Chronicle 02 18 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

MINERS LOST?

THREE persons are missing in the “Omai Mountain area,” Region 7 since Valentine’s Day. The trio, Anthony Van Sertima (47), Gavin Van Sertima (20), and Kwastan Lewis (23) all relatives, left their mining camp to look for a mining block belonging to Onica Williams in that area.

According to Anthony Van Sertima’s wife, Joylyn Moore, her husband and son, Gavin Van Sertima and her nephew Kwastan Lewis

Three presumed lost on OMAI Mountain

left in search of the mining block which they reportedly located.

“They leave to locate a block, they find the block but got lost while getting off the block,” Moore told Guyana Chronicle. She said she spoke with the trio on Tuesday and they told her they were out of food and water and the battery to their mobile

devices were drained. The emotional woman explained that the men have lost their way back to their camps and she is worried.

Guyana Chronicle understands that the area where the men were last known to be is densely forested and as such it may be a bit challenging to locate them. Moore explained that

all of the relevant authorities have been notified including the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

“I notified the police, the army and I spoke with Minister Simona Broomes and Raphael Trotman,” she stated. When asked the length

of time it takes to get to the “Omai Mountain area” from the men’s previous location, Moore said on average it can take approximately “three days by foot from the crossing.” She explained that she was there once and is basing her assessment on her experience.

“They should have been out of the location by

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now…the last time I spoke with them was Tuesday morning; they don’t have food, water,” she said the worried woman who noted that the men could not state where they were. Moore said she is desperately in need of help to locate her relatives and noted that Ministers Trotman and Broomes have promised to send a team in to locate the trio. The older Van Sertima has been a miner for more than 27 years.

Solidarity crucial … Granger seeks CARICOM’s support against Venezuela’s threats

PRESIDENT David Granger told CARICOM leaders that the threat to Guyana’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and economic development is as grave now as it ever was and called on the 15-member bloc to stand with Georgetown in the face of renewed threats by Venezuela.

The President made the comments during a presentation at the just concluded 27th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in Belize. Mr. Granger reminded CARICOM leaders that he had the honour to address the Thirty-sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Barbados in July 2015 and much has happened since then. At that time, CARICOM was astonished at the outrageous Decree – No. 1787 – that had been issued by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela extending its maritime zone into the maritime space of many CARICOM states. So grotesque was the Decree that it was soon after rescinded. It was replaced by another decree – No. 1859 – equally objectionable to Guyana.

Granger said the CARICOM Summit was followed, not long afterwards, by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. “I had the opportunity there to present Venezuela’s aggression against Guyana and to call on UN Secretary-General to exercise his powers to bring this Venezuelan aggression towards Guyana to an end by process of law. He is empowered to do this by the Geneva Agreement of 1966-the Agreement among British Guiana, Britain and Venezuela which allowed Independence to go forward – Independence which Venezuela

had tried to block.”

President Granger said the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Agreement was observed on 17th February 2016.

The Agreement was aimed at bringing Venezuela’s territorial claims to an end. “Venezuela’s contention, as you know, is that the international Arbitral Award of 1899 that fixed Guyana’s boundaries with Venezuela is a ‘nullity’.” President Granger said throughout the past 50 years, Venezuela made no President effort to prove its contention.

David Granger “It chose, instead, a strategy of harassment; it chose a course of obstruction of Guyana’s economic development; it chose a diplomatic posture of preventing Guyana from membership of the Organisation of American States for 25 years. It attempted subversion of our indigenous people. It resorted to a strategy of naked naval threat by sending a corvette into our Exclusive Economic Zone in 2013.”

President Granger said 50 years of “this constant threat to our sovereignty and territorial integrity are too long for any state to sustain. It occupied our entire existence as an independent State. Guyana seeks an end to living under constant

threat. We seek to allow the rule of international law to prevail.

Venezuela, however, reasserted its claim to more than half of Guyana by asserting–as its Foreign Minister did last week – that by the Geneva Agreement, Venezuela’s claim of nullity of the Arbitral Award had been acknowledged, if not accepted.”

Mr Granger said Venezuela might have surmised that, what remained was for its so-called “historical controversy’ to be resolved by diplomacy. “Guyana is convinced that, based on its experience over the past 50 years, this would mean only another 50 years of harassment. Venezuela seems prepared to pursue a programme of aggression under the cloak of peace to avoid a judicial settlement and submission to international law,” President Granger said.

Additionally, Granger told CARICOM leaders that the UN Secretary General, in the wake of all that happened last year, has formulated Proposals for The Way Forward under the Geneva Agreement, ending, if necessary, in the International Court of Justice.

He said Guyana has been cooperating with him, but Venezuela is not. “It is, instead, using its monthly Presidency of the Security Council to portray itself as an advocate of peace and respect for the Charter. Venezuela has issued, through its Foreign Ministry, two weeks ago, a document referred to as Ratification of Venezuelan rights over the Essequibo.” President Granger said Guyana has taken note of these warnings and Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge made a statement in the National Assembly on 12th February 2016 repudiating these assertions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 18, 2016

Mocha,Lodge residents die in minibus accidents

KIVEN Roberts, of 15 Norton Street, Lodge, died last night at the Georgetown Public Hospital about five hours after he was struck down by a minibus.

Reports are that sometime after 15:00hrs (3:00pm), the 52-yearold man was riding his bicycle when he was hit by a Route 41 minibus on Norton Street. He was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He had sustained severe head injuries and several broken bones, this newspaper was told.

The driver of the mini-

bus, with licence plate number BLL 495, told this newspaper that he was proceeding along Norton Street when Roberts suddenly swung out from one of the side streets into his path. He said that he tried to “mash brakes” but it was too late and the two collided.

Stabroek News was told that the man and his cycle ended up underneath the minibus after it came to a stop. After the incident, the driver said he immediately took Roberts to the hospital.

After taking Roberts to the hospital, the driver was taken into police custody and the minibus detained.

Relatives and friends told this newspaper that Roberts had just left home on his bicycle when they received a message that he had been struck by a minibus. They said by the time they arrived at the scene Roberts had already left for the hospital, but they noticed his badly mangled bicycle on the road. When they reached the hospital, they were told that the man was unconscious.

And LENNOX Waithe, 34, of Mocha-Arcadia, a farmer and father of two, died yesterday morning at the Diamond Regional Hospital after he too was struck down by a minibus.

Reports are that Waithe was on his way home from his farm and was riding his bicycle when he was hit from be-

hind by a minibus on the Mocha roadway.

According to one of the deceased’s friends who was riding ahead of Waithe, the Route 42 minibus had to be speeding in order to strike his friend so hard.

“After coming out of the farm, we were riding on the “entry” road coming, when all of a sudden I heard a hard sound and I see Lennox pitch in the trench,” the friend said.

He added that persons took the man out of the trench and placed him in the bus that had struck him. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Regional Hospital.

Meanwhile, the driver was taken into police custody and investigations were launched into the matter.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

$2.35B cleared for Region One $2.35B was approved by the National Assembly for Region One, Barima-Waini, as the consideration of current and capital expenditure for the 10 administrative regions continued on Wednesday. Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan defended the total allocation noting that it will bring significant benefits to the residents of Region One. In the area of infrastructural development, a total of $382.8M was allocated for several upgrades. Of that sum, a total of $35.446M was allocated for the rehabilitation of several bridges including the Hosororo Bridge that is to be completed along with the Papaya and Arocuro bridges that will be rehabilitated. An additional $31M will be spent on the construc-

tion of roads in Mabaruma and Moruca, while $20M will be used to upgrade the Hosororo, Wauna and Sugar Hill electricity distribution networks.

In the health sector, Minister Bulkan said better health care will be provided following an allocation of $694.5M. He said $52.045 will be used to complete an x-ray room at the Kumaka Health Centrre, along with the completion of a sanitary block at Falls Top. Additionally, the minister said the allocation will be used to construct a mortuary at Pakera, health posts at Powaikuru and Warapoka, an administrative building at Mabaruma, and the construction of health posts and living quarters at Katchikamo.

Additionally, $26M has been allocated for the provision of incinerators and

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan oxygen supply tanks. The provision of sanitary blocks at Koko, Cabrora, Santa Cruz, Sebai, Wauna, Yarakita, Kamwatta and Chinese Landing has also been catered for under this allocation.

Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill

Opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Frank Anthony questioned the minister on whether the health administrators of Region One had received $43M worth of drugs and medical supplies budgeted for in 2015. Bulkan responded, noting that the value of the drugs received last year was not the full amount and noted that the

region is still receiving drugs and medical supplies from the 2015 budgetary allocations.

Bulkan was then asked whether the region has pharmacists, midwives and technicians and how many. The Minister of Communities replied in the affirmative and committed to providing the requested information to the House before the close of parliamentary affairs on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Frank Anthony called on Bulkan to provide a list of drugs, the quantity and how they will be distributed. He also asked the minister to explain the $80M allocated for the supply of drugs and medical supplies.

Minister Bulkan said the allocation is based on the requirements identified by the

Health Department in Region One. Last year, $42M was allocated for the supply of drugs and medical supplies.

He committed to providing all requested information to the House.

Under Programme 713Education Delivery, an allocated sum of $1.132B will be used for improving the sector. Of the total, $65.29M will be spent on the completion of living quarters at Port Kaituma and Santa Rosa, along with the sanitary block at Baramita Primary School.

Additionally, a new secondary school will be constructed at Waramuri, while Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge nursery schools will be extended. $16.535M has also been allocated to purchase school furniture and equipment in Region One.

