Chronicle 02 19 2016

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$200M DEFENCE No. 104467

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

House clears funds for Guyana to mount legal defence of border

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GETTING IT RIGHT

Soldiers practised their drills on the Durban Park Square even as organisers of the 46th Republic Anniversary celebrations on Thursday successfully erected a 100ft flag pole to hoist the Golden Arrowhead. The Durban Park Stadium will, for the first time, host the flag raising ceremony next week. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

PPP activists confess Page 20

… to throwing faeces on Freddie Kissoon

City Hall workers 60% of Kato 7 17 reject Carvil school defective Duncan’s union …guilty parties to face sanctions A construction debacle

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Venezuela finally accredits Ambassador Miles AFTER months of being appointed, Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Cheryl Miles, has finally been accredited by that country, locked as it is in a bitter controversy with this country over ownership of the Essequibo.

Ambassador Miles presented her Letters of Credence to Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for External Relations, Delcy Rodriguez, on Wednesday, February 17.

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge made the disclosure on Thursday in response to a question posed

by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip and Former Foreign Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira during the Parliamentary Committee of Supply on the appointments of Heads of Missions.

The Guyanese Ambassador to Venezuela presented her Letters of Credence the same day that marked the 50th Anniversary of the Geneva Agreement. The Geneva Agreement, which governs the age-old border controversy, was signed by then British

Guiana, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.

Ambassador Miles’s accreditation also comes less than two weeks after the Venezuelan Minister of People’s Power for External Relations declared that “Venezuela will deliver the country’s formal accusation, observations and proposals to the documents presented on the territorial controversy”, while emphasising that the country will reaffirm its “legitimate rights” over the Essequibo territory.

Only recently, President David Granger called on the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon to have Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Arbitral Award is null and void settled through a judicial process.

Guyana has been cooperating with the UN Secretary General, but according to Minister Greenidge, Venezuela seems prepared to derail the process that will bring an end to this controversy.

Ambassador Miles began her career in 1974, serving then at the Guyana High Com-

mission in London. In 2008, she returned to Guyana after a nine-year stint as Ambassador to Brazil, but the then Bharrat Jagdeo administration chose to discontinue her service; and so she left, parting amicably with the government and ending 34 years of service to the profession.

With her now being accredited, Minister Greenidge is hoping that, within two weeks, the other appointed Heads of Missions would receive their approval from the respective countries. Guyana has 13 Missions, but only four have ambassadors. Minister Greenidge explained that, the for the most part, requests for agréments have been submitted to several countries.

President David Granger has expressed a similar hope

that, during February 2016, his government would be able to announce the appointment of new Guyanese ambassadors to several countries.

Government has said there must be rotation of Heads of Missions. Just after the May 11, 2015 General Elections, the administration announced that the Heads of Missions should not be in situ for more than four years.

The procedure for diplomats, Government has said, is for them to be rotated between two and fouryear periods. Minister Carl Greenidge had said Government intends to have politicians, who are not career diplomats, resign from their posts, given that the former Government is no longer in power.

Guyana Ambassador to Venezuela Cheryl Miles

Eureka Lab gets ISO accreditation EUREKA Medical Laboratory (EML) has achieved International Standards Organisation (ISO) accreditation, boosting its capacity and services at its seven state-ofthe-art branches countrywide.

According to EML Quality Manager Shawn Manbodh, Eureka is in receipt of the official document declaring that it has passed all requirements for ISO accreditation. He said: “It is with great pleasure that I report to you, my fellow workers, that I am in receipt of the official document that EML is accredited.

“This award of international accreditation for EML proves our commitment to provide nothing but the best to our customers, be it local or international. We are taking patient care to the next level.”

Manbodh told the Guyana Chronicle that EML managed to be internationally accredited as a result of collaboration with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). He noted that it is indeed

a milestone because the laboratory has been working on the ISO accreditation for three years.

He added that, as such, the services provided are up to international standards, and when blood testing is done, it can be taken anywhere without being questioned or having to be redone.

Manbodh said EML has met all the requirements and its equipment is also up to par, with highly trained staff coupled with a state-of-the-art laboratory.

He stated that EML offers services that range from basic blood testing to the more complex ones, including DNA testing, and EML’s services are very affordable.

Manbodh told this publication that EML was founded on March 5, 1995, and initially it had a staff of two persons and offered a limited range of tests, many of which were performed manually. Eureka has since grown exponentially, offering its outstanding brand of services at

branches located in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Parika, Essequibo and Linden. The staff has grown to more than 55 qualified technologists, technicians, resident and visiting doctors.

He pointed out that the range of tests offered is being expanded continuously and the methodologies used are completely modernized.

Collaborative partnerships have been established with U.S. and U.K.-based laboratories and suppliers to ensure that clients have unlimited access to state-of-thescience technology.

The laboratory now uses Lab Information System (L.I.S. by Schuyler House) which allows treating physicians the convenience of accessing their patients’ results online and in real time, Manbodh added.

Eureka is certified by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards to provide laboratory services that meet national standards.

$200M DEFENCE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

…House clears funds for Guyana to mount legal defence of border

By Svetlana Marshall THE Government of Guyana has set aside $200M to retain international consultants in its quest to build a strong case against Venezuela in anticipation that the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy receives the attention of the International Court of Justice.

It was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip and Former Foreign Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira who had enquired about the $200M which was affixed to the Line Item 6284 (Other) Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Development of Foreign Policy.

The PPP/C Member of Parliament had pointed out that in 2014 approximately $30M was allocated under the Line Item but by 2015 it had jumped to $166.6M. However, only $76.4M was utilised. As a result, she queried why $200M was being allocated this time around.

In response, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge explained that:

“The increase here is determined almost exclusively by the cost of retaining international lawyers to assist us in this exercise… together with the need to also retain lawyers and advisors locally. In September 2015, President David Granger had urged the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to use his office to send Venezuela’s case for a final legal settlement at the International Court of Justice. Venezuela has claimed that the 1899 arbitral award which defined the two countries’ borders is null and void. The claim was raised 50 years ago on the eve of Guyana’s independence from Great Britain. An agreement signed in Geneva in 1966 provides for the Secretary-General to take action to bring a resolution to the contention by Venezuela.

“Guyana has the fullest confidence in the judgment and capacity of the United Nations, through the Office of the Secretary-General, to identify solutions that will validate the ‘just, perfect and fi-

nal’ nature of the award,” Granger had stated.

Just last week, the Foreign Affairs Minister had told the National Assembly that although the UN Secretary-General has

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge had discussions with both Guyana and Venezuela, and has made proposals for “The Way Forward,” Venezuela seems prepared to derail the process. He had made that statement

in the House after being informed that on February 4, Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for External Relations, Delcy Rodriguez, had declared that “Venezuela will deliver the country’s formal accusation, observations and proposals to the documents presented on the territorial controversy… we reaffirm the legitimate rights of Venezuela over the Essequibo Territory…”

At the time, Rodriguez was speaking to the Director of the General Secretariat of the United Nations, Edmund Mulet, at the UN Headquarters in New York.

But Greenidge stated clearly that Guyana will continue to reject the “backhanded” attempts to despoil its rights. “That statement is yet another example of Venezuela’s timeworn belief that falsehoods repeated often enough may eventually lose their basic falsity. They do not. Venezuela has no ‘rights over the Essequibo’,” Minister Greenidge told the House.

Guyana’s rights over the Essequibo were settled

by the Award of 1899 of the international Tribunal of Arbitration established under the Treaty of Washington. At the time, the then Government of Venezuela undertook to accept the award as “a full, perfect and final settlement.”

Venezuela did accept the decision – jointly with the United Kingdom - demarcating the boundary on the ground and drawing up a definitive map depicting the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela, identifying the Essequibo as being within British Guiana -in accordance with the 1899 Arbitral Award.

But, according to Minister Greenidge, there were always elements in Venezuela who were bent on pushing the notion that the 1899 Arbitral Award was “null and void.”

“Britain resisted them; their final rejection being the Geneva Agreement of 1966, which acknowledged that Guyana would be free, and ensured that Venezuela could not pursue its “nullity” contention against the new state, save in specified ways starting

with a Mixed Commission and empowering the United Nations Secretary-General to bring the contention to finality by judicial settlement, consonant with the Charter of the United Nations.”

But from the outset, Venezuela delayed pursuing their nullity contention; pursuing instead a policy of harassment of the new state, impeding its development by threatening investors, Minister Greenidge pointed out.

He added: “It kept Guyana out of the OAS for 25 years. Contemptuous of international law, it has issued decrees asserting maritime claims progressively more and more outrageous. And it remains one of the few countries of the world to have excluded itself from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” The Foreign Affairs Minister strongly believes that Venezuela’s behaviour towards Guyana is a festering wound to peace and development in the Region and an affront to the rule of law in the world.

Violators warned against unauthorised structures, traffic hazards ALL properties or structures that are infringing on road reserves and causing damage or a traffic hazard will be removed, and proceedings will be brought against the defaulter, according to Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn.

In a recent notice in a section of the media, Vaughn said that proceedings against violators will be taken in accordance with Section 29 of the Road Act, Cap. 51:01 of the laws of Guyana, WRITTEN APPROVAL According to the notice, the Government of Guyana, through the Public Infrastructure Ministry, will be removing all unauthorized billboards and structures on the road reserve. Anyone desir-

ous of putting up any structure within the road reserve must obtain written approval from the Chief Works Officer of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Among some cases of encroachment and obstruction on the public reserve are barbershops, builders waste, car park, cargo containers, clay stockpiles, derelict vehicles, mobile vending carts, mud-dumping, paddy drying, rum shops and bars, roadside shops, sawmills, scarp iron dealers, sand/stone heaps, tyre servicing, workshops and cement mixing signboards.

According to an official from the ministry, notices will be placed at various locations where defaulters are found, and immediate removal will be requested.

In some cases sand piles totally block a carriageway, and those guilty of causing such obstructions will be charged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

New strategies for national unity

THE MINISTRY of Social Cohesion hosted its first consultation with religious organisations and groups on Thursday. Minister with responsibility for social cohesion, Amna Ally, met with representatives of the Muslim community at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The consultations, which are aimed at developing new strategies for achieving national unity, saw representatives of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), the Guyana Muslim Mission, the Guyana Islamic Forum, the Muslim Youth League, the Guyana Islamic Trust, the Guyana International Relief Organisation and, the Darul Uloom Centre of Islamic Education, contrib-

uting to discussions.

“This is your opportunity to speak to us. We want to be able to undertake the initiatives that would [allow] us to partner in an atmosphere of trust,” said

Minister Ally.

“We want communities to be allowed to contribute in a strategic way. It is our duty to give you the opportunity to tell us how the ministry and the Muslim

community can collaborate to achieve this: How can we remove barriers to unity?

How can communities be supported? How can we remove inequalities? We want to talk about these

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally speaks with representatives of the Muslim community, in the Boardroom of the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday.

(Ministry of the Presidency Photo)

$2.5M cleared for Region 4 Jubilee celebrations IN ADDITION to the $300M already budgeted for Guyana’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebration this year, a marginal $2.5M was approved for Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaioca), for the celebrations by the Committee of Supply in the House on Wednesday evening.

Quizzed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) on what was allocated directly for this event, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan made the disclosure. He told the MPs that the $2.5M will be extracted from an approved $6M for all national and other events in Region Four.

On January 29, 2016, during his 2016 budget presentation, Minister

of Finance, Winston Jordan revealed that $300M has been budgeted for Guyana’s Jubilee celebrations. This is in addition to other smaller allocations through other ministries which will be playing an integral role in the planned activities.

Among these ministries are Tourism and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the former pushing an agenda to attract tourists during this time, and the latter erecting totem poles as part of the cultural enhancement.

Launched on December 31, 2015, Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebration will host several cultural and social activities geared towards pushing national unity; an ideal Guyana has struggled to achieve in its 50 years since gaining independence.

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Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for culture, Nicolette Henry had stated the Government will fashion events, memorabilia and merchandise to reflect the spirit of Guyana which is hoped, will resonate within people’s minds now and years to come. “We will create public and private sector partnerships critical for uniting the country. We will work together to create legacy projects in education, heritage, infrastructure, culture, academic symposia, literature and the arts that will in themselves act as meaningful economic stimulants.

And certainly we will energise our youths as the generation responsible for taking Guyana forward” the Minister has said. (Ravin Singh)

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issues openly and find solutions together. It is the only way we are going to progress and move this nation forward,” she added.

Ally told the participants that the meeting was not intended to be a oneoff discourse, but rather a series of consultations to ensure that all stakeholders are given a chance to contribute to and define a plan of action that will allow the Ministry to achieve its mandate.

“We cannot continue to live in Guyana as a divided society. Regardless of your political affiliation, religious beliefs, ethnicity,there is a need for us to work together to build our country. All of us want a good life and we must work together to achieve that,” The minister stated.

