Chronicle 02 2 2016

Jenny-gate widens No. 104450

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2016

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- Westford, Cummings charged with allegedly stealing $638 million P. 3 The withdrawals

Dr Jennifer Westfrod arriving at court on Monday (Delano Williams photo)

Better police pay remains top priority 2 P.

Home-alone P. 14 kids pulled from burning house

February, 2011 - $3.4M August to September, 2011 - $4.5M November, 2011 - $75M November to December, 2011 - $15M December, 2011 - $10M June, 2012 - $10M July, 2012 - $12M August, 2012 - $15M October, 2012 - $20M December, 2012 - $46M May, 2013 - $15M June to July, 2013 - $25.5M June to July, 2013 - $25M October to November, 2013 - $25M December, 2013 - $46M December, 2013 - $4M March, 2014 - $30M May, 2014 - $40M July to August, 2014 - $36M September, 2014 - $45M December, 2014 -$24.2M February to March, 2015 - $23M March, 2015 - $55M April, 2015 - $42.2M

SABOTAGE

Sydell Hector, single mom, was on night-shift as security guard

Fuel for Black Bush pump stolen P. 5

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Paying police more remains top priority - Jordan says salary increase hinges on available revenue

By Ariana Gordon THE Government is not in a financial position to fulfill its campaign promise to increase police salaries, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has said, but he assured that the matter remains a top priority.

“It is not that a campaign promise wasn’t kept! Yes, on the surface it wasn’t kept, but it was not because of bad mind or whatever sake we didn’t keep it.

The fact is we just didn’t have the resources to do,” he told reporters at his Main and Urquhart Streets office in Georgetown on Monday.

He said that when the APNU-AFC coalition took office in May last year, it had to find $12B to bail out the ailing Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and another $3B to pay rice farmers after Venezuela Minister of Finance failed to pay for rice and paddy supplied.

Winston Jordan He also said that Government was forced to find additional sums to intensify the country’s international campaign against Venezuela during that country’s attempt to claim the Essequibo region.

The Finance Minister was not in a position to state when the members of the GPF would receive the promised increases, but he sought to assure that campaign promises will be fulfilled. That particular promise to the Police Force, he said, can become a reality only when Government is able to collect more taxes.

“We are going to be making good on our promises to pay people more when we are able to gather our revenues in the

sufficiency that is required to not only pay more, but make sure it is sustainable,” he said.

Jordan noted that it is not feasible to increase salaries and be unable to sustain the increase.

“There is no sense I pay you more today (and) inflation goes up, or I pay you more today and come tomorrow I have to increase your tax rate because I can’t sustain the payment that I have made,” he reasoned.

He assured that the issue of increases in salaries for members of the Police Force is “on our front burner”. “We are not running a Bolt-like sprint; we are running a slow marathon. We will get there,” he said.

In its manifesto, the Coalition said that, once in Government, the law enforcement officers would receive a 20 per cent salary increase during its first year in office. Jordan said that fulfilling the promise during the first year was a difficult task, given the realities of what was found when the

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Coalition took office last year.

He said that although the Police Force received no increase

“We are going to be making good on our promises to pay people more when we are able to gather our revenues in the sufficiency that is required to not only pay more, but make sure it is sustainable,” he said. as per the coalition’s promise, Government was able to “scrape together” a $50,000 one-off year-end bonus that was well received by the masses.

“Not that we would have paid $12B in increases, but what I am saying is that the resources would have been there,” the Finance Minister added.

aushelle Higgins, 31, is an ambitious mother of two. She is an aviation security officer at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Higgins plans to further her studies in the field of business, since she one day hopes to manage her own business. Higgins is a member of the Faith Tabernacle New Testament Church of God, and loves dancing, reading and meeting new friends.

She says: “If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Jenny-gate widens

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- Westford,Cummings charged with allegedly stealing $638 million

By Leroy Smith FORMER Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings were Monday placed on $4.8M bail each on multiple charges of fraud on allegations that they stole $638 million.

They are accused of withdrawing the money – property of the state – over a four-year period.

The two appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and were represented by seven high profile lawyers, including Senior Counsel Ashton Chase, Neil Boston, Dexter Todd and Bibi Shadick.

The court heard that between 2011 and April 2015 – just prior to general elections - the two stole millions of dollars from the state in several tranches under the guise that they were taking the money to carry out training activities and execute reviews of the services within the public service.

Following are the periods within which the amount of moniey the two are reportedly accused of stealing.

February, 2011 - $3.4M; August to September, 2011 $4.5M; November, 2011 - $75M; November to December, 2011 - $15M; December, 2011 - $10M; June, 2012 - $10M; July, 2012 - $12M; August, 2012 - $15M; October, 2012 $20M; December, 2012 - $46M; May, 2013 -$15M, June to July, 2013 - $25.5M, June to July, 2013: $25M, October to November, 2013 - $25M, December, 2013 - $46M, December, 2013 - $4M; March, 2014 - $30M, May, 2014 - $40M; July to August, 2014 - $36M; September, 2014 - $45M; December, 2014 -$24.2M; February to March, 2015 - $23M; March, 2015 - $55M; and April, 2015 - $42.2M. The two were called upon to lodge their passports as a condition for bail. While they were able to arrange the bail money, they could not lodge their passports immediately but were ordered to do so today.

Westford and Cummings were not required to plea to the indictable charges laid against them. Having posted bail, they two were ordered back in court on February 22.

The court heard that Westford, whose details were given as a doctor and part-time farmer, was a minister of government for about 15 years. Prior to that, she served as a Regional Health Officer.

Senior Counsel Chase, in pleading for bail for Westford, said she has been cooperating with the Police fully on another matter which is also engaging the attention of the Georgetown Magistrates Court. He said that she will offer similar cooperation in this case.

Westford has been charged with four counts of larceny on allegations that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, she

attempted to transfer state vehicles to four persons, namely her husband Gary Beaton, Osbert McPherson, Wayne Walker and Delroy Lewis; Cumming is also charged in the same case.

Yesterday, Attorney Boston described Westford, 54, as 100% innocent, saying she served as a very outstanding

A CID officer arrives at court with files on the case public servant and a Member of Parliament for several years.

Westford remains a Parliamentarian for the opposition PPP. He pointed out that she has been appearing at all hearings in the other court matter she is engaged in and will do the same in this case.

Boston, in supporting the case for bail for Cummings, called on the court to not to be swayed by public opinion; in his opinion the public has already declared Cummings guilty of the charges.

He described Cummings as a mother of three children who lives at 704 Section ‘A’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

According to the lawyer, Cummings dedicated 17 years of her life as a public servant and has made sterling contributions to the Office of the President, and by extension the state.

According to Boston, Cummings went beyond the call of duty by giving immense service to Guyana, while functioning within the public service; during that time he said she acquired

a Bachelors and Masters degree in Public Management.

Cummings, prior to last year when she was charged with illegally transferring several state vehicles, was never charged before, the lawyer added. He described the charges as “Mickey Mouse” charges against his client.

Boston said that his client has instructed him to inform the court that she plans to appear in court for all her hearings and would not interfere with any of the witnesses in the matter.

The court was told that apart from serving as Personnel Manager at the Public Service Ministry, she also functioned as the Principle Personnel Officer, Confidential Secretary to the Minister, Supervisor of the Accounts Department and Administrative Officer.

In his argument for the denial of bail, police prosecutor Bharat Mangru said that he felt that bail should be denied because of her status, she would interfere with the witnesses.

That argument evoke laughter among the counsels on the bench, forcing the Magistrate to call for silence in the courtroom. The prosecutor went on to suggest that the accused may not return for their trial and might leave the country. At this point, the Magistrate asked, rhetriocally, whether the two accused weren’t the same ones who were dutifully appearing in another court on other charges.

The prosecutor however responded that the latest charges are far more serious than the ones they were charged with previously and as such a condition for their bail should be that their passports be lodged.

Senior Counsel Chase questioned the logic behind such a request as he made reference to someone else who is accused of stealing $27 million from another state entity and was allowed to leave the country (in reference to the former Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Power and Light Aeshwar Deonarine, who is now wanted

by Interpol).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Broomes puts abusive mining companies on notice – lawlessness will not be tolerated

By Shauna Jemmott

MINISTER within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, has sent a stern warning to mining companies which ignore the rights of workers within their employ.

Disrespectful attitude towards workers in particular, she said, will not be tolerated; and sanctions will follow.

The minister sounded the warning on Monday during a meeting with workers who were dismissed or sent on indefinite leave by management of Russian bauxite company RUSAL. Some of the workers were, since 2009, dismissed for speaking out against the violation of their rights, while others were either on leave or on their off-duty day when they learnt of their dismissal.

Five others were dismissed in 2010, after speak-

ing out against the company serving them food prepared using expired grocery, spoilt meat and vegetables. And another four, more particularly excavator operators, were on January 27 sent on indefinite leave without payment after refusing to work long hours in unhealthy conditions.

More than 20 men, along with representatives of the Guyana Trades Unions Congress (GTUC), including General Secretary Lincoln Lewis, were invited to a meeting at the minister’s office after senior Minister Raphael Trotman had instructed Broomes to meet with the group, which had approached his Ministry for help.

The group included several workers who complained bitterly of unsafe working conditions, unfair treatment by the company, and disrespect, among other troubles they face from the bauxite company.

Mr Lewis requested the Ministry to meet with RUSAL and the union, but this will be discussed with Minister Trotman, and Minister Broomes will contact the union on the way forward.

The four excavator oper-

ed, they received a letter that they are suspended, and (the suspension) was indefinite,” the Minister related.

Guyana Chronicle saw one of the letters bearing the RUSAL letterhead and signed by its PHSE Manager Igor Tolpykin. It was addressed to Rawle Bobb and states, “being one of the operators who refused to operate excavator #735 because you said it had defects and

ators were sent on indefinite leave for refusing to work on a machine which had a malfunctioning air conditioning (AC) unit and other defects.

“They were asked to work and to operate equipment that had problems, and they didn’t have AC, and they had to work in those conditions for over 12. The

said she will stand only for the laws of Guyana in executing the duties of her office, and vowed to work together with workers in the mining industry to ensure that their rights are being respected.

She said many complaints have reached her, and the perpetrators are a particular set of people with a common support base.

stand by those principles.

First, (I need) to understand what (are) the rights of those people. I could never shift from those fundamentals.

It is one set of people and they’re being allowed. But I’m going to put them on notice today, to say to many of them, if they tell themselves they had the back of Broomes, they gon just be greeted with the front!”

GTUC General Secretary Lincoln Lewis and the workers at the meeting with Minister Broomes

doors cannot be closed because there was no AC, and (there was much) dust (blowing about the place) and some workers already had problems with their eyes; and so they were asked to work in an unsafe environment.

And because they object-

no operable AC Unit in the cab…because of repeated reluctance by you and the two others, also concerns raised about your health, management has acceded to your fear and decided to let you remain off the job without pay until further notice”.

The letter also states that a meeting was held between the company and workers after workers had complained of the unhealthy working conditions, and management had asked them to work under the very conditions until they were able to fix the excavators, but the workers refused.

IN TEARS After seeing the tears of the adult men and hearing their stories, the Minister

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“When you got people out there who hurting from since 2009…men don’t cry that easily, and men still in tears about what transpired,” a provoked Broomes said, “Guyanese people would have to forgive me! I could never be somebody to embrace injustice. Never!”

