Chronicle 02 21 2016

Accelerated development No. 104469

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Price: $140

(VAT INCLUSIVE)

- PM, five ministers in Region Nine to lay out development plans

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Mashin’ down de road!

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Students from nursery to secondary schools paraded the streets of the capital on Saturday for the annual Children’s Costume and Float Parade to mark the country’s Republic anniversary, which will be celebrated on Tuesday (Cullen Bess-Nelson photos)

Essequibo woman in dramatic 10 rescue faces uncertain future Page

De Professor captures Calypso title

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Singer Poonam Singh turns to pageantry

(Pepperpot inside)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Mashin’ down de road!

By Daniel Haynes Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson

IN what was a display for all ages, the Children’s Road Mash parade did not disappoint, and was heralded by judges as one of the best they have seen in a while.

“Mashers,” spectators, parents and students all crowded the route and then the National Park to witness the colourful event.

All the bands were asked

to assemble for a start time of 10: 00hrs at the Parade Ground on Middle and Carmichael Streets, and they did not disobey. Bands consisting of students from all age groups -- from the nursery level all the way up to the Secondary School level -moved off on time.

With the music pumping, students Mashin’ up the road in style with costumes (which by the way were far

Please see page 3

Guyana Police Force Youth Group Diamond Division

Winfer Gardens Primary

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016 Also capturing attention was St. John’s College, which despite their small number managed to put on a show as well.

Similarly, one of the nation’s best secondary institutions, Queen’s College, also put on a display and then exited the grounds with a steelpan rendition of Adrian Dutchin’s “I am a Guyanese.”

In a day, it was one filled with colours, floats, designs, expectations and just pure Guyanese fun.

Bishops’ High School’s Arantxa Thorne

Mashin’ down de road!

From page 2 from the jerseys and pants that spectators were accustomed to) they took off. The route took them east up Middle Street, right into Camp and then traffic stood still whilst they continued into Lamaha to make their way to the National Park. Excited parents and teachers walked alongside the floats, calling for the students to display what they had all worked so hard on during the week in preparation for the day.

When the floats finally reached the park, they all took turns displaying their

dance routines, main floats, physical displays and colours for the judges and fans.

Two schools at the Primary level showed their mettle with front-runners Winfer Gardens and St. Margaret’s setting the tone for the rest of the primary as well as secondary schools to follows.

The scorching rays of the sun from the heavens above as well as the heat bouncing off of the National Park tarmac did not stop the exuberance of the children who participated from showing through.

The already packed-to-ca-

pacity crowd came alive with every school which passed through the gates to take the proverbial floor, and showed their appreciation for the efforts of each school.

At the secondary level, seeming crowd favourites the Bishops’ High School, with their Lady Guyana Float designed by Vishal Roopnarine, pulled by Arantxa Thorne and then Oyinola Barrow, brought excitement to the floor with a splendid dance routine consistent with that of an adult band.

Students did not fail to wow and capture the hearts, stimulate the imagination and make life hard for judges who were tasked with giving results. As one of the judges said: “This year the costumes were fantastic, colour schemes lovely and more students were out and about participating.”

It truly shows that Guyanese youth are keeping the theme “Celebrating Guyana through Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

West Dem Road Safety body eyes countrywide partnerships

THE West Demerara Road Safety Association (WDRSA), headed by Shahabudeen Hack, plans to engage other divisional road safety associations, and police in those divisions, to further push the importance of effective and safe road usage.

During this week, the WDRSA recommenced work in its original district, targeting the West Coast Demerara and East Bank Essequibo, where motorists and other road users were sensitized on the importance of adherence to the road codes.

Speaking with the Chronicle, Hack said that, on February 12, 2016, the members of the WDRSA travelled to Parika, where they held a public awareness and sensitisation campaign, interacted with persons, and distributed flyers to almost everyone with whom they came in contact, including school children.

Hack said the WDRSA’s goal is to reinforce the basic traffic laws, such as the use of helmets and seat belts, which have been identified as the major causes of death in many road accidents.

The body, on Tuesday, moved to the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling, WCD, where it carried out the same exercise and also handed out flyers as it interacted on a one-on-one basis with road users.

Posing for a photo opportunity before getting the job done during the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling outreach

The team at the Parika, EBE outreach

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HINDS’SIGHT

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

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Our Independence Failings - State violence and political decay

Dr David Hinds I CONTINUE to believe that we in the Caribbean have made tremendously positive contributions to world civilization. From the bondage of slavery, through indentureship and colonization, to the contemporary independence era, our people have made their mark on the world, always defying the odds and surviving.

Given our history of bondage and our survival and overcoming of its gross inhumanity, we constantly have something to tell the world about human rights and human dignity. And we have done so in our art, our music, our dance, our written word, our cricket, our intellectual production, and our advocacy on behalf of righteousness. Ours has been a critique of the worst in the human experience, constantly reminding the world of its obligation to equality, justice and fairness.

But there are aspects of our recent experience that fly in the face of that tradition.

Our Independence, which is 50 years old this year, has not always held to the principles which have historically shaped our worldview.

There has been a sort of

contradiction between our soul and our politics — perhaps hypocrisy.

In many respects, we have mimicked the very political culture we fought so valiantly against and ultimately overcame. Many have correctly pointed to the freedom initiatives taken in our politics and economics — our struggles to turn plantations into nations. We correctly laud our maximum leaders for showing the way, for standing up for us — vision flowed aplenty.

But we have to be honest to ourselves about one profound thing: In the process, we devoured one another. The post-colonial or independence state, replete with all the characteristics of colonial domination, has been the antithesis of Independence. We have failed miserably in the area of human rights for our weak, our powerless, our sufferers and those who dared to stand with them. We in the Caribbean never learned how to deal with dissent in our politics.

We stood with our African brethren against racial apartheid while we practised a vicious political and social apartheid at home. Our reach for education as liberation produced some of the

best minds in the world, but we marginalised and killed those very minds in the name of the party and the state. We marched with workers in 1962 and 1966, but turned the guns of the state on them in 1963 and 1967.

This past week has been revealing for us here in Guyana. After six long years, those who have been suspected of terrorising Freddie Kissoon have been apprehended, and will face the law. Freddie represents dissent. He continues to speak up for the defenceless, and for that he has been subjected to viciousness of the state. I was walking with Freddie and others in the vicinity of our Parliament Buildings one night four years ago when he was physically attacked by cowardly men. They would have killed him if we were not there.

In our Guyana, such attacks -- to my mind -- could not be carried out without the knowledge and perhaps direction of those who run the state.

We have also learned that new suspects are being questioned about Courtney Crum-Ewing’s murder.

This young man was gunned down while urging citizens to vote. The political directorate and the police never

seemed interested in solving the crime.

The guns of the state are deadly, but the cover-ups which follow the crime are sickening; and for me, they are as dangerous as the gunmen. Courtney’s parents have been crying for justice, often in the wilderness it seems. How could law enforcement have been in the dark about who the suspects were/are in both the Kissoon and Crum-Ewing cases when every other person on the street knew the story?

And finally they killed him. I remember those words 36 years later. They had killed Walter Rodney at 8 pm on June 13, 1980 on a Friday night. I have heard many well-meaning and some not so well-meaning say that Rodney’s WPA declined after his assassination.

In their haste to talk cheap politics, they miss something fundamental: Guyana declined after Rodney’s death. The governments since 1980, all of them, have assassinated Rodney even after his death by carrying out what Elder Eusi Kwayana calls “assassination of the evidence.”

Some government officials have trivialised the act, and in the process diminished Rodney in the eyes of many

Guyanese. Some justify the murder by saying he was trying to overthrow the government, he was causing trouble.

In closing, let me say the following: Any society that condones and justifies state violence is a decaying society. Such political behaviour is unbecoming of a people who have been victims of state violence under Slavery, Indentureship and Colonialism. Let us, as a society, turn our face

away from such behaviour and recover the collective dignity we brought to our Independence.

(More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ GuyanaCaribbean Politics, and on his website www. guyanacaribbeanpolitics. com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Sunday Editor

Neil Marks

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

Editorial

Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham IF Mr. Mr. Burnham were alive, he would have celebrated his 93rd birthday on the 20th February. Probably among Guyana’s most controversial political figures -- misrepresented, maligned or admired, depending on who speaks of him or about him -- there is no intent or desire to examine this national figure through lens of objectivity and integrity. It is hoped -- and this editorial sets out to so do -- that the nation can rise above partisan and dishonest politics and “give jack his jacket.”

In recognising the 50thanniversary of Guyana’s Independence, the role Mr. Burnham played in shaping this nation’s identity and path for development cannot be supressed. Irrespective of one’s perspective on development, it cannot be ignored that Guyana was placed on a progressive trajectory under his leadership. Independence and republican status were won on his watch. It was he who signed the proclamations that put Guyana on a path of nationhood.

As with any new nation, infrastructure such as indigenous laws and cultivating identity become necessary. Our country moved from being called British Guiana to Guyana (1966), then to the Cooperative Republic (1970), and our identification likewise moved from being British Guianese to Guyanese.

Guyanese were no longer subjects of the British Crown. We became politically free to charter our destiny. The motto ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’ was conceptualised and developed under the Burnham administration.

It is opportune to recall his 1964 Inauguration Speech as premier. Having being dealt the hand of forging nationhood out of six peoples, and where this country’s history includes racial conflicts and

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Something is wrong in Region Two Dear Editor, ON MONDAY, January 18, 2016, the Aurora Primary and Nursery schools, the building where once the Secondary School was housed, was dismantled by a contactor in order that a new concrete and wooden building could be erected on the very site.

This building was carefully taken down to preserve the materials and zinc.

As expected, residents from the community approached the Regional Executive Officer Mr. Rupert Hopkinson to have some of the materials, in order for them to build or extend pens for rearing of poultry, livestock, pigs or cattle.

The R.E.O. rightly advise those persons to put their request in writing and send it to his office for consideration, because all the materials would be taken to Anna Regina and taken into custody of the Regional Administration.

These materials were then loaded into trucks by the workers on site, on different dates and times. I must say that sometime during the hours of darkness, the trucks headed in the direction of Anna Regina, where we all know that materials of all types and equipment are lodged, stored and parked for the Region.

More than a week after the last of the approximately 20 trucks laden with materials had left the Aurora School compound, situated right next to the Aurora Police

Station, it was discovered that not a single truck had turned up at the Ministry’s location, where they were intended to be stored.

The R.E.O. was contacted by concerned citizens of the community and by those from other areas of the region. As a result, he made contact with the persons from Aurora, me included, and a discussion was held with us on Sunday, 31st January, 2016. We were not impressed with the reasons he advanced for him not being able, at that point in time, to account for the people’s materials.

We are contending, among other things, that our grandparents, our parents, we, our children, and some of our grandchildren attended that school, maybe when it had a different structure and from time to time.

The Parent-Teachers Association, among other benefactors, has made a significant contribution towards the delivery of education in that said school, and it is galling to see that it has been stolen from us.

It is generally agreed that we would have preferred to see those materials given to the Muslim, Hindu, and/or Christian churches in Aurora, and to the many playgrounds in the region for construction and extension of pavilions.

I am saying that a lot of people from within the community -- Good Hope to Pomona and elsewhere -- are totally dissatisfied or are getting to the point of being angry as more and more information is unravelling itself into the public domain, because they

distrust, he said: “The problem of racial cleavage, racial antagonism and distress…is still with us…. My government considers it a matter of great importance and utmost urgency… that its duty is to rule in the interest of all people in this country…all the people are equally important, whether they belong to a large group or small group…all Guyanese are important and valued members of our community”.

The aforementioned presents a window into Mr. Burnham’s philosophical positon on nationhood, and was evident with the removal of barriers and the acceptance and celebrating of racial and cultural diversity as part of mainstream society.

The commencement of building a cohesive society saw one of his first activities being that of inviting the International Commission of Jurists to conduct an inquiry (1965) into the Disciplinary Force with a view and acceptance of putting systems in place to attract and give equal opportunity to all races.

In the rice industry, more lands were made accessible to farmers through the building of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary project (MMA) in Demerara/Berbice, and the Tapakuma Irrigation Project (TIP) in Essequibo.

His government embraced the programme of self-sufficiency, which influenced Guyanisation, inclusive of the Feed, Clothe and House drive, and nationalisation of our bauxite and sugar industries. Education was seen as critical to nation-building, and resulted in free education from nursery to university, to equip Guyanese with needed skills.

The government held out confidence that Guyanese possess the potential to conceptualise, develop and implement programmes for the country’s benefit. Institutions such as the University of Guyana (UG), Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), and the National

all know how many millions of dollars they were told was spend on renovation and extension of that school building during the last decade or so.

There are persons -- particularly the R.E.O., who is the Accounting Officer for the region -- who must say how much they know; when they knew it; and what they did/ are doing about what they know.

It is interesting to note that I caused an article to be published in the Kaieteur News on Friday, 15th January, on page 31, under the caption ‘the story of a missing Heart Machine’. Also mentioned in that article was disappearance of a piece of dental equipment. At the time of writing this letter, I am not sure if the authorities have located this priceless piece of equipment, or if persons have been held for questioning.

Now, less than a month later, it is the story of a missing school Now what should we expect?

Failing to have a thorough investigation into this nasty act would be an indictment on the part of the regional authorities, for they rightfully would be accused of supporting criminal activities.

It is the belief of many people that this issue would add to the long list that already existed during the previous administration. I hope that they are wrong.

Regards, ARCHIE W. CORDIS

Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) were established and expanded, and more schools (nursery to secondary were constructed, notably the multilateral schools) were built.