National Assembly approves $3.4B for Region Two

THE National Assembly on Wednesday approved $3,432,836 budgeted for the total current and capital expenditure for Region Two, Pomeroon -Supenaam, as the consideration for the 2016 estimates for current and capital revenue and expenditure continued.

The region’s budget was approved following a line of questioning from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) fielded to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. Under Programme 725, Health Services, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Frank Anthony questioned the amount of money allocated for drugs and supplies for the Region.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan Last year, $87.9M were allocated for drugs and medical supplies, while $176M have been budgeted for this year. “How much of the

$89M allocated for 2015 was used for the procurement of drugs?” asked Dr. Anthony.

Minister Bulkan could not readily provide the amount but said all of the money allocated was not used, noting that the unused portion was returned to the treasury.

He added that the amount budgeted for 2016 will remove the possibility of any drug shortage in Region Two. $893.749M, a combination of current and capital expenditure, will be used to improve health care and upgrade health facilities in Region Two, the Minister stated. Of the total, Bulkan noted, $81.417M will go towards retention payment, the provision of an Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E)

at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital at Charity, and the provision of oxygen supply tanks.

Meanwhile, under Programme 722, Agriculture, a total of $344.12M has been allocated for agricultural development. Of the allotted amount, $44.846M will be spent on miscellaneous drainage and irrigation works; retention payment; the completion of regulators at La Resource; and sluices at Perth, Hampton Court and Lima.

Irrigation checks at Huist’ Dieren, a tail wall at Queenstown and a culvert at Bounty Hall are also to be completed, the Minister of Communities stated. $151.057M have been allocated for infrastructural works along Region Two, with $14.97M being expended on bridges. Minister Bulkan noted that the allocated sums will also be used for retention payment, the completion of a bridge at Good Hope and the construction of a new bridge at Richmond on the Essequibo Coast.

Additionally, $19.070M have been allocated for road works, and will be used for the completion and upgrading of roads at Dartmouth and Adventure.

On the Education front, the Minister said, $1.843B will be allocated to the sector, of which $196.352M will be used for the construction of a nursery school at Akawini, Pomeroon, and the Aurora Primary School, along with the extension and rehabilitation of several other schools in the region.

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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

Trade unionism in Guyana

TRADE unionism has been an important pillar in Guyana’s evolution, and in workers’ and citizens’ development. In 1905, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow led dock workers to strike against poor working conditions, which included wages and salaries. This registered Guyana’s first mass-based action in the 20th century.

Under Critchlow’s leadership, workers mobilised and fought the merchant class, who, together with the colonial authority, were comfortable in denying them better working conditions.

The dock workers’ struggle gave credence to the fact that, collectively, workers can achieve better working conditions rather than engaging the employer individually. These workers’ commitment to solidarity among themselves in pursuit of improving their standard of living realised the British Guiana Labour Union, which was registered in 1919 and later renamed the Guyana Labour Union.

The workers’ struggles have achieved for this nation conditions of work such as minimum wage, an eight-hour work day, holiday with pay, overtime pay, sick leave, the Workman’s Compensation Act, Labour Laws, Landlord and Tenant Act, National Insurance and Social Security, Occupational Safety and Health, free education and free health care.

At the social level, the trade unions were involved in turn-key housing development such as obtained in TucVille in Georgetown, TucBer in New Amsterdam, Wisroc in Linden, and the Kwakwani Housing Scheme in Upper Rio Berbice. The ‘Tuc’ in the schemes’ names means the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which spearheaded their conceptualization and construction.

The TUC also played a role in education, as is evident in the Critchlow Labour College and the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC), which are brainchildren of the TUC. On the political front, the trade union movement started the mass-based struggle for internal self-government. In this 50th year of Guyana’s Independence, it need not be forgotten that, 90 years ago (1926), the Caribbean Labour leaders -- which included Critchlow -- congregated here to conceptualise and develop a strategy for self-government, which included the one-man-one-vote

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 18, 2016

Celebrate with pride and dignity Dear Editor, I READ in Monday’s newspaper of the plight of the Port-of-Spain Mayor, whose words in regard to women’s dress during Carnival angered persons to such an extent that they have called for him to resign from his post.

I would like to believe that it is not what he said that angered the masses, but when he said it. His timing was unfortunate! He spoke in response to “…the discovery of an unidentified female masquerader” (SN Mon. Feb 15th pg. 5), who was later identified as Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya. In that

context, his comments could easily be taken/mistaken as “victim-blaming”.

Such tragedies must never be taken lightly! Murder; rape; violence of any sort against another human being, regardless of their choice of life style, should attract the condemnation of the entire citizenry, and must be met with the full force of the law! Nevertheless, we cannot ignore his words, even as we prepare to celebrate Mashramani!

In the context of Mashramani, I take the liberty of quoting and endorsing his words, as reported in the Monday, February 15th, edition of Stabroek News: “…women did not need

to behave in a vulgar and lewd manner to enjoy themselves…” He continued: “I spoke of some of the things that I see women do, assisted by men, of course, but the woman has the responsibility that they ensure that they are not abused. You can enjoy Carnival (Mashramani – my insert) without going through that routine.” He added: “… women needed to maintain a level of dignity during Carnival (Mashramani – my insert) festivities.”

On another occasion, he was quoted as saying: “I see some women do some things with some men – nothing for the imagination, you can’t do that.”

He described some cos-

tumes as “unacceptable – almost like a beach party on the street…”

I urge my fellow Guyanese to celebrate with pride and dignity! I say to my fellow women: let’s command respect, and demand it also; though I realize that establishing and upholding standards of decency and discretion is the privilege and responsibility of BOTH MEN AND WOMEN! Celebrating must not be equated with vulgarity! At the end of the day, we must all be able to hold our heads high as we, ‘diverse though our strains’, rejoice together in this our jubilee year!

CLAUDIA HEYWOOD

Ensure the safety of workers

Dear Editor,

ON May 16th, 2015, Guyana inhaled several breaths of fresh air with the dawning of a new era. To date, we are witnessing the unfolding of the progressive and nationalistic vision of His Excellency, President David Granger.

One project that is reflective of our President’s visionary approach to leadership is the enhancement of the Durban Park landscape. Many can remember that, in the not-too-distant past, our children often questioned whether Tarzan resided at Durban Park.

Nevertheless, many citizens are extremely grateful for effort being made to host various activities at this venue during the year of our jubilee.

However, a photo that accompanied an article on the front page of the Guyana Chronicle, captioned “Race on to ‘Prep’ Durban Park for Feb 23”, painted a very troubling picture. The photo captured workmen manually lifting what appears to be a 10’x10’ greenheart plank up the steps of the temporary seating accommodation for the Republic Flag Raising ceremony. This photo is troubling

concept that would have set in place a train of events that culminated in independence in the Caribbean, starting in the 1960s.

If truth be told, nothing was ever willingly given to workers by employers; workers have always had to fight for what they received. Other employers, to be competitive, have incorporated the negotiated benefits from unionised workplaces into their conditions of employment.

The trade union, from inception, has been a pressure group both at the work place and in the wider society. While the movement negotiates better working conditions, it has extended its role to include workers’ welfare in the wider community. This is probably better understood through the work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which was established in 1919 and has conventions impacting on the workers’ wellbeing both in and out of work. These conventions touch the workers’ social, economic, cultural and political lives.

No pretence is made that labour relations here have not been without their challenges, and have not at times been tumultuous; nor can it be denied that political parties, having established alliances with the labour movement and its leadership, have, from time to time, infiltrated its ranks with politicians who view

because it appears that the safety of workers and visitors to the site is being ignored.

Not only were the men not attired with the requisite safety gear, but one of the said workers was barefooted.

It is frightening to imagine what would be the result if an accident were to occur.

Some visitors who appeared to be integrally involved with the execution of the project were also observed without safety gear.

While our President provides the vision for our country, we, as citizens, especially those who are tasked with the management and general overview of national

projects, must ensure safety of workers is made a priority, since we are moving to a more progressive and professional country post May 2015. If we are to look for a model as it pertains to enforcement of safety laws and practices, we can revisit the work done by the Ministry of Social Protection early in its existence.

All Guyana looks forward to a memorable year of our Jubilee, as the plans for the Durban Park continue to unfold.

Regards, JEUMAYNE DUMMETT

the movement as a platform to further their partisan political agendas.

That being said, there remains a role for the trade union movement as a pressure group, social partner, and party in the industrial relations system.

If Guyana is to earn and maintain respect and credibility in the international arena as a member of the United Nations, the ILO, and international financial institutions whose development premises include respecting individual rights and freedoms, the trade union movement must be allowed to occupy its rightful place in our industrial relations’ system and nation’s body politic.

Arguably, the framers of the Guyana Constitution recognised this -- as is evident in articles that refer to this institution -- and have assigned specific roles to the trade union movement. Thus, when the government announced its commitment to respect collective bargaining for public sector workers, it not only reset in society the tone on industrial relations’ matters, but also sent a signal to employers where workers are unionised that they, too, are expected to do likewise. Public sector unions and members are therefore encouraged to prepare and submit their proposals to their employer, so negotiation can commence soonest.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Show us the bill

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) is pushing government to speed up the fulfilment of its promise to liberalise the telecommunications sector and is asking for strict timelines and the tabling of the appropriate legislation.