She added: “And that’s why, as a minister, I am going to stand upon the fundamentals of rights! If I am going to be a minister for now till the next year, 10 years or 20 years, I could never change that position.

I think the only reason I am here is because of those people out there, and if you vote me and you have the confidence in me, I must

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The Ministry of Natural Resources, Broomes declared, will not let the matter rest until the legal rights of the employees are addressed.

The minister said she is pleased that workers are standing up for their rights.

“After 20-something years,however, I’m still happy to see now that we have workers who are standing up to say that this is not a safe condition for me to work under and I will not work under that. I’m disappointed, however, that we still have companies who, because a worker understands his rights, using their authority and their power to send them home. I think that is a dangerous sign. We will not condone those, because it’s a sign to the other workers, meaning to say, ‘shut up!

Work however, whenever, and you be quiet’, and that is sad. It will not be encouraged,” Broomes stressed.

She said the Government is pleased to have investors, and welcomes them; but, at the same time, those investors must uphold the laws of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Rodney CoI Report for submission in a week’s time THE report from the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry will be presented to President David Granger next week.

The three commissioners met on Monday with Attorney General Basil Williams at the Supreme Court Library, where the Commissioners will be writing their report.

Queen’s Counsel Sir Richard Cheltenham, who chairs the Commission, said it was essential to meet, since the commissioners reside in three different jurisdictions.

Commenting on the impact of the conclusions of the report, since the CoI was cut short, the Chairman said that,

SABOTAGE

in terms of evidence, some of the terms of reference were better supported than others.

“The premature termination of the hearings will mean that the report would not be as thorough as it would have been. We would be very disciplined to make critical findings of facts in relation to those who were criticized and for who did not get the opportunity to answer those criticisms,” Sir Cheltenham explained.

The Attorney General, in a rebuttal, said he did not agree with Sir Cheltenham that there was a premature end to the inquiry, since “after two years and several extensions, we believe that

a lot of money has been expended and (the CoI) needs to come to an end.”

The AG said President Granger has agreed to facilitate a final process, and the Ministry of Legal Affairs has put systems in place for the work to be done.

The Rodney CoI was established in February 2014 by former President Donald Ramotar.

Its mandate was to inquire into circumstances surrounding the death of the renowned Caribbean historian and politician on June 13, 1980. Rodney was killed when a device exploded in a car in which he was seated.

Fuel for Black Bush pump stolen

By Clifford Stanley SECURITY guards attached to the GuySuCo Corentyne operations on Sunday night intercepted a truck loaded with five-gallon containers filled with diesel in the backlands of the Canje River in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne).

The diesel has since been confirmed as fuel sent by the Regional Democratic Council of Region 6 to the pump at Black Bush Polder to be used to pump irrigation water into the cultivation plots of rice farmers in the area.

The fuel had been delivered to the Pumping Station and had been received by workers there about a week ago.

The vehicle fetching the

Left to right: AG Basil Williams and Rodney CoI Commissioners - Queens Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown; Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam; and Sir Richard Cheltenham at the Supreme Court Library Building, where the Commissioners will be writing their report

suspected stolen diesel has been impounded, and two men are in police custody assisting with the investigations.

This bust has confirmed persistent reports in recent weeks that diesel sent to the pumping stations by the RDC in recent weeks was being stolen in large quantities.

Yesterday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister in Region 6, Gobin Harbhajan, highlighted an additional bit of skullduggery in the Corentyne backlands when he disclosed that unknown persons

The truck with suspected stolen diesel was impounded at the Reliance Police Station yesterday

had blocked the siphon near the Manarbisi Pump Station with two old boats and several vehicle tyres, to prevent the flow of water to plots in the area. This discovery was made by members of the Water Users Association for the villages from # 52 to # 74 Corentyne, two days ago.

Harbhajan said: “I have been saying this all along.

This is sabotage, and it is politically motivated. Some people will be happy for the crop to fail, and they are pursuing this agenda with this type of sabotage.”

Regional Executive Officer of Region 6, Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, said he was hoping that the police investigation the suspected stolen diesel would get to the bottom of the matter, since the RDC had sent over $35M in diesel to the area over the past two weeks.

“We sent a barge with $30M worth of fuel. Then we sent additional barrels with fuel costing another $4M. We sent this fuel, and this fuel was enough to pump irrigation water to these lands Turn to page 9 ►

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Double standards

THE time has come when, as we pursue development, our efforts must be guided not only by clear policies, but by whatever is being done falling within the confines of the law. Finance Minister Winston Jordan’s pronouncement that operatives transacting business with the State will be required to satisfy their tax obligations has raised the ire of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

The obligation in regard to paying taxes or being tax compliant is a responsibility of every individual who may be involved in transacting business or plying a trade within the borders of Guyana, bar none.

In this country, there have, over the years, been allegations of employers deducting income tax from workers and never remitting same to the Guyana Revenue Authority. There has been an upsurge in employed persons being asked to sign documents stating that they are responsible for paying their taxes, even as they are obligated to work eight hours per day in entities just like normal employees; and this practice is in contravention of the law.

The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has also been exposed to similar intransigence by many of those same employers and self-employed persons. These categories of eligible insured businesses and persons are prepared to discharge their obligations only when they are faced with the responsibly of presenting NIS compliance certification to conduct their businesses, or when they want to claim benefits. On many occasions, they give commitments (written or oral) in regard to meeting their tax obligations, and renege on same after obtaining tax compliance certification.

It is obvious that there exists a culture wherein, over the years, when the laws are violated, rather than seeking to prosecute or hold violators to the letter of the law, external factors inform consideration for making decisions that are favourable to the causes of these persons, and this situation has caused many persons to escape being held accountable to the law.

The response by the Leader of the Opposition to the decision of the Government in making sure that those who are in any business or trade pay their taxes or justify why they should not pay indicates that among those who make the laws and swear to uphold the laws are persons who completely disregard the laws. The stories told over recent years about the rampant violations and sharing out of the national patrimony among families and friends are today being validated by the outburst of the Leader of the Opposition, who for twelve years was President, and even after that, held significant sway in the corridors of power.

Our parliamentarians are paid by the taxpayers, and anyone arguing against persons complying with the law in paying their taxes should attract the disapprobation of every concerned wage and salary earner, whose taxes are deducted from their earnings before they receive same.

Every citizen needs to remember that public services such as security, health, education, building and maintenance of highways, roads and bridges are all paid for by our taxes. For instance, if taxes are not paid, workers in the public healthcare institutions cannot be paid, neither can there be payment for pharmaceuticals or other support services that are needed for the citizens who cannot

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

So long, Shiv Dear Editor ANOTHER of the stalwarts and great champions of the Test match era has called – rather, was forced to call -- time on his great career, which spanned over two decades.

To true connoisseurs of real, attritional Test match cricket at its best, this is an irreparable loss, the end of a golden era…. Shall we see the likes of him ever again? No, they simply don’t make Test match champions of Shiv’s ilk these days anymore!

Hearing news of the Tiger’s retirement brought a lump in the throat to this reader, and I’m sure the same sinking feeling must have enveloped scores of Shiv’s fans half-way across the cricketing world, here in India.

The reality of Shiv’s departure from Test cricket is yet to sink in fully -- that the champion from Guyana and the greater Caribbean has been denied a proper send-off befitting his immense stature, and that Shiv has walked into the cricketing sunset, never to be seen again wielding the willow on the international stage.

Words don’t come easily on such occasions. Words fail us mere mortals who follow the nuances and intricacies of Test match cricket at its riveting best when cricketing immortals like Shiv fade away into oblivion. Only memories remain of their profound achievements and immense contribution to the game.

Are we likely to see again another such cricketing great who carried immense talent so easily on his slight shoulders; who upheld the highest

moral principles of sportsmanship even whilst he played it aggressively to the core of his cricketing fibre and soul?

No. Cricket in this age is no more about ‘real’ Test match players who played the game passionately for the sheer unadulterated bliss it brought them and the cricketing audience at large.

It’s become a hugely commercialized, abbreviated and diluted version of its golden past.

What were my lasting memories of Shiv, the lad from Unity village, Guyana? Those etched indelibly seem so distant in memory now that his retirement has put Test cricketing timeline in proper perspective. There are the infinite battles he fought so valorously, many a time in the company of the sublime genius of the “Prince” of the Caribbean, nay, world cricket, Brian Lara.

Or with only the tail-enders, or the late middle-order for company at the other end; while he faced, head-on, the full wrath of the unceasing pace barrage (or spiteful spin from champion spinners that made the ball spit like a cobra at the striker’s end), taking blows to his body, and none-too-rare racist jibes and sledging with unparalleled resolve and clarity of mind, in circumstances that always seemed insurmountable for a team that was on terminal and rapid decline - and way well past its golden age - for the majority of his career.

No one particular innings can be singled out in this unending saga of his immense batting contribution against seemingly impossible odds to his team.

All of them were gems in their own right, and together they make a garland of great, ‘in-the-trenches’ Test match

innings.

However, his 118 against old foe Australia at Kingston in 2008 stands out like a beacon for the sheer neversay-die spirit of the man, his immense courage to soldier on after being dealt a sickening blow to his head by Brett Lee. And who can forget his 104 - again versus Australia - at St. John’s, Antigua, when he crafted a brilliant, backto-the-wall 104, and along with Ramnaresh Sarwan won the day for his team.

His 69-ball century at the Bourda Oval, Georgetown - against who else but the Aussies - was a rare, incandescent gem of an innings that was conjured up under very trying circumstances against a champion bowling side.

This innings of pure counter-attacking genius was a very rare insight into the cricketing mind of a champion batsman who was more often seen through his career trying to salvage his team’s precarious batting position.

He was a courageous captain of a ship that was in eternal batting doldrums, and what a champion he was for the West Indian team for over two decades.

It’s very unlikely, nay, impossible, that we shall see the likes of him again on the world cricketing stage, for he was one of a rare breed of cricketers that they don’t make anymore.

Here’s wishing Shiv a long and happy life post-retirement. You have given us fans enough cricketing memories to last a lifetime. So long, Shiv.

PVS SUDHAKAR RAO Hyderabad INDIA

Response to the Lincoln Lewis letter Dear Editor MR LINCOLN Lewis, in a letter to the editor carried in KN and SN of Sunday, January 24, 2016, referred to the announced intended merger of the Wales sugar estate and presented again his views that our PPP/C administration of 1992 to 2015, in our reworking of our bauxite sector, was inhumane and violated workers’ rights enshrined in various laws, including in the Guyana Constitution.

The facts tell a different story. I have challenged Lincoln’s views before; please allow me some space to do so again, to refresh the memories of some and to inform others for the first time. We were humane; we respected the rights of workers and were concerned about the future prospects for the workers and the communities, Guyanese all. President Jagdeo and

members of the Government met with the officers of the unions and workers from time to time, in Georgetown, in Linden, and in Everton and Kwakwani.

I attended and spoke at a number of annual seminars held by Messrs Lewis and Kim Kissoon (Chairman of Linmine Board) with the theme “Where to, Bauxite?” Everyone was aware that there were changes coming.

Lincoln writes in paragraph 7 of 8: “The arbitrary decision of the Government to shut down Linmine and Bermine …” The decision was not arbitrary, and there was no break in bauxite operations. Specifically, in the case of Linmine, the PPP/C met an agreement between the outgoing PNC administration and the group of supporting countries and institutions which required that the international manager, MINPROC, funded by the supporting group, be allowed two

afford private services but do not have insurance coverage to pay for these necessary services. With the paying of taxes, citizens can also demand improved services in all sectors, like better schools and a professionalized public service and police force.