Meanwhile, Shaheed Uthman, a representative of the Guyana Muslim Mission-Masjid Muhammad, lauded the initiative, while noting that it is the first time that his organisation and by extension the Muslim community has been contacted by any government on matters of social cohesion.

“I give gratitude for this forum and I ask for us to appreciate the foresight of President Granger for putting this mechanism in place to deal with the difficulties we face. This morning is a manifestation of a work in progress. Oftentimes we do not want to talk about the issues that

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are affecting the country, and I believe this was long overdue. We need to start talking to one another in such a free way,” he said.

He opined that it is now the ministry’s responsibility to ensure that every Guyanese is educated on the importance of social cohesion and engaged through such forums, to begin the work of eradicating the barriers to national unity and equality. “There is too much ignorance out there as it relates to social cohesion. We must intensify the information out there and we must work together to change that,” he said.

Ameena Hescott, of the Darul Uloom Centre of Islamic Education, said her organisation is committed to support to the Administration’s efforts.

She said the institution is willing to begin the groundwork of educating the population on the goals of the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

Like Uthman and Hescott, Wasir Baksh said that the teachings of Islam are consistent with the themes of unity, equality and fairness, and as such, he will support government’s efforts in achieving these goals for Guyana. (Ministry of the Presidency press release)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Republic Bank honours top academic performers

REPUBLIC Bank (Guyana) Ltd yesterday held its Achievement Awards Ceremony to honour the top performers for 2015 at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), Caribbean Secondary Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The Bank also honoured the best graduating

students with a Bachelor’s Degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences and a Diploma in Banking and Finance from the University of Guyana.

The special presentation ceremony was held at the Bank’s Head Office, New Market Street, Georgetown, where monetary gifts, plaques and tokens were presented to the five awardees.

The recipients of the 2015 awards were: * Solomon Cherai (NGSA) * Vi c t o r i a N a j a b (CSEC) * Cecil Cox (CAPE) * Ashley Bankay (Bachelor’s Degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences) and * Sabrina Bacchus (Diploma in Banking and Finance).

With youth development being one of the Bank’s primary focuses, many initiatives are undertaken on an ongoing basis. Rewarding academic excellence, on-thejob training, providing tools for career development and promoting personal growth through music are just a few of the activities undertaken by the Bank. These

Second and third from right (standing) Managing Director, Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd, Richard Sammy and Deputy Chief Education Officer Marcel Hudson, along with senior managers of Republic Bank and the University of Guyana pose with the awardees at yesterday’s Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Accused in ‘home invasion’ murder to know fate today

THE verdict in the 2011 minibus driver murder trial is expected today from the 12-member jury in the High Court before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

The closing addresses by both defence and state were heard yesterday.

Defence Counsel Madan Kissoon yesterday morning led his submission based on mistaken identity. He stated that his client Alvin Semple is not the person who had gone to the home of Balram Teekaram on April 13, 2011, robbed him and his son, and then shot the elder Teekaram, who died three days later.

He stated that the sole eyewitness, Yougindra Teekaram, called ‘Randy’, the son of the deceased, testified that he was 16 years old at the time of the incident, and he had recognised Semple after the rag he used to conceal his face had fallen. He said he had called out Alvin’s name.

Kissoon asked the jury to use their everyday experiences to examine the facts of the case during their deliberations, since no identification parade was

held and no description was given of his client; while there were not sufficient lights in the bedroom on the night in question.

Prosecutor Tamieka Clarke told the jury that the state did not need to produce a medical certificate for Yougindra Teekaram’s injury which he had received during the robbery at his home on April 13, 2011. She said this in rebuttal to defence counsel’s submission that the state should have done so.

The prosecutor said the offence is the murder of Balram Teekaram, who was 41 years old at the time. Semple is allegedly one of the three persons who had gone to the Lot 17 Sea View, Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara home and robbed the Teekarams, during which Yougindra Teekaram’s father was shot.

She said the lighting in the house has nothing to do with the identification of Semple’s face, because it would not changed only with the intervention of plastic surgery, and Yougindra Teekaram had positively identified the

accused as one of the men who was present in his house.

Clarke added that on April 13, 2011, three men had gone to the home of the Teekarams, and during the robbery, Balram was shot in the face. She said Semple was one of those men, and he should be held responsible for his action, as he, too, had a gun and the intention of the robbers was to rob and kill.

The state prosecutors are Shawnette Austin and Tamieka Clarke, while the defence counsel is Madan Kissoon.

According to reports, Balram Teekaram and one of his two sons were at home when, in the wee hours of the morning, three bandits entered their home and robbed them, during which he was shot, and later succumbed to a gunshot injury to his eye.

The Route 32 minibus driver was in a critical condition and was hooked up to a life support machine before he died.

The robbers reportedly took away $700,000 in cash, a silver chain, a cell phone, some other jewellery and an iPod from the Teekarams.

awards form part of the Bank’s social investment initiative, ‘Power to Make a Difference, Igniting the Power to Learn and Succeed’.

Among those attending the ceremony were representatives from the Ministry of Education and the University of Guyana,

along with the principals and class teachers of the respective schools attended by the awardees for NGSA, CSEC and CAPE. The Bank extended heartfelt congratulations to the five recipients and those who assisted them on their journey towards academic excellence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday February 19, 2016

Pardoned ex-con back in jail

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Twenty-year-old Joshua Joseph of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, who had received a presidential pardon, was on Wednesday sentenced to 18 months in prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he pleaded guilty to escaping the custody of a police officer.

The court heard that he escaped police custody on February 13, 2016 while at the Brickdam Police Station where he was being held on robbery charges.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court

that Joseph was being escorted by Police Constable David to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when he began to behave in a disorderly manner. During a scuffle between Joseph and the Police Constable, he managed to release himself from the handcuffs and made good his escape.

Joseph was subsequently arrested on February 15 at the Stabroek Market. He told the court that he had escaped because he was clad in old clothing and wanted to appear in court properly dressed. He explained that the handcuffs

opened when he fell.

Joseph was also charged with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Osa Omaree on January 19, 2016, at High Street, Georgetown, where he allegedly stole a 21-inch Sharp television valued $35,000; one laptop computer valued $50,000; one gold chain worth $30,000 and one pair of gold earrings valued $8,000. He pleaded not guilty.

Meanwhile, Joseph and 22-year-old Kester McPhoy of 72 Independence Boulevard also pleaded not guilty to a joint charge of robbery

under arms, allegedly committed on February 3, 2016 on the person of Elicia Walton.

Police said that the two men, being armed with a knife, robbed the woman of a gold chain worth $60,000.

The police prosecutor objected to bail based on the gravity of the charges of breaking and entering and robbery under arms, and cited also the fact that a weapon was used.

Bail was refused for the duo and the matter was adjourned to March 1 and transferred to Court 11.

a lesser breed of Guyanese.

We are no less patriotic, and though a case could be made that in our country’s history so far, we have been called upon and have made the greater sacrifice for people and the nation, and have managed the greater advances in the growth, development and prosperity whenever in office, we would claim no greater patriotism, less such be always expected of us, setting ourselves a higher bar.

For that archaic word, dollop, to have surfaced in his mind, our LOP must have been under great stress and filled with great frustration.

And he had all right to be filled with a sense of righteous indignation, for it had already been indicated that the Government side would unilaterally break the hallowed convention of the LOP concluding the presentations

on the budget, to be followed by the reply from the Minister of Finance.

The PPP/C adhered to that convention over its years in office. Leaders of the Opposition, Messrs Hoyte, Corbin, Granger, and if I recall correctly, Winston Murray (standing in for Mr. Corbin), were all so privileged. But in 2016, with its majority of no more than 5000 votes and its one-seat majority in the National Assembly, the Coalition Government was flouting convention, was about to have its way.

The walkout led by our LOP was not one of disrespect for our National Assembly, nor for the Minister of Finance, not even for the Prime Minster; nor was it failure by us of the PPP/C to come to terms with the fact that we had been declared the

losers at the last elections.

The walkout was not a case of cut and run; we sensed no need. We of the PPP/C believe that a growing majority of Guyanese of all races, of all religions, from all regions and of all political persuasions would, in their quiet moments, be reflecting on our presentations:

Saluting our Under-19 Not one dollop (share) cricketing less of patriotism heroes Dear Editor,

DESPITE the poor showing of our senior team on the field of play, and the persistent impasse off the field, cricket continues to animate the Caribbean in a way other sports have not been able to do. The reason is clear -- no other sport is so tied to the region’s culture and its deeper struggle for dignity. Here in Guyana, it is one of the few areas of national life in which our historical ethnic divide is not overpowering and defining. As we have contended in these pages, cricket is too vital to our identity to be allowed to slide into permanent decay.

That is why our spirits have been lifted by the recent triumph of our Under-19 team. It is one of those rare moments when the rest of the world is forced to look at our region with the respect we deserve. We join with the rest of the Caribbean in saluting our heroes. These young ambassadors’ victory is all the more important because they won a world competition against the backdrop of despair about the future of the sport in the region. As the young men from our Caribbean were fighting their way to the head of the line, their senior counterparts were once again locked in their now customary quarrel for more money.

Whatever the merits of their demands for more compensation, somebody needs to let them know that their case would be much more enhanced by more superior returns on the field of play.

Four members of the victorious Under-19 team are part of the outstanding squad chosen by the experts. In our glory years, such an acknowledgement would have been routine. But given our struggles these days, having four outstanding players in a competition is cause for much celebration. Cricket is a team sport in which individual performances are meant to result in good showings of the team. Ultimately, it is how the contributions of eleven players, including those of the most talented ones, can be gelled together in pursuit of victory for the team. Critical to that process is the commitment of the individual players to that collective outcome. One got the sense that the success of our team in Bangladesh was largely driven by such a commitment. That was most refreshing for the

“Not one dollop (share) less of patriotism in us of the PPP/C, now sitting in the Opposition benches, when compared with you in the Government seats”. Our Leader of the Opposition (LOP), visibly disturbed, was moved to firmly assert so as he wound up the Budget Debate for the Opposition.

He must have sensed that the patriotism of us of the PPP/C was being questioned.

But has the other major political party ever taken, as quietly as we of the PPP/C, a declared election loss and by such a small margin; a change of Government after the last elections and relying on the petition process to challenge the declared results?

We of the PPP/C may be different, but we are not

Caribbean spirit.

Our team came home to a rousing welcome in Barbados, and we hope that when the players return to their individual countries, they are properly acknowledged. We have had a tendency in the region to honour our victorious teams with material things, such as land and houses. We advise against that route; we feel that the best gift to our young men is to invest in an improved cricket infrastructure that would aid these young men to further improve their skills and to train the next batch of Under-19 champions.

Here in Guyana, the impasse over who leads our cricket administration needs to be resolved forthwith; we simply cannot continue that way. Our senior team is having a great run in the current staging of the PCL; they also deserve

• About the earlier complaints from members of the Coalition Government about the number of contract workers in the Public Service; but, now in office, they have further greatly increased the numbers of contract workers, and at even higher average pay!

• Now at the beginning of 2016, the average Guyanese is better off than he was in 1992 and working See Page 7

support. It is time that we invest in a proper cricket academy that is geared towards preparing our next generations of cricketing ambassadors to engage in the struggle to retain the West Indian dignity and glory on the field of play and beyond the boundary.

Our Under-19 team has done us proud. We hope this victory is not allowed to be a flash in the pan; that our young men are not allowed to fall prey to the lure of cricket’s “bling.” Leadership is critical to this undertaking, but the support of the wider population is equally pivotal. Our young cricketers would benefit from playing before 5,000 spectators in the stands, rather than 500. We urge the public to return to the cricket grounds to watch games other that the popular T20s.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

A construction debacle

60% of Kato school defective

By Tajeram Mohabir

CULPABLE parties of the defects and delays in the completion of the Kato Secondary School are likely to face sanctions.

The school was initially slated for completion in April 2015 but due to inclement weather and other factors as reported by the previous administration, this deadline had to be extended to January this year. Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan on Thursday, in response to a question from PPP Member of Parliament (MP) Nigel Dharamlall on when the school will be opened, told the House that the building is in poor shape.

He informed the House that a number of structural defects have been identified on the building, in addition to poor design. According to the minister, an investigation has since been launched into the fiasco, and the outcome of the investigation will determine when the school will be opened.

Supporting his colleague, Ministry of Public Infrastructure David Patterson told National Assembly that an independent assessment done has found that 60 per cent of the building is in defect and another 30 per cent just over the

From Page 6 hard to keep ends meeting.

The Coalition’s proposals on vehicles, including trucks and on tyres, show how less attuned to and caring they are for the average Guyanese man and woman than we of the PPP/C. • I sensed a focus in the presentations from the Government on monitoring and regulation and keeping citizens in line - with which I cannot protest, but an understanding and sympathy for what is involved in working and earning and learning as we produce the goods and services on which our prosperity is based seemed to be lacking.

• In Opposition, members of the Coalition sought to persuade the Guyanese citizens that VAT should be greatly reduced; but now in office, VAT is respectable and necessary, and studies are still required.