In a statement on Wednesday, the PSC said that while it welcomes the fact that the APNU+AFC government has announced its commitment in favour of the prompt liberalisation of Guyana’s telecommunication sector to be concluded before the end of this year, it is disappointed that the promised telecommunication legislation is yet to be laid in Parliament and urges the government to establish and announce specific timelines for when the liberalisation is going to begin and the specific processes that are going to be involved in this exercise.

“The fact is that Guyana’s economic advancement and growth are being seriously handicapped by the country’s limited access to bandwidth and affordable high-speed connectivity.

The PSC looks forward to a Telecommunications Bill that will ensure unrestricted and unfettered competition by our telecommunications providers,” the business umbrella body stated.

According to the PSC, the absence of high-speed affordable connectivity has left Guyana behind the rest of the world and, indeed, the rest of the Caribbean. “It prevents domestic and international investment in the creative innovation of ICT services and the employment and productivity that this investment will produce in every sector of the economy. “The private sector is of the firm belief that technology driven, knowledge-based industries must be the cornerstone of this country’s future.

The Private Sector Commission is ready and willing to work with

…PSC pushes gov't on telecoms reforms Meanwhile, GTT also late last year had said that it is optimistic that the telecommunications sector will soon be liberalised, although much uncertainty surrounds passage of the Telecommunications Bill. “I know this government is very keen on liberalising the sector,” GTT’s Chief Executive Officer

Minister of Chairman of the PSC, Telecommunications, Norman McLean Cathy Hughes will be opened to all strategic and support the government, in every way it can, to accelerate the establishment of an ICT sector that will bring our country and the economy into the 21st century.”

The liberalisation of the telecommunications sector here has been hamstrung by the decades-old monopoly being held by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT). The previous government had made efforts to break the monopoly, but at the very last moment it had pulled out due to legal considerations.

Speaking during the recent budget debate, Minister of Telecommunications Cathy Hughes had said that there were several consequential matters that remained to be settled before liberalisation of the sector and for which further consultations with a major player, GT&T, are ongoing.

“It is hoped therefore that the process of liberalisation would be completed during this year and that the national spectrum

partners and we promise to have an even playing field,” Hughes said.

Irish telecommunications giant Digicel has also been pressing for the end of the monopoly.

Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kevin Kelly had previously told this newspaper that the company has faith in the new administration to fulfil its promise. “As it relates to the subject of liberalisation, we believe that the new administration is committed to delivering on their promise to liberalise the telecommunications sector. As highlighted in their manifesto, the Telecommunications Bill is one of the main bills of focus,” the CEO said. Kelly noted that the company is eager to provide the Guyanese people with improved products and services.

“We also believe that liberalisation will benefit Guyana and the Guyanese people by lowering costs for international calls and improve the products and services offered in the Guyanese market.”

The President is right on this issue Dear Editor, KUDOS to President Granger for sticking to his guns on the issue of banning vehicles older than eight years from being imported into the c o u n t r y, a n d a l s o f o r banning used tyres. Auto dealers will just have to get over it, and Guyanese will adjust.

Editor, it is disgusting how, under the previous administration, Mr. Jadgeo could have been hailed as champion of the earth, as well as touting the LCDS, but yet continue to allow high-polluting vehicles, con-

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sidered unacceptable in developed countries, into our backyard, and also encouraging the dangerous use of used tyres, which no doubt have contributed to many accidents.

As a public citizen and an expat, I was flabbergasted as to why our cities and towns continue to be bombarded by these really noxious vehicles that emit vast amounts of unwanted gases into people’s faces and the environment, but somehow our leaders would be barefaced enough to brag about the modernity of Guyana to foreign dignitaries. What hypocrites!

I, for one, welcome the ban, and only hope that in a matter of years we can move to electric cars, as the technology becomes more mainstream and affordable, along with the hope of having better roads and maybe a beautiful highway to Lethem and elsewhere in Guyana.

Guyanese should be proud that they have a President that looks out for their interest and well-being instead of the bottom line.

Whether this continues is yet to be seen, but my glass is up on this decision by our leaders.

A. PERSAUD

Justin Nedd had told the media.

Nedd said that once the sector is liberalised and spectrum is granted, GTT would be able to free its customers from the “slow 2G experience” through provision of 3G and/or 4G services. He said once the government, through the National Frequency Management Unit

(NFMU), allocates the spectrum, GTT would move into operation. “We are preparing, we are talking to vendors, trying to get the best prices, [and] looking at the procurement process to see how quickly we could get this gear installed and tested, so that customers could get 3 and 4G services.”

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Crum-Ewing hit

Kwame McCoy arrested

By Leroy Smith

THE ongoing revitalised probe into the execution of activist Courtney Crum-Ewing took an even more interesting twist on Wednesday when popular former press and publicity officer to then Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar was locked down at a police facility.

Yesterday a party of policemen swooped down on the Diamond home of Kwame McCoy to effect an arrest, but came up empty-handed as the former senior Office of the President employee in the Kwame McCoy Peoples Progressive Party Civic government was not at home.

However, word reached McCoy that the police had visited his home, and after making contact with senior police sources, he decided to head down to the Criminal Investigation Department, where he was immediately taken into custody.

Contacted last evening, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that McCoy was in police custody for questioning as part of the ongoing probe into the Crum-Ewing murder. In 2015, McCoy had reportedly presented the police with a statement in relation to the matter.

Kwame McCoy’s detention comes two days after his close ally Jason Abdulla was on Monday arrested in connection with the same investigation, and then on Tuesday, former self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds was picked up from his home, also as part of the investigation.

Guyana Chronicle has been reliably informed that several other persons are likely to be picked up as part of the probe, even as Abdulla and Hinds remain in the custody of the police.

Crum-Ewing was an anti-government protestor while the PPP was in power, and he was executed months before the General and Regional Elections of 2015.

Courtney Crum-Ewing became popular after he led a one-man picketing exercise in front of the office of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, calling for his removal from office. Hinds, last year in an explosive interview with a television journalist -- which was aired in parts -- confirmed that he was responsible for the execution of several male Guyanese as part of his operations as a member of the Phantom Squad.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Countrywide strike looms if teachers’ issues not addressed – GTU

By Rabindra Rooplall IN its fourth week of protest, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) is calling on President David Granger to intervene; but if the administration does not address the burning issue of teachers’ promotion, then countrywide strike action could be on the cards.

Some of the placards in the protest read: “A frustrated teacher cannot perform at maximum, students may suffer”; “We found them to be dishonest”; “We tired of the same over and over”; “Letter went out and Leila ain’t know”; “TSC we need honesty and respect”; and “Who must go? The Leila Ramson Commission.”

CALLS FOR NEW TSC President of the GTU, Mark Lyte, said there is need for a new commission, but there has been a limited response from the administration to replace the body, which the union contends is not working in the interest of teachers.

“I believe there is a deliberate effort to frustrate our teachers who are due their promotions, and this matter should have been resolved since last December; but the commission continues to drag its feet, saying it’s unable to deal with the concerns of the GTU,” Lyte said.

FRUSTRATED He noted also that the GTU’s position is that there have been too many teachers who have, over the years, been frustrated based on their eligibility and the criteria used for promotions.

“We are calling on President Granger to intervene, because the President has the authority to change the commission.

So far, we have written to him and have gotten no response, which does not augur well. We are contemplating moving to the next level, which would result in a nationwide strike in order to address our concerns,” Lyte declared.

A countrywide strike by all teachers is a last resort, the

GTU president noted, but he said it appears as though the government is acting at snail’s pace; and if the interests of teachers and students are not taken care of in the classroom, then there would be a ripple effect within communities.

“I think they should suspend debates in Parliament and deal with this matter, because it’s urgent and affecting our children, since our teachers are not in the right frame of mind to do their job because of this matter,” Lyte said.

MULLING STRIKE ACTION He said that as early as next week the union will decide if the countrywide strike will commence, if there is no favourable response from the administration. The strike will be in the form of teachers not reporting to work.

PROMOTIONS CRITERIA Meanwhile, GTU General Secretary Coretta McDonald said that, over the years, the union has been saying to the commission that its criteria for promotions are an incorrect method by which to judge teachers.

“The TSC have been going ahead and doing promotions against what is supposed to be done. Teachers were interviewed, their applications were looked at, and many were judged based on what communities say; and teachers have not been promoted to schools that would have been their first choice,” she contended.

The GTU General Secretary said the criteria should speak to experience and qualifications, and not what comments a community has made pertaining to a teacher. “If that is followed, then we have no need for application forms; persons can just come in and say I want to go to this school or that school and you appoint them to the school; and the TSC, over the years, are yet not willing to comply and correct blunders that they have been making.”

She said the GTU is tired of having clashes with the TSC, and is now calling on President Granger to intervene to dissolve the commission.

Accused in rape of girl, 13, found not guilty DASRAJ, called ‘Dan’, walked out of the High Court in Georgetown yesterday a free man after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl.

According to the indictment, on July 16, 2011 Dasraj reportedly engaged in sexual penetration of a 13-year-old girl.

Justice Navindra Singh presided over the trial which was held in-camera.

Guyana Teachers Union General Secretary Coretta McDonald leads the protest line with union members in front of the Teaching Service Commission building on Brickdam, Georgetown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Water to flow again at Diamond soon … contract for repairs of well to be signed today

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Chronicle visited Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara yesterday after many complaints from residents about the hardship of sourcing potable water for their homes, despite water trucks from Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) making the rounds.

The good news, according to GWI Public Relations Officer Timothy Austin, while the Diamond Well Station is still being fixed a contract will be inked today between the water company and the contractor who will rehabilitate the well station.