With the embracing of cooperative socialism, it created space for a tri-sector economy (state, cooperative and business), and government having control of the state economy. This saw infrastructural development such as the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Canje Bridge, Linden/ Soesdyke highway, Georgetown/Rosignol road, New Amsterdam/Crabwook Creek road, Linden/Lethem road, West Coast Demerara/East Bank Essequibo road.

Where unemployment was high, this approach stimulated the economy and created employment and economic opportunities for many.

On the regional landscape, Mr. Burnham influenced such establishment as the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) in 1965-1972, which was the precursor to CARICOM (1973), and the Caribbean Agricultural Research & Development Institute (CARDI).

Internationally, under his leadership, Guyana embraced a non-aligned policy and established a Foreign Service that was second to none in this part of the region, advancing our national interests and lending support to end colonisation and apartheid around the world.

The country’s message and sought-after international solidarity on the border controversy brought support from both the East and West in repelling the aggression of Venezuela.

Mr. Burnham was undoubtedly a nationalist who impacted his country, the region and world.

What awaits this society -- and it is urged that such be done -- is the work of our presidents to be truthfully and honestly contextualised, assessed and integrated in our education system.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Some thoughts on empowering children in difficult circumstances Dear Editor, I HAVE read Ariana Gordon’s article, ‘Empowering Children in difficult circumstance – ChildLink Inc. takes up the Mantle’, published in the January 24, 2016 issue of the newspaper, and am pleased with the insights and vision that were shared by Ms. Omattie Madray of ChildLink, Inc. Several critical issues were addressed as they relate to developing the Child Protection and Child Welfare agenda in Guyana. I have spent 30-plus years in delivering social service programmes in New York City, and a significant period of that time in providing leadership in the delivery of both Child Protection and Child Welfare services. I would like to use this opportunity to provide some further insights into a few of the issues that were raised in the abovementioned article. They are the use and expansion of the child advocacy centres and developing the role of stakeholders utilising a strengths-based model to support children and families, and institutional care settings versus family-based care settings.

These are all very critical elements to strengthening the continuum of care for children and families as they engage in services.

Ms.Madray stated, “ChildLink, Inc. would like to see not only more children accessing the services, but parents as well”.

When a child comes into the care of the state, it is critical to keep the parents and extended families engaged in the entire process. Therefore, it is imperative to utilize a strengths-based approach towards the families, acknowledging that even in the midst of the presenting crisis, the family’s role is very important.

Therefore, child advocacy centres

(CAC) should be positioned and viewed in the community as providing a viable and trustworthy service that would work to restore and strengthen families. The centres should develop the reputation as a place to go before the situation reaches a point of crisis. Equally important, the centre should be part of a continuum of services that inform and educate the community at large regarding child protection and child welfare policies, procedures, and practices.

Ms. Madray’s vision as stated, “We are aiming to look at how we can bring more partners on board to expand the child advocacy services”, is another very important facet of a robust child welfare delivery system.

It is very important to garner a broad base of stakeholders who are willing to accept that they play a positive role in ensuring the welfare of children and in strengthening communities.

At the same time, it must be clear as to which stakeholders have a responsibility to take action to report on child abuse, neglect or exploitation; and who is authorised to respond to situations and make decisions on behalf of the state and on behalf of the child and family.

For example, if a child or parent makes a report or complaint to the teacher, spiritual leader, neighbour, etc., those individuals should have clear guidelines as to the actions that they are required to take. Co-locating CACs with other community service centres, such as schools or hospitals, has proven to be a very successful model for responding to child welfare services and engaging the relevant stakeholders.

Best practice has demonstrated that when all relevant decision-making stakeholders are in close proximity, the com-

munication and collaboration around the family situation improves. It also reduces the trauma experienced by the child and/ or family, since they get to tell their story once, and this expedites the investigative process and development of the case plan.

Co-location fosters stronger collaboration and allows a multi-disciplinary approach and interventions based on the child, adolescent, family, and the environment in responding to the presenting crisis.

The article also addressed the issue of placing children in institutional settings, such as orphanages versus family-based settings. Several studies and research have been done on the value of institutional care versus family-based care, and none of them has placed any greater value on institutional care either in the outcomes of safety or well-being.

When I managed the child welfare service delivery system in New York City, we found it necessary to maintain institutional settings for certain therapeutic purposes.

Residential treatment centres (RTCs) was one such setting in which children with various needs were housed. These settings require a higher level of licenced and certified staff members who are trained to support the needs of the children. Additionally, the programming must be designed to respond to the specific needs of the child. Once we determined that the child had benefited from the services in the RTC (which is considered as a high level of care), the child was placed in a family-centred setting (which is considered as a more normal level of care).

The family-centred home, whether it is the child’s original home or foster home, would have received training to respond to and support the needs of the

child.

Family-based care is the most appropriate setting for children when removed from their families. It must be recognised that the family unit continues to be the primary source for socialization, and that it also facilitates the recharging of the capacities of the family.

Exploring all family-based resources as support options should always be considered and supported. It is important to identify who are the potential immediate and extended family support at the earliest stage of the services. Non-kin-related family-based resources should also be considered in the event that kinship placement of the child is not an option, or when such placement might compromise the safety of the child.

Engaging the necessary support allows for sharing in the case planning process, and affords the family the opportunity to own the intended final outcome.

In conclusion, the practice related to the intersection of the family and community is in a developmental stage, whether it is in Guyana or the rest of the world. However, despite the stage, the paradigm that is collectively supported by academics and practitioners is the need to develop partnerships amongst diverse groups, including the community and multiple systems.

I do believe that once the national vision for community development remains focused on strengthening families and communities, the relevant stakeholders and strong community participation will develop practical responses to support children and families who are experiencing challenges.

Regards, AUBREY FEATHERSTONE

Please investigate the Post Office Dear Editor, PLEASE permit me space in your newspaper to highlight to the management of the Guyana Post Office Corporation the frustration members of the public experience when they apply for birth and death certificates.

First off, when one applies for a birth certificate, it takes three (3) weeks tops to be processed, dispatched and received by the applicant.

However, persons have applied and have

never received their birth certificates or relatives’ death certificates.

When you visit the Post Office, they say it’s being processed. Now, what I don’t understand is that persons have applied since November last year, and when they visit, all they keep hearing is that the certificate is being processed.

What is the cause for the delay? It’s not the first time that people are applying for their birth certificate, and there was never previously a problem in getting it.

Further, an emerging trend is that some applicants may feel they should reapply, and they pay the additional fee for how much copies they are requesting; but if they don’t get their birth or death certificates, they are not being refunded their money. What are these people doing with the money they collect from the public, but do not refund when the applicants can’t get their certificates?

I’m therefore calling on the persons in charge to look into why people’s birth certificates are taking such lengthy time

to be processed and sent to them. And we all know that you need that document for a passport.

Secondly, why are people not being refunded the money they had paid for certificates not received?

Further, I’m calling on the Minister under which the GPOC falls to look into what’s happening at this place.

Regards, LYDIA PERSAUD

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

We can tackle climate change and national debt together

By Deodat Maharaj Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth

FOR many Caribbean leaders, the long walk down a village road after a violent storm to witness first-hand the devastation to infrastructure and to people’s lives is a stark reality they are forced to face almost every year. Equally challenging is finding resources from tight budgets to keep rebuilding the same bridge, the same road, the same school; or worrying about how to relocate entire communities that may disappear under the steady rise of the seas.

The knock-on effect for governments is ballooning levels of unsustainable debt, which make it difficult to deal with the impact of climate change, while continuing to meet the cost of

healthcare, education and the other basic needs of their populations. It means small states, some of which have a public debt to GDP ratio of over 100 per cent, are simply unable to invest in long-term solutions, because of the constraints of debt-servicing.

Interest groups in the Caribbean have made it clear that the recent climate change agreement in Paris needs to move swiftly beyond aspiration to decisive and effective action. Despite ambitious pledges, only limited funds are flowing to the countries that need the greatest help.

According to Climate Funds Update, just USD$36 billion has been pledged, less than USD$20 billion has been deposited; and little more than USD$4 billion has actually been disbursed to climateaction implementers.

The Commonwealth has

already launched a Climate Finance Access Hub to help countries secure climate financing, but we recognise that this alone is not enough.

Deodat Maharaj Our experts have been examining other innovations to address both climate change and crippling public debt faced by many Caribbean countries.

Our new idea is an initiative to swap national debt for climate- change action.

This Multilateral Debt Swap for Climate Action proposal will involve an agreement between participating climate- finance providers and debtor countries, to reduce their public debt in exchange for a commitment to use debt repayments to finance local climate-change projects.

To achieve this, the Commonwealth suggests that providers gradually reduce the value of small states’ debt by transferring some of their climate- finance pledges to the multilateral institutions owed. This effectively writes off the borrowers’ multilateral debt while redirecting the debt repayments to fund climate- change projects. Instead of repaying their creditors, governments of small states would be required to

pay into a local trust fund that will manage, invest and disburse resources for project implementation.

This approach will not only significantly ramp up the funds available to small states to advance climatechange projects, it will also generate jobs and boost the economy. Governments will make foreign- exchange savings - given that their debt will be effectively converted into domestic currency. So it’s a win-win for small states and providers, who will benefit from an enhanced pace of climate disbursements and a more effective delivery of funds to tackle climate change.

Our proposal is for climate- finance providers to decide the frequency of debt write-offs. The cost to providers will depend on the levels of their pledges and the

total outstanding debt to be written off. But we estimate that cost to be minimal, if you compare small states’ outstanding debt payments to the total size of the current pledges by Commonwealth providers alone.

The Commonwealth’s Multilateral Debt Swap for Climate Action proposal has already been endorsed by the United Nations Secretar-General. The idea is expected to be at the centre of discussions at the upcoming Caribbean Development Roundtable in St Kitts and Nevis in March 2016.

The Commonwealth is ready to respond urgently to the twin threats of climate change and unsustainable debt, and we are convinced that innovative financing, with special attention given to highly indebted, vulnerable countries, is part of the solution.

Housing sector needs comprehensive assessment - Director of CH&PA

By Rabindra Rooplall THERE is need for a comprehensive assessment of the housing sector to guide future programmes, the chief executive officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has said.

In the absence of appropriate and comprehensive data, she said decision- making has had to be reactive when it should be planned and proactive; investments are already susceptible to inefficiency and uncoordinated planning can affect optimisation of the investments.

“Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive assessment of the housing sector to help to identify bottlenecks, gaps, opportunities that can be derived and provide a sound basis for the formulation of future plans,” Pitt stated.

She was speaking at a consultative workshop for a National Housing Profile for Guyana held at Cara Lodge, Georgetown,on Thursday.

She said a housing-sector profile can accommodate a comprehensive review of the current housing delivery system, which can make recommendations for more effective housing programmes, since the key objectives of the central authority are to ensure inclusive rights- based, gender- based, well-serviced, demand-driven affordable housing and a sustainable housing delivery mechanism for persons of primarily low and moderate incomes.

“In our initial contact with UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), we were bedevilled with the lack of current data, statistics that are vital for proper analysis and assessment of the sector, since decision-making should be data driven if proper assessment is to be carried out and appropriate policies are to be formulated to address the problems in the sector,” she noted.

The housing sector remains a key area of focus in the continuing drive to alleviate poverty and im-

prove the quality of life of low and moderate- income groups. The vision is to provide mainly low and moderate- income Guy-

CEO of the Central Planning and Housing Authority (CH&PA), Myrna Pitt anese the opportunity to have decent and affordable shelter in communities that are cohesive, well planned and the basis of good, healthy living.

“This vision has to be translated through the realisation of key policies and the execution of projects to meet the shelter needs of the population,” Ms Pitt explained.

“Government currently faces considerable public pressure to continue to expand housing over the medium term.”

She said a specific analysis of the sector reveals a broad set of challenges, many of which interlock with others, that is, they form a constellation of inter-related factors that are best addressed in a comprehensive manner.

These include: substantial unmet housing demand and supply, infrastructural backlogs and declining infrastructural service levels owing to inadequate maintenance.

The CH&PA official said at the global level the government’s housing programme embraces the framework of the United Nations global housing strategy and follows the guiding principles of the human rightsbased approach to settlement development.

Adding that the housing sector is now aligned with the national poverty reduction strategy, Ms Pitt said over the years various issues

such as affordability, adequacy of housing, infrastructural deficiencies, increase in household formation and deteriorating housing stock have evolved as issues that need to be addressed in attempting to find solutions for the sector.

She said that the question of affordability reveals that many households cannot afford decent housing. Ms Pitt pointed out that the housing stock continues to deteriorate and in this scenario, opportunities exist for the expansion of the housing market, expansion of Public/ Private Partnerships and a more enhanced framework for better coordination for the planning and implementation of human settlements.

In addition, she said there is need for decentralisation in light of local authorities becoming more efficient with capacity-building at the level of communities, local and regional authorities and the stimulation of further research on issues in the housing sector.

She said that there is

need for examination of the relationship between informal and formal- sector credit systems in financing housing initiatives in the low-income group, along with analysis of the role of housing in reducing poverty in Guyana and contributing to sustainability.

Asserting that options for private-sector roles in housing development and conducting a critical appraisal of the regulatory framework is needed, Ms Pitt explained that for the implementation and management of private sector- led housing development initiatives, there is need to increase choices available to consumers.

This, she said, will result in the participation of stakeholders and consumers to guide decisionmaking in the housing sector and new approaches to accelerate sustainable housing production, which includes the use of alternative building materials and systems with the identification of global best practices that can be considered for replication.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

Setting the Context

By Gary Best THIS column marks the beginning of a series of articles designed to offer shared individual perspectives targeting the general public on pathways and activities that can lead towards a good life. It is inspired by a promise made to the Guyanese people by HE Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on the occasion of the Opening of the 11th Parliament on 10th June, 2015.