• Mr. Freddie Kissoon (in KN of 2016-0217) has pointed out that the Coalition in Opposition seemed to be against the barriers put up around Par-

border line.

This, he said will require more money to fix. The initial cost of $728M to build the is expected to jump to $1B when the school is completed and approved for occupation. Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, under whose watch construction of the school began, inquired from Minister Bulkan if any penalty sanction will be imposed on culpable parties in the construction debacle, to which he hinted in the affirmative.

The minister reminded the House of the ongoing investigation but pointed out that the sloppy work by the contractor is all but just one of the faults with the school. The design, the minister stressed had several flaws and it was approved by the former administration.

WELCOME MOVE Mrs Manickchand said the Opposition welcomes any penalty applied to those at fault for the construction.

Minister Patterson, who also decried the sloppy construction, said the administration will not allow children to occupy a hazardous building as it wants the Kato Secondary School “to be of value to residents” there.

While as of now it is not clear when the school will be

liament; but now, with the Coalition in Government, the barriers have been put further out!

It is true that, in the real world, Governments are not free to do as they would like to. They find themselves hemmed in on many sides.

Inasmuch as that is so, overall, we of the PPP/C, when in office, do better for people and country. As Dr. Jagan used to say in the early 1990s, “the cook matters”.

Different cooks, given the same recipes, the same food items, and put in the same kitchen, provide meals that are not the same. We of the PPP/C have been the better cooks: we had no need to cut and run.

The walkout was a dramatic protest to catch the attention of fellow Guyanese, a dramatic protest against the Coalition Government trampling on another parliamentary convention. And trampling for what? To provide the Prime Minister the opportunity to speak without fear of reply? The truly brave and strong and courageous and able do

--guilty parties to face sanction

Minister of Public Infrastructure ‘David Patterson opened, the Government in this year’s budget has budgeted for dietary supplements for students.

Minister Bulkan explained that the provision has been made as the administration anticipates that the school, which is practically completed, will be opened this year, most likely in September.

The Kato Secondary School, a super structure, is being built to cater for the growing hinterland population in that community. Parents, students and teachers of Region Eight had complained of overcrowding and lack of access to secondary education in the region.

not need to so arrange; and certainly, one who has announced his earnest intent to head a team that would pursue some necessary working relationship between the Government and the Opposition would not start with breaking a

PPP MP Priya Manickchand According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Kato Secondary School is one of the largest infrastructural projects embarked upon by the Ministry of Education in terms of cost.

The school is being built

by Kares Engineering Inc and work commenced in 2013.

The previous Government had insisted that all was above board with the cost and the region needed the school as there was severe overcrowding.

The complex when completed will house an administrative block, teachers’ quar-

convention. Don’t trifle with the patriotism of us of the PPP/C. Regards, SAMUEL A. A. HINDS Former Prime Minister and Former President

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan ters and student’s dormitory complete with dining area, lobby, sleeping area, laundry room, and accommodation for dorm wardens, kitchen, and sanitary facilities.

The school itself will accommodate 12 classrooms, an industrial arts department, canteen, two science laboratories, computer laboratory, home economics and agricul-

PPP MP Nigel Dharamlall ture departments, facilities for differently-able persons, visual arts, sanitary blocks, two multi-purpose rooms, library and research area.

The location of the school in Kato was chosen because of its proximity to a nearby river that flows into a waterfall that will be used to construct a hydroelectric project that will power the community and by extension, the school.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Guyana urges UN to ensure countries respect treaties IN light of border-related issues with neighbouring Venezuela, Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr George Talbot, expressed the importance of United Nations’ involvement in ensuring that countries respect the conventional treaties which seek to protect territorial integrity of its member states.

These comments were made at the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council at the UN Headquarters on February 15. The Debate was held under the theme ‘Maintenance of international peace and security: respect for the principles and purposes of the UN Charter.’

Talbot, in his address, said that the theme is of special importance to Guyana as it not only serves as the principle for which the country’s foreign policy is built, but also as a standard which Guyana expects other countries to aspire to.

Talbot said that the agenda of the meeting, which included respect for sovereign equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity; the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means; refraining from the threat or use of force in international relations; non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and fulfilment of the obligations assumed by

states under the Charter, will also serve extremely useful.

“They afford to all states, in particular the small and vulnerable, the prospect of protection in the face of a diverse array of threats of increasing complexity, including climate change, the vagaries of transnational criminal networks, the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons and drugs, the spread of disease and the scourge of terrorism,” Talbot said.

He acknowledged that the purposes and principles of the UN point to the continuing need for collective effort and multilateral action in maintaining international peace and security, as well as maintaining good relations among nations. As such, he stated, that the UN therefore has a great part to play in helping to promote these principles. “It is incumbent on this Council…to be exemplary in such adherence, and to eschew conduct inimical to the pursuit of this mandate, thereby providing a basis for enduring confidence in the efficacy and legitimacy of the actions of the Council in the eyes of the world community,” Talbot said, adding that both the Council and member states should be held accountable for compliance with the provisions of the UN Charter.

Talbot stated that in a world where

Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, George Talbot there are increasing calls for countries to be their “brother’s and sister’s” keeper, it should be ensured that development is sustained and human rights are respected, so as to maintain peace. He then made reference to bodies such as the International Court of Justice, which he said has a significant role to play in contributing to the respect for Charter precepts. He

went on to identify the legal framework of the Charter, which seeks to ensure that states adhere to the rights and responsibilities in keeping with Charter principles. “One such, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – The Constitution of the Oceans – is one of the great achievements of the United Nations, subscribed to by the vast majority of the world’s nations. The Convention, including the International Tribunal established thereunder, has made, and continues to make, an important contribution to international cooperation, dispute resolution and peace,“ he said.

On this note, Talbot called on the United Nations to serve as a means of protection for member states from entities which seek to disturb the peace to which the Charter aspires. “[Guyana], as one of the smallest countries of our Hemisphere, looks to the United Nations for protection from all who would do us harm, or in any way threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity with which we have been endowed,” he said. He said that the Charter serves both large countries and smaller states such as Guyana, and added that it is those countries who need such protection the most.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Guyana’s water sport potential beckons

By Shauna Jemmott

KITTY and Kingston waterfront areas have been identified for the development of stateof-the-art facilities, and the proposed projects include boardwalks, recreational areas, modernised ramps for ferries and water taxis, and a dockyard for yachts.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said, “The initiative will serve as a recreational and tourist attraction, and will create opportunities for small business development.”

In the meantime,the Guyana Chronicle observed a lone paraglider enjoying the sport in the Atlantic off the Kingston seawall in Georgetown on Tuesday. The tide at the Kingston seawall was high and the waves were perfect for the sport.

Director-General in the Ministry of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, in a telephone interview Wednesday, told the Guyana Chronicle that the ministry has not yet considered water sport in the waterways of the Garden City, but it is open for proposals from individuals and tour companies.

He said the fact that someone was spotted parasailing here speaks to the potential for such a sport in Guyana. Sinclair said also that if a developer wants to approach the Tourism Ministry with a plan for parasailing or any other water sport activity in Georgetown, it would be considered.

He said that the ministry has embarked upon investing in water sporting in the northern parts of Guyana, particularly the beaches of Bartica and

Parasailing! This lone sportsman was spotted parasailing in the Atlantic in the vicinity of the Kingston seawall on Tuesday. He was snapped by Guyana Chronicle photographer Samuel Maughn walking back to shore after enjoying the sport in Guyana’s waters waterways in the mining town of Linden.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has expressed an interest in individuals and groups proposing ideas and programmes for the development of the Georgetown seawall, which includes activities.

Efforts by this publication yesterday to contact an official from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for a comment on the development of the Kingston and Kitty seawalls were to no avail.

However, a senior employee at the ministry told the Guyana Chronicle that the ministry plans to develop the seawalls stretching along Kingston to the Rupert Craig Highway.

Grandpa remanded over chopping of baby and teen mom JEWAN, 55, was on Tuesday remanded to prison until February 26 after he appeared before Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Wales Magistrate’s Court accused of chopping 17-year-old Maria Jones and her 10-month-old son Omar Jones last Saturday.

The sugarcane harvester of Lot 70 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara was found by police hiding in the cane fields aback of his home following the alleged attack on his daughter-in-law and his grandson.

The injured mother and son are both hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital and are said to be in stable condition.

Jones, who is said to have been frequently abused, has vowed not to continue living in the house she shared with her father-in-law.

Arrangements are to be finalized for her parents, who live in the indigenous community of Aranaputa, Rupununi to go to her rescue, or alternatively, her reputed husband Vinod, who works in deep South Rupununi.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

West Dem cops to get IT training POLICE and youths of ‘D’ Division can now benefit from computer training with the opening of the Leonora Computer Training Centre housed at the Le-

onora Police Station Recreational Hall, West Coast Demerara, Monday.

Gracing the ceremony was Assistant Commissioner ‘Operations’ Christopher

Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith as he assisted in cutting the ribbon which signaled the official opening of the facility at Leonora Police Station.

Griffith who lauded the police crime and social prevention programme spearheaded by the Commander Stephen Mansell with support from his ranks.

Griffith, who is the third in command of the GPF, said that said the imitative will certainly empower youths as well as ranks in that division and the facility is ideal for making dreams come true in the information technology world of today.

He added that the Crime and Social Prevention programme is the brainchild of Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud and it has been well received thus far as such more of these projects should be realised, all for the benefit of youths in the community.

The senior officer told the gathering yesterday afternoon that the division has come a long way in ensuring that social programmes are in place so the youths can gain a life skill and contribute to society.

He asked that other divisions follow suit and use available places and build-

Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith in company with Commander Stephen Mansell and others during a tour of the Leonora Computer Training Centre yesterday ings to establish facilities similar to the one commissioned at Leonora Police Station yesterday.

Griffith noted that there are changes within the GPF with the intervention of the strategic plan and they too have to be on par to serve the community by way of having educational projects to encourage youths become involved in such training.

Meanwhile, Commander of ‘D’ Division Stephen Mansell said that it is a good

opportunity for ranks to become comfortable with members of the public especially youths, who can visit the station for free computer training provided by the police and an instructor from the Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre.

He stated that the Leonora Computer Training Centre is equipped with six internet ready computers gifted to the police by Food for the Poor last year and a sixweek training commenced

yesterday in which ranks will benefit from three days per week training.

The Senior Superintendent said that plans are in stream to extend the building to house 12 desk top computers and encourage both police and youths to make use of the facility.

The ribbon was cut by Assistant Commissioner Griffith after which there was a tour of the facility by other senior members of the Force and ranks.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Ministries in agri-based tourism pact

MINISTER of Agriculture, Noel Holder, and Minister of Public Telecommunication and Tourism, Cathy Hughes, on Thursday signed a key Co-operation Agreement to merge their many resources to develop Agri-based tourism,

Jemma Wenner,Co-ordinator, Guyana Coconut Festival a niche that is almost guaranteed to earn revenue for farmers and growers and other innovators in the services sector.

The purpose of the agreement is to establish a framework for co-operation, dialogue and the teaming of expertise for all projects designed to advance agri-tourism, a release from the MOPTT said. Both parties agreed to jointly organise events and execute development programmes in all regions of Guyana.

At the Colgrain House gathering, the ministers, their permanent secretaries and key operatives were told about the numer-

ous uses of coconuts and coconut trees, and the diverse products and by-products that could be derived.

Raymond Trotz of Phoenix Enterprises said that there are currently 67 proven uses for the coconut tree and its fruits.

These include edible oils, flour, sugar, vinegar, construction materials, animal feed, tonic and jewelry.

He surmised that Guyana could develop a sustainable coconut value chain when our people begin to realise the vast uses for coconuts that grow so easily in this country. A coconut value-added industry in Guyana would produce jewelry and ornaments from the shell; fibre for layering poultry and animal pens and weaving mats; leaves and trunks for decorative furniture; the coconut flesh for copra, for edible and massage oils, and additives to animal feed; and coconut milk for exotic Guyanese dishes and snack foods.

Mrs. Jemma Wenner, Associate Professor at Mexico State University, said that coconuts and the wide variety of uses have tremendous benefits for society and the economy. In fact, she has conceived and will lead the co-ordination of a Guyana Coconut Festival during Agriculture Month, October 2016. She is working in collaboration with the Tourism arm of the Ministry.

The Agriculture Ministry is expected to play a key role in this upcoming festival that will take on a very interactive and competitive tone among the exhibitors, cooks, craft and jewellery designers, sculptors and harvesters. The two ministers also agreed to work closely with regional and international institutions to share their markets and marketing platforms for the benefit of the people and products categorized under the agri-tourism umbrella.

The Ministers of Agriculture and Tourism, Noel Holder and Cathy Hughes respectively sign the co-operation agreement to develop a new tourism niche called Agri-Tourism

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

$2.5M cleared for Region Four Jubilee celebrations IN addition to the $300M already budgeted for Guyana’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations this year, a marginal sum of $2.5M was approved for Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), for the celebrations by the Committee of Supply in the House on Wednesday evening.

