Chronicle 02 26 2016

FLAWED No. 104473

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

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President Granger says Rodney CoI report relied on hearsay

Well drying up!

The Guyana Water Inc continues to work with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and all other relevant stakeholders to bring relief to residents of hinterland regions that have been hit

by El Nino. This Government Information Agency (GINA) photo shows a dried- up well at Aishalton, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo)

SOCU needs autonomy

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‌ clear funding source, more staff crucial

CDB projects Former cop strong growth charged with for Guyana 5 murder 22 Page

... says prospects bright for gold

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Allicock, Van-West Charles headed to Trent confab

VICE-President and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock is to deliver the keynote address at the 40th Annual Elders and Traditional People's Gathering Sunday at Trent University, in Ontario, Canada.

According to a release from the ministry, this year’s Annual Elders and Traditional People's Gathering will be held under

the theme: "Rekindling the Fire: Reconciliation and the Way Forward."

As such, the minister will be speaking on the topic, “The developmental trajectory of Guyana’s indigenous peoples and their indispensable Role in nation-building.”

The release quotes Director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research at Trent University, Profes-

sor Suresh Narine as saying that for more than 50 years, traditional teachings and perspectives have been incorporated into its curricular and extra-curricular programming.

He explained that Trent University was the first university in Canada and the second in North America to establish an academic department dedicated to the study of indigenous peoples

Minister Sydney Allicock and indigenous knowledge.

Whilst there, Minister Allicock is set to visit Trent’s multiple centres of excellence, with a view

Dr. Richard Van-West Charles to further deepen the relationship that already exists between Trent University and Guyana.

Also visiting Trent at the same time will be Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles.

Together, the Minister and Dr.Van-West Charles will be seeking to partner with Trent University in the areas of watershed ecosystems management, water quality and safety and specifically with a focus on the sustainable access of indigenous peoples to potable water.

The minister will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Indigenous Studies, and the Trent Centre for biomaterials research for the establishment of a new institute focused on the development of personal care, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products inspired by indigenous Knowledge.

FLAWED

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

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President Granger says Rodney CoI report relied on hearsay

HEAD of State David Granger has described the final report on the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the death of Dr Walter Rodney as “deeply flawed,” pointing out that Guyanese have been starved of the truth and closure.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted that even though almost $500 million had been expended in the past two years on the Commission, the President said that the report does not address its mandate.

The President expressed his views on the report yesterday following the accreditation ceremonies for the Ambassadors of Israel and Japan to Guyana, when he indicated it is obvious that the commissioners depended on hearsay and gossip instead of pursuing means through which the truth could have been found out.

The CoI was estab-

lished in 2014 by then President Donald Ramotar to determine as far as possible who or what was responsible for the explosion that killed Rodney on June 13, 1980.

The commissioners, in the final report, concluded that Rodney was the victim of a State-organised assassination and this could only have been possible with the knowledge of then People’s National Congress (PNC) Prime Minister Forbes Burnham.

EVIDENCE OF A CONVICT “I would like to say that the report is very badly flawed in many respects.

From the start we realised that the commission was paying a lot of attention to hearsay evidence and the most glaring example of the flaw in the commission’s report is the fact that they decided to accept the evidence of a convict.

They brought a convict,

who at the time was a constable in the Guyana Police Force. He reports verbatim on a conversation between the President of Guyana, the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force and two assistant commissioners of police and he was not present.

How does he know what was going on? And why should the commission believe that he knew what was going on?” the President said.

According to the release, President Granger noted that a key witness, who was available to the commission and had knowledge of what would have possibly transpired, was not allowed to testify.

The President noted that he plans to challenge the findings of the report.

CHALLENGE TO FINDINGS “The commission brought one of the persons who was present at that

President David Granger meeting into this country for 10 days, kept him at a hotel and then sent him back to the United States without asking him a single question. Why should the commission accept the word of a convict and refuse to bring onto the stand, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who in fact was supposed to be at that meeting with former President Burnham and was also the chief investigator into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Rodney? So

when you look at details of the evidence provided it is clear that the report itself is very badly flawed and we intend to challenge the findings of the report and the circumstances under which that report was conducted,” the President told reporters.

He added that while government had expended large sums of money on the commission and its work, in the pursuit of truth and closure, none of these has been achieved despite the handing over of the report.

“It has cost the Guyanese taxpayers a tremendous amount of money.

We could have built 10 schools with the money that was spent on that commission… They are just gobbling up money and at the same time they are not providing the Guyanese people with the truth. We supported the commission’s pursuit of truth, but the commission

has varied from its mandate and has accepted a lot of hearsay evidence and not given the Guyanese people what they deserve. That is to say, what were the circumstances under which Dr. Rodney acquired a certain device and how that device came to be detonated. That is what we want to know,” the President expressed.

The CoI also concluded that Burnham’s grip and absolute control over the Guyanese society was so firm and extensive, that he de-humanised and belittled many Guyanese by compelling them to clean trenches, canals or drains.

The commissioners also found that the late soldier Gregory Smith, carried out the killing and he was then spirited out of the country to French Guiana in an elaborate operation spearheaded by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

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Cuba eases travel restrictions

THE Cuban government has eased travel restrictions for some of the country’s best-known dissidents.

Activists said seven members of a group known as the Black Spring were told they would be allowed to make one journey abroad for good behaviour.

One of the seven, Marta Beatriz Roque, said she believed the move was a concession ahead of next month’s visit to Cuba by President Obama.

The US government has been pressing for more freedom for Cuban dissidents.

“It appears to be some kind of gift they want to present to Obama, but in reality it is nothing concrete because when we come back we will return to legal limbo,” said Martha Beatriz

--on well-known dissidents

Roque.

RIGHT TO TRAVEL The decision to grant seven of the most high-profile dissidents the right to travel, albeit for a single trip, serves several purposes.

First, it gives the Cuban government a recent example of fairer treatment of dissident leaders on the island.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly to the Castro government, the dissidents may choose to stay in the United States, removing them from the debate inside Cuba altogether.

While human rights organisations generally welcome any easing of the restrictions on the group, some of the dissidents themselves have voiced scepticism at the move.

The thorny question of

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 25, 2016

Marta Beatriz Roque, one of the seven dissidents that have been granted the right to travel on good behaviour

human rights in Cuba will inevitably be back in the spotlight of the world’s media soon during President Obama’s trip.

75 people were arrested in the Spring of 2003 during a crackdown on opposition activists.

Most were freed about five years ago on the condition that they moved abroad.

But eleven dissidents refused the terms of the amnesty, and have remained in

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Cuba, though they have be allowed to serve their sentences outside of prison.

President Obama has said his trip to Havana on 21 and 22 March is aimed at pushing the Cuban government to improve conditions for its people.

In Washington, a White House spokesman welcomed the decision to let the dissidents travel outside Cuba.

When the thaw began in Cuba and the US’s relations

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in December 2014, the Cuban government released 53 people considered by Washington as political prisoners.

But, according to the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (an independent human rights organisation considered illegal by the Cuban government), Cuba has resumed detentions.

The Commission says on average more than 700 people were detained temporarily each month in 2015. (BBC)

Growing interest in Guyana’s paddy

THE Government of Mexico has disclosed that “rapid progress” has been made in procedures for the purchase of Guyana’s paddy.

Asked to comment on reports in opposition-controlled media that the Mexico rice market is dead, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that he has been assured of “growing interest” by Mexican importers of Guyana’s paddy.

According to the Prime Minister, he received word yesterday from Mexican Ambassador, Ivan Roberto Sierra that phyto-sanitary permits to allow access of our paddy are being pursued.

The Prime Minister stated that Agriculture Minister Noel Holder was scheduled to visit Mexico shorty, and is expected to meet with his Mexican counterpart and the Mexican Rice Council.

Exploration of Mexico as a potential market for Guyana’s paddy was renewed by Prime Minister Nagamootoo during a visit in October 2015, following refusal by Venezuela to buy from Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

CDB projects strong growth for Guyana

By Alva Solomon

WHILE the Caribbean economy is currently in recovery mode after a topsy-turvy 2015, Guyana‘s is expected to grow somewhat this year, thanks to a projected rise in gold prices and continuous mining activity.

This is according to the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) 2015/2016 Economic Review, which the bank unveiled at its annual press conference yesterday at its headquarters in St Michael, Barbados.

The bank says that in 2015, output from agriculture, manufacturing and other service industries rose. It said that in Guyana, which is one of 19 borrowing member countries (BMCs), the economy experienced significant contractions during the first half of last year in the production of gold and bauxite.

This was attributed to falling prices as well as a drop in construction activity.

The bank said that activity in the mining sector rebounded sometime around June, and this was particularly attributed to a new gold mine coming on stream. In addition, rice and sugar production grew and this drove an increase in the manufacturing sector.

According to the report, the Caribbean economy experienced a difficult year in 2015 and that was as a result of the global effects of other world economies impacting

on the region.

CDB President Dr. Warren Smith told the media conference of local and regional journalists, that if one were to examine the metric of economic growth, 13 of the 19 bank’s borrowing member countries should grow faster in 2016 than they did in 2015, but “two of the stronger credits, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, would experience negative growth in 2016.” Interestingly, he noted, all the services-dependent economies should grow, even if very marginally.

He said that one could conclude that Caribbean economies are in recovery mode. “And that would be a fair comment, except that it is occurring at a time of great uncertainty in what is emerging as a somewhat topsy-turvy external environment,” he said.

Dr. Smith provided a financial breakdown of the bank’s expenditure for 2015.

He told the media that last year the CDB approved 12 capital loans, three policy-based loans (PBLs) and 62 technical assistance interventions. Total approvals reached US$292M, an increase from US$270M in 2014 and total disbursements last year amounted to US$160 million.

He said that loans totaling US$262M were transacted with 10 countries, the largest beneficiaries being Antigua and Barbuda, Belize and Grenada.

The bulk of the financing was targeted at investments

...says prospects bright for gold

CDB President, Dr Warren Smith (right), and the bank’s Director of Economics, Dr Justin Ram, taking questions at yesterday’s media conference to strengthen and modernise social and economic infrastructure, to improve environmental management and disaster risk management, to build climate resilience while promoting energy efficiency, and renewable energy and also to encourage private sector development and improvements in governance.

According to Dr. Smith, infrastructure development

plays an important role in enhancing the business environment, increasing access to employment opportunities and reducing poverty. He listed several financial facilities which will be accessible by member countries this year.

This included a £300M UK-Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UK-CIF) fund. Beneficiary countries, including

Guyana, will be able to access grant financing for new infrastructure such as roads, bridges and port development – critical drivers of economic growth and employment creation.

CDB Economic Director, Dr. Justin Ram told the media conference of local and regional journalists that the global economy fell from 3.4% in 2014 to 3.1% in 2015. He said the main reason for that slow movement was China’s economic issues which along with other events kept commodity prices low and this he noted, impacted the exporters of those products.

According to the bank, last year characteristics other than the region’s reliance on overseas markets, emerged and those included vulnerability. The bank pointed to natural disasters, including Tropical Storm Erika which ravaged several territories, including Dominica, which was hard hit.

The bank noted that the

region needed to address its vulnerability, which has had an adverse impact on sustainable growth.

Looking ahead, the CDB remains optimistic but forecasts 2016 to be a year of significant uncertainty as the recovery remains fragile. The bank called on member states to be dynamic, export-oriented, competitive, inclusive, diverse, and have environmentally resilient economies in order to reach growth on par with other developing nations.

The bank noted that key drivers along the route included private sector-led growth, an educated and flexible work force, and regional integration which would maximize gains as well as the governments to act as facilitators and efficient regulators.

Thursday February 25, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday February 26, 2016 - 15:00 hrs Saturday Februay 27, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

One-year-old coalition IT’S been a year and 10 days since the APNU and the AFC signed the historic February 14 Cummingsburg Accord which created the APNU+AFC Coalition. Three months later, the Coalition would dethrone the PPP at the General and Regional elections. It was an unlikely victory largely because of our historic, ethnic voting patterns, which had hitherto given the PPP the electoral advantage.

Many analysts have concluded that the Coalition won the election not because of any change in those voting patterns; rather, they emerged the victors in spite of the ethnic voting patterns. The critical element was the emergence of the Coalition, which served as a potent mobilising tool for the traditional and potential supporters of the constituent parties.

The road to the Cummingsburg Accord was not a smooth one—there were numerous obstacles in the way.

The process began as far back as the 2006 elections when a group of parties, convinced that no single opposition party on its own could defeat the PPP, attempted to put together a Third Force to break the monopoly of the two major parties.

Critical to that initiative was the newly formed Alliance For Change (AFC), which came into being with the expressed intention of carving out an independent space based on non-alignment with the two older parties. The Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which was once the leading Third Party and which like the AFC had championed the non-alignment approach seemed more open to an All-Opposition Coalition that included the PNC. Inevitably, the initiative fell apart on that very issue. The AFC contested the election on its own and did surprisingly well by drawing support from the PNC’s traditional base.

By the time of the 2011 election, the matter of an All-Opposition alliance was again put on the agenda. This time the WPA was even more forthcoming, but the AFC remained adamant that it would not enter into an alliance with the PNC. For that party, the policy of non-alignment had become a dogma. The PNC, the WPA and a group of Ex-Military Personnel loyal to David Granger along with some smaller parties entered into an alliance that came to be known as the APNU. In a three-way race, the APNU and the AFC were able to garner a majority of the popular vote to take control of the Parliament. The PPP, however, maintained control of the Presidency and the Executive Branch with its plurality of the votes. The AFC, which was joined by the popular Moses Nagamootoo just before the election, maintained its share of the votes, but this time its overwhelming support came from the PPP’s support base.

It was obvious that this latter development was the major factor behind the PPP’s loss of its accustomed majority.

