Chronicle 02 27 2016

89

MEASURES CLEARED No. 104475

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

––House approves amendments to Income Tax, firearm licence fees; strengthens Remigrant Scheme

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Coconuts are good business! These young men bagging off peeled coconuts at a business outlet at Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, for export to a lucrative North American market (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

Student allegedly Mom remanded gang-raped 5 for allegedly on UG campus killing son 2 Page

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‘Vote like a boss’

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––LGE voter education campaign launched

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Mom remanded for allegedly killing son

By Svetlana Marshall

A PREGNANT Sonia King was on Friday remanded to prison over the murder of her eight-year-old son Emmanuel King at their West Bank Demerara home.

The 28-year-old woman appeared before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court charged with murder and was subsequently remanded.

It is alleged that on Sunday, February 21, 2016, while at their Lot 505 La Parfaite Harmonie, Ondern-

eeming, West Bank Demerara home, she killed her only child while he was asleep.

According to results from the post-mortem, Emmanuel died as a result of suffocation.

King reportedly confessed to the crime on Monday to her reputed husband Robert Vieira, who informed the police on Tuesday evening. She was arrested the said night.

Initially, King told investigators that her son succumbed Sunday night after falling from a tree earlier that

day. But on Wednesday, she gave a formal statement to investigators at Den Amstel Police Station, reportedly confessing to the crime.

At the time of the murder, Vieira was at home, but he is maintaining his innocence.

According to him, both the fan and the television were on in his bedroom, which was tightly locked, so he could not have heard even if the little boy had screamed for help.

Vieira recalled that Sunday night, after checking up on Emmanuel in the kitchen

Little Emmanuel King where he slept, King returned to the bedroom, and delivered the troubling news that Emmanuel had died.

He said several attempts were made to revive Emmanuel but to no avail. The eight year old was pronounced dead upon arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Vieira was also of the opinion that Emmanuel had died due to injuries he may have sustained after falling from a guava tree earlier that day.

HARROWING NEWS But he was subsequently faced with the sad real-

ity on Monday when King reportedly confessed to him, saying that she had attempted to kill little Emmanuel twice before Sunday’s tragedy.

Emmanuel’s father Ludwig Kryenhoff is maintaining that there is more to the story being told by King and Vieira. According to him, he had received reports from neighbours that Emmanuel was badly beaten on Sunday night although this claim was refuted by Vieira.

Kryenhoff said he last saw his son about 20:00hrs on Sunday. Kryenhoff lives two houses away from King.

However, on Sunday he was staying at his sister Roma Venture’s home a short distance away at Lot 738 Westminster, WBD. Emmanuel had spent most of the afternoon there into nightfall, playing with his cousins.

Questioned whether the boy had complained of being abused by his mother and foster father, the father of two responded in the negative. However, he recalled that when his son was just seven months old, King had thrown him through their front door at Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

“A night I was going out but she did not want me to go, and she pick up this little boy and fling him through the door, I barely catch him,” he recalled. A report was subsequently made to the Alberttown Police Station.

She was given a warning. Several weeks after, she left the country, leaving little Emmanuel behind. “She disappeared for two years and a half,” he recalled. Upon her return, she took custody of him but would periodically leave him with his father and aunt to travel to Trinidad and Tobago where she once lived.

E m m a n u e l ’s a u n t , Venture, echoed similar sentiments. “He was up and down all day and before midnight we heard the child dead,” she stated. Venture said at first they thought King was playing a “sick joke,” but became very concerned when a neighbour told her that “Emmanuel was beaten and strangled to death.”

She too believes that King could not have done it alone, saying that with her being eight months pregnant, it would have been difficult for her to strangle the little boy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Scott, Felix back in House

By Ariana Gordon

THE Court of Appeal has granted an interim stay of execution on the ruling handed down by former acting Chief Justice Ian Chang who had ruled that Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott cannot sit in the National Assembly as unelected members or technocrats because they were on the list of elected candidates for the coalition.

Friday’s ruling allows the two ministers to sit as Members of Parliament (MPs) until the case is heard fully. Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh heard the matter for the first time on Friday following a notice of appeal filed by Attorney General Basil Williams on February 24 against Chang’s ruling.

Williams also filed an ex parte summons for stay of execution to Chang’s order. It is the ex parte matter that was

before Chancellor Singh. The Attorney General’s appeal on behalf of the government was made on four grounds: that the former Chief Justice’s decision cannot be supported in law and that he erred when he found that the two ministers are not lawful members of and cannot sit in the National Assembly of the 11th Parliament.

Williams argued that Chang misdirected himself in law when he ruled that persons who are on the successful list of candidates are elected and therefore cannot qualify under Article 105 to be non-elected MPs. He contended that the former Chief Justice failed to take into consideration the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03 and the National Assembly (Validity of Elections Act), Chapter 1:04.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall who also was present for Friday’s hearing at the Court of Appeal was not served the application for

––Appeal Court grants stay of execution on Chang’s ruling

a stay of execution. But Attorney General Williams said he felt that the matter was “sufficiently urgent,” given that Parliament resumed on Friday. He told reporters that Nandlall objected to his appeal and wrote the Chancellor on the matter. That letter was not served on Williams.

“He wanted to be heard, so he was heard. He wanted an application to get leave to file an answer in response. I made an application for an interim stay pending the determination of the application for stay. The interim stay has been granted,” Williams stated.

However, former Attorney General Nandlall, representing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) member Desmond Morian, told the Guyana Chronicle that he finds Chancellor Singh’s ruling “strange.”

“I opposed the application and I requested leave to file an

I am in command!

NOTWITHSTANDING recent protests at Linden by relatives and friends of several persons who have been charged with serious crimes including murder, armed robbery and rape, the Police ‘E’ Division continues to forge ahead with its Community Outreach Programmes in keeping with the Police Force’s Social Crime Prevention Programme.

According to the police in a release, the Police Divisional Outreach Programmes have been gaining momentum through significant community support which have positively impacted on police-community relations, more particularly with youth empowerment through lifeskills development and the inculcation of good moral values.

Noteworthy on Friday during the Children’s Mashramani Costume Competition at Mackenzie, Linden, a nursery school student who was a participant was dressed as the Police Commander of the Division.

The nursery school student who was a participant dressed as the Police Commander of the Division

affidavit in answer. I was granted that, however the Chancellor granted an interim stay. I find that very strange. Stays of execution are not granted ex parte without hearing the other side. They have not heard me,” he remarked following the 09:00hrs hearing.

In a statement to the media following Friday’s court hearing, Nandlall said “When the matter was called, I entered an appearance for the Respondent Desmond Morian and informed the court that I was not served with a copy of the application for the stay of execution. The Attorney General informed the court that he is making an ex parte application for the stay of execution. I indicated that I would like to be heard. The Chancellor ordered that I be served with the said application and a copy of the same was handed to me. This occurred at 09:10hrs. It was the first time that I was seeing the application.”

Nandlall opined that the orders granted by the former acting Chief Justice are declarations and

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams leaves the Court of Appeal on Friday morning as such cannot be stayed. “You don’t stay a declaration! They are not orders that are coercive… they are declaring a state of affairs.” He has five days to file an affidavit in answer.

The former acting Chief

Former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall leaves the Court of Appeal on Friday morning

Justice’s ruling followed a constitutional motion filed by Morian last July, questioning the legality of the appointment of the two APNU+AFC ministers of government. The party was vocal about its concerns over the selection of Felix and Scott as technocrats to serve in the 11th Parliament, and claimed that the posts have been allocated in an unconstitutional manner.

The matter has been adjourned to March 14.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Jamaica Labour Party wins general elections ANDREW Holness is back in charge in Jamaica. He is set to be sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister after his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) toppled the People’s National Party (PNP) Government, winning 33 of the 63 seats in Parliament in Thursday’s elections.

Holness, who served as Prime Minister for a two-month period in 2011 when he succeeded Bruce Golding as JLP leader, will be joined in the House of Representatives by his wife, Juliette Holness, who captured the St Andrew East Rural seat in her first political outing.

Despite her party’s loss, former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller also retained her seat.

The poll was marked by a low voter turnout – 47.5 per cent – and its outcome was historic. It was the slimmest victory

JLP leader Andrew Holness and his wife, Juliette, who also won a seat, after casting their votes on Thursday margin for any political party in Jamaica’s history.

Addressing supporters at JLP headquarters last night, Holness promised that it would not be “Government as usual”.

“We have been given stewardship of the country, and we stand to be held to account for our

stewardship. We know that the cost of victory is accountability. The cost of victory is the responsiveness of the Government that we will form. The cost of victory is to keep the commitments that we have made,” he said.

“Our campaign was issues-based. We focused on

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the things that you told us were important to you. We developed plans around them and we discussed those plans with you, and we intend to be faithful to those plans. We will grow the Jamaican economy.

We will create jobs. We will give you an accountable and responsive Government.”