From the onset, a discussion on the challenges surrounding the meanings, definitions, viewpoints and interpretations of “A Good Life” will be facilitated. Ideas on whether a good life can be achieved through foundations of equity and/ or equality will be explored. We will investigate the concept of “balance” and /or “rebalancing” in the context of equitable access of all Guyanese to the resources of this great country.

The promise of a good life is set within the larger setting of Guyana’s Green Economy pathway. The articles will share information on the pillars of a green economy and the important sectors and policies that shape green economic thinking.

A key discussion to be introduced under this head is ways and means of achieving policy integration and alignment across sectors. The concept of “greening’”will be simplified so that ordinary Guyanese will easily appreciate the term. We will discuss in some detail and provide information on the simple steps citizens can use to contribute to a green economy.

These steps include greening activities by mechanics, teachers, schoolchildren, stay- at- home parents, miners, farmers, public servants, business owners, teachers and homeowners,

among others.

The articles will also simplify the “what’”about climate change and how central it is for all Guyanese to comprehend its significance in achieving a good life. In particular, we shall break down the meaning of the term climate change, demonstrating “how”citizens can participate in reducing the effects of climate change and begin the discussion on climate change administration, climate change solutions, and climate change education across the length and breadth of Guyana. Key areas under this head include mainstreaming climate change solutions into citizens’ daily activities through re-zoning; maximising the use of natural sunlight and wind during building construction; and designing future land sites to take full advantage of nature’s free provisions. How “green tourism” contributes to a good life will also be explored. In particular, we will discuss “greening” of our tourism industry with particular emphasis on our training institutions, tourism personnel, and its linkages to climate- change solutions.

The importance of clean energy and waste management will be explored, particularly with respect to participation of the citizenry in the process. To this end, we will explore ways and means to reduce the amounts we pay on our light bills, how to conduct household energy audits, sources of clean energy, household techniques for disposing of garbage, waste- reduction and separation techniques, and converting household garbage for reuse in flower and vegetable gardens. Integrating the use of information and communication technologies to improve the lives of citizens will be explored.

We will present options on how the Internet, radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software,

satellite systems and other technologies contribute to a good life for Guyanese. In this regard, the articles shall point to the importance of connecting our hinterland to our coast, and the numerous services government can provide to the citizens using this network.

The Good- Life promise requires human security. Therefore, a look at the national security architecture and its legacies merit some detailed examination. Citizen- oriented versus state-centric approaches to security will be discussed. Citizens’ participation in their own security is pivotal to crime breakdowns and safety improvement. A discussion on the various citizen-security programmes will be facilitated, with significant overlays at the local government level. The articles will present options on how security can benefit individuals living in the smallest of communities, exploring how best to impact them in a positive manner.

Finally, the Good-Life promise must be sustainable.

In this context, we plan to explore the application of best practices that would result in the Good- Life promise being enjoyed not only by this generation, but also by all future generations. Therefore, an examination of sustainable use of our natural and non-natural resources merits discussion, together with available techniques citizens can use to make their own contributions to sustainability. Further, a close analysis of the regenerative and assimilative capacities of our biosphere is important in order to support sustainable practises in the wider environment. The next article will look at Equality and Equity and the Pursuit of a Good Life.

(Mr Best is a retired Rear Admiral and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. He is an Attorney at Law and Presidential Adviser on the Environment. He holds Masters Degrees from the University of the West Indies and the University of London. His research areas include climate change governance, climate- change finance and environmental law.)

Civil society groups urge sensitive, responsible reporting on suicides A NUMBER of civil society organisations have called on the media to be “careful and responsible” when reporting on suicides.

The Guyana Equality Forum and collaborating partners, Global Shapers Community – Georgetown Hub; Prevention of Teenage Suicide (POTS) – Guyana; and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), in a statement, said: “Media coverage should be done in a manner that is responsible and supports the national effort to curb suicide in Guyana.”

The organsiations recognise that the rise in cases of suicide and attempted suicide has propelled the issue of the state of mental health in Guyana to the forefront of public discourse.

The media has been steadfast in its coverage of this issue, “and must be commended for keeping the issue prominent in an effort to find solutions.”

The groups pointed out that, in the reporting of suicide stories, the age, means, identity, suspected reasons and other factors are expressed in detail in reports published by the local media. Added to this, the use of sensational headlines and the fanfare of media broadcast on suicide as “breaking news” provide unintended glorification of these acts to persons who are already contemplating suicide, the groups noted.

“Not only is such reporting irresponsible, but it can contribute to the phenomenon known as ‘Copycat Suicides.’

Anecdotal evidence suggests that this may also be happening in Guyana,” the NGOs declared.

The Guyana Foundation, which the groups say is the leading civil society organisation working on mental health locally, cited overwhelming evidence from over fifty international studies which indicate that media reports about suicide have been associated with an increased rate of suicide and suicide attempts where the reporting: (1) Explicitly details the suicide method and location (2)Is prominent, repeated, and uses dramatic/graphic headlines or images, and (3) Sensationalizes or glamorizes the death.

The groups quoted Caitlin Vieira, Psychologist and Addiction Specialist at the Georgetown Public Hospital, as saying that people sometimes do not even know how to complete suicide, but that because of news pictures or clips of the methods used and unnecessary details of the means, or substances and amounts used, persons contemplating suicide are exposed to information which does not help them.

The groups said that persons struggling with suicidal ideation are oftentimes suffering from depression, which carries a high risk of suicide. They also quoted CUSO’s Mental Health Researcher Abdel Fudadin, who posited that the media broadcasts the identities and reasons for suicide, “showing little consideration for the affected families and communities.”

Fudadin said this places those suffering in the national spotlight during the grieving process, and they are often stigmatised and blamed by the public for not doing enough, or for being the cause.

The Guyana Equality Forum, Global Shapers Community-Georgetown Hub, POTS – Guyana, and SASOD endorse the following guidelines by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for suicide reporting: * Take the opportunity to educate the public about suicide; * Avoid language which sensationalizes or normalizes suicide, or presents it as a solution to problems; * Avoid prominent placement and undue repetition of stories about suicide; * Avoid explicit description of the method used in a completed or attempted suicide; * Avoid providing detailed information about the site of a completed or attempted suicide; * Word headlines carefully; * Exercise caution in using photographs or video footage; * Take particular care in reporting celebrity suicides; * Show due consideration for people bereaved by suicide; * Provide information about where to seek help; and * Recognize that media professionals themselves may be affected by stories about suicide.

The groups believe that the local media can be a strong partner in the fight to prevent suicide, and combat mental illness in Guyana by implementing the WHO guidelines on suicide reporting.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Essequibo woman in dramatic rescue faces uncertain future

By Svetlana Marshall TWO weeks after being rescued from a faeces-laden room and taken to safety, a victim of captivity, cruelty and rape is now at risk of reliving her horror story if a holistic approach to her rescue is not taken by the authorities.

On February 4, 2016, residents of Richmond Village, Essequibo Coast sang praises to the authorities after their 31-year-old neighbour had been rescued. She had, for months, been padlocked in a room filled with human faeces, urine, worms and garbage; and would, from time to time, be fed through a hole like an animal, by her mother and brother.

The woman was discharged from the Suddie Public Hospital on Friday, after undergoing treatment.

On Saturday, nurses at that hospital told the Guyana Chronicle that the Richmond Village resident, who is considered to be mentally ill, was discharged by the “medical team” after recovering fully.

Though discharged, she is still in the Female Ward.

“She is not aggressive as she used to be,” one of the

nurses in the Female Ward said. Another one added, “She is up and about, walking, talking and eating as per norm. She is not allowed to stay here, but she still here,” the nurse said.

The big question now is: where will she go? Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton, when contacted by this newspaper, said the hospital has played its part by offering treatment to the victim.

Once released, he said, it is likely that the young lady will be monitored by a physiatrist on a monthly basis.

He said it is the responsibility of the Social Protection Ministry to provide a safe place for the victim.

Guyana Chronicle was unable to contact the Social Protection Minister, Volda Lawrence; and calls to regional authorities went unanswered. However, the woman’s 62-year-old mother, who had locked her away, said she is fearful for her life with the discharge of her daughter.

When the story was brought to light, the mother of three had told reporters that her daughter had become violent after becoming mentally ill approximately seven

years ago.

She said her daughter’s illness was further compounded approximately one year ago when they both became victims of rape. According to her, they were constantly raped by a man who was no stranger to the police.

She reportedly sought help from several medical institutions and the regional welfare authority, but to no avail. Due to her failure to secure help, the woman said, she had done what she thought best – lock her daughter away.

Today, she is at “ground zero” with her daughter being released from the public hospital. The mother is now fearful that, with the return of her daughter into mainstream society, she will have to relive the violence she and her son had endured while her daughter was sick.

“If this girl come back home is back to square one.

She will beat me up, beat me son up; and fuh save me life, fuh save she life, I might got to lock she up again if she come home; but me nah want duh,” the mother told Guyana Chronicle on Saturday.

She pointed out that, just three days ago, her daughter had dealt her “two slaps” while at the hospital. “She was telling me that she want go home, suh I tell she she got to wait fuh docta, and she get vex and clap two box

in me.”

The 62-year-old woman is calling on the relevant authorities to put her daughter in a home.

“What I am saying is: put she in a home where she can get her treatment and where she can be stable. I need help, and de docta at de hospital seh de hospital is not a home; dem gun just keep she fuh de weekend, but Monday she got to leave,” the woman said.

A neighbour, Collins, who is a close friend of the family, told this newspaper that he is also concerned for

the life of the mother should the daughter return home.

“Everybody know how that girl use to beat she mother. One time she was trying to push she mother head down a septic tank,” Collins told Guyana Chronicle.

He noted that residents had to run to the rescue of the elderly woman, and recalled that during the early stages of the young woman’s illness, she was allowed to roam in the yard, where the gate was always heavily padlocked; but she started walking naked. According to him, the situation escalated in mid-

2015, when the 31-year-old became increasingly violent towards her mother and brother.

The neighbour is fearful that, if the young lady is allowed to return to her home, her mother would be forced to lock her away again.

Ranks at the Anna Regina Police Station are continuing their investigation into acts committed against this 31-old-woman. Reports suggest that the police are compiling a report to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DDP) for advice.

The room in which the woman was held captive

Sunday February 21st, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Monday February 22th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Tuesday February 23th, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

The 31-year-old woman being taken to the Suddie Public Hospital during a rescue mission earlier this month

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

‘Choose life – say no to suicide’ - message shared with Brickdam Secondary children

"CHOOSE life – say no to suicide" was the message Friday morning when a session was hosted at the Brickdam Secondary School by the Schools Welfare Unit to sensitise students and teachers about suicide prevention.

During brief remarks, Senior Schools Welfare Officer Glenna Vyphius told the large gathering of schoolchildren and teachers that suicide has been plaguing Guyana within recent

times, and reminded them of the meaning of suicide.

NOT AN OPTION She said that suicide means someone taking his/ her own life intentionally, which is often caused by depression, death of a loved one, or a traumatic experience and feelings of being unworthy. She pointed out that suicide is not an option in these circumstances.

Vyphius stated that at times feelings become

The large gathering of students at Brickdam Secondary School for the "Choose life – say no to suicide" session

Ziya Rambarran of St. Rose’s High School during her dance performance

overwhelming, leading to suicide among school-age children, because they could not escape feeling helpless, but suicide is not the answer; the answer is actually in getting help. She urged children to never act on suicidal thoughts.

Moreover, she explained to the children that suicide is not poetic, but it is a selfish act, so if one has suicidal feelings it is essential to seek help and talk to someone, whether that person is a religious leader, a teacher,

a parent or a friend.

CLOUDED JUDGMENT She said that often suicide is caused by clouded judgment through overwhelming emotional pain, coupled with depression, feelings of being unwanted, or a chemical imbalance of not being able to think straight; and in such cases, she said, one must seek help or treatment.

TELLTALE SIGNS She also advised stu-

Kirk Jardine during his testimony at the “Choose life – say no to suicide” session at the Brickdam Secondary School.

dents to look out for each other, since suicide is everybody’s business. Look for a few telltale signs of withdrawal; making statements or drawings about suicide; giving away personal belongings; hostile behaviour, neglect of personal appearance; risky behaviour such as driving recklessly, running away from home, promiscuous behaviour; and being unusually quiet.

Meanwhile, Pastor Eworth Williams, who is also a motivational speaker, told the gathering that he has always tried to make people happy, but often it came over "wrong" when he was in high school.

As a former student of Brickdam Secondary School, he said, it doesn’t matter where you start, but it matters where you go, since “God has a way, and we must harness those strengths.”

REJECT NEGATIVE TALK He explained that while in high school he was mischievous, like any other teenage student, and was told that he would never amount to anything; but he proved that person wrong because he did not listen to that negative talk.

Williams said only God can take away pain, and he does it through people who offer help in many ways, and persons must confront challenges in order to overcome them, no matter what.

He ended his talk with a prayer which was well received.

FORMER ADDICT And giving testimony was Kirk Jardine, popularly known as "Chow Pow," who talked about his life as a drug addict for 21 years, when he had a feeling of helplessness and even tried to take his own life several times. However, he came to realise that he had a purpose, and has now made something of his life by serving his purpose in being a comedian, among other things.

Jardine told the students that at age eight he began smoking, and at age 11 he was introduced to marijuana, which he abused to cover his pain when he began to have family problems, but he changed his life, since suicide was not an option, as life is worth living, no matter the circumstance.

The session was enlivened by songs and dances by a number of students.

