on

a need that was identified and was urgent. They were interviewed by a panel,” he said.

Edghill then demanded that proof of the advertisements be circulated for verification, and Harmon committed to providing all information requested this morning. But even as Harmon committed to providing the requested information to the Opposition MPs, Teixeira requested that the Chairman of the Committee of

such, ought to appear under the Ministry of Public Security’s expenditure. However, Harmon said SOCU is currently going through a transition phase.

“SOCU is being transitioned out. We are now moving; it is going to where it belongs,” he said in response to Teixeira’s assertions that the Unit “has no place under the Ministry of the Presidency.”

Teixeira was overly vocal, and made known her par-

PPP Member of Parliament Juan Edghill

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Supply, Dr. Scotland, defer the vote on the expenditure for that section of the MoTP until the information is provided.

She argued that her request was a reasonable one and was allowed in the past; however, Minister of Natural Resources, former Speaker Raphael Trotman, objected to the request and argument proffered by Teixeira, noting that when he was Speaker the majority of the answers to questions were not provided.

“We never held up the business of Government,” Trotman said, but Teixeira pleaded that the Opposition was not attempting to disrupt the affairs of the House.

The $2.6 billion expenditure for the Policy Development and Administration Section under the MoTP was protected

by Minister Harmon, who said the explanations provided to the House would not affect the figures budgeted. Harmon said his information is explanatory and does not affect the figures in the budget. “I have said I will provide the information, and you can hold me to that; we are not hiding anything,” he declared.

Dr. Scotland ruled in favour of Harmon.

ty’s objection to SOCU being listed under the expenditure for the MoTP. She noted that Government must provide a proper explanation as to why SOCU has been placed there. She noted that the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2015 makes provision for SOCU, and questioned whether the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) provides support to SOCU. $40M have been budgeted under line item “Other” for the Unit. SOCU was established to investigate money laundering and the financing of terrorism crimes.

SOCU Meanwhile, there was great upheaval in the House by Opposition MPs as they strongly objected to the presence of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) under the Defence and National Security section of the MoTP. SOCU is a subdivision of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and as

NO MORE CONTRACT WORKERS Even as the PPP grilled the Government side of the House on the number of contract workers currently employed, Government has committed to scrapping the employment of such workers.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, in defence of his Department, which falls under the MoTP, said: “This policy is coming to zero.” But when pressed by the Opposition to state when, all Felix stated was “We will decide that. You can’t force it out of us!”

Komal Chand, an Opposition back-bencher, questioned Felix on the issue as he stood to defend his Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services. One hundred and thirty million, five hundred and twenty-three thousand dollars ($130,523,000) have been budgeted for contract employees in his department, which will cater to 116 contract workers as opposed to 60 last year.

The Minister said his Government inherited from the PPP the system of contracting workers, and continued using that system, but assured: “It will be phased out.”

Meanwhile, the Minister disclosed that more than 300,000 local birth certificates with special security features have been ordered. He noted that the demand for the documents is great. Approximately $32M have been expended on the birth certificates, the Minister said.

Opposition Member of Parliament Dr Frank Anthony questioned the need for that number of birth certificates when statistics show that there are approximately 15,000 births here annually. “The Honourable member should not confuse births with the demand for birth certificates,” Felix said in response to Dr. Anthony’s query.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Schoolboy discovered Zika-infected - Health Ministry steps up fogging - More than 5,000 treated mosquito nets distributed

By Svetlana Marshall A 16-YEAR-OLD schoolboy has tested positive for the Zika virus, but is now back in school after receiving treatment, health officials said on Monday, as they pointed to steps being taken to avoid the spread of the virus.

The boy, who resides at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was checked into hospital after developing fever, rashes about his body, and conjunctivitis, which is commonly known as red-eyes. He has since recovered from the virus, and is attending school as per norm after being treated.

“The person has no history of any travel outside of Guyana; however, he did visit one of the hinterland regions more than a month prior to the occurrence of the symptoms,” Dr Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer said.

This schoolboy becomes the second person to be infected with the virus after a 27-year-old woman tested positive last month.

Guyana tests for Zika at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad. The results from the last batch of samples were returned last Friday. It is from those results that the case of the schoolboy was noted.

A number of health workers have visited the boy’s home in order to conduct interviews with the four members of his household.

“We are in the process of sampling and testing those persons to see any possible occurrence,” Dr Persaud told reporters. “We have been able

to track all of his movements, attendance to lessons and so on, (and) we are following up with those sites to ensure that sufficient vector control measures are in place.”

There were, of recent, 88 suspected cases of the virus, but the Health Ministry sent only 55 blood samples to CARPHA for testing. Samples were taken from both public and private health institutions from all of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, with the majority taken from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

“We had 88 persons who

are now positive,” the CMO further explained.

The 27-year-old woman, who was the first Guyanese resident to be confirmed as having Zika, resides at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne and at Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara.

With both confirmed cases having been detected along the East Bank of Demerara, the Public Health Ministry has taken a decision to intensify vector control activities along that corridor.

“Fogging exercises continue, especially in areas

approximately 5,000 insecticide-treated bed nets for pregnant mothers across the country, and is in the process of educating the public on precautionary measures to be taken to avoid contracting the virus.

Though the symptoms appear minute, the Zika virus can result in life-threatening defects. In Brazil, the Zika fever has been linked to a spike in cases of micro-encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain contracted in the first months of pregnancy. In fact, thousands of babies in

Public Health Minister Dr George Norton and Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud fell into the classification, of course you know for testing.

CARPHA recommends a serial testing where such persons check for dengue and chikungunya, and if those are negative, then those samples are sent off to CARPHA and the test for Zika is done. So far, 55 results were made available; and of those, two

where there are high mosquito index,” Dr. Persaud posited. In addition to the fogging exercise, premises are being inspected for breeding grounds, and insecticide-treated bed nets are being distributed at local health centres.

The Public Health Ministry has also distributed

Brazil have been born with abnormally small heads.

“We know that the Brazilian situation continues to be very volatile. We have some invalidated reports that in Boa Vista there might be some additional cases, and so we have contacted the health authorities there over the weekend, and they have been

continuously fogging and monitoring the situation,” the CMO explained.

On Saturday, the BBC reported that “more than

The Aedes Aegypti mosquito that transmits the Zika virus 200,000 soldiers have been deployed across Brazil to warn people about the risks of the Zika virus.”

The troops are reportedly going from door to door, handing out millions of leaflets that advise people about the risks of this mosquito-borne virus.

Brazil has 462 confirmed cases of microcephaly, and is

investigating another 3,852 suspected cases.

The Zika virus was first isolated in 1947 in the Zika Forest of Uganda, in a Rhesus monkey during the transmission of wild yellow fever.

The virus was first isolated in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. In 1968, the virus was detected in human samples in Nigeria. In 2007, the first major outbreak of Zika virus fever occurred on the island of Yap in Micronesia, where 185 suspected cases were reported. In October 2013, approximately 10,000 cases were registered in an outbreak in French Polynesia.

Brazil confirmed its first case of Zika in May, 2015.

Recent outbreaks of the Zika Virus in different regions of the world demonstrate the potential of the spread and outbreak of this arbovirus in regions where the Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes are present.

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$657M approved for PM’s Office

AN estimated sum of $657.4M for the Prime Minister’s Secretariat was approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply on Monday evening, but not before it told of the major developmental plans to operationalize the National Communications Network (NCN) Satellite Uplink Facility and the establishment of two radio stations at Mabaruma and Lethem.

In this year’s budget, $125.3M were budgeted for the Prime Minister’s Secretariat under capital expenditure, while a whopping $501.1M were set aside under the recurrent expenditure.

It was People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament and former Junior

Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, who enquired into the $125M budgeted for NCN under capital expenditure.

And without any hesitation, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo disclosed that, in 2015, the APNU+AFC Government had budgeted a sum of $8M to facilitate Phase Two of the ‘Satellite Uplink Project.’

It was pointed out that, in 2015, $23M were spent on the ‘Satellite Uplink Facility’, thereby tapping into satellite TV. The facility allows the Learning Channel to transmit to far-flung regions of Guyana.

“By the end of February, NCN would have its own satellite uplink for the Learning Channel,” the Prime Minister explained.

Tuesday February 16, 2016 - 11:30 hrs Wednesday February 17, 2016 - 13:00 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 16, 2016

- Radio stations for Mabaruma, Lethem

Currently, the Television Guyana (TVG) is providing satellite uplink services for the Guyana Learning Channel -– a system which was initiated under the PPP/C Government.

It was only in October that the APNU+AFC Government discovered a set of equipment belonging to NCN that has the capacity to perform the same service that TVG is providing at a hefty cost.

In addition to the Satellite Uplink, the Prime Minister further disclosed that $45M have been budgeted for the establishment of two community radio stations in Mabaruma and Lethem.

“Our people need to be informed in face of threatens from our western neighbor, Venezuela.”

To facilitate the establishment of the two stations, broadcasting equipment, tricasters, UPS, radio automation systems and transmitters would be purchased.

The $125M budgeted under capital expenditure for the Prime Minister’s Secretariat will also be used for the provision of cubicles, network studios and biometric system in Georgetown, while light and solar panels will be bought for the Berbice area.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in Parliament Chambers last Friday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

$110M to fix State House, Presidential Complex - Opposition wants architecture of State House preserved

OPPOSITION Chief Whip Gail Teixeira has expressed concern over proposed infrastructural changes to State House and has called on the governing APNU-AFC coalition to preserve the architectural beauty of the historical building.

Teixeira’s plea followed a revelation by Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Monday during the consideration of the 2016 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure.

Harmon said that as part of

Government’s capital projects for the year, there will be several rehabilitative works ongoing at both State House and Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP).

An allocation of $110M was budgeted under the M O T P t o p ro v i d e f o r buildings, facilities and the upgrading of electrical systems for the office and residence of the President.

As such, shadow finance Minister Juan Edghill quizzed government on the specifics of the allo-

cation.

Minister Harmon provided the information requested: $20M will be spent on the extension and modernisation of the Cabinet Room, MOTP; $30,400,000 will be spent on the construction of a fence, walkway and extension of a guard hut; while an additional $8M will be spent to lift the ground floor at the MOTP. $8M will be spent to completely rewire State House, another $8M for the painting of the entire exterior

and interior of State House, $4,700,000 are to be spent on the rehabilitation of the Barrack Room, another $6M for the rehabilitation of the security barrack room at State House Compound, $13, 300,000 for the rehabilitation of drainage and irrigation system at the residence of the President. $2,500,000 have been allocated for the wiring and installation of lights on the lawns of State House, $1,800,000 will be used for the changing of windows from Louvres to aluminum on Building A in State House compound and $4,200,000 has been allocated for the construction of a parking lot at State House.