Given that our politicians on both sides of the aisle engage in conversations and back and forth exchanges about

years to manage Linmine in their best judgment, then they would pronounce whether or not LINMINE could be made profitable. If so, Linmine was to be sold; and if not, it was to be shut down forthwith.

In 1994, MINPROC proclaimed the latter. It could not see profitability for LINMINE, but we (PPP/C) did not proceed to shut down Linmine. We could not be, and were not, inhumane to fellow Guyanese working in bauxite.

We had to reconfigure the operations whilst arranging to satisfy all the benefits of the workers. The companies had to be reorganized to match the new (reduced) prospects for sales, taking all opportunities for improving productivity and hence for lowering costs.

Over the many preceding years of insufficient money in LINMINE, the payments to: Continued on page 7 ►

change and improvement in the delivery of governance, it is not unreasonable for citizens, whose taxes are paying them, to expect them to demonstrate responsibility in taking positions consistent with the law. The Leader of the Opposition is therefore urged to rethink his position and work towards ensuring every citizen shoulders his or her tax responsibility consistent with the Tax Act.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

No more ‘second hand economy’

– Jordan

ENSURING Guyana moves away from being a “second-hand economy” and guaranteeing that the country is greener are the thrusts behind government’s move to ban the importation of used tyres, reduce the taxes on new tyres and to restrict the importation of used and or re-conditioned vehicles under eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan said it was clear that Guyana was becoming an environmentally conscious country and as such the new measures are geared at ensuring a green economy, clean environment and ensuring that safer equipment and machinery are used by citizens. “Take advantage of modern technology,” Jordan remarked.

He explained that government had sought to give importers notice of the ban

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

so that they could know up front that the importation of used tyres would no longer be allowed. “I said there were some procedural hurdles and once we cleared those it would get implemented. We will give adequate notice about when the ban will come into effect.”

He noted that if persons already have stocks they would be allowed to “sell out their stocks.” “They would not be allowed to import

any new order for old tyres.

It will happen sometime this year.”

The Finance Minister explained that government was cognizant of the fact that importers had orders and so they will be given the opportunity to have their orders completed. Jordan explained that those complaining of the impending ban on used tyres did not have a valid cry as a used tyre lasts approximately three months while a new

tyre lasts approximately 18 months.

“On average they say the tyres last about three months, you pay $6,000. A new tyre will give you 18 months minimum. If you do straight-forward mathematics, (6*3 = 18, 6*6=36) that would be $36,000 you’re spending on old tyres when you could just buy a new tyre and it will last you 18 months.”

The Minister stressed that change was and would always be a problem, but as time progresses they would adapt. He said as the country grew it was only necessary that there were matching advances.

“We are going to give the lead in time in terms of getting adaptable to buy new stuff generally, new tyres, cars, machinery as we grow and as our economy expands. We have to aspire, we can’t just be a second hand economy all the time and we will grow over these five years,” Jordan told reporters.

With respect to the re-

Response to the Lincoln... (i) The workers saving scheme (ii) GRA personal income tax (iii) NIS (iv) Company pension scheme were in arrears and needed to be reconciled with the various agencies. It required more than Guyana $2.5 billion and two years to satisfy all of these.

In the case of BERMINE, it was completely run down. As things turned out, ALCOA bought out Reynolds, inheriting the joint GoG /Reynolds operation at Aroaima. ALCOA informed the Government that it had no need for the Aroaima operation, but was willing to hand ABC/AMC to the Government for US $1, along with conditions which essentially implied that GoG would keep the operations going for another two years. Again, we reorganized to minimize costs and losses/subsidies, and

meeting all that was required for workers. BERMINE was merged into ABC/AMC, which was in better condition with better prospects.

In time, as we hoped, the two reorganized operations attracted credible interests and were privatized. In such circumstances, the better approach is to end the existing company and start a new company in a new book.

Termination benefits had to be, and were, paid to everyone, and a good number of the 3000 so terminated were rehired the following day.

Our PPP/C administration was as humane and as generous as it could be.

Mr. Lewis criticizes again a number of our decisions/judgments at the time: (i) Breaking up the savings scheme and pension plan. We decided to end the savings scheme and the pension scheme. Many workers wanted their money for various reasons. Also, the cost of maintaining the pension

scheme to the passing of the last member would eat up a great part of the scheme, particularly when account is taken that there was an average inflation of about 100% between when money was put into the scheme and when administration costs had to be paid.

GoG had no rights to hand over the workers’ money to others. We said, “Go to the workers. We will hand the money to the workers, and then they would invest themselves directly in any way/fund as they may be persuaded”. (ii) Concerning the eventual privatization of the bauxite operations, we maintained/ subsidised them through a number of invitations to privatize, until there was, in our judgment, credible offers. Thus, recall the core operations in the Linden area were privatized firstly to OGML/ CAMBIOR, and when that collapsed, we accepted the only

striction on the importation of used and or re-conditioned vehicles under eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation, the Finance Minister said his administration was aware of the fact that there were importers who would have placed orders so government was giving them time for the orders to arrive. He was quick to point out that from May 1, the restriction would be in place.

“First of all we are going to gain, not necessarily on the monetary side, but on the human side. This measure was informed a lot by greening the economy. You passed by a number of dealers that bring in these cars and they are over- flowing with these reconditioned cars. They won’t be bought.”

He noted that approximately six weeks ago the Customs and Administration Department hosted an auction and many were not even bought. The Minister said the vehicles are rotting.

7

“Many of these cars cannot be sold; it is a problem now, because Customs is left with them; it is a problem getting them off Customs’ hand.”

Jordan noted that the views of those opposing the restriction are emotional. He told reporters that the average person will still be able to purchase a car that is “reasonably new” if purchased under eight years’ old.

“So you have another five years of reasonable service on it and also you have the virtues of protection, brakes and steering,” he remarked.

The decision he said would have long term positive effects on the country and citizens and as such should be embraced by all.

“There are so many cars in stock yards in this country and I don’t know when they are going to begin to sell them number one, and number two there is no ban, there is a restriction on the age of the car that can come in.”

From page 6

offer OGML/ CAMBIOR were willing to accept -- that of BOSAI (the operations would have been abruptly closed otherwise).

In the Berbice River, we accepted the offer of RUSAL. Today, in a very difficult world trade situation, BOSAI and RUSAL are continuing core operations. (iii) With respect to the alternative offer for BERMINE, we could have been wrong, but taking account of the condition of the plant, the bauxite/alumina /aluminium as well as the non-metallurgical businesses, we did not think that that proposal was credible.

As I recall, Mr Lewis’s proposals were not well received by a number of workers at a meeting he held in Everton.

It is certainly not true that we (PPP/C) did not look to develop alternatives for bauxite communities. We worked with EU/ SYSMINS for a third multilateral inter-

vention, LEAP, proposing and progressing initially a programme of some EURO 25 million, which included much needed physical infrastructure (upgraded Linden- Ituni-Kwakwani road and Millie’s Hideout to Wiruni on the Berbice River). In later reviews within the EU, LEAP was downsized to keep focus on a people-changing programme. Separate funding would have to be sought later for infrastructure and other projects as they became evident.

Mr. Winston Brassington and Mr. Horace James worked assiduously to put and make non-core assets available and attractive for new profitable ventures.

The PPP/C administration completed the Government take-up and provisioning for all non-core social services, which the bauxite operations were no longer carrying.

We, of the PPP/C, maintain in all clear conscience that

we have been taking equitable and appropriate (not identical) positions on bauxite and sugar, and we have endured criticisms from both sides. For example, there is the criticism that when OGML/CAMBIOR had suspended the operations in Linden for two months, we provided basic pay to every employee, from sweeper to manager, requiring only that they spend a certain number of hours each week at computer classes aimed at their level.

We were pointing African bauxite workers to the digital future, but in our plans for sugar, we were seeking to consign Indian Guyanese to cutting cane.

We of the PPP/C expect no less care and concern of the present Government as they address the difficulties of sugar.

Yours truly, SAMUEL A. A. HINDS Former Prime Minister and President

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Guyanese must move beyond religious tolerance - Granger urges at launch of World Interfaith Harmony Week

By Svetlana Marshall Guyanese have maintained a proud record of respecting and tolerating each other’s religion but President David Granger is of the view that the country must move beyond tolerance to a state of mutual acceptability.

The President was at the time delivering the keynote address at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Monday during the launch of

State favours no particular religion over another, pointing to the fact that the Constitution of the Corporate Republic of Guyana establishes the legal framework to ensure that there is religious freedom and tolerance.

“We have a record or reputation for religious tolerance in our churches, in our mandirs, in our masjids, in our temples, in many communities; you would see these buildings standing side by side without conflicts,”

objective, A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government upon entering office took a decision to strengthen its capability by establishing the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the Ministry of Social Protection.

"The Ministry of Social Cohesion, in particular, is charged with the responsibility to promote greater inclusiveness and the participation of cultural, religious, ethnic and racial groups President David Granger delivering the keynote address

President David Granger learning more of the Muslim faith shortly after the launch World Interfaith Harmony Week which is being observed under the theme, “Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour.”

“We need to convert to higher levels of religious tolerance so that we understand and accept each other despite the differences,” the President said.

He made it clear that the

President Granger said as he painted a vivid picture of the religious freedom that exist in Guyana.

However, he maintained that there is a need to promote greater understanding and trust which would see Guyanese graduating from a state of tolerance to a state of acceptance.

In an effort to achieve this

in society. It is charged with encouraging dialogue and cooperation among faith-based organisations as we have here today. It is charged with pursuing policies that would lead to a more cohesive society, one in which there is a high degree of religious tolerance,” the President explained.

Third Vice President and

The Guyana Police Force Band delivering one of several musical renditions during the launch of World Interfaith Harmony Week on Monday

Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson, former Minister within the Ministry of Finance Bishop Juan Edghill and Head of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Guyana Reuben Robertson were among the officials present, in addition to the school children and representatives from the Hindu, Rastafarian, Christian, Muslim and Baha’I communities.

POLITICS Minister Trotman noted that Guyana continues to experience difficulties that are not religious in nature, but political.

“Guyana is a very religious place where approximately 85 per cent of us say

that we are a member of a religious organisation,” he said, but noted that there is need for religious organisations to be better positioned to achieve a greater level of cohesion.

Mr Robertson, in delivering the UN General Secretary Ban ki-moon World Interfaith Message, said “World Interfaith Harmony Week celebrates the principles of tolerance and respect for the other that are deeply rooted in the world’s major religions.”

He explained that the observance is also a summons to solidarity in the face of those who spread misunderstanding and mistrust.

“Too many communities around the world face violence and discrimination based on their religious identity. Cowards are attacking civilians. Political figures and others are using emotive appeals to manipulate people based on their religious affiliations.

A section of the religious leaders at Monday’s forum

Those who go down the path of violence and hatred may invoke the name of religion – but they only distort those faiths and bring shame upon themselves,” he added.

But amid these challenges, he said religious leaders and communities have immense influence. “They can be powerful forces for cooperation, learning, healing and – as you highlight today – sustainable development.