(Michel Outridge)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

We cannot, and must not, trivialise our national symbols

AS THE nation continues the process of marking the 50th Anniversary of our Independence, truthful and honest examination is required of the journey, symbols and institutions that gave us our unique identify as Guyanese.

At this juncture, where there exists an intensification of the calls for inclusivity, national unity and social cohesion -- which I am inclined to think are premised on the desire to deepen and strengthen nationhood -- such must take cognisance of what ought to be.

The existence of our National Motto, Coat of Arms, National Anthem, National Pledge and National Flag are significant to establishing, maintaining and defending who we are as a people.

When the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was in opposition, its leadership walked around the country making the case that these national identifiers were symbols of the People's National Congress government and that party’s supporters. This was a strategy to energise the PPP party faithful to influence non-support for national programmes and events.

It is instructive to note that when the PPP assumed office in October 1992, this nation suffered the embarrassment, for quite some time, of having ministers of government unable to recite the National Pledge and sing the National Anthem.

In our 50th year, it ought to be of national import and concern that discussions were recently held in the National Assembly by our elected representatives on the issue of the

proliferation of the green and yellow colours in national projects and events. On one hand, a side of the House has expressed condemnation of this act. The other side of the House, in response to the issue, which is deserving of serious consideration, sought refuge in attributing the green and yellow colours to that of the National Flag. The discussion ended without a response and recognition by either side of the House as to the true colours of the National Flag.

The National Flag, which is named the Golden Arrowhead, comprises of green, white, gold, black and red colours. All of the colours have specific shades, given that they represent specific aspects of the nation’s resources, its people’s indomitable will, and their aspirations. These colours have been passed into law; and unless the law is changed, they remain the national colours and cannot be substituted by any other colour.

Inclusivity, national unity and social cohesion can be built only when the people of this nation unite around universal principles. In the instance of colours on matters relating to the State being involved in any event or activity, such must at all times conform to the legal colours. Doing otherwise would not only be an affront to the law, but would also be engaging in acts of division, setting a bad precedent, and creating opportunity for any successor government to lower the bar.

Subjecting this nation and its people to colour domination, inconsistent with what the law has enshrined, is counter-pro-

ductive to the national motto.

The Guyana Constitution, Second Schedule, expressly makes known that the design and colour of the Guyana Flag are interpreted as follows: The GREEN background symbolises the agricultural and forested nature of Guyana; the WHITE symbolises its water and rivers’ potential; the GOLDEN ARROW symbolises Guyana’s mineral wealth and its forward thrust; the BLACK BORDER symbolizes the endurance that will sustain the golden arrow’s forward thrust; the RED TRIANGLE represents the zeal and dynamic nature of the nation building that lies before this young and independent country.”

Given its implication for the nation’s identity, the debate about colours is a serious issue. It should not have been trivialised in the nation’s highest decision-making forum, even moreso that this branch is tasked with law-making responsibility, and in the annals of our history has approved the colours of the National Flag.

Our elected representatives need to be mindful what they say in the National Assembly, and be more informed and respecting of our national symbols; for they have a greater responsibility to set an example that would positively influence the young in our midst.

The 50th Anniversary must see terms like inclusivity, national unity and social cohesion move beyond sloganeering and be put into reality. Make no mistake: this is reliant on saying and acting in concert with our national laws.

Rehab of Diamond Well Station begins - to be completed in two - three weeks

GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) has commenced rehabilitation of the Diamond Well Station, East Bank Demerara, which is experiencing technical difficulties after large amounts of clay were detected, because of a rupture in the well -casing.

The contract for rehabilitation of the well station was awarded to Nabi Construction Inc. at a cost in excess of $12M, GWI said in a press release.

The contractor commenced works on Thursday and according to the Project Manager, GWI, Orin Browne, “The rehabilitation of the well station will involve the identification and sealing of the rupture in the well- casing, installation of a mechanical, retrievable packer, airlifting and disinfection of the well.”

It is estimated that all works should be completed within two to three weeks, according to Browne. “The duration of the rehabilitation depends on the severity of the damage on the well- casing. All measures are being taken to restore normal service to the Diamond Housing Scheme and Kaneville.”

While GWI is currently providing water via tankers, customers are still experiencing difficulty and the technical staff along with the contractor will be working to ensure that the problem will be resolved in the shortest time possible, the project manager said.

Water delivery via tankers is ongoing in the Diamond Housing Scheme and Kaneville, as GWI seeks to provide relief to customers while the well station is being rehabilitated, the release concluded.

Rehabilitation of Diamond Well Station has commenced

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Plans set for Jubilee Music Awards, Music Fest for May 1

THE Guyana International Artistic Music Awards, scheduled for Sunday, May 1, at the National Cultural Centre, will be the first major event on the official calendar for the nation’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations.

The occasion will be a red carpet affair at which the Guyana-Canada Artistic Inc. will be honouring known and recognized Guyanese in the music industry.

“This red carpet event will see the National Cultural Centre ideally transformed for a Grammy-style night of recognition of the best that Guyana has to offer. Our 50th Independence Anniversary is really a time to do this. This is Jubilee for everything, so I am excited!” said President and Founder of the Guyana-Canada Artistic Inc., Sherlock Shepherd, as he addressed a media briefing at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel on Friday.

Giving a sneak peek into what is on the cards for the Awards, Shepherd said that heading the list will be Guyana’s most outstanding artiste - the legendary Eddy Grant. He will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Others to be honoured include: Malcolm Corrica – Lord Canary; newcomer of international standing – Lisa Punch; Natural Black for the International Reggae Artiste Award; and Ian Greaves – an International Gospel Award.

“These are all Guyanese who have set the trend or paved the way for the music industry with the songs they sing at the international level,” Shepherd announced.

Outstanding artistes will be honoured in both male and female categories. There will be twelve categories, among which will be Gospel, Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Dance Hall Reggae, Chutney, Classic, Steel Pans, Disc Jockey (from radio) and Producers Awards.

Jamaican and Trinidadian Awardees Shepherd announced that the organizers will also be honouring Jamaican and Trinidadian artistes. “The reason we are honouring Jamaican and Trinidadian artistes is that Guyana’s main music right, now and for the longest while, has been Soca, Reggae and Chutney.

We don’t see a problem with honouring people whose music we (have) been playing all the time; and so we are honouring the pioneers, not the young ones,” he emphasized.

Those artistes include Marcia Griffith; Studio One Band and Lord Nelson.

Some of those involved in the Guyana Music Awards and Music Fest share a light moment at a media briefing last Friday. From left are Ian Greaves, Russel Lancaster, Lisa Punch and Sherlock Shepherd (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

GUYANA MUSIC FEST – APRIL 30TH Preceding the Guyana Music Fest will be another mega-event on the day before -- April 30, 2016. This event, according to Shepherd, will be the National Stadium’s first marathon concert, and it is slated to run for 12 hours. There will be gate prizes for patrons, and other activities for families

to enjoy under a picnic atmosphere, Shepherd promised.

Additionally, about 32 Guyanese artistes -- drawn from France, England, the United States, Canada, Barbados, Trinidad, Antigua, and two from Africa --who are performing well in whichever country they live, will be coming in for the grand occasion. Shepherd said it was considered a good gesture before the award to put on a show which can allow Guyanese at home to be treated to fine talent from which they are separated by distance.

Shepherd said that, so far, about 92 Guyanese from around the world have shown an interest in coming to participate in the activities, but that number will have to be reduced to 50, synonymous with the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

“So, as it stands, we will be having 50 Guyanese artistes performing at the National Stadium on the night of Saturday April 30,” Shepherd declared.

This is the third annual event of its kind, the first having been held in Toronto, Canada in 2008, where pioneers of the Guyanese music industry who have kept the industry going for years were honoured. Those artistes included Aunty Come See, Pamela Maynard, Aubrey Mann, and High Water. The second was held in Guyana in 2010. There was the Accolades Award ceremony also, subsequently held in Guyana.

THE SUM of $3B was approved for Region 10 (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice) by the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly on Thursday last, after some amount of scrutiny, during what the Opposition PPP described the process as a “hurried process.”

Last year, when the coalition government presented its maiden budget, Region 10, which relies heavily on mining, was granted $2.6M. But this year, being in a position to offer its first full-year budget, the government budgeted $2.6B for the total current expenditure and $412M for total capital expenditure.

In the 2016 estimates, massive increases were recorded in the current expenditure for both education delivery and health services in the region. There was an increase from $410M in 2015 to $532M in 2016 for health services, with drugs and medical supplies accounting for $141M of this amount. This allocation prompted a query from Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Bishop Juan Edghill, who questioned Minister

of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, on whether this amount was sufficient, and what mechanisms were in place to ensure that these sums are spent.

The question was based on the premise that many of the executing departments had underperformed in the preceding year.

However, according to Minister Bulkan, these programmes will be “efficiently executed” to avert the situation which was perceived to have been created in 2015; that is, the underperformance of the executing departments.

And given this response, Edghill rhetorically questioned if the minister was suggesting that there was “inefficiency” in 2015.

In 2015, the allocation for buildings was $18M, but only $8.4M were spent; and in 2016, the sum of $55.8M has been allocated for this purpose. Similarly, for land and water transport, some $8M were allocated in 2015, but none was spent.

In 2016, $6.4M are budgeted to be spent for this purpose.

PROCEDURE FOR ENTRY The awards will be judged on the basis of the international standards around the world. The entries will be judged by a panel of judges who are professional musicians and singers from different countries, and not just from Guyana. Each artiste is required to go to a website guyanamusicaward.com.

In order to be a part of the award, each artiste must submit the information indicated on the website. Voting will be done through texting and the like.

According to Shepherd, this year’s events have been endorsed by the Minister of Tourism and Telecommunications, Mrs Catherine Hughes; and by Minister within the Ministry of Education (Department of Culture), Nicolette Henry. Fly Jamaica has agreed to provide all flights for artistes coming into Guyana from abroad; E-Networks is on board to provide live streaming internationally; and the slate of artistes from both locally and abroad is growing. Other sponsors include Banks DIH Limited and Duncan’s Recording Studios.

Commuications Consultant Mr. Russel Lancaster, lending support to the initiative, noted that Shepherd is really passionate about elevating Guyanese music. Albeit, he observed, “The problem that we have is that people [at home] are not supporting Guyanese music in Guyana.”

Citing a classic example, he said, “We have a radio station and we prefer to play foreign music than to play Guyanese music. Another phenomenon that is detrimental to Guyanese music industry is that artistes have to pay the disc jockeys, or DJs, to play their music. This, again, is hindering artistes, because if you have to pay and the international artistes do not have to pay to have their music played, then obviously Guyanese music would not be played,” Lancaster affirmed.

$3B approved for Region 10 Meanwhile, $54M were allocated for the maintenance of roads, and this represents a $31M increase over last year’s figure. Upgrades to roads are expected to be done at Amelia’s Ward, Redwood Crescent, and from Reunite Avenue to St. Aidan’s Primary School; One Mile Primary, and the Constabulary Compound entrance in Linden.

Additionally, $10M have been allocated for bridges, and this registers a $7M increase over the 2015 figure. Rehabilitation of bridges and revetments is expected to be done at Katabulli, Blueberry Hill and Industrial Area.

Under education services, $100M were allocated for the maintenance of school buildings, and this represents a $34M increase over last year’s figure.

Edghill had also questioned Bulkan on the composition of the newly appointed Regional Tender Board, and the minister has promised to provide the information at a subsequent time. (Ravin Singh)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Pastor seeks seat to improve city’s infrastructure and human capital

By Shirley Thomas

PASTOR Wendell Jeffrey of the Zinctop Homes Realty on Thursday launched his bid for a seat as an independent candidate for the Eighth Constituency, Stabroek/Wortmanville/ Werk-en-Rust, in the upcoming Local Government Elections.

“My desire for being councillor is driven by the possibility that I can be involved in the decisionmaking on ways of improving the lives of the folk in my constituency, and by extension the city of Georgetown,” an optimistic Pastor Jeffrey told the media as he launched his campaign at the Zinctop Homes Realty office on Hadfield Street.

The Wortmanville/Werken-Rust constituency, he said, is riddled with high levels of unemployment, vagrancy, addicts, homelessness and criminal activity. He underscored other social ills

such as illiteracy, particularly among children and youth, and poor parental guidance.

It is obvious that central government needs all the help it can get, he said, adding that he is looking forward to partnering with the current administration through local government, in their fight to make things right and make the city of Georgetown clean and beautiful again.

“The voters in Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust will have in Pastor Wendell Jeffrey a vanguard of their wishes and concerns,” he promised, adding that with God’s help, he would unrelentingly push for plans and funding to improve both the physical infrastructure and the human capital within his constituency.” It is my desire that by the time the next Local Government Election comes around, the Eighth District will be so holistically transformed that the current negativities will be a faint memory,” he emphasised.

Jeffrey has studied at the University of the Southern Caribbean, Trinidad. He also attended the Oakwood and Andrews Universities in Alabama and Michigan respectively. While living in the USA, he founded the Practical Christianity Ministries, an organisation which addresses the needs of ex-offenders and recovering addicts.

At right, Pastor Wendell Jeffrey makes his declaration. At left is Pastor Ronald Mc Garrel, Chairman of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) Meanwhile, explaining ed States where he spent his symbol (a white dove several years, Jeffrey has INT’L BEST PRACTICES against the blue sky), he said: been doing voluntary work He comes to the table “I have chosen this as my among prison inmates, the with broad knowledge of symbol because I am equally ex-offenders and those who international ‘best practices’ interested in the peaceful and live in the streets. He has in a variety of areas. He has harmonious co-existence of written several news articles served as a pastor, prison the folk in my district.” and has had many meetings chaplain, criminologist, jourFor more than six years, about how to better the lives nalist, building contractor after returning from the Unit- of those less fortunate. and motivational speaker.