Following Minister Harmon’s explanation, Teixeira rose to remind the House of the need to protect the architectural integrity of State House.

“This is a heritage building and therefore we are very concerned that the architectural integrity of the building is maintained.

“There must be some care taken to preserve its integrity; this is a lot of money being spent that will clearly change the architecture of the building,”

emphasised the Opposition Chief Whip.

State House is the official residence of the President of Guyana. It was previously the official residence of the Governor of British Guiana before the colony gained independence in 1966. State

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House was built in 1858 and was the residence of the country’s first president, Arthur Chung.

The building has a few distinctive characteristics including the Georgian sixpaned windows and the Demerara windows.

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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 Propriety and decorum in the public sphere

FRANKLY speaking, this society has been stumbling in social grace. Good conduct and good manners, which are learnt behaviours for children, usually start in the home.

Where the home is lacking, children are exposed to other influences, such as schools, religious communities, public officials, entertainment and sports personalities, who by their role in society are seen as surrogates.

There was a time when clichés such as ‘what comes out the mouth defiles a person’, ‘show me your company and I’ll tell you who you are’ and ‘manners maketh man’ were not only teaching tools to ensure the cultivation of attitudes befitting social grace, but admonishment when one falls out of grace, or a warning on whom to shun. These are becoming blurred each day, given the conduct of those from whom it is least expected.

Understandably, this is not the Victorian Age. But values such as ‘thank you’ after being served, respecting each other in things said, and how we treat with the other are ageless. The cliché ‘do unto others as you would like them to do unto you’ transcends time, is still relevant, and remains applicable.

Where the slipping and sliding began, who wants to point a finger at whom, continuing the blame game and the ‘I am innocent’ syndrome characteristic of our culture will do nothing in addressing the malaise, which needs fixing ASAP. The young learn from their seniors, and will in turn treat others based on what they have learnt. Approximately 65 percent of the population is 40 years and younger. It is not unfair or unreasonable to require that positive tones and standards be set for them to emulate. This demographic will tomorrow be the majority in leadership; and unless a behavioural revolution takes place, the young will continue in, and bequeath to their offspring, the debasement and degeneracy they have learnt and come to accept as normal behaviour.

Where leaders are calling others names, disrespecting those older than themselves, thinking the young must ‘wait their turn,’ shirking their responsibilities, expecting the society to accept the ‘do as I say and not as I do’ rationale, finding that being dishonest to the public is acceptable, are being placed before the courts but yet refuse to do the ethical thing and step down from constitutional office, or use the people’s power to enrich themselves and not serve the people, such behaviours identify a serious breakdown in standards in society.

Public officials, government, business and those who rely on the public for their relevance and/or income ought to be mindful of their attitude. In societies that value public opinion, where persons have acted out of line or offended the public, they would change what they did, apologise, or remove themselves from the spheres of influence they occupy. Unfortunately, in our society, such courtesies are treated as inconsequential, with the

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 16, 2016

Bisram does not speak for the Guyanese Diaspora Dear Editor, THE Guyana Times newspaper published a letter on February 11, titled “Diaspora complains about Golden Jubilee Committee composition”, written by Vishnu Bisram. The essence of this letter is that the Guyana 50th Golden Jubilee Independence Committee in New York does not have enough “Indians.”

Bisram also implied that Indians were not allowed to join the committee, and that the AFC is underrepresented.

Bisram does not speak for the Guyanese Diaspora. I’m a member of the AFC; Bisram does not speak for AFC members. I’m disgusted and embarrassed by all the racial banter from people like Vishnu Bisram, who see everything from a racial point of view. Bisram claimed that “the diaspora” is unhappy with the committee; as if he and his few cohorts make up the entire diaspora.

I would love to know who are these members of the diaspora that he consulted and claimed to have met with, and whom do they represent?

The 50th Committee in New York has made all Guyanese proud. I, too, attended a meeting that included a diverse group of Guyanese from different organisations. They all had loud praise for the 50th Committee in New York, and spoke of the celebration launch last month in Queens. All of them showered compliments on the committee for a wonderful programme.

All Guyanese know that Bisram is an Indian activist/ extremist whom some say is racist, who supported the PPP government’s brutal discrimination against African Guyanese and defended death squad tortures and killings. He has a history of promoting Indian supremacy.

Bisram’s letter forced me to check the committee’s website: www.celebrateguyana50thinnyc.com. I was shocked find out that 12 members of the AFC are on the committee. I discovered that the AFC Chairman in the US appointed the AFC members on the committee. All of the major AFC leaders are on the committee. I also learnt that

the AFC wrote the committee asking not to allow other AFC members on the committee.

I understand that over 2000 Guyanese from all walks of life were invited to join the committee. No one was denied membership. Bisram must be challenged to say which Indian person or organization was denied membership; and why haven’t the people he claims are dissatisfied joined the committee.

Bisram stated that the committee lacks political balance, and that APNU members dominate the committee. Again, this is false. Most members represent organisations or individuals who wish to do something for their country. I was shocked to discover that the Committee invited the political parties in Parliament to nominate representatives for the committee and that Bisram’s party, the PPP, refused to participate.

This notwithstanding, the committee includes some notable Queens individuals like, Cheddi Jagan, III; Dr. Taj Rajkumar, Lakshmee Singh, Jack Bharrat etc. Again, this exposes Bisram’s lies.

I was also shocked to find

out that even the WPA also has 4 representatives on the committee.

Also on the committee are representatives of the Diwali Association in Queens. Again, this exposes Bisram’s lies. Bisram’s claim that the Committee approached Indian businessmen in Queens for sponsorship dollars is patently false. My niece informed me that sponsorship strategy is now being rolled out, and that no person in Queens was thus far approached for sponsorship.

A perusal of the Committee’s website will show that this effort is headed by two Indian women. Again, this exposes Bisram’s lies and fabrication. AFC leader Rachael Trotman likes to say there are lies, more lies and damn lies. Bisram and confederates are guilty of all three. The Guyanese people must assess the committee’s work and membership, and go to the committee’s website and judge for themselves.

Yours truly, C. R. PETERS USA

City Hall must step up fight against Zika Dear Editor, AS THE Zika epidemic “is spreading explosively” around the world, and city officials, particularly in towns and cities in the Americas, have been implementing all sorts of methods to control it, including traditional mosquito control techniques such as spraying pesticides and emptying standing water receptacles where mosquitoes breed etc; here, in Georgetown, our municipal officials seem more interested in cosmetic activities, such as refurbishing the Kitty Market, setting up petting zoos, repairing and repainting City Hall, and getting involved in traffic policing.

Why is it that, in the midst of such a global epidemic, the only proactive response we are seeing in our capital is the fogging exercise, which is being conducted by the Ministry of Public Health?

Where are all of the Sanitary Inspectors who used to interact with homeowners, hotel owners etc; who, over the years, used to eliminate any standing water they see, such as in outdoor buckets and flowerpots? Whatever happened to the Rodent & Vector workers, who used to spray our yards?

The Mayor and Town Clerk ought to know that as long as conditions in our city allow for mosquitoes to reproduce, each and every citizen would be at risk of contracting some dis-

message invariably being sent that “I don’t care what others think.”

There is also little or no regard for customer service in the public and private sectors. Members of the public are often made to feel that a favour is being granted, rather than service being delivered. As the society grows in age, likewise must opinion shapers and leaders, public and business officials, and leaders in civil society be ever mindful how they treat the citizens and each other.

Persons can share ideas and information, hold different views, outright disagree with another without having to be

ease carried by the mosquitoes.

Not only the Central Government, but the City Council has to mobilize, so we do not lose this battle.

The sanitary inspectors need to visit each and every yard in our capital and spray each one to exterminate the mosquitoes. They need to check all of these black water tanks to see if they are sealed properly. Mosquitoes actually begin their lives under water.

Females will lay their eggs in just about any standing pool of water they can find, so that’s where you strike first.

With today’s technology, the Georgetown City Council can use drones both to monitor potential breeding sites and to deliver larvicide. It is quite

simple and straightforward: Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses are transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The most effective control measures we need to take are the prevention of mosquito bites and the reduction of mosquito populations.

Come on, City Council, there is no time to lose. This is no time for expending a large portion of your revenue to spruce up the Merriman Mall, and chasing the minibus and taxi drivers and vendors around town. This is time to place all of your resources in the fight against Zika.

Sincerely, MARK ROOPAN

dishonest and disagreeable. Frighteningly, there is a prevailing tendency to accept or reject a point of view based on who is the messenger rather than the content of the message. This carries consequences, in that the truth may never be acted on, or a wrong decision can continue.

This nation has to reset the button on propriety and decorum. Each and every one carries the responsibility to make it happen for us and country.

There was a time in Guyana’s evolution when Guyanese were seen as the beacons of social grace, and it is possible to reclaim that pinnacle.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy…

Venezuelan Opposition wants ‘mediation’ with Guyana

By Dr Odeen Ishmael THE Democratic Unity Roundtable (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática, MUD), the opposition coalition which now holds a huge majority in the Venezuelan National Assembly, feels that mediation should be applied to solve the problem surrounding the controversy over the arbitral award that delimited the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela in 1899.

This positon is highlighted in a document prepared by the coalition’s International Affairs Committee in September last year, following the meeting at the UN headquarters between Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, President David Granger, and Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. The document, entitled “The intransigent position of Guyana is a consequence of the wrong foreign policy of the Government of Venezuela” denounces the meeting, claiming that Venezuela lost the initiative to push for bilateral negotiation on the issue.

Back on September 28, 2015, Timoteo Zambrano, the coordinator of the International Affairs Committee of the MUD, at a press conference, regretted that “the accumulation of errors” by the governments of Venezuela and Guyana through the UN meeting “caused the loss of the bilateral control of the border negotiation, transferring the decision to a third party: the United Nations (UN).”

This declaration by the MUD about the involvement of the United Nations remains somewhat confusing, since the world body has been involved in the process since 1982 — an involvement specified by the Geneva Agreement reached by the British, Guyanese and Venezuelan governments in February 1966. Further, Zambrano failed to specify the “errors” of the Venezuelan and Guyanese governments.

The MUD document, publicised in the run-up to the December parliamentary elections, remains as the main policy statement by the Venezuelan Opposition on the border issue with Guyana. No doubt, mediation will be the method it intends to suggest to the Venezuelan Government, and will raise with the UN Secretary General if it wins the presidential elections in three years’ time.