They can set an example of dialogue, and unite people based on precepts common to all creeds. And they can point the way toward addressing underlying causes of disharmony, including poverty, discrimination, resource scarcity and poor governance.”

World Interfaith Harmony Week was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on October 20, 2010, to promote mutual understanding and inter-religious dialogue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Dry weather at Lethem worsens - residents moving Arapaimas to safer ground

By Alva Solomon THE authorities in the Rupununi Monday commenced an operation to rescue 25 adult Arapaimas stranded in the dried-out sections of the Rewa River as the El Nino dry weather phenomenon continues to impact communities in Region Nine.

Mike Williams of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) told the Guyana Chronicle that residents of the area fanned out to the Rewa River on Sunday and they were expected to rescue the 25 adult and several juvenile fish on Monday.

Currently, several parts of the river are dry and the rescuers are planning to move the fish further upstream to the deeper parts of the waterway.

“If they don’t take them to the deeper areas they may die,” he told this newspaper.

As regards the conditions at Annai, Mr. Williams said the situation is similar to what prevails in other parts of the region.

He noted that residents have been depending on water from the Government compound at Annai over the years, but currently, the pipes are dripping.

As such, residents have resorted to digging wells. He said the Bina Hill Institute is also affected by the situation and the Annai Secondary School was almost closed due to the severe dry weather.

“At Bina Hill where we have 55 children, daily we had to be pumping water every two hours, but we still have to be digging the well every week,” he said.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Carl Parker told the Guyana Chronicle that he travelled to the capital city over the weekend, and on his way out, he observed parts of the North Rupununi and the Essequibo River having low water levels.

He said near the Kurupukari Crossing, residents reported that the level of the Essequibo River is at an all-time low.

“So communities are grappling with the situation,” he added.

Mr. Parker stated that the Kumu Falls has run dry and residents of that community have been assisted with tanks of water at their request.

He also indicated that twice weekly tank loads of water are being ferried to the school in the village from Lethem.

HAVE BEEN MEETING According to Mr. Parker, the weather has implications for every sector, and as such, meetings have been held with persons from the health, education, mining and the business communities, among others at Lethem, to discuss the situation and develop strategies to address the effects of the weather.

He was expected to meet with Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan on Monday. Mr. Parker had planned to propose to the minister, the purchasing of water-sourcing equipment, which can produce 1000 gallons of water from underground holes within a 3-hour timespan.

He noted that the response centre which was activated to address the dry weather conditions has been coordinating its reports with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

On Monday, CDC Head, retired Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup told this publication that the agency has been making interventions to cushion the effects of the prolonged El Nino dry weather conditions in the region.

ASSISTANCE Colonel Ramsarup said the CDC has been assisting the

A weather map retrieved from AccuWeather.com illustrating the dry conditions near Lethem in the Rupununi regional authorities with interventions, adding that some 27 black water tanks and 14 water pumps were provided to the region, and those are being used in the villages affected by the weather phenomenon.

Water purification tablets have also been dispatched to the region. He noted that the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) is undertaking an assessment of the situation in the Rupununi, while the CDC is being kept updated by persons on the ground of the conditions in the area.

“The situation is tight and it is getting worst by the day,” Colonel Ramsarup said.

The region is being hard hit by the weather conditions and checks by this newspaper on weather maps online indicated that large swathes of lands are dry.

On weather site AccuWeather.com, the landscape surrounding the Takutu River near Lethem and communities south of that area appear dry, while other isolated patches of dry lands were visible throughout the region.

The village of Shulinab, located south of Lethem is experiencing the effects of the dry spell. Toshao Nicholas Fredericks told the Guyana Chronicle that the community has not experienced any form of heavy rainfall since last October.

“So because of the weather now, the grass on the savannah is dry and we rear a lot of livestock in the South Rupununi so that we are affected a lot in Shulinab,” he said.

The village hired a private excavator operator and the community was able to dig four water holes to provide potable water to households. “Those are the waterholes that are the only water sources that we have,” Mr Fredericks added.

He mentioned that one of the major creeks near Shulinab - the Saurab Creek has dried up and this absence of water is affecting the farmers in the community.

“Even the mighty Rupununi River has small pools of water,” he said. Mr Fredericks noted that the regional authorities approached him to submit a proposal for a drilled well and this has been completed and forwarded to the RDC office in Lethem.

WELLS He said the regional authorities are also working along with Brazilian companies to drill 10 wells for the region and Shulinab, along with Sand Creek, Krowdar, Nappi and several

villages in the North Rupununi are expected to benefit from this intervention.

At the moment, the fish population has decreased and consequently, the residents are searching for other forms of protein. According to Mr Fredericks, the situation may also have health consequences but he noted that the village is prepared to address such instances.

Further, south at Aishalton, former Toshao Toney James reported on Monday that the area is almost dry and water in the few reliable sources is being depleted daily.

He said persons are relying on their wells for water, but some have already run dry.

Even though the regional authorities visited Aishlaton over the weekend, Mr James is calling for more concrete plans to be put in place to address the situation.

“There is need for people to come in and assess the situation properly and not spend half day here,” he said.

Mr. James told this newspaper that he was in the farmlands recently, some 5 miles south of the community. And there, he observed the water levels have either dried up or in the final stages of drying up. “I’m not sure what will happen in another month,” he said, adding that all the farming areas in the area are hard hit by the dry spell.

DIRE At St Ignatius, closer to Lethem, Tekawitta Barrito reported that the nearby Moco Moco Creek is already dry in some parts, while the wells have crumbled at their bases.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported late last year that there is a 55 per cent chance that El Nino conditions will continue into the second quarter of this year.

This prediction has been based on the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) diagnostic discussion issued by the Climate Prediction Centre (NCEP) and the International Research Institute for Climate and Society in September 2015.

As a result of the expected conditions, the Hydrometeorological Service has advised that appropriate water management practices be employed in the various sectors, and that households take action to militate against the forecasted drop in rainfall quantities. The Guyana Water Inc (GWI) has also intensified its call for persons to conserve water as the dry weather conditions persist.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Improved water supply for Lamaha Park

GWI water crew at work putting down pipelines in Lamaha Park. In foreground is Mr. Mc Gawn, GWI Clerk of Works, overseeing the execution of the job

$277.5 M pumped into rice sector …several D&I projects for regions

THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government has budgeted a total of $277.524M for the rice sector, specifically targeting Regions 2, 3, 5, 6 and 9.

In its quest to further alleviate the challenges facing farmers within these regions, the government, in this year’s budget, has identified five multi-million-dollar projects that would be executed by the Regional Democratic Councils.

In Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), $44.846M has been budgeted for the completion of the regulator at La Resource and the sluices at Perth, Hampton Court and Lima.

Additionally, revetments will be constructed at Urasara and Spring Garden. An irrigation check at Huist’ Dieren, tail wall at Queenstown and a culvert at Bounty Hall will also be constructed.

The $44.846M will complement the $58M that was spent by the government in 2015 for the commencement of the project, which is slated to be completed by December 31, 2016.

Upon completion, this drainage and irrigation project will improve agricultural yields, drainage and irrigation facilities and access to farm lands.

Over in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) another ongoing project will be completed with financial provisions catered for in the budget.

At a cost of $45.020M agriculture structures at MetenMeer-Zorg and Kashmire will be erected, in addition to revetment at Sisters’ Village and culvert at Groentveldt. The revetment and sluice at Bagotville are also in the line-up to be rehabilitated. This project, which commenced in 2015, has a total value of $70.130M, however, $25.1M was spent during the initial stages of the project.

The Government has also set aside $57.168M to improve drainage and irrigation systems in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice). This new initiative will see a revetment being constructed at Wash Clothes, and empoldering of land at Grass Hook. Access roads and bridges within the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary areas would be either constructed or rehabilitated while the channels at Fairfield/Broomhall and Vevay would undergo rehabilitation. Drainage structures at Wash Clothes, Biabu and Grass Hook will also be installed. According to the project description, this multi-million dollar agriculture initiative, which is expected to be wrapped up by December 31, will improve agriculture production in the area.

In Region 6 (EAST Berbice/Corentyne) – a region that depends heavily on rice production – the Regional Democratic Council will be tasked with the responsibility to execute a $95.870M project that would improve access to farm lands. It

will also improve the region’s drainage and irrigation network.

The project includes construction and rehabilitation of bridges at Kortberaad, De Kinderen, Mibicuri, No. 63/64 and Mibicuri/Johanna; construction of revetments at Baracara, Grant 1651, No. 73 and sluices at Lesbeholden; excavation of canals at Alness.

Total of the project was set at $146.280M, however, $50.410M was already spent in 2015 and the remaining $95.870 has been budgeted for the completion of the project this year.

In Region 9 (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) shade houses will be constructed to enhance agricultural activities within the region. Additionally, the abattoirs at Sand Creek, Aishalton, Annai and Karasabai would be rehabilitated. Provisions are also being made for the purchase of ATV, artificial insemination, equipment, testing kits and swing-fog machines.

In 2015, a total of $44.756M was budgeted for these projects within the region but only $10.136M was expended. Hence, the remaining $34.620M is expected to be expended this year.

Residents of Lamaha Park, East La Penitence are beginning to feel the effects of ‘the good life’ with the current upgrading of the Guyana Water Inc’s (GWI) water supply system in that neighbourhood.

The project being undertaken by contractor R. Kissoon, commenced on January 8, and entails putting down of 4” pipelines running north to south (horizontally) and feeding from 6” lines running east (vertically). In Lamaha Springs , a more densely populated housing scheme, the 6” water mains flowing out of Lamaha Park will tie into an 8” main, off of which 6” lines will feed.

By Saturday last, more than 353 four inch pipelines were already put down to a depth of 48” in Lamaha Park, with another 65 six inches to be put down over the next few days.

A water pressure test was done last Friday, revealing that the water in the neighbourhood had been stepped up in pressure from 100 p.s.i. to 150 p.s.i, allowing for a free and gushing flow at any level in the home, making households less dependent on the ‘Black water tanks’.

This is according to GWI Clerk of Works, Mr. Mc Gawn Bidder, overseeing the works in the neighbourhood. Bidder said the works, which began at the end of the first week of January, is expected to be completed by February month-end or the first week of March.

Meanwhile, the pipelines previously used by the residents of Lamaha Park and running at the back of the house lots will be decommissioned. As of March, household connections will be done at the front and alongside the main thoroughfare.

Additionally, all household services will be fitted with individual water metres.

Meanwhile, GWI is determined to be able to read metres at individual households, whether the users of the service are at home or not. To this end, GWI is stepping up its exercise of removing metres from within people’s yards and placing them outside of the fence.

Over the last few weeks the campaign which was conducted in Meadow Brook saw the removal of some 260 metres from behind fences to an area more accessible to the water metre reading crew.

Tuesday February 2nd, 2016 - 12:00 hrs Wednesday February 3rd, 2016 - 13:30 hrs Thursday February 4th, 2016 - 14:00 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

PPP against increase in fees for firearm licences THE proposed increase in fees for procurement of firearm licences has been criticized by the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“It is a lazy way to bring in revenue and the government should find other creative ways to rake in revenue,” Clement Rohee, the PPP’s General Secretary said at a press conference Monday.

During his budget speech last Friday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced that he would be moving to amend the Firearms Act to increase the annual fee for firearm licences. The fee for a shotgun licence is to be raised from $2000 to $5000; the cost for a handgun licence will move from $5000 to $25,000; and the rifle licence fee will be increased from $5000 to $40,000. As for dealers in firearms, their fee would be double the current price of $7500.