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE In summing up, he says: “I have come to the table as an independent candidate with no political biases.I promise that in my deliberations as a councillor,I will call a spade a spade. I will not allow narrow, political, partisan agendas to dominate the programmes of the M&CC. I will speak truth to power.”

Along with Pastor Jeffrey, who offered prayers at the ceremony, was Pastor Ronald Mc Garrel, Chairman of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO).

14 accidents, 15 fatalities recorded to date - GNRSC says more needs to be done for safer roads

By Navendra Seoraj SINCE the year began, the Police Traffic Department has recorded 14 accidents and 15 fatalities, including a child; while there have been 9,804 cases of road

traffic offences.

However, during a media briefing on Friday, Inspector Audrey Jordan of the Traffic Department stated that the traffic ranks have been working around the clock to ensure that there are safer roads,

and persons who breach the traffic laws are being arrested and charged.

The number, she said, has increased, considering that last year during the same period there were 10 accidents and 11 persons were arrested

Pan African Movement holds ‘The Caribbean: Cradle of Revolution’ forum today

THE Pan African Movement (Guyana Branch) invites members of the public to “Our Republic”, a forum on “The Caribbean: Cradle of Revolution”, to be held at the Pan African Gardens on Merriman Mall by Albert Street, Georgetown this afternoon.

The forum, to be chaired by Derek Archer, begins at 15:00 h, and the panellists will be Dianne Blenman, Dr. Carole Bishop, Carmen Abdul Yusuf, Dr. Melissa Ifill, Mr. Barrington Braithwaite and Mr. Vincent Alexander.

The Guyana Branch of the Pan African Movement was founded in 1988.

and charged.

Meanwhile, head of the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), Dennis Pompey, stressed that the increase in the number of accidents paints a bad picture for Guyana, because there is a perpetual rise in the number and no sight of a reduction anytime soon.

MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE Despite the many efforts to reduce the number of accidents, Pompey noted, there has been no good results so far, and more needs to be done.

He noted the decision in the General Assembly of the United Nations to declare the period 2011–2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, with the goal of stabilising and then reducing the forecasted level

of road-traffic fatalities by 50 per cent around the world, utilising increasing activities conducted at the national, regional and global levels.

Guyana, he said, is nowhere near that target. “We are the 53rd country which has not made any significant reduction since the declaration by the UN.” During the announcement by the UN, it was also outlined that there will be five pillars which countries should follow in order to ensure the target is met. The pillars are: Road Safety Management; Safer Roads and Mobility; Safer Vehicles; Post-Crash Inspections; and Better Sensitisation Methods.

And while the GNRSC has been following all these guidelines, it is still having problems in reducing accidents, Pompey acknowledged. For instance, he

referred to the government’s ban on the importation of used tyres, which will take effect in May, and also highlighted other initiatives in which they have been engaged over the past few years.

In light of the damning increase in accidents, the head of the GNRSC issued a “national call” to members of the public to come together and support the council in any way possible. He is urging persons as well as the media to highlight problems that may pose a threat to road users.

The council, he added, will be embarking on new initiatives, such as community outreaches; developing new, customised pedestrian crossings and other methods that will ensure that drivers pay attention to the road and that pedestrians remain safe.

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De Professor captures Calypso title

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

De Professor performs his winning song, “We nah put you back deh,” Friday evening. The song and the performance earned him the title of Calypso Monarch 2016 (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

By Jasmaine Payne LESTER “De Professor” Charles proved that he deserved the 2016 Calypso monarchy after bringing the crowd to its feet with his catchy and provocative tune “We nah put you back deh,” at the Demerara Park on Friday.

This is Charles’s fifth win of the title over the years he has been performing, and he has since become well known for his raunchy lyrics and high-energy performances. This year, his performance was no less than engaging, and created a joyful ruckus among the crowd which had seen only a few other lively performances for the night prior to his own.

Appearing on stage decked in a green and yellow comical romper and flop hat, he identified himself as a visitor from Honolulu, Hawaii come to admonish a certain character.

His message was pretty clear, and was equally hilarious to a crowd that was beside itself with laughter at Charles’s lyrics, which hinted that the Opposition Leader is bent on getting back into power with the prospect of oil being discovered in Guyana. And though Charles’s subject matter was no different from the majority of contestants, it was his fearless handling of the touchy subject matter of Bharrat Jagdeo, the PPP and the perceived damage it caused to Guyana during its years in power that earned him 425 points and the title of Calypso Monarch 2016.

Coming in at second place was Kenroy “Mighty Believer” Fraser with “De Coalition,” a song of praise for the carefully calculated moves that the current government has made in order to bring the country back to its former glory. Calypso Veteran Lady Tempest (Camille Goliah) came in third with “Raise your voice against abuse,” a charge to stop violence against women; while Young Bill Rogers (Roger Hinds) came in fourth with “This is what I dream”- another song of praise for the APNU+AFC government.

The show itself was relatively entertaining, with a lineup of 11 finalists, but the lack in variety as regards subject matter imposed a feeling of slight monotony at certain intervals. Unsurprisingly, the topics that dominated were those surrounding the achievements of the coalition government and the shortcomings of the PPP when they were in power. Popular targets of ridicule and satire included Bharrat Jagdeo (the star of the night’s proceedings), Donald Ramotar and Clement Rohee.

President Granger was also praised on several occasions, with many of the contestants taking every opportunity to utilise the colours of green and yellow in their performances. At certain points, one may have mistaken the huge gathering for a rally, rather than a calypso competition, with the APNU+AFC flag even being paraded during some performances.

Apart from unanimously agreeing that the crown should go to De Professor, the crowd still seemed surprised at the results, as there were other acts that they felt were more captivating than some of those that ultimately came out on top. John “Ras Marcus” Marcus’s performance of his song “They looking fuh cup” was a hit with the audience, and with good reason. Marcus employed biblical allegory to refer to President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo as the saviours of the nation.

His clever pun in the title of his song to refer to the PPP’s See page 18

Accelerated development 17

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

- PM, five ministers in Region Nine to lay out development plans

By Alva Solomon

GOVERNMENT plans to ensure Lethem and other Region Nine communities benefit from accelerated development, as plans are afoot to convert the problematic Linden/Lethem road into an all-weather roadway.

This is according to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who led a team of government officials to the border community Saturday on a weekend outreach. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence; Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix; and Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Valerie Patterson.

The high- level team met with residents at the Tabatinga Ground, on the outskirts of Central Lethem, where scores of residents from nearby and from the outskirts of the community converged to interact with the government team.

Minister added, noting that he attended the MERCUSOR conference in Paraguay recently and the government has discussed that it can move Region Nine into the direction of development faster if it links with the South American countries for investors to develop industries and create jobs in the border community at Lethem.

“So there are great plans for you in this region”, he noted, to loud cheers from the residents.

He said the outreach demonstrated that the government is interested in reaching out to citizens.

He said while the government wishes to listen to the complaints of residents, at barely nine months since it took office, it has been a feature of government to reach out to the people.

“We want to establish in Guyana what is called an open government partnership,” he said. He noted that the government is open, and it cannot makes the strides it wishes to do if it did not have the partnership of the people.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, with wife Sita, listens to a nursery school student soon after he arrived at Lethem on Saturday morning. Also in photo, from the Prime Minister’s left, are Ministers Joseph Harmon, Volda Lawrence and David Patterson it wished last year. However, he said that for the first time in over 25 years, a $230B budget was presented in January.

“We are now presenting in the parliament two budgets within five months, because [in] the first one we didn’t get to fulfil all the promises that we had made during the elections,” he said , noting that this year’s budget was drafted early in order for the government to carry out its mandate.

A member of the Rastafarian community discusses the issue of legalising marijuana with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, as his wife Sita listens in.

To Mrs Nagamootoo’s left is Dr Rovin Deodat, who is working with the Prime Minister’s Office to set up a radio station in Lethem The Prime Minister told residents that the Rupununi has received very good allocations in this year’s budget. He said that there are many streets, roadways, bridges and other forms of infrastructure which will be given attention in this year’s budget.

“In fact, the Minister of [Public] Infrastructure has told me that as soon as the first budget [2015] got out, they have started to repair the bridges and fix some of the bad spots from Linden to come up here,” he noted. He said the government expects to push the Brazil road this year to convert it into a perfect all- weather highway, and this will bring economic benefits to the region.

“I want you to know that our government has placed great emphasis on linking up Guyana with South America,” the Prime

He said the meeting Saturday was open to anyone to speak with the officials from various ministries, and that they would give an open ear.

He noted that the government has established, early into its term, a system of meeting the people, noting that he has appointed five persons to liaise with residents of five areas and his office. He said a similar contact will be established for the Lethem area to look into issues such as birth certificates.

“I’m here and looking still for a representative of Region Nine” Nagamootoo noted, adding that the person will communicate with his office in the city. He said too that the issuing of passports in the region is being actively pursued.

He said the last nine months have been challenging for the government, noting that it may not have achieved as much as

WAIVER FOR GUN LICENCES Meanwhile, residents of the region and other hinterland communities may benefit from a waiver on the rates for gun licences.

Government announced in this year’s budget that the fees would increase.

Nagamootoo said that he spoke on the issue of hunting and gun licences with Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock.

Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock reminded the residents that it was the first occasion that six ministers of government were present in the region at once.

He said that the people of the Rupununi are a special people, and he noted that the region is always leading in development. He said the new government has provided an opportunity to advance more, noting that he was happy that the government is concerned about the infrastructural development which is needed in the region.

RADIO LETHEM Meanwhile, Radio Lethem, the com-

munity’s first radio station, is expected to be on air later this year, and plans are afoot to broadcast in time for this year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary on May 26, this year.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted that since he was Minister of Local Government in 1995/96, the issue of a radio station being established at Lethem to serve the community was on the table. The project was announced during the budget debate two weeks ago.

Dr Rovin Deodat , who is working on the project, noted that it was one of the dreams of many to hear Lethem on the air, with the technology and the personnel and programmes to support such a venture. He said the project can be done, noting that it can be done as quickly as possible. To this end, he announced during the meeting that the radio station would be able to connect to the National Communications Network (NCN) in the city.

Meanwhile, Nagamootoo and the government officials stopped off at Annai, where they met the loved ones of those who perished in a fatal accident two weeks ago.

The Prime Minister said that the government officials, including Ministers David Patterson and Winston Felix, looked at the roadway and discussed what levels of safety can be implemented on the roadways at Annai in light of the recent accident.

The team of officials is expected to travel to areas around the region this weekend to discuss issues affecting residents.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

De Professor captures ...

From page 16

A section of the crowd at the finals of the 2016 Calypso Competition on Friday evening

emblem as well as their shame-faced nature due to all their mistakes was also highly appreciated.

His was perhaps the most lyrically creative song of the night, but Marcus fell short in his presentation,

which paled in comparison to his competitors. He had no props, no apparent costume, and seemed out of breath for his entire performance, therefore taking away from his lyrically appealing tune.

Abigail James also made a memorable mark with her performance of “Guyana smiling again.” It was her performance that brought the “pep rally” feeling to an all-time high with confetti, stilt walkers, men swinging brooms, men waving large Guyana flags, and hundreds of green and white balloons flying through the air. If nothing else, her showmanship and overall energy got the crowd completely involved in her rendition of how the new government has cleaned up the country and holds great prospects for Guyana’s future. The other performances, though entertaining, seemed to fall short in pertinent areas, despite soaring in some.

By the time De Professor came on stage, the crowd didn’t have much to play around with as regards a clear winner. But Charles made sure he rectified that difficulty.

Just the night before, at the final rehearsal, it was hard to imagine that the

seemingly unassuming man sitting alone awaiting his turn to practise would in 24 hours be gyrating on stage and provoking the crowd to tears with his comedic representation of Bharrat Jagdeo.

In his comments, however, one could hear nothing but confidence for what he was sure to bring to the table the following night.

He admitted that over the years the songs have indeed been getting better, which made him realise just how hard he would have to work to win the crown from the reigning King Perai.

“I really have tried my best to come with something good. The songs that I come with, I make them specifically for the competition, because I know what Guyanese people like,” he said, and it seemed as though he was right. Charles’s performance gained him the only standing ovation the crowd gave for the night. His was so entertaining, in fact, that King Perai and his song “Fight Down” spoken through the voice of Dr. Cheddi Jagan in a message given to the calypsonian in a dream, was dull in comparison, even though he was the defending champion.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Kaieteur National Park to benefit from biodiversity offset initiative THE Canadian-owned Guyana Goldfields is working closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) to implement Guyana’s first biodiversity offset. It will be one of the few in the world for this type of mining operation.

As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Guyana Goldfields is implementing a number of measures to minimise biodiversity impacts resulting from its Aurora Goldmine Project (AGM) on the Cuyuni River. These include reclamation and restoration of the mining site after production.

However, in recognising that there will still be longterm environmental impacts stemming from the mine, and in keeping with international best practices, the company has agreed to provide financial resources to strengthen management at the Kaieteur National Park.

This is as a means of compensating for any additional environmental impacts at the mining site.

Biodiversity offsets often work to compensate for

unavoidable biodiversity losses by supporting the protection of biodiversity in another location. The goal of many offsets is “no net loss” of a country’s biodiversity stemming from a development project, and to ensure that funds are directed towards improving management and protection in similar ecosystems that may be under threat.