Quizzed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Members of Parliament (MPs) on what was allocated directly for this event, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan made the disclosure. He told the MPs that the $2.5M will be extracted

from an approved $6M for all national and other events in Region Four.

On January 29, 2016, during his 2016 budget presentation, Minister of Finance Winston Jordan revealed that $300M have been budgeted for Guyana’s Jubilee celebrations. This is in addition to other smaller allocations through other ministries which will be playing an integral role in the planned activities.

Among these ministries are Tourism and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the former pushing an agenda to attract tourists during this time, and the latter erecting

totem poles as part of the cultural enhancement.

Launched on December 31, 2015, Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations will host several cultural and social activities, geared towards pushing national unity; an ideal Guyana has struggled to achieve in its 50 years since gaining independence.

Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for culture, Nicolette Henry, had stated that the government will fashion events, memorabilia and merchandise to reflect the spirit of Guyana, which it

is hoped will resonate within people’s minds now and for years to come. “We will create public and private-sector partnerships critical for uniting the country. We will work together to create legacy projects in education, heritage, infrastructure, culture, academic symposia, literature and the arts that will in themselves act as meaningful economic stimulants. And certainly, we will energise our youths as the generation responsible for taking Guyana forward,” the minister said. (Ravin Singh)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

$5.5B approved for Region 4 -Eccles to benefit from construction of health centre

By Ravin Singh REGION Four (Demerara-Mahaica) is poised for massive development in this Golden Year of Jubilee, after a whopping sum of $5.5B was cleared last evening in the House by the Committee of Supply.

In the 2015 Budget, $4B were approved for the region by the Committee, which increases this year’s allocation by 37.5 per cent.

Massive increases from last year were recorded in the current expenditure for both education delivery and health services in the region. There was an increase from $226M in 2015 to $586M in 2016 for drugs and medical supplies; and an increase from $236M to $598M for materials, equipment and supplies, also falling within the health bracket.

When quizzed by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Neil Kumar on why this increase, and what was different about Region Four as compared

to the other regions, which received less, Minister Bulkan defended the allocation by arguing that Guyana’s highly-centralized nature demands more for Region Four.

Just recently, a drug shortage had confronted Guyana’s public health sector, due to insufficient funds at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). This was reportedly coupled with the incapability of the 10 administrative regions to buy their own supplies after the 2015 National Budget was passed in August last year.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer Allan Johnson had related that cashflow problems at that health care institution had resulted in the shortage.

“We also purchase a lot of our drugs with short shelf life. Indeed, because we purchase our drugs from New GPC (Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation), we store our drugs at New GPC also, because we don’t have any storehouse,” the CEO has said.

But with this significant increase

for drug and medical supplies, it is expected that no such event would recur.

And in addition to the increases for health services, $114M have been allocated for the enhancement of security services in the region. $56M were allocated for this in 2015.

Meanwhile, the minister also revealed during his fielding of questions last evening that a new health centre will be erected in Eccles this year. “A health centre will be erected in Eccles, and this was budgeted for…. I think this will be located in ‘BB’ Eccles,” the minister said.

Lumped with two other projects footing a total cost of $37.5M, the health centre is expected to be built at a cost of $31.5M. Of the remaining funds, the Dr. C.C Nicholson Hospital will be rehabilitated and a sanitary block will be constructed at the Kuru Kururu health centre.

Under current expenditure for 2016, the sum of $173M was allocated for Regional Administration and Finance;

$280M were allocated to Agriculture; $117M were allocated for Public works; $3.3B were approved for education delivery; and $1.1B were allocated for the improvement of Health Services.

Under capital expenditure for the region, $24M were allocated for Regional Administration and Finance, $45M were allocated for Agriculture, $61M were allocated for Public Works, $285M were allocated for education delivery, and $62.9M were allocated for health services.

As such, the total expenditure as compared to last year is as follows: $197M for Regional Administration and Finance in 2016, as compared to $159 in 2015; $325M for Agriculture in 2016, as compared to $268 in 2015; $178M for public works, as compared to $156M in 2015; $3.6B for education delivery as compared to $2.8B in 2015; and $1.1B for health services, as compared to $571M in 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Friday February 19th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Saturday February 20th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday February 21th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

ECD nursing home pushing ahead

By Leroy Smith

THE director of the Demerara Paradise Inc. Nursing Home, located at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, has planned among other initiatives to introduce an advanced 24hour emergency room at its present location, to serve the East Coast Demerara communities.

The disclosure was made earlier this week during an exclusive interview with the director, Dr. Vivakeanand Bridgemohan, who spoke of the vision for the company in the not-too-distant future.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the Demerara Paradise Nursing Home is already positioning itself to establish and operate a full-fledged emergency treatment centre as part of plans to upgrade and improve the services presently being offered.

Dr. Bridgemohan explained that in order to bring that service to the people, especially those on the East Coast of Demerara, the company has been working to ensure that it builds the capacity of the already existing well-trained doctors and healthcare providers.

He stressed that one of the reasons for the decision to establish the emergency centre was the strategic location of the Demerara Paradise, which literally bridges the health needs’ gap for persons living between the University of Guyana Road and Mahaica, ECD. Demerara Paradise Inc. consists of several buildings

…more than 200,000 low-income persons to benefit which house patients as part of the nursing home’s service, and the plan is to convert the entire administrative building into the emergency centre. That building is the first of several others located within the Demerara Paradise Complex, and already has several pieces of equipment used to address the health needs of the patients and clients. It also sports a modern pharmacy.

According to the doctor, plans are already in the pipeline to engage international professionals, who will be recruited to assist the process and act as resource persons alongside the highly skilled and trained team of Guyanese doctors and health care providers currently in the employ of the establishment.

As part of the international collaboration, Dr. Bridgemohan explained, active discussion is presently ongoing with an international health facility which is headed by Guyanese based in the region and which connects with approximately 1200 other medical facilities across the world.

There is also a plan to have collaboration with international health organisations, to which patients can be easily referred; and in very serious cases, they can immediately be taken by medevac should the need arise.

The Chronicle was assured by the doctor that talks are already in progress. He

did say that, at present, there are several other health practitioners who are engaged

by Demerara Paradise, but as affiliates. These include a bone specialist and a cardiac-related-illness doctor.

Speaking of the immediate plans for this year, 2016, the doctor said that Demerara Paradise would, by the end of December, be installing an “elderly in distress” system in the homes of persons who are desirous of having such a service. According to him, the hospital would install a buzzer in the homes of persons, and once they are in distress they could press the buzzer, which would immediately send a signal to the Demerara Paradise Hospital and the hospital would immediately dispatch an ambulance to the area.

Based on his projections regarding the services his establishment seeks to offer, it is anticipated that approximately 200,000 persons of low economic status would be able to benefit from the services of the Demerara Paradise, once the facility attains the status of a fullfledged hospital. This number would be in addition to the hundreds who are benefiting from the nursing home services and walk-in services at the pharmacy.

Demerara Paradise was commissioned by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in October of 2015. When the establishment first started operating, it had in its

Director Dr. Vivakeanand Bridgemohan interacts with an inmate of the nursing home while making one of his regular rounds for a first-hand account of how patients are coping employ eight staff members; it now has expanded staff complement to more than 60, inclusive of doctors, nursing assistants and other senior and junior level staff.

The facility is a nursing home which provides assisted living for the elderly and differently-abled adults with non-communicable diseases.

Persons who are usually tied down with work and have sick loved ones at home are encouraged to utilise the services of Demerara Paradise.

Dr. Bridgemohan ex-

plained that one of the biggest hallmarks of the company was continuous training for the staff of the facility at all levels and in the areas of critical care nursing, care providers, housekeeping, food and nutrition, and medical assistance.

The facility also provides the services of X-Rays, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and other critical care, especially for the elderly and disabled. Demerara Paradise also has a quality analyst who works very closely with the

human resource and facilities managers of the company.

The home, based on its established guidelines for admission, has three categories by which it determines the kind of care each patient is to receive. There are private rooms, shared rooms and open rooms.

Persons desirous of registering a loved one, or who wish to have information on the Demerara Nursing Home and its services, can make contact with the facility on +592 220 2672

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

City Hall workers reject Carvil Duncan’s union

CITY Hall workers on Thursday rejected the Carvil Duncan-led Guyana Labour Union’s (GLU), allegedly because of poor representation and a loss of confidence in the leadership of the trade union organisation.

Chaos erupted yesterday when representatives of the GLU who were protesting at the the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) received a backlash when workers turned the heat on them. As they made an attempt to attain justice for the workers of the M&CC whom they represent, union representatives were left bewildered as the workers turned out in their numbers protesting against the GLU. The workers counter-protested the union, stating that for years their pleas for betterment have gone unheard. Thus they highlighted that it is time the union is refreshed and new faces are installed to fight for their rights. Workers lamented that President of the GLU, Carvil Duncan, has too many responsibilities and cannot pay keen interest to matters which affect workers who are represented by the union.

Although the union was protesting for an opportunity to meet with the Town Clerk to discuss and address matters affecting the workers, the workers did not find any interest in it, declaring that they were tired of “false” meetings being held.

An official from the GLU, Irma Glenn, disclosed that they are protesting for the rights of the workers. “We have always been working towards the betterment of the workers we represent, and of recent we have been obstructed, for some strange reasons, from meeting with the Town Clerk,” she said.

Glenn finds it surprising that the workers are going against the GLU, despite the union’s efforts to get them justice. Nevertheless, she gave the assurance that the union would continue to work for the betterment of the workers, and if they are not pleased with the representation they are getting, they can vote for new heads of the union in the future.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the M&CC said the Council was both astonished and disappointed at an attempted protest by the GLU. “The Council is not aware of any grievance or challenge that might have triggered this activity. In fact, over the last six months, the City’s Administration has been doing all things practicable to ensure the integrity of the work environment for its employees.

It is no secret that workers’ welfare is the Council’s top priority, and its administration will pull out all stops to ensure that workers are satisfied and comfortable in their various areas.

“As a result, administra-

Protestors yesterday in front of City Hall tion has done the following: repaired and refurbished municipal buildings which accommodate its employees; provided appropriate furniture, tools and equipment for employees; secured on-time payments of wages and salaries for workers; provided uniforms for its workers in all categories, and held regular meetings and consultations with workers employed by the municipality.

“Therefore, administration is hard-pressed to understand the attempted protest action by the Guyana Labour Union.

Unfortunately, many of those workers who were called to protest the Council in fact protested against the leaders

of the Guyana Labour Union, and requested Council to remove them from that particular union to another one.

“In the circumstances, Council is obliged to review its relationship with the Guyana Labour Union,” the M&CC said.

Moreover, the M&CC said it notes that the Guyana Labour Union, by attempting to call a protest action without appropriate notice, has breached the established norms and protocols at the Georgetown Municipality for dealing with grievances.

“This is unacceptable, irresponsible, and unreasonable. The attempt was calculated to mislead workers and

Incorrect article ... we are sorry THE Guyana Police Force has responded to an article published by the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday, February 18, 2016 under the caption “Mocha, Lodge residents die in minibus accidents”.

The first part of the article stated that Kevin Roberts of Norton Street, Lodge died last night (Wednesday February 17, 2016) at the GPHC, about five hours after he was struck down by a minibus while riding his bicycle

along Norton Street, Georgetown.

This information is incorrect. The Guyana Police Force has clarified that the accident which resulted in the death of Kevin Roberts occurred since May 01, 2010. The driver of the minibus, Bryan Howard, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving on May 04, 2010. The matter was dismissed on March 05, 2012, owing to insufficient evidence.

Editor’s note: An Apology

The first part of the story under the caption “Mocha, Lodge residents die in minibus accidents” with reference to an accident in Norton Street was definitely not meant for publication but had served as a teaching aid for a young reporter, and it was inadvertently not deleted from the actual story on the Mocha accident.

The Guyana Chronicle apologizes to its readers and the Guyana Police Force for this lapse.

distract them from their official tasks and assignments.

Administration wishes to thank all of its workers for their cooperation, support and understanding of the collective effort of Council to rebuild the City of Georgetown. Further, administration wishes to encourage all employees of the Mayor

and City Council to remain unswervingly focused and resolutely committed to the trust which was reposed in Council by all of its citizens.

Most of Council’s workers are performing credibly and admirably, and administration will ensure that they are properly recognised and rewarded.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Hope Secondary students to contribute to ‘Teenage Chronicle’

By Shauna Jemmott

STUDENTS of Hope Secondary School have been invited to be the first to write news and feature stories for the Guyana Chronicle, and in their new roles as practising journalists, they can highlight their communities in the national newspaper.

Guyana Chronicle Editor Godfrey Wray extended the invitation to the students to submit articles for a new weekly feature titled ‘Teenage Chronicle,’ which will be published in the Sunday Chronicle.

The students were at the time on tour of Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) at Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown.