Rohee said that the new fees are exorbitant and designed to “rob citizens” of disposable income in their pockets.

Many persons, he said, stand to be directly affected, with the majority of them being farmers of indigenous heritage.

Rohee suggested that a large number of farmers were issued with licences to use guns so as to protect their livestock and crops from wild animals and other threats.

“Members of Amerindian communities were also given consideration (for firearm licences) because Amerindians live a life that required moving away from the bow and arrow, to some form of firearm, which was mainly a shotgun, which would assist them in protecting their families and villages,” Rohee stated. He further argued that the new fees could also foster corruption.

“As the fees go up the bribes will increase as well; you know they say the stricter the government the wiser the population,’ Rohee told reporters at the PPP’s Freedom House Headquarters in Georgetown.

Police destroy marijuana field in Upper Mazaruni RANKS of the Guyana Police Force on patrol at 14 Miles, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven on Sunday, January 31, discovered a half–acre field of approximately 375 marijuana plants averaging one metre in height.

A police statement detailed that one kilogram 521 grams of dried marijuana was also found in a camp there.

The field and the camp were destroyed, and a man has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

3 busted with illegal drugs in Berbice THREE men were snared at a police road block set up at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice with marijuana illegally in their possession.

A police statement said that at approximately 15:00 hrs on Sunday, January 31, 2016, police ranks discovered 5 kilograms 390 grams of marijuana in a motor vehicle in which the three men were travelling. The men were arrested and are in custody assisting with the investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

$6M ‘Coalition Bridge’ commissioned in La Penitence MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, has officially commissioned a bridge in Middle Road, La Penitence Sideline Dam, which residents dub the ‘Coalition Bridge’.

The simple ceremony on January 29 was also attended

by Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence; Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; and Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) said the total cost of the bridge is $6M. Minister Harmon explained that the commissioning of the new bridge is delivering on a promise made to those residents while A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was in opposition.

“It is time to rebuild Guyana after it was broken for twenty three years.” Minister Harmon said, adding: “The Government of Guyana sees bridges as uniting people and uniting communities. When a bridge is broken, the community is broken. We build bridges, we reunite communities”.

According to the MoTP release, Minister Harmon praised the name given to the bridge by the residents, while Ministers Lawrence and Ferguson urged the residents to use the bridge with care, pride and dignity.

The Ministers called on the residents to provide security for the bridge, and to resist the path of destruction.

Minister Harmon also handed over two street lamps to the residents of Middle Road, La Penitence.

Mechanic faces court after ‘lil argument’ with wife SHERLON Rodney, a 36-year-old auto mechanic of Breda and Hadfield Streets in Georgetown, appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer a charge that, on January 31, he unlawfully and maliciously assaulted his reputed wife, Anjali Ramjohn, after an altercation which allegedly stemmed from a heated argument.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and, addressing the court, stated that on the day of the incident, he and his wife had a “lil argument”, and he held her by the face before taking her into the bedroom.

The prosecution made no objection to bail as it was Rodney’s first offence. He was therefore placed on self-bail and told to be of good behaviour.

The couple will return to court on February 12 to answer the matter before Magistrate Annett Singh. (Clestine Juan)

Man on bail for wounding friend in a brawl TWENTY-ONE–year-old Ryan Duncan, a mechanical engineer of Fifth Street, Alberttown Georgetown, was on Monday ordered by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to post $100,000 bail for inflicting grievous bodily harm on his childhood friend, Devin Messiah.

The charge he faces alleges that on Saturday, January 16, at Alberttown, Georgetown, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Messiah.

The prosecutor did not object to Duncan being granted bail. He told the court that both parties reside in Alberttown and are friends.

The matter has been adjourned to February 15. (Clestine Juan)

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and others walk on the newly commissioned bridge

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Home-alone kids pulled from burning house - Single mom was on night-shift as security guard

By Shauna Jemmott THE last thing she expected after working an eleven-to-seven shift the night before was rounding the corner early on Monday morning and seeing the rented wooden cottage she called home ablaze.

Single mother Sydell Hector had left for work late on Sunday night, while her two young sons were sound asleep in the house on Nimrod Street in Two Friends Village, East Coast Demerara.

Luckily for her, two-yearold Malachi and four-yearold Nathaniel were rescued in the nick of time, after an alert neighbour sounded the alarm that there was a fire in progress. Malachi has since been admitted for treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that Ms Hector was so traumatised upon learning that baby Malachi

Hero: Collin Jack, the soldier who snatched two-year-old Malachi from the burning building

had suffered severe burns that she ran away.

Many were still asleep when, in response to young Nathaniel’s agonised screams, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) recruit Colin Jack, a neighbor, scaled a fence and gained entry to the burning house through a window in a bid to save the children. At that time, one of the children was already out of the building.

A n o t h e r n e i g h b o u r, a woman named Donette, on hearing the commotion, sprang into action, breaking open the lone door to the house and taking charge of Nathaniel. Little Malachi was still in the house, but he was quickly snatched to safety, although it was subsequently learnt that he had suffered burns to both arms and knees.

Nurse Rosetta Wilson, who lives obliquely opposite the now displaced family, attended to young Malachi’s burns before taking him to

the hospital.

Neighbours believe that a lamp left alight in the house might have caused the fire.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene, the children had already been rescued, but what started as a small fire had already developed into a full-blown blaze, and had engulfed the cottage.

About 20 minutes into the fire, the children’s mother, who was still wearing her red-and-black security guard uniform and carrying a handbag, was seen making her way home from work. But as she neared the house, she had to be physically restrained, as she cried out in agony, fearing the worst.

Residents gathered at the scene voiced differing opinions, but immediate neighbours said it was passing strange that the children were left at home, since they usually stayed with a babysitter not far from where they lived.

Residents also noted that though the woman usually takes her children with her wherever she goes, she could

not very well take them with her that hour of the night, given the shift she was working.

The babysitter said the mother did ask her to take the children for the night, but she was unavailable.

Hector told the Guyana Chronicle that the children were left at home alone because she could not afford to stay away from work. She was forced to take the night job because she needed the money to feed her children.

She said she had taken the father of her children to court for financial support, and had taken the job to make ends meet.

The family has lost everything it had owned to the fire; Hector was renting the property. A representative from Food for the Poor, Patricia Sam, arrived on the scene and promised that the organisation would assist the family; while a neighbour, Pamela Gulliver, is offering them shelter for the time being.

A mother’s agony: Sydelly reacts upon learning that her house was completely destroyed (Delano Williams photo)

Sydelly gasps in disbelief as she stares at the remains of the place she called home (Delano Williams photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

‘Juicy, amusing’ dictionary of Creole words launched

By Shauna Jemmott IN A masterpiece collection to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations, award-winning author and playwright Harold Bascom has produced a Dictionary of Guyanese Words, celebrating his pride at being Guyanese and at the same time working toward

US-based Guyanese writer Harold Bascom preservation of our native culture and endorsing the survival of “roots heritage”.

The dictionary of words patriotic to Guyanese has been compiled and launched in the United States of America. It spreads the rich literary culture of a country unique as the only Englishspeaking country on the South American continent; and yet this country is culturally Caribbean-oriented.

In a statement to Guyana Chronicle, Bascom said the

collection is presented in a 150-page book which he has also illustrated. It is his belief that Caribbean writers should also focus on the preservation of their native culture to ensure the survival of roots heritage. He feels that when this is done, the relevance of Caribbean writers to their respective societies will grow into realization.

In an interview with Sunday Chronicle, the prolific writer said he had decided to seek grassroots origins instead of having an academic survey, and had taken the words from communicating with fellow Guyanese from various ethnic cultural backgrounds.

“My words have all been drawn from the popular Guyanese usage. I drew on words known to me as a Guyanese, and did not approach it from an academic pedestal like the intellectuals might.”

Bascom describes himself as a “beacon, a representative of the grassroots’ perspective,” and added, “that is the launching pad for everything I write: from an ordinary Guyanese citizen's perspective”.

He told this publication the idea came about when he began casually sharing some Guyanese words on the Facebook social media and observed how much Guyanese were enjoying them.

His book is broken down into sections of Guyanese words and names that de-

scribe different kinds of people; Guyanese names for illnesses that would battle the worldwide medical community; words used popularly in mythological figures, folklore figures and occult matters; and more Guyanese words and names in alphabetical order.

Some of the words defined in the classic collection are krass, kangalang, konomomo, briga, likdown, lamata, absalam, clothespin, sweetman, katchar, lickrish, frontin, paschuma, patsalt, goadie, bigfoot, darkeye, nara, bungi, whitemouth and bunganable, among others.

Copies of the book, which costs G$4,500, are available in Guyana at Rihoboth Group at Lot 305 East Street, South Cummingsburg, and you can contact Picola Johnson at 266-4662.

The book, according to Bascom, is “a very rich, juicy, amusing lexicon” with amazing illustrations and stories using some of the featured words.

Bascom won the University of Guyana’s coveted Caribbean Award for his full-length drama ‘Desperate for Relevance’, which he describes as a surreal drama of dead Caribbean writers bound in a curious hereafter in which named writers of the region — novelists, poets, playwrights, essayists -- are troubled characters in a unique hereafter that is

parallel to a present time in the Caribbean, where their works are not being read.

The writer said that as he focuses on contributing to a much-needed Renaissance of the arts in Guyana, along with the need for a re-recognition of Guyana’s cultural roots, he feels that writers from the wider Caribbean should do likewise, and

“come to the realization that the survival of Caribbean culture rests on Caribbean writers shifting from the stance of being ‘separate, nationalistic and aloof’, to the stance of being ‘separate but equal’”.

“Let us each be as an individual finger joined to one hand; let us be cognizant that we are sisters and brothers in

101 Words that Tell You’re Guyanese

one Caribbean consciousness — and that we can do that while doing our own thing,” he advised.

The hard copy of, ‘101 Words that Tell You’re Guyanese’, has been launched through the author’s Laughing Palette website, and the eBook version is available on Amazon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Graduates sharing a moment with the officials of GAPSW

13 graduate from childcare management course THIRTEEN women have completed a course in Childcare Management run by the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW).

The Childcare Management course, like the Care for the Elderly programme, was launched as a co-ordinated effort between GAPSW and the Women’s Outreach Programme of the Adult Education Association in 1996. The course came at a time when the GAPSW saw the need to launch a programme for child caregivers.

According to facilitator Christine King, at some stage of the programme, a number of trained social workers came together and produced a manual which they felt would be a useful reference tool for the work of the participants after they would have concluded their training. The manual was also recommended for use during the course.

“Over the years, the Childcare Management course has produced over 500 graduates. Like many of the care professions -- teaching, nursing, and social work -– the majority of participants are women,” King said.

She said that a number of graduates have either established their own play schools or day care centers, or are caregivers at such facilities. Mrs. Marilyn Green already had her facility when she enrolled for the course, while Ms. Marcia Smith founded Gifted Hands after completing the programme.

Duration of the course was approximately three months, with ninety-minute lectures on Mondays and Fridays. Some sessions were held on Wednesdays to ensure that all the areas were fully covered.

The main focus of the course was to enable students to gain an understanding of various aspects of Child Care.

Problems encountered in the child care environment were examined, and students were exposed to developing the skills needed to deal with those problems.