GUYANA WANTS ICJ INVOLVEMENT. In fact, mediation is one of many choices at the disposal of the UN Secretary General, who is mandated by the Geneva Agreement to select a method of finding a solution to the controversy. Even though it is believed that he can unilaterally decide on a particular method, as listed in Article 33 of the UN Charter, he will no doubt want to have both parties have consensus on his selection. Both Guyana and Venezuela initially agreed on his decision to apply the Good Officer methodology, by which a representative of the Secretary General met with both governments separately or together to hear their ideas of reaching a solution.

But after twenty-five years, that method has not produced any tangible result.

Subsequently, Guyana announced in early 2015 that it would opt out of the Good Officer process and proposed that the UN Secretary General should now involve the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help solve the issue.

The MUD opposition, in its statement, wants the Venezuelan Government to “clarify publicly” that the nation does not accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ in the effort to find a solution to the existing controversy. It insists that Venezuela cannot accept that jurisdiction, since that would contravene the protocol of Bogota, which it sees as “keeping our tradition of resolving border disputes bilaterally.”

The Bogota Protocol of 1948 formally established the Organization of American States, but no reference is

made to it on the 1966 Geneva Agreement. And, in any case, Guyana’s position is that the border was already settled in 1899 by the arbitration tribunal, which was itself a form of “mediation.”

“OSTRICH DIPLOMACY” The Maduro Administration also objects to the involvement of the ICJ and, in what can be described as “ostrich diplomacy,” insists that the UN Good Officer process should be retained, despite its DR. ODEEN ISHMAEL ineffectiveness over the past twenty-five years. From time to time, too, successive Venezuelan administrations have suggested bilateral negotiations on the issue, a position that Guyana does not support.

Furthermore, Venezuela feels that a solution to the controversy entails the ceding of territory by Guyana; on the other hand, Guyana maintains that Venezuela should withdraw its spurious claim and accept the finality of the 1899 award, as it did up to 1962.

At a press conference, Zambrano, who was accompanied by former Foreign Minister Fernando Ochoa Antich and the Executive Secretary of the MUD, Jesus Torrealba, said “mediation” should be applied, as was first suggested by the government of Hugo Chavez in 1998. This method, he insisted, would “allow the establishment of a more effective negotiation to find a satisfactory solution for the practical settlement of the dispute.” He also stressed the need to apply this method as the “state policy,” while urging the Venezuelan armed forces “to maintain a militant stance in defence of the rights of Venezuela in the Essequibo, and not be fooled by the chauvinistic positions of Nicolas Maduro.”

Guyana, it must be emphasised, does not recognize the existence of a territorial dispute, since that was already settled by the international arbitral award in October 1899.

What Guyana recognizes is the existence of a “controversy” as a result of Venezuela’s contention of the nullity of the 1899 arbitral award. This is specified in the Geneva Agreement which established a Mixed Commission of Venezuelan and Guyanese representatives who were given four years to find a practical settlement of this controversy, and not in any way to cancel the arbitral award. After the Mixed Commission failed in this task, the UN Secretary General, as empowered by the Agreement, was then given the authority to select a means of solution, as listed in Article 33 of the UN Charter.

DESIRE FOR MEDIATION The MUD document shows the Opposition feels that the methodology of the UN Good Officer has failed to show results, thus the necessity “to choose another method of peaceful settlement. The logic indicates that the next step should be to propose mediation as a method to be chosen by the Secretary General of the United Nations.”

However, the document does not indicate the entity that will manage the mediation process that is proposed.

The MUD claims that actions and omissions of Hugo Chavez and Maduro himself, while he was foreign minister, led to a “total betrayal of the rights of Venezuela.” It says that the policy changed suddenly with the issuance in May 2015 of the decree 1,787 and in June of the decree

1,859, by which operational zones have been created for comprehensive defence. In the second decree, the statement says, the previous coordinates are totally suppressed, but it is unable to establish any new elements in the complaint that Guyana was ignoring the Geneva Agreement by discarding the mechanism of the UN Good Officer and “threatening to take the dispute to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.”

ADMONISHING THE MADURO ADMINISTRATION The document also bemoans two issues which it claims to have encouraged Guyana “to advance its territorial claim” on the Essequibo. It cites statements by President Chavez who “with total self-confidence and irresponsibility” in 2004 said, “Venezuela is not opposed to any development project in the Essequibo, unilaterally authorized by Guyana, if it benefits the people”; and in 2007: “Venezuela started the Essequibo claim under pressure from the United States to destabilize the communist government of Cheddi Jagan.’

It also heavily admonishes Maduro, whose conduct it says produced confusion during his tenure at the Foreign Ministry by remaining silent after receiving information about Guyana’s decision to extend its continental shelf to 350 miles, “thus cutting the Venezuelan Orinoco Delta platform.” It complains: “This perception was expanded by not protesting during his official visit to Guyana in 2013…and agreeing to concessions [by Guyana] that year to Anadarko, Exxon-Mobil and CNOOC, the Chinese transnational. All these actions could have generated acquiescence and seriously compromised our claim.”

Actually, this part of the MUD statement is not too factual since, as was widely publicized, the Venezuelan Government arrested a survey ship used by Anadarko and actively opposed Exxon-Mobil’s oil exploration activities, and even went so far as to extend territorial claims to almost all of Guyana’s maritime space by Maduro’s decrees of May and June last year.

The Venezuelan Opposition coalition, according to the statement, retains the view that the issuance of the decrees was designed by Maduro “to win internal political gains to strengthen his slim chances of victory” in the then upcoming parliamentary elections, and “distract public opinion from the tragic reality of inflation, insecurity, drought and famine that our people live.”

In a final outburst, the document claims that the Guyana Government “by its diplomatic action, got the ambassador of Brazil in Georgetown, in a ceremony commemorating the independence of Brazil, on September 8 last, to support Guyana in its dispute with Venezuela, going so far as to assert that for Brazil it is inadmissible for territorial claims generated in the nineteenth century (to be raised) in the twenty-first century. South America is a place of peace and continues to be, because Brazil does not accept any disturbance in its borders.” The MUD expresses surprise that “in the face of a fact as serious as this, the national government was silent.”

Overall, the MUD document has not declared a position on the controversy at any significant variance with that of the Maduro administration. Indeed, it is widely known that some of the component parties in the coalition have always taken a position much harsher than that of the socialist-oriented governments led

by Hugo Chavez and now by Nicolas Maduro. However, what the MUD coalition clearly expresses is the political difference it has with the current administration, but nevertheless provides support for the country’s claim to Guyana’s territory.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Overcast conditions give farmers hope

By Alva Solomon GUYANA is, over the next few days, expected to experience occasional showers over coastal and inland areas, including the Rupununi, where periods of intermittent rainfall over recent days have been welcome occurrences.

The Hydromet Service of the Agriculture Ministry says the weather forecast for the next three days includes cloudy skies with scattered showers over coastal and inland areas today, and partially cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered showers on Wednesday and Thursday.

The current weather condition has seen decreases in the temperature during the day to as low as 17 degrees Celsius.

The Hydromet Service noted that the El Niño conditions do not imply that no rainfall is likely. The weather agency reported that El Niño dry weather conditions are expected to remain strong, with a gradual weakening through spring 2016 (MarchJune), and is expected to transition to an ENSO-neutral setting, which speaks of more favourable conditions for farming communities.

ENSO-neutral refers to the interaction between the atmosphere and ocean in the tropical Pacific that results in a periodic variation between below-normal and above-normal sea surface temperatures, and dry and wet conditions over the course of a few years.

According to spreadsheet data obtained from the Hydromet Service for February, coastal locations have thus far experienced several days of rainfall from February 10 onwards to February 14,

while the Rupununi and other inland locations experienced a similar change in the weather during this period.

Significantly, February 10th saw a sharp rise in the rainfall, due mainly to the rains on that day; a significant 50mm of total rainfall was recorded at Lethem.

The border community experienced an average of 60.9 mm of rainfall over the fourday period from February 8 to 11th, while the previous days of this month saw no rainfall. This information was corroborated by reports from residents on the ground.

Rainy days were also recorded for the similar period at Kumu village, a small Amerindian community which in recent times sought assistance to obtain potable water from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Lethem.

Further south of Lethem, the villages of Awaruranawa and Karudanawa have experienced periods of rainfall since the start of this month.

Reports from those villages indicate intermittent rainfall during the past two weeks.

Elsewhere, the area near the Kaieteur Falls has been experiencing rainfall almost daily since the month started, while Hog Island in the Essequibo River and parts of the Mabaruma sub-Region experienced rainfall over extended periods during the past two weeks.

This may be good news for farmers along the Coastland and the inland areas, which have been hard hit by the El Nino dry weather phenomenon plaguing the country since last September.

On Monday, farmers in the Rupununi were out in the fields, planting crops which they were forced to place

on hold because of the dry weather. At Aishalton, cassava farmers ventured into the farmlands as overcast conditions became evident. Toney James, the former village captain, reported that over the past week, there have been light rains across the community, with the vegetation “changing colour”, and many welcomed the change in the weather.

“The vegetation is greener than it was a month ago,” an upbeat James reported.

James said villagers have been desperate for water for their cattle, and on Monday villagers went some two miles out of the community, at an area called Kibenbaoko, seeking water for the herd.

He noted that another holding pen is being considered for the village herd further out of the community, but closer to a waterway.

He explained that everyone in the village rears cattle in unison, and he has some six head in the herd. James said the sun-bees were buzzing around Aishalton, and this was a sign to villagers that rainfall is impending.

Further north at Annai, cloudy conditions were also reported, even as the community dug another well at the Annai compound to source potable water.

Overcast conditions were reported at mid-morning, a trend which was observed by residents over the past week. The communities there experienced rains for two full days this past week, while the level of the Rupununi River reportedly rose significantly in recent days.

Over 100 head of cattle, which belong to the Anglican Church at Annai and the

A weather map obtained from the Hydromet Service indicates increased precipitation or rainfall (blue colour) over the past four days villages nearby, were being led to areas where water was spotted.

Dry weather conditions have been parching parts of the country over the past 7 to 8 months, and the farming community has felt the brunt of the dry weather. Simultaneously, water levels in

the conservancies across the country, including the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), have been impacted by the weather.

While Government has made interventions to cushion the effects of the weather, the Hydromet Service reported that, last month, the

weather systems have been giving Guyana generally fair weather conditions with few showers.