Despite their uneasy relationship in Parliament, the APNU and the AFC managed to maintain a united front against the PPP. But the AFC still stuck to its dogma of no

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 25, 2016

Abuse at City school Dear Editor;

PERMIT me space in your newspaper to highlight an issue which is of great concern to me. At about 3 p.m. on 22nd of February, I was agitated by the sound of blows being rained down upon a screaming child over the road from where I work. I got up quickly from my desk, went outside and shouted to the teacher who was beating the child at a private school.

I shouted that she should stop abusing the child, I choose to describe it as abuse Mr. Editor, as it was lashes upon lashes which could be heard within my office more than 100 metres away. The screams of the child were more than overbearing; you can hear the pain; feel the hurt. A female, whom I pre-

sumed to be the perpetrator, came to the verandah and challenged me to do something about it.

Mr. Editor, I called the Child Care and Protection Agency who informed me that it was a matter that they could not deal with and that I should call the Schools’ Welfare Department of the Ministry of Education. The person on the line even asked me to call back for the number, which I did. I called the number provided and got on to the Schools Welfare office, I spoke to someone who informed me that it’s for the Human Services to deal with. I asked for a number which they provided; upon calling the number, I realised it was the very Child Care and Protection Agency that provided me with their contact information.

Mr. Editor, I am saddened, I am confused, I am disturbed, that the system which should be protecting our children is nothing but a dysfunctional system that does not serve the purpose for which it was intended. I say this Mr. Editor, because there is clearly a disjoint in processes. No one wants to take on the responsibility of dealing with the issue; while this is happening children are hurting; children are crying; children are feeling the end of a cane or whatever comes to the hand of the abuser. Many days we can see adverts encouraging persons to call in and report all forms of abuse; if today’s example is how the system deals with matters of this nature, then I can only understand the frustration faced by persons trying to report occurrences. I can see

someone trying to report a matter giving up because of the pushing around. It is no wonder that parents often take matters into their own hands.

Child Protection should not be taken lightly and the State and her agencies are obligated to protect those of our citizenry who are unable to stand up to the abusers who are often ones in authority. This is not the first time that the abuse has been perpetrated, it is almost a daily occurrence and it must stop. We cannot allow abusers in the guise of teachers to continually abuse our children. We need to fix this immediately, without delay.

local grass- root people and our villages, community and environment. It’s about what will those running do for the betterment of the people living in the villages and towns. But I am amazed at the PPP’s tactics of winning the various NDCs.

On Saturday 20th February, 2016, the PPP had a public meeting in Region Five at Woodley Park, the village I live in. As I sat and listened to the speakers such as the Regional Chairman, former MP Jaffarally and MP Nigel Dharamlall, I was amazed to know the level they will

stoop in making our people uneducated about the LGE and the attacks they carry out on government officials and others.

The speakers at that meeting said nothing about what they or the candidates of their

Sincerely MICHAEL MC GARRELL

Stop the attacks Dear Editor

I AM very disappointed with the way things are going now that LGEs are near and the political parties and others running for offices are on the campaign trail. Local Government Elections are all about our

alliance with the PNC. This was reflected by the party’s unilateral move to a vote of no-confidence against the government.

The APNU was never full-throttled in its support of the motion and preferred its own agenda, which centred on the demand for Local Government Elections.

Then out of the blue, at its Members Conference in December 2014, The AFC leader urged his party to drop its non-alignment stance and embrace an alliance with the APNU. From all reports, the initiative was not initially embraced by a majority of the leadership, but as with these matters, once the top leadership was on board it was a done deal. The APNU, for its part, was caught by surprise, but even so there was not much enthusiasm for the Coalition.

However, the two sides proceeded to negotiations. The AFC, it seemed, bargained aggressively; it demanded the Presidential Candidate, along with a substantial portion of the slate, parliamentary seats and in the event of victory, the Cabinet. There was much debate in the media over the top spot on the ticket with many arguing in favour of one candidate over the other. In the end the two sides arrived at an agreement with the APNU leader as the Presidential candidate. The AFC was able to get almost every other demand. After some debate by supporters of the two sides on the merits and demerits of the Accord, the campaign began in earnest and the rest is now history.

Since assuming office, there has been much speculation that the APNU has violated the Accord, particularly as it relates to the functions of the Prime Minister. Some AFC

See page 7

supporters appeared to be quite disgruntled, but as was done recently the AFC leader assured the country that all was well with the Accord.

There is no doubt that the Coalition has brought renewed optimism in the country about the political process. While it does not come close to being a Government of National Unity, the Coalition shows what can be achieved on that front if political leaders and parties are prepared to compromise.

Perhaps, the biggest compromise in the process was between the WPA and the PNC, two parties which engaged in bitter confrontations in the 1970s and 1980s and which still have ongoing tensions, especially as it relates to the assassination of WPA leader, Dr. Walter Rodney.

Coalitions by their very nature are tenuous. The experience in our sister CARICOM country, Trinidad and Tobago, tells that story. Two Unity governments in the last 30 years have both lasted a single term in office. The National Alliance for Reconstruction government 1986-91 literally imploded while the People’s Partnership 2010-15 suffered from domination by the big party and never gained traction. These are lessons that the APNU+AFC Coalition should pay close attention to. In the final analysis, one has to give credit to the Coalition; they have survived many hurdles. In the process they have given the country some hope that adversaries can work together in the interest of the country. Here is hoping that in the not-too- distant future the other faction of our political spectrum can see the light and join the Unity Train. Guyana can only benefit from such a development.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

I feel a sense of hope Dear Editor AS my Bajan (citizen of Barbados) wife and I watched the pieces of video footage I recorded from the 46th Republic anniversary celebrations, we talked of the nostalgic events of the day. Then after a brief silence she mused, “I wonder how the PPP feels looking at this”. To say that I did not consider that thought several times over the course of the last few weeks would be less than truthful, however, I would not have voiced it because my wife, though she has lived in Guyana for more than six years, is not interested in politics. I knew (or so I think) what happened in my wife’s head that caused her to

verbalise her thoughts on the night of the 23rd of February, 2016.

I first brought my wife to Guyana in 1988. We returned in 1989 to get married. In 2011 my wife returned to what she claims is a “different Guyana”.

She says that when she first came to Guyana in late 90s, Guyana was clean and the people were more happy and mannerly. She said the country she saw when she returned in 2011 was nasty and the people were not as friendly and they drove violently. (She drove in Barbados and the USA but refuses to drive here). So when she voiced the other night that she wondered what the PPP must be feeling, I am sure it was because of the calumniation of the positive things

Stop the ...

From page 6 party that will be running for Bath\Woodley Park NDC will do to better the lives of the villagers. They said nothing about that. It amazes me when the regional chairman said that we in the APNU+AFC do not want to see betterment in the region, because of what has been taking place at the RDC statutory meetings since January 2016.

The chairman told the people of Woodley Park that he was never invited for the commissioning of the buses that was donated to the region. He (the chairman) must come clean and tell the people that he does nothing by his own but only what the party and his advisers at Freedom House tell him to do and that’s what he did, stay away from an event that is geared towards developing the region that he presides over. The chairman must also be respectful and tell the people of Region Five, especially those in Woodley Park, about the reasons why the RDC meetings are not going as usual business and it is all because of his fault not to represent the people of Region Five. All we at the RDC are asking is for the chairman to respect the President, the government and the people of Region Five by publicly

apologising to His Excellency President David Granger and the People of Region Five for failing to show up at that commissioning as the regional chairman of all the people of Region Five. Is this hard for him to do? If he truly wants the work of the region to continue under him, then he should do the right thing. Unless that is done he will not sit and handle any of the RDC’s business. He is disrespectful to the people of

that have been happening in Guyana over the last few months.

I must admit that over the last five years it has been no small task trying to convince my wife that Guyana will get better. But even as I verbalised those words, a modicum of doubt tickled my conscience. My wife spoke often about the filthy condition of the country and the accompanying blamegame, the petty kind of politics, the absence of proper customer service, etc. They had all amounted to too much drama for her. Living in Christ Church, Barbados, Maraca Valley, Trinidad, and then South Bend, Indiana, were contrasting realities when compared with Guyana. Those places were clean, the people drove with Region Five.

He and the other speakers spoke about things that have no connection to the development of Woodley Park. He failed to tell the people that their village which is controlled by a PPP-dominated NDC does not have proper roads, the drains are clogged and the gate to the community ground is missing. The PPP must start educating its supporters about the LGE and move away from the empty rhetoric and divisive messages ABEL SEETARAM

care and the rule of law was in effect. So when I said, “Guyana will get better,” she would spontaneously reply, “Let’s leave and return when it gets better”.

The truth is I always wanted my wife to want to live in Guyana, because after 24 years away from home, I want to live here.

I have spent two decades away from Guyana educating myself and working.

Now I want to stay here and give back to my country. To, as it were, dedicate my energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana. So when I sensed her reluctance of wanting to remain here because of the Guyanese’ reality, I was always perturbed.

However, with her outspoken, incredulous, comment

on the night of our 46th Republic anniversary, I felt a sense of hope. I heard in her question a comparison of the two Guyanas that she had become accustomed to. And she seems to love this new one, as she loved the one in the late 90s. I heard in her musings the realisation that Guyana can become better; maybe, it is getting better.

So I am now somewhat hopeful. We have not yet spoken about what she thinks of all that is happening in Guyana these days. I am still afraid that she might not quite be satisfied and might want us to leave. What I know is that, that huge flag, hoisted in that evening wind, coupled with the massive clean-up campaign, with the equally

saturated burst of nationalistic pride (Bajans are very proud people), my wife is beginning to like Guyana, again.

So pray with me as I muster the courage in the coming days to have this much needed conversation with her. For indeed, if she decides to stay in Guyana, I would be a much less uneasy young man. And more so, I will be able to unequivocally focus my attention and energies on working to help move Guyana forward, as we become, again, the envy and pride of the Caribbean.

Regards WENDELL JEFFREY, Pastor

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Tackling financial crimes...

Irish expert urges training in intelligence gathering, prosecution GOVERNMENT must take urgent steps to beef up the capacity of key agencies involved in the prosecution and investigation of financial crimes, Irish Financial Expert, Dr. Sam Sittlington told a news conference yesterday.

He had spent several weeks at the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) observing the work of the agency and has prepared a series of recommendations for the unit’s effective functioning. Sittlington said the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), police prosecutors and members of the judiciary ought to be trained in financial intelligence, evidence-gathering, asset-tracing, freezing and appropriate laws.

The financial investigation expert said SOCU investigators were tackling a subject that had seen many challenges in other countries, including the United Kingdom. He pointed to mistakes in case files in decision-making, lack of evidence and incomplete documentation, all of which have had an impact on the rate of successful prosecutions and forfeitures here; notwithstanding that there might be other factors contributing to the successful prosecution rates.

“The Judiciary and Magistrates have made determinations to dismiss, in cases where the evidence was in place or where they did have power to make forfeiture orders. Such cases have gone to appeal.

“I believe a training structure should follow operational needs. Formal selection of staff should be followed by formal instruction in the three primary disciplines: financial intelligence, evidence-gathering and asset-tracing/freezing. “Further, training should be given on money-laundering investigation, enhanced financial intelligence and criminal confiscation.

Where possible, the training should be aligned with training for line managers and specialist prosecutors. Moreover, the judiciary should be trained on appropriate laws and how to properly adjudicate on financial investigation matters, he stated.

Dr. Sittlington said he had met with the acting Chief Justice and staff of the DPP who have all agreed that training across the board for prosecutors, DPP, Judiciary and Magistrates in the AML/CTF legislation, Confiscation and Forfeiture was required.

Additionally, the expert called for the creation of work-

ing groups at two levels, strategic and practitioner. He said the strategic level speaks to the heads of key stakeholders SOCU, the DPP, legal officer, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), crime police and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

“The role of this group is to discuss strategic issues in terms of legislation weaknesses, MOU’s, resources, future training needs, joint enterprises etc. This group should be chaired by a person who can take their ideas and views to a higher level,” said Dr. Sittlington. That group should meet every three months, he opined.

Meanwhile, the practitioners working group should include investigators from the main investigative branches and their discussions should be based on logistical and practical dimensions of investigation and the challenges encountered.

Dr. Sittlington, who has also conducted numerous training programmes here, recommended that members of the practitioners working group ought to be trained. This group would also meet every three months.

Dr. Sittlington urged that the supply of information to SOCU by the FIU should not be used as a fishing expedition, but to provide the beginning of an investigation which could be built upon through the use of production orders and financial investigations.

The role of the FIU, the expert stressed, is to administer and analyse intelligence reports from banks and other financial and reporting institutions and disseminate that intelligence to law enforcement. On the other hand, it is SOCU’s responsibility to transfer that intelligence into evidence. “Not all reports to FIU will be meaningful investigations, due to defensive reporting by banks and/or legitimate transactions that appeared at first suspicious.

In most cases only 2% of reports are/or become financial investigations.”

It is his belief that the process of sharing information between the two entities could be improved as they work hand in hand to combat money laundering. “Therefore, the exchange of information to assist current investigations should be swift

and timely.”

He said a number of recommendations had been made on how to improve the working relationship in the two entities pointing to the “imbedding of an FIU officer in SOCU with a database link up to FIU; a point of contact at FIU to deal specifically with SOCU requests; access by SOCU to the FIU database by one SPOC with a controlled access point, either one of these would alleviate undue pressure.”

With respect to the GRA, Dr. Sittlington said tax evasion was a serious offence under the AML/CFT legislation and noted that GRA could conduct its own tax investigations and prosecutions. “Only SOCU can conduct money-laundering investigations. Although some tax information is being supplied upon request by SOCU for those investigations, this again is a very tedious process.” GRA, he said, appears reluctant to supply information due to their secrecy provisions, even though Part V111 Section 111 of the AML/CTF Act overrides secrecy obligations.” As a result, the expert suggests a review of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expedite requests relating to SOCU and timeframes for responses to be put in place.