“Many of the students are employed and were not allowed more than one day’s release from work. Thus they were only exposed to a half-day observation visit at the Gifted Hands learning center for special needs children and Green Acres play school, while other students visited both facilities and were very impressed with the services offered and experience shared,” the facilitator said.

The final course activity was a multiple choice examination with questions drawn from all areas discussed in the classroom.

Apart from three students who were unsuccessful, the general performance of students on this course was good.

She stressed that, unlike a few of the other classes, the students quickly established a bond and supported each other throughout the period. They participated well in class discussions, and even shared personal experiences and other issues relative to the subject areas covered in class.

The graduates are now equipped at an elementary level to practise the skills and techniques to act as child-care workers, and identify causal factors for the emotional and behavioural problems of children in their care.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday February 2, 2016

Gold worth $2M taken from murder victim TWO more witnesses testified yesterday as the Cool Square murder trial continued before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court.

Leon Duncan, called “Whistle”, stands indicted for the alleged murder of city businessman Imtiaz Roopnarine, called “Bobby,” which allegedly occurred on January 24, 2013 at Cool Square Hotel in Marigold Street, West Ruimveldt Georgetown.

Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarabo corroborated the testimony given by his colleague Suraj Singh, who had previously testified that he and Sarabo were present when a confrontation was held among the accused and his former girlfriend and her friend at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Eve Leary on May 1, 2013.

Sarabo said relative to a report of an alleged murder, he assisted in the investigations and contacted the accused, Murdered: Leon Duncan, who told the police that he had gone to the Imtiaz Roopnarine then Edge night club with his former girlfriend, Tiana Cumberbatch, and her friend, Teneisha Tiffany Glasgow.

The police witness detailed that Duncan had said that he and the ladies had spent some time at the Edge night club, after which he and Cumberbatch went to the Cool Square Hotel, booked a room, had sex, and he borrowed a phone to make a call to someone.

Sarabo said the accused had also told investigators that, at about 05:30 hrs, Cumberbatch left the hotel after she had called her friend to pick her up in a taxi, and he was left standing by the gate of the hotel.

Duncan had reportedly told investigators that the only time he knew someone was murdered at the hotel was when he read it in the newspapers. The witness said that Duncan had said that he had nothing to do with that incident.

The State also called Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh to testify yesterday, and he gave the cause of Roopnarine’s death as gunshot injuries to the spine.

The pathologist said he had performed the post-mortem on Roopnarine on January 25, 2013.

Roopnarine, 47, of 208 Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, was reportedly robbed and shot in the head during the ordeal. The victim was said to be wearing several pieces of expensive jewellery at the time. He had run to the back of the hotel, where he collapsed and died near to a septic tank after being shot. Roopnarine had been preparing to leave the hotel moments before the incident.

The assailant reportedly escaped with a gold-and-diamond chain worth $500,000; one gold band worth $700,000, and other jewellery, all priced at a total of $2,200,000.

Duncan, of Willemstaad Road, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was subsequently arrested and charged for the murder of Imtiaz Roopnarine. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge before Justice Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-member jury.

The case is being presented by State Prosecutors Stacey Goodings, Tuanna Hardy and Orinthia Schmidt; and the defence attorney is Mark Waldron. (Michel Outridge)

Mason on $150,000 bail for beating employee with spade RAVLON Pollard, 53, a mason of 707 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with using a spade to inflict grievous bodily harm on his worker, Imran Khan, on Friday, January 22, at East La Penitence, Georgetown.

Pollard denied the allegation, but the police prosecutor told the court that both parties were known to each other. The accused went to Khan’s residence and told Khan that he had “lil construction wuk” for him. Khan agreed to take the job, and followed Pollard to the worksite. It is alleged that while Khan was busy at work, Pollard approached him from behind and dealt him several lashes about his body with a spade. The matter was reported and Pollard was charged.

The Chief Magistrate inquired from the prosecutor if he had done a psychiatric evaluation on the accused, because it was strange that, without reason, someone could have beaten another person with a spade.

The prosecutor replied that the police did not have an evaluation done on Pollard.

Pollard was placed on $150,000 bail. A condition of his being granted bail is that he remains 25 feet away from Khan. The matter was adjourned until February 18.

(Clestine Juan)

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Yesterday’s Results

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:20 hrs Grand Classic 08:55 hrs Global Ethos 09:30 hrs Jay River 10:05 hrs Cry Of The Toreador 10:40 hrs Lakahal 11:15 hrs Hever Castle English Racing Tips Southwell 10:00 hrs Edgar 10:30 hrs Jacob’s Pillow 11:00 hrs Don’t Call Me 11:30 hrs Hermitage Day 12:00 hrs Colour My World 12:30 hrs Falcon’s Reign Taunton 10:15 hrs Oscar Jane 10:45 hrs Lou Vert 11:15 hrs Seranwen 11:45 hrs Master Red 12:15 hrs Tour Des Champs 12:45 hrs Winged Express American Racing Tips Mahoning Valley Race Course Race 1 West Terrace Race 2 Duty Calls Race 3 Dancing Rico Race 4 Include the Browwns Race 5 Spring Heeled Jack Race 6 Gone Wild Race 7 Its On Fire Race 8 Eildon Hall

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

French Open stands in University of Djokovic's path to greatness Guyana ‘school’

GTT/GRFU 15s Rugby League

… Could hold all four majors, first man since Laver in 1969

By Pritha Sarkar LONDON, England (Reuters) - He is the tennis version of the Terminator and he'll definitely be back at the French Open in May, but for Novak Djokovic his exploits at the claycourt major could decide his place in the pantheon of greats.

For the second time in his career, Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open champion Djokovic will arrive at Roland Garros needing seven victories to become the first man in almost 50 years to hold all four grand slam titles at the same time.

It is a feat that is so difficult, that it has not been achieved by a man since Australian Rod Laver won the second of his calendar Grand Slams in 1969.

Djokovic's effort to join an exclusive club which boasts only two male members -- Don Budge and Laver -- was thwarted in 2012 by Rafael Nadal in the Paris final.

With nine-time French Open champion Nadal no longer the force he was, Djokovic will arrive in Paris as the overwhelming favourite to lift to the Musketeers' Cup for the first time at his 12th attempt.

Djokovic, beaten in three Paris finals over the last four years, may never get such a golden opportunity

Novak Djokovic

to complete a feat that was tantalisingly just out of reach for tennis greats such as Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Nadal.

The biggest obstacle standing in his way may be his own mental belief.

Djokovic may have contested five consecutive grand slam finals, he may have won a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title and he may be ranked number one in the world -- but for all his confidence, he knows that he has had 11 failed attempts to win the ultimate prize in claycourt tennis.

Despite becoming only the second man to beat Nadal at Roland Garros, Djokovic still walked away without the trophy last year as his win over the Spaniard was achieved in the quarter-finals.

By the time he got to the final, he had run out of ideas and was powerless to stop Stan Wawrinka from running away with the spoils. "(I'm) very hungry (for Paris)," Djokovic said after beating Andy Murray in the Melbourne Park final on Sunday to win his 11th grand slam title.

"Even though I won last four out of five grand slams, I don't take anything for granted.

"I want to improve as everybody else. I'm not here because I played the same tennis I played last year. I feel like I'm playing better."

UNDER SPELL Murray, Federer and Nadal will certainly agree with that assessment as they all fell under his spell in the opening month of the 2016

season.

After humiliating Federer in the opening two sets of his 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 semi-final victory in Melbourne, Djokovic said it was "probably the best two sets I've played against Roger over my career". That's saying something for a decade-long rivalry that spans 45 matches.

Djokovic now has a better head-to-head against all three of his ‘Big Four’ rivals.

He leads Federer 23-22, Nadal 24-23 and Murray 22-9.

While Federer (17 majors), Nadal (14), Sampras (14) and Australian Roy Emerson (12) still top Djokovic in the list of all-time grand slam title-holders, it is not inconceivable that within a few years, the Serb will have left everyone in his wake.

But at the French Open, Djokovic will have to deal with the pressure of completing his collection of grand slam titles.

Should he match Laver's feat of winning four slams in a row, the 28-year-old will have to find some new superlatives to describe his form.

"No doubt that I'm playing the best tennis of my life in the last 15 months. It's phenomenal," said Djokovic.

"I always strive to improve not just the game or technically, tactically, but also mentally. I don't want to think how far my boundaries are."

Warriors rally for win, Clippers extend run THE Los Angeles Clippers extended their NBA winning streak, as the Golden State Warriors overcame a slow start to claim victory.

The Golden State Warriors recovered from a slow start to thrash the New York Knicks in the NBA on Sunday.

The 44-4 Warriors had just 18 first-quarter points before brushing past the Knicks 116-95 at Madison Square Garden.

Coach Steve Kerr was left frustrated early, breaking and throwing his clipboard.

He got the response he was after as Klay Thompson (34 points) and Draymond Green (20 points and 10 assists) led the Warriors to victory.

Carmelo Anthony starred for the Knicks with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds.

The Los Angeles Clippers had no such early trou-

bles as they accounted for the Chicago Bulls 120-93.

Jamal Crawford's gamehigh 26 points off the bench helped the Clippers to their fourth-consecutive win.

DeAndre Jordan finished with a double-double of 17 points and 20 rebounds.

Also extending their winning run to four were the Miami Heat who overcame the Atlanta Hawks 105-87.

Even without veteran Dirk Nowitzki, the Dal-

las Mavericks held the Phoenix Suns to just nine fourth-quarter points in a 91-78 victory.

The Orlando Magic ended their eight-game losing streak with a 119-114 win over the Boston Celtics.

The Charlotte Hornets brushed past the Los Angeles Lakers 101-82 and the Portland Trail Blazers edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 96-93. (Sportsmax.com)

Police 64-5

THE University of Guyana (UG) Wolves, took the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Falcons to school and hammered them 64-5, when action in the GTT/ Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 15s Division-1 Rugby League continued at the National Park Rugby field on Sunday.

Classes were called to session and obviously, the UG Wolves were tough on their students from the sound of the first whistle.

Godfrey Broomes, with four tries and one conversion along with Lancelot Adonis’ three tries and six conversions led the UG students’ assault on the lawmen.

Encouraged by their coach Troy Yhip on the sideline, the young Police unit played their hearts out, making some good tackles

and tangible runs but lacked the finishing touch due to inexperience.

Nevertheless, it was captain Daniel De Abreu who muscled his way past UG defensive line to give his team five points though missing the conversion in the first half of the one-sided game.

The sudden downpour of rain could not stop the show, as UG Wolves extended their lead with scores from Rondel McArthur, Malcolm Rodgers and Osese McKenzie with one try each.

UG coach Larry Adonis was pleased with the result but stated that the real test for is when they face Yamaha Caribs in their next game on Sunday.

Up next for the GPF Falcons is a clash against an in-form Pepsi Hornets on Saturday.

St John’s College, St Rose’s High and Mae’s in winners row THE Petra Organisation/ Milo Schools football, played at the Ministry of Education ground, saw St John College, Mae’s Secondary and St Rose’s High School coming out victorious in their respective match.

Playing in the opening game one on the fourth day of Georgetown’s premier schools football tournament, St John’s College eased past St George’s High 3-2.

Joel Yhap’s goals in the 14th and 43rd minutes, coupled with Tofani Persaud’s goal in the 48th minute did the damage for St John’s College. St George’s Rayheim Augustus scored both of his team’s goals, doing so in the 46th and 53rd minutes.