“If any one of you are ambitious enough, and you want to do some work, we’re going to have a section for schoolchildren. You can write stories, send them in and you will be paid for it,” the Editor said.

Guyana Chronicle Editor Hope Secondary School t students and their teacher on Tuesday.

‘STORY OF THE WEEK’ He stated that the newspaper will also consider, later this year, awarding the students with prizes for the ‘Story of the Week’ and ‘Photograph of the Week.’

Moreover, students countrywide are encouraged to build their writing skills and develop stronger literary interest through this new arrangement.

Stories, Wray said, should be submitted via e-mail to gnnleditorial@ gmail.com, along with the student’s name, age and school.

“This is the national newspaper,” he told the students, and added that Guyana Chronicle is “the paper that you should be reading every day.”

The editor recalled that in his younger days his father ensured that the newspaper was available daily in their home, and as a child, he naturally loved reading the news. He said, too, that newspapers in those days featured a lot more activities for youths.

Crum-E

McCoy, others re TOP sources in the Guyana Police Force have refuted claims circulating in some circles that the three persons held for questioning in the murder of Courtney Crum-Ewing have been tortured into confessing to the crime.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that Sean Hinds, Jason Abdulla and Okene FraKwame McCoy ser are likely to remain in police custody for an additional 72 hours. It was reported by persons close

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

r Godfrey Wray extended an invitation to Grade 7 students of to submit articles for the new column ‘Teenage Chronicle.’ The rs were on tour of Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL)

He encouraged the students to adopt a similar attitude towards current affairs.

He explained to the 105 students and their 10 teachers during their visit to the Editorial Department that the Guyana Chronicle has been re-branded, and its new presentation is not what they are accustomed to seeing.

“We’ve rebranded the newspaper and we definitely want you to communicate with it,” the Editor told the touring students.

Meanwhile, Hope Secondary teacher and chief organiser of the educational tour, Miss Vonetta Liverpool, said that the outing was part of their visits to places of interest.

“We find it [GNNL] as a place of interest, and I realise that they don’t have a lot of students visiting the news organisations. I thought of it to bring the children so that they can have a firsthand look at how the news is being done and how it is printed and so on.”

Another teacher, Ms. Sylvia, said the school has an interesting Social

Studies programme, which also features current affairs, and the visit to the GNNL has made the children more familiar with news agencies.

She said the children are also encouraged in the area of creative writing, and each of them on the tour will be asked to present a composition in school about where they had visited.

One of the students, K-Lee Johnson, said the tour to the newspaper has sparked her interest in advertising, which she learned generates revenue for the financial sustenance and development of the company. She was also amazed to see how the words are printed on paper.

Patrice Pietre, another student, said he was delighted to visit the library of the Guyana Chronicle in particular, where he discovered how readily he can be informed about interesting historical events in this country. The Guyana Chronicle is also known for having one of the best archival collections of newspapers in Guyana.

Ewing hit

emain in custody to the investigation that Fraser has been cooperating with the police on the matter, while Abdulla has also been providing the police with information which is being checked to ensure authenticity.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the police took a decision to transport Abdulla to the Georgetown Public Hospital for a medical checkup after he complained of having injuries to his foot, reportedly inflicted by police investigators. The police, after arriving at the Georgetown Public Hospital with the suspect, were forced to transport him to another health facility after the machine which had to be used to perform a scan on the accused was not working. Former Press and Publicity Officer in the then Office of the President, Kwame McCoy, who was taken into custody on Wednesday, remains in the custody of the police also.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

PPP activists confess

COLUMNIST and political activist Freddie Kissoon, who had faeces thrown in his face in 2010, has been contacted by the police after affiliates of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Shawn Hinds, Jason Abdulla and Okene Fraser, reportedly confessed to committing the act.

Kissoon confirmed to the Guyana Chronicle that he was contacted by the police

pertaining to the incident as he was questioned whether he had given a statement to the police before.

On May 24, 2010, Kissoon had just emerged from Nigel’s Supermarket on Robb Street, Georgetown at about 19:00 hours, and had already entered his vehicle when a man walked up to him and threw the faecal substance in his face. Kissoon managed to drive behind the perpe-

… to throwing faeces on Freddie Kissoon

SHAWN HINDS

trator, who ran north along Light Street then west into North Road before jumping into a waiting white AT 192 Toyota Carina motorcar and escaping.

A soiled Kissoon tried to intercept the car but backed off to avoid a collision. Meanwhile, police sources revealed that

PPP/C Press and Publicity Officer Kwame McCoy has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the attack on Kissoon.

Hinds had provided security services to a number of PPP personalities, while Abdulla also worked at the then Office of the President and is now a functionary at the PPP’s Freedom Radio housed at the party’s headquarters on Robb Street, Georgetown. The men are expected to be placed before the court today.

Columnist and political activist Freddie Kissoon

Lost and Found …missing miners rescued by search team

THE three miners who went missing in the Omai Mountain Area of Region 7 are alive and well, the Ministry of Natural Resources has confirmed.

Anthony and Gavin Van Sertima and Kwastan Lewis were found by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and officers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on Thursday morning.

In a statement, the ministry said the three miners have been located, and arrangements are being made to transport them to Georgetown. Members of the GGMC and the Guyana Police Force embarked on a search, and found the three men walking along the trail. They appear to be in good health. The men will be transported to Georgetown shortly.

It is unclear where the three men were found, but Guyana Chronicle was informed that the three men were taken back to their camp, where two other miners were awaiting their return.

The men -- a father, son and nephew -- had gone in search of a mining block, which they reportedly located on Valentine’s Day. They left the Omai Mountain area to return to a camp they had set up, but unfortunately got lost in the forest.

After walking for miles over a couple of days, the men were able to make contact with relatives, and indicated their dilemma.

Joylyn Moore, wife of Gavin Van Sertima, told Guyana Chronicle on Thursday that she is relieved. She said she was informed on Thursday morning that her husband, son and nephew were found and are safe. She explained that she was extremely worried about their well-being as the three men had been without food and water, and had no means of communicating with anyone as their mobile devices were without power.

“I am so happy! I am thankful for all the help that I received…I am glad they are ok,” Moore told Guyana Chronicle. She said the area identified as Omai Mountain is a densely forested location, and so she was unsure of the trio’s location and the possible danger they faced.

“Everything is alright! I am thanking God that everything is fine! God is good!” the woman said. When asked whether the three men would be returning to the city following their ordeal, Moore said, “No. They (will) set a camp so that they could take things in…they have vehicles and so on…all the things were left there.” She explained that two other miners were awaiting the trio’s return.

Moore said, too, that if the men had been found in a state of not being well, then they would have returned to the city; but because they have been found alive and well, she does not anticipate them visiting the city at this point.

“Everything is alright…I don’t think they’d come out now,” added Moore. She expressed gratitude to Ministers of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Simona Broomes, for their assistance, along with officers of the GPF and the GGMC. “I thank God for your help,” the elated woman added.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

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Taking it to another level (Part I) --Local photography comes of age

Karran Sahadeo

By Jasmaine Payne GONE are the days when taking a professional photograph occurred solely on occasion; where a photo studio with tacky props and cartoon backgrounds would serve as the only source for a family portrait, an engagement or some other important event.

Today, you look around and see a bevy of young men and women taking to the streets to capture moments in time, and to share these moments with a seemingly hungry public.

The public, in turn, with easy access to these artists, now also take full advantage

of utilizing these talents to produce their own personal collection of shots to be used at will.

It is the perfect example of merging art with everyday life: Photography has morphed from being just a hobby, or a means of earning income, to being a bit of both, and then some.

GT VIBES Here in Guyana, depending on the event, there are names that are usually tossed around as to who does what in the field of photography.

In the area of nudity, many may have heard of Brian Gomes; others may easily identify the work of young Saajid Husani for his clean and provocative fashion photography; while others may think of Azikiwe Denheart for his well-known portraits and wedding shots.

Yet, the truth is that many photographers all dabble in varying aspects

JAY CARTER jaycarter891@gmail.com or jay@jaycarterphotos.com Website: jaycarterphotos.com Tel: 643-5729 As he has only been practising photography for about three years now, Jay is what we would call “a newbie” compared to the other veterans of the trade, but the quality of his photos would prove otherwise.

He began shooting mostly portraits, but has since expanded his craft to include concept and wedding photography.

“My motivation,” he said, “stems from two things: The emotional satisfaction of being able to capture precious moments, so they can last a lifetime, whether it’s for my clients or myself. The second facJay Carter tor is that I love to chal-

of this wide-ranging art, and the quality and passion with which they practise this art produce a result worthy of recognition.

Over the next two weeks, The Buzz will be featuring the talents of some of those photographers who have been making a buzz of their own in the local industry.

KARRAN SAHADEO www.karran.tv “Photography, just like any other form of art,” Karran Sahadeo says, “is subjective; you cannot separate the elements which make up the image from the person who is taking said image. This is why it can sometimes be a controversial art.”

For him, the camera is a medium of “truth”, as “it creates an exact copy of a scene which actually occurred at some point in time.” lenge myself and photography allows me to do that. I always want to better my last shoot or learn and implement a new skill.”

He’s the first to admit that it’s his background in graphic designing that ultimately led him to photography, as he could never quite find the right photos to play around with. He, therefore, made the decision to buy a camera and take those images himself, a decision that he has not regretted since.

Said he: “I approach every photoshoot with a goal, but I always keep an open mind, because photography is about being able to adapt and improvise at any given moment.

At this moment, I still haven’t found the “Jay Carter” look for my end-products, so I’m still working on that aspect.”

Karran Sahadeo photography

Karran believes that as a result of this tend e n c y i n p h o t o g r a p h y, each image possesses the power to morph how both the photographer and audience experience a situation; be it familiar or out of the ordinary. He also believes that a good photograph should ask the audience questions, and make them confront

situations and challenge what they know.

“The photographs I take are deeply personal; they reflect the people, places and situations that have affected me, in the sense that I have an emotional connection to them. To say my photographs are truthful would be telling a lie, because some of the images are staged; they are recreations based on that

Jay Carter photography

emotional connection I mentioned before.

“Even the “street” and “landscape” photographs I take are seen through those filters,” he said. “But that is my intention: I aim to build a connection; to understand the people and the places I experience daily, because they shape me as a person, perhaps more than I shape them.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Not your average designer

By Daniel Haynes

IN a market dominated by big names the likes of Sonia Noel, Keisha Edwards and Roger Gary, it’s little wonder that he’s been able to hold his own in the field at all. But hold his own he does, as those who know of him will attest.

MAXI, THE MAN Maxi Krishan Williams, or simply ‘Maxi’ to friends and those he works with, is a 33-year-old fashion designer, interior decorator, licensed makeup artist and a trained model.

Born here in Guyana on May 14, 1982 to a part Guyanese part Dutch family, he spent most of his childhood in neighbouring Suriname.

However, it was right

here on these very shores that his interest in designing not only sparked but was set ablaze.

At the time, he recalled, ‘Omai’ was the ‘big band’ that made him think about the person behind the designing of the costumes. It was this self-same thought that would change his life forever.

Living on Thomas Street, just next door to the ‘legendary’ Don Gomes was also a great help.

He vividly recalls jumping up on the fence separating the two yards many a days, and looking into Gomes’ yard to see what he was up to.

It wasn’t long before he would go to work for Gomes as an apprentice. He was just 13.

And, believe it or not,

for Mashramani.

He would work with Gomes until he was 17; that was the same year that ‘Carib’ came on the ‘Mash’ scene. The following year, Carib contacted him directly. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Over the years, he’s worked in Trinidad, which is where he got his make-up licence. Then in 2011, he launched his own designing service, offering employment to both young and old.

Maxi Williams his first assignment was in fact working on a hat. When Gomes saw what he’d done, he decided there and then to make him the sole designer

A TYPICAL DAY A typical day for him starts with his thanking God for sparing his life to see another day. “I believe in God; I believe there is a God, and that it is He who gave me my natural gifts and talents.

So I ask Him for guidance,”

Max said.

He then takes care of whatever little chores he has to do, before heading to his shop on Brickdam.

After settling in, he does a few designs before starting on the sewing machine. If he has a project like he did last Tuesday, he heads to the project and does his interior decorating; something he says can take almost an entire day.

That done, he then heads back to the shop to put in some extra work, or continue his designs.

“I’m not a designer who believes in having 25 pieces,” Maxi said. “If I do five pieces, and they are good, but no more come, then I’m good.”

When he’s good and satisfied with how his day went, he then locks up the store

and, depending on his mood, either heads home, or go for a little ‘lime’.

PHILANTHROPY Maxi has always been a firm believer in giving back, and helping the less fortunate.

With having his own band (a fact he’s proud of) and starting the first Children’s Band, he has taken it to another level. “I’ve been working alongside the children of Joshua House,” he said, “so that they can enjoy ‘Mash’ in a new way.”

Maxi has been in and around the fashion scene in Guyana and will continue to be there for years to come. He has a surprise for Guyana with the upcoming Independence celebrations.