"CASH DOGS" Additionally, Dr. Sittlington recommended that there be specially trained "cash dogs" used for searching at the airport and other search operations. “In the same manner that specially trained dogs can sniff out drugs and explosives, so such dogs can also be trained to sniff out currency. I have been present at search operations over the past few weeks and the opportunity to lessen the time to search large warehouses and grounds could have been reduced.”

He believes that with the number of currency couriers operating through the airports, the same procedures could be applied. “In terms of finding cash, or deterring the cash courier from transporting foreign currency, this can have an immense impact.

‘Cash dogs’ as they are labelled in the UK have been extremely successful,” he added. Dr. Sittlington strongly recommends that there be a review of SOCU’s operations in the next six to eight months.

Caribbean environment not hostile to free press - ACM President

By Ravin Singh in Barbados THE political, social and cultural environment in the Caribbean is not the most hostile to press freedom in the international arena, President of the Association of Caribbean Media workers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings says.

Last year, the Caribbean performed favourably in the 2015 World Press Freedom Index which evaluated a total of 180 countries spanning five continents. The index, crafted by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), highlights the worldwide deterioration in freedom of information in 2014. Threatened by wars, RWB is of the view that media freedom is in retreat on all five continents, given the

growing threat from non-state operatives, violence during demonstrations and economic crises.

Further, it was pointed out that there was a drastic decline in freedom of information in 2014 and twothirds of the 180 countries surveyed for the 2015 Index performed less well than in the previous year. The annual global indicator, which measures the overall level of violations of freedom of information in 180 countries year by year, has risen by 3,719, an eight percent increase over 2014 and almost 10 percent compared with 2013.

The World Press Freedom Index ranks the performance of the countries according to a range of criteria, including media pluralism and independence; respect for the safety

and freedom of journalists; and the legislative, institutional and infrastructural environment in which the media operate.

GUYANA And evaluated based on these criteria, Guyana - the lone English-speaking country in South America - ranks 62nd; having moved from 67th in 2014. Meanwhile, regional counterpart, Jamaica, was the only Caribbean country to register its name in the top ten list of the index, while neighbouring Suriname managed to secure 29th. Trailing one step behind Suriname is Belize, while the Eastern Caribbean marked its name at 39th. The worst performing country was the Dominican Republic which sits directly behind Guyana at 63rd.

ACM President, Wesley Gibbings SELF-CENSORSHIP And given this position of the region on the international plane, Gibbings is of the belief that the Caribbean does not offer the most hostile environment for press freedom in the world. According to him, there exists any number of social and cultural antecedents that militate against systemic respect for such a

right. “My view is that small size and volatile economic conditions pre-dispose us to a high level of self-censorship while direct censorship involving music, books, media and movies have not witnessed broad and vigorous opposition in the past,” the ACM President said.

Further, he noted that actions to restrict the practice of independent journalism do not often cost journalists in the region their lives, but there is a loss of livelihood.

“Economic and political forces cohere too easily to punish errant practitioners and their media houses and to reward those who undertake to keep in line,” he added.

IT’S A CHALLENGE But according to him, the struggle for protection

of the free press is just as steep a challenge as it is in many areas where the threats are more violent. But these, he says, are aimed at the same objective of silencing journalists.

Commenting on press freedom yesterday, during an IMPACT Media Law Seminar being held in Barbados, was Managing Director of MEDIAROBERS and regional journalist, Julian Rogers.

Presenting on the topic, “Educating the public about its rights”, Rogers noted that the media should be free from political interference and be geared towards keeping the public informed. “We have a responsibility to keep the public informed,” he said, but “how we do that is up to us, and it is a challenge.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Repeal AML/CFT Bill

9

…expert calls for new financial crimes act

By Ariana Gordon IRISH Financial expert Dr. Sam Sittlington has called for the APNU+AFC coalition government to consider repealing the Anti-money laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation (AML/CFT) and replacing it with the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

During a presentation yesterday at the residence of British High Commissioner Greg Quinn on his findings pertaining to the operations of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) over the past five weeks, Dr. Sittlington said the legislation should be replaced with POCA, based upon a regional model.

“This model legislation is currently being pushed as the "gold standard" in the Region. It is closely based upon the UK POCA, and this is for a very good reason,” Sittlington said, adding: “If [the] local POCA is essentially the same as UK POCA, then UK case law can be used to support money-laundering prosecutions, and the use of asset-recovery powers. However, if there are differences in the wording of the legislation, then UK case law is useless.”

PASSAGE The AML/CTF legislation was passed in the National Assembly in June 2015, despite strong objections from the opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). The passage of the Bill paved the way for all financial transactions here to be monitored. But Dr. Sittlington is saying that it is a legal opinion that once the legislation introduces a requirement to narrowly define crime from which the "proceeds" derived, then the case of R v Anwoir [2008] EWCA Crim 1354 cannot be applied.

The case at reference spoke to "unexplained wealth" and the Court of Appeal found that there are two ways in which the Crown could have proven the property is criminal property, and that is by (a) “showing that it derives from conduct of a particular kind or kinds and that conduct of that kind or those kinds is unlawful; or (b) by evidence of the circumstances in which the property is handled, which is such as to give rise to the irresistible inference that it can only be derived from crime.”

PROCEEDS OF CRIME Sittlington said the definition of "proceeds of crime" in the

United Kingdom means the proceeds of any offence as was highlighted in the case of R V Anwoir. However, in Guyana’s case and other jurisdictions, "proceeds" must be of a specific

Dr. Sam Sittlington type of crime.

“In Guyana,” he said, “that means an office listed in the Schedule, or which carries a penalty of six months or more on first conviction.

“This change would facilitate the use of circumstantial evidence in cases where the original crime is unknown."

But despite the recommendation from the expert and his justification for same, he is advising that Guyana keeps its definition of "currency."

“I think it is the widest definition I have seen, and it would encompass 'prepaid' credit cards as well as gold, precious stones and jewellery,” Dr Sittlington said, adding that based on that definition, the country’s "cash seizure" powers are more powerful than even those of the the United Kingdom, which are deemed the best in Europe. He also noted that the loss of gold, diamonds and other precious minerals is a huge issue for the local economy.

POCA is used by several Caribbean territories in their fight against money laundering and the countering of financial

terrorism.

SPECIAL PROSECUTORS Meanwhile, Dr. Sittlington recommends that special prosecutors be allocated to deal with POCA-related crimes.

Said he: “I believe the DPP should allocate a number of special prosecutors to concentrate solely on Proceeds of Crime matters. Expertise to prosecute money laundering-type cases is required, and shouldn’t be an ad-hoc presentation to prosecutors who are dealing with multiple crime cases, and maybe seeing money-laundering cases for the first time.”

The expert noted that as the number of Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) cases increase, the requirement for special prosecutors will be greater.

“Perhaps planning for this now will reap early benefits as opposed to when it is too late,” Dr. Sittlington said, adding: “The positives from this move will give SOCU investigators confidence to ask for prosecutorial advice, add value to their prosecution files in terms of solid evidence and increase the number of successful prosecutions and confiscations.”

ASSET-RECOVERY POWERS Additionally, Dr. Sittlington said while forfeiture should never be a substitute for criminal prosecution, non-conviction-based asset recovery provides for the recovery of cash under proceeds of crime, where a conviction is not required. “It is a civil process that refers to the cash seized or instrumentalities that relate to crime or intended for the use in crime. Non-conviction-based civil forfeiture differs from criminal forfeiture in that the latter requires a criminal trial based on "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard and prosecution prior to the actual confiscation proceedings taking place.”

However, he said that in non-conviction-based proceedings, the State must establish the "unlawful conduct" or a "balance of probabilities" standard of proof. “Such an addition to the current AML/CTF legislation would have a dramatic effect on deterring criminal activity and recovery of assets (stolen from the state or otherwise) where law enforcement cannot put a crime to the assets/funds,” said Dr. Sittlington, who noted that he is cognisant of the fact that the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) is currently pursuing a similar programme. “I want to add my support to that initiative,” he stated.

Brazil’s Foreign Minister to visit next week

- Enhancing collaboration on the cards BRAZIL’S Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Lineu Pupo De Paula yesterday paid a courtesy call on President David Granger to update him on the arrangements for the visit of Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Mauro Vieira to Guyana next week.

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the Ambassador said that the objective of this meeting is to enhance collaboration between the two countries.

He disclosed that areas such as military and technical co-operation and issues relating to CELAC, UNASUR and other regional mechanisms, to which both countries are party, will also inform the agenda.

“We have a lot of things happening. Today there is a border meeting happening in the Lethem-Bom Fim area with huge delegations from both sides,” the Ambassador said.

He added that this engagement, along with the one that is scheduled for next President David Granger greets Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Lineu week, is extremely important for both Guyana and Brazil, the release stated.

Pupo De Paula during a courtesy call yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

SOCU needs autonomy …clear funding source, more staff crucial

By Ariana Gordon THERE needs to be clarity with regard to the autonomy of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), its funding source and a boost in human resource capacity, Irish Financial Investigation Expert Dr. Sam Sittlington has said.

Sittlington worked with SOCU over the past five weeks and observed a number of deficiencies relative to the operation of the entity. On Wednesday at a press conference hosted by the British High Commissioner Greg Quinn, Dr. Sittlington said, “There has been a lot of discussion lately about who should fund the SOCU. The autonomy of the unit needs to be addressed.”

The Irish expert said, “A number of ministries have a say in the functioning of SOCU and this creates confusion and instability.” In order for the Unit to function properly, there must be clear ministerial direction and funding from one source, Dr. Sittlington stressed, noting that a budget that caters for the operational needs of SOCU is critical and must be a priority.

Only last week during the consideration of the current and capital expenditure in the National Assembly, the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) expressed concern over SOCU being placed under the Ministry of the Presidency as an entity to receive funding. $40M was budgeted under the Ministry of the Presidency for SOCU. Minister of State Joseph Harmon in response to the concerns of the opposition said, the situation is a temporary one.

His explanation was not satisfactory to the opposition’s Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, who said that the Terms of Reference (TOR) of SOCU does not indicate that it should be listed under the Ministry of the Presidency. She said too that SOCU being listed under the Ministry of the Presidency contradicted with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Legislation.

KICKED ABOUT Weighing in on this, Sittlington said SOCU has been “kicked about like a political football” in the press and that the comments made about the entity “can be demoralising for the staff and certainly for Assistant Commissioner James.” Additionally, Dr. Sittlington said that the majority of equipment supplied and used by SOCU is from “external sources,” but noted the importance of sustaining the operations of the Unit. “Sustainability needs to be provided for and applied with a complete audit of the unit’s workload, capabilities, responsibilities and successes. If I was to describe the current process of obtaining equipment

Dr. Sittlington being interviewed by the media at the opening of the DEA office here on February 10 to assist SOCU operations I would use the terms beg, steal or borrow, and I wouldn’t be far wrong. But I would take out the word steal. So in order to work effectively, SOCU need to know what their budget is and that those funds are immediately available,” he added.

He urged stakeholders to “invest in SOCU,” noting that the “The returns can be substantial and the re-investment potential can have a huge impact on crime such as drug trafficking, gold smuggling, fraud, cash couriers, tax evasion and other acquisitive crimes.”

More staff needed for SOCU Meanwhile, the Irish expert said equally important to SOCU’s performance is its human-resource capacity. Dr. Sittlington during his 10-point recommendation for SOCU said currently, the agency is tremendously understaffed. He said there are currently nine persons working with SOCU, an assistant director, four investigators, a secretary and three Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detectives who have been

seconded to work on the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) investigations currently with SOCU to help sift the vast amount of documents from that case.

“SOCU currently manages a total of 285 investigations, 59 of those are live investigations, of which immediate action is required and the remaining held until further intelligence becomes available,” he added, while emphasising that prioritising is essential. SOCU, the Irish expert said, services other agencies that are “reactive to ongoing operations conducted by these agencies.” “They are also expecting further large NICIL-type investigations to reach their doors in the coming weeks. This workload cannot be sustained within the current staff.” Head of SOCU Sydney James has submitted a proposal for the increase in the capacity of the unit and Dr. Sittlington urged that the proposal “needs to be seriously considered and expeditiously approved.” “This includes a deputy commissioner, additional investigators, a legal officer, forensic accountant and administrative staff to be put in place,” he said.

Ebola ‘devastates long-term health’

MOST people who survive an Ebola infection will have long-lasting health problems, say doctors from the US National Institutes of Health.

Their studies on survivors in Liberia showed large numbers had developed weakness, memory loss and depressive symptoms in the six months after being discharged from an Ebola unit.

Other patients were "actively suicidal" or still having hallucinations.

More than 17,000 people in West Africa have survived Ebola infection.

The evidence, being presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Neurology, is an early glimpse at a much wider study of long-term health problems after Ebola.

The initial analysis, on 82 survivors, showed most had had severe neurological problems at the height of the infection, including meningitis, hallucinations or falling

into a coma.

LONG-TERM PROBLEMS Six months later, new long-term problems had developed.

About two-thirds had body weakness, while regular headaches, depressive symptoms and memory loss were found in half of patients.

Two of the patients had been actively suicidal at the time of the assessment.

Dr Lauren Bowen, from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, told the BBC: "It was pretty striking, this is a young population of patients, and we wouldn't expect to have seen these sorts of problems.

"When people had memory loss, it tended to affect their daily living, with some feeling they couldn't return to school or normal jobs, some had terrible sleeping problems.

"Ebola hasn't gone away for these people."

Infection with Ebola ravages the body. Some of the symptoms could improve with time as the body heals, others may be down to social trauma as many survivors are ostracised from their families and communities.

But other symptoms, including eye problems, indicate damage to the brain, which may not heal.