In game two, Mae’s ran riot on Freeburg Secondary, whipping them 5-0. Dar-

shawn Persaud scored a hattrick (23rd, 28th and 59th minute), while Isaiah Stephen (6th) and Diego Britton (13th) netted a goal each.

Queenstown and Tutorial Secondary School played to a 1-1 draw in the heated contest.

Wellinson Dos Santos put Queenstown Secondary in the lead, with his goal in the 20th minute but bad defending resulted in an own-goal in the 37th minute.

In the day’s final game, a collective team effort saw St Rose’s clinch a 3-1 win over Charlestown Secondary.

Akeem Wilson (25th), Kegan Howard (35th) and Anthony Daly (46th) found the back of the net for St Rose’s High. Luckhort Forde scored his school’s lone goal in the 43rd minute. (Rawle Toney)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Man City land Guardiola Chelsea to drive European dream leave door

By Angus MacSwan LONDON, (Reuters) English Premier League club Manchester City have named Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola as their new manager from July, hoping the Spaniard can emulate the glory years he enjoyed at Barcelona.

Manuel Pellegrini will leave the job on June 30 to make way for Guardiola, who has signed a three-year contract with City, the club said in a statement yesterday.

The move ends months of speculation about the future of the charismatic Guardiola, one of the most sought-after coaches in the world. He had turned down a new contract with Bayern Munich last year and said he would quit at the end of the season.

Guardiola, who turned 45 on January 18, won 14 titles with Barcelona in a four-year coaching spell, including the Champions League in 2009.

At Bayern, he won backto-back league titles and leaves with the side on course for a third. But his record is dimmed by the Bavarian club's failure to bring home Europe's top club prize.

They twice stumbled

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola won 14 titles with Barcelona.

in the Champions League's semi-final stage, losing heavily to Real Madrid in 2014 before being edged out by Juventus the following year.

It has long been an open secret that Manchester City had their eyes on Guardiola to fire their own bid for European success having failed to make any impression in recent seasons since becoming one of the world's richest clubs and twice winning the Premier League.

Pellegrini, a Chilean who took over at City in 2013, said at a news conference yesterday that he would finish at the club on June 30.

"There's been lots of

speculation, nothing done behind me but I don't think it is good to have the speculation so that is why I told the press and the players," he said, almost as an afterthought at the end of the session.

City then issued a statement, saying the club wanted to remove "the unnecessary burden of speculation".

"Manuel, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the Club," City said.

City currently stand sec-

ond in the Premier League, three points behind surprise leaders Leicester City. They face Dynamo Kiev in the last 16 of the Champions League.

As a player, the Catalonia-born Guardiola spent most of his career as a midfielder with Barcelona, winning the old European Cup in 1992 and four La Liga titles in a row from 1991 to 1994.

He went on to manage the club for four glorious years before taking a sabbatical and then taking the reins at Bayern in 2013.

Guardiola's record in the transfer market at Bayern was impressive, bringing players to the club who went on to become resounding successes such as Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara, Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman among others.

He constantly rotated his side and made bold tactical changes, such as moving right back Philipp Lahm into midfield in the twilight of his career.

Bayern CEO KarlHeinz Rummenigge said last week the club would support Guardiola in his work until his last day there.

Berbice High, Rosignol Secondary through to final BERBICE High School and Rosignol Secondary School both took first innings honours in their respective semi-final and in the process reached the final of the A. Ally & Sons Under-17 Inter-Secondary School two-innings cricket competition in Berbice.

At Cumberland, Berbice High School beat Skeldon High School on first innings.

Skeldon High batted first and made 113 all out, with Sanjay Deochand top-scoring with 46 while Michael Burnett made 22 not out.

Bowling for Berbice High, off-spinner Abdul

Ramsammy took 4-26, leg-spinner Dion Sinclair took 3-12 and Brandon Pydanna 2-11.

In reply, Berbice High School made 188-5 declared, with Alex Algoo stroking an entertaining 119 (11 fours and 5 sixes). Dion Sinclair and Malcolm Mickle contributed 27 and 19 respectively.

Skeldon High, batting a second time, reached 27.

Over at Blairmont, Rosignol Secondary got the better of the highly favoured Lower Corentyne Secondary School in their drawn match.

Batting first, Rosignol

Secondary made 164 all out, with Chandradat Veersammy contributed 97 (10 fours and 2 sixes) to the total.

Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Junior Sinclair took 5-41, while Kevlon Anderson had 2-29 and Keith Simpson 2-25.

Lower Corentyne in reply were bowled out for 154.

Junior Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson made 32 and 20 respectively Rosignol pacers Keyon Gangoo and Javed Karim were the chief destroyers with 4-50 and 4-41 respectively.

The final of the compe-

Chandradat Veersammy

tition is billed for Thursday at the Cumberland Ground.

open for Terry to stay

By Mike Collett LONDON, England (Reuters) - Chelsea have left the door open for John Terry to stay at Stamford Bridge after the central defender announced that he is leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The Premier League champions said he could be offered the chance to stay at Stamford Bridge following a meeting with the club last month.

"In that meeting he asked about the possibility of an extension to his existing contract," Chelsea said in a statement.

"John was advised that while no new deal was currently on the table, that situation could change in the coming months."

Chelsea said they had the utmost respect for Terry and everything he has helped them achieve, describing him as a "fantastic servant and superb captain".

Terry, 35, said he was leaving after the FAD Cup win at Milton Keynes Dons on Sunday.

"It’s not going to be a fairytale ending, I’m not going to retire at Chelsea,” Terry said.

"I needed to know now like I have done every January and sometimes it takes a couple of months to get done.

"Unfortunately, it was a no. It took me a couple of days to get over."

There has been widespread speculation that the former England international will move to either the United States or China and many commentators have questioned Chelsea's judgement.

"I think it's a mad decision from Chelsea, I don't understand it," former Chelsea striker Tony Cas-

John Terry

carino wrote in The Times.

Former Chelsea skipper Ray Wilkins told Sky Sports: "He will be a tremendous loss to Chelsea and I think there was another year left in him."

A permanent banner at Stamford Bridge carries the message: "Captain, Leader, Legend" in deference to Terry, prompting the headlines: "Captain, Leader, Outcast" in The Times and "Captain, Leader, Legend, Leaving," in The Metro.

Terry has made 696 appearances for Chelsea and is the most successful captain in the club's history; leading them to the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, Europa League and Champions League titles.

Only defender Ron Harris and goalkeeper Peter Bonetti have played more games for the club.

Terry played the full 90 minutes on Sunday and is expected to lead the team out as usual when they face Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League tomorrow.

Bookmaker Paddy Power offered odds of 5/2 on him joining New York Red Bulls at the end of the season, 7/2 on him moving to LA Galaxy and 5/1 to link up with his former Chelsea team mate Frank Lampard at New York City.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

ICC Under-19 World Cup ...

India top Group D after Pant’s 18-ball half-century against Nepal RISHABH Pant hit a whirlwind 78 off 24 balls as India topped Group D with a seven-wicket demolition of second-placed Nepal in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in Mirpur yesterday in a match that was produced by ICC TV and aired around the world by 15 broadcasters.

The left-handed opener smashed five sixes and nine boundaries, adding 124 for the first wicket with captain Ishan Kishan (52) in just 9.1 overs, as India chased down Nepal’s 169 for eight in the 19th over.

Pant’s 50 off 18 balls is the fastest recorded half-century in the history of Under-19 internationals.

India’s emphatic victory was set-up by fast bowler Avesh Kumar, who claimed three wickets for 34 runs. Mayank Dagar and Washington Sundar supported him well with two wickets each.

The Rahul Dravid-coached India topped Group D with an all-win record and now faces the second-placed team from Group A - Bangladesh or Namibia - in the Super League quarter-final in Fatullah on February 6.

Qualifier Nepal, who knocked

out defending champions South Africa from the Super League, await the winner of today’s clash between Bangladesh and Namibia in the quarter-final in Mirpur on February 5.

Pant said he was disappointed to miss-out on a century, admitting that he became nervous as he approached the mark.

“I am obviously not happy that I could not get a 100 ... mainly because I got a little nervous thinking that I may set a new record,” he said. “It was a good pitch for batting and I was able to go through my shots.”

Indian captain Kishan was delighted with the comprehensive win and Pant’s spectacular stroke-play.

“The way Pant was going for his shots, I was worried I may not get enough runs of my own,” Kishan said. “I am really pleased with the way we won today because it was a low-scoring game which is usually tough to win.”

Asked if India will prefer to face Bangladesh or Namibia in the quarter-final, Kishan said: “It does not matter who we play as long as we stick to our strengths and get the

basics right.”

Nepal’s captain Raju Rijal said his team had been taught a lesson on what to expect when playing against superior sides.

“The competition in the quarter-finals will obviously be very tough and today’s match was a good experience for us,” said Rijal. “We need to work harder and try and do our best in the remaining games.”

New Zealand, smarting from two losses against India and Nepal, took third place in Group D after a four-wicket win against Ireland in Fatullah.

Rachin Ravindra and skipper Josh Finnie picked up three wickets each as New Zealand bowled out Ireland for 212 and then won in the 41st over after Finn Allen scored 97 and Dale Phillips made 58.

Finnie later said: “There is a lot to look forward in the Plate Championship as we can come up against sides like South Africa.”

Afghanistan finished third in Group B with a four-wicket win over Canada in Sylhet.

Muslim Musa and Shamsurrahman Wali took three wickets each, as Afghanistan bowled out Canada

for 147 and then rode on Tariq Stanikzai’s 56 to surpass the target in the 25th over.

Afghanistan captain Ihsanullah Janat said his team gained valuable experience playing against teams like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “This tournament will help the players improve their game. It’s been a very good learning experience,” he said.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who have already qualified for the Super League quarter-finals, face-off with Mirpur tomorrow to determine the group winner.

Teams, which do not make the Super League, will feature in the eight-nation Plate championships.

Scores in brief: Group B: Afghanistan beat Canada by four wickets in Sylhet Canada 147 all out, 50 overs (Arslan Khan 38, Abraash Khan 33; Muslim Musa 3-31, Shamsurrahman Wali 3-21) Afghanistan 149-6, 24.1 overs (Tariq Stanikzai 56, Ihsanullah Janat 31; Miraj Patel 3-17) Group D: India beat Nepal by seven wickets in Mirpur Nepal 169-8, 48 overs (Sandeep Sunar 37, Rajbir Singh 35; Avesh

Rishabh Pant hits five sixes in his 24-ball 78 against Nepal.

Khan 3-34, Mayank Dagar 2-32, Washington Sundar 2-20) India 175-3, 18.1 overs (Rishabh Pant 78, Ishan Kishan 52) Group D: New Zealand beat Ireland by four wickets in Fatullah Ireland 212 all out, 47.5 overs (Jack Tector 56, Adam Dennison 46; Rachin Ravindra 3-36, Josh Finnie 3-20) New Zealand 213-6, 40.1 overs (Finn Allen 97, Dale Phillips 58; Rory Anders 4-32)

Unorthodox Bumrah gives Dhoni welcome option at the death

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - By capitalising on his chance selection in Australia, India paceman Jasprit Bumrah has afforded his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni a rare pleasant feeling -- of having a settled bowling unit at his disposal.

India's bowling frailties were laid bare in the one-day series in Australia where

their inability to defend scores around 300 in the first three ODIs cost them the five-match series.