Hash House Harriers --‘the running group with a drinking problem’ FROM time to time, you may have observed a group of happy-go-lucky people scampering around town, or even through someone’s back yard, seemingly on the hunt for something.

There’s a name for them: They’re called the Guyana Hash House Harriers, more commonly known as ‘Hashers’.

So what’s this ‘Hash’ all about? Well, simply put, they’re “the running group with a drinking problem,” and though they’ve been in existence here in Guyana for over 28 years, the group remains a close-knit, well-kept secret to only those within the fraternity.

In an interview with The Buzz, Assistant Grand Mistress, Elke Rodrigues and Acting Assistant Religious Advisor, Collis Augustine explained a bit about the Hash tradition.

“You need not run, or you need not drink to be a Hasher; the only prerequisite is a good sense of humour. The main thing is to have a good time,” Elke explained.

A LONG HISTORY Hash House Harriers have a long history, dating back to Britain, as a means of getting over a weekend-long drinking spree through exercise.

“What the English did when they would sport on the weekends, on Monday, they would go have a run so all the alcohol would come out of their system,” she said, thereby giving rise to the pastime

which is practised around the world today.

So, how does this ‘hashing’ work?

“There is a runner called the Hare who sets the trail,” Collis explained. “The trail could be from 2km to 20km long. The Hare uses shredded paper, flour, or a spray to mark the trail,” he said.

Within the trail, the Hare also deliberately sets a false trail, designed to lead the runners off course, all in the fun of things. Along the trail, there are “Beer Stops” filled with rum and beer (or water, for the non-drinkers) to hydrate the runners.

The trail is kept a secret from the runners, and is only announced at the set meeting point moments before the run actually starts.

At the end of the run, the drunk, the sober and the exhausted all convene to determine the front runners (FRBs) and the slow racers. The meetup is also used as an opportunity to mete out embarrassing and unspeakable penalties to those who may have broken a rule along the way; like using technology, which is considered “a cardinal sin”.

NICKNAMES Among the group, persons are also given nicknames; which are often based on dirty innuendos; based on something silly they may have done at some point during the run.

“Usually, after ten runs,” Collis said, “you get a nickname, unless you do something silly before that; then you get a

nickname immediately,” Collis said.

“There’s lots of funny stories, but it’s all in good fun,” Elke said, adding that the group tries to remain conservative as regards public representation, so as to help keep the mystery, and have the Hashers feel comfortable to free-up and truly enjoy themselves while hashing. “It’s about socialising, fitness and about getting to know your country as well,” she said, as many times, runs can be kept out of town.

But Elke added that the GHHH fraternity also serves a more significant purpose to the lives of its members, stating that this was only revealed after the suicide of one of their members. “She was not a regular hasher, and it was very sad. But for those who come regularly, some people have revealed that they were going through some things, and coming here has helped them to really relax and be themselves, and not be judged,” Elke said.

LIKE FAMILY The group has become like a family over the years, and in light of recent events, members have ensured that each person gets support, if it is needed in any way.

The Guyana Hash House Harriers conducts runs every fortnight, and entertains hashers from as young as six to as old as 60 and over.

The group last week held a pre-Valentine’s run,

Guyana Hash House Harriers

Hashers walking along a trail where runners were required to show up in their pajamas (All part of the fun, right?). The group also aims to host a ‘charity’ run once a year, where whatever money is raised will be donated to a charity

of their choice. “The best thing about Hash is: Once a hasher, always a hasher.

You can go anywhere in the world where there are Hash Harriers, and be welcomed to be part of a run,” Collis said.

Hashers battling along tougher pats of the trail

It is safe to say that if you’re looking for a place where fun and hedonism are of utmost priority – and maybe a little bit (or a lot) of drinking- one simply needs to visit the GHHH to achieve that goal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday February 19, 2016

What’s ‘Buzzing’ this weekend

THIS weekend, entertainers have ensured that as February 23 draws ever closer, there is no shortage of places to go or things to do, even without the customary ‘Mash Day’ costume and float parade.

PULSE ENTERTAINMENT

This being the case, the Palm Court is where the action will be for Pulse’s Calendar of events.

So, start the weekend right by turning up the heat tonight at the ‘TEMPERATURE SOCA PARTY’, or get wild tomorrow night at the ‘SOCA IN THE JUNGLE’.

Party until dawn at the E L E C T R I C J O U RV E T PARTY on MONDAY, then celebrate Mashramani with Pulse’s signature COOLER FETE AND PARTY TRUCK at the Everest Cricket Ground.

If after all that, you’ve still got some energy left, then head on back over to the Palm Court on Tuesday night for ‘ONE MORE WINE’.

CHILDREN’S MASHRAMANI

There may not be a big float parade, but that won’t stop the local schools from having their children enjoy the festivities of Mashramani in the Children’s Mash Parade tomorrow. The Parade starts at 10:00hrs, starting at Parade Ground and ends at the National Park.

GRAVITY Gravity Lounge has its share of entertainment in store as well: Tonight, head over to the club in the sky for ‘Mash’ featuring a live performance

by Antiguan Soca artiste Ricardo Drue or party with Peter Ram tomorrow at the “Soca for Life Party”.

STAGE 4

Stage 4 Entertainment will also be hosting a three-day fete at the Parade Ground.

TOMORROW, party to the sounds from local artistes Kwesi Ace, Shelly G, Jackie Jaxx and more. On SUNDAY, get crazy with ‘Soca Madness’ featuring performances by Destra and Farmer Nappy. Then on Monday, take it up a notch with the likes of Bunji Garlin, Jaiga TC and Lyrical.

‘Positive’ to headline ‘Mash Night’ concert

‘Mash Day’ Gospel Fest is a perennial event which features the biggest names in local and regional gospel entertainment, all on one night.

This year will be no different, with Trinidadian Gospel Reggae star, Joel “Positive” Murray set to touch down here a second year running for the much-anticipated event, billed for Mash Night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue.

Although it was his first outing here when he shared the stage with Gospel veterans like DJ Nicholas and Sherwin Gardener last year, Positive’s thrilling performance left the crowd hungry for more, and forced the promoter to bring him back for this year’s edition, titled “Praise Under the Open Sky”.

It’s no secret to avid Gospel fans that Positive’s new hit album, ‘Stand & Be Counted’, recently debuted at Number 9 on the

Billboard Reggae Album Chart. The album also debuted at Number One on the iTunes T&T national Top Albums chart, and peaked at Number 21 on the iTunes US Reggae Top Albums chart.

The prolific singer/ songwriter/producer also walked away with eight awards (as the top honoree) at the 2014 Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards in Nassau, Bahamas, among them Song of The Year for “Blessing After Blessing”, and Album of The Year for “Forever My King”.

He is promising a major treat for Guyanese at the Mash Night concert, with a full-length album performance backed by his signature band.

Also carded for the night are Trinidadian Gospel Soca sensations, Jadee and Blessed Messenger, both of whom have been making waves across the region with their music.

They will share the Cliff Anderson Sports

Hall stage with Guyana’s own leading Gospel Artists like Samuel Medas, Sean Sobers, Miriam Williams, Allan Petty, Joshua Joe, and the Redeemers, as well as some promising new faces like DiSi, Chakada Ralph among others.

Cordell McClure, promoter of the show, is promising a great time of praise and worship at the event, with international-quality marking Guyana’s 50th Independence.

“Those who were there last year know that we mean excellence,” McClure said, adding: “Come out with your national colours and flags as we celebrate, Jesus style.”

The show will begin promptly at 19:00hrs, and will challenge the norm of “Come late, it won’t start on time”.

Tickets are $1500, and are available at Kester D’s Music Centre, M&M Snackette, Nigel’s Supermarket and many other outlets.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Changing the game

--one ‘rap’ at a time

IN Guyana’s stereotypically male-dominated ‘rap’ industry, one woman is redefining the game in her own way, with socially conscious lyrics which stem from her experiences. She is A-TayJah. Born September 29, 1993, Aisha Jones, or A-TayJah as she’s called, is a rapper and songwriter who has been on the local scene since 2012.

Since then, she has blossomed into a veteran artiste, with seven songs under her belt, four of them singles, while the remaining three are collaborations with the likes of Randy Kirton and DRWTHVN. As a member of the band, Collage, she has the distinction of being the only rapper in the group. However, there is more to this artiste than music.

An ‘alum’ Marian’s Academy from ‘prep’ to Form 2, Aisha also attended St. Roses High, and is currently studying at the University of Guyana.

Aisha is one of those souls who feels most rewarded when she has helped or is helping others. Besides spending her time either writing mu-

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sic or working on her photography, something she takes very seriously, Aisha can be found volunteering with her UG Rotary Club.

She is also heavily involved with the local LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community. “I first got involved in activism after taking part in a seminar on social issues at the time in 2013,” she said.

Since then, through her activism, she has travelled around Guyana as well as across the border to Suriname.

This phenomenal artiste is the embodiment of art, and her free-spirited nature is testament to this. She is the most content, humble and downto-earth person one can ever meet, and despite her growing stardom and popularity, she prefers to only be in the spotlight when necessary.

Aisha believes that she can influence our generations by combining her social experiences with her lyrical content, and deliver a message that is not the stereotypical money, sex and weed content young people are accustomed to hearing.

Already on the scene, the hard work now begins, and our eyes will be on A-TayJAh. And since she is currently in studio with her Collage band mate, Lerone Souvenir, we await a mind-blowing release.

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U-19 World Cup win has reenergised WI cricket - Jones

By Rajiv Bisnauth DIRECTOR of Sport Christopher Jones is of the opinion that the ICC Under-19 World Cup win has reenergised West Indies cricket and the Caribbean at large.

Jones made the comment yesterday during a welcoming home ceremony for the Guyanese trio, skipper Shimron Hetymer, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach, who represented the winning West Indies team at the Youth World Cup, held recently in Bangladesh.

“We do believe that as a result of this win, it has re-engaged the younger players, perhaps the Under-17 team to endeavour

to do what you have done so West Indies at the Under-19 level can win the next World Cup and beyond.

“But of course you guys have started the ball off, and that has reenergised West Indies cricket and of course the Caribbean at large,” Jones said.

The Director of Sport, apart from congratulating the three players, lauded the remainder of the squad, team management and support staff members.

It was the first major title for the West Indies at any level since Darren Sammy’s senior team won the ICC World Twenty20 in Sir Lanka in 2012.

The West Indies won the Under-19 World Cup for the first time in their history after beating India by five wickets – with only three balls to spare in Dhaka.

Meanwhile, president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur contended that the future of the game in the Caribbean appears to be in safe hands.

“The hard work has paid off and the future of West Indies looks good,” the GCB president said.

Drubahadur lauded the players for their commitment and attitude, adding that they were good ambassadors not only for themselves and Guyana, but also for the entire Caribbean.

Further, the GCB head indicated that the board remains committed towards the development of the sport at all levels.

To this end the board will be focusing on leadership qualities, and according to Drubahadur, the board this year will roll out a computer skills programme, since cricket is not only a game, but also a business where the use of modern technology is vital.

On the other hand, Digicel presented the three players each with one Galaxy S6 Edge phone.

In making brief remarks after the presentation, Digicel’s Public Relations Officer, Vidya Brijlall-Sanichara told the gathering that the telecommunication giant remains committed towards youth development and sport in general.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Salman in confident mood ahead of FIFA vote

By Simon Evans LONDON, England (Reuters) - FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa says he will enter the final stretch of the election campaign in confident mood after receiving “significant support around the world”.

The Bahraini Royal is one of two front-runners for the top job at the corruption-plagued ruling body of football along with UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino of Switzerland.

FIFA will vote for their new leader at a congress in Zurich on February 26.

FIFA presidential candidate Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa “I have been in constant contact with colleagues within the FIFA ExCo (executive committee), in the other confederations, and around the

world,” Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Salman said in a statement yesterday.

“I have also done a lot of travelling outside Asia: to Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean and Africa. I have received significant support around the world and am happy with how the campaign has gone so far.

“I go into the final week with confidence for the future of FIFA,” he added.

World football’s governing body is facing an unprecedented crisis after 41 individuals and entities were indicted last year by the U.S. Department of Justice on a

variety of corruption-related charges.

Swiss authorities are also investigating FIFA while the organisation’s own Ethics Committee have banned several top officials including outgoing president Sepp Blatter and general secretary Jerome Valcke.

FORMAL BACKING Salman has been given formal backing from the leaderships of the AFC and the African confederation (CAF) while Infantino has UEFA and the South American confederation CONMEBOL behind him.

Infantino flew to Malay-

sia to meet Asian officials this week in a bid to try to tempt some to abandon their regional president.

FIFA’s 209-member national associations (FAs) hold one vote each. The six continental confederations do not vote even though four of them have nominated their preferred choice as leader.

The other presidential candidates are Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Frenchman Jerome Champagne, the former deputy general secretary of FIFA, and South African businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale.