About two weeks ago residents of Diamond New Housing Scheme community and its environs have been without potable water since the Diamond Well Station developed technical difficulties. A large amount of clay was discovered and repairs are being done to a ruptured casing in the well.

This newspaper yesterday spoke to several residents about their water woes. Marilyn Edwards, who was at the time fetching water from a neighbour’s yard yesterday morning, said it has been about two weeks since the well has not been working and so potable water supply has stopped. She described the situation as ‘punishment’ because she does not have barrels to store water whenever the water trucks come around.

Edwards said that she would get water from the water trucks which she stores in buckets but those are quickly utilised because there is a baby in the house and they have to wash clothes every day and do household chores.

BUYING DRINKING WATER The woman noted that water is being delivered via trucks with black tanks and they would allow residents

A canter truck taking a black tank of water into Diamond yesterday morning

Marilyn Edwards fetching water to her home from a neighbour’s yard in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, yesterday morning to full up their buckets and barrels but the water is somewhat ‘reddish’ in colour and they cannot drink that water provided by GWI. Edwards stated that they have to buy drinking water which was priced at $240 but since the water woes hit the community the price has gone up to $260 per bottle of sealed drinking water.

Moreover, she is tasked with fetching water from her neighbour’s yard because they are getting water from the main line but at a much reduced level and she is trying to make much of it.

Patricia Aaron, who was ‘breezing out’ on her verandah yesterday morning when the Guyana Chronicle visited, said her household is trying to cope with the water delivery system set up by GWI in

that village.

In addition, she loosened the main pipeline and they are getting some water to fill-up their buckets, etc. for household use.

WASH BAY AFFECTED And at a wash bay in Diamond, several residents who were there said they are getting water but at a very reduced level from the main pipeline and they even turned it on to show this newspaper.

The men said they are using a water pump to source water for their operations at the wash bay and are hoping that the full water pressure is restored soon because it is affecting their business. They were observed washing cars yesterday morning with a bucket of soapy water instead

Carlos Gomes displaying the water pressure from the main pipeline at his home yesterday of a power washer.

Carlos Gomes told this publication that at first when they heard that the ‘well was down’ they were not getting any water from the tap but this week they are getting some potable water.

Last Thursday, GWI said that they were still experiencing technical difficulties at the Diamond Well Station.

Earlier, the East Bank Demerara Maintenance Team had observed that the water being produced by the Diamond Well Station, which has a depth of approximately 600 feet, contained large amounts

Bigger CJIA terminal coming THE NEW airport terminal at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) under the expansion project is expected to be larger than in the original plan and the final design for the project is expected to be completed by mid-year.

This was disclosed on Tuesday evening when the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly perused and later green-lighted the estimates allocated for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure in this year’s budget.

Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson, was grilled by the Opposition on the money proposed for the CJIA Expansion project. Patterson informed from the outset that the sums allocated in this year’s budget, $4.5B includes several hidden costs which were not catered for. These included costs attached to the removal of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) barracks, navigation equipment on the ground at the CJIA and other expenses.

Opposition MP, Odinga Lumumba questioned whether

a baseline sum has been set as regards the project cost and Patterson noted that he has a mandate set by Cabinet and he noted that governance body does not impede upon the monies expended or allocated for the project. As regards the project’s final design, Patterson and Lumumba and former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill engaged each other on the subject. Edghill said that in the original design of the project, the terminal buildings are proposed for both sides and not one side of the runway as suggested by the current plans.

However, Patterson said that the plans did not deviate from the original plan. He explained that the design is a work in progress. “What we agreed to is the concept,” he said, adding that it is the responsibility of the contractor to carry out such and return same to the MPI. As the session continued, Lumumba queried whether the government is in agreement with the contractor, Chinese company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) as regards

of clay.

Further investigations revealed that the well casing was compromised at approximately 241 feet below the surface.

According to Denise Woolford, Well Maintenance Engineer, GWI, “a GWI team and a contractor are currently performing repair work on the ruptured casing. This work entails removing the accumulation of clay from the well and placing an internal sleeve in an attempt to seal the rupture. Following this, the well will be cleaned and disinfected.”

During this period, GWI will be delivering water via tankers to the Diamond Housing Scheme and Kaneville as follows: Diamond Housing Scheme: 9:00hrs – 20:00hrs from 21st Avenue to 1st Avenue; and Kaneville from 17:00hrs – 20:00hrs – ‘Middle Road’ Kaneville In addition, water is being provided from areas between Covent Garden and Grove to supply Diamond Community in addition to the delivery of water via tankers.

the project’s final design. However, Patterson explained that the final design is in progress and will be completed by mid-year.

He said that the new terminal proposed is expected to be bigger than in the original plan, adding that there are provisions for four gates to be installed at the terminal. However, two gates will be installed initially and Lumumba questioned whether it will be more cost effective to include the four gates in the current works. Patterson noted however, that the cost for the entire project at the moment did not cater for the additional expenses. In this year’s budget, Finance Minister, Winston Jordon announced that $5.2B has been set aside for the development of air services industry, and expansion of CJIA International Airport which is budgeted at $4B. The project, which runs at a projected cost of US$150M, started under controversial circumstances under the previous administration. Last year, Minister Patterson met with CHEC officials to resolve a US$46 million contract dispute and under the terms of the original contract, the project was expected to cost US$138 million and an additional US$12 million from government. It is slated for completion in late 2017.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

UNDP donates US$50,000 in equipment to mining sector IN a new, holistic approach to environmental management, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) yesterday donated US$50,000 in equipment to enhance biodiversity through strengthened monitoring and enforcement of environmental regulations in Guyana’s gold-mining sector.

The supplies were handed over to the Ministry of Natural Resources during a simple ceremony at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) compound. Some of the items included 30 torpidity test kits, soil sieve sets, measuring cylinders, ion meters and chemical flocculants.

Present at the event were Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes, UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa and GGMC officials.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman said the project is a joint one between the Government of Guyana, implemented through the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the UNDP. “As we pursue the goal of developing the resources

of Guyana, extracting and exploiting them, we will do so in a respectful and sustainable manner, respecting the environment and ensuring that after we have finished what we are doing, we will to the best of our abilities restore the environment so that future generations may benefit from it,” the Environmental Minister said.

TRAINING PROJECT In underscoring the training project’s three components, Minister Trotman said one will be on non-compliances with mining-related regulations and illegal mining; secondly, the insufficient personnel and institutional capacity to enforce the regulatory framework; and finally to address the issues of insufficient capacity to implement the environmental regulations and codes of practices among miners.

BIODIVERSITY INTACT In handing over the crucial equipment, the UNDP Resident Representative said the items are to assist trainers in ensuring that environmental protection and biodiversi-

UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa yesterday handed over one of the many items which will be used to enhance biodiversity to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman, during a simple ceremony in the presence of Minister Simona Broomes and GGMC officials ty will be made a priority in Guyana.

“The programme has a budget of US$803,000 which will be for a three-year pro-

gramme that will continue to strengthen the ability of the country to ensure that biodiversity remains intact for future generations,” Musa said.

The UNDP is involved in much larger programmes on environmental protection and biodiversity and there is need for skill ca-

pacities to develop the manpower to monitor, verify and ensure the right practices are used within the sector, she added.

US$3M to bolster Cunha Canal THE Government on Wednesday signed a US$3M agreement to rehabilitate the Cunha Canal which is part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy’s adaptation initiatives.

The grant to Guyana is being provided by the Norwegian Government under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), in partnership with the World Bank, a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated.

It was noted that the project is an important intervention which addresses adaption to climate change. As such works will improve government’s ability to manage water resources in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC).

The proposed physical works for the Cunha Canal will include its widening, rehabilitation of the former outlet structure, re-routing the canal to re-establish its original alignment, and construction of a bridge on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) public road where the canal intercepts the road. Rehabilitation of the canal will increase its discharge capacity and contribute to reducing the risks of the embankment overtopping.

Signing on behalf of the Guyana Government, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said that the project represents one small column in the way of greening the economy. In Guyana flooding is due largely to its low-lying coast and unfortunately because of the history of its development which sees significant majority of its citizens living along the coast.

“While we look at a longer term option, we need to bring immediate relief to the citizens and businesses and Please see page 11

Minister of Finance Winston Jordan, and Sophie Sirtaine, World Bank Country Director, Caribbean Country Management Unit Latin America and the Caribbean Region, sign the US$3M agreement

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

SOCU raids Regent St businessman’s home THE Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) early Wednesday morning raided the Kitty, Georgetown home of a Regent Street businessman as it intensifies investigations into money laundering here.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the raid was done following intelligence gathered by SOCU ranks.

However, the operation has angered the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which has called on the government to set clear guidelines on the role of SOCU. During a press conference at Freedom House yesterday, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall revealed that at approximately 05:30 hrs on Wednesday, 12 men from SOCU swooped down on the Kitty home of the Regent Street businessman under the pretext of conducting an Anti-money laundering operation.

According to the PPP Member of Parliament, he was advised that the unit cordoned off the man’s home and barged into the house, where his children and grandchildren were sleeping. Nandlall reported that SOCU seized several items from the house, including financial records and computers, before moving over to his store on Regent Street, where they also conducted a search. According to the former AG, the businessman is his client and has never been involved or charged with any offences in the past. As such, Nandlall wants Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan to make good on his promise and make the new protocols for SOCU known to

the public immediately.