A consolation win in the final one-dayer in Sydney and the 3-0 clean sweep of the subsequent 20-over series have, however, convinced Dhoni that he now has an attack that can help him land a second Twenty20 World Cup when the tournament gets underway in India next

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday November 03, 2015) 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) Tony Howard & Geoff Greenidge (WI vs NZ, Bourda, 1972) (2) 3 ODIs

Today’s Quiz: (1) When did Clive Lloyd captain the WI in a Test match for the first time?

(2) When was an ODI contested at Bourda for the first time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

month.

And much of his optimism stems from the emergence of a 22-year-old Gujarat fast bowler with an awkward action, who would not have made the squad in the first place but for injuries to pacemen Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

"The find (of the tour) for me was Bumrah. The way he has bowled in the last three games was really good," said Dhoni, particularly impressed by the right-arm bowler's ability to bowl yorkers.

"I've always said that to be successful in the shorter format you have to execute the yorkers.

"Whether you choose to bowl it or not that's up to you, but if you don't have that option, then definitely at some point of time, you will be under pressure."

Bumrah credits Mumbai Indians team mate and Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga -- also known for an unorthodox bowling action --

for helping him master the art and practises yorkers placing a shoe on the pitch.

His death-bowling in his Sydney ODI debut, when he took 2-40 in his 10 overs, impressed many and barely

six weeks before India begin their Twenty20 World Cup campaign, Dhoni was satisfied with the look of his bowling unit.

"I don't have to worry about the bowling line-up.

There might be one or two changes here or there: we might pick another spinner or maybe get a medium-fast bowler or a quick, but overall it has been a good setup."

Three top athletics officials appeal against life bans LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former Russian Athletics boss Valentin Balakhnichev, former Russian coach Alexei Melnikov and former IAAF consultant Papa Massata Diack have appealed against their life bans from the sport, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said yesterday.

The trio were among a number of athletes and officials banned from any involvement in athletics after a World Anti-Doping Agency report exposed the

Former IAAF consultant Papa Massata Diack

corrupt rule of former IAAF president Lamine Diack, the

father of Papa Massata.

The report said that Diack senior, who hails from Senegal, ran a clique at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that covered up organised doping and blackmailed athletes while senior officials looked the other way.

An earlier report led to Russia being banned from competition for state-sponsored doping.

The three officials, as well as Lamine Diack, deny any wrongdoing.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, February 2, 2016

National cricketers resume training … Regrouping very important, says coach Crandon

Players were involved in a football game prior to net session yesterday at GCC ground, ahead of the second half of the WICB PCL Regional four-day tournament.

By Rajiv Bisnauth THE national senior cricket team resumed training yesterday with the aim of working on their skills and sustaining their fitness ahead of the second half of the WICB Professional Cricket League’s (PCL), Regional four-day tournament.

The second half of the four-day competition will start on February 11, but the Guyana Jaguars will get into action on February 12 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Guyana Na-

tional Stadium at Providence.

However, despite being in what many would call an unassailable position as it relates to the points standing with five rounds to go - two of which they will contest on familiar territory – Guyana National Stadium, head coach, Esaun Crandon, is warning his charges against complacency.

“We took care of business in the first half, I thought we played some very good cricket there, the guys were very good during that period of competition, but having said that, regrouping

for the second stage of the competition is very important for us in terms of how well we start.

“We can’t bank on the past; we have to focus on what we need to do as a team from the first game, the former national player revealed.

An ecstatic Crandon labelled the first half of the tournament as a “total team effort” and lauded his players for their commitment and hard work, adding that they were forced to play “tough and smart” cricket.

“We did well in all departments during the first

half. The way we executed our plans was one of the most pleasing aspects for me when I looked at the guys on the field of play,” said Crandon.

Meanwhile, the players will be involved in a fourday warm-up game, starting today at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground (GCC).

The Guyana Jaguars have been a dominant force after the first five rounds of the 2015-16 season.

They have already rushed to the top of the table with 85 points, from five wins in an unbeaten campaign to date.

Esaun Crandon

Barbados Pride lie in second position with 63 points, followed by Jamaica Scorpions (53), Trinidad and Tobago Red Force (37), Windward Islands Volcanoes (29) and Leeward Islands Hurricanes (13).

After the game against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, the Jaguars will then travel to Barbados to face the Barbados Pride from February 19, then to St Lucia to play the Windward Islands Volcanoes from February 26.

In the final two rounds, the Jaguars will play Leeward Islands Hurricanes from March 11 in Antigua, before returning home to face Jamaica Scorpions from March 18.

After the first half of the tournament, left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has emerged as the leading wicket-taker, capturing 34 wickets at an average of 11.73 with four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket maul haul.

In the batting department, the diminutive left-handed middle-order batsman, Vishaul Singh, is the Guyana Jaguars leading run-scorer and the competition’s second highest run-getter behind Roston Chase of Barbados Pride.

Singh has chalked up 421 runs, 15 less than Chase, at an average of 60.14 with two hundreds.

Skipper Leon Johnson is the second highest run-scorer for Guyana Jaguars, with 275 runs at 39.28 with two fifties, while openers Assad Fudadin and Rajendra Chandrika have made a century each this season.

Blairmont Blazers take Roy Fredericks T20 Cup

The Blairmont Blazers team after winning the Roy Fredericks Memorial T20 Cup

HOSTS Blairmont Blazers easily won the Roy Fredericks Memorial T20 Cup on Sunday via the Duckworth/ Lewis method with nine balls to spare against D’Edward Warriors.

Asked to bat first under overcast conditions, Lakeraj Sookraj (27) and Altaf Khan (15) gave D’Edward Warriors a dream start, adding 29 in three overs before Sookraj was removed by Ramdhan.

Ritesh Bridelall and Khan took the total to 51 before D’Edward Warriors lost Bridgelall (12), Khan, Heeralall Bridge, Devindra Lalsa and Eon Abel, to slip to 72-6 when the rains came after 12.3 overs.

Set the Duckworth/Lewis-adjusted target of 73 from 9.3 overs after rain brought a premature end to the D’Edward Warriors innings, the hosts made the worst possible start when Nick Ramsaroop

Captain of the victorious Blairmont Blazers team Shabeer Baksh collects the trophy.

was run-out for three, at 6-1.

However, Mahendra Singh (18) joined forces with Kevon Jawair (27), and together the pair took the Blazers to 46, before Singh was dismissed.

Former Berbice Under-17 opening batsman Zameer Inshan (17 not out) then dominated a 19-run third-wicket stand with Jawahir which eventually took the Blazers within sight of victory.

With eight runs required

from 15 deliveries after the dismissal of Jawahir and Permanand Ramdhan, Javid Karim and Inshan took their team home safely. Kevon Jawahir was named player-of-the-final.

Meanwhile, the first semi-final game was reduced to 15 overs aside, due to rain.

Cotton Tree Die Hard lost to D’Edward Warriors by nine runs.

Scores: D’Edward Warriors 143-4 with Ritesh Bridelall 42 not out and Devindra Lalsa 34. In reply Cotton Tree Die Hard made 132-9 with Nashad Gafoor 41 and B. Persaud 43. Ritesh Bridelall took 5-9 bowling for the winners.

The other semi-final game which was reduced to 12 overs aside saw Blairmont Blazers defeat Bath Underdogs by five wickets.

Scores: Bath Underdogs made 74-8 with Avishkar Sewkarran hitting 32. Waqar Hassan 3-18, Shabeer Baksh 2-14 and Kevon Jawahir 2-15 were the successful bowlers for the Blazers.

In reply, the Blazers reached 75-5, with Nick Ramsaroop 40 not out.

The one-day event was held in memory of the late West Indies opening batsman Roy Fredericks. All

proceeds from the day’s event will assist in the managing and development of the club.

India knock Windies off top T20 rank KINGSTON, Jamaica — India batsman Virat Kohli’s excellent run of form in the just-concluded series against Australia has allowed him to hold on to the status of world’s number-one ICC T20I TEAM ranked Twenty20 International batsCHAMPIONSHIP man in the latest ICC (as on February 1, after Player Rankings for the conclusion of T20I batsmen, which Australia/India series were released yesterday.

RANK TEAM POINTS The ICC T20I 1.

India 120 Championship table 2.

West Indies 118 Sri Lanka 118 now has India in the 3.

England 117 top position, while 4.

New Zealand 116 Australia have dropped 5.

6.

South Africa 115 six places to eighth.

Pakistan 113 India now lead 7.

Australia 110 second-ranked West 8.

Afghanistan 80 Indies by two points, 9.

Scotland 66 just ahead of ICC 10.

11.

Bangladesh 64 World Twenty20 12.

Hong Kong 62 2016 set to start in 13.

Netherlands 61 Nagpur India on 14.

Zimbabwe 54 March 8.

15.

Ireland 42

Brazil government sees no risk of cancelling Olympics due to Zika BRASILIA, Brazil (Reuters) - There is no risk of cancelling the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this year due to an outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, which has been linked to birth defects in newborns, President Dilma Rousseff's chief of staff said yesterday.

"We have to explain to those coming to Brazil, the athletes, that there is zero risk if you are not a pregnant women," Rousseff's chief of staff, Jaques Wagner, told reporters.

FIFA cuts off funding to scandal-hit CONCACAF and CONMEBOL

Juan Angel Napout

Alfredo Hawit

By Simon Evans MIAMI, USA (Reuters) - FIFA has cut off funding to the corruption-hit confederations for football in the Americas, the global football body said yesterday, in a move which could cause future cash flow problems for the two organisations.

The two bodies, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, have been at the centre of a corruption scandal that has engulfed world football and seen 41 individuals and entities charged in the United States on a variety of graft-related offences.

"We can confirm that in light of current proceedings involving individuals related to CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, FIFA has put contributions towards these two Confederations on hold until further notice," said a FIFA spokesperson.

"We are currently assessing further steps to be taken to increase the level of assurance which may again enable FIFA to release such funds in the future."

A source close to CONCACAF said it had not received $10 million in payments from FIFA, including expected World Cup revenues and

GTT/GRFU 15s Rugby League

University of Guyana ‘school’ Police 64-5

Story on page 24

Jeffrey Webb

Jack Warner

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UG Wolves captain Ryan Dey powers his way past the hapless GPF Falcons defence during the GRFU 15s League at the National Park. (Photo compliments of the GRFU)

money from the global body's Financial Assistance Programme.

CONMEBOL is responsible for the sport in South America while CONCACAF covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

In a statement, CONCACAF said it had fulfilled all FIFA requests for documents and information "regarding the new administrative, compliance, and procurement processes that have been implemented at the Confederation to ensure the issue is resolved in a timely manner".

CONMEBOL was not immediately available for comment.

St John’s College, St Rose’s High and Mae’s in winners row

Story on page 24

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CONCACAF has seen its last three presidents indicted by the Department of Justice, with Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner, Cayman Islander Jeffrey Webb and Honduran Alfredo Hawit, all facing charges.

CONMEBOL has had former president Nicolas Leoz and their most recent leader Juan Angel Napout, both of Paraguay, indicted along with several other leading officials.

The two organisations are due to hold a joint 'Copa America' tournament in the United States in June to celebrate CONMEBOL's centenary.

This Charlestown Secondary player goes airborne to head the ball, during his side’s 3-1 loss to St Rose’s High School.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016