Among the commitments Holness made in the 10-point plan he unveiled during the campaign, was that a JLP administration would get rid of Personal Income Tax for persons who earned less than J$1.5 million (US$) annually.

That proposal was rubbished by the PNP, with Simpson Miller warning that the plan would destroy the economy.

In her concession speech, the former Prime Minister said she hoped the achievements made by her administration would “not be ruined”.

“I hope those who succeed us will not throw away the gains made by the People’s National Party Government…. What our team is going to do is monitor everything that happens and every decision taken. We did all we could to make it easier for the Jamaican people,” she said.

Despite a campaign that featured incidents of violence – as well as allegations of vote-buying and threats of lawsuits and countersuits – police reported that apart from a few skirmishes and reports of intimidation, there were no major politically-related incidents on Election Day. (Caribbean360)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Gov’t closes loopholes in Remigrant Scheme

By Alva Solomon

THE National Assembly last evening passed legislation aimed at strengthening the Remigrant Scheme, with both sides of the House contending that it will close loopholes which existed in the system.

The move was made with the passing of the Customs Amendment Bill 2016, which received support from the Opposition.

In addition to defining remigrant persons, the legislation addresses those who move and settle here, and focused heavily on the importation of vehicles.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan explained that the bill seeks to amend Section 23 of the Customs Act. He said Guyana no doubt has a large diaspora population, and various governments have sought to bring that population closer home. “Obviously, for both their resources, financial, human and otherwise,” he observed, adding that the bill seeks to determine “who is a remigrant and what are the entitlements, especially as regards vehicles.”

Jordan said he has read stories of persons being

- with support of the Opposition

granted remigrant status returning, and “some don’t return”. He said some persons generally return, collect their duty-free concessions, most notably on cars, but because of a system with holes, some problems have arisen.

He said the amendment seeks to define who qualifies as a remigrant, the type of vehicle, and how the concessions can be granted. He added that the bill also speaks to what will happen if breaches of the requirement occur.

STANDARD DEFINITIONS He said the legislation brings no new regulations, but standard definitions of residency. He said the individual must have lived in Guyana for at least 183 days, a general prescription of six months.

As regards the vehicle, it must not be older than eight years, in keeping with a new policy announced by the Government.

“The vehicle must be in possession for six months from date of manufacture to date of importation, and must not be more than eight

years (old),” he reiterated.

The vehicle must be imported by the qualifying remigrant, who must be so qualified within six months of reassuming residency; or as in case of a settler who arrives and settles. To this end, Minister Jordan said Guyana is an attractive destination, and persons have settled here.

OPPOSITION IN SUPPORT Opposition Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall rose to speak on the bill, and offered the support of the PPP for the amendments. He noted that the remigrant scheme has been the subject of abuse, misuse and manipulation.

He explained that persons who relocate here from overseas would apply to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, where the applications are made. The application is then processed at the Finance Ministry; and, by procedure, the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) grants the concession.

The former Attorney General told the House there were instances where

Digicel launches donation line to help Fiji DIGICEL Guyana is calling on its customers across the region to show their support for those affected in Fiji by Cyclone Winston with the launch of its #TogetherforFiji text donation line.

On February 20, the Fiji Islands were hit by the southern hemisphere’s worst

cyclone caused unprecedented destruction nationwide; and a number of people lost their lives and property as a result.

Digicel has launched a text donation line which will see the funds raised by the campaign go towards helping relief and recovery efforts in Fiji.

Digicel Guyana is using its social media pages to encourage customers throughout the Caribbean region to come together for Fiji and show their support for their wider Pacific family with a donation.

Customers across the Caribbean and Central America can instantly donate. For Guyana, customers can donate by texting the word “donate” to 1155. Each text cost $200.

Digicel Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer, Michael Murphy, said: “The scale of the devastation in Fiji is significant, and there is a real need for assistance and funding now to help Fijians get back on their feet as soon as possible.

“Many houses were literally flattened, and families have lost everything. If all The logo launched by Digicel Guyana of our customers across the Pacific were in support of the donation plea to help able to donate a little, we could, in theory, Fiji following the devastating cyclone raise a substantial amount. One dollar doesn’t buy you much these days, but cyclone in recorded history. With winds together, all of our donations can make a of over 300 kilometres, the category five massive difference, large or small.”

vehicles were repossessed and litigation ensued, and all sorts of technical arguments have been raised in the courts.

He said judgments have been passed either way.

“There were loopholes in the system which needed to be corrected,” Nandlall said. He added that the bill captures most of the efforts made jointly among the three agencies concerned -- the GRA and the Finance and Legal Affairs Ministries -- to correct the situation. He described the situation as “a regular scam for persons to apply and then return to permanent abode while the concession is being processed”.

GOOD MEASURE Nandlall described the legislation as a “good measure, good attempt by the Government to block holes that have been identified”. He expressed hope that the legislation would assist the revenue bodies to guard against abuse of the process.

The bill was then taken to the Committee of Supply, where it was examined clause by clause, following which the Finance Minister reported on the process. It was then read for a third time and passed.

Student allegedly gang-raped on UG campus

By Akola Thompson AN unidentified female student of the University of Guyana was on Friday allegedly drugged and gang-raped by a group of male students.

According to reports, after the perpetrators had finished with their victim, they escorted her to the campus medic where she was treated for injuries she sustained from the assault.

A university staffer told the Guyana Chronicle that he overheard the young men who committed the act joking and describing what they did in graphic details.

The staffer related that he attempted to see the medic who treated the victim, but was told that he was not available.

The UG employee also said that he was “trying to get into contact with the medic to see why no police were involved in it,” stressing that if by today the medic does not report the incident, he would take matters into his own hands and report the incident to the police.

The staffer, who lives on the campus in the building behind where the rape occurred, said more than once he had recommended routine and even unplanned checks on areas on campus, especially those that are secluded, since it is not safe for students.

But he said his advice has fallen on deaf ears.

The staffer also related that knowing the dangers of the campus, he tried to put up signs and speak to the workers currently doing construction on the campus to promptly leave after their jobs are finished, “but even this has not been done,” he said.

When this publication arrived on the scene, the UG staffer could be heard arguing with the security guards stationed on campus saying, “I have told you people, time and time again to do routine checks…now look what has happened. A girl has been raped and you don’t even know whether she will report it because of shame or not!”

He fears that without prosecution, the perpetrators would feel emboldened and possibly try the same on another girl.

While he does not know the names of the boys, he claims that he knows their faces and come today, he will put them in the hands of the relevant authorities as “they should not be protected.”

“Even though she [victim] shouldn’t have been there,” he said, “It shouldn’t have happened and she needs satisfaction. These students are behaving like animals… this is a human life and they have ruined it, mentally, physically and spiritually.”

This publication made several attempts to contact the family of the victim but was unsuccessful.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 27, 2016

Op-Ed

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

Budget 2016 review – Part 2

Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial ‘Shot in the arm’ for Windies cricket

IN 1975, under the astute leadership of Clive Lloyd, West Indies won the first-ever International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup, defeating Australia. They followed this up by claiming the title four years later with victory over hosts, England.

With the “Supercat” Lloyd returning for what had been his swansong, and the Caribbean team overwhelming favourites to cart off a hat-trick of triumphs, India pulled off a stunning upset, defeating West Indies by 43 runs after limiting them to a paltry 183.

Subsequently, the West Indies failed to reach the final in 10 consecutive World Cups, the last being 2015. In the interim, they were successful in the 2004 Champions Trophy, thanks to a last-gasp effort by wicket-keeper Courtney Browne and tail-ender Ian Bradshaw; and in the 2012 World T20, when they trounced Sri Lanka in that country’s own backyard by 36 runs.

While it hasn’t since been all gloom and doom for West Indies, there was little for their diehard supporters to really shout about. This, coupled with the frequent confrontations between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the players, had also done little to restore confidence in a region that had grown accustomed to winning, especially during the Clive Lloyd era.

That West Indies also failed to qualify for next year’s Champions Trophy tournament was also a bitter pill to swallow, and the blame for this continued to fly “left, right and centre.”

Meanwhile, since commencement of the Under-19 World Cup in 1988, the West Indies had only managed to reach the final in 2004, losing to Pakistan in Dhaka, Bangladesh by 25 runs.

Entering this year’s tournament as underdogs, and being thrashed by England in their opening Group game, Shimron Hetmyer and his charges shrugged off that defeat; and it was evident that they weren’t intimidated, firstly by defeating Bangladesh in front of more than ten thousand screaming home fans in their semi-final encounter, and by India’s reputation of being the only unbeaten side leading up to the final.

An ebullient and confident skipper, Hetmyer, summed up his team’s triumph succinctly, pointing out that playing Bangladesh at home, despite losing the three warm-up matches, “didn’t really make much of a difference.”

That the West Indies youths didn’t worry too much about the crowd, and concentrated strictly on the task ahead is ample testimony to the resilience and maturity of a bunch of players who were bent on bringing glory to the region -a task they achieved with much acclamation and obviously

By Imran Khan Director of Public Information THERE were three aspects of Budget 2016 which became hot button topics. Politicos, private sector representatives and various other persons weighed in via the letter columns, media interviews and talk shows, and on social media.

T h e re w e re t h e a n nouncements by Finance Minister Winston Jordan as follows: (i) Increase in fees for various licences. (ii) (a) Removal of excise tax on motor vehicles under four years old and under 1500cc, bringing the effective tax rate down from 118.7% to 68.2%. (b) Reduction of excise tax from 50% to 10% for vehicles under four years old between 1500cc and 2000cc, thereby reducing the tax rate from a whopping 152.3% to a more manageable 85%. (iii) Notice of intent to ban the importation of used tyres and reduce taxes on new tyres.

With regard to the increase in licence fees, it was noted that there had been no increases in these for several years, and the fees were at a level inconsistent with the social realities.

The most glaring example of this was that a gun dealer’s licence fee was set at $7,500., or approximately US$36. This was increased to $150,000 (or US$728). There were nominal increases for shotgun licenc-

es (from $2000 to $5000), handgun ($5000 to $25,000) and rifles ($5000 to $40,000).

These fees are more in line with economic realities, save and except for persons within our hinterland villages; and consideration is being given to offer concessions to such persons.

With regard to the excise tax removal and reduction to encourage the importation of newer vehicles, this is with a view to ensuring that environmental degradation from the emission of exhaust gas is contained to a minimum. The older vehicles are, the more harmful to the environment they tend to be.

The effective tax rates of 118.7% and 152.3% were punitive and prohibitive. They were rates intended, in effect, to fleece the average person who was desirous of importing a reliable vehicle, forcing that person instead to settle for older models, which could have been sourced at cheaper rates but which pose a hazard to road users with their increased likelihood of malfunction and inefficiency.

This removal and reduction will allow persons to be able to import better quality vehicles, which will offer to them longer years of more reliable service. As President David Granger outlined, Guyana must not accept being viewed and treated as a junkyard for old vehicles which developed countries no longer wish to have on their roadways.

“The auto dealers have a right to express concerns because they feel their profits will be affected, but the Government has to think about the whole country. The point is when you bring in old vehicles, old tyres, old equipment, that (vehicle) is less efficient.

It pollutes the atmosphere; it is more costly, because it requires more maintenance and more spare parts; and you get less life out of it,” President Granger reasoned when questioned by the media on

exceeded the expectations of many.

The maturity and awareness displayed were unbelievable, and should make all West Indian supporters optimistic about the future of cricket in the region. It also serves as a great shot in the arm for West Indies cricket.

The match-winning performance of the West Indies Under-19 Team has obviously shown there’s no lack of talent in the Caribbean, and these players should be carefully nurtured for the senior level. Too often this talent is left to go waste, hence the present state of the region’s cricket.

The emergence of fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Chemar Holder, taking their performances into consideration, should also serve as food for thought to our cricket administrators and selectors, bearing in mind that when West Indies Cricket ruled the roost for more than a decade, the famed four-pronged pace attack was partly responsible.

the issue.

His Excellency outlined the benefits of importing newer vehicles, and insisted that Guyana must look to establishing higher standards than accepting what is commonly referred to in colloquial terms as “lef lef”. “New equipment last longer, and we don’t want developed countries treating us like a junkyard, selling equipment which they can’t use themselves. If they are not going to put up with it because it is inefficient and smokey, why should be put up with it?” the Head of State asked.

In addition, older vehicles -- it is well known and widely accepted -- are less fuel efficient, and therefore cause a greater burden on the fuel import bill, as they burn more fuel, resulting in the need to import more fuel. Older vehicles also have a shorter lifespan; are known to have, as His Excellency observed, more mechanical problems; and are a bigger financial strain on owners.

Newer vehicles will allow owners to own and use them for longer periods. Think of how few PJJ and PKK vehicles are currently on our roads.

Each series churns out approximately 10,000 vehicles. PKK was being issued in 2008; now, a mere 8 years later, hardly any of these 10,000 PKK vehicles are on our roadways.

It is a clear indication that the used vehicles imported into Guyana, which are oftentimes ten years or more old, hardly give the owners 6 to 8 years of service.

A newer vehicle will give owners ten years or more service. Well maintained, it can offer well over ten years.

This will also impact on loans to purchase such vehicles, as the banking sector is likely to be more encouraged to offer longer repayment terms, and not the generally very frugal repayment terms now offered.

Those repayment terms are obviously tied to the expected lifespan of the vehicles being

purchased.

Additionally, announcement of the intent to ban the importation of used tyres was received with widespread enthusiasm, particularly by those who recognise the imminent dangers used tyres pose to motorists, passengers and pedestrians. Used tyres also have a much shorter lifespan and are extremely difficult to dispose of, often resulting in mountains of tyres being at dumpsites or roadsides. These tyres hold stagnant water which provides a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can carry a wide range of diseases and infections, from malaria to dengue to chikungunya to ZIKA. Used tires are not only a risk on our roadways, but once they are discarded, they are part of a national health risk to the citizenry.

Used tires are more likely to result in ‘blowouts’, which can lead to fatal accidents, which is already a national pandemic which is slowly being arrested with greater visibility of the police on our roadways.

T h e b u d g e t 2 0 1 6 a nnouncements by Minister Jordan relating to vehicles and tyres, though not entirely palatable to all, are progressive initiatives designed to make Guyana a greener and safer country in terms of road traffic, the environment, and minimising health risks. In addition, in the longer term, vehicle owners will enjoy the benefit of owning and operating newer and more efficient vehicles, which require less maintenance, present less mechanical and operational problems, and make less demands for replacement parts.

Budget 2016 initiates the process of making Guyana a leading model green society, one which we can be proud of in years to come.

Note: In the final part, we will review the budget debates and some aspects of the consideration of the estimates.

Seasoned and experienced commentator Tony Cozier alluded to the fact -- which the Sports Desk also shares -- that “the obvious questions now are whether the players can carry the benefits of such experiences forward to first-class and eventually international level, and whether their best can somehow be kept away from the financially enticing clutches of mushrooming T20 franchise tournaments.

According to Cozier, “Lack of opportunity; the slow, turning pitches in the Caribbean; and, most of all, the prolonged strained relationships between the West Indies Cricket Board and players remain hindrances.”

Time will tell whether the emphatic victory will impact the improvement of the game in the West Indies. In the meantime, Hetmyer and his team should bask in the glory after triumphing against all odds.

All hail the conquering West Indies!!!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

The prospect of a President Donald Trump Dear Editor IT MAY be dangerous to be an enemy of the United States, but, in recent times, it often has been almost as risky to be a friend. The uncomfortable truth is that America has too often treated some of its allies as expendable, and this may very well be the case for the Caribbean region, particularly CARICOM, come next January, if any of the current Republican candidates happens to make it to the White House.

This is a serious prospect which the Caribbean Diaspora and regional governments must address frontally. Even with the friendly Obama Administration, the Caribbean region and its Diaspora still face issues such as the de-risking of some indigenous Caribbean banks and unconscionable deportations, respectively.

So just imagine what could happen to US/Caribbean relations under a president Trump, Cruz, or even Rubio.

We know for sure what our Caribbean American Muslim community will face.

The Caribbean Diaspora and regional governments have work to do. First, the Diaspora has to ensure that it brings out the vote for Hillary Clinton. Perfect she is not.

Yes, she has been “economical with the truth” at times, but which politician hasn’t so been? Despite her imperfections, she is America’s and the world’s best hope at this time for ensuring a world at peace, and the pursuit of policies and programmes that protect and promote the poor and disadvantaged, including the interests of small states like those of CARICOM. So our Diaspora leaders have got to mobilize Caribbean Americans… to soca, chutney, reggae, zouk the vote to ensure a Clinton victory. We in the Diaspora also need to park our rampant sense of nationalism and project ourselves as a regional diaspora, for it is numbers that matter. It is votes that matter, stupid! We are taken more seriously when we speak as a Caribbean Diaspora and a CARICOM region. Our unity does not require that we shed our national identities, but just promote the regional one.

We have also got to engage US elected officials on both sides of the isle to sensitize them to the issues that affect the Diaspora and the Region. This is critical, and here is an opportunity for regional governments to join with the diaspora in helping to shape as well as deliver the messages we need to get to elected officials, not only in the US Congress but at all levels, including state, county and city.

There are some who would argue that America has become almost irrelevant to the Caribbean, since ‘Uncle Sam’ no longer funds large infrastructural projects in the region, and that China is now most relevant to the region. That is flawed thinking; and the region, if it were to subscribe to such thinking, would be doing so at the risk of its own peril.

Just this week, I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with US Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, during which I had opportunity to update her and her key staffers on the de-risking issue as well as the Guyana/Venezuela controversy, among other issues.

This outreach is part of an effort spearheaded by the Washington, DC-based Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), at which I serve as Co-Chair of the Private Sector Council.

I was also in Tallahassee, Florida for the celebration of Caribbean Day at the Florida Capitol, and here the Caribbean- American community was able to discuss the issues that affect us and the Caribbean region with key elected officials.

I should mention that, for the first time, Guyana was prominently featured at the celebration with the presentation of a gift bag to each member of the Florida Legislature, which included the latest edition of Explore Guyana magazine, a miniature of Guyana’s globally acclaimed award winning El Dorado 15-year-old rum, and a sample bottle of the internationally recognized Limacol -- the freshness of a breeze in a bottle. Thanks to Guyana’s Honorary Consul, Ram Ali, for arranging these gifts.

On the evening of February 23rd, I and Joy Agness of the South Florida Guyanese Association had the honour of attending the Black Caucus meeting, and the next day the Democratic Caucus meeting and the sitting of the Florida House of Representatives, where we were introduced by Representative Edwin Narain, of Guyanese descent. His father, Rev. Narain, led the Florida House in prayer prior to the debate.

I later had the honour of speaking at a press conference on behalf of the Caribbean American community.

Rep. Hazelle Rogers, a Jamaican American, must be congratulated for arranging yet another Caribbean Day at the Florida Capitol, as should the other Caribbean American members of the Florida House and Senate.

During my visit to Tallahassee, I was also able to have informal one-on-one discussions with a number of elected officials, some of whom had an interest in being updated on Guyana, since they have Guyanese Americans in their constituencies.

This is the kind of engagement that needs to be intensified. Our CARICOM embassies and consulates need to work closely with the Diaspora in a well-coordinated and effective manner. If nothing else requires it at this time, the prospect of a President Donald Trump does.

Regards, WESLEY KIRTON

Time to fix the East Bank Berbice road Dear Editor,

I HAVE been using the East Bank Berbice public road to access my cane farm; and for about five years, I actually lived in a most beautiful house which I had built at Edinburgh as my retirement home.

I regretfully had to sell it later, at great financial and emotional loss, because the dust from the road ‘bathed’ my house in the dry weather, and the sludge in the potholes, which became craters in the wet weather, virtually chased me away from my ‘dream house’.

On Thursday, 25/02/16, as I tried to access my farm, I was confronted with several machines doing ‘patchwork’ on the road, a phenomenon that has been featuring for the past several decades to ‘welcome’ new General Elections and visits by high ranking ‘officials’ and VIPs of all political stripes, including presidents of Guyana.

The residents along this road have been quietly enduring the hardships of commuting, and the health hazards from the mountainous dust storms every time a vehicle rolls by…. And no one from the government, past and present, seems to care, except when the Prime Minister, or the President, or others of such high office must travel on the said road.

What a shame! What a disgrace, especially for the ‘rulers’ in the so-called “social-minded regimes” to allow themselves to be so fooled!!

I was told that the road is being hurriedly given another of the numerous “quick-fixes”, “face-lifts”, “window-dressings” etc., because “de President is visiting” the area this week-end!!!

I could not help asking: “What’s wrong with the President seeing the road as it is normally? Why try to fool the President by presenting a quick-fix, window-dressing job that hides the reality that all of us road users and residents have been enduring for so very, very, very long?

Regards, NOWRANG PERSAUD

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‘Vote like a boss’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

––LGE voter education campaign launched

By Navendra Seoraj WITH the much anticipated Local Government Elections (LGE) around the corner, the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) in collaboration with the National Coordinating Coalition through the chair organisation-Youth Challenge Guyana - launched their “Vote like a boss”

gional Elections last year, the campaign seeks to sensitise Guyanese, particularly youths to their right to vote and the importance of voting at any election.

H o w e v e r, t h i s t i m e around the task ahead is much more challenging, given that the LGE involves 71 Local Authority Areas (LAAs), including 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs)

71 LAAs, the electorate is anticipated to cast their votes for the person whom they deem best for the post as councillors on the NDCs, or municipal councils.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign on Friday at the Herdmanston Lodge, representative of the GNYC Tricia Teekah, underscored the fact that they had worked hard to put the project together, given

Members of the gathering on Friday campaign.

Being introduced for the first time for General and Re-

and nine municipalities.

Poised to be held on March 18, 2016, within these

that they sought the support of the private sector as well as other organisations.

The campaign, she said, will seek to sensitise not just the young people of society but the society at large, on what their mandate is at the upcoming LGE, as well as what the election itself entails.

“LGE should be seen as a means of promoting community ownership, given that the focus is on electing officials to fill posts as councillors and represent the residents of that neighbourhood,” posited Teekah, as she stressed the importance of the elections.

Voter hubs will be established in the various regions, especially with much emphasis being placed on the new towns.

Apart from that, there will be a number of infomercials, posters, and other initiatives that will be aimed at encouraging Guyanese to come out and vote on Election Day. Meanwhile, US Charge d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt, as well as GECOM’s Chair-

Shot Berbice bandit was wanted man

By Clifford Stanley THE bandit who was accidentally shot dead by his accomplice on Thursday night has been identified as 35-year-old Jermaine Jerrick of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara.

The man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Fort Wellington Hospital, West Coast Berbice, and the police have since confirmed his identity in a press release.

According to the police report, at about 19:30hrs on Thursday, two men, respectively armed with a handgun and a knife, entered a fuel service centre at Onderneeming, WCB, held up the three pump attendants, and took away $80,000. During the incident, the robber with the firearm discharged a round to scare the victims, but it struck his accomplice to the head. The bandit with the firearm then carjacked a silver-grey Allion, PTT 2704, from a customer and escaped.

Police have launched an investigation into the matter, but no one has thus far been arrested.

The accidental shooting of the bandit at the fuel station at Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice turned out to be the final chapter in the criminal life of Jerrick.

Jerrick, 35, and formerly

of Ann’s Grove Village, East Coast Demerara, was identified by relatives who viewed his remains at a funeral parlour at Fort Wellington late on Thursday night, a few hours after he met his demise. He had been on the run from police since July 2013, when he escaped from custody at Cove and John Police Station, seriously injuring a policeman in the process.

On Saturday, his wife, who lives at Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice, and a young man whose telephone number was found in his cell phone were arrested. Two others were up to last night assisting the police with their investigations.

The car which had been hijacked by Jerrick’s shooter was found abandoned at Number 9 Village, West Coast Berbice, about six miles from the scene of the robbery and shooting.

The vehicle had apparently run out of gas.

Up to late last Saturday night, police were still looking for the bandit who accidentally shot Jerrick dead, ending his criminal career which began making the news some six years ago.

GANG MEMBER In 2010, Jerrick had been identified as a member of a five-man criminal gang that carried out a reign of

terror in the goldfields of the Cuyuni in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

Dubbed the Aranka Gang, the heavily armed men beat and robbed miners of their gold on several occasions.

Jerrick and other gang members were subsequently hunted down and arrested by a party of policemen specially assigned to close down their operations.

In 2011, while on remand at the Georgetown Prison, he severely wounded a prison inmate named Randy Joseph, reportedly a former Buxton gang member, during a fracas in the prison compound.

The beating he inflicted on Joseph was said to be in retaliation for a beating he had received at the hands of some Buxton gang members a few days before.

On July 6, 2013, Jerrick was being held at the Cove and John Police Station on a possession of narcotics matter when he made a daring escape.

He was being held in one of the lock-ups when he demanded to go to the outdoor toilet, at about 06:30hrs. Police Constable Elton Benjamin accompanied him, and stood guard outside the outhouse for about five minutes while Jerrick used the facility. On coming out of the toilet, Jerrick pushed the constable down and started to run. Constable Benjamin ran

behind the fleeing prisoner and managed to catch up with him in a rice field about half-mile away.

On being cornered, Jerrick picked up a piece of wood and dealt the policeman a blow to his head, but the policeman continued in dogged pursuit.

They both ended up in a nearby trench, but Jerrick briefly managed to get away.

He tried stealing a bicycle that was left lying on a dam, but abandoned that move when he was confronted by the owner.

The persistent cop caught up with him, and after another brief scuffle, they again ended up in a trench. Sensing that the cop was not letting up, the notorious criminal became desperate and grabbed a bottle and stabbed the young policeman under his jaw. The policeman fell and Jerrick made his escape.

The policeman later recounted that Jerrick had shed all his clothing while running away, even down to his briefs.

“He was naked when he ran away; naked as he born,” the constable had said.

Jerrick had since been a wanted man. He was suspected to have gone into hiding in Suriname, and had since not been seen, until Thursday when, ironically, he met his demise at the hands of one of his kind during the robbery at the Hopetown gas station.

US Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt addresses the audience at the launch of the “Vote like a boss campaign” man, Dr Steve Surujbally, shared the same views, as they stressed the importance of voter education and how effective the campaign will be, once executed properly.

Hunt lauded the GNYC for their effort, but highlighted the fact that prior to the date for LGE being announced, the enthusiasm of the Guyanese population was high. And of recent the atmosphere has shimmered, leaving the officials to wonder whether the populace will turn out or not.

Thus, he announced that the US is in support of the council’s initiative and will be willing to assist in any way possible, when it comes to getting the Guyanese out to vote on the big day.

Dr Surujbally acknowledged the effort by youths, challenging them to execute

a proper campaign focused on informing the public about the elections while not depicting any bias.

Representing the private sector, Captain Gerry Gouveia also recognised the importance of LGE and assured the council that the private sector is ready to lend a helping hand once called upon.

The significance of the LGE was also pointed out On February 22, 2016, when the President of the US, Barack Obama in a letter to President David Granger stated that, “Local elections are essential to bolstering good governance, development, and respect for the rule of law. Your efforts to ensure broad participation and an informed electorate will contribute to successful elections and a bright future for Guyana.”

New PPP MP sworn in

New PPP Member of Parliament Bagmattie Veerasammy being sworn in on Friday BAGMATTIE Veerasammy was on Friday sworn in as a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP) replacing Dr Clive Jagan who resigned from the House reportedly due to illness.

A confident Veerasammy took her oath in the presence of Speaker Dr Barton Scotland and other parliamentarians.

And in doing so, Dr Scotland said, “I bid you welcome and let me express the hope that you will add lustre and polish to the Assembly.”

Former PPP MP, Dr Jagan officially resigned from Parliament on February 10, 2016 after being absent for quite some time. Reports indicate that he is ill.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Income Tax, Firearms Amendment bills passed

SOME 68,000 persons will not be subject to income tax as the threshold has been increased to $55,000 following the passing of the Income Tax Amendment Bill by the National Assembly last evening.

The bill was presented in three parts by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan and it addressed the Income Tax threshold, the principal act as regards artistes and their ability to pay or benefit from waivers of the relevant taxes and the excess taxes paid to taxpayers as refunds.

Minister Jordan told the National Assembly that the threshold would move from $600,000 to $660,000 per annum, mathematically, resulting in the figures adjusting upward from $50,000 to $55,000 monthly.

He described the move as a step in the right direction, adding that any benefits to workers are a benefit earned and according to him, that should be applauded.

“As growth in the economy occurs, in revenue-collection, all other measures in relation to benefits to workers will be under consideration,” he noted. He said the move will benefit an additional 68,000 workers who will not be subject to Income Tax. Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Irfaan Ali proposed that the government increase the threshold to reflect a $75,000 figure which he deemed sustainable.

Jordan said that as Minister of Finance, who is entrusted with managing the country’s resources, he had to examine all considerations, including the coun-

try’s resources.

“We are trending in the right direction,” he said, noting that the year 2012 was the last occasion a similar move was carried out, when the former administration

Finance Minister Winston Jordan moved to change the threshold.

He said that as a new government, barely nine months in office, the government was able to carry out this change in the threshold, noting that it is in keeping with a growing economy.

As regards the second aspect of the bill, he said that the move made by passing the legislation was one that removed the discretionary powers for concessions for artistes from the Minister of Tourism.

“The interest here is promoting tourism,” Jordan said. He said the new government met a regime whereby the subject min-

ister granted from time to time exemptions including Value Added Tax (VAT) to events, including major events. These were granted as a method of encouraging tourism and entertainment

PPP MP Irfaan Ali tourism,” he said, noting that “Except that again, it depended on the minister, clearly if it has a dependence of a minister then not everyone will feel comfortable.”

WIDE CONSIDERATION The intent of the bill he said is to give wider consideration to artistes.

“If a promoter wants to bring an artiste, once they can get the go-ahead, the Commissioner General (of the Guyana Revenue Authority) will be empowered to exempt the income of that artiste from taxation,” Jordan

explained.

As regards refunds, Jordan said that it is an issue which has been faced by many persons, who after submitting taxes and filing returns, when due a refund,

discretion once the guidelines are published and they are clear,” Minister Jordan noted.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly also passed the Firearms Amendment

Pubic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

PPP MP Clement Rohee

same is hard to collect.

“This allows the commissioner-general in law now to apply a particular refund to any outstanding tax, penalty of such like that a taxpayer may have,” he said.

Ali noted that while Minister Jordan spoke of less discretion being granted by the subject minister regarding the concessions to artistes, as well as on the subject of tax refunds, the situation would be the opposite. However, Jordan noted that this was not the case, noting that as in the case of the artistes, there will be guidelines or structures.

“Someone has to administer the law, there is no

Bill 2016 which paves the way for increases in firearm licensing fee from the processing to the approval stage.

The bill, which saw an amendment proposed by the opposition being put down by the House by votes, was debated by both sides, with Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan noting that the increases will relieve the burden on the process, which he described as a three-tiered one.

He said that includes the application for licence, following which the police commander for the respective division will then assign a police rank to check on the applicant’s character.

The report will then be

sent to the office of the police commissioner to ensure the applicant’s antecedents are in order.

The final stage entails approval being supported by the firearm licensing board.

This board, he said, comprises civilians.

The opposition called for the Bill to be reconsidered, with PPP Member of Parliament Dharamkumar Seeraj speaking about its effects on farmers and hunters.

Another PPP MP Clement Rohee referred to the increase as the government being on a “fund-raising” mission by increasing the fees.

PPP PROPOSALS H o w e v e r, M i n i s t e r Ramjattan argued that the former PPP administration already had in place proposals to increase fees on firearms, something he had mentioned during the budget debate.

He said his work was therefore “made easier” following that process which was carried out under the former administration. A document to this effect which was seen by this newspaper spelt out the Cabinet decision of the former government.

Signed by former Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon in November 2012, the document states that the Cabinet considered and proposed increases which were submitted by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee.

It outlined the increases for shotguns ($5000), handguns ($20,000), rifles ($25,000) and firearms/ ammunition dealers (all categories -$30,000).

Alleged negligence at Port Mourant Hospital being investigated REGION Six Director of Health Services Jevaughn Stephens said an investigation has been launched into an alleged incident of negligence at the Port Mourant Hospital which resulted in the death of a patient on Thursday.

The matter pertains to Richard Dundas, 52, called “Mathics” of Kildonan Village, Corentyne, Berbice, who was taken to the said hospital after a glass bottle was thrown at him,hitting him on the left ankle.

The incident occurred

around 20:00hrs at a popular off-licence and grocery shop in Kildonan where “Mathics” is employed.

Stephens reported that upon arrival at the hospital, Dundas was treated for lacerations to the ankle and was sutured and sent away.

He added that after treatment, the man was sent taken away by police, and according to the medical staff who treated him, he behaved badly and had to be restrained by the law-enforcement officers.

The bad behaviour claim was refuted by sev-

Dead: Richard Dundas

eral persons who were at the hospital with Dundas.

The proprietor of the grocery shop where the incident occurred, said Dundas was in no state to behave disorderly.

“The man was weak, weak. He could have barely walk or talk. He had to be assisted to and from the hospital, but when he came back he was worse. He was still bleeding and could not stand up or move properly.

He lost a lot of blood.”

A cousin of the now dead man, Dennis Bagot, said he is disappointed at

the doctor who treated his cousin and chose to send him home rather than admit him. “‘Mathics’ was not conscious when we collect he to come home, he was very, very weak he could barely walk and even get up… I keep begging the doctor to keep him or transfer him to New Amsterdam, but she keep saying he is ok, let him go home.”

Bagot related that Dundas continued to bleed on his way home and was crying out in pain.

“He could not even move that how weak he was and they see he was in that state yet they let him come home.”

Dundas reportedly arrived home around 22:00hrs and had to be lifted into his yard. He reportedly died 25 minutes after.

The suspect who threw the bottle at Dundas is currently in police custody assisting with the investigation. A post-mortem on Dundas is expected to be done on Tuesday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Ten beauties vying to represent Guyana

By Shauna Jemmott

A GOLDEN crown, an abundance of treasures, and a chance to be the beauty ambassador representing Guyana on the Miss World stage in Sanya city, China in December is on offer to one of ten enchanting beauties who will vie for such an honour at the Miss World Guyana 2016, staging of which begins in April and May of this year.

The grand occasion is drawing closer, and the pageant’s committee has already unveiled the identities of the ten beauties who are contesting for the prestigious crown and title this year.

Miss Guyana World Committee Member Natalya Thomas told Guyana Chronicle in an interview that the committee has selected ten beauties out of numerous applications, and will host its sashing ceremony on April 23.

The delegates representing the respective administrative regions of Guyana are Divya Yabindranauth (Region 1), Najuma Nelson (Region 2), Marva Langevine (Region 3), Ariella Basdeo (Region 4), Ashmini Ramnauth (Region 5), Marleena Ramdass (Region 6), Treasure James (Region 7), Nurriyah Gerrard (Region 8), Damallie Jackman (Region 9) and Tiffany BobbSemple (Region 10).

US-BASED GUYANESE Divya Yabindranauth, Ariella Basdeo, and Tiffany Bobb-Semple are United States-based Guyanese who have returned home for the duration of the competition.

The committee will begin activities leading up to the competition from April 27th to 30th with a multi-media and glam photoshoot; and on May 1, a fitness and sports competition will be held. Personal interviews will be done on May 4th, while May 7th is ‘Empowerment Day’.

The highly anticipated talent competition will be staged on May 14th, and on May 18th there will be a ‘Top Model’ competition.

The essence of the contest, ‘Beauty with a Purpose’, will be presented on May 23rd; while on May 27th, there will be the Coronation ceremony at a venue to be announced.

The Miss Guyana World 2016 ‘Majesty crown’ has been described by the committee as “totally handmade – 24k gold plated Swarovski crystals”.

Ms Thomas told Guyana Chronicle that “the majesty crown” is worth thousands of US dollars, and the queen will own the

––at Miss World in Sanya City

2016 crown for life, as a new one will be designed for the 2017 contest.

TOUGH CONTEST She said the committee has confidence in all of the delegates selected, and expects a tough contest.

“I think it’s a very stiff competition this year. If nothing else, all the girls are beautiful, all are intelligent,” Thomas told the Guyana Chronicle.

The 24k gold plated Miss Guyana World 2016 crown

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Visually impaired preparing to sit CSEC THE third batch of visually impaired persons is currently preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this May/ June.

This year, 10 more persons will write the exams in seven subject areas; namely, Human and Social Biology, English Language, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Social Studies, Caribbean History, and Religious Education.

The 10 students are almost finished with the syllabus, and are wrapping up their SBAs. They are also preparing to start working on past papers. The students who sit the same exams, as anyone else across the Caribbean, do so using computers that are equipped with the JAWS Software.

The CSEC project for the blind is supported by the Ministry of Education, and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company Limited helps out by providing free Internet service.

Ganesh Singh, one of the teachers preparing the students, told this publication the foregoing. Besides being programme coordinator for the CSEC project for the blind, Singh is also a member of the Board of the Guyana Society for the Blind.

“The blind refers to those who are visually impaired and people with physical disabilities. And we are encouraging any other blind person who is interested to writing the exams to contact us on 226-4496 and 231-7976,” Singh told the Chronicle.

Singh recalled that in 2014 there was an 82.4 per cent pass rate, while, in 2015, an 80 per cent pass rate was recorded.

Cell phone ‘thief’ remanded ROBBERY accused Calvin Accra, 20, of 340 Cummings Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, was on Thursday remanded to prison after he appeared before City Magistrate Allan Wilson to answer an allegation that, on Republic Day at South Cummingsburg, he stole from Karen La Fleur one Samsung Galaxy S5 phone valued at $120,000, a silver purse worth $5,000, one Prada cream set valued at $20,000, and $4,000 in cash.

He also allegedly stole from Julia Mackey one iPhone6, valued at $185,000.

The facts of the matter were not stated, but Accra is expected to return to court on February 26.

On bail for ‘stealing’ axles

ALBERT Nurse of Lot 683 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden was on Thursday placed on $50,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of larceny.

The 27-year-old denied that, between February 15 and 16, 2016, he stole four Bedford axles, valued at $300,000, property of Kurt Cumberbatch.

The facts of the matter were not stated in court, and Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not oppose bail.

The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court, where Nurse is expected to appear on March 8.

Man on bail for stealing confectionery, generators CHIEF Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday granted 21-year-old Lloyd Fraser bail in the sum of $70,000 after he appeared before her to answer three charges of larceny.

One of the charges alleges that between February 22 and 24, 2016, on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, he broke and entered the shop of Uleine Michael and stole $11,000 worth of confectionery.

The other two charges allege that between February 23 and 24, he stole one Yamaha generator valued at $75,000, property of Vincent Walcott; and one generator valued at $28,000, property of Paul Garraway.

The prosecution’s facts were not stated, but the prosecutor did not object to bail, although it was requested that the amount be substantial.

The matter was adjourned until March 8, and transferred before the Linden magistrate.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Attempted murder accused walks free

M A LV I N Ta y l o r o n Thursday morning walked out of the High Court a free man after a 12-member jury was formally directed by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow to return a notguilty verdict after the virtual complainant declined testifying against him.

The 12-member jury was empanelled Thursday morning for the trial and it ended two hours after.

According to the indictment, Taylor was charged for two counts of attempt to commit murder.

On January 26, 2011, in the county of Demerara, he wounded Michelle Richards with intent to murder her and another woman Sharon Taylor. He had discharged a loaded firearm at Richards and Sharon Taylor with intent to murder them.

Ten witnesses were slated to testify, but only Sharon Taylor and Michelle Richards showed up to say they did not wish to give evidence against Malvin

Taylor.

The state prosecutors

FREED: MALVIN TAYLOR were Shawnette Austin and Tamieka Clarke, the defence counsel were Savannah Barnwell and Kezia Williams.

The interdicted presidential guard Taylor, called “Mark,” allegedly attempted

to kill his wife Sharon Taylor and her sister Michelle Edwards on the evening of January 26, 2011, during a quarrel.

The shooting occurred on Quamina Street, in proximity to Carmichael Street when Malvin Taylor dropped off his wife and her sister at a popular fast-food outlet.

He reportedly did not go far and returned minutes later. It was then he saw his wife and her sister in the company of a male individual.

This angered Taylor and he demanded that his wife get into the car and the woman complied. The group, including children, also entered the vehicle and was informed that Michelle Richards had received a text message and exited the car.

After a few minutes, Richards telephoned her sister via cellphone to ask her if they could return to pick her up. On arrival at the said location, Malvin spot-

ted the man that was seen with the women earlier and he got into a rage and shot at the man who managed to escape.

It was then he shot both women and drove away with the children.

He subsequently abandoned the getaway car in Kitty, Georgetown.

Victim refuses to testify, accused freed CHRISTOPHER Nicholson, alleged victim of wounding and attempted murder on March 22, 2005, yesterday refused to give evidence against Kevin Reman called “Mangone” - the man he earlier said had wounded him.

As a consequence, representatives of the Director of Public Prosecutions had no alternative but to withdraw the charges at the Demerara Assizes against the accused.

Presiding judge Mr. Navendra Singh could do no more than direct the jury to return a not-guilty verdict in favour of the accused. This was done.

In giving his evidence under oath yesterday, Nicholson told the prosecutor that he did not wish to give evidence against the accused and that no one had induced him or compelled him to do so.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Minibus touts can make $10,000 a day MINIBUS touting is a very lucrative business. So say several young men who work as “touts” at the various mini-bus parks in the city, moreso the Route 44 park.

These enterprising, well-dressed guys have a lot of smooth talk and can coerce almost anyone to enter a bus of their choice while “doing their thing” of filling buses.

This newspaper recently spoke to several

Another young man told this newspaper that being out there at nights is dangerous, because they would encounter thieves (pickpockets) who would lurk around the Route 44 bus park to snatch unsuspecting passengers’ cell phones.

“We don’t condone that kind of behaviour here at this park, because the police usually blame us and we don’t want a run-in with

The minibus touts operating at the Route 44 minibus park. of the men -- most of whom are approachable -- and they said for one day they could make $10,000 or more depending on passenger-traffic.

The men said that they operate on a turn system and sometimes work together, since there are about 100 mini-buses that ply the Melanie/Victoria/Ann’s Grove route on a daily basis.”

A young man sporting a neat, corn-row hairstyle said, “Because I am a “tout,” people look down on me as if I am nobody, but that’s life. Touting is a part-time job for me, because I am a cash-crop farmer during the day and at nights I come out to the bus park and hustle.”

He explained that with a child to support he decided to have a “side hustle” and he makes a “small-piece” which keeps him afloat until his greens are harvested and sold.

This well-spoken young man told this publication that he used to be a gold-miner, but quit after some difficulties and has to make ends meet somehow and by legal means.

He added that they have the cell numbers for some bus drivers and when there is a crowd of passengers at the bus park, they would inform those drivers and in return get a “raise” in addition to filling a bus at a cost of $200 each.

the cops, so we would look over the place,” a spritely young man said.

The group noted that the members number about eight to 10 of them at that bus park and they assist the conductors and drivers to fill the buses. The men said in unison that they really don’t have a problem, because they get along with each other and they have an understanding. There is no turf problem there, since they are all hustling to make some money.

When asked why they did not want regular jobs with a company or a security firm, the men said that they could not be held to a 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. job like most working people.

Touting was just like any other job.

They opined that the job was a very aggressive one and they were on their feet all the time which could be taxing on their health.

One pointed out that they were out there from early in the mornings to late at nights and they have become accustomed to it despite the negative things people would say.

Touts operate at many bus parks in the city and have come in for a lot of criticisms, ranging from their unkempt appearance and the way they behave, holding onto passengers while taking their bags and demanding they enter a bus they are filling.

Labourer not guilty of rape

By George Barclay FORTY-two-year-old Linden Isaacs of Belfield, East Coast Demerara,was yesterday found not guilty of rape allegedly committed on a 16-year-old girl.

The accused who was represented by Attorney-at-law Mr. Leslie Sobers had pleaded not guilty.

The allegation by the State was that he had sex with a girl under the age of16 years.

The prosecution presented nine witnesses and the defence, one witness.

It seems from the verdict that the jury had accepted the story as told by the defence or that they were in doubt.

The prosecution, which began its case last Friday had

at the close submitted that it made out a case against the accused.

But the defence thought otherwise and claimed that the prosecution had not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The presiding judge was Ms. Seunaraine-Beharry.

Prosecuting were Miss Tuanna Hardy, Miss Stacy Goodings, and Miss Orenthia Schmidt.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

ExxonMobil to spud Liza as earnings fall 50%

EXXONMOBIL has said that it is moving quickly to spud a well at its Liza discovery, offshore Guyana, in addition to several major projects that are set for start-up in the next two years.

In a statement, Exxon said it is working on contracting a drillship to get it onsite to appraise the Liza discovery, and expects the well to spud very shortly, the company said on a financial conference call. In addition, Exxon said that Liza’s seismic acquisition

is nearing completion. The results from both the well and seismic are being actively assessed to test the full block potential, as well as the commercial viability of the discovery. There are also early studies under way for potential development options for the Liza field.

Liza, located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, sits in the 6.6 million acre Stabroek Block. Exxon encountered more than 295ft of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs at the Liza-1 well last year. Ac-

Guyana to co-host, not co-chair, CARICOM Summit THE Ministry of the Presidency hereby clarifies that Guyana will co-host the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Summit in July 2016, and not co-chair it as was previously reported. The ministry at this time regrets the misinformation.

According to the communiqué released by the CARICOM Secretariat at the conclusion of the Twenty-Seventh Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which was held in Placencia, Belize, last week, the Thirty-Seventh Regular Meeting of the conference will be held from July 4-6, 2016 under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Dominica, the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit and will be co-hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat and the Government of Guyana.

Guyana will co-host the meeting since Dominica cannot, at this time, undertake the responsibility as host country. The Caribbean island suffered significant damage after Tropical Storm Erika battered it for five hours last August. Prime Minister Skerrit had declared a national disaster after noting the loss of life and physical damage to the island. Guyana will assume chairmanship from January 1 to June 30, 2017, according to the Rotation Schedule for chairmanship of the conference.

Always threatening sister, cops say CALVIN Brown of Norton Street, Georgetown was remanded to prison by city Magistrate Faith McGusty on Thursday after he appeared before her to answer threatening language and threatening behaviour charges.

The 21-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges, which alleged that on February 22, 2016, he threatened to kill his sister, Lashana Barker.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the court that the virtual complainant and the defendant live in the same house, and that, on the day in question, the defendant pulled a knife and threatened to kill his sister.

The prosecutor contended that if the defendant were placed on bail, he would continue his bad behaviour, as he had a habit of verbally abusing and damaging his sister’s belongings.

The sister told the court that the defendant is uncontrollable, and whenever “he loses it”, there is no telling what he would do.

The case will continue on March 29, 2016.

cording to vice-president of investor relations Jeff Woodbury, ExxonMobil will have 10 major projects that will start up in 2016 and 2017.

In 2016, the company anticipates the start-up of the Gorgon Jansz project off Australia; Kazakhstan’s Kashagan in late 2016; Julia and Heidelberg in the Gulf of Mexico; Point Thomson off Alaska; and the Barzan gas project, off Qatar. Exxon also revealed that its upstream sector took an axe to the company’s earnings

for both Q4 2015 and full year, due to low commodity prices. ExxonMobil posted a 58% decline in Q4 of US$2.8 billion, compared to US$6.6 billion in Q4 2014, which the company said that lower commodity prices in upstream were offset by higher downstream earnings. For fullyear earnings, Exxon saw a 50% drop to US$16.2 billion, compared to 2014’s US$32.5 billion. Higher downstream and chemical earnings were offset by sharply lower commodity

prices in the upstream, the company said.

“While our financial results reflect the challenging environment, we remain focused on the business fundamentals, including project execution and effective cost management,” Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and CEO said. The company also posted a 29% decrease in its capital and exploration expenditures to US$7.4 billion, compared to Q4 2014. Upstream earnings were down US$4.6 billion for the quarter, to US$857

million for the period. For full-year 2015, upstream earnings were US$7.1 billion, down US$20.4 billion from 2014. ExxonMobil completed six major upstream projects during the year and achieved its fullyear plan to produce 4.1 MMboe/d.

These new developments in Canada, Indonesia, Norway, the United States and West Africa added 300,000 boe/d of working interest production capacity, the company said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Palm Court contributes to Durban Park project

POPULAR entertainment hub the Palm Court has made a donation to the Durban Park project, which is rapidly taking shape.

The three-phase project comprises preparation for the recently concluded flag-raising ceremony for Guyana’s 46th Republic Anniversary on February 23.

The second phase will see acceleration of works to accommodate another massive flag-raising ceremony on May 26, when

Guyana will celebrate its Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence. The third phase will be the final leg of the project, which is to develop the entire location to accommodate a state-of-theart world-class arena to seat 30,000 persons, twice the capacity of the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e re would be at the location several other features that are being geared to promote family-oriented activities.

From left to right: BK International CEO, Brian Tiwarie; Palm Court’s Assistant Manager, Sasha Lewis; Managing-Director, Ravin Persaud; Larry London; and Bobby Vieira

Le Repentir Cemetery almost filled

A section of Le Repentir burial ground, Georgetown LE Repentir Cemetery, the largest burial ground in Guyana, is almost filled to capacity and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is seeking to expand the area.

M&CC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Debra Lewis said that the cemetery is 80 per cent filled, and it is time for a new burial site.

The current situation has forced persons to build tombs atop of existing graves or make arrangements for their loved ones to be buried at another site.

Lewis explained that despite several meetings and recommendations regarding the situation, the M&CC is still awaiting the green light from the Ministry of Communities for expansion works to commence on the eastern side of Le Repentir.

It was noted that a plot of vacant land situated on the lower East Coast was proposed for a new cemetery. To date, approval has not been granted to have the proposed land used for that purpose.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Distinguished Grenadian admitted to local Bar

GRENADA Public Service Commission Chairman, Attorney-at-Law Derick Fields Sylvester, has been admitted to the Bar in Guyana.

Hours prior to his admission on Friday, the Attorney-at-Law met with the local media at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus in the presence of the University’s Registrar Dr Nigel Gravesande.

Sylvester, who has been an attorney for the past 15 years, said the time has come for him to experience other jurisdictions given the limitations in Grenada.

Grenada has a population of approximately 100,000 and according to him, this presents a limitation with regard to the quantity of cases.

He practises in the areas of administrative, criminal, civil litigation, commercial, constitutional, conveyancing, family law, human rights, insurance, labour, public law, mediation and non-contentious matters.

In a quest to broaden his horizon, the Attorney-at-Law after being admitted to local bar in Grenada in October 2001, moved to be admitted in St Lucia in 2015.

“It is a means of embracing other jurisdictions and

not restricting yourself to your country of birth…. and I believe that is what the Caribbean is all about and that is what Caribbean integration is all about,” the Chairman of

served as the Registrar of the T.A. Marryshow Community College; Director of Trade, Tourism, and International Economic Cooperation in Grenada; in addition to being

tinues to serve his country with pride.

In addition to being the Chairman of the Grenada Public Service Commission, he serves as the Chairman of the

Attorney-at-Law Derick Fields Sylvester and University of Guyana Registrar, Dr Nigel Gravesande the Grenada Public Service Commission said, describing himself as a champion of Caribbean integration.

He was encouraged to practise law in Guyana by Dr Gravesande, who taught him history back in Grenada.

For him, Dr Gravesande has provided yeoman service to the people of Grenada, having

the Director of Planning and Projects at the Ministry of Education.

“Dr Gravesande contributed to our country for the last 28 years, and he has done so with pride, grace, elegance and intelligence,” Sylvester posited.

Like Dr Gravesande, Attorney-at-Law Sylvester con-

Grenada Football Association Appeal Tribunal Disciplinary Committee.

Between February 2013 and October 2013, he served as the Director of the Board of Directors of the Grenada Housing Authority; and from January 2009 to November 2013 as Chairman of the Allied Health Professional

Council.

Sylvester was also appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat for the tri-island State of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique in October 2014.

In December, 2011, he was declared ‘Personality of the Year’ by the Grenada Informer, one of the leading local newspapers; and also declared one of the ‘Top 3 Male Personalities’ in the State of Grenada for the year 2013 by the said newspaper.

He was also a part of the legal team at the High Court, Court of Appeal, Privy Council and Re-Sentencing in Grenada’s most historic case

which arose out of the fall of the Grenada Revolution in 1983- Case No. 19 of 1984, The Queen vs Callistus Bernard, Lester Redhead, Christopher Stroude, Hudson Austin, Bernard Coard, Liam James, Leon Cornwall, John Anthony Ventour, Dave Bartholomew, Ewart Layne, Colville McBarnette, Selwyn Strachan and Cecil Prime.

Sylvester has done over 30 homicide cases in the Supreme Court of Grenada, with over 20 murder trials included, and has successfully represented clients in all areas of the law throughout the various courts in the legal system.

Not guilty, says fraud accused

TAXI driver Stephon Birkett of Bissessar Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown appeared on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with fraudulent conversion.

It is alleged that on January 19, 2016, at Prashad Nagar, the 22-year-old was entrusted by Joshua Williams with one laptop computer valued at $150,000 in order that he would pawn the computer and take the proceeds to Williams. The police accuse Birkett of fraudulently converting the proceeds to his own use and benefit, but Birkett has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not object to bail for Birkett, and same was granted in the sum of $50,000.

The case will continue on March 9, 2016.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 27, 2016

Europe’s Infantino ...

From backpage

not cherry-pick now what he likes and what he doesn’t like, that’s quite a task awaiting him.”

COMMERCIAL ACUMEN Much of Infantino’s pitch centred on his commercial acumen during his seven years as UEFA general secretary; revenue from Europe’s club competitions has grown dramatically, but so has inequality between the rich, powerful elite clubs in Europe’s four big leagues and the rest.

Many of the skills now required will, however, be in crisis management.

Infantino will hope for at least a brief honeymoon after the firestorm that broke out last May when seven football executives due to attend a previous Congress were arrested on suspicion

of corruption in a dawn raid on their Zurich hotel.

Blatter survived long enough to win re-election at that Congress, but stepped down four days later as the scandals took their toll.

Since then, criminal investigations in the United States and Switzerland have resulted in the indictment of dozens of football officials and other entities for corruption, many of them serving or are former presidents of national or continental associations.

In addition, FIFA has been forced to investigate controversies surrounding the awarding of its showpiece, the World Cup finals, especially the decision to grant the 2018 tournament to Russia and the 2022 finals to Qatar, a small, scorching desert state with little football

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Swiss authorities are reviewing more than 150 reports of suspicious financial activity linked to those awards, and said on Thursday they had sent more documents including an internal FIFA report to U.S. investigators.

Many key sponsorship deals have been put on hold until FIFA can be seen to have cleaned up its act, resulting in a $108 million deficit for 2015, an official said on Thursday. Infantino welcomed that challenge.

“I will work tirelessly to bring football back to FIFA and FIFA back to football; this is what we want to do,” he said in his first news conference as president.

“I am not a candidate of Europe I am a candidate of football and football is universal.”

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29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

FIFA Congress approves landmark reforms

FIFA’S Member Associations yesterday approved a package of landmark reforms that pave the way for significant improvements to the governance of global football, including a clear separation of commercial and political decision-making, greater scrutiny of senior officials, and commitments to promoting women in football and human rights.

The reforms were supported by 179 of the 207 Member Associations present and eligible to vote at the Extraordinary Congress in Zurich.

The reforms were based on proposals made by the 2016 FIFA Reform Committee and the subsequent recommendations put before the Congress by the Executive Committee in the form of draft FIFA Statutes.

They represent an essential step towards the modernisation of FIFA’s institutional culture in key areas such as the clear separation of political and management functions, term limits, the disclosure of individual compensation, greater recognition and promotion of women in football and a commitment to enshrining human rights in the FIFA Statutes.

Furthermore, they include statutory principles of good

FIFA reforms are: • Clear separation between “political” and management functions: The FIFA Council (replacing the FIFA Executive Committee) is responsible for setting the organisation’s overall strategic direction, while the General Secretariat oversees the operational and commercial actions required to effectively execute that strategy.

• Term limits for the FIFA president, FIFA Council members and members of the Audit and Compliance Committee Issa Hayatou who was in charge of FIFA and of the judicial bodies (max. before yesterday’s election.

12 years).

• Election of Council governance for member asso- greater diversity that will ciations and confederations, give football a strong foundasuch as compulsory annual tion on which to thrive. It will independent audit reports as help to restore trust in our well as independent judicial organisation. And it will deter bodies to ensure a separation future wrongdoing.” of powers on all levels of footThe main aspects of the ball structures. approved reforms have been “We stand united in our incorporated into an amended determination to put things version of the FIFA Statutes. right, so that the focus can In accordance with ArtiBy Rob Hodgetts return to football once again,” cle 29 of the current edition said Acting FIFA president Issa of the FIFA Statutes, the Hayatou. “The hard work of statutory amendments passed LONDON, England (Rerestoring trust and improving today will come into effect for uters) - Former Argentina how we work begins now.” the members 60 days after captain Diego Maradona says longtime FIFA president “This will create a system the close of the Congress. of stronger governance and The main aspects of the Sepp Blatter and European soccer chief Michel Platini should have been given life imprisonment rather than six-year bans from soccer for ethics violations.

The pair were suspended cer-bearers for the Union along for eight years -- reduced to six this week -- for a payment of with other matters.

The AGM will be held at 2 million Swiss francs ($2.03 the National Resource Cen- million) made to the Frenchtre in Woolford Avenue from man in 2011 by FIFA with 11:00hrs. The clubs eligible to Blatter’s approval for work vote at the AGM are Yamaha done a decade earlier. Both Caribs, Pepsi Hornets, GDF, men deny any wrongdoing.

UG Wolves and the Police “It seems like the FIFA Falcons. ethics committee was

basis of the FIFA president, all FIFA Council members, the Secretary General and relevant chairpersons of independent standing and judicial committees.

• Enhanced control of money flows.

• Universal good governance principles for confederations and member associations.

• FIFA’s commitment to human rights to be enshrined in the FIFA Statutes.

• New Football Stakeholder Committee to ensure greater transparency and inclusion through broader stakeholder representation (including players, clubs and leagues).

Former Argentine soccer player Diego Maradona wrong,” Maradona, 55, told Reuters TV. “Having so much evidence against these people and having seen how they were robbing for so many years, they should have both been given life imprisonment.”

FIFA is caught in the worst crisis in its 112-year history with scores of people, including many former FIFA officials, charged with corruption-related offences in the United States. Blatter is among those who also face a parallel Swiss investigation.

Maradona, who earned 91

caps for Argentina and won the World Cup in 1986, believes Blatter’s replacement at FIFA should not be motivated by money.

“I would like to see a president who is not interested in becoming a millionaire thanks to the ball, the sponsors or the World Cup -- because that is where they collect a good load of money,” he said.

“That is the kind of man I want to lead FIFA and he will have my support.”

He also branded presidential candidate Gianni Infantino, the UEFA general secretary, a “traitor” for not standing by UEFA president Platini.

“He is an absolute traitor because he kept working as if nothing was happening while his boss (Michel Platini) was between a rock and a hard place, or almost behind bars,” said Maradona.

“It is very wrong to go from drawing the lots to running for FIFA president.”

Blatter, Platini should have been jailed for life - Maradona

UG take on Caribs in GTT/ GRFU 15s league

NOTABLE DATES Flashback! Action between the UG Wolves and Yamaha Caribs during their first round encounter in the GTT/GRFU 15s league.

THE University of Guyana (UG) Wolves are looking to take a commanding lead atop the Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) /Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 15s League when matches continue today.

UG are leading the tournament with 17 points, while Caribs are in second position on 14 points.

When the two teams met in the first round of the league, the Yamaha Caribs came out victories after the dust settled.

However, the Wolves are on the prowl and eager to reverse their fortunes.

members supervised by FIFA and in accordance with FIFA’s own electoral regulations; all candidates subject to comprehensive eligibility and integrity checks conducted by an independent FIFA Review Committee.

• Greater recognition and promotion of women in football with a minimum of one female representative elected as a Council member per confederation; promotion of women as an explicit statutory objective of FIFA to create a more diverse decision-making environment and culture.

• Disclosure of individual compensation on an annual

UG’s lead on the points table comes as a result of an outstanding performance over Police Falcons last Saturday when they won 99-0. In the other game of the day, the Pepsi Hornets went down to Yamaha Caribs 14-12.

Matches will be played at the National Park Rugby Field starting at 16:00hrs.

Meanwhile, under the newly amended constitution governing rugby, the Guyana Rugby Union will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, February 28th 2016. The meeting would see election of new offi-

GUYANESE-born Dennis Andries, at age 39 secured his 42nd professional victory following a points-decision win over David Sewell on February 27, 1993.

Andries had just moved up from the light heavyweight division to cruiserweight.

In his previous fight he had dropped a majority decision to Frenchman Akim Tafer while the European Boxing Union (EBU) cruiserweight title was at stake.

Andries turned pro in 1978 and won the World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight title eight years later following a split decision victory over J. B. Williamson on April 30, 1986.

He made one successful defence before taking on Thomas `Hitman’ Hearns (The Motor City Cobra) in March 1987.

Hearns pulled the crown from the head of the Guyanese when referee Isaac Herrera stopped the contest at one minute and 26 seconds of the 10th round to prevent Andries any further punishment.

However, Andries bounced back and was again named WBC champion when he TKOed Tony Willis on February