Sexually active Meanwhile, data presented earlier, at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, raised concerns about sexual transmission of the virus in survivors.

It indicated 38% of men had tested positive for Ebola in their semen on at least one occasion in the year after recovering.

And in the most extreme case, Ebola had been detected 18 months later.

Yet most survivors reported being sexually active, with only four in every 100 using a condom. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

New non-resident ambassadors ready to work with Guyana

PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday accepted Letters of Credence from new Non-Resident Ambassadors to Guyana from the States of Israel and Japan respectively at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The accreditation of Ambassador Mordehai Amihai-Bivas as Guyana’s Non-resident Ambassador of the State of Israel to Guyana, affords both Guyana and the State of Israel the opportunity to continue to work together for the maintenance of international peace and security, said President Granger.

“It allows us, also, to deepen our relations in pursuit of peace and the sustainable development of both states,” President Granger said at a simple accreditation ceremony.

COMMONALITIES He noted that while Guyana and Israel share several “intersecting development priorities,” stronger focus can be placed on agriculture. “We seek to co-operate also in the areas of food security, information technology, poverty alleviation, public health and public infrastructure. The pursuit of these commonalities could be the basis for our continued co-operation at the bilateral level,” said President Granger.

Guyana, President Granger said, remains committed to pursuing the economic and social development of its peoples as well as an atmosphere of peace and stability. “We believe that peace is essential for there to be national development.

Peace and security, also, strengthen the ties of amity and comity between nations and regions.”

The President noted Guyana’s rejection of the use of non-peaceful means to resolve differences between states.

“We deplore the threat of or use of force to settle disputes,” he said affirmatively, while noting that Guyana holds steadfast to the mission of ensuring that the Caribbean Region remains a zone of peace.

The President welcomed Ambassador Amihai-Bivas to Guyana, and wished him a “productive and successful tour of duty” as Non-Resident Ambassador of the State of Israel to Guyana.

“We wish to assure you of our government’s full co-operation as you discharge the responsibilities entrusted to you in our capital,” President Granger said as he also accepted Letters of Recall of Ambassador Amihai-Bivas’ predecessor Amiram Magid.

The newly accredited Israeli Ambassador said he sees the vast potential Guyana has, and as such, is prepared to partner and work with the country to develop bilateral relations, especially in the areas of climate change and education.

“Your Excellency, both Israel and Guyana share important qualities. Both countries are young, independent countries and both have a stronger sense of nationhood in spite of our nation’s youth… Guyana is a blessed land with wonderful people and abundant natural resources. Its national heritage has not been devastated by over-exploitation... With the awareness of climate change and effects of deforestation, Guyana is well situated to be among the leaders of sustainable development. We have found a partner in Guyana and Israel stands ready to offer its support,” he said.

Meanwhile, in accepting the Letters of Credence for Japan’s Non- Resident Ambassador to Guyana, Ambassador Mutsuhito Okada, President Granger said Guyana places a high value on the strengthening of economic co-operation with Japan and looks forward to continuing co-operation with Japan, particularly in the areas of economic, social and physical infrastructure and technology transfer.

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE “Investments in social infrastructure, particularly in education and public health, will sustain a more skilled and healthier workforce and thereby generate increased benefits for our people. They will enable our industries

Ambassador Mutsuhito Okada, Japan’s Non- Resident Ambassador to Guyana makes a point to President David Granger yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency (Photos courtesy of the Ministry of the Presidency)

Ambassador Mordehai Amihai-Bivas, Israel’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Guyana, shakes hands with President David Granger following the presentation of his Letters of Credence yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency to improve their efficiency and competitiveness,” said the President.

President Granger also expressed appreciation for Japan’s support for Guyana’s development and noted that this country has benefited from Japan’s co-operation with the Caribbean Region. “Guyana intends to expand economic co-operation with Japan in the ensuing years,” he added.

The President added that though separated by 24,000km of sea, Guyana and Japan are united by relations that have been cemented over 46 years, having established diplomatic ties on June 11, 1969. “The passage of the intervening years has witnessed an intensification of economic co-operation and trade between our two countries,” President Granger said as he welcomed Ambassador Okada to Guyana. “We assure you of our government’s full co-operation in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he said.

Ambassador Okada replaces his predecessor Yoshimasa Tezuka, whose Letters of Recall was also accepted by President Granger.

After presenting his Letters of Credence to President Granger in the presence of Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who is acting Minister of Foreign Affairs as Minister Carl Greenidge is out of country, and Director General (ag) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deborah Yaw, the newly accredited Ambassador said Japan has always had strong ties with Guyana and he expects that this will continue to grow and deepen in the coming years.

MUTUAL PARTNERSHIPS “Japan and Guyana are global partners and share common interests and common challenges. Based on a state of mutual partnerships, Japan and Guyana have maintained bilateral relations in areas of fisheries, utilities, and grassroots human exchange,” he said.

Ambassador Okada noted that Japan has extended support and aid to Caribbean countries, and by extension Guyana, in the area of disaster risk management.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

New party launched in Bartica - BIGA aims to keep power, manage own affairs

IN A HISTORIC move just weeks before Local Government Elections (LGE) a team of business people in Bartica combined their energies to launch the Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA), which plans solely to develop the interests of Bartica’s eventual township and green economy.

At the official launch Tuesday at TTS-CH5 Compound in First Avenue, Bartica, the manifesto presented, outlined in detail the plans for the mining community and future investments to stimulate development in all spheres.

The candidates contesting the nine constituencies include: Ian Beckles - Constituency rep #1, Sergio Joseph - Constituency rep #2, Ignatius Prowell - Constituency rep #3, Joan Khan - Constituency rep #4, Zulfikar Hack - Constituency rep #5, Latoya Schultz Constituency rep #6, Troy Thornhill - Constituency rep #6, Carol Fredricks - Constituency rep # 8 and Vivian Licorish - Constituency rep #9.

Attending the event was Alliance For Change Chairman Nigel Hughes, Chairman of BIGA Holbert Knights, supporters and well-wishers of the newly-formed party set to contest LGE in March 18, 2016.

According to Knights, the party’s objective is to ensure that the new town of Bartica was governed by the right inspirational leaders who had the behavioral and functional competencies and vision to collaborate with all stakeholders to develop strategic programs to facilitate the social, political, and economic development of the municipality of Bartica.

He said to deliver a balanced economy with strengths in every part, Bartica needed a highly-skilled workforce, flexible business support and finance. Barticians must invest to grow sectors like manufacturing

that can provide high-skilled, sustainable jobs, open up the supply chain to small and medium-sized businesses and support firms bringing activity home.

Underscoring the manifesto, candidate Juretha Fernandes said BIGA strongly believed that the future of the town was in the hands and hearts of Barticians.

“The party believed in the proverb: “To grow yourself one has to know yourself,” meaning that each and every individual had the responsibility of ensuring that through participation, individually and collectively, they would guarantee a brighter future for themselves and their families.”

She continued: “We also believe that with the level of competence that is so widespread in our alliance, the President’s plan for making Bartica a model Green Town will be realized. The Bartica Independent Green Alliance is putting forward nine competent representatives who are capable leaders and are willing to contribute to the transformation of Bartica.”

Sergio Joseph who is representing constituency #2 said during his maiden political speech that Bartician should learn the facts of LGE and they will realize the importance of local democracy. He believes that after careful analysis citizens of Bartica will realize the only choice is to vote for the BIGA Group.

“Even the fears that are being peddled make no political sense, that we will be starved of resources to realize our vision. We must say no to political bully-ism that we have so long fought so long against last May,” he declared.

Highlighting that six government ministers recently visited Bartica on a political campaign to intimidate its

competition, Joseph appealed to the leaders of the two major political parties contesting in Bartica that they may have been placed in the position without fully understanding the facts about local government and what it means to the people of Bartica to keep their power to manage their own affairs.

“I ask you as you study the facts and come to realize what’s best for the people of Bartica and that you humbly surrender your current position because it is the morally right thing to do for your people and embrace the only independent group in Bartica,” he opined.

He explained that Barticians know the challenges, strengths and opportunities that exist in their communities as it relates to the human, natural and financial resources. As such, he noted that BIGA would collaborate with stakeholders to leverage and maximize all opportunities to ensure development of the new town of Bartica.

Representative of constituency #5, Zulfikar Hack said the election was not simply a choice between three candidates or three political parties, but between three fundamentally different paths for the community and their families.

He elaborated that Bartica needed a strong economy not just to help fund public services but because growth and enterprise creates jobs and opportunities for all. “BIGA wants an economy that is strong, green, open and fair. As Bartica moves forward we must make sure that our growth, prosperity and well-being are built to last, for everyone.

BIGA offers Bartica the opportunity to move Bartica forward by working from the middle out and not top down. Our central focus is our people,” he concluded.

Standing at the podium, Chairperson Allon Fernandes flanked by nine of the BIGA constituent representatives.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

CDB willing to work with Guyana … notes country’s vast energy potential

By Alva Solomon in Barbados

commitment to assist the government.

THE Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) stands ready to assist Guyana in its infrastructural development and linkages between the coastland and the hinterland. It has also pointed to its readiness to assist in the development of the country’s energy sector.

This is according to CDB President Dr. William Smith who told the Guyana Chronicle at the bank’s headquarters in St Michael, Barbados yesterday that the bank had met with the new government soon after its assumption to office last May and had committed its willingness to work with the David Granger administration.

On the subject of infrastructural development, Dr Smith said, “Guyana has great needs; it is a very large country.” Noting that the bank fully understands the government’s interest in linking the coast to the hinterland, Dr Smith said, “I think that it is a good strategy, but a lot of infrastructural work would be required in order to achieve that objective.”

In that regard, Dr Smith placed on notice the bank’s

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Last year, Guyana’s oil sector received a significant boost when American company Exxon Mobil an-

Asked whether the bank had any interest in this development, Dr. Smith noted that the CDB would not have a direct interest in the oil sector, as that was more suited to the private sector. However, the bank could assist with technical resources.

any relative area that could “lead to a better outcome to the development of this new industry, the bank would be willing to provide such support if required.”

He pointed to the renewable energy sector, noting that the country had the potential

the new government.

OTHER INTERESTS Dr. Smith indicated that there was opportunity for the development of small hydro-power projects around the country, and that was one of the areas the bank had expressed its interest in during its meeting with the government.

He stated that the bank also expressed its interest in area of the solar and wind-energy projects, the latter is being actively pursued by the administration. “We feel that those types of technology can help to improve the quality of life of people who live outside of the reach of the electricity grid,” Dr. Smith noted.

He said that the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), the agency’s project body in Georgetown, was the vehicle which would carry out the PRESIDENT of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr William Smith chats bank’s foreseeable agenda in with Director of Economics at the CDB, Dr Justin Ram, following the bank’s Guyana. “It is what we want press conference yesterday in Barbados to use more and more, to be able to create innovative ways nounced that the company’s “Where the CDB could to develop the sector which of improving the quality of Liza-1 well encountered more be of assistance to Guyana is, would be beneficial to the life of the people”, he said of than 295 feet of high-quality again, in the area of technical citizenry. “Guyana has vast the BNTF. oil-bearing sandstone reser- assistance,” he said. He ex- potential in that area,” he said, Guyana is a founding voirs in the Stabroek Block, plained that if the resources adding that this understanding member of the CDB, and Dr. located approximately 120 were required to facilitate was developed from the dis- Smith noted that the country miles offshore Guyana. the development of policy or cussions the bank held with had received much assistance

from it over the years to carry out its projects in the area of social and infrastructural development. “Guyana is very important to us,” he reiterated.

The government has been pursuing its plans to development the energy sector and the creation of wind-farm projects is high on its agenda.

As regards infrastructural development, the regime has pointed to its plans to link the coastland with the hinterland area via road and this was mentioned last weekend when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressed residents of Lethem in Region Nine, during a government outreach.

For years, the Linden/ Lethem trail, which links the coast to the Rupununi, has been problematic, with weather playing a factor in the road’s public usage.

The Prime Minister said that the government planned to ensure that there was accelerated development of the region, and he noted that this year there were plans to push the roadway, transforming it into an all-weather road, which would bring economic benefits to the region, the Prime Minister noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Workshops, street walks not enough - for youths with suicidal thoughts EXECUTIVE Director of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Mrs. Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth feels that more needs to be done for youths struggling with suicidal feelings than the usual workshops and street walks.

These efforts do not actually translate into helping such youths, she observed, and so concrete measures ought to be put in place to deal with the upsurge that the country has been experiencing recently.

‘BOTTOM HOUSE’ TALK As such, GRPA is currently streamlining several initiatives to do its part in fighting the social issue.

These include going into streets and villages and conducting ‘bottom house’ conversations with youths; conducting sessions with parents; setting up a hotline number; and partnering with the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) to put up more billboards on the issue.

CULTURAL ISSUES Sheerattan-Bisnauth further noted, in an inter-

view with Guyana Chronicle, that certain cultural issues have been playing a major role in the suicide epidemic. Therefore, the GRPA plans to give priority to certain specific communities in the country.

According to her, although numerous cases have been reported in the press, there are still many more suicide cases that she is personally aware of that did not make the news.

“Everyone is going on a walk and no sense in the seminars. Sometimes we have to go to these people.

They won’t come out or tell us their problems on the phone.”

Just last month, five females were hospitalised at Suddie Hospital on the Essequibo Coast after attempting to commit suicide, bringing the overall cases in Region Two to 11 for the year so far.

This follows another two suicides that claimed the lives of 23-year-old Akel Shurland of Adventure and 27-year-old Kaimwattie Persaud of Anna Regina.

Meanwhile, President David Granger recently convened an emergency

meeting with several government ministers on the issue of suicide, and this was followed by a plan of action that will s ee no n - g o ver n men tal organisations (NGOs), religious organisations and other civil society bodies working collaboratively with government on a centralised approach to suicide prevention.