As the first protected area in the larger Amazon region, the Kaieteur National Park (KNP) is important to the preservation of Kaieteur Falls and its significant tourism value, and is home to very unique plants and animals, many of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

Having biodiversity similar to that found in the Aurora Goldmine, the KNP is often at risk of negative impacts related to mining in the Potaro area, and requires significant resources to effectively conserve and manage its biodiversity. These risks, and the KNP’s similarity to the Cuyuni mining site, are among a number of reasons

why KNP was chosen as the beneficiary of the biodiversity offset.

Although not yet quantified, the financial support provided by this offset will run for the life of the mine, which is projected at 20 years, and will be used to support increased monitoring and enforcement of regulations in the park.

The company will also support ongoing research projects to determine the impact of the offset on management effectiveness at the KNP, and the associated impacts on the park’s biodiversity.

According to a release, as the biodiversity offset will be the first implemented for Guyana, it marks an important step in the government’s commitment to ecologically responsible development. It is hoped that this initiative will serve as a model for improved corporate social responsibility within the private sector, and set a precedent for effective public-private partnerships in the shaping of Guyana’s green economy.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Civic members named to help manage EITI

THE Guyana Policy Forum has submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) the names of persons who will make up the interim civic component of the tri-partite mechanism for managing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

(EITI).

The forum had accepted an invitation from the MNR to identify civic members for the tri-partite committee, a press statement said.

The civic component was assigned seven members, the industry sector five, and the

government sector five, but these numbers have to be confirmed by the MNR. The tri-partite committee was in the process of being formed since last November.

In the statement, the forum explained that “achieving adequate and balanced

representation of the entire civic sector, comprising community-based, cultural, disabilities, indigenous, professional, religious, trade unions, women, youth, [and] etcetera, is a major undertaking.”

GOVERNANCE CHALLENGE

According to the forum, EITI has a unique governance challenge in assigning equal power to all three components of the tri-partite committee, thereby replacing the arrangement in which the government traditionally had the last say in multi-sectoral committees.

“In the context of Guy-

ana, where governance mechanisms are rudimentary and polarised, success with the new formula in the EITI context opens possibilities for its wider application,” the forum posited.

“Recognising the need for care, the forum adopted a two-stage exercise: 1) Initially creating an interim component comprising individuals charged with developing democratic and financial probity criteria. 2) Following determination of the criteria and a period in which organisations desirous of serving in the tri-partite committee would have an opportunity, if needed, to get themselves in order, a substantive civic team will

be formed.”

According to the forum, it is “self-evident” that civic bodies responsible for managing a process demanding transparency from industrial and State bodies active in the extractive industries must themselves be compliant with minimum democratic and financial standards."

Along with the group of seven members of the civic component, five alternates will attend and have a voice, but not a vote at EITI meetings. The individuals selected were deemed collectively to possess the range of skills, qualities and experiences to contribute to establishing the EITI in Guyana.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Rutherford all-round show gives DCC NBS title

By Rajiv Bisnauth RIDING on a superb all-round performance

by Sherfane Rutherford, Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) easily disposed of host Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) by four wickets, and in the process claimed the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) sponsored New Building Society (NBS)

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:40 hrs Miss Varlicious 09:15 hrs South Paw 09:50 hrs Solar Star 10:25 hrs Diamond King 11:00 hrs Grey’s A Rockin ENGLISH RACING TIPS Ffos Las 10:00 hrs Potters Corner 10:35 hrs Supreme Bob 11:10 hrs Calculated Risk 11:45 hrs Copper Birch 12:15 hrs Midnight Silver 12:50 hrs Monkey Kingdom 13:20 hrs Fille Des Champs MARKET RASEN 10:10 hrs Chocca Wocca 10:45 hrs Clemency 11:20 hrs Winner Massagot 11:55 hrs Deep Trouble 12:25 hrs The Mumper 13:00 hrs Tanner Hill IRISH RACING TIPS Naas 09:50 hrs Vigil 10:20 hrs Uaintseenothingyet 10:55 hrs Net D’Ecosse 11:30 hrs Don’t Touch It 12:05 hrs Bright New Dawn 12:35 hrs Sunsetstorise 13:10 hrs Avenir D’Une Vie

40-over second-division title yesterday.

Man-of-the-Match Rutherford first took 2-49 to help restrict GCC to 217-9 and then slammed an aggressive 76 to steer his side to the easy win.

DCC eventually reached 218-6 off 35.5 overs.

West Indies Under-19 wicket-keeper/batsman Tevin Imlach stroked an entertaining 67-ball, 65, inclusive of six sweetly timed boundaries and a six in the run chase.

Earlier, DCC put in a disciplined bowling performance to restrict the hosts to a challenging total after Linden Lyght won the toss and put GCC in to bat.

On a flat batting track, the hosts lost Winston Forrester, run out for three before Manny Ford and Martin Pestano Belle stitched together 51 runs for the second wicket.

However, just when the partnership began to blossom, both batsmen fell in quick succession. Pestano Bell fell to Rutherford for 22, while Ford was dismissed to off-spinner Dennis Squires, also for 22.

GCC were 56-3 before Deonarine Seegobin and Ronaldo Ali Mohamed steadied the innings with a 79-run stand for the fourth wicket, but the hosts failed to build on that partnership.

Seegobin went for 26, before Ali Mohamed and skipper Devon Lord took the total to 159. Thereafter wickets fell on a regular basis, including Ali Mohamed for 43 (6x4s, 1x6) and Lord for 49 (5x4s, 1x6).

Carlton Javques had 2-39, while Squires, Ashmeed Nedd and Lyght all picked up a wicket apiece for DCC. In reply, Raymond Perez and Sachin Singh starting out of the blocks in a hurry, put together an opening stand of 40 in 8.4 overs.

However, DCC went from 40-0 to 40-2 after both Perez and Singh were sent back to the pavilion for 24 and 12 respectively, to spinners Forrester (1-39) and Pestano Belle (2-12) to change the complexion of the match.

It fell to Rutherford and Imlach to guide the chase with responsible knocks under pressure.

The pair came to their team’s rescue with a 133run stand for the third wicket.

GCC did not help their cause after putting down Rutherford when he was on 31 and with some wayward bowling; both batsmen were allowed some exciting strokeplay.

When Rutherford was dismissed after his 81-

ball innings, inclusive of eight fours and two sixes, DCC had needed a further 45 runs from 62 balls for victory.

Squires joined the level-headed Imlach, but his stay was short. However, DCC then lost Imlach and Cleon McEwan in the space of three balls to Ali Mohamed (2-41) at 202-6, but Lawrence Smith and Dexter George survived the testing period to see DCC home.

At the presentation ceremony President of the GCA, Roger Harper, thanked the NBS for its continued support for development of the game in Georgetown. Harper, the former West Indies Vice-Captain, said the tournament has definitely helped in showcasing talent in Georgetown.

He congratulated both teams for displaying a good day’s cricket.

Also making brief remarks was NBS IT Manager/ Compliance Officer Bobby Majeed, who congratulated DCC for the win and at the same time, lauded the GCA for successfully running off the tournament.

Majeed said that the NBS continues to support the game, since their aim is to assist in development of the sport, not only in Georgetown, but countrywide.

Guianas’ ‘El Classico!’

From back page project and this phase of our project we again start with our local based crew with some additions.”

Sitting alongside newly appointed senior captain Gregory Jackie Chan Richardson, Shabazz stated, “We are very happy to start this new project against them. The fans will be in for a good treat.”

Captain Richardson, easily one of the most senior members of the team having played for a number of years, urged his side to be ready for the invaders this evening.

He noted that the side has a lot of

good youngsters coming up and his role in the unit throughout the camp was to pass on the knowledge gained throughout his many campaigns.

Banks DIH, the parent company for Banks Beer was elated to be on board for the event as was conveyed by manager Brian Choo-hen, who also said Tonight’s game sees admission pegged at 1,500 for general admission to the venue with game time set at 20:30.

The preceding game at 18:00hrs will see the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) All Stars taking on the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) All Stars.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

MASSIE’S SWING…. HIRWANI’S SPIN INSIDE ON June 22, 1972 a 25-yearold Australian right-arm fast-medium swing bowler made his Test debut against England at Lord’s in London. It was the second game of a five-match series between the old rivals with England holding the upper hand, having won the first Test at Old Trafford by 89 runs on a seamer-friendly pitch.

Robert Arnold Lockyer (Bob) Massie was part of a young side led by the astute Ian Chappell who was looking to turn the tables on the English and level the series, hoping to eventually regain the Ashes they had surrendered two years earlier.

In that same year (1970), while playing in the Scottish League, he was offered a trial by Northamptonshire but was rejected.

His inclusion in the party to England was mainly influenced by figures of 6/27 in 11 overs for Australia against the Gary Sobers-led Rest of the World team at Sydney in 1971-72.

On the first day of the match, Massie was an extremely happy man. Not only was he making his debut at Lord’s-the mecca of cricket-but the day was wet and grey which was perfectly conducive for his type of bowling. To make him even more elated, England won the toss and for some benign reason decided to bat first.

He shared the new ball with the then fastest bowler in the world, Dennis Lillee, who had the batsmen hurrying and scurrying at the other end, but it was all Massie’s Magic. The seasoned opener Geoff Boycott was his first victim -- undone by a superb swinging yorker that uprooted his stumps.

His first spell went well into the afternoon, and when he was finally given a rest he had bowled 20 consecutive overs and had taken three wickets for 43 runs. When he returned, an

English revival was taking place as Tony Grieg and the wicketkeeper Alan Knott had scraped together a 96run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Before the day was over, Massie removed them both as they edged out-swingers to eagerly waiting fielders and in the process ended his first day of Test cricket with the impressive figures of five for 75 off 28 overs.

NIRENDRA HIRWANI Bowling with impeccable control and devastating swing again on the second morning, he quickly removed Ray Illingworth, John Snow and Norman Gifford to claim an incredible eight for 84-the second best innings figures on debut after his fellow Australian Albert Trott, who spun his way to eight for 43 against England at Adelaide in 1894-95.

England were bowled out for 272 and soon had Australia on the ropes, removing the two openers Keith Stackpole and Bruce Francis with only seven runs on the board. However, a flawless and fashionable 131 by the youthful Greg Chappell saw the Aussies to 308 all out, giving them a lead of 36 on first innings.

On the third day’s play

over 30,000 spectators packed into the ground to see the end of the Australian innings and see Massie bamboozle the English with greater effect second time around.

Bowling unchanged from the “nursery end,” he baffled all the batsmen with his unerring accuracy and late swerve. Lillee was racing in with venom and claimed the first two wickets-- Boycott (6) and the number three, Brian Lockhurst (4), to leave England at 16 for two.

Afterwards it was all Massie as he soon had the other opener, John Edrich, caught at the wicket and Basil D’Oliveira and Tony Grieg edging out-swingers to slip, plunging England to a tortured 31 for five.

So pronounced was his away movement, he opted to go round the wicket, finding that when he bowled from over the wicket to the righthander the ball moved too much, too early, to have its best effect.

At the end of day three he had taken seven second innings wickets for a miserly 38 runs and eventually added the last England scalp to claim eight for 53 -- returning match figures of 16 for 137-the best by a bowler on debut at the time and the third best overall after the Englishman Jim Laker (19/90 in 1953) and Sydney Barnes (17 for 159 in 1913-14).

England, bundled out for 116, set Australia 81 for victory which they got for the loss of two wickets.

Massie, for his part, could never reproduce his magic and in the remaining three matches of the series could only muster a mean seven wickets. He played a further two Tests at home later in 1972 and again his returns were minimal.

He also toured the Caribbean in 1973 but did not play in any of the Tests, even with Lillee being injured, since the conditions were not suited

for his craft. Soon he was omitted from his state side, Western Australia, and his international career ended in the space of nine months having taken 31 wickets in six Tests at an average of 20.87 runs per wicket.

The other bowler who had a sensational Test debut with match figures of 16 for 136 -- edging out Massie by a single run -- is the Indian right-arm wrist

ROBERT ARNOLD LOCKYER (BOB) MASSIE spinner Nirendra Hirwani, who played his first match against the West Indies at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Madras (now Chennai) in 1987-88.

The stockily built, bespectacled 19 year old was virtually plucked from nowhere to compete in the fourth and final Test of the series which the West Indies were leading one-nil. He had replaced the left-arm orthodox spinner, Maninder Singh, who had snarled only two expensive wickets in the three preceding Tests. His spinning partner was the offbreak bowler, Arshad Ayube, who played throughout the series.

India, desperately need-

EDGE WITH EDWIN SEERAJ

ing to win the match to level the series, ensured that the pitch was heavily in favour of the spinners. According to Wisden’s correspondent, Dicky Rutnagur, for all of Hirwani’s exploits, “he was aided, it must be stressed, by a deplorably underprepared pitch.”

In addition to the state of the pitch and his clever control and flight, he was assisted in great measure by batsmen who were determined to attack at all costs and paid the ultimate price. It is instructive to note also that while Hirwani was wreaking havoc and creating history, the West Indies specialist spinner Clyde Butts had match figures of nought for 124 off 45 overs, mainly because he was bowling to batsmen who were excellent players of spin.

India had first use of the wicket and compiled a challenging 382, built mainly on a typically aggressive century by the all-rounder Kapil Dev, batting at number seven in the order. When the West Indies batted, Dev and the left-arm spinning all-rounder Ravi Shastri, quickly disposed of the openers Desmond Haynes and Phil Simmons paving the way for Hirwani to mesmerise his opponents.

Captain Viv Richards (68) and Ritchie Richardson (36), played attackingly but West Indies folded for a disappointing 184, surrendering to India a massive lead of 198,narrowly avoiding the embarrassment of being asked to follow on by a meagre two runs.