Based on the predictions and current trends, similar conditions are expected to continue throughout the month of February.

Attempted murder of Berbice plantain farmer…

‘Taliban’ sentenced to 17 years; farmhand gets 12 years PLANTAIN farmer Samwill Intiaz Shaw, called Taliban and Arno, along with his farmhand Ramsammy Angeshallam, called Babs, were on Monday sentenced at the Berbice Assizes in the attempted murder of plantain farmer Bajai Ramdass.

The two were found guilty by the jury on January 21 last, but had to await a probation report on their background before sentencing.

Justice Franklyn Holder expressed disappointment with the lack of professionalism that went into preparation of the report, which was presented by Senior Probation and Social Welfare Officer Ms Voonashawarie Gopaul. The Judge noted that the report was intended to be an investigative one, and as such, the information garnered from the virtual complainant, Bajai Ramdass, should have been recorded.

Admonishing the Officer, the Judge questioned her length of employment, and asked whether there was on-the-job training. “You were asked to complete a report to assist us with the sentencing of the accused men. Greater effort must be exercised. Be professional!” he chided.

Earlier, Gopaul told the Judge and mixed jury that Shaw, 52, is a Canadian citizen and a married father of six children, who are all living overseas. In Canada he is a Chief Operator, but while in his homeland, where he visits every three months, he is a farmer. Information gathered from his neighbours and close relatives described Shaw as a person of peaceful disposition.

Angeshallam, 56, was also described as peaceful. He was employed at the Crabwood Creek Neighbourhood Democratic Council, and was a part-time employee of Shaw. He fathered five children, one of whom is a convicted prisoner at the New Amsterdam Prison.

The Judge said: “The jury has found both of you guilty (of)

attempted murder. They were sure that you attempted to kill Bajai Ramdass at the back of Crabwood Creek. I ask myself what drives one to commit such an act. I would appreciate if it was done in self-defence. Without this reason, how could the two of you commit such an act? Was it because he was picking plantains?

“You have given yourself the power of life and death.”

Addressing Angeshallam, the Judge said, “You are following blindly. You were an employee of Mr Shaw. That does not mean that you follow instructions on this that was wrong. You are a mature person.”

Questioned by the Judge on what they had to say before the sentence was imposed, Shaw replied, “I am sorry, Sir,” as he bowed his head. However, Angeshallam, answering with outstretched arms, said, “I am innocent of this charge.”

Consequently Shaw, being the mastermind of the act, was initially sentenced to 22 years; however, five years were deducted for the favourable probation report. His co-accused was given twelve years after similar deductions.

On January 21 last, the duo was found guilty by the mixed jury, who returned a unanimous verdict after deliberating for just over two hours.

The indictment, to which they had pleaded not guilty, revealed that on January 16, 2012, at Crabwood Creek, they discharged a loaded firearm at Bajai Ramdass, called Bruck Back, with intent to murder him.

State Prosecutor Natasha Backer had led the evidence of four persons, including the victim, who is now confined to a wheelchair and is blinded in his right eye.

Ramdass had related that there was a previous incident involving him and the number one accused, with whom he sowed plantains. However, their arrangements fell apart, and as such, Shaw had refused to pay the victim. This decision

resulted in a court action filed by Ramdass.

On January 16, 2012, the victim left his home along with a workman, Hazrat Ibrahim, called Buckman, to go to the disputed plantain farm at Crabwood Creek. They arrived at 06:00hrs, but before they commenced reaping, ‘Buckman complained of sustaining an injury. Ramdass then called his brother Jagdeo, known as Spraga, for assistance.

The boat was motored about 150 to 200 rods away when the two men were joined by Spraga, who arrived on a parallel dam on a motorcycle, which subsequently pulled the boat along. Shortly afterwards, the victim saw the accused men.

Shaw pointed a long gun at him. His hand was on the trigger.

Ramdas recalled being shot and falling helpless as blood covered his body. However, he made efforts to motor the boat, but the number two accused threw a bicycle tube in front of his boat, pulling the vessel towards Shaw, who threatened to cut out his tongue and dig out his eyes.

Further, the victim recalled Angeshallam’s attempt to lift him out of the boat, but he, Ramdass, pulled a cutlass and chopped the number two accused at the back of his neck, forcing him to flee, even as Shaw fired another shot at his [Ramdass] face.

Ramdass said he pretended to be dead. Thereafter, he saw the accused men running towards the backlands.

He was subsequently taken to the Skeldon Hospital, before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Meanwhile in their respective unsworn statements from the dock, the now convicted men had denied the story of the victim, and alleged that it was ‘Spraga’ who had shot his sibling.

The convicts were represented by Attorneys-at-law Mursulene Bacchus and Perry Gossai, and had been on $1M bail each.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Canada gives $20M to train public service managers THE CANADIAN Government is putting $20 million into the training of public service managers here, the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) said on Monday.

The training will be carried out under the Caribbean Leadership Project, which will see permanent secretaries and senior managers of Government ministries and agencies being trained in the areas of service delivery, leadership, administration transitions, and team building, the MoTP stated.

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Omar Shariff; Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service, Reginald Brotherson; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communities, Emil McGarrell; and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Delma Nedd, on Monday met with Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Pierre Giroux; Regional Project Manager of the Caribbean Leadership Project at Cave Hill School of Business, Dr. Lois Parkes; and Development Officer at the Canadian High Commission, Ms. Marcella Thompson, to discuss the project.

“It is the first time we will have a training [project] like this in Guyana, and we are excited. This training for top-level managers is part of the overall restructuring of the Public Service. I believe it is an

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Presidency, Mr. Omar Shariff; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Ms. Delma Nedd; Development Officer, High Commission of Canada, Ms. Marcella Thompson; Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Pierre Giroux; Regional Project Manager, Caribbean Leadership Project, Dr. Lois Parkes; Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon; Permanent Secretary, Department of Public Service, Mr. Reginald Brotherson; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communities, Mr. Emil McGarrell important time for us in Guyana. I am excited for this cohort in Guyana, and it is something which we embrace as a government,” Minister Harmon stated.

The Minister noted that while this training caters only for top-level managers, the Public Service Staff College will be equipped to train new entrants into the Public Service, while special programmes will be crafted to train those who serve in middle management.

Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrell embraced the initiative, noting that he has had the opportunity to participate in the project,

“Cohort Two” in 2014, which was held in Barbados, Belize, St. Lucia and Canada, and he believes it can help to accomplish the Administration’s goals.

“I would really endorse this project, because I was a part of it and it really makes a big difference. It provides an opportunity to develop leaders in the Public Service,” he said.

The Canadian High Commissioner said the project, which is a seven-year programme in the Caribbean and is funded by his government, is aimed at training and enabling public and civil servants to deliver a high

standard of service.

“We have had a regional programme for the past four years. The purpose is to train public and civil servants in the Caribbean, and it is delivered through the Cave Hill School of Business. We hope that this will help Guyana to develop its Public Service, which is important to any democracy,” he said.

Dr. Parkes, who heads the project, said the team intends to commence training in Guyana from September 12, 2016. The session, which usually lasts for about five days, will target mainly the permanent secretaries, heads, and other senior managers of

Government, Barama discuss new agreement

THE GOVERNMENT has held an initial meeting with the Barama Company Limited, and the two parties are due to commence formal negotiations later this month on the renewal of the company’s Investment Development Agreement, which will expire in October.

Representing the government at the initial meeting were representatives from the Ministries of Natural Resources, Indigenous People’s Affairs, Business and Public Infrastructure, along with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Forestry Commission.

The government expects to benefit from expert ad-

vice from the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) to help inform its decision, the Ministry of the Presidency has said in a press release.

In September 2015, Minister Trotman visited the company’s Buck Hall operations and commented then that the government would like to see more value-added production from investors in Guyana, and he would ensure that this component is included in any new agreement.

During that tour in September, General Manager of the company, Mr. Mohindra Chand, had said that Barama has been one of the long-standing foreign companies in Guyana, and while

the challenges were many, it had never considered ending operations here.

The Ministry of the Presidency quoted Chand as saying that the company has,

over the years, plugged $43 billion into its operations here, and he expected Barama to grow.

Barama has been operating in Guyana since 1991.

Cops say he had drugs for sale MICHAEL France, aka ‘Mosquito’, of Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was yesterday remanded by Chief Magistrate Ann MacLennan after he appeared before her charged for possession of narcotics.

The prosecutor said that on January 29 he had in his possession 11 grams of cocaine at Grove for the purpose of trafficking.

He was remanded until February 17, and the matter has been transferred to Providence Magistrate’s Court.

government agencies.

“We came here today to lay the foundation for that, and to hear from the Minister [the government’s] own vision for the development

of the public service, and to look for opportunities where we can collaborate as we seek to build the Caribbean Public Service,” she said.

No bail for dredge owner on gun charge TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Don Fraser of Third Street, Bartica was yesterday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Fraser pleaded not guilty to both charges, which state that on February 11, at Issano, he had in his possession one single-barrel 12-gauge shotgun and two rounds of ammunition.

The defendant’s lawyer, in her submission for bail, stated that the police went to Fraser’s camp and conducted a search and they did not find any illegal firearm on his person or on the camp grounds.

She went on to mention that her client is licensed to carry a firearm (but she did not state what kind of firearm he is permitted to carry).

The police continued to search the surrounding area in the presence of Fraser, and a gun was found on a trail and not on the camp site or his person. He denied any knowledge of the firearm and ammo that was found. The police went on to confiscate his firearm and his licence.

The facts of the matter presented by Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that, on the day in question, the police received information and, acting on the information, they conducted a search on Fraser’s camp and his person and they found nothing.

They continued to search the area near the camp site, and they found a gun between bushes and rotten pieces of wood.

He was cautioned, and he admitted owning the firearm.

Prosecutor Jones stated that no special reason for bail was presented, and he was objecting to bail. Based on the facts stated, Magistrate McLennan refused to grant bail, and Fraser was remanded.

The matter was adjourned until February 25, and transferred to Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Accused of stealing rear view mirrors GUY Porter of 883 South Amelia’s Ward, Linden was yesterday placed on $15,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he appeared before her to answer a charge of larceny.

The 23-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on Tuesday, February 10th last, he stole from Phillip McPherson two rear view mirrors valued at $30,000.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones did no object to bail, and the matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court, but was adjourned until February 24. (Sherah Alleyne)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

First Lady praises work of Diocese’s Mothers Union FIRST LADY Mrs Sandra Granger Monday praised the Diocese of Guyana Mothers Union for its continued service to the vulnerable sections of the society over the past 90 years.