President Granger has indicated that he intends to have a proactive approach in addressing this issue, and will be looking to implement a national programme that has measurable outcomes.

NATIONAL STRATEGY During the meeting, the President was also updated on the implementation of Guyana’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy, launched by the Ministry of Public Health last September with a view to ramping up government’s response to the ongoing problem.

In addition, the President was provided with updates on work that is being done within the other subject Ministries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Many felt ‘part of something great’ --at Tuesday’s epic flag-raising ceremony

MANY Guyanese who attended Tuesday’s flag-raising ceremony at Durban Park felt as though they had been part of something great.

From the responses, many did not miss the fact that the usual ‘Mash’ Costume and Float Parade had not been held, as they had the opportunity of witnessing the “feel-good” sensation that went with the raising of the 65’ x 35’ flag to the chant of “Go Guyana, Go!”

ABIGAIL JAMES, who was a finalist at this year’s Calypso Monarch competition, said that the ceremony reminded her of her own song, “Guyana smiling again”, as the event symbolised that the country was moving forward in unity for a brighter future.

“There aren’t enough words to explain how my heart felt, and how I burst into tears,”

See page 18

A section of the marching band during the procession

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Guyana-born entrepreneur flourishes in Toronto

By Frederick Halley

GUYANA-born Raymond Alli is an entrepreneur with a difference. Alli is the proud owner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Higher Living, an entity that includes Dental by High Park, Aphrodite Salon and Spa, Apollo Studio and IT Computing Resources in Toronto, Canada.

Plans are well advanced to open an X8 Lounge as Alli explained that part of his wellness process is positive thinking and taking time out of one’s busy schedule to also have fun.

According to him, “dance is the hidden language of the soul,” and “the best fashion statement is a fit and healthy body.”

The winner of several banking awards, Alli also offers mortgage advice and has been involved in construction projects, consisting of full renovations with high-end finishing for

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Guyanese-born entrepreneur, Raymond Alli

both residential and commercial properties.

Alli believes his accomplishments over the years have helped ameliorate the stress that individuals face in securing their financial well-being and also in assisting them to make smart investment decisions.

WELLNESS The popular businessman, in defining wellness, pointed out that it's a choice. “The decision to make choices towards a healthy and positive lifestyle is active, ongoing, and personal. In other words, it's not just a one-time event, but rather, a matter of a life-long commitment.”

Alli disclosed that his dream was to provide a set of services to help people take care of their bodies since, according to him “it's the only place they have to live in. That has always

been my mission in life and I feel that I have accomplished it through the power of positive thinking.”

Dental by High Park provides general dentistry services as well as a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures. The aim is to provide patients with a pain-free experience in a comfortable setting and this is taken care of by a team of experienced and exceptional hygienists who are tasked with ensuring patients’ visits are as pleasant as possible.

The services include bleaching, bonding, bridges, cleaning, crowns, dentures, fillings, implants, periodontal and root canal.

Aphrodite Salon & Spa consists of a set of services to help you stay stress free and beautiful, allowing you to take the time out to realise the finer things in life, such as enjoying nature, a romantic dinner with someone special or just feeling beautiful about yourself.

The services to add are hair colour, wash/cut/style, perms, facials, massages, manicures and pedicures, shellac and hair removal, all done in a professional manner.

Apollo Studio is your personal yoga, dance and fitness studio. Alli pointed out that dance and yoga are the hidden languages of the soul and in addition the best fashion statement is a fit and healthy body. “Our studio is open to you with classes to assist you with both. We are always adding new forms of dance, yoga and fitness programmes, so stay connected and join a complete way of living.”

The studio caters for yoga and meditation and strives to enhance the quality of life of individuals by encouraging dance and fitness to be part of higher living while having fun and staying healthy at the same time.

IT CONSULTING IT Computing Resources (ITCR) prides itself on its ability to offer its clients a complete spectrum of technology-related services. “This gives us the ability to feed each stage of the process into the next to ensure optimal delivery and comprehensive, cohesive results for our clients. Our business model encompasses an end-to-end spectrum of technology-related services,” Alli boasted.

The services also extend to recruitment and staff augmentation and follows a hybrid onshore/offshore framework to provide clients the best possible outcomes at the most reasonable cost, which Alli describes as getting the best of both worlds. “With over 20 years of experience, we have the ability to secure the most affordable solution for you. We will inform you on managing your finances, establishing and maintaining good credit, investing in real estate, and increasing your personal net worth.”

Alli started ITCR which is an IT consulting firm. His onshore and offshore teams consist of more than 100 software development professionals with a wide range of experience in the delivery of unique and innovative technology concepts for an impressive roster of high-profile global clients.

The soon-to-be-opened X8 Lounge is billed to have a show and club meshed together in one nightspot. With stateof-the-art decor, X8 will host private and corporate functions and is also open to the public. “It’s an entertainment complex unlike any other, operating as a one-stop platform for all your entertainment needs which include dinner, and show and dance,” Alli explained.

Patrons will be able to enjoy the continental taste of their choice while watching a show and then dance the night away to pulse-pumping, eardrum-throbbing rhythms with their loved ones and friends.

Alli was born in Georgetown but migrated to Canada at the tender age of eight and is delighted over the numerous opportunities he has encountered on his way towards creating a dream industry.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

GMC reports...

Bottled local coconut water in high demand overseas

By Shauna Jemmott

WITH a great demand for coconut water among other products on the export market, Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) General Manager Ida Sealey-Adams is calling on manufacturers of agro-products to get on board with the marketing entity to benefit from extended business.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the GMC on Monday, a group of manufacturers had their products on exhibit outside the company’s Robb and Alexander Streets headquarters, which promotes their products and create market linkages.

In an interview with Sealey-Adams, the Chronicle was told that coconut water was exported bottled, sealed and frozen and available fresh on the market in Trinidad and Tobago among other countries.

She said the GMC did not export the products per se, but whenever a potential exporter makes contact with the corporation and expresses interest in a particular product, the GMC will provide them a list of manufacturers of that product.

“GMC’s role is to create the linkages between manufacturers and exporters for the product requested… And they make the choice,” she said.

She is impressed with the demand for the bottled coconut water.

“If it is one agro-processed product that you want that is being exported and in great demand now, it’s bottled coconut water,” the Manager said.

She listed also unrefined coconut oil, jams and pepper sauce and other sauces, among the products on demand by various countries.

She is encouraging agro-processors who haven’t yet been

in contact with the GMC to do so right away.

“Manufacturers, especially in small business enterprises, will have no regrets, since the GMC’s role is also to assist in the development of the agro-processing industry,” she noted.

Ma Tilly’s products on display at the GMC exhibition Monday GMC assists in a number of ways, including product promotion, and on Monday staged an exhibition outside its office as part of Guyana’s 46th Republic Anniversary celebrations.

Sealey-Adams said they also share information with new

producers relating to packaging, linking them with suppliers of plastics bags, bottles, glass jars, other packaging material and labels.

According to her, GMC is obligated to assist the local manufacturers in product development “to make their product more marketable because they are competing with similar products locally and products that are similar that are imported.”

For manufacturers to be supported by the GMC, they must have their food and drug manufacturing licenses and their business registered at the Deeds Registry.

“Regardless of who you are, regardless of which region you come from, we don’t segregate…we don’t discriminate.

You come in, once you meet the minimum requirement, we take your product. We assist in promoting the agro-processors’ products, especially the small ones who can’t go out and launch,” Sealey-Adams said.

Omalita Balgobin, a marketing representative within the GMC explained that the day before each national holiday, GMC offers its manufacturers marketing opportunities by staging an exhibition.

Monday a number of agro-products were on display for sale in front of the GMC building; producers drawn from all regions.

The representative said GMC facilitates the product manufacturers at trade shows nationally and internationally and is also hoping to establish Guyana Shop corners in stores countrywide.

She said GMC already has the Guyana Shops on the East Coast of Demerara, Parika, Berbice, and in Essequibo Coast and is working on establishing others in Region 9 and Bartica.

“We purchase the product and have it available in Guyana Shop corners.”

Products range from beauty and enhancement, foods, ornaments, etc.

Aubrey Alexander is the latest producer on board the GMC group.

He produces salsa, pickled ochroes, and relish.

He believes his product is the only locally produced relish in Guyana and was delighted to be part of the promotion.

It is the first time his products, under the label ‘Ma Tilly’s’ had been exhibited.

Alexander is encouraging Guyanese to buy not only his products but to support the local producers.

Many felt ‘part of something...

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 25, 2016

Members of the choir which provided renditions of some of the national songs

Part of the massive crowd at the ceremony (Photos

by Cullen Bess-Nelson) From Page 15 James said.

“My skin grew, and my pores rose up just seeing the massive amount of Guyanese who flowed into that park,” she added.

For GREGORY HALLEY, he felt an extra sense of pride, being not only in attendance at the event, but being part of the parade of officers on the field.

He said that all the officers worked extremely hard prior to the event, practising for the ‘big day’, and they were all proud to feel the energy from the people in attendance, and he felt that way as well.

“As we marched on and the people began to scream, it motivated me and the other soldiers to give the nation a show they won’t forget,” Halley said, adding: “Seeing the unity, cooperation and patriotism of my fellow Guyanese as the flag was being hoisted, reminded me of our motto: ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.

“It made me really proud to be a part of this great nation.”

DEMALI BUTTS, who was also in the parade, also expressed his pride. “This is the first time I have ever seen an event like this. The crowd turned out to be excellent; everything went smoothy on that day, and as a Guyanese, I felt very proud,” he said.

VA U L D A H A R R I S , a 63-year-old mother of seven said she was undecided about going out to the ceremony, as she had gone for several years, and figured she wouldn’t miss anything.

“It’s a good thing I decided to pick up my old knees and go,” she said. “Seeing that flag, the size of it alone, I can’t remember the last time I felt like that. It’s a really good thing I go.”

MINTON BAKER said that he thought he had seen it all in his 69 years, but knew that after seeing that huge flag, and feeling the energy in the crowd, he could definitely say that he has had a full life.

“Well I see everything now,” Mr Baker said. “This is good; this is very good for Guyana. I come up in times of a lot of hardship, and I feel good now, seeing this; this is great.”

Many others in the crowd could be heard trying to guess what next is in store for Guyana

as the 50th Anniversary of Independence draws nearer and nearer. What many are sure of, however, is that after Tuesday’s occurrence, they will definitely be coming out in their numbers once again.

NO ORDINARY DAY President David Granger in his Republic Day Message recalled that when independent Guyana declared itself a republic on this day 46 years ago and assumed the name, ‘The Cooperative Republic of Guyana’, this was by no means a perfunctory, post-colonial affirmation of statehood, or the adoption of an ornamental title. It marked a transition from Guyana’s status as a ‘monarchy’ to a ‘constitutional democracy’.

He quoted Prime Minister Forbes Burnham as advising, “In the context of Guyana, there is an indescribable incongruity about having the Queen of Great Britain as the Queen of Guyana.

“Moving to the status of a Republic represents, to my mind, a further step in the direction of self-reliance and self-confidence.”

President Granger noted that the declaration of republican status was an audacious and ambitious political decision. It consummated the covenant of independence that had been earned four years earlier, in 1966, and severed the residual vestiges of Guyana’s dependency on our former colonial rulers.

By becoming a republic, he said, Guyana “effaced the incongruous image of the Queen of Britain being the Head of State of our nation, and allowed us to appoint a Guyanese, of humble origins, the descendant of indentured labourers, as our first President.”

He said too that it “emancipated our new nation from the ignominy of having our final court of appeal located in the country which, for 150 years, had exercised colonial dominion over our citizens.”

Becoming a republic also “elevated the status of our people and enhanced their self-esteem; expedited the ‘Guyanisation’ of society and promoted the mobility of Guyanese in public institutions and international organisations,” the President said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Team Benschop releases seven-page manifesto

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- vows to function efficiently EFFECTIVE management, keeping the city safe and clean, modernising all services provided by the city, addressing city parking and vendor issues and developing community development at the grassroots level represent the backbone of Team Benschop’s manifesto for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE).

In a seven-page manifesto, Team Benschop, through its 14 representatives, plans to ensure that a culture of effective community leadership and governance is restored.

“Team Benschop’s vision for local government seeks to address issues and to remove the constraints, red tape and bureaucracy that prevent local government bodies from functioning in an effective and efficient manner.”

public safety in local areas and for solving neighbourhood problems, including a system of regular patrols.”

As such, it is Team Benschop’s plan to ensure there are available and functional street lights, implement efficient and effective garbage collection and safe disposal, provide waste management services that do not inconvenience residents, implement a system to handle commercial waste disposal, introduce child-friendly spaces and oversee the improvement of the city daycare management, provide more resources for the City

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT Team Benschop believes that by rebuilding and restoring City Hall to make it a safer and compliant structure, hiring more technically proficient staff, improving inter-agency collaboration and intra-agency communication while fostering transparency and accountability, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council will prove to be much more efficient.

According to the Team’s manifesto, an analysis of the current state of City Hall would be done to determine the critical areas of focus for the entity. Additionally, meetings will be held with all departmental heads to discuss challenges, while identifying opportunities for each section. That coupled with staff development training and other measures aimed at enhancing the proficiency of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council will become reality.

PARKING AND VENDORS Rebuilding improved markets that are consumer and vendor friendly and that are properly managed and regularised by the city is also on Team Benschop’s agenda.

The group believes that local farmers make a valuable contribution to the economy and as such, a space must be created and dedicated to their “entrepreneurial expansion and development” that should inevitably lead to increased revenue.

“We are also interested in the provision of a market industry that is fairly competitive, clean and easily accessible for consumers,” the manifesto stated.

Additionally, the group plans to regularise parking throughout Georgetown and introduce parking meters that will allow for a better flow of traffic while making the city safer and more enjoyable for consumers and business owners.