For his part Hirwani grabbed eight for 61 off 18.3 overs, as he teased and tempt-

ed the batsmen into false shots. Several of his wickets were taken as batsmen edged his big-turning leg-breaks to the wicketkeeper or slip.

India went for quick runs in the second innings and closed at 217 for eight wickets declared, setting the West Indies 416 to win.

From all indications the plan was to go aggressively at Hirwani, but the ploy failed miserably. He stuck to his task admirably as India bundled out the visitors for a paltry 160 engineered by Gus Logie’s 67 and Clyde Butts’s 38, to give India victory by a huge 255 runs and a share in the series.

Hirwani’s second strike gave him figures of eight for 75 off 15.2 overs and to date the best match figures on debut of 16 for 136.

In the second innings he had four batsmen stumped, including Jeffery Dujon who suffered a similar fate in the first innings. All told, the Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More effected five stumpings in the second innings and six in the match-- both of them world records that still stand.

Hirwani played his next three Test matches in India and took a further 20 wickets and in the process totalled 36 victims after four Tests. However, once he left India, he found it extremely difficult to succeed and could have only mustered another 30 wickets in 13 games.

Once Anil Kumble arrived on the scene, Hirwani was relegated to domestic cricket and finished his international sojourn with 66 wickets at 31.10 runs apiece from 17 Tests.

Entries for KMTC Phagwah Day horse-race meet to close on March 6 ENTRIES for the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) Phagwah Day horse race meet will close on March 6 with club secretary Niketa Ross.

Six races are scheduled for the day’s meet at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, on March 13.

A one-mile race for horses classified `D1 and Lower’ will be the feature event and will carry prize money totalling over $1.3M, with the winner pocketing $700,000. The other top three finishers will receive $350,000, $175,000 and $88,000, respectively. The registration

fee is $85,000 per horse.

Another one-mile race is also carded and will be open to horses classified `G1 and Lower’ and the winner will earn $280,000, while the second-place finisher will receive $140,000. The third and fourth-place finishers will earn $70,000 and $35,000 respectively. Registration fee is $32,000 per horse.

Two six-furlong and two five-furlong races are also on the day’s card.

Horses classified `L and Lower’ will battle over five furlongs for the $100,000 first-prize money. The second-place fin-

isher will receive $50,000, while the third and fourth-place finishers will receive $25,000 and $12,000 respectively.

The other five-furlong race is open to horses classified `K and Lower,’ with the winner earning $120,000 and the second-place finisher receiving $60,000. The third and fourth-place finishers will earn $30,000 and $15,000 respectively.

The first six-furlong race on the day’s programme will see horses classified `H1 and Lower’ battling for the $240,000 firstprize money. The other top three performers will receive #120,000, $60,000 and

$30,000 respectively.

The other six-furlong race is open to horses classified `J1 and Lower’.

The winner will be rewarded with $160,000, while the second, third and fourth-place finishers will earn $80,000, $40,000 and $20,000 respectively.

Horse owners and trainers who would like to have their horses registered for the meet are asked to make contact with Roopnarine Matadial, (tel #3253192), Ivan Dipnarine, (tel # 331-0316), or Justice Cecil Kennard on 623-7609, 225-4818 or 226-1399.

28

SUNDAY CHRONICLE february 21, 2016

McCullum blasts fastest Test century

By Greg Stutchbury CHRISTCHURCH, (Reuters)-Brendon McCullum blasted the fastest Test century to rescue New Zealand before Australia were reduced to 57 for one by the close of day one of the second Test yesterday.

The New Zealand captain scored a brilliant 145, with his first 100 runs coming from 54 balls, as the hosts were dismissed for 370 after tea at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Trent Boult then had the dangerous David Warner caught at second slip by Martin Guptill for 12, before Joe Burns (27) and Usman Khawaja (18) saw the Australians through to the close.

New Zealand had no right to be in the position they were at stumps after being sent in to bat by Steve Smith on a green wicket and reduced to 32 for three inside 20 overs.

“After losing the toss anything could have happened,” McCullum told re-

porters.

“The wicket had plenty in it all day and we decided the best form of defence was

his team trailing 1-0 in the two-match series, led the counter-attack that began before lunch and reached

Brendon McCullum celebrates after breaking the world record for the fastest Test century. for us to try to attack.

“It’s not always going to come off but today we got a bit of luck along the way and as we sit here at the end of day one we’re firmly in the test match.”

McCullum, playing his 101st and final Test with

its bludgeoning best in the afternoon session.

The height of the onslaught came after McCullum was caught in the gully by an acrobatic Mitchell Marsh when on 39, only to be recalled as television replays showed fast bowler

James Pattinson had overstepped.

Already bristling with aggression, the second life flicked a switch for McCullum and he went into all-out attack mode, reaching his century 24 balls later with his 16th boundary.

He needed two fewer balls than the 56 that West Indies’ Viv Richards required for his century against England in Antigua in 1986 and Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq took against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.

McCullum also hit four sixes in his first 100 runs, his first before lunch securing outright ownership of the record for career sixes in Test cricket. He had started the day tied with Australia’s Adam Gilchrist on 100.

He was eventually dismissed when Nathan Lyon took a good catch in the deep to end a 179-run partnership with Anderson, who reached his fourth test half-century from 39 balls and was dismissed for 72

shortly before tea.

Lyon grabbed two wickets after tea, with wicketkeeper BJ Watling the last man out for 58.

“Credit to Baz in the way he played,” Lyon said.

“He rode his luck. I thought as a bowling unit we toiled quite hard and as a fielding unit we took a lot of good catches.

“It’s a big positive to bowl them out on day one.”

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1st innings M. Guptill c Burns b Pattinson 18 T. Latham c Smith b Bird 4 K. Williamson c Smith b M. Marsh 7 H. Nicholls lbw b Hazlewood 7 B. McCullum c Lyon b Pattinson 145 C. Anderson c Voges b Lyon 72 B. Watling c Burns b Bird 58 T. Southee c Hazlewood b Lyon 5 M. Henry c Khawaja b Lyon 21 N. Wagner c Nevill b Hazlewood 10 T. Boult not out 14 Extras (lb-2 nb-2 w-5) 9 Total (all out, 65.4 overs) 370 Fall of wickets: 1-21 M. Guptill,2-23 T. Latham,3-32 H. Nicholls,4-74 K. Williamson,5-253 B. McCullum,6-266 C. Anderson,7-273 T. Southee,8-297 M. Henry,9-333 N. Wagner,10-370 B. Watling Bowling:J. Hazlewood 18 - 5 - 98 – 2, J. Pattinson 15 - 2 - 81 - 2(nb-1 w-1), J. Bird 14.4 - 4 - 66 – 2, M. Marsh 8 - 1 - 62 - 1(nb-1), N. Lyon 10 - 0 - 61 – 3.

AUSTRALIA 1st innings D. Warner c Guptill b Boult 12 J. Burns not out 27 U. Khawaja not out 18 Extras 0 Total (for 1 wickets, 20 overs) 57 Fall of wickets: 1-25 D. Warner To bat: S. Smith, A. Voges, M. Marsh, P. Nevill, J. Pattinson, J. Hazlewood, N. Lyon, J. Bird Bowling: T. Southee 7 - 1 - 21 – 0, T. Boult 6 - 1 - 18 – 1, M. Henry 6 - 2 - 18 – 0, C. Anderson 1 - 1 - 0 – 0.

Banks DIH , Trophy Stall on board for Rising Sun Horse Race meet today ALL is set for the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice , Mashramani Horse race meet today, organised by the Rising Sun Turf Club, in collaboration with the Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service.

Over 65 horses have been entered for the day’s event, which is dubbed the ‘Hellie’s Day of racing` held in memory of the late Zaleena Habibulla Lawrie, a former vicepresident of the Club.

Eight top- notch action- packed races are carded for the day, with prizes totaling over $4.5M in cash, trophies and other goodies.

Thousands are expected to throng to the famous venue to see the nonstop action which is expected to unfold; especially with the anticipated return of Score’s Even.

All eyes will be on the “A” class event dubbed the ‘Hellie Mile,’ with Score’s Even expected to be tested to the end by the likes of the speedy Princess She’s Not, Jus Cal Me Bas, Lady Budapest and Keep On Swinging, for a first prize of $ 800,000,along with the Banks DIH trophy.This event covers a distance of 1600M. Meanwhile,Campador will be looking for a win in the event for animals classified` E and lower’ and three year old American

horses. However, it will not be easy as it contends with American Boss, Strom Bird and Giant Time, for a winner’s prize of $500,000 and a trophy, over a distance of 1400M. Settling Star will have a score to settle against the likes of Big Man Boss, Rosetta, Midnight Blues and Anfield, in the G3 and lower showdown for the $320,000 first prize and trophy, over 1000M. A large field has been entered in the race for horses classified H and lower, with the winner taking home $300,000 and a trophy ,over 1100M. Among them are Princes Paige, Bird man, Atlantic Storm, Big Man Bass, Quiet Strom, Amazing Run, Sweet Return, Hanfield, Silver Bell, Ms Lova Lova, Jumbo Gift, Mary Ann,and Party Time.

Cat Messiah leads the entries in the event for H3 maiden and I and lower horses, for a winning purse of $260,000 and a trophy, over 1100M which also has animals the likes of Fire ball, Party Time and Mary Ann. The J and lower event will see the winner receiving $200,000 and a trophy, over 1100m. Among those entered are Liquid Lion, Affinity, Plane Land, Massaquida Dr. Little and Another storm.

First prize of $160,000 and trophy is

In photo, Banks DIH Limited Manager, Mortimer Stewart, presenting the beautiful Banks DIH Trophy to organiser Fazal Habibulla, compliments of Trophy Stall. available for the winner of the race for K and lower animals, also over 1100M. Among those expected to compete are Affinity, Golden Kiss, Plane Land, Blue Lightning Confusion, Secretariat, Another Storm, and Red Region.The animals classified L and lower will race over 1100M for a winner’s prize of $100,000 and a

trophy. A large field that includes Shining Copper, Royal Progressive, Star Boy and Quincy ,among others, has been entered.

Ramesh Sunich, of the Trophy Stall, Bourda Market , will present individual prizes which include the champion jockey, champion trainer and champion stable, among others.

29

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

McCullum unaware he had broken his idol Viv Richards record

By John Mehaffey

(REUTERS)- New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum broke the world record for the fastest Test

century held jointly by his idol Viv Richards yesterday without ever being aware he was about to make cricket history.

McCullum, 34, who is

playing his 101st and final Test, struck the ball with brutal brilliance to reach his 12th century from 54 deliveries on the opening day of the second test against Aus-

Brendon McCullum broke the record for the fastest Test hundred against Australia in the second Test in Christchurch.

FIFA rejects demand from presidential candidate

By Brian Homewood ZURICH, (Reuters)-FIFA has rejected a demand from a presidential candidate to use transparent voting booths at next week’s election to ensure delegates do not photograph their ballot papers when they choose the head of football’s world ruling body.

The request came from Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who said he would take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), sport’s highest tribunal.

Prince Ali wanted to ensure that transparent booths were used at the Feb. 26 election “to safeguard the full transparency of the electoral proceedings”, he said in a statement released by his French-based lawyer.

FIFA’s 209 member national associations (FAs) each hold one vote at the election where Prince Ali is among five candidates standing to replace outgoing President Sepp Blatter, who is banned for eight years amid a graft scandal that has shaken football’s

global governing body. Under FIFA statutes, voting is secret.

The statement said Domenico Scala, head of FIFA’s

Jordanian Prince Ali bin al-Hussein electoral committee, had admitted to Prince Ali in correspondence that the voters could produce evidence of their vote by using a mobile phone.

Scala rejected transparent booths, however, and said members would be reminded that voting is secret and told

to hand over mobile phones and cameras before doing so.

“He (Scala) has said it is enough just to tell them they must not do so, and has rejected Prince Ali’s request to use transparent voting booths,” the statement said, adding that there was an “absence of any dedicated system to detect potential violations of this rule.”

A spokesman for the electoral committee declined to comment.

Jerome Champagne, another presidential candidate, said this week that FAs were under pressure to vote for certain candidates and some had been asked to provide evidence of their vote.

Prince Ali has also said that FAs face reprisals if they fail to tow certain political lines.

“Development projects mysteriously stall; tournament hosting bids are suddenly compromised or withdrawn; national teams start to mysteriously face less favourable fixtures or and even referees,” he said last week.

tralia at Hagley Oval.

West Indian Richards set the previous record of 56 balls against England in Antigua in 1986 and the mark was then equalled by Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.

“I had no idea,” McCullum told a news conference after scoring 145 in New Zealand’s 370 all out after they had been reduced to 32 for three in the 20th over on a lively pitch.

“I was trying to hit every ball for four or six. Viv was my idol growing up so it’s nice to be able to go past him on this occasion.

“But he was a cracking player, he was an incredible cricketer. I’m almost a little bit of embarrassed to go past him, to be honest.”

McCullum said he knew it was probably going to be his day when he had

an “almighty filthy slog” at his second ball which flew over the slips cordon for four.

After scoring 39, he then enjoyed a huge slice of luck when he sliced James Pattinson to Mitchell Marsh who took a brilliant, one-handed catch diving to his right in the gully.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough requested a replay which showed Pattinson had bowled a no-ball.

“I thought it was four as soon as I hit it,” McCullum said. “They do push the front line a little bit. It was quite a nice reprieve. It probably loosens you up a little bit as well, it just relaxes you a little bit more. “ Yo u k n o w y o u ’ re probably not meant to be out there. You may as well play with a little more freedom.”

McCullum, was greeted

by a guard of honour formed by the Australians when he went out to bat with his team already in deep trouble but needing to win to square the two-test series.