“This body is acting under a particular provision of the Anti-Money Laundering Act which we objected to while we were in government and we warned the opposition not to pursue, not to insert that in the legislation.” Nandlall said. He explained that SOCU is exercising powers which are bestowed on police and customs officers to go into people’s homes to seize money and jewellery exceeding $10M. During consideration of Budget 2016 estimates in the National Assembly earlier in the week, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had revealed that the government is taking steps to remove SOCU from the control of the Ministry of the Presidency and be placed within the Guyana Police Force. Minister Ramjattan also announced during the budget debate that protocols have been already drafted for the unit.”…It’s about six pages of protocols as to how they are going to do their operations,” Ramjattan told the National Assembly. He said too that he would make public the protocols that are geared to ensure that SOCU members “come in line” with the Standing Orders of the Guyana Police Force. Ramjattan remarked that when SOCU was established under the then People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, its Home Affairs Minister had not put in place the protocols for that specialised unit that is tasked with probing financial crimes.

US$3M to bolster ...

From page 10

property… I view this project in that context,” Minister Jordan explained.

It is hoped that substantial progress in the particular area of ‘greening’ Guyana and helping to adapt to climate change will now be seen.

“We’re happy that farmers and various aspects of the population and businesses that cover this wide area that the canal traverses will have some level of relief being brought to them, and I hope in the context of further interventions, both from GRIF and the World Bank, that together these can mitigate the effects over time of climate change on Guyana’s economy,” Minister Jordan explained.

Whilst the project was signed by the Minister of Finance it was handed over to Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder as his ministry will be executing works with supervision by the Office of Climate Change and the Ministry of the Presidency.

Sophie Sirtaine, World Bank’s Country Director, Caribbean Country Management Unit Latin America and the Caribbean Region, said that the project is extremely useful for Guyana.

“Your susceptibility to climate risk is exceptionally high, especially in the coastal areas, therefore the rehabilitation of the canal is a very laudable endeavour that the government is embarking upon with us (World Bank)… It’s helpful not only because it supports the economy but ….it is also extremely helpful for the wellbeing of the population,” Sirtaine explained.

Ninety percent of Guyana’s inhabitants live on the narrow coastal plain, which represents 10 percent of the country’s area. The Cunha Canal is a network of waterways which links up with the EDWC, a water storage system that provides regional agricultural lands with irrigation water and urban areas with drinking water. In addition, during times of heavy rainfall, this system provides regional drainage and flood control.

The Cunha Canal is located on the western side of the EDWC and discharges into the Demerara River. Around 1990, the canal was diverted from its original alignment to a smaller discharge channel. This diversion reduced the discharge capacity of the canal and went into disuse soon afterwards.

The discharge through the canal was re-established during the 2005 flood, but with a limited capacity as it is affected by circuitous routing, structural limitations and development between the EBD public road and the Demerara River.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Linden amputees pioneer ‘One Foot Boxing’ SIX MALE amputees are on the verge of creating international history with the first ever “One- foot Boxing” being done in Linden. The amputee boxers who are all Lindeners have been practicing their skill for over a year, and even though they have not been involved in any public tournament, they are confident that the months of practice and discipline have given them the experience to become competitive boxers.

The men who are determined to take this newfound sport on the international level journeys to Georgetown every day to have a first-hand feel of the ‘Six Head Lewis’ boxing gymnasium in Albouystown.

The initiator of the sport, Esmond Nelson, who has been an amputee for two years as a result of vascular circulation, is very excited about the sport taking off and has expressed confidence of taking the name of his hometown Linden to the international boxing arena

with “One-Foot Boxing.”

Reminiscing on the day that this idea entered his mind, he revealed that it was the day that changed his life as an amputee. Being a boxer in his younger days, he bragged about once being Guyana’s bantamweight champion in 1974. He said that financial circumstances caused him to abandon his career in boxing and seek employment.

“I am from a very poor family, so even though I had love for the game I had to branch out and work,” he articulated. This however did not dull his passion as it was always a part of him. Even as an amputee, he sometimes shadow-boxed and this was what prompted him to start the sport. “One day I just get up and started shadow boxing for myself and I liked the feeling I got. I figured that anybody could handle it with one foot, so I say I will try to get some people aboard and start practicing,” he said. He was successful in persuading six amputees to commit themselves to the

sport.

After daily practice and promoting a health-conscious lifestyle, he said that the amputee boxers were able to fight for two minutes and then take a one-minute rest. “We can fight three solid rounds and we are practicing to go longer,” he boasted. Esmond said that the training was funded completely by him as he provided transportation for the team’s daily trips to Georgetown and even assists them with their food and supplements.

NOT INTERESTED Nelson revealed that he was offered a contract of $US300, 000 from a Trinidad sports promoter to have their first tournament during the carnival season, but he declined since he does not want the sport to be associated with Trinidad but to be a ‘Guyanese thing.’ “I refused because I want Guyana to have this first franchise. Let Guyana have that first boost before it goes anywhere else.” He said that during his

early boxing career he never had the chance to represent Guyana internationally and would now use the opportunity as an amputee boxer to do so.

REACTION AT THE GYM Esmond Nelson told this publication that on their first training session, curiosity filled the onlookers as they were not confident of the amputees’ ability to box on one foot. “It was strange to the people of the gym, they were wondering what was happening. They were startled so much that even the trainer declined the job as he thought it best for an amputee to do so.”

This prompted Nelson to take on that responsibility and he is proud of his accomplishments thus far.

Esmond is very optimistic that the sport will take off and is determined to have Guyana be noted for this new sport.”

“It will escalate, I know it will escalate!” he said optimistically.

Esmond Nelson... ready for action

Kwakwani Secondary School…

Producing cooking gas with pig manure

IN WHAT HAS been deemed a highly successful venture, the agriculture department of the Kwakwani Secondary School has beaten all odds to produce cooking gas from pig manure. The project which commenced a year ago, had been initiated by Mr. Howard London, an agronomist attached to the United Nations Developmental Programme and has seen the production of sufficient gas to supply the Home Economics Department for the cooking of meals.

The UNDP collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture, which funded the project and supplied the school with six pigs to begin the exercise. To date, those pigs have multiplied to 10 and have bred twice. Unfortunately however, the second set of piglets was born blind and while some were squeezed to death, the others grew and died afterward.

Agriculture teacher Leon Conway told the Guyana Chronicle that the piglets were born with a genetic condition, hence the reason for their blindness. “They had to be led by the others to drink water because they couldn’t see and the vet told us maybe the pigs were bred too young, which may be the reason for this condition. Currently, the department is sourcing a new method to breed the pigs, so as to ascertain

whether there will be a recurrence of pigs being born blind,” he said.

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS The project is currently at a standstill after it was revealed that the gas was escaping from the tank. An energy-saving company recently visited the school to ascertain what was causing this mishap and the team discovered the top of the tank leaking. Repair work is currently being done on the tank to have the gas secured. Mr. Conway averaged that by next week, the project should be up and running. The manure is currently used for gardening.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT Parents and students have expressed tremendous excitement about the project and are integrally involved in the day-to-day caring of the pigs. In the initial stages they were involved in constructing the pens and feeding

system.

“We have allowed students from Forms 3 to 5 to be involved in this project, but primarily Forms 3 and 4 as the Fifth Formers had taken [time] off to prepare for CXC,” he said. The First and Second Formers are carried to the pens when given lessons on swine, while the Fifth Formers go only when completing their practical.

The teachers and students are time-tabled to look after the pigs on week days, while Mr. Conway takes over that responsibility on weekends. Regional Education Officer of Region 10 Marcia Andrews has expressed optimism about the project and posited that once it takes off and production increases, the initiative will move to dormitory schools so as to cut the cost of purchasing cooking gas.

Stories and pictures by Vanessa Braithwaite

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Ten advance to Friday calypso finals

A TOTAL of 21 calypsonians performed Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden singing their kaiso lyrics, hoping to gain the judges’ favour and advance to the finals of the national calypso competition. Only ten however were able to

make the grade and will be performing on Friday night at Demerara Park in Georgetown.

Scores of Lindeners turned out to support the event and their fellow Lindeners. The judges’ decision which was announced a little after 2 a.m. received a posi-

tive response from the crowd, who patiently waited to hear who had advanced to the finals. Mondale Smith, a popular television personality, did a fantastic job as Master of Ceremony with pep talks filled with humor and flair.

The competition saw the likes of veteran calypsonians

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

such as ‘Young Bill Rogers and Linden’s very own Lester Charles.

Bringing their talent and love for Kaiso was two visually impaired calypsonians who sang about the abuse against women and the corruption of the previous administration. The presence of

Lester Charles (De Professor) the old timers did not intimidate the young performers such as 19-year-old reigning junior calypso monarch, T’Shanna Cort who gave a phenomenal performance of her song “I have hope.”

She lustfully sang about the mishaps of the government and how despite these she had hope that it would bring a real change for our nation.

Most of the tunes were politically related and carried lyrics of the change of government and the various corrupt practices of the previous administration.

First on stage was Wendell Archer, a veteran calypsonian whose calypso titled “Time for Change,” explained why he had taken a sabbatical from entering the competition since his lyrics were not accepted by the PPP Government who banned it from being played on the radio and television. With the change of government he said he was now free to sing his politically related lyrics as democracy has now taken place. “Sing Hunter sing, nobody will do you anything,” was part of his chorus.

Wowing the crowd was Linden’s very own, and fourtime monarch Lester Charles (De Professor) whose calypso was a conversation between himself and former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Dressed as a nerd with jackstraps, he appeared on stage with a mannequin of a rat with a ruler in his hand as

he belted out his lyrics, part of which said: “You nah guh back deh, we nah put ya back deh, no way no way!”