“Our vision for a regularised parking system will also include the provision of parking lots and spaces in strategic town areas,” the group contesting the LGE on March 18, 2016 said.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SAFE AND CLEAN Team Benschop, in its bid to ensure that Georgetown returns to its former glory, intends to focus on creating less waste by introducing recycling measures. “Team Benschop wants to use our waste to create jobs by establishing a home-grown recycling industry, which would see us processing recyclable waste, and activating a market for recycled goods.”

According to the manifesto, the Team is committed to providing “a comprehensive solid waste plan” aimed at ensuring that the city and all communities therein are well maintained. “Our plan includes a vision to mitigate the impacts of climate change and the environment. We believe that if our communities are maintained on a consistent basis, they will become resilient to damage and disease caused by flooding and infectious outbreaks. This will result in happier, healthier and more productive communities,” the manifesto stated.

Additionally, it is Team Benschop’s plan to work closely with the municipality's police and Central Police to implement strategies geared at reducing the incidence of robberies, gang violence, drug use, domestic violence and juvenile delinquency in communities.

“We will task [the] municipal police with the development and promotion of strategies and programmes for

tax payments and verification, and the use of management information systems in local government offices.”

Mark Benschop Constabulary and improve recruitment practices, implement a campaign to control stray animals, and introduce anti-littering campaigns around the city and in schools.

MODERNISATION Team Benschop believes that the use of technology would ensure that the services provided by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council will be significantly more efficient and effective. “This will augur well for the creation of faster, more efficient service delivery, as well as the creation of opportunities for employment and local innovation.”

According to the manifesto, the introduction of modernised services such as the provision of ICT at the local government level will contribute to a “greener economy by producing less waste.”

“Our team is committed to the introduction of electronic parking meters throughout the city, an online system for

The development and empowerment of every citizen are viewed as critical by Team Benschop and as such, the group says it is committed to “grassroot development through a process that is inclusive and sustainable.”

More emphasis will be placed on the education of citizens on the local government processes. “We are specifically interested in the empowerment of our most vulnerable groups: youth, women and children, the disabled and the elderly, to participate in the decision- making processes.”

On that note, the group intends to place special to ensuring that there is an opportunity for participation at every level, for every citizen. “As a local government authority, we will also pay serious attention to sporting initiatives. More specifically, we will ensure that an auspicious environment is provided and maintained to augur health, inclusive recreational opportunities for every community member.”

Team Benschop commits to having an open-door policy as it believes that citizens currently feel excluded from the decision-making process. As such, information and communication is vital and a mechanism will be created by citizens through which needs are made known to local government officials.

Accountability is also critical to ensure success and the group commits to ensuring that mechanisms are in place whereby elected officials are held responsible.

“Team Benschop is here to serve the people and we are committed to fostering grass-root leadership and potential through the local government process,” the manifesto stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Kudos for Cove & John police

By Shirley Thomas IMAGINE losing a $150,000 Samsung Galaxy S6 phone in a dense crowd such as a Mavado show and retrieving it in less than 12 hours – well, it actually happened re-

cently.

Strategic planning and execution on the part of ranks at the Cove & John Police Station last Monday made this amazing, ‘movie style’ retrieval possible.

The theft of the phone

was reported to the police by its owner around mid-afternoon, and prompt and shrewd police intelligence led ranks at the station to where the pick-pockets might be with the phone and at what

time.

It was high drama outside the Golden Grove Market shortly after 16:00 hrs that afternoon, when the Cove & John Police, acting on information, swooped down at the place identified. In a swift and slick operation, they encircled three teenagers who were acting suspiciously.

Three police ranks, using an unmarked motorcar along with a motorcycle driven by Detective Constable Samuels, were on a stakeout in the vicinity of the Golden Grove Market where the men were hiding out. Then on

the stroke of the hour on which the men had agreed to carry out an action, they advanced and so did the police.

As the young men advanced, they recognized one of the ranks and gasped, then bolted, but the police using the unmarked car and Constable Samuels’ motorcycle quickly cordoned the men.

Then, as if by divine intervention, just at that moment, a passing police patrol car drove up and spontaneously joined the cordon. Two of the young men managed to escape, but the one who

was allegedly the mastermind behind the robbery was nabbed and taken to the Cove and John Police Station.

The operation was so ‘neat and clean’ and well planned and executed, that persons witnessing it exclaimed, “Wow! This is real movie style!” The phone was retrieved, without the police having to discharge a single round.

The owner of the phone wishes to express their profound gratitude to the ranks of Cove & John Police Station for their dedication to duty, and a well-executed job.

‘D’ Division police support La Parfaite Harmonie Primary

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

THE police in ‘D’ Division partnered recently with Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikaran to make workers available to lay tiles for the floors at La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School library.

Last week, Commander Stephen Mansell handed over to headmistress Shondell Chichester a TV, a quantity of floor tiles, steel rods and a number of books for the construction of the school’s library.

Upon completion, a computer and printer will be donated to the library

by Senior Superintendent Mansell on behalf of Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud.

The Region Three administration has teamed up with the police in that corridor for several community projects to enhance the lives of youths.

Commander Stephen Mansell; Regional Executive Officer, Denis Jaikaran; Headmistress Shondell Chichester; and Regional Engineer at La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School

Construction worker Two Guyanese falls six storeys smugglers caught with

A 31-YEAR-OLD construction worker is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after falling off the sixth floor of a seven-storey building at the corner of Church and Albert Streets, Alberttown last Friday.

The victim, Andre Allicock of One Mile Wismar, suffered multiple injuries, including compound fractures to both hands and legs and injuries to his face and back, among other things.

Allicock recalled that around 21:00 hrs on Friday night, he was working on the seven-story Sleep-In construction site in Alberttown, when he accidentally fell. Fortunately for him, a security guard named Junior Bacchus, and Andre’s cousin, Nigel Bacchus, were on the scene. The men contacted the owner and informed him of the mishap.

Over the last five days since the accident, Andre, who is immobilised and confined to bed, has had much time for sober reflection. While thanking God for saving his life, he says he remembers vividly that he was wearing no helmet at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, he is now fully conscious of the fact that it will take more than a year for him to recover from his injuries and that during that time he would not be able to work.

Courts to donate to La Parfaite Harmonie Primary, Kingston Secondary today

COURTS Guyana Inc. in support of education in Guyana will be donating a television set and a gas stove to two schools today at 10:30hrs at its Main Street store.

The furniture giant has, in the past, made donations to several schools with much needed appliances and other articles, and promised to continue to support the delivery of education.

Courts will be making donations to La Parfaite Harmonie Primary and Kingston Secondary Schools respectively. The students of La Parfaite Harmonie Primary were in dire need of a television to help them in audio-visual teaching in order to improve literacy at the school, while at Kingston Secondary, students were in need of a gas stove for practical sessions in Home Economics.

Courts, after becoming aware of the needs of these two schools, decided to assist by providing the much-needed items.

TT$1M in medicine

TWO Guyanese nationals are in police custody after they were caught smuggling an estimated TT$1 million in pharmaceutical drugs from Guyana to Trinidad.

According to police reports, on Friday, a team of officers from Arouca Police Station, the Arouca CID and Northern Division Task Force, under the supervision of Senior Supt David Abraham with assistance from Supt Daniel, Insp Price, Insp Maraj, Sgt Joseph, Sgt Pitt and Cpl Leon, among several others, made their way to a home in St Helena.

The officers, acting on information received, executed a search warrant in the presence of a 46-year-old man and a 39-year-old man. (Trinidad Express)

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Probe still on into Mon Repos bond fire FOLLOWING last Thursday’s fire which consumed a two-storey building that housed a storage bond at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said the cause of the conflagration is still be to ascertained.

He added that the probe is still active, so he cannot make a pronouncement until the investigation is completed.

The Fire Chief noted that they have not ruled out anything, but no one was at the premises when the fire started on the evening of February 18 at about 22:30 hrs.

Gentle stated that the top flat was the living quarters, which was unoccupied at the time of the fire, and the lower flat was converted into a tyre bond.

The building, which was used to store a large quantity of tyres and electrical appliances, is said to be owned by two brothers who reside overseas.

The business was managed by local employees, and no-one could say how the fire started but stated that millions of dollars in stock was destroyed in the blaze.

However, the Guyana Fire Service managed to contain the blaze, even though there was minimal water in the nearby trenches as a result of the dry season.

Villagers recalled smelling the pungent odour of burning tyres and hearing explosions, after which they observed thick smoke and fire emanating from the building. The entire structure was reduced to a pile of rubble within minutes.

Meanwhile, in a separate fire on Tuesday, two autistic brothers were saved from a heavily grilled and secured house at 206 Lodge Housing Scheme, Georgetown, when a blaze erupted in the kitchen area.

The fire started after a ‘hot-plate’ was left plugged in and reportedly overheated. Neighbours summoned the GFS but managed after some difficulty to rescue the siblings from the house. The fire was contained to the kitchen area.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Court Marshal in lots of hot water

A SENIOR Court Marshal attached to the Supreme Court was yesterday placed on $810,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the offenses of dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Patrick Higgins, of Section B Diamond, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which alleged that on February 23, 2016 he drove his motor car in a dangerous manner on the Houston, East Bank Demerara public road, causing the death of 60-year-old Juene Carroll Marshall of Virginia Village, Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara.

Higgins was also charged for driving under the influence of alcohol. It is alleged that at the same

time and place, his blood alcohol level was 37 micrograms, which is above the legal limit of 35.

The defendant was represented by three lawyers: Lyndon Amsterdam, Roger Yearwood and Dennis Paul.

Yearwood told the court that his client had no previous convictions and that he stayed at the scene of the accident for an hour before the police arrived.

The lawyer also asked the court to take into consideration the modus operandi of his client and the fact that he was an officer in the courts. Meanwhile, the police prosecutor objected to bail based on the seriousness of the matter, the loss of life and the fact that the address that the lawyer submitted to the

court was different for the one that was submitted to

Patrick Higgins the police.

Higgins was granted $10,000 bail for driving under the influence of alcohol and $800,000 for the offense of dangerous driving. He is expected to

return to court on February 29, 2016 on the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and March 4 for the offence of dangerous driving.

According to reports, the victim, who was a security guard, was riding along the East Bank road around 04:30hours when he was struck by a car which was reportedly proceeding at a fast rate. Marshall and his bicycle ended up in a nearby drain.

According to paramedics, the man, whose body was partly submerged, suffered several broken limbs and a broken neck as a result of the impact.

The victim’s body had been in the drain for at least two hours before it was removed.

Former cop remanded for murder of reputed wife FORMER Guyana Police Force Sergeant Colin Bailey was yesterday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan until March 15, 2016 for the offense of murder. Bailey appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

According to police claims, between August 30 and 31, 2013 he murdered his reputed wife, Sirmattie Ramnaress at her Diamond, East Bank Demerara home.

In providing his personal information to the court, Bailey said he was 52 – years’ old and resided at South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara. When asked about his profession, Baily told the court that he was a policeman.

However, according to police records he was fired from the Guyana Police

Force last year after he appeared in court charged with a corrupt transaction

an and who was slated to appear in court again on March 7 but they had no

Former Police Sergeant, Colin Bailey [Leroy Smith Photo]

Sirmattie Ramnaress

along with another policeman.

The prosecution said there was another person who was also charged with the murder of the wom-

intentions of charging the men jointly.

In 2013, Ramnaress was found dead in her home at Diamond and it was suspected that she might have

been murdered by persons close to her. The 36-yearold was found in the lower flat of her posh home by an employee who turned up for work.

The body bore stab wounds, her house was ransacked and the lower flat drenched with diesel but not set afire.

The police had initially expressed an interest in the woman’s former partner who was a serving policeman at the time of her death. However when her body was discovered, the man was reportedly on escort duties.

The Police Force reopened the case last year and arrested a suspect, who allegedly claimed that he was paid to kill the woman and to remove the device that stored her surveillance footage.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

FIFA to proceed with election of ...

From back page of Blatter’s “services rendered to FIFA”.

The committee also shaved two years off its suspension for European soccer boss Michel Platini, who had been favourite to replace Blatter, until an investigation began into a $2.03M payment FIFA made to him in 2011 for work done a decade earlier.

“Mr Platini’s and Mr Blatter’s activities and the services they had rendered to FIFA, UEFA and football in general over the years should deserve appropriate recognition as a mitigating factor,” the committee said.

Platini was not impressed.

“The decision is insulting, shameful and is a violation of rights,” he said in a statement.

“The charges against me

are baseless, built from the ground up and surreal in view of the facts and the explanations I gave during the hearing.”

Five candidates are standing to replace Blatter to try to lead FIFA out of its crisis.

In a sign of the level of distrust over the election, candidate Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan had asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to delay the vote on concerns over the voting booths.

MOBILE PHONES Worried that delegates might use their mobile phones to photograph their ballot sheets in a vote which is supposed to be secret, Ali had demanded transparent booths.

His campaign team even had some of the booths flown in and displayed them to the media at a warehouse on the outskirts of Zurich.

Nevertheless, CAS rejected his request.

“The only positive aspect of today’s ruling is it that the election will now go forward as planned, and the media will be closely

watching for any evidence that anyone is photographing their ballot,” Ali said in a statement.

As Ali’s case was thrown out, another candidate, Jerome Champagne, said he would appeal to CAS over the amount of observers who would be allowed into the congress hall tomorrow.

But he did not ask for a postponement of the election itself.

“The election cannot be delayed, it’s just to point the finger at a problem,” the Frenchman told reporters.

Both Ali and Champ a g n e h a v e e x p re s s e d concern over the fact that FIFA’s continental confederations do not vote but often issue declarations of support for particular candidates, potentially skewing the election results.

FIFA’s 209-member national associations (FAs) each hold one vote and secret voting means they can ignore directives without being found out. Ali has said FAs who do not toe the line can find they suffer reprisals from their continental confederations.