Salman’s campaign team

issued a statement from Richard Lai of Guam, the AFC Marketing Committee chairman, urging Asian FAs to unite behind the Bahraini Royal.

“Our vision is One Asia, One Goal. Our goal is a united Asia and to demonstrate that we must unite behind our president in the FIFA election,” said Lai. “At present Asia has two candidates for the FIFA presidency. We must unite behind the one who will deliver these reforms and that is the AFC president.

“The AFC should not just support the reform process but be a part of it,” added Lai.

committee of South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL. He was a member of the

FIFA executive committee from 2014 until last year.

Jadue was president of the Chilean federation from

January 2011 until November, when he resigned, and also sat on the CONMEBOL executive committee.

Colombia football bosses could face life bans

By Brian Homewood

ZURICH, Switzerland| (Reuters) - World football’s chief ethics investigator has recommended life bans for the former presidents of the Colombian and Chilean football federations after finding cases of misconduct under FIFA rules, including on bribery and corruption.

Colombia’s Luis Bedoya, a former FIFA executive committee member, and Chile’s Sergio Jadue have already pleaded guilty in the United States to racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

They are among more than three dozen officials who have been indicted in the United States in a graft scandal which has plunged football’s governing body FIFA into the worst crisis in its 111-year history.

FIFA’s ethics committee said yesterday that chief investigator Cornel Borbely’s own investigation had uncovered what it deemed to be violations of six articles of its code of ethics, including one on bribery and corruption.

The others included articles on general conduct, loyalty, duty of disclosure, conflicts of interest and general obligation to collaborate.

It was not clear whether either man would appeal, nor was it possible to immediately contact their lawyers.

Bedoya was president of the Colombian federation from 2006 until last year and also sat on the executive

Sergio Jadue, president of Chile’s Football Federation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday February 19, 2016

Raj Singh must say who are the executives of the DCB LETTER TO THE

SPORT EDITOR

“I WISH to record my shock and dismay at what is being perpetrated upon the Guyanese people.

Referring to the publications in the national newspaper under the caption “Raj Singh Insurance Brokers renews DCB 20/20 Over-40 sponsorship”, this must be the most callous, if not a total disrespect for the people of Guyana, the laws and the Supreme Court.

I call on my President David Arthur Granger, Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Minister Nicolette Henry, Attorney General Basil Williams and Director of Sport Christopher Jones to subpoena Mr Raj Singh immediately and let him say who the executives of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) are.

It is on public record that the PPP/C government unflinchingly supported Raj Singh and his Comrades as was publicly expressed by their Executive Committee Member Neil Kumar even though they knew that Raj Singh et al have been blocked by the High Court.

High Court orders action numbers 2011 No. 59 W, 2013-HC-DEM-CIV–W-26 and 2014-HC-DEM-W-492 undoubtedly barred Rajendra ‘Raj’ Singh, Lalta Digamber, Anand Sanasie, Alfred Mentore, Anand Kalladeen, Rabindranauth Persaud, Ronald Sarjoo, Nazimul Drepaul, Colin Europe, Ray Persaud, Krishnchand Mangal, Chetram Singh, Lionel Jaikarran, Ramsey Ali, Fizul Bacchus, Drubahadur, Troy Mendonca, Melinda Bishundyal and Rayon Griffith from holding themselves out to be office-

bearers of the DCB. This Order of Court is still in force.

What is incredible is that these orders are often being breached with impunity to the extent that Lalta Digamber, posing as the purported secretary of the DCB in a High Court application (2014-HC-DEMCIV-CM-106), sought and obtained a Court Order from the former Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang to stop all elections even though he was never elected to that position and is wholly aware of the above orders.

This nonsense has been going on for too long and something must be done. Raj Singh must tell President Granger and the people of Guyana who are the executives of the DCB, when were they elected and by whom since the majority of the DCB membership do not know.

The DCB consists of five (5) members of which the three (3) members that produced all the cricketers for Demerara are being disregarded - the Georgetown Cricket Association, the East Coast Cricket Board and the Upper Demerara Cricket Association. This masquerading is now in its 6th year. The DCB is a national institution and this new Government must not allow this unlawful/undemocratic/ immoral act to continue.

The new Government is steadfast in launching several investigations involving SARU, SOCU and CANU through their relevant ministries which is very commendable, but where are the Minister and his Ministry of Sport? Or is it that cricket for which over the years has united our people through social

cohesion, created numerous employment and now a huge business is being treated as something unimportant and insignificant? The law is the law and must be respected at all times, so I ask the question, why is it that the majority of the constituent members of the DCB as enshrined in the Cricket Administration Act are being sequestered by persons without locus standi?

I therefore call on my President, David Arthur Granger to intervene and Mr. Raj Singh must let the public know whom he is sponsoring since he is fully aware of all the High Court’s instructions. This charade must come to an end and justice must prevail without delay. The penitentiaries of Guyana must not be seen as inconsequential.

The Attorney General Mr Basil Williams and the Minister of Sport Dr Rupert Roopnaraine must aggressively and appropriately represent the people of this country and so the Court Order preventing all elections indefinitely must be challenged without interruption as the very two (2) ministers are the defendants in the matter. Thereafter free, fair and transparent elections of the Guyana Cricket Board and its membership must be held as prescribed by law.

I do hope that the well-respected Cricket Ombudsman Hon. Dr Winston McGowan is paying keen attention to the irregularities and the injustices that are be foisted upon the people of Guyana.”

Yours faithfully WINSTON G. BOSTON

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

Keino urges Kenya government to act urgently

(REUTERS) - The chairman of Kenya’s national Olympic committee has urged the country’s government to act urgently to stave off the threat of an Olympic ban because of its doping record.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Sebastian Coe warned Kenya yesterday that it faced a ban from the Games if the World Anti-Doping Agency was to declare it non-compliant.

More than 40 Kenyan athletes have been banned for doping in the past three years, casting a shadow over its achievements in track and field events.

But Kip Keino, the former Olympic gold medallist who heads Kenya’s Olympic committee, says the nation’s athletes need the government to create the legislative framework to enable Kenyan sport to clean up its act.

“It is (for) the gov-

Head of Kenya’s Olympics committee, Kipchoge Keino

ernment to act and see what they can do regarding this matter,” he told reporters.

“This is the IAAF Ethics Commission work. They reckon we are too slow. We will do our best. We will put our heads together with the government and (anti-doping agency) ADAK and AK (Athletics Kenya).

“But government must do the donkey work. (It) must take the draft bill to cabinet and be enacted.

We are too slow.”

Pacquiao still looks set to win senatorship

(REUTERS) - For all the criticism over his anti-gay comment and the loss of a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike Inc., Philippines world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao still looks set to win election to the country’s senate in May, according to political analysts.

Nike, the world’s largest sportswear maker, cancelled its contract on Wednesday with the 37-year-old boxer-turned-politician, who has been the world champion in eight different weight divisions, after he described gays as “worse than animals”.

But voters in the mostly

Manny Pacquiao (R) of the Philippines fights Antonio Margarito of Mexico.

Malinga, Mathews return to Sri Lanka squad for World T20

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga has recovered from a knee injury and will lead the defending champions at next month’s World Twenty20 in India, the country’s cricket board said yesterday.

Regular T20 captain Malinga sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s home series against West Indies last year and missed the team’s tour of New Zealand and India, where Dinesh Chandimal deputised as skipper.

Also returning to the 15-man squad, which will also take part in the

Lasith Malinga upcoming Asia Cup tournament before the March 8-April 3 World Twenty20, was all-rounder Angelo Mathews.

Malinga and Mathews, who was suffering from a groin strain, missed their

recent three-match T20 series in India.

Experienced seamer Nuwan Kulasekara and wily left-arm spinner Rangana Herath were also named in the squad after missing the series against

India, whom Sri Lanka defeated in the final to win the World Twenty20 in 2014.

Sri Lanka are in Group 1 in the Super10 stage of the biennial event along with England, South Africa, West Indies and a yet-to-be-determined qualifier.

Squad: Lasith Malinga (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Niroshan Dickwella, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Jeffrey Vandersay.

Catholic Philippines appear unready to abandon support for the country’s biggest sporting hero, who is running for one of 12 vacant senatorial seats up for grabs in the May 9 election.

The fighter has apologised for the comments, and analysts reckoned the controversy has caused limited damage to his campaign.

“Pacquiao has clearly offended the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with his comments on same-sex marriage, but this group represents a minority and this will not affect the boxer’s popularity among the voters,” Benito Lim, political science professor at the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University, told Reuters.

“He may still win in the elections.”

Many ordinary Filipinos believe Pacquiao made a mistake in his remarks on same-sex marriage because he hurt some sensibilities.

Many are more interested in what happens in April, when Pacquiao tries to win back the WBO welterweight title he lost last year to Floyd Mayweather.

Billed as his final fight, Pacquiao is going up against American Timothy Bradley.

“The criticism against Pacquiao has no effect on us,” said Annabelle Magsipoc, a government employee, told Reuters Television, adding that the boxer retains popular support in the community.

“Actually, many people

really wanted to say what Pacquiao said about samesex marriage, but some people are trying to make this an election issue,” she said.

Independent opinion polls showed Pacquiao, a two-term congressman, consistently ranked eighth with 35 percent support in a field of four dozen candidates vying for one of the 12 vacant seats in the upper house of Congress.

Gay and lesbian groups have called on Filipinos not to vote for the boxing icon for his television comment on same-sex marriage, almost a repeat of what had happened in 2012 when he quoted from the Bible to warn against homosexual activities.

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

Pacquiao has converted from being a Roman Catholic to a more conservative evangelical Protestant, voting against bills in the lower house of Congress on divorce, same-sex marriage and birth control through use of artificial contraceptives.

Ramon Casiple of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms said it is too early to say if the latest controversy will hamper Pacquiao’s chances of becoming a senator.

“He stirred up a hornet’s nest, so there’s danger that he could lose support, but, so far, we don’t see any indication of that.”

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday February 19, 2016

Joseph, Holder the inspiration, says West

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Head coach Graeme West believes the turning point of the West Indies Under-19s’ ICC Youth Cricket World Cup campaign was the chance pairing of speedsters Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder, ahead of the quarter-final stage.

Pacer Obed McCoy picked up an injury during the early stages of the tournament, forcing selectors to unexpectedly call up the 17-year-old Holder.

Having just turned out for Combined Campuses and Colleges in the Regional Super50, Holder arrived in Bangladesh fresh and inform and struck up a newball partnership with Joseph which proved the inspiration for the Young Windies.

“The introduction of Chemar Holder was very significant in terms of the whole dynamics of the team. All credit to him, he had three days to acclimatise and then all of a sudden he is playing in the World Cup quarter-final,” West explained following the squad’s return to the Caribbean.

“We said to him, ‘you’ve just come off the back of a

Pacer Chemar Holder in action during the ICC Under-19 World Cup tournament very successful competition in the NAGICO Super50, just continue to do what you’ve been doing.’

“I think the partnership of Alzarri and Chemar started to give the team belief. And there are a lot of things that followed on from there and I think the first spell against

Pakistan was a real turning point for the group.”

West Indies lost all three of their warm-up matches against Bangladesh and then beat Scotland and tied with South Africa in the two official warm-up games.

They flopped in their tournament opener against

England, going down by 61 runs in Chittagong, but West said there were indications the Windies were improving.

“We had five (warm-up) games to kind of establish everything. The problem we had in that period was that McCoy got injured and (Odean) Smith was

Gatlin-Bolt rivalry still on

THE rivalry between Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin did not end after the world record holder, in the 100- and 200-metre, beat the American over the distances at the IAAF World Athletics Championships last year.

Gatlin still believes he has what it takes to beat the 6’ 5” sprinting legend at this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The American former Olympic champion believes this, even though Bolt beat him while not fully fit. The issues that kept him off the track over the last two years seem firmly behind the athlete.

“I’m going to win. We are bringing it (gold medal) back to the USA. We are going to bring it back to the USA, to LA to New York,” said Gatlin in an interview with TMZ. Gatlin is the person most likely to beat Bolt at the moment, the sprinter having gone unbeaten throughout the period Bolt has been absent, only tasting defeat by the smallest of margins in the shorter of the sprints.

“It’s my duty to beat the biggest rival possible to make it one of the most epic races in Olympic history, so I got to stand up to the duty.

So I am working very hard around the clock,” said Gatlin.

“Last year was a nail-biter to the finish line at the world championships. He won over me by a hundredth of a second, so I am the closest threat he has ever had. So right now, I am working to be better than that.” (Sportsmax.com)

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday February 19, 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) England (2) Deryck Murray Today’s Quiz: (1) How was Gordon Greenidge dismissed in his first Test innings?

(2) Who scored the first ODI century at Bourda?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

also carrying an injury so in terms of our bowlers we were really quite depleted so the England game probably came a little bit too early for us,” West said.

“But there were signs in the England game particularly when we batted, that we could compete. The Fiji game was quite nice which set us up for the Zimbabwe game. That game was a mustwin game. So early in the competition it was already a knockout match.”