Another crowd’s favorite was “Young Bill Rogers”, who appeared on stage in pajamas with a pillow and sung his calypso “This is wah a dream.” His lyrics spoke about corrupt politicians who were put out of power and said all the good Guyanese would enjoy, such as oil. He ended his performance with the lyrics, “I going back to bed but yal put the calypso crown on ma head,” Receiving the support of women was visually impaired Camille Basdeo (Tempest) who encouraged women to raise their voices against abuse since no women should be treated like a punching bag.

Appearing on stage last was young Kenroy Fraser who hails from Berbice. He woke the crowd up with his recitation of all the good the coalition Government had brought to all Guyanese.

Apart from the political tunes, lyrics of our fight against Venezuela, social ills and the upsurge in cocaine busts were also brought to the competition. Advancing to the finals were Camille Basdeo (Temptest), Roger Hinds (Young Bill Rogers), Lester Charles (De Professor), Teshanna Cort, Darria Barrow (Queen Darria), Martin Burn, Kenroy Fraser, John Marcus (Ras Marcus), Abigail James and Basil Duke (The Mighty Duke).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Stricter penalties on lumber trucks

IN LIGHT OF the concerns voiced by residents of Region 10 in relation to the careless traversing of lumber trucks on community streets, councillors of the RDC will be collaborating with the traffic department of 'E’ Division to have stricter penalties enacted for drivers who fail to adhere to the law.

Truck drivers who fail to divert to the gazzetted roads as they journey to and from interior locations, will be prosecuted. Currently, the Noitgedacht back road is being repaired by corporate citizens to be reinstituted as a lumber truck gazzetted road. This has been done to prevent the trucks from using the Watooka access road where a school and hospital are located. The road safety association will be repairing the Wisrock back road and the Coomacka back road that was also formerly used as gazzetted roads. Councillor Charles Sampson however recommended that the roads be asphalted as the dust that is stirred up when the trucks pass can be deemed a health hazard for residents living in the communities.

Another issue of concern is that of the trucks transporting lumber that is longer than the stipulated length. This was deemed very dangerous by several councillors who observed this to be a regular practice by the truck drivers.

“If the length should be 10 inches, these drivers carrying 20 inches and this is very dangerous Mr. Chairman,” posited Councillor Callender.

The councillors unanimously made a commitment to have these truck drivers pay heed to the law as the health and lives of the residents of Linden are at stake. “We got to stop talking and get some action into this issue,” councillor Sampson urged the rest of the councillors.

Another issue that was raised was that of the truck drivers securing the lumber with chains that were deemed not sturdy enough, instead of bars and reels. This concern will be given priority as the lumber that expands noticeably inches longer than the actual truck can carry, if released can result in a road fatality. “These chains are not strong enough that these men strapping these lumber with. Anytime these lumber fall out, it is not going to be nice at all,” said councillor Callender.

A time system will also be implemented whereby trucks should only use the roadways from 6 am to 6 pm. On the strike of 6 pm, trucks will have designated parking and reflector lights to increase visibility for other road users.

In addition to this, the scale that was used to weigh the tons being carried by the lumber trucks will be

A section of Burnham Drive that has eroded

reinforced at the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge as a means of ascertaining if the trucks are travelling with weight above the legal limit. The regional administration will be putting systems in place to have these lumber trucks pay heed to the rules, so as to create a safer community for residents.

Officials in discussion concerning broken culverts

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Mayoral-hopeful Devin Sears a Linden youth with a vision “OUR LIFE ENDS when we stop talking about the things that matter to us.”

These were the words echoed by potential councilor and Mayor of Linden, Devin Sears. Running for councillor of constituency 3 under the APNU -AFC group, this 29-year-old dynamic young man said that his involvement in politics did not abruptly emerge but after years of being displeased with the economic and social state of Linden, he finally decided to put the pot on the front burner.

He revealed that he worked assiduously to overcome fear and doubt which he curbed through involvement in theatre and church activities. This provided a boost to his self-esteem and filled him with the courage needed to have a voice for those that had none. Currently a co-host on “Power up your mornings”, a radio program reached by thousands in the mining town, founder of Divine Entertainment, chairman of Vybz Entertainment Incorporated and LICHAS Theatrical arts,

franchise holder of Linden Town Week, and lecturer of the Linden Technical Institute, Mr. Sears is looking to add Mayor to this portfolio.

Though he is able to serve the people in various capacities, he is still determined to bring change to Linden especially the common man who does not have a voice.

“When I returned to Linden after studying I was not pleased with the state in which it was in, to me nothing had changed and I said that I would do whatever I could to help and I was

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016 convinced that the only way change can come is by being in a position where I can help and that motivated me to run for this office,” posited Mr. Sears. He said that he was of the opinion that Linden was being marginalized by the former administration and there was no equal allocation of funds and this prompted him to join the opposition during that time. “I looked at that and weighed the option of the opposition and I spoke with some executives of AFC when they visited Linden in 2006 and I made a decision to join the party,” he said.

Mr. Sears who has been nominated to serve his community as councillor will be looking to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

“This is something I genu-

Devin Sears inely hold deep in my heart and having the support from my family even my six-yearold daughter who I discussed it with said daddy you have my support one hundred percent,” Sears revealed.

Once elected into office Devin Sears promised that equal opportunities will be provided to all residents as he strives to generate income from the various sectors.

His candidate manifesto sets out to reduce the economic gap between the rich and poor, encourage sustainable farming, encourage safe practices for waste disposals thus reducing greenhouse gas emission to a sustainable level, improving public infrastructure in the town, reviewing and revamping

all Linden Mayor and Town Council institutions among others. He said “Now more than ever, Linden needs a strong APNU+AFC voice.

We must protect our green spaces, create jobs, look for creative solutions to the massive shortage of affordable housing, attract large scale investments, modernize commercial areas and be transparent in accountability.”

Being integrally involved in church, he said that being God fearing plays a vital role in him being genuine and a man of integrity. “I was baptized at the age of 11, becoming the youngest Sunday school teacher, worship leader, juniors fellowship leader, youth leader, worship leader, etc,” he revealed.

This young Mayoral hopeful is rallying hard for the votes of the electorate of his constituency as he believes that over the next three years he will transform this beautiful town of Linden to one which will be second to none. “Through my leadership, advances in agriculture, aquaculture, tourism and investment will be made."

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Sir Chandra fined for grabbing boy’s penis Head Teacher of ABC Academy School was yesterday fined $25,000 by City Magistrate Faith McGusty after he was found guilty of unlawfully assaulting a former student of the school.

Arthur Bernard Chandra, also known as "Sir Chandra", of 23 Abary Street, Bel Air Park, had appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, where it was revealed that on January 12, 2015, he assaulted a seven-year–old male at the New Market Street School.

Police Prosecutor Sean Blackman detailed to the Arthur Bernard court that the young victim Chandra and another student were fighting in the classroom; the Head Teacher was informed of the incident and as a means of punishing the child, Chandra held onto the victim’s penis in front of the classroom and threatened to ensure it (penis) doesn’t work again.

Chandra was fined $25,000 and sentenced to undergo six months of counselling or two months imprisonment in default.

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Sexton’s office among others renovated by City Hall THE City Engineer’s Department has been tasked with the restoration of the buildings that accommodate the city engineer’s staff, the constabulary officers, the municipal training complex and the office of the sexton.

According to a release, the office of the sexton that was in a state of disrepair has been renovated. The sexton’s building is located in Le Repentir Cemetery.

This building has a register with records of deceased family members and the location in which their graves can be found. This information dates back to the first internment on the 15th of March, 1861.

Public Relations Officer (ag.) Debra Lewis said, “The City constabulary building was refurbished; this included repairs and painting of the historic edifice. Also, the department building has been expanded to accommodate the newly formed Traffic Management Unit.”

The sexton’s building located at Le Repentir Cemetery She said work on the city engineer’s building is near completion and the repairs included removal of defective boards, replacing of the roof gutters and painting.

Meanwhile, Town Clerk Royston King said in addition to providing training and requisite tools and equipment for employees, it is important that the employers provide a working

environment that is conducive to health and is free from potential hazards. “I am cogniSant that a safe and healthy work environment enhances production,” King said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

More calls for reintegration of teen moms

By Michel Outridge WOMEN Across Differences (WAD), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), yesterday endorsed the call by the Ministry of Education and First Lady Sandra Granger to have teenage mothers re-integrated into schools.

WAD Coordinator Clonel Samuels-Boston yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that the organisation strongly supports the call because they have had a comprehensive empowerment programme which was sponsored by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from 20082013.

She said further that Republic Bank has been sponsoring the comprehensive empowerment programme for teenage mothers with effect from 2015.

Their focus is on adoles-

cent girls between the ages of 12 to 19 and they assist the girls in getting re-integrated into schools after they would have had their babies and are still of schoolage.

Samuels-Boston told this newspaper that at present they are working with First Lady Granger and the Office of the Presidency, sponsoring five girls and paying their tuition to have them re-integrated into schools. She said it is a worthy initiative because the girls will have the opportunity to be educated and become successful.

SECOND CHANCE Samuels-Boston pointed out that education is very important and it is like a second chance for the teenage mothers who can be empowered.

However, if the girls do not return to school it will overburden the welfare system

A group of teenage mothers at a session facilitated by WAD and even lead to exploitation of the young women, while promoting a higher illiteracy rate.