Gianni Infantino, general secretary of European governing body UEFA, and Asian soccer boss Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa are seen as the favourites to replace Blatter.

South African businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale is the other candidate.

Tomorrow’s congress will also vote on a package of reforms seen as crucial for cleaning up FIFA’s image, even as investigations continue in the United States and Switzerland.

FIFA’s executive committee yesterday called on the FAs to vote in favour of the reforms, which acting president Issa Hayatou described as “critical” to the federation’s future.

“The eyes of the world are on us this week after one of the most challenging times in our history,” Hayatou told the committee, according to a FIFA statement.

“The approval of the reforms will send a strong message that we have listened and that we are taking the action necessary to regain trust and improve our performance.”

Rio 2016 Olympic torch ...

From back page Among the stops will be the Teatro Amazonas opera house in the rainforest city of Manaus (June 19) and the fabled Iguacu Falls (June 30).

About 12 000 people will carry the torch along the route, which is designed to reach about 90 per cent of the country’s population.

“By taking the Olympic flame to the whole country, we will be keeping our promise to give millions of people the chance to participate in a celebration that will stay in their memories for a long time,” Rio 2016 president Carlos Arthur Nuzman said in a release.

“We want to see the pride of people in the streets, show our cultural diversity and our nature.

We will reveal to the world the essence of our country.”

(Sportsmax.com)

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Thurles 10:05 hrs Uranna 11:15 hrs Our Duke 11:50 hrs Union Dues 12:25 hrs Rathpatrick 13:00 hrs Papa’s Way 13:30 hrs Freeway Space

English Racing Tips Huntingdon 09:45 hrs Blue Rambler 10:15 hrs Rolling Dough 10:45 hrs Gitane Du Berlais 11:20 hrs Stoneham 11:55 hrs Here I Go 12:30 hrs Board Of Trade 13:05 hrs Clondaw Fonz

Arab Emirates Racing Tips Meydan 11:00 hrs One Man Band 11:35 hrs Brabbham 12:10 hrs Marking 12:45 hrs Zahee 13:20 hrs Think Ahead 13:55 hrs California Chrome 14:30 hrs Banaadeer

Lingfield 10:00 hrs Skibby Mill 11:10 hrs Intimately 11:45 hrs Franco’s Secret 12:20 hrs Lucky Di 12:55 hrs Secret Asset

American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Dr Luber’s Kiss Race 2 Froyo Star Race 3 Promise and Hope Race 4 Amoral Race 5 Liberty First Race 6 Amour’s Charm Race 7 Picozza

Irish Racing Tips

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 25, 2016

Smith, Australia target dynasty (REUTERS) - Australia have achieved what Steve Smith set out to do when he assumed the captaincy last year by climbing to the top of the Test rankings after beating New Zealand yesterday with the batsman admitting the trick now “was to stay there”.

The seven-wicket victory coming just after lunch on the final day at Hagley Oval sealed a 2-0 series win against Brendon McCullum’s side and confirmed

Australia, the new No.1 Test side, pose with their series trophies after beating New Zealand on the fifth day in Christchurch.

Australia’s ascendancy to the pinnacle of Test cricket for the first time since July 2014.

“It’s a good start for us.

We want to win every series we play and winning away from home is a big goal of mine and the team’s,” Smith told reporters.

“We came here at the start of the series wanting to win 2-0 and we knew if we did that we would be number one in the world.

“I guess the challenge for this group now is to extend that gap and try and play some very good cricket home and away.”

Smith, who first captained the side for three Tests against India in Michael Clarke’s absence at the end of 2014, assumed the role in a full-time

capacity after his predecessor retired following the Ashes series loss to England last year.

Five others joined Clarke in international retirement as a result of that tour and Smith has inherited a side that is rebuilding, though they have won six of their eight matches since with their top-five batsmen all scoring heavily.

“I was confident with the guys coming in that they would do the job,” Smith added. “Big hundreds are what put your team in a good position.

“I’ve been really pleased with the way the guys have been able to get through tough periods and be willing to bat for long periods of time... which is the most

pleasing thing.”

Australia’s pace bowling stocks have also been weakened with Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris retiring, while Mitchell Starc remains out with a long-term ankle injury.

Josh Hazlewood has assumed the pace spearhead role, while James Pattinson produced a fiery performance in Christchurch after battling shin soreness and Jackson Bird took his first five-wicket haul after returning from a lengthy absence.

“I thought our bowlers put the ball in the right areas (and) put the New Zealand batters under a lot of pressure,” Smith said.

“I’m pleased with the way the team is gelling.”

Smith fined 30 per cent of match fee for umpire dissent

By Greg Stutchbury

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (Reuters) - Steve Smith’s joy at leading Australia to a Test series win over New Zealand that took them back to the top of the world rankings yesterday was tempered by the news he had been charged with dissent for his role in a confrontation with an umpire.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) charged both Smith and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood after the pair confronted umpire Ranmore Martinesz when a decision went against them on the fourth day of the second Test at Hagley Oval on Tuesday.

With New Zealand battling to build a second-innings lead, Hazlewood was convinced he had trapped Kane Williamson lbw only for umpire Martinesz to deny the appeal.

Captain Smith asked for a review, though ‘hot-spot’ technology showed Williamson had got a thin inside edge onto his pad, so ball tracking was not examined.

The big screen did not show a clear picture of the hotspot and Hazlewood exploded, with stump microphones capturing his expletive-laden tirade, and Smith then confronted Martinesz.

Hazlewood was later fined 15 percent of his match fee for swearing while Smith was fined 30 percent for dissent after Australia wrapped up the match yesterday.

The ICC said Smith admit-

… Hazlewood gets 15 percent fine

Steven Smith has a word with umpire Ranmore Martinesz after an unsuccessful review on the 4th day of the second Test in Christchurch. as a leader, I need to set the ted the offence and accepted the sanction, and there was no need for a formal hearing.

Smith had said after the match he had only sought clarification from Martinesz as to why other technology had not been used to confirm the decision on the field.

“I thought I was well within my rights to go up to the umpire and ask him why we didn’t use the real time Snicko,” Smith told reporters.

“I guess out in the field we couldn’t see a hot-spot and I’ve been informed since then that if there’s a hot-spot they don’t go to real time Snicko, so that was basically what I was doing at the time.

“That’s deemed to be dissent and I’ll cop that on the chin and I need to be better

example and that was not good enough.”

The Australians were booed by the crowd after the incident, while former players were divided on social media as to whether the tourists had overstepped the mark.

“I don’t think we’re not nice guys,” Smith said of Australia, who have previously been accused of pushing the boundaries of sportsmanship and criticised for sledging.

“We play a good, hard, aggressive brand of cricket.

“For us it’s about knowing where that line is and myself and Josh Hazlewood have crossed that line in this Test match and that’s not what we’re about.

“Hopefully, we can learn from that and continue to develop as a team and get better.”

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

Ecclestone welcomes F1 changes after ‘wake-up’ call

By Alan Baldwin

BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone says the sport faces a brighter future after teams agreed a new qualifying format from this season, even if he had sought a more radical approach to liven up racing.

Speaking to Reuters two days after he said current F1 was the worst it had ever been and he would not buy tickets for his family to watch races, the 85-year-old sounded a much more positive note.

“I think now I’d be a bit more confident that we are going to see some good racing,” he said in a telephone interview. “Then I’ll be happy.”

Ecclestone said teams, who agreed the new qualifying format on Tuesday, had finally woken up and taken a step in the right direction with more change to come.

“I think there’s lot of things we can do and will be doing,” he said.

“What people needed

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was a bit of a shake-up. I top six teams as well as seem to be the only person governing body, approved a that has thought we should range of measures -- yet to do something in Formula be formally ratified by the One, to wake everybody International Automobile up a little bit. And maybe Federation -- in Geneva on that’s what’s happened.

Tuesday.

“I wasn’t talking down The changes are aimed the sport at all, quite the at making cars faster, louder, opposite. I was trying to sort harder to handle and more of explain that unless we did aggressive for the 2017 seasomething that’s the way son. we’d be going.”

The new qualifying Formula One’s core format was passed unanistrategy group, which in- mously, meaning it can be cludes Ecclestone and the introduced at this season’s

opening race in Australia on March 20 instead of waiting a year.

Under the new procedure, the slowest drivers will be eliminated as the session progresses rather than at the end of each phase. The final shootout for pole will be between two drivers rather than 10.

“The idea really is that it will be the same as qualifying in wet conditions. Maybe one or two of the hotshoes aren’t going to make it. So we won’t see the obvious on the front of the grid,” Ecclestone said.

His own “dollar’s worth of input”, he said, was something more extreme.

“My idea was to leave qualifying just as it is, don’t touch it. And then penalise people if you want from pole position downwards depending on their result in the previous race,” Ecclestone explained.

He explained that would have allowed a driver’s pole to be entered in the record books for posterity, even if he did not start from the front of the grid because of

the ensuing demotion.

“I think if we had a different grid we would certainly have different racing,” he said.

Looking further ahead, Ecclestone said the sport needed to do more to reduce the dominance of champions Mercedes and rivals Ferrari, who between them provide eight of the 11 teams with engines, both on and off the track.

“It’s no good just seeing Mercedes in the front, without any competition. That’s what I complained about,” he said.

“I want the public to enjoy Formula One. I want them to go to a race and not be able to say before they go ‘I’m sure (triple world champion Lewis) Hamilton is going to win’. I don’t want that.”

In his previous interview with Britain’s Daily Mail, Ecclestone compared the influence wielded by Mercedes and Ferrari to that of an “illegal cartel”.

Teams they supply usually vote in accordance with

their wishes, while Ferrari can also exercise a veto over matters deemed to be against their sporting and commercial interests.

Ecclestone also said then that FIA president Jean Todt was too much of a diplomat and should hand over the running of Formula One to someone else.

He clarified those remarks yesterday.

“What was quoted by me about Mr Todt was very simple,” he said.

“What was intended is that he is very busy doing the road safety and things like that and for him, or me, to spend a whole day at these meetings knowing full well we are going to achieve nothing before the meeting starts is just not on.

“The moment the way we are structured ... where Ferrari and Mercedes can get together and their teams will have to follow them when they vote … is not good. We don’t need two Formula One teams running Formula One. They are competitors.”

Rohit powers India to victory in Asia Cup opener

INDIA recovered from a poor start to cruise to a 45-run victory over Bangladesh in yesterday’s Asia Cup opener thanks to 83 from Rohit Sharma in Mirpur.

Having been put in to bat, India quickly slumped to 42-3 but Rohit – who received good support from Hardik Pandya (31) - held firm to lead India to a total of 166-6 from their 20 overs with a superb 55-ball innings Bangladesh lost both opening batsmen inside the first four overs and never came close to reaching the target, being restricted to 121-7.

WBCC T20 showdown billed for Sunday

WITH the aim to have community cohesion and at the same time ensure that sport plays a major role in the development of Region Five, the West Berbice Chamber of Commerce (WBCC) will stage a T20 tournament on Sunday at the C3 Recreational Park, Cotton Tree, West Coast, Berbice.

The much-anticipated and fun-filled one day tournament will be contested among four top teams, namely Cotton Tree/D’Edward Combined, Blairmont/West Berbice Combined, Universal DVD Port Mourant and Young Warriors.

The winners of the two preliminaries will clash in the final. The games commence at 09:00hrs.

The WBCC was delighted to be a part of this initiative since it believes that investment in youths represents investment for the future.

The entity welcomes the undertaking and urged the communities to come out and support the matches and continue to support the development of communities within which they operate. Admission is free.

Rohit Sharma Al-Amin Hossain (3-37) struck for Bangladesh with the ninth delivery of the match, removing Shikhar Dhawan (2) with an excellent swinging delivery before Virat Kohli (8) was dismissed by Mashrafe Mortaza (1-40) three overs later.

Suresh Raina (13) fell victim to Mahmudullah (1-9) on a particularly green pitch but Bangladesh spoilt a golden chance

to dismiss Rohit, who was dropped in the 11th over by Shakib Al Hasan and - after putting on 55 with Yuvraj Singh (15) combined brilliantly with Pandya for 61.

Pandya justified his promotion to number six ahead of MS Dhoni with a prolific innings that featured four boundaries and a six in the space of 11 balls.

By the time Rohit - who struck seven fours and three maximums - and Pandya had been removed in the final over, the damage had been done and India had compiled a competitive total.

In response, Bangladesh soon showed signs of frailty.

Ashish Nehra (3-23) dismissed Mohammad Mithun (1) and Soumya Sarkar went for just 11 to the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah (1-23).

Sabbir Rahman (44) threatened to keep Bangladesh in the game but the wickets continued to tumble around him.

Pandya (1-23) eventually did for Sabbir and Nehra subsequently claimed the wickets of Mahmudullah (7) and Mashrafe (0) to leave Bangladesh on 100-7 with 20 balls remaining and all but end the match as a contest.

(Omni Sport)

Flintoff elected PCA president FORMER England captain Andrew Flintoff has been elected the new president of the P ro f e s s i o n a l C r i c k e t ers’ Association. (PCA) The all-rounder succeeds fellow Lancastrian David Lloyd to become only the seventh president in its history.

Flintoff, 38, said:

Former England captain Andrew Flintoff

“This is a huge honour, especially as it will be the Golden Jubilee of the PCA in 2017.”

He played in 79 Tests, 141 one-day internationals and seven Twenty20 internationals between 1998 and 2009.

Flintoff, who played a key part in two Ashes series wins in 2005 and 2009, was

also voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2005.

Only John Arlott, Jack Bannister, Mike Gatting, Sir Ian Botham, Chris Broad and Lloyd have previously been president at the PCA, the representative body of past and present first-class cricketers in England and Wales.

(BBC Sport).