Mrs Granger delivered the feature address at the opening of the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

The First Lady noted the work of the Union in supporting families, the Ministry of the Presidency (MOTP) stated in a press release.

According to MOTP, the Union has activities in all of the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana, designed

to empower women and support children and the elderly. These include: income generating projects, day care facilities, parenting classes, programmes to nurture youths and children, feeding programmes, and hospital, parish and prison ministry.

“These programmes underline the fact that the Mothers’ Union of Guyana is focused on the vulnerable sector of our population and on building strong communities and supporting families,” the First Lady said.

She pointed out that given the challenges that women in general, and mothers in particular, face every day, the importance of the services

Members of Mothers' Union of Guyana

provided by the Mothers’ Union cannot be understated. Mrs. Granger explained that women continue to bear the burden of nurturing and educating, and in many cases providing for their families, while at the same time, grappling with issues such as sexual, mental and physical abuse, and human trafficking.

“Women work in the public and private sectors, in the field and the factory, in banking and commerce, in the medical profession, in education, in nursing and in the discipline services. Some women are self-employed, some work for the minimum wage as domestics or shop assistants or security guards.

“Some (women) go into the Hinterland, lured by the promises of lucrative jobs and some migrate to North America and the Caribbean in search of better paying jobs. A woman’s life is a life of continuing and confronting challenges, of overcoming the obstacles thrown in her path each day,” the First Lady said.

As such, the First Lady welcomed a recent announcement by the Ministry of Education, stating that it will be working to reintegrate the teenage mothers into the secondary school system, in keeping with Government’s mission to reduce the incidences of this social problem; this cause is also one that is particularly close to the First Lady’s heart and, in December, her Office partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to discuss new strategies to address this problem.

Mrs. Granger also spoke of the dangers that children are being exposed to in today’s fast-paced, highly technological society, which

First Lady Sandra Granger receives a bouquet from Ms. Eletrice Davenport makes them easy targets for online predators and urged parents to be more vigilant.

This year, the Mothers’ Union of Guyana is celebrating 90 years since it was first established at the All Saints Church in New Amsterdam, Berbice in 1926.

The AGM saw the participation of members from parishes in Essequibo, Linden, Upper Mazaruni, Imbaimadai, East and West Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, East and West Berbice and Rupununi.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 16, 2016

Infrastructural repairs for Burnham Drive

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has expeditiously responded to the call of Region Ten Chairman Renis Morian to either repair or reconstruct the kokers and culverts located along Burnham Drive.

The request was made after it was observed that sections of this main roadway were sinking, and that a huge hole which had developed over time was rapidly increasing in size. The state of the road is due to the gradual erosion of its foundation because of the dilapidated state of many of the kokers in its environs.

A team of engineers from

the MPI visited Linden on Friday to assess the situation, and according to Head Engineer Jermain Braithwaite, his initial finding is that the upper parts of the tubes holding the kokers together have been corroded, and this is what is causing the road to lose its foundation. He said the full solution to the problem is opening the entire section of the road so as to better ascertain where exactly has been corroded.

“You can’t go by guesswork, you know; this is not something you could fill and patch-up back and cover up, because you will lose it again,” Braithwaite said. He explained that even though the upper layer of the road may seem sound, the

foundation is currently void; which is why it is sinking in some places. What may have exacerbated the situation, he said, is the pressure being put on an already weakened road structure by some of the vehicles and heavy-duty machinery that traverse it daily.

Noting that the situation needs to be addressed urgently, Braithwaite said, “Once the water keeps flowing, you won’t retain anything. So, for it to be much more sound, you would need to do a complete replacement.” He said that even though such a move does not “come cheap”, it is the better option in fixing the road.

Braithwaite also suggests that the material used for

constructing the culverts be changed from steel, which is susceptible to corrosion over time, to a high-density plastic, to avoid a repeat of the situation.

Since Burnham Drive is the only access road for several communities on the Wismar Shore, the Regional Chairman has the responsibility of clearing a plot of land to be used as a bypass for traffic while the kokers and culverts are being fixed.

A contractor has already commenced the repair project, and a junior engineer from the Public Infrastructure Ministry will be based in Linden to give him technical guidance until the work has been completed.

A section of the badly eroded Burnham Drive

Guyana lauds relations with Canada

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and wife, Sita Nagamootoo, with others at the reception on Saturday

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has lauded relations between Guyana and Canada and said the Government is committed to building an even stronger and more active relationship of cooperation and partnership.

He expressed the remarks on Saturday at a reception hosted by the Canadian High Commission in honour of the visit to Guyana by members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of Canada.

The Canadians, while here, were able to meet with the Speaker of the National Assem-

bly, and were facilitated a tour of the Parliament Building.

The Prime Minister is hoping that officials from both countries work together to implement the agreements reached from discussions here, especially as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has a long history of working with Commonwealth Governments in support of good governance, democracy, and human rights. These values, the Prime Minister said, are embraced by the Coalition Government.

Wi t h m o r e t h a n 1 8 0 branches in nine regions, the wealth of knowledge and experience which the Association possesses can only add value to the close relationship which both countries enjoy since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said.

“Canada continues to be a reliable partner in Guyana’s development efforts through technical assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for economic and social programmes. The notable levels of Canadian investment, especially in the mining sector, are highly welcomed by my Government and are an indication of the continued confidence which Canada has shown in the Guyanese economy.

“As a developing country, Guyana continues to face challenges as we move forward on the road to developing the lives of our people. However, we have made (some) significant strides. Your visit to Guyana would have given you a firsthand look as to the significant changes that are taking place,

especially in the area of infrastructural development,” the Prime Minister indicated.

Over the years, Guyana and Canada have enjoyed firm conventional ties of support and closeness.

Representatives from the Justice Education Society (JES), a Canadian non-profit organisation, visited Guyana in 2015 under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), held a three-day seminar and ‘facilitated dialogue with police, prosecutors, and judicial officials with a view to strengthening Guyana’s Justice System.

The currently ongoing Justice Education Society project has benefited and enhanced the capabilities of members of the Guyana Police Force, the Department of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Legal Affairs, and Guyanese Magistrates through the provision of technical assistance from Canadian experts.

At the international level, Guyana and Canada share close collaboration at the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

Canada is a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana, in support of the safeguarding of Guyana’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and also represents Guyana on the Board of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

“My Government will continue to provide the enabling environment for investments, as we are committed to an enhanced relationship with Canada. We believe that such a relationship can only redound to the mutual benefit of our people,” the Prime Minister said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Mysterious fire guts Stephen & Monalisa win Chateau Margot house this year’s ‘altar race’

A FIRE of unknown origin yesterday destroyed the home of a Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara family.

The fire reportedly began at about 10:00hrs, and according to eyewitnesses, the occupants, a man and a woman, were seen leaving with suitcases while the house was burning.

They say it was the neighbours who called the Guyana Fire Service, but by the time the tender arrived, it was too late; the house had already been burnt to the ground.

Word is that investigations are underway into the matter.

What remains of the house after the fire

The house while it was on fire (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

IT WAS a tough call this year, according to one judge, but in the end it was clear who the winning couple would be.

That couple was none other than Steven Persaud and Monalisa Sammy, who both so much impressed the judges with their “good ambassadorship potential of the Wedding Expo legacy and Online voting support” that they just had to give it to them.

The ‘it’ at reference was the coveted $3M-worth all-expenses-paid wedding up for grabs this year in the annual Wedding Expo “Race to the Altar” competition, sponsored by the Roraima Group of Companies.

According to a release from Roraima, “Good ambassadorship and Online voting were just some of the criteria of winning,” the others being “the strong chemistry between the couple, and their inability to afford” -- the $3M whatever it would take to host a proper wedding these days.

The announcement of who would win the race was made before a packed audience on Sunday evening at a Valentine’s Day special at the Duke Lodge in Kingston, in culmination of a series of events, which began on February 5 with an interview of at least 15 competing couples.

That event, the release says, was followed by a “media blitz” during a visit to the Arrowpoint Nature Resort on the Kamuni Creek on February 7; house visits on Feb-

Stephen serenading his wife-to-be after the pair was adjudged this year’s winners of the annual ‘race to the altar’ competition ruary 10; and Online voting via Facebook from February 9 to 14.

The activities at ‘Arrowpoint’ ranged from mountain biking, kayaking, and going on a forest expedition, all of which helped the judges guage how well the couples interacted under stress, and what the chemistry between each was like.

Sponsors of this year’s

‘race’ were: Tower Suites, Sacha Designs, John Lewis Styles, King’s Jewellery World, ANSA McAl, Bonny’s Marketing Complex, Monique’s Amazing Designs and Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company.

The wedding of Steven and Monalisa’s will be on April 2, and the public is invited to witness the ceremony.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 16, 2016

New airline eyes Guyana/US route -but has not yet sought permission to fly

By Alva Solomon

AN overseas-based group called Trans Royale Corp – One Guyana Air Travel announced over the weekend that it is interested in operating an airline out of Guyana, with flights to the lucrative routes of New York and Miami; but it has not yet applied to the relevant authorities for permission to operate in this regard.

This company said its flights will begin on May 20 for Guyana’s Independence weekend celebration, with a full schedule slated to commence on July 1. However, reports are that the company has merely expressed its interest to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The group has to embark on the application process through the GCAA as well as the United States authorities.

This process includes lodging a performance bond with local authorities and a surety bond which seals the contract between the two parties. It reportedly is a stringent pro-

cess, but it would enable the company to be issued with an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) which will certify its ability to operate as an airline.

Mr Hugh Denbow, former chairman of the GCAA Board and current member of the said board, told this newspaper on Monday that the new company would have to forward the relevant documents to the Director General of the GCAA for approval to operate. He said that as far as he is aware, the GCAA is not in receipt of an application from anyone connected to Trans Royale Corp – One Guyana Air Travel.

He said the US authorities would have to communicate with the GCAA on the application process for any company which plans to partner with an airline on a lease agreement.

Reports in a another section of the press on Monday quoted Trans Royale Corp -One Guyana Air Travel as extending its service to Guyana with the aim of ameliorating the shortage of flights to sev-

eral destinations worldwide.

This flight operation is said to be a joint venture between Trans Royale Corp — One Guyana Air Travel and Eastern Air Lines Group Inc, a Miami-based airline.

According to the air service company, Eastern Air Lines currently flies a fleet of five Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Its latest aircraft delivery was on February 5, 2016.

Checks online revealed that Eastern Air Lines is the second installation out of a company from which it bought the ownership rights.