Holder shone in his very first spell, rocking Pakistan with a pacy opening burst to send them tumbling to 57 for five. They recovered to make 227 but the Windies chased that down with ten overs to spare.

The Caribbean side then stunned the hosts in the semi-finals and though they entered the final against the previously unbeaten India as underdogs, West said everything went as planned.

Their pace attack reduced India to 50 for five, a position from which the Indians never really recovered.

“The key going into the fi-

nal was to try and make sure the players felt comfortable and we tried to do everything normally that we’d done up until that point so our preparation the night before and the morning of the game, the management team were all aware we needed to keep things simple and every much to the pattern players were used to,” West explained.

“We knew we needed to make a good start. We wanted to win the toss, we wanted to bowl, we wanted to get into their top order early. I guess the stumping (of opener Rishabh Pant in the first over) was very significant because that early wicket just added to the belief and put the Indians under a little more pressure.

“Once Sarfaraz their star player was at the wicket, we knew that he could go on and make a big score but taking wickets at the other end put him under pressure. All the way through the competition he would get out for 50, 55, 60 because he tended to get tired and that’s exactly how it worked out.”

Blatter not supporting any of the five FIFA candidates

Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin

Somwaru returned as GCUC head

BERBICIAN Dhieranidranauth Somwaru was re-elected unopposed as president of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council when that body held its biennial general meeting last Saturday at Union Building, Woolford Avenue.

Shannon Crawford returns as the vice-president, while Nigel Duguid will serve as secretary, Eddie Nicholls treasurer, Arleigh Rutherford assistant secretary/treasurer and Zaheer Mohamed - Public Relations Office.

The committee members are Zabeer Zakier, Dawchand Nagassar, Yosef Yisrael and Joseph Jeffrey.

Speaking after the elections, Sowmaru thanked the members for their confidence and congratulated those who were successful at WICUA examinations in 2015.

He added that the GCUC will embark on a magazine which will feature past and present local umpires.

Sepp Blatter PARIS, France (Reuters) - Sepp Blatter said he will not support any of the five candidates standing to succeed him as FIFA president, though all but one of them had spoken to him about their bids.

World football’s governing body, embroiled in a corruption scandal that has led to indictments against several dozen senior officials in the United States, will vote for its new leader on February 26.

Blatter is not standing, having been banned for eight years for ethics violations.

“Four of the five candidates have spoken to me. I cannot take sides, that is not possible,” Blatter told French radio RMC. He said several national federations had asked him who they should vote for, but he told them to vote as they saw fit.

Bahraini Royal Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino of Switzerland are the two front-runners.

The other candidates are Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Frenchman Jerome Champagne, the former deputy general secretary of FIFA, and South African businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday February 19, 2016

PCL Regional 4-Day cricket

Guyana Jaguars, Barbados Pride in top-of-the-table clash today ST JOHN’S, Antigua – For different reasons, the two matches featuring the top and bottom two teams will hold extra-special significance in the seventh round of the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament, starting today.

Second-placed Barbados Pride face unbeaten leaders and reigning champions Guyana Jaguars at Kensington Oval in the oldest rivalry of the regional first-class game in the feature match of the round.

At the same time, R4Day matches return to the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School in the United States Virgin Islands of St Thomas after seven years, when buoyant, bottom-placed hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes meet fifth-placed visitors Windward Islands Volcanoes.

In the other match of the round, bragging rights will be up for grabs, when third-

Veerasammy Permaul

placed Jamaica Scorpions tackle fourth-placed Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in a middle-of-the-table battle at Sabina Park.

In Bridgetown, Barbados: The contest between the Pride and Jaguars could play a decisive role in the destination of the Headley/Weekes Trophy, symbol of R4-Day supremacy, at the end of this season.

The Jaguars, holding a 19-point advantage on their hosts, may choose discretion as the best part of valour, as they look to extend their lead in the tournament – but the Pride will have to opt for the “no guts, no glory” approach to slow down the leaders.Both teams enter the contest in a rich vein of confidence, following solid victories in the previous round, when the Pride iced the Volcanoes, and the Jaguars stopped the Red Force.

When the two sides met

Oldest West Indies Test cricketer dies at 95

ANDY Ganteaume, the former West Indies and Trinidad & Tobago wicketkeeper-batsman, has died at the age of 95.

He passed away on Wednesday in Santa Margarita, St Augustine, T&T. Ganteaume was West Indies’ oldest living Test cricketer, and the world’s second oldest, behind South Africa’s Lindsay Tuckett.

Ganteaume scored 112 on Test debut against England in 1948, but never played for West Indies again.

He had added 173 for the first wicket with George Carew, who had hit a century of his own, in the first innings of that drawn match at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Ganteaume did not get a chance to bat in the second innings and therefore became the only player to finish with a batting average of over 100.

Ganteaume, however, had a longer first-class run - 50 first-class matches over 23 seasons making 2 785 runs, including five centuries, at 34.81 - playing

Andy Ganteaume scored 112 on Test debut but never played for West Indies again. as often as his work in the Trinidad Civil Service would allow.

Having had no formal coaching, he made his firstclass debut for Trinidad a few weeks after his 20th birthday in 1941 and, batting at No. 8, stroked 87. In 1957, he toured England with West Indies but did not make the playing XI for any of the Tests.

It is said he paid as much

for his anti-establishment attitude in an era when white players still dominated the region’s cricket, as for slow scoring in his only Test. Jeff Stollmeyer, West Indies’ regular opener, whose injury had allowed Ganteaume to debut, said later: “Andy’s innings in its later stages was not in keeping with the state of the game. His captain was forced to send a message out to him to get on with it.

Ganteaume had also been a regular member of Trinidad’s football team.

After his playing career, Ganteaume served as a selector and West Indies’ team manager.

The WICB had lauded Ganteaume’s contribution to the game when he turned 95 last month. “We salute Andy Ganteaume, one of the patriots of our great game,” WICB president Dave Cameron had said. “Andy has also contributed a lot off the field as well, especially with the development of our cricket ... A wonderful player and administrator.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

earlier in the season, the Jaguars rolled over a depleted Pride side in the third round on home soil at the Guyana National Stadium.

This should be enough motivation for the home team, as they look to return the favour in a bid to catch the leaders, prevent them from claiming their seventh straight win and, more importantly, run away with the title for the second straight season.

The Pride, however, can’t be too confident about achieving this result.

In the corresponding fixture last season, they suffered a four-wicket defeat, as the Jags chased down a target of 333 over the last day and a session.

The Jaguars are, however, without the two main protagonists of that victory – Narsingh Deonarine is now a member of the Red Force and Shivnarine Chanderpaul is away on personal business.

The Jags’ prospects are also fortified with the knowledge that they are unaffected by the absence of key players, due to the West Indies’ participation in the upcoming World Twenty20 Tournament in India, unlike their opponents.

The visitors have enough proven match-winners in spiiners Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo and Gudakesh Motie to make things difficult for the Pride, whose squad has been weakened by the departure of Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite and Ashley Nurse to Dubai and India with the Windies T20 squad, as well as a hamstring injury to West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach.

They have been replaced by rookie all-rounder Justin Greaves, uncapped fast bowler Keon Harding, a former Barbados Under-19 player, along with experienced opener Omar Phillips and Antiguan leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr, looking to make his first appearance for the Pride in any format this season.

In Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas: A rock-hard pitch and big crowd are

Carlos Brathwaite expected to greet the Hurricanes and Volcanoes, as local organisers were putting the finishing touches on preparations.

The ACJHS ground previously staged six R4-Day matches between 2003 and 2009 and was brought back onto the list of approved venues to stage first-class matches, following a series of inspections of the venue by a joint team from the WICB and West Indies Players’ Association last year.

The ground is hemmed in between the picturesque Crown Bay at the southern end with a view of Water Island and Veterans Drive, a major thoroughfare into the city centre, on the northern end. The ACJHS school buildings are located on the eastern side, and docks and warehouses on the western side.

I t , h o w e v e r, h a s n o t been a happy hunting ground for the home team, as they have lost all but one here. Fortunately, the solitary victory was against their opponents for this weekend – and was the last match played here.

Hurricanes and Volcanoes find themselves stuck virtually in the same position they were in at the same stage last season, and will be yearning for more consistency and a big haul of points to give them a boost in confidence, if not in the standings.

The last 11 matches between the two sides have each produced a winner, but the Volcanoes comfortably won

a low-scoring affair between the two sides earlier in the season.

Hurricanes enter the match in a robust frameof-mind following a victory over the Scorpions in the previous round, but the Volcanoes will have to pick themselves up after the Pride rolled them.

The home team have retained their squad from last weekend, but the Volcanoes will have to try to recover without the World T20-bound duo of Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher, while fast bowler Mervin Matthew did not make the trip, due to travel complications.

In Kingston, Jamaica: Scorpions and Red Force, two teams that started the season promising much will be looking to deliver.

Scorpions will be going all out to keep the top two within reach, if at all possible, and Red Force will look to shut the gap between themselves and the top three.

Both teams suffered setbacks in the previous round, when they were beaten by the Hurricanes and Jaguars respectively, but the home team won the contest between the two sides earlier in the season on the road.

They will hope familiar conditions will breed success, but the Red Force, whose squad is unchanged, will want the clichéd lightning to strike twice and last year’s result in the corresponding fixture will repeat itself – and they could walk away with victory.

In a significant move ahead of the match, the Scorpions have relieved Paul Palmer Jr of the captaincy and his place due to poor form with fellow opener John Campbell taking over and Barbadian import Kirk Edwards elevated to the position of vice-captain.

Also, the experienced duo of Carlton Baugh Jr and Dave Bernard Jr have made way for Chadwick Walton and rookie Nicholson Gordon in other changes to the Scorpions’ squad.

Oldest West Indies Test cricketer dies at 95

See Story on Page 35

Andy Ganteaume

U-19 World Cup win has reenergised WI cricket - Jones … The future of WI cricket looks good – GCB President

See Story on Page 30

(From left) Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur, Digicel’s Public Relations Skipper Shimron Hetmyer collects his phone from Digicel’s Public Officer Vidya Brijlall-Sanichara, Keemo Paul, Shimron Hetmyer, Tevin Relations Officer, Vidya Brijlall-Sanichara. Keemo Paul (left) and Imlach, Anand Kaladeen and Paul Slowe Tavin Imlach also share the moment .(Samuel Maughn photos)

Suriname friendly is litmus test for Golden Jaguars - Shabazz

Part of Thursday afternoon’s training session at the GDF ground, Camp Ayanganna

By Stephan Sookram WITH the days quickly diminishing for the Golden Jaguars’ friendly encounter against Suriname, head coach Jamaal Shabazz has dubbed the game a ‘litmus test’ for the country’s players and by extension the recently commenced STAG Elite League.

Shabazz, speaking to

Chronicle Sport during a training session yesterday at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground, contended that Sunday’s game at the Guyana National Stadium against the Dutch will show exactly where the locals need work and where they have been advancing.

“We (are) playing at home and this game really is to test the local players who have been

playing in the Elite league and to evaluate where we are and what we need in the squad; what are our strengths and our weaknesses and only playing a game against Suriname would tell us that,” contended the Trinidadian.

Slingerz FC enjoyed the fruits of their labour by beating arch rivals Alpha United in the Genesis stage of the tournament and Shabazz feels

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

that the year-round Guyana Football Federation-organised tournament may be fulfilling its purpose.

“The guys have been doing their fitness work with the clubs. They come in at a decent level and with only one game under their belt in the new season of the Elite league, but I’ve seen them come in at worse shape; (they are) not bad at this point in

time,” He noted.

This, he says, will make his work a little easier, adding, “I think now, we don’t have to focus on fitness per se, just organising them in a tactical way - the patterns we want to have in attack and the patterns we want to have in defence.”

Twinning the experienced players with their younger counterparts will be key in this encounter, Shabazz said, noting keenly, “We’re happy to have Chan (Gregory Richardson) back with us and Travis Grant.

Both of them (are) very experienced players. We have couple boys who came back from the league in Suriname like Quincy Adams and Kester Jacobs.”

He noted that the side will be ‘green’ in the goalkeeping aspect but has faith that youngsters Jason Cromwell and Alex Martin will be able to hold their own, come

Sunday.

Summing up the team’s general mood after days of training, the longstanding coach described the side as, “Intense”, adding too that “(a lot of ) good work by the guys, good effort, good attitude and I think everybody is eager to get back on the pitch for the Guyana team right now.”

Along with the above-mentioned goalkeepers, the defenders named are Quincy Adams, King Solomon Austin, Joshua Brown, Les Charles, Jacobs, Trevon Lythcott and Linden Pickett.

In the middle, the side will have to choose from Eon Alleyne, Trayon Bobb, Travis Grant, Tichard Joseph, Dwayne Lindie, Konata Manning, Devon Millington, Colin Nelson and Dwight Peters.

The forwards named in addition to Richardson are Dellon Lanferman, Vurlon Mills and Daniel Wilson.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2016