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday February 25, 2016

Top seeds Bulls and Man City within touching Raiders to clash in distance after 3-1 win enthralling final

By Joe Chapman

ARCH RIVALS and top seeds Half Mile Bulls and Retrieve Raiders are set for a classic encounter, following their semi-final wins in the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) and Linden’s 104.3 Power FM Radio Mash Open basketball championship, billed for Saturday at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

The finalists were decided last Saturday night as the pre-game favourites came through against their opponents with the number one-ranked Bulls taking care of third seeds Victory Valley Royals 71-65, and the second-seeded Raiders overcoming fourth-ranked Amelia’s Ward Jets 47-45 in what were close encounters.

In the first semi-final, the Raiders were shouldered by their experienced power forward Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts to a close win as they held sway, 1411 after the first quarter ended and by halftime were still ahead 20-16.

The third quarter was also close with the Raiders holding out to lead 32-27 and with Roberts in full flow they were able to emerge winners by a basket, 47-45.

Joel Webster and Parrish Cardigan were the principal scorers for the

Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts Jets with 11 points each.

In the second game the Bulls, led by their national guard Michael Turner and Terron Welch and powerful forward Travin Dryden ensured them a solid victory eventually.

Turner had a gamehigh 22 points and Welch contributed 21 as Dryden added 10 in their win. The game was one where the Royals were on top 13-12 when the first quarter ended and by halftime the Bulls clawed back to be ahead 31-26.

By the end of the pivotal third quarter the edge was in favour of the Bulls 49-48 and the overall team work of the Bulls enabled them to come away with a good victory 71-65.

The top player for the Royals was Harold Adams who was again unstoppable with 29 points.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday February 25, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Conrad Hunte (260) (2) Clive Lloyd (WI vs PAK, Albion, 1977) Today’s Quiz: (1) Where and when did Andy Roberts make his Test debut?

(2) Where and when did the WI contest an ODI at a neutral venue for the first time?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

KIEV, (Reuters) - Manchester City moved within touching distance of a first appearance in the Champions League quarterfinals after a dynamic first-half display at Dynamo Kiev helped them secure a 3-1 last-16 first-leg win yesterday.

City were irrepressible in the opening 45 minutes, slicing through their opponents almost at will and taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

The hosts, however, improved dramatically after the restart and Vitaliy Buyalskiy’s deflected effort reduced the arrears to fire up the home crowd and spur on the Dynamo players.

City keeper Joe Hart was forced into a superb save to deny Buyalskiy an equaliser, but Yaya Toure curled home late on to leave the tie firmly balanced in City’s favour ahead of the return leg on March 15.

The English side, who reverted to a full-strength team after resting a host of players in a humiliating 5-1 FA Cup defeat by Chelsea, began with real intent, dominating possession and pressing their opponents into near submission in a classy first-half display.

Yaya Toure scores the third goal for Manchester City. (Action Images via Reuters/John SibleyLivepic) The hosts, returning from their winter break, looked very much a side who had not played an official match in two and a half months.

After a minor scare for City when Hart pushed an effort from Andriy Yarmolenko on to the crossbar, the visitors took the lead after 15 minutes.

Toure headed Silva’s corner into the path of Aguero, who made the most of the space he had been afforded to chest the ball down and volley sharply past keeper Olexandr

Shovkovskiy for his 16th goal in his last 17 Champions League starts.

The visitors missed chances to extend the lead with Aguero flashing a shot fractionally wide and Toure forcing Shovkovskiy to palm his effort away at the near post, but it was not long before they doubled their advantage.

Silva, playing in a central playmaker role, finished off a teasing low cross from Raheem Sterling at the far post on 40 minutes after good work from Aguero.

Kiev came out in the second half with renewed vigour and reduced the deficit when Buyalskiy’s rasping effort from the edge of the area took a big deflection off Nicolas Otamendi and nestled in the corner of Hart’s net.

Kiev piled forward and Hart was forced into a superb low save to deny Buyalskiy an equaliser with 10 minutes remaining, but Toure put City within touching distance of the last eight when he curled in from 20 metres in the 90th minute.

Australia outplayed us with bat and ball - NZ coach

(REUTERS) - New Zealand had entered their Test series against Australia with expectations they could beat their trans-Tasman rivals only to be outplayed by their top order and pace bowlers, coach Mike Hesson said.

Steve Smith’s side completed a sweep of the twomatch series with a seven-wicket victory at Hagley Oval yesterday which ensured they claimed the top ranking in Test cricket.

“We certainly felt that we had a chance, without doubt,” Hesson told reporters in Christchurch. “To lose the series two- nil was very disappointing.

“We weren’t close in the end result but certainly felt that if things had been a little different then we might have been able to put a bit more pressure on them.”

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson Australia’s bowlers had created pressure on New Zealand’s batsmen, initially, courtesy of winning the toss and getting first chance on the green pitches, which assisted them.

Later in the innings, however, they also found significant and consistent reverse

swing, something Hesson said his side had been unable to do.

“I think Australia were better with the ball and were able to generate movement throughout the match not just the first innings,” Hesson said.

“At times we got it to

go (reverse-swing), but we didn’t get it to go as consistently as Australia did and they got it to go a lot earlier than we.”

He added that the pitch and conditions had not helped his side, with the Australians batting at optimal times to build big totals.

Australia passed 500 twice in their three innings with four of their top five scoring a century, while New Zealand’s highest score was the 370 they posted in Christchurch when McCullum belted the world’s fastest Test century from 54 balls.

“The top five of Australia outplayed us,” Hesson said.

“We were unable to break them down and get wickets in clumps which obviously Australia were able to do. To be fair I think their top five batsmen were exceptional.”

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday February 25, 2016

World Cup win was a total team effort - Hetymer

By Rajiv Bisnauth

WEST Indies recovered from losing their first three matches on tour, all to Bangladesh, then their first in the ICC Under-19 World Cup tournament to England by 61 runs, before going on a run that would land the region a first world title at the Under-19 level.

After the defeat to England, they crushed minnows Fiji by 262 runs before eking out a narrow two-run win over Zimbabwe in controversial circumstances in their final group game to reach the quarter-finals.

West Indies then produced clinical run chases to beat Pakistan by five wickets and Bangladesh by two wickets in the semi-finals to clinch their spot in the final against previously unbeaten India Under-19s.

However, in an invited comment recently, captain Berbician Shimron Hetmyer said the win was a total team effort, adding that “it’s a very

that the pitches would not have been much different from those in the Caribbean but when we played our first practice game and even in the net sessions we found that the pitches were mostly green and had some bounce and pace as well.”

The West Indies became the second cricket-playing nation to win every trophy in world cricket when they won the ICC Under-19

World Cup, beating India by five wickets last February 14.

It was the first major title for the West Indies at any level since Darren Sammy’s senior team won the ICC Twenty20 in Sir Lanka in 2012. The West Indies added the Under-19 title to the senior World Cup titles (1975 & 1979), the Costcutter Under-15 title (2000) and Champions Trophy (2012).

Western Tigers, Santos latest STAG League winners

Shimron Hetmyer became the first captain from the West Indies to win the Under-19 World Cup. He receives the World Cup trophy from ICC president Zaheer Abbas. give us that complete per“It’s not only my per- formance. It feels great good feeling, to be the first captain from the West Indies formance or anyone in of course being part of to win the Under-19 World particular but a whole a World Cup-winning team coming together to squad as we went there to Cup”. win,” he noted.

Hetymer added “Before we left the Caribbean to go there we thought

THE Western Tigers and Santos are the latest clubs to register wins in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) STAG Premier League.

Matches continued on Monday evening with Western Tigers registering a 3-0 win over the Flamingo Football Club with Randolph Wagner doing the damage.

Wagner’s hat-trick came from strikes in the 45th, 75th and 90th minutes.

In the other game, Santos Football Club needled Northern Rangers thanks to an early strike (2nd minute) from Ryan Hackett.

Matches continue today at the GFC ground, Bourda where Riddim Squad take on Police in game one. In game two Camptown and Beacon Football Club will go toe-totoe.

Action begins at 18:30hrs.

Dottin five-for derails South Africa Women Windies seniors must step

Deandra Dottin FIFTIES from Hayley Matthews and Britney Cooper, followed by a five-wicket haul from fast bowler Deandra Dottin, set up West Indies Women’s 16-run win against South Africa Women in East London.

West Indies, opting to bat, lost their opener Shaqua-

na Quintyne early, but a 56run stand for the third wicket between Matthews and Dottin lifted the team past 100.

Matthews top-scored with 56, but both she and Dottin were trapped lbw by Sune Luus in quick succession, pegging the visitors back.

Cooper, though, pro-

vided West Indies with much-needed impetus, stroking an unbeaten 55 off 66 balls, with six fours and a six. Cooper added 48 runs in the company of Shemaine Campbelle, as West Indies ended with 214 for 7.

South Africa’s opener Trisha Chetty made a steady start to the chase, scoring 47, but her dismissal in the 23rd over led to a slide, as quick blows from Dottin and Anisa Mohammed reduced the hosts to 120 for 7. Marizanne Kapp (69*) and Shabnim Ismail (34) put up a brief resistance, combining for a 70-run partnership, but Dottin and Quintyne eventually ran through the tail to bundle South Africa out for 198.

Dottin was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 34, her maiden five-wicket haul, while Quintyne and Anisa chipped in with two scalps apiece. (ESPN Cricinfo)

up for World Cup - Ambrose

WEST Indies bowling legend Curtly Ambrose believes the team is an excellent position to claim the World T20 title based on the glut of talent available.

Few T20 Leagues around the world could afford to have the likes of stars Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Dwayne Smith and Dwayne Bravo in the same squad, but it is the embarrassment of riches so to speak that the regional team will have at its disposal next month.

“Look at the team that we have, half of the team are in demand across the world for different T20 leagues. So you may find one guy here, maybe two in this league and two in another league but we have all at once so we have a great chance of winning this T20 tournament, just look at

Chris Gayle

our squad,” Ambrose said.

The former player and current bowling coach, however, believes that a key component of success will rest on the shoulders of the senior players.

“The senior players, Marlon Samuel, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, captain Darren Sammy and all the senior players have to lead from the front.

From my experience over the years, when the senior players - the guys that we expect to really take the mantle and take the team forward - are doing well, automatically the younger players will step up to the plate,” Ambrose added.

Samuels, Gayle, Sammy and Russell were all a part of the team’s successful triumph in T20, but it will be without the services of Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard who withdrew from a named 15-man squad for separate reasons ahead of the tournament. (Sportsmax.com)

Windies seniors must step up for World Cup - Ambrose See Story on Page 31

Curtly Ambrose

FIFA to proceed with election of a new president … Former FIFA head told to stay away, Blatter, Platini bans reduced

By Brian Homewood and Simon Evans ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - World soccer’s governing body FIFA will proceed with an election to pick a new president tomorrow, to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter and vote on a set of reforms aimed at restoring its credibility after the worst graft scandal in its history.

One candidate had sought to have the vote on a new president delayed but sport’s highest tribunal threw out his request,

clearing the way for FIFA to hold its planned Extraordinary Congress in Zurich.

FIFA urged members to approve its reforms at the congress, including term limits for top officials and disclosure of their earnings, to rebuild trust after several dozen officials were indicted in the United States and a criminal investigation was begun in Switzerland.

Swiss Blatter, whose 18year tenure officially ends

this week, had hoped to attend the Congress but lost an appeal against his eight-year ban for ethics violations, meaning he must stay away.

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini

Rio 2016 Olympic torch relay route unveiled

The Maracana Stadium ABOUT 12 000 people will carry the torch through Brazil on its 95-day journey to the Opening Ceremony.

The Olympic torch will wind its way through Brazil for more than three months before arriving at the storied

Maracana Stadium on August 5 to officially open the 2016 Rio Games.

The Rio 2016 organising committee yesterday unveiled the full route for the traditional torch relay, which will pass through 329

towns and cities on its 95day journey through South American country.

The torch will be lit April 21 in Olympia, Greece, the ancient home of the Games, and arrive in Brazil’s capital of Brasilia on May 3. The

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

route will cover more than 10 000 miles in the air and 12 000 miles on the ground, passing through towns of all sizes on its way to Rio de Janeiro.

See page 27

The federation’s appeal committee nevertheless reduced the suspension to six years in acknowledgement

See page 27

‘Leave me, let me build this squad’ -Shabazz tells critics

By Stephan Sookram OUTSPOKEN head coach of the Golden Jaguars unit, Jamaal Shabazz, has again lashed out at critics, this time at those who specifically have been critical of his management of the national side.

Speaking to the media following the Jaguars 2-0 thrashing of the Surinamese National team last Sunday, the often candid Trinidadian had some strong words for those critics who continually sit on the sidelines with their comments.

“Leave me, let me build this squad and let the staff do our job. It don’t have no foreigner and local with Guyana,” Golden Jaguars head said the head Jaguar, adding, coach Jamaal Shabazz “I don’t want anybody to come and interfere with what we ana. Don’t put this foolishness are trying to do. Everybody into the head of the players. in Guyana knows everything We build this game with the guys who are here and then we from politics to medicine.”

According to Shabazz, for try to strengthen by bringing too long those who are often- in more players and then we times considered ‘pundits’ of have one big strong, powerful the game have been expressing Guyana.”

“If you find a Jaguar in their opinions where they are Lethem, send him, wherever not needed.

Meanwhile with the up- in the world you find a jaguar, coming Caribbean Football send him. We are building Union Championships just one Jaguars’ (team). Guyana is a month away, the head coach country of jaguars, led by a has lashed out at those who Jaguar,” continued Shabazz.

The Jags have been seek to sow a separation in the drawn in Group-5 for the side by branding players by March 21-29 tournament their affiliation.

He said, “It don’t have no with their opponents being foreigners or locals with Guy- Puerto Rico and Anguilla.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2016