The original company, which operated under the same name, flew out of Miami between 1926 and 1991, when it ran bankrupt.

Over the years, a number of airlines were established here, and operated flights to and from Guyana, only to fold under financial pressure in the highly competitive international market.

At the moment, there are 6 (six) carriers which fly in and out of Guyana. These include Caribbean Airlines,

LIAT (1974) Limited and Fly Jamaica Airways, a company registered in Jamaica but being operated by Guyanese pilot Ronald Reece and partners on that island. Reece had, for years, been awaiting permission to operate out of Guyana, but launched the ambitious service out of Kingston in 2013.

A few airlines, including some which folded, had ex-

pressed desire to operate as the national flag carrier after Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) had folded in 2001.

A number of airlines have since been established with part Guyanese–ownership.

These included GA 2000 (2001-2003), which succeeded GAC; Universal Airlines (2001-2005); and EZ Jet Airlines (2011-2012). Another airline, Redjet, which oper-

ated out of Barbados, had launched an ambitious service with high dependence on Guyanese customers.

That airline, which promoted low-cost travel at its launch, also folded financially, and like many others, left hundreds of local customers stranded, with many seeking reimbursements for flights booked with the airline months in advance.

Man arrested after teenager shot

A MAN has been arrested after a teenager was shot while walking with his friends in La Penitence, Georgetown on Sunday evening.

Nathan Martin, 14, of 67 Hunter Street Albouystown was shot to the abdomen and has since been hospitalised.

Reports are that Martin and three other friends were walking along a road in La Penitence when they observed some men in a car.

Martin reportedly raised an alarm to his friends that the men in the car were armed with guns. At this point, one of the occupants of the car reportedly opened fire on him.

The vehicle then sped off and the teenager was placed into another vehicle and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was immediately taken into surgery.

It was reported also that the young man, while on his way to the hospital, identified an individual as the person who shot him, and that information was passed onto the Police.

The Police then went in search of the man, and managed to pick up someone fitting the description given by the teenager.

Up to late Monday, the suspect remained in Police custody as the investigations continued. The suspect reportedly denied being involved in any shooting incident, and as such, the Police were forced to swab his hands to check for any residue of gunpowder.

Martin and his mother reportedly gave statements at the Ruimveldt Police Station.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Guyana Jaguars ...

From backpage out by Joseph in the 7th over.

The spinners then got plenty of turn off the straw-coloured wicket and troubled the tourists immediately.

Permaul produced two stunning deliveries to remove Yannic Cariah, caught superbly at forward short leg by Tagenarine Chanderpaul for nine and Jason Mohammed, caught at the wicket for two.

Deonarine, who was dropped on six and Yannick Ottley added 34 before Bishoo drove home further advantage by removing Ottley for 10.

Despite Ottley’s dismissal, Deonarine continued his patient knock and in the company with Evin Lewis took the Red Force to lunch, with Deonarine on 39 and Lewis on 16.

Needing a miracle

to survive the remainder of the day far less reach their target, the Red Force suffered their first blow in the first over after lunch when Lewis was taken comfortably by Chanderpaul at forward short-leg off Motie.

Steven Katwaroo joined Deonarine and provided some resistance, batting for 61 minutes for his 19 before Motie removed the righthander, caught-and-bowled.

Deonarine reached his 46th First Class fifty with a straight-driven boundary from 134 balls, but Permaul returned for his second spell and ended Deonarine’s resistance.

Emrit smashed nine fours in his 51-ball innings before he was dismissed by Bishoo.

Vi s h a u l S i n g h w a s named man-of-the-match.

The Jaguars will now travel to Barbados for round seven starting Friday.

SCOREBOARD T&T RED FORCE 2nd innings K. Hope b Reifer 8 I. Khan b Joseph 10 Y. Cariah c Chanderpaul b Permaul 9 N. Deonarine c (sub.) Bacchus b Permaul 60 J. Mohammed c wk b Permaul 2 Y. Ottley c Motie b Bishoo 10 E. Lewis c Chanderpaul b Motie 16 S. Katwaroo c & b Motie 19

R. Emrit c Joseph b Bishoo 48 M. Richards lbw b Permaul 11 JR Jagessar not out 0 Extras: (nb-6, b-1) 7 Total: (all out, 69 overs) 197 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-21, 3-37, 4-41, 5-75, 6-101, 7-127, 8-147, 9-187.

Bowling: Joseph 11-4-19-1, Reifer 10-2-31-1, Bishoo 15-1-56-2, Permaul 19-5-45-4, Motie 14-2-45-2.

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:35 hrs Desert Sunset 09:10 hrs Oriental Blue 09:45 hrs Seventh Heart 10:20 hrs Modjadji 10:55 hrs Manx Park 11:30 hrs Tabreek

10:00 hrs Hab Reeh 10:35 hrs Carbutt’s Ridge 11:05 hrs Clockmaker 11:40 hrs Ian’s Memory 12:15 hrs Hutton 12:50 hrs Arsenale

English Racing Tips Southwell

Ayr 10:20 hrs Naburn 10:55 hrs Rivabodiva 11:30 hrs Lochnell 12:05 hrs Finea 12:40 hrs Ubaltique American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race Course Race 1 Flashy Storm Race 2 Include the Browns Race 3 Castlefinn Race 4 Chariot Char Race 5 West of Denali Race 6 False Positive Race 7 White Knuckle Ridge Race 8 Force Multiplier

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 16, 2016

Bryant makes biggest stop in farewell All-Star Game tour

By Frank Pingue

TORONTO, Canada (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant made the biggest stop of his farewell tour on Sunday as he played the last NBA AllStar Game of a remarkable career in which he established himself as arguably the best player of his generation.

Bryant, who said all week he did not want his fellow players to go easy on him in his final All-Star Game, was a shadow of the player who dominated the NBA’s midseason showcase many times before, but was still the man of the hour.

Prior to the game’s opening tip, NBA great Magic Johnson lauded the 37-yearold in between a pair of tribute videos featuring some career highlights interspersed

Western Conference forward Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (24) shoots over Eastern Conference player Carmelo Anthony (7), in the first half of the NBA All Star Game at Air Canada Centre.

(Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

with messages of thanks from a handful of fellow NBA players.

Bryant announced last November that this would be his final season and was made the leading vote-getter for his 18th and final All-Star appearance by fans.

“I just want to thank you guys for all of your support for all these years,” Bryant told the Toronto crowd and a global television audience.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to play the game that I love and be in the NBA for more than half my life.

“It’s a thrill to be here in this All-Star Game so thank you for voting me in. I get a chance to be around these young players here, who when I first started playing most of them were my kids’ age now.

“It feels so good to be able to speak to them about the game and to be able to share some of the knowledge that I have learned throughout my career to them so that they can carry on the tradition of the NBA and hopefully play 20 years themselves.”

When the first NBA AllStar Game to be held outside of the United States finally got underway, it was Bryant who went up against LeBron James for the opening tip. James won the tip but appeared to send it over to Bryant’s Western Conference team.

Bryant played nearly 15 minutes in the first half and scored 10 points, including a patented fadeaway late in the opening quarter that drew loud cheers from a celebrity-dotted crowd that included director Spike Lee and supermodel Kate Upton.

The 20-year NBA veteran, who by his own admission this week is “old as hell,” was held without a point the rest of the way.

When Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, one-time league MVP and four-time All-Star Game MVP during a career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers, checked out of the game with 66 seconds left, he received a standing ovation from both team benches while the crowd chanted “Kobe, Kobe”.

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive year after leading the Western Conference with 31 points in a 196-173 win that set a record for combined points in an NBA All-Star Game

series victory.

The second game starts in Christchurch on February 20.

Mark Craig, who topscored in New Zealand’s first innings with 41 not out, was left 33 not out when Trent Boult was bowled

by Mitchell Marsh for 12 to wrap up their second innings for 327.

New Zealand were dismissed for 183 in their first innings and faced a deficit of 379 runs after Adam Voges’ second Test double century

drove Australia to a mammoth 562.

The visitors captured the last six wickets yesterday without the experienced Peter Siddle, who bowled just eight overs on Sunday before succumbing to a back spasm.

Marsh, Lyon and Jackson Bird all grabbed wickets before lunch to set up the victory push in the middle session.

Hazlewood trapped Doug Bracewell in front for 14 just three deliveries after they returned from the break.

While Tim Southee provided some typical rearguard fireworks with 48 from 23 balls, the result was only a matter of time with him in the mood to swing for the fences.

Southee holed out at long on trying to hit a fourth six off Lyon before Boult was bowled by Marsh just under an hour into the final session.

The only bright spot for New Zealand was debutant Henry Nicholls scoring his

first Test half-century before he was bowled by Bird for 59.

H a z l e w o o d ’s a b i l i t y to get the older ball to reverse-swing should be of concern for New Zealand, whose top-four batsmen made solid starts but failed to push on in what were considered good batting conditions.

The hosts had resumed on Thursday on 178-4, with Nicholls on 31. Anderson joined him after captain Brendon McCullum was trapped lbw in the final over of the third day.

Australia, however, simply chipped away and waited for the batsmen to make errors with Anderson trapped in front by Marsh for a 22-ball duck before wicketkeeper BJ Watling got an inside edge to a Lyon delivery and played on for 10.

Nicholls also played on a delivery from Bird, which gave the tall pace bowler his first wicket of the match.

Australia thrash NZ in first Test by innings

By Greg Stutchbury WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Reuters) - Nathan Lyon grabbed four wickets as Australia beat New Zealand by an innings and 52 runs after lunch on the fourth day of the first Test yesterday to take a 1-0 lead in the two match series.

Lyon took two wickets to finish with 4-91 for Australia, who can take the top Test ranking from India with a

Nathan Lyon

Man United to name stand after Bobby Charlton

LONDON, (Reuters) - England great Bobby Charlton is to have the South Stand at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium named after him, 60 years on from his debut for the club.

The Premier League side said yesterday that the formal naming would take place at the home game against Everton on April 2.

Charlton, a United director, joined the club as an apprentice in 1953 and made his debut in October 1956. The 1966 World Cup winner made 758 appearances for the club, scoring a record 249 goals.

“Bobby is quite simply, the most iconic figure in English football history. A player, a diplomat, a gentleman and a tireless worker for charity, he represents ev-

Sir Bobby Charlton before the match.

(Action Images via Reuters) erything that is good about football and Manchester United,” said executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in a statement.

The South Stand contains

the only original part of the 1910 stadium infrastructure, as well as the directors’ box and old players’ changing rooms.