Shanice Edwards, who is presently enrolled in the teenage-mother programme facilitated by WAD, told the Guyana Chronicle that she

has been associated with the NGO since last year September and has no regrets because she has gained a lot.

The 19 year old said that she had wanted to return to school since last year, but she had a baby who is now two months old and when he gets older she will pursue studies so she can get a job subsequently. She added that the programmes offered

by WAD are very useful and she is motivated to continue classes there.

WAD is a women’s organisation which was established in 1996 to enable women and girls to empower

themselves through access to social and economic resources. The organisation provides a forum for women to meet and also encourages them to make their collective voices heard in the area of public policy.

WAD offers courses free of cost in personal development, sexual reproductive health, entrepreneur development and physio-social support. There are 25 volunteers taking these courses. WAD partners with other NGOs and plans to expand to cater for a daycare centre, once it obtains substantial accommodation.

Meanwhile, on Febru-

ary 14, 2016, Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine told the House that school-aged mothers would now have a better chance to complete their education because the Education Ministry recognises that they need to be reintegrated into the school system.

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

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

The UNFPA says it “is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.” Their work involves the improvement of reproductive health, including creation of national strategies and protocols, and providing supplies and services.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

WICB ...

From back page

The overall direct economic impact for the region was estimated at US$59.8M at an average of US$5.1M a day spent from the REPUCOM report generated-survey for that period “and we see where, with proper planning in place, we can generate more revenue and certainly greater interest”, says president Dave Cameron.

Emphasising that the preparation of the winning Under-19 team was part of a comprehen-

CONCACAF...

From back page

tions and brought a counter claim against CONCACAF for breach of contract, according to Howard Steinberg of the Greenberg Traurig law firm, who defended the company and other defendants named in the case.

“The settlement resulted in a mutual dismissal of claims with neither side paying the other side any money,” Steinberg said.

CONCACAF is trying to clean up its organisation after several of its officials were swept up in a wide-reaching U.S. probe

sive programme, Cameron is calling on Caribbean businesses and governments to “consolidate their efforts and invest in the rebuilding of the overall cricket programme.

Now is as good a time as ever for public and private sector organisations to join forces with the WICB. Cameron noted that “the region is still celebrating with the young men who defined true Caribbean brilliance in executing a carefully crafted win over India in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and wants the region to rally to show true support. into bribery and kick-back-related offences that has rocked the sport’s world governing body FIFA. In total, 41 individuals and entities have been charged in the United States in connection with the corruption investigation.

An attorney for CONCACAF, Samir Gandhi, said the organisation had been overpaying for travel services and was now free of the contract with Cartan.

“The settlement will save CONCACAF millions of dollars and allow the Confederation to continue to move forward from the misconduct of past management to focus on football and governance reforms,” CONCACAF said in a statement.

Lawyers for Webb and Sanz declined to comment.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 18, 2016

Nike ends contract with Manny Pacquiao (REUTERS) Nike Inc., the world’s largest sportswear maker, said it had ended its contract with Manny Pacquiao after the Filipino boxer described gays as “worse than animals”.

“We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent,” a Nike spokesperson said in an e-mailed statement, adding that the company no longer has a relationship with the boxer.

Nike’s decision comes a day after an online petition was launched urging the company to stop Pacquiao endorsing its products. The petition on change.org has garnered more than 3 000 signatures

so far.

Pacquiao, revered in the Philippines for winning world boxing titles in eight different weight classes during his 20year career, suddenly fell from grace after a 30-second interview on local television about same-sex marriage, which he opposes.

“It’s just common sense.

Do you see any animals of the same sex mating? Animals are better off, they can distinguish between male and female,” Pacquiao told TV5 on Monday.

“Now if men are mating with men and women with women, then they are worse

than animals,” he said.

The 37-year-old congressman, among those favoured to win a Senate seat at the May elections based on independent pollsters’ surveys, apologised on Tuesday.

“I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt,” Pacquiao said in a video message on his Twitter account. He said he remained against same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage is not allowed in the Philippines, where more than 80 percent of the 100 million population is Roman Catholic.

Pre-mash sports programme starts tomorrow Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who is running for Senator in the May 2016 national elections, speaks to supporters during the start of elections campaigning in Mandaluyong city, Metro Manila February 9, 2016. (Reuters/Janis Alano)

FOREIGN Ministry Sports Coordinator James Lewis has announced pre-Mashramani Week programme commencing tomorrow and concluding on Sunday.

For tomorrow, Lewis has organised an inter-ministry/workplaces knockout tournament on the lawns of the Foreign Ministry commencing at 16:30hrs.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, February 21, the weekend will conclude with a grand tapeball competition on the National Cultural Centre tarmac.

Trophies and cash prizes are up for grabs during both sets of tournaments and registration closes today.

Teams interested in registering can contact Lewis on 672-6179 or 666-5857.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Albert, Yadram are Enterprise Busta SC Cricketers-of-the-Year

ALL-ROUNDER Vivian Albert and Kavita Yadram were named Male and Female cricketers for the year 2015 when the Enterprise Busta Sports Club held its annual awards ceremony last Saturday night at the club’s pavilion, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara.

Albert was the clear winner of the award after he chalked up 669 runs with 26 wickets at the senior level, and 176 runs with seven wickets at the Under-19.

Rohan Mangal, who scored 749 runs, copped the Best Batsman-of-the-Year award, while Zaheer Mohammed with 29 wickets received

The awardees pose with representatives of the GCB and NSC.

the Best Bowler accolade.

Hansraj Sookdeo (316 runs) and Devanand Persaud (14 wickets) were the Best Batsman and Best Bowler respectively for the ‘B’ team, while Bhaskar Yadram with 846 runs and 13 wickets took the Under-19 All-rounder-ofthe-Year prize.

Special prizes were given to Pradesh Balkissoon, Ricardo Niranjan, West Indies opener Rajendra Chandrika and former Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company Inc. Robert Selman.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of former West Indies fast bowler and

Guyana Cricket Board Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart and Gervy Harry of the Department of Sport, Ministry of Education.

In addressing the gathering, Harry congratulated the awardees and urged them to stay committed.

He lauded the club for the contribution to cricket and spoke about fair play, doping, violence and education.

He said that for West Indies cricket to return to the glory days we must produce quality players on a regular basis.

Harry stated that the National Sports Commission is keen in promoting sports.

Tarasov reveals Putin Beckenbauer fined, warned shirt in Turkey match by FIFA Ethics Committee … UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings

By Dmitriy Rogovitskiy MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) - UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Dmitri Tarasov for wearing a T-shirt praising Russian President Vladimir Putin after a Europa League match in Turkey.

The 28-year-old Tarasov removed his team jersey at the end of the game against Fenerbahce in Europe’s second-tier club competition in Istanbul on Tuesday, revealing a picture of Putin and the words: “The most polite president”.

Diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkey soured after a Russian war plane was shot down by the Turkish Air Force last November.

“This is my president.

I respect him and decided to show that I am ready to support him wherever I am. I wrote on this T-shirt everything that I wanted to say,” Tarasov said after his side lost 2-0 in the first leg of the last-32 tie.

Lokomotiv described Tarasov’s actions a “inexcusable” in a statement on their website.

“Unfortunately, the club’s staff were unable to prevent this incident as the footballer had not informed anyone of his plans. What Dmitri did was inappropriate and damages the club’s and his own reputation,” the

Lokomotiv Moscow’s Dmitri Tarasov wearing a t-shirt depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves the pitch after the match. (Reuters/Murad Sezer) club said. have been carried out of the “Tarasov will be fined in stadium by the fans back to accordance with his contract Moscow,” he added. with Lokomotiv.”

European football’s govRussian sports news erning body has taken a very agency R-Sport quoted a serious stance against politiUEFA source as saying that cally-motivated incidents at Tarasov could be banned for football matches in the past. a minimum of 10 matches In July 2015, it fined Barand that Lokomotiv may also celona 30 000 euros ($33 face sanctions.

438) after their Champions I g o r L e b e d e v, S t a t e League final victory over Duma Deputy and mem- Juventus during which the ber of the Russian Football club’s supporters displayed Union’s executive commit- banners with calls for Catatee, criticised Tarasov. lonia to gain independence “You can only say thank from Spain. you for such a stupid gesIn 2013, UEFA fined ture,” Lebedev told R-Sport. Celtic 50 000 euros follow“I respect him as a footballer ing a Champions League but this kind of action is un- game against AC Milan at forgivable for a person of this which the Glasgow club’s level. Patriotism is not shown fans unveiled a flag showon T-shirts or on pictures.... ing the image of Scottish “A 3-0 victory against national hero William WalFenerbahce would have been lace and Irish Republithe highest level of patri- can hunger striker Bobby otism and Tarasov would Sands.

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA’s ethics watchdog yesterday imposed a warning and 7 000 Swiss franc ($7 055) fine on German football great Franz Beckenbauer for stonewalling an investigation.

The former World Cup-winning player and coach is arguably Germany’s most iconic footballer and a household name who also ran the 2006 World Cup in his home country, “In the present case, Mr Beckenbauer failed to cooperate with an Ethics Committee investigation ... regarding the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bids despite repeated requests for his assistance,” FIFA’s ethics panel said in a statement.

FIFA is investigating the awarding of those tournaments as world football’s governing

body faces the biggest graft scandal in its history which has led to the indictment of several dozen leading football officials in the United States.

The present case did not look into matters related to the awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany, the ethics panel added.

Beckenbauer has been questioned in an internal German investigation into that tournament and the country’s FA is due to release its report on March 4.