He attacked from the start to reach 82 from 48 balls when Josh Hazlewood came in to bowl.

The first two balls were short, preventing him from scoring.

The third was hit over fine-leg for six, the next two went for four and the final delivery was sliced over cover for another boundary to give McCullum the record, which was greeted by a standing ovation from the capacity crowd of 8,000.

“When you are confronted with wickets like that, you know you are going to have to be pretty aggressive,” McCullum concluded.

“I think we got quite a bit of luck today.”

Barbados Pride lead Guyana Jaguars by 155 runs

Off-spinner Roston Chase took career-best figures of five for 27.

BRIDGETOWN – Barbados Pride, with a first innings lead of 84 runs, were 71 for one – an overall lead of 155 runs - against leaders Guyana Jaguars, at the close on the second day of their seventh round Regional Professional Cricket League first-class match at Kensington Oval here yesterday.

The not out batsmen are Kyle Corbin on 28 and Shai Hope on nine while captain Kraigg Brathwaite was out for 33, caught at first slip by his opposite number Leon Johnson of the bowling of left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul.

Earlier, off-spinner Roston Chase captured career-best figures of five for 27 in 15.5 overs as the Jaguars, replying to Barbados Pride’s first innings total of 274, were dismissed for 190 in 61.5 overs.

Johnson top-scored with 40 while other useful contributions came from Raymon Reifer, 36, opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 31, Permaul, 30 and wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble, 26.

In other close of play scores: Scorpions 225 and 13-0, Red Force (206). Hurricanes 327 vs Vocanoes 21-0.

30

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

AAG National Championships

THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) on Friday received a cheque for an undisclosed sum from Ansa McAl Trading Ltd in support of the upcoming Smalta National Youth and Junior Track and Field Championships, set to go off on February 27 -28 at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora,West Coast Demerara.

In a simple handing-over ceremony y at Olympic House, High Street,Georgetown, the AAG received the cheque from Ansa McAl representative Anjeta Hinds, who expressed the company’s elation at once again being a part of the event, which will give a final chance to those athletes hopeful of making the Guyana team to the CARIFTA Games.

-get support from Ansa McAl

Anjeta Hinds of Ansa McCal hands over the sponsorship cheque to Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the AAG, Amanda Hermanstine , on Friday at Olympic House. Hinds and Hermanstine are flanked by AAG president Aubrey Hutson and other members of the AAG.

West Indies women begin South Africa tour tomorrow THE West Indies women are in South Africa ahead of their first taste of action in that country tomorrow.

The team is using the experience to get ready for the T20 World Cup later this year.

The first game of the tour will take place at Fort Hare against the Eastern Province Women’s team.

Next Wednesday, the West Indies Women will go into the first of three one-day

international games against the Proteas, before they take on three Twenty20 internationals beginning March 4.

All the ODI games will be played at the Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, while the T20s will be in Kingsmead, Durban, wanderers in Johannesburg and Newlands in Cape Town.

The squad to the tournament bears much resemblance to the one that dis-

patched Pakistan in the Caribbean recently.

Squad:Stafanie Taylor (Captain), Shakera Selman (Vice Captain), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Stacy-Ann King, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Shaquana Quintyne, Tremayne Smartt. (Sportsmax.com)

STAFANIE TAYLOR

Volleyball action set for Berbice on Mash Day VOLLEYBALL teams in Berbice are being kept on a busy schedule as the hectic Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) 2016 volleyball season continues.

The teams are busy preparing to take to the court for the one day open Mashramani volleyball tournament, slated for Tuesday, (Mashramani Day) at the Skeldon Volleyball court.

A number of teams from throughout Berbice, including male, female and youth teams are expected to participate in the competition.

A number of teams from the Orealla/ Siparuta areas are also expected to travel to the coast to be a part of the action.

LEVI NEDD Teams slated to take part are Port Mourant Training Centre, one, two and three, Three Door Strikers, Port Mourant Jaguars, Albion

United, No 53 Survival, Tain Humanitarian, Corriverton Jets, and Fyrish, among others.

Among the female teams expected to participate are Black Birds volleyball club, Corriverton, Berbice High School and Canje Secondary School. Other teams are also expected to be a part of the competition.

Incentives will be presented to the top teams in the various categories,as well as to outstanding individual players.

Serve off time is 09:00 hrs.

Meanwhile, the BVA in its continued drive to bolster its volleyball programmes, is

seeking to have more female volleyball teams participating in the game, and so the BVA has organised a female Volleyball outreach for tomorrow at the Skeldon Line Path Community Centre.

A number of female teams, including seniors, U19,and school girls are expected to participate in the day’s activity which is expected to get started at 09:00 hrs.

Lectures, coaching and a few exhibition games are expected to be part of the day’s programme.

Resource persons are expected to include BVA president Levi Nedd and former President Gregory Rambarran.

“Smalta is happy to be on board,”Hinds conveyed “There is nothing more important in this world than developing our youth in a positive manner and we look forward to giving our young champions the opportunity to show off their amazing skills and excelling; and we can only expect greater things from them.”

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the association, AAG President, Aubrey Hutson, thanked the company for once again supporting not just the event, but the athletes who look forward to the event.

“Again, Ansa McAL has

come on board to sponsor this event in a major way and we thank them for the support they have shown to the AAG and to the development of our youths in athletics,” Hutson said Hutson pointed out that “These athletes are highly ranked at the senior level and as junior athletes they are really and truly doing great for themselves.”

He added that “With Smalta on board now we are able to host a better tournament and we only hope that the athletes continue to support the brand, since we know what Smalta can do for you as an athlete.”

Notable Dates WAYNE `Big Truck’ Braithwaite continued on a smooth road in professional boxing when he retained the World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight title following a Technical Knock Out (TKO) victory over American Revea Springs.

The fight was held on February 21, 2003 at the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort in Miami.

Braithwaite, the second Guyanese to win a world title, dropped the American southpaw twice in round four which forced referee Tommy Kimmons to call a halt to the action at two minutes and 40 WAYNE `BIG TRUCK’ seconds of the round.

BRAITHWAITE The 27-year-old Guyanese improved his record to 19—0 with 16 knock outs. The title defence was the first for Braithwaite who won the crown four months earlier. He would have two more successful defences before colliding with Frenchman Jean Marc Mormeck in April 2005.

Braithwaite lost by unanimous decision in an attempt to capture the Frenchman’s World Boxing Association (WBA) title. In September of the same year the Guyanese southpaw lost by fourth round TKO to Panamanian Guillermo Jones.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday February 21, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to Thursday’s quiz:

(1) John Trim (2) 150

Today’s Quiz:

(1) What is Carl Hooper’s highest Test score at Bourda?

(2) How many ODI runs Sir Gary Sobers scored?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

SUNDAY CHRONICLE February 21, 2016

Road to Mecca Three to bounce off on March 4

By Stephan Sookram

BASKETBALL fans will have something special to look forward to next month when the National Club Championships, Road to Mecca Three bounces off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

O ff i c i a l l y l a u n c h e d on Friday at the 704 sport lounge, the third instalment of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation’s (GABF) knockout club championship will start on March 4 and will feature teams from Linden, Berbice and Georgetown.

President of the GABF, Nigel Hinds, contended that the third instalment of the games will take a different flow, adding, “We have the support of the corporate community and the government and we anticipate to have a fantastic spectacle at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

“We have committed ourselves to promoting the event in a manner that is not just basketball, but sports

The members of the GABF pose for a photo opportunity during launching of the Road to Mecca 3 entertainment akin to what we might see at the international level. This will extend from the beginning of the tournament right through till the end,” said the GABF president.

He spoke of halftime shows during the games, which will contain three-

point shootouts, free throw shots, dancing, singing, modelling and many other things that are expected to ensure fans have an enjoyable time.

Meanwhile, the inclusion of school teams has been confirmed by the GABF as according to Hinds, it plays

Ramnarine backs CARICOM’s call for new WICB DINANATH RAMNARINE, the former Trinidad and Tobago and West Indies leg-spinner, as well as ex-WI Players Association (WIPA) president, is backing the call of CARICOM for the disbandment of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, upon his return home from Belize on Thursday night, said that one of the matters discussed at this week’s CARICOM meeting was the poor state of West Indies cricket - off and on the field. And, according to Dr Rowley, Caricom insisted that the WICB be dissolved, based on recommendations of a cricket sub-committee.

Contacted via telephone on Friday evening, Ramnarine said, “I support the decision taken by CARICOM. Every other organisation world-wide is having a look at its governance structure. Many of them are actually being told that they have no choice but to change their governance structure.

We’ve seen a complete

restructuring of FIFA. He continued, “most recently the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the court mandated them that they change their governance structure and accept (their) recommendations.

What is taking place is that many of them are being forced to change, which is unfortunate.”

Ramnarine noted, “if you look at the governance structure of the WICB and the regional boards, they have remained the same throughout. If you look at the various regional boards, some of them are not having elections.

Some of them, their constitutions are unfair and undemocratic.”

Asked how soon does he foresee change in the WICB, the outspoken Ramnarine replied, “I think the Trinidad (and Tobago) Cricket Board should signal the need for change, and they should immediately disband themselves, and hopefully ask (an) independent body to put an interim committee and review the constitution.

“I think each of the re-

DINANATH RAMNARINE gional boards should actually allow for a process like this to take place,” he added. “(We should) allow the stakeholders then to come forward and elect people based on proper governance and so on, based on a proper constitution.

“As it is right now, unless that happens then we are really spinning top in mud.” Concerning Rowley’s statement itself, Ramnarine noted, “it’s pointing in a particular direction, that Caricom is prepared to stand its ground. They are unanimous and are prepared to go the distance to deal with this particular matter.

“At no point in time did CARICOM indicate that they want to control cricket,” he ended. “It must be categorically stated that that is not the intention.”(Trinidad Newsday).

an integral part of the federation’s development plan.

He also praised the work of Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) in this regard.

During this tournament, there will be a renewed interest in players and their on-court injuries with the GABF boss add-

ing, “During the Burnham classic, we had an incident there where there wasn’t a medic on hand and that wouldn’t happen again. We will have medics.”

Fans driving to the event have been assured of the safety of their vehicles, with security being beefed up

during the third instalment of the tournament; there will also be a police presence to ensure that order is kept during the game.

One million Guyana dollars will be shared among the top four teams and there will be special giveaways for fans during all of the games.

The 16-team tournament will feature Georgetown teams in the TGH Pacesetters, The Colts, Ravens, Guardians, Pepsi Sonics, UG Trojans, Nets, and Eagles while the mining town will be represented by the Raiders, Victory Valley Royals, Bulls, Jets, Falcons and Block 22 Flames; Berbice has Smithfield Rockers and the New Amsterdam Warriors .

Berbice will be the only team allowed to field guest players in the interest of having fair competition The first fixture on March 4 will pit the Block 22 flames against the Colts, while the Jets and the Bulls will take centre stage for game 2

Thirty days to National Race of Champions opening round

By Stephan Sookram RACE fans have begun preparing their machines for the first round of the Guyana Telephone Telegraph company’s sponsored National Race of Champions (RoC) for 2016.

The newly installed executive committee of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) confirmed to Chronicle Sport yesterday that the meet will go ahead as planned.

According to the president Mahendra Boodhoo, racing fans have already begun to set their calendars around the recently announced dates by the club and the new committee is cognisant of this.

The president said following the first committee meeting, plans are already moving apace to have those non-traditional fans aware of the event, set for March 20 at the South Dakota Circuit.

Boodhoo related that the club will begin with

its awareness campaign in the coming week with radio and television ads set to commence shortly.

Meanwhile, the committee has contended that following their recent meeting, there are plans to revamp the South Dakota Circuit ahead of the March race meet, as well as long- term plans for the Timehri-based facility.

On the other hand, racers have already begun preparing their machines for the March 20 race with several drivers and riders using it as tune- up for the first leg for the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) 2016, set for Jamaica in May. Of the two Caribbean Champions,Kristian Jeffrey at Group 4 and Elliot Vieira on the Superstock bike, the latter will be the most eager to get on track as he commences his title defence during what is expected to be one of the most gruelling years, regionally.

Jeffrey on the other hand has been the champion for two years running, winning comfortably on both occasions.

Flashback! Kristian Jeffery leads his father Kevin during the second round of the National Race of Champions 2015 (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Rutherford all-round show gives DCC NBS title See story on page 26

Sherfane Rutherford collects the Man-of-the-Match trophy from GCA President Roger Harper

The victorious DCC team poses with the trophy and NBS officials

Guianas’ ‘El Classico!’

By Stephan Sookram A CLASH of ‘El Classico’ magnitude is set for this evening when Guyana’s Golden Jaguars host the touring Surinamese A-Selektie in a Friendly encounter at the National Stadium, Providence.

These were the words of the Surinamese captain Ablert Nibete, who spoke to the media during a press conference yesterday at the Pegasus hotel in Georgetown.

Captain Nibete said that his side is a young unit but is here to play quality football against the best of the Golden

-Golden Jaguars face A-Selektie tonight!

Arrow Head.

Meanwhile, Werner Blackson the Surinamese coach contended, “we do not have the players of our champion Inter Moengotapoe (IMT) in our squad

because of international games. Also the players from the runners up Transvaal are not in the selection.

But we have a very talented group; basically it’s the u-23 group”

On the converse end, the locals will be hoping to get some revenge for their last encounter where they lost 1-0.

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz, who was at the

helm during that needling at the Andre Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo recounted the agony, but said, “Now we start a new See page 26

Golden Jaguars Captain Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson makes a point during the pre-game press conference ahead of the match between Suriname and Guyana. (Stephan Sookram Photo)

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016