The North Stand was

named after the club’s most successful manager Alex Ferguson in 2011 to mark his 25 years in charge.

A statue of the ‘United Trinity’ of Charlton, George Best and Denis Law -- the players who helped United become the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968 -- already stands outside Old Trafford.

“Manchester United has been such an important part of my life and I have so many wonderful memories of this Theatre of Dreams,” said Charlton, 78.

“As a player, I remember the goals and the marvellous players I played with. As a director, I have seen some outstanding matches and players. It is a special place indeed.”

SCOREBOARD

NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 183 (J. Hazlewood 4-42) AUSTRALIA 1st innings 562 (A. Voges 239, U. Khawaja 140, S. Smith 71) NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (o/n 178-4) T. Latham c Khawaja b Lyon 63 M. Guptill c M. Marsh b Lyon 45 K. Williamson c Nevil l b Hazlewood 22 H. Nicholls b Bird 59 B. McCullum lbw b M. Marsh

10 C. Anderson lbw b M. Marsh 0

B. Watling b Lyon 10 D. Bracewell lbw b Hazlewood 14 M. Craig not out 33 T. Southee c Khawaja b Lyon 48 T. Boult b M. Marsh 12 Extras: (b-2, lb-5, nb-4) 11 Total: (all out, 104.3 overs) 327 Fall of wickets: 1-81, 2-121, 3-157, 4-178, 5-185, 6-214, 7-218s, 8-242, 9-301.

Bowling: J. Hazlewood 29-7-75-2, J. Bird 19-4-51-1 (nb-2), P. Siddle 8-0-30-0, M. Marsh 17.3-2-73-3 (nb2), N. Lyon 31-10-91-4.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

India underline credentials as World T20 favourites MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Twenty20 series wins over Australia and Sri Lanka have given top-ranked India plenty of cause for optimism as they launch their bid for a second world crown in the sport’s shortest format on home soil next month.

Champions in the inaugural edition of the World Twenty20 in 2007, India blanked hosts Australia 3-0 at the start of the year before returning home to rally for a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka.

The three-match series started with a surprise defeat on a seamer-friendly surface in Pune but India were spared the usual outpouring of discontent that follows any cricketing loss with convincing wins in the remaining two matches.

A green-tinged pitch like the one witnessed in Pune is unlikely to be seen during the March 8 to April 3 event and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has already identified

India leave the field after their victory against Australia during their T20 cricket match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground January 29, 2016. (Reuters/Hamish Blair) middle to lower batsmen But usually those who are his preferred 11 a month Visakhapatnam on Sunday. are part of the team, who with limited opportunities to batting close to six, seven before the hosts open their “Also, with the World have got very good experiimpress, however, and while and eight will have to decampaign against New Zea- Cup to be held in India, we ence of playing in India.”

Dhoni would like to see that velop ways to play the big land. know the spinners will come The return of batting deficiency addressed, he shots as soon as they go in “We are always a top into the equation. It gives us mainstay Virat Kohli, rested realises it could be difficult anyway.” contender when it comes the added benefit. for the Sri Lanka series, for Dhoni, who led the side to fulfil. to shorter formats,” Dhoni “Added to that is the ex- Ajinkya Rahane, is likely to “Not everybody has to that victory in 2007 and said after India beat Sri posure of having played the be the only change to India’s had a chance to bat but we also the 50-over World Cup Lanka by nine wickets in IPL (T20 tournament) over starting side for the upcoming will keep facing this prob- on home soil four years here. Out of the eight sea- Asia Cup T20 event in Banlem because our line-up is later, was more relaxed sons, we have played seven gladesh and the subsequent quite deep,” Dhoni added. about his bowling options, seasons in India.

World Twenty20.

“We will try to give saying the side had the “We have got a lot of The strong form of Inchances to a few of the play- right balance to tackle any players, especially ones who dia’s top order has left the ers who haven’t batted so far. conditions.

GSFCA to field three teams for fund-raiser at Crabwood Creek

THE Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GSFCA) will field three reams at Crabwood Creek, come March 27 - Easter Sunday.

Floodlights Masters, Floodlights Open and Trophy Stall Angels will do battle with Crabwood Creek/Corriverton Masters, Crabwood Creek Open and Karibee Girls.

These three feature 15/15 overs softball matches are being held as a fund-raiser for the renovation of the Crabwood Creek Primary School.

Matches will start at 09:30hrs and conclude at 18.00hrs.

Admission is $200 and there will be over 50 gate prizes to be won by spectators.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday February 16, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who scored the first ever Test match triple-hundred?

(2) Who scored the first ever ODI double-century?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Wins for Milerock and Winners Connection in UDFA League

THERE were emphatic 3-0 wins for Milerock and Federal Winners Connection when the Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UGFA) Division One League championship resumed on Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

In the first game Milerock cruised home beating Eagles United as they first took the lead in the 37th minute through a strike by Nelon Walcott.

They remained in the lead at halftime by that lone goal, and after being unable to find the back of the net they were able to put away the thin challenge of the Eagles United.

Their other goals which came late in the 92nd and 93rd minutes going into injury time play, off the boot of Denzil Pryce and Andre Mendonca respectively.

The win by the Winners Connection, even though by a similar score line was more polished as the GT Beer champions Winners Connection netted in the 30th, 35th and 61st minutes of play through striker Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens, schemer Keon Sears and forward Marmalaque Davidson their recent leading scorers. (Joe Chapman)

NOTABLE DATES

Donald Allison JUNIOR welterweight Donald Allison had a professional career that spanned six years. In that time he secured 14 victories, six defeats and one draw. Allison was good enough to have never been stopped in his career.

One victory came on February 16, 1990. It was the ninth fight of Allison’s career and he disposed of Puerto Rican Aristides Acevedo via a unanimous decision in the eight-rounder. The fight was

held at the Gleason’s Arena in Brooklyn, New York.

Born in Guyana, Allison competed mostly in the USA. He was crowned New York State junior welterweight champion in July 1990, following a unanimous win over Jose Avila.

In February 1991 Allison made an unsuccessful attempt win the International Boxing Council (IBC) title.

The Guyanese lost by a unanimous decision to American Tony Martin. The fight was held at the Mark Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Allison was born on December 1, 1963 and had his first professional fight in June 1988. After retiring from competition in the ring he returned to Guyana and opened a gym in Agricola.

Allison was a few months short of turning 42 when he was gunned down in September 2005.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Tuesday February 16, 2016

Decoding the West Indies Under-19 success story

By Mohammad Isam in Mirpur KEACY Carty and Keemo Paul batted for 20.3 overs to wipe out the 69 remaining runs needed to win their first Under-19 World Cup title.

There were pockets where an inevitable collapse looked a possibility, but the pair batted with the serenity and confidence that belied their age. Incredibly, Paul struck the only four and six in the partnership. Carty’s answer when asked if it was a conscious effort gave you a peek into his temperament.

“Singles could have done it.

We just needed 146 from 300 balls,” he said.

Wait, that’s not how West Indies do it these days, do they?

A careful, and not carefree approach, did the trick. Every run they took in the unbroken sixth-wicket stand indicated their willingness to grind it out and not look for glory hits. At no stage did they look nervous.

They didn’t seem to mind the odd miss or the fact that they were made to scrap and look ungainly, particularly against Mayank Dagar, the left-arm spinner, who troubled them with his loop and flight.

What they also showed during the course of the partnership was the hunger to succeed and not leave the task up to someone else.

Equally impressive was their ability to think out of the box. Paul’s Mankad on Richard Ngarava that turned around their campaign and Tevin Imlach’s underarm flick to catch Rishabh Pant off guard in the final were just a few examples.

Watching them come out and play like free-spirited tigers, you could sense their

changed mindset and approach.

The beauty of their win wasn’t in their preparation, but their execution at crunch moments. Unlike some of the other sides, West Indies played all of three matches together as a group against Bangladesh, who had played 29 matches between the two editions. Shimron Hetmyer’s side came into the tournament on the back of a 3-0 whitewash. They started slowly, but found their bearings when it mattered. That they managed to pull through as a side despite playing a handful of games together in the build-up could perhaps be put down to their Under-15 and Under-17 development structure, where a few of the side’s members played together.

In-between 2014 and 2016, most of the players featured in the regional Under-19 tournament; a handful of them played first-class or List A matches for their respective sides.

To make up for the lack of cricket together as a group, the WICB organised three conditioning camps, the first of which was held in Barbados after the Easter holidays last year.

Then they got together a group of 18 in Jamaica in August, while the final touches of their preparation was added in Grenada in December. Interestingly, their late replacement, the fast bowler Chemar Holder, was not in any of these camps.

On the eve of the final, Hetmyer said that the team was hurt by the three losses to Bangladesh, but insisted all the players learnt a lot and tried to use their experience of the conditions better. “The guys were

Mae’s five blasts Charlestown in Milo U-20 football

MAE’S Secondary produced a sterling performance to sink Charlestown Secondary 5-0 on Sunday in the Petra-organised Milo Under-20 Schools Football Tournament at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Charlestown conceded only one goal in the first half when Raheem Hutson scored in the 23rd minute. However, Mae’s piled on the pressure in the second half as Emmanuel Trotman doubled the lead in the 39th minute.

Tyrese Payne accounted for goal three in the 41st minute before Darshan Persaud added the fourth in the 58th then Hutson completed a brace in the 59th minute.

St John’s won 2-1 against Tutorial in a come-from-behind result. Eon Adams (11th) and Joel Taap (30th) scored once each to overshadow Alastair Frank’s sixth minute goal which had put Tutorial ahead.

St Rose’s High sank Freeburg 2-1 with a double from Loncel Martin who scored in the 29th and 52nd minutes but did not end his match with dignity after picking up a red card in the 57th minute.

Deron Thom pulled one back for the opposition in the 68th minute but even with a player short St Rose’s managed to pull off the win.

In the final match of the day Queenstown Secondary and St George’s Secondary battled to a goalless draw.

hurting after that series, but each and every member of the squad picked up from there.”

Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, who followed this team throughout the campaign as a TV commentator, said that he felt the Mankad incident spurred on the team. “I think the Zimbabwe win and the whole Mankad issue, whether you agree it was right or wrong, spurred them on,” he said.

“Some of the issue that was said about Keemo Paul and team was disgraceful. I don’t think it’s a coincidence, because they just lifted their game after that. The passage of cricket was untidy. I didn’t see the Fiji game, but they showed potential against England even if they lost.”

Bishop said while their preparation was far from ideal, the tournament was an indication that there was still plenty of talent underneath the surface in the Caribbean.

“They didn’t have ideal preparation and it should not serve as the template going into the next World Cup,” he observed. “But what the win says is that there is tremendous amount of talent. We don’t have the volume of bowlers

… The beauty of their win wasn’t in their preparation, but in their execution at crunch moments

Shimron Hetmyer, the captain, felt a loss to Bangladesh Under-19 in January was an eye-opener.

and batsmen as in the past, but I think we have enough talent and these guys have proved that it needs to be harnessed.”

This coming together has been the long lost story of West Indies cricket. A group of teenagers have now shown the way, whether it is through sheer guts to effect a Mankad or run out a batsman who was just leaving the ball and taking a step out.

In the heat of the battle, their realisation that Mohammad Saifuddin was only bowling yorkers and it can be tackled by a shorter back-lift and low intensity batting, said much about their awareness which should win a lot of praise.

The likes of Paul, Imlach and Shamar Springer now have full cricket careers. But they are from the West Indies;

the conflicting West Indies, the dying West Indies. The West Indies that is only in nostalgia and one whose future seems uncertain.

When they win a World Cup in the sub-continent by beating Pakistan, Bangladesh and India in the knockout stages and do so the hard way, you wouldn’t want to give up on them so soon.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

First Lady applauds East Coast ‘Day of Sports’ for students … says friendships formed will foster cohesion FIRST Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger applauded organisers of the East Coast Demerara’s ‘Day of Sports’ held, last Saturday morning, at the Better Hope Community Centre ground, saying only positive benefits can accrue from providing a safe space for schoolchildren to meet, interact and cohere.

Before declaring the ‘Day of Sports’ open, Mrs Granger encouraged the participants to have fun, noting that even during this exercise they will be acquiring negotiation and team-building skills that will help to inform their characters.

“I think this is a very laudable exercise because it is bringing together school children from Plaisance to Victoria, East Coast Demerara … I believe that students need a break from their studies now and then to get out, exercise and enjoy comradeship.

“I want to encourage you to put your hearts into the games, enjoy the friendships and comradeship and be the best that you can be,” Mrs Granger said.

Minister within the Min-

This student puts all her effort into the toss while her teammates and competitors pause to see the results. istry of Social Protection, Mr Keith Scott echoed these sentiments.

“We are going to use sports to be a builder of society. When you are involved in sports, you build friendships, relationships and team spirit and team spirit can lead you to nation-building and that is what we need at this time,” Minister Scott said.

James Lewis, Chairman of the Plaisance Main Road Committee Group who spearheaded the activity, in an invited comment, said that after reading in the press about the many anti-social

behaviours young people were engaging in, he decided to take action to address it.

“There were so many negative things about our young people in the newspapers; from suicide to other things. So I decided to come together with my Committee members to organise a ‘Day of Sports’ for our children and talk to them (and encourage them to be positive role models), Mr Lewis said.

The ‘Day of Sports’ roster included a number of competitive games and other recreational activities and at the close, the students will be

engaged in an interactive session for discussions on suicide and other topics.

Despite the inclement weather, students from President’s College, the Institute of Business Education, Cyril Potter College of Education and other schools turned out in their numbers for the event. Their efforts during the games were met with resounding applause; with winners celebrated and runners-up consoled.

Overall, the students seemed to delight in the activities, especially the inter-school cricket matches.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 16, 2016

Barbados Pride Allen fights Verdin tomorrow win by innings

GUYANESE super middleweight Lennox Allen is set to battle American Martin Verdin tomorrow evening in an eight-round bout scheduled for the BB King Blues Club and Grill in New York.

The fight would be Allen’s first for the year and the USA-based southpaw will be looking to extend his knockout streak which is currently at three.

Allen is highly favoured to come out on top against Verdin, who is from Louisiana. The American has lost 19 of 42 fights and had only one victory from his last four bouts.

Allen on the other hand has never been defeated in 21 trips to the ring.

Last year he fought three times and won all

Lennox Allen by stoppages.

Tomorrow night’s contest would be Allen’s third fight at the venue, the last being in January 2015 when he knocked out Ghanaian Kojo Issah in the second round. In his last fight Al-

len upset Hungarian Istvan Zeller to win by TKO in round two.

That contest was staged in Virginia last October. The New Yorkbased Allen turned pro in 2004 and racked up a record of 20-0 with 13 knockouts. He has drawn one fight.

He captured the vacant World Boxing Council, Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) title in 2011 following a unanimous 12-round decision over Kwesi Jones at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Allen’s career slowed after that, resulting in the 30-year-old having only one fight in 2012 and a similar number in 2013.

He did not enter the ring in 2014.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados Pride defeated the Windward Islands Volcanoes by an innings and 56 runs within the first 20 minutes of play on the fourth and final day of their WICB Regional Professional Cricket League first-class sixth-round match at Kensington Oval here yesterday.

Resuming on the final day from 134 for seven overnight, still 66 runs in areas, the Volcanoes surrendered meekly, losing their last three wickets for only 10 runs in 4.3 overs to be all out for a meagre 144 runs.

Fast bowler Miguel Cummins had both Shane Shillingford and Kenroy Peters caught by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich for 17 and five respectively to finish with three for 42 in 11.3 overs.

Shai Hope Off-spinner Ashley Nurse, the only other bowler used today, took the other wicket to fall,

trapping Mervin Matthew leg-before-wicket for four as the batsman attempted to sweep.

A draw is all we need!

By Rawle Toney in Houston Texas

WITH Trinidad and Tobago losing 6-0 to Canada, the Lady Jags hold a one-goal advantage over their Caribbean neighbours and would only need a draw today to advance to the semi-final round of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier tournament. The game starts at 17:00hrs (18:00hrs EST/19:00hrs GY Time).

Guyana stunned Guatemala in a 2-1 come-from-behind victory on Valentine’s Day with Mariam El-Masri scoring the equaliser after Ana Lucia Martinez had given the Central Americans the lead in the 54th minute. Then Alison Heydorn scored one of the goals of the tournament in the 76th minute to hand the Lady Jags the win and three points.

The last time Guyana and Trinidad played was at the 2010 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Cancun Mexico, where the Lady Jags went down 4-1, with El-Masri scoring their lone goal.

However, almost six years later, today’s game paints

Lady Jags to face T&T today in crucial game

Alison Heydorn (showing the #1 sign), is swarmed by team-mates after scoring Guyana’s game winner against Guatemala last Sunday.

a different story; one which shows growth and maturity in the Lady Jags team which will make the game against Trinidad very interesting.

Seven goals were scored against Trinidad while only being able to get two of their own, placing the Twin Island Republic on -5; one behind Guyana who had only six goals scored against them.

If coach Mark Rodrigues ladies could replicate their defence played against Canada and Guatemala then Guyana would be creating history once again and will play the USA in the semi-final.

Trinidad are seemingly more equipped with experience, especially not being strangers to this tournament and level of competition, despite not getting past the group stage on both occasions (2008, 2009).

The team, though still going through a change of administration, and their own woes, have been more exposed internation-

Guyana will be depending on their leading goalscorer Mariam El-Masri to come up big today against Trinidad and Tobago. ally than the Lady Jags. In fact, Trinidad are the Caribbean’s highest-ranked women’s national team at 48 and fifth in CONCACAF behind the USA (1), Canada (2), Mexico (3) and Costa Rica (4).

Guyana, ranked 89 by FIFA (9th in CONCACAF), played only their fifth match since 2010, but still managed to succeed - something Rodrigues credits to his team’s all-round talent and ability to adjust to his playing style.

Heydorn, El-Masri, Ashlee Savona and captain Ashley Rodrigues are the usual goal-getters for Rodrigues. In 2010, El-Masri scored two of Guyana’s three goals at the Gold Cup. Kayla DeSouza had netted the other.

Another factor that puts the game in the favour of Guyana is Chante Sandiford’s brilliance in goal as compared to Trinidad’s Kimika Forbes.

Sandiford, 25, had a stellar career in the U.S. collegiate sys-

tem with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and made her debut for Guyana in the CFU qualifiers after having ‘call-ups’ by the USA for several youth tournaments.

With stints in several professional leagues around Europe, Sandiford who now plays with UMF Selfoss in Iceland is said to be Rodrigues biggest addition to his roster.

Interestingly, how Guyana defend against Trinidad’s attack led by Arin King, Tasha St Louis, Maylee Attin-Johnson and Kennya Cordner, will determine their destiny and further participation.

The aforementioned players are the stars and faces of the Trinidad and Tobago women’s National programme. They’ve played a part in every historic moment for the Twin Island Republic and it is expected that they will carry the ‘Red Black and White’ to the next stage of qualification.

Guyana Jaguars romp to sixth consecutive PCL win

By Rajiv Bisnauth TRINIDAD and Tobago Red Force suffered heavy defeat as hosts Guyana Jaguars completed a 105-run victory minutes before the extended tea session on the final day when their sixth-round West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day game ended yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium.

For the Guyana Jaguars, it was their sixth consecutive outright win this season Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul and now put the defending claims four of Red Force’s second-innings champions on 101 points, 19 wickets for a match-haul of 9 for 110. points ahead of second-place, Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

Barbados Pride.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul took four second-innings wickets, while fellow spinners Devendra Bishoo (2-56) and Gudakesh Motie (2-45) all proved too much for the Red Force batsmen.

Narsingh Deonarine and Rayad Emrit were the only batsmen to offer any resistance to the Jaguars bowlers before they were dismissed for 60 and 48 respectively.

The Red Force decline was set in motion when they lost five wickets in the morning session to crash to 101-5 at lunch, and the demolition

was completed when Permaul trapped Marlon Richards leg-before-wicket for 11.

Earlier, the Jaguars declared their second innings overnight in order to give themselves enough time to bowl at the Red Force.

The Jaguars were 244-4 at the close of the third day, a massive lead of 302, with skipper Leon Johnson on 111, his third First-Class hundred and Anthony Bramble on 39.

However, the Guyana Jaguars decided they had enough runs on the board and set the tourists a target of 303 runs on the final day.

The Red Force shuffled

the batting order with the aim to negate the Jaguars impressive bowling attack but that did not prevent the Guyana bowlers from making steady inroads.

Regular opener Kyle Hope began the run chase with Imran Khan, but seamers Raymon Reifer (1-31) and Keon Joseph (1-19) had good spells to give the Jaguars the early advantage.

Hope was bowled off the inside edge by Reifer while Khan was dismissed in spectacular fashion when he had his off-stump knocked See Page 19 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016