Beckenbauer has been quizzed in relation to a payment of 6.7 million euros to FIFA that the German FA has failed to explain as well as a proposed deal with disgraced former FIFA official Jack Warner.

Beckenbauer has said it was made to release a bulk payment from FIFA to 2006

World Cup organisers. He denies any wrongdoing.

The 70-year-old could not be immediately reached for comment.

The ethics watchdog has banned several top officials for years for their involvement in the biggest scandal to hit FIFA. It said Beckenbauer ’s eventual collaboration with the investigation was the reason for the light sanction.

“As Mr Beckenbauer subsequently demonstrated a willingness to cooperate, he has been sanctioned with a warning and fine of CHF 7 000,” it said. ($1 = 0.9922 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Zurich newsroom; Writing by Joshua Franklin; Editing by Michael Shields and Ed Osmond)

Infantino gets English FA support

LONDON, (Reuters)-Gianni Infantino has won the support of the English Football Association in his effort to win next week’s FIFA presidential election, chairman Greg Dyke said yesterday.

Five candidates will be standing on Feb. 26 to replace outgoing president Sepp Blatter, banned for eight years amid a widening graft scandal that has shaken world soccer’s ruling body.

“We decided we would back Gianni Infantino,” Dyke told Sky Sports television following a board meeting. “We did what we promised we would, I spoke to every candidate either in person or on the phone.

“We were impressed by Gianni. We were also impressed

by Prince Ali but in the end we decided to go with the UEFA candidate.”

UEFA General Secretary and FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Swiss Infantino, general secretary of European soccer’s governing body UEFA, entered the race to succeed compatriot Blatter when UEFA chief Michel Platini

was forced to pull out.

Platini and Blatter were banned for eight years in December over a payment of two million Swiss francs ($2.03 million) made to the Frenchman in 2011 by FIFA, with the president’s approval, for work done a decade earlier.

Infantino appears to have widespread backing in Europe and has been promised support from South and Central American countries.

The other election candidates are Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, ex-FIFA executive committee member Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne and South African Tokyo Sexwale, a former political prisoner who was jailed along with Nelson Mandela.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 18, 2016

Georgetown All Stars win Peter Lashley Memorial Football FORMER National player/ coach and Administrator of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Peter Lashley was remembered in fine style last Saturday with a match between the Georgetown All-Stars and GFC Masters.

The former won the match 2-1 thanks to former National player Chris Barnwell and Jerald Washington while GFC’s lone goal came from Gordon Henry.

Just before the highly contested game the two teams observed a minute of silence for the former national footballer and coach who died tragically two years ago in an accident.

Peter Lashley was a long-serving coach of the GFC club for over eight

years, administering his services at the Nursery and Senior levels while playing Masters football for the club.

He also coached the BK Western Tigers.

Peter Lashley died the morning of Valentine’s Day in 2014, when he was crushed to death by a truck on Mandela Avenue on his way to work.

His sudden death sent shockwaves throughout the football community.

Meanwhile a moment of silence was also held on Sunday in the GFF Elite STAG league just before the GFC vs Monedderlust game. The game was organised by the GFC Masters Club in honour of the late coach.

Georgetown All-Stars collect their trophy from GFA executive member Frank Parris.

Raj Singh Insurance renews T20 sponsorship FOLLOWING the tremendous success in its inaugural year 2013, Raj Singh Insurance Brokers has renewed its sponsorship for the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) T20 tournament for 2016.

This competition will be played between eight teams drawn from East Coast Demerara, West Coast Demerara, Georgetown and East Bank Demerara.

Each area will field two teams similar to the 2013 version of the competition.

Each team will play each other in the prelimi-

nary rounds for a total of 28 matches, to be played every Friday afternoon commencing February 26.

The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals with the winners contesting the final.

Teams can earn bonus points for winning their games by a large margin of runs or for taking few wickets.

Other exciting rules mandate that each team must use a minimum of seven bowlers with no bowler delivering more than three overs per game.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday February 18, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Graham Thorpe (2) 1

Today’s Quiz: (1) Against which nation Rohan Kanhai made his Test debut?

(2) Who was the WI captain when Desmond Haynes played his first ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

These games will not have the usual T20 fielding restrictions, but standard cricket rules and conditions will apply.

The teams scheduled to participate are: East Coast Tigers, East Coast Bulls, Georgetown Bears, Georgetown Buffaloes, West Demerara Mavericks, West Demerara Seals, East Bank Lions, and East Bank Colts.

CEO of Raj Singh Insurance Brokers, Raj Singh, poses with some of the team captains.

Notable Dates GUYANESE featherweight icon Cliff Anderson had a grand total of four fights in February of 1946. The number is more than what some current boxers would have in a year.

On February 18, Anderson knocked out Tommy Madine in the seventh round of a scheduled eight-rounder to improve his record to 16 victories against two defeats and a similar number of draws.

One week later Madine, a native of Belfast, Ireland, matched gloves with Anderson for the second time that month. This time the 24-year-old Guyanese won by a points-decision. Both fights were held in England, Anderson’s adopted homeland.

The year was a busy one for Anderson who entered the ring 13 times. He came away with 11 victories and two losses. In 1947 Anderson made two unsuccessful attempts at the Commonwealth featherweight title. Both times he fought Al Phillips. On March 18, he lost by points to the Englishman.

In the rematch four months later, the Guyanese was disqualified in round eight by referee Andrew Smith for illegal blows. Born in October 1921, Anderson died in December 1998. The Government renamed the National Sports Hall, Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in his honour.

Peter Lashley

Argentina judge orders release of football official

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters)A judge in Argentina yesterday ordered the release of a former top South American football official who has been charged by U.S. justice officials with involvement in a FIFA bribery racket.

However, the extradition of Jose Meiszner to the United States will go ahead, Meiszner’s lawyer said.

Meiszner, the former secretary general of the South American regional CONMEBOL football federation, had surrendered to Argentine police in December, but requested to be put under house arrest due the state of his health.

“We requested the suspension of arrest because we considered that certain issues were not clear,” Meiszner’s lawyer told local radio station Radio 10.

“The extradition process continues, but Meiszner is free.”

World football body FIFA was thrown into turmoil last year when U.S. prosecutors announced a sweeping probe of corruption in the sport, including how the organisation and its affiliates marketed and sold TV and radio broadcast rights to football tournaments.

The probe has led to the indictment in the United States of several dozen leading football officials, many of whom belonged to or were linked with CONMEBOL and the neighbouring CONCACAF federation, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 18, 2016

Guyana Jaguars depart for Barbados

THE Guyana Jaguars departed yesterday afternoon for Barbados where they will take on the hosts Barbados Pride in the seventh round of the WICB PCL 4-Day 2015/16, starting tomorrow at the Kensington Oval.

Jaguars are undefeated in the tournament so far, racking up six convincing victories, the latest being a 105-run margin against T&T Red Force at the Guyana National Stadium.

They are at the top of the points table on 101 points, 19 points clear of second-place Barbados Pride. This seventh round match is expected to be a cracker with the two top teams, after which, the Jaguars will travel to St Lucia then to Antigua to compete with the Windwards Volcanoes and Leewards Hurricanes respectively, before returning home to clash with Jamaica Scorpions.

Guyana Jaguars team reads: Rajendra Chandrika, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson (captain), Vishaul Singh (vice-captain), Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Keon Joseph, Ronsford Beaton, and Robin Bacchus.

The manager/assistant coach is Rayon Griffith, the coach is Esaun Crandon and the physiotherapist is Ernesto Gonzalez.

Bagotstown Warriors crush Champion Boys

… Patentia Street Ballers suspended THE Vergenoegen tarmac came alive on Monday night as the West Bank/Coast and East Bank Zone of the Guinness Greatest in the Street continued.

Bagotstown Warriors crushed Champion Boys 5-0 with Troy Bascom leading the way with a double. Rufeo Wright drew first blood for his side in the ninth minute then Bascom joined the party in the 12th to double the lead and followed with another goal the very next minute.

At that point it seemed that Champion Boys had no answer as the opposition continued to capitalise. Rickford Henry’s 14th minute goal sent the match into halftime with the eventual victors ahead, 4-0.

Eon Alfred accounted for the other goal in the second half (24th) as Bagotstown cruised to an easy victory.

Harmony Ballers ‘B’ brushed aside Crane Raiders 3-0 with a double from Nkosi Holder (3rd & 12th) and a fifth-minute goal from Keifer Adams.

DeKinderen United trounced West Side Ballers 2-0.

Goals came off the boot of Michael Bennett (9th) and Linden Bourne (21st).

Harmony Ballers needled Water Street Agricola with Verman Mentore finding the decider in the 23rd minute.

Game five saw Samaroo Dam and Agricola Upsetters take it down to the wire after they could not break the 1-1 deadlock at regulation time. Agricola Upsetters then won 5-4 on sudden-death kicks. Earlier in the match Michael Younge scored for the victors in the 14th minute while Kevin Humphrey equalised in the 16th.

Shattaville Gunners and Comfort Ballers played to a stalemate in the match that followed but Shattaville won 2-1 on penalty kicks.

Showstoppers and Brothers United also had a close battle but the latter won 3-2 in the penalty shootout.

Meanwhile, Best Road Ballers won via a walkover from Patentia Street Ballers. The organisers moved to suspend Patentia Street Ballers and all their players for one year for their failure to show up.

The Guyana Jaguars squad at the Ogle International Airport yesterday.

W estIndi escaptai n Shi mron Hetmyerand BarbadosMi ni sterofSports,Stephen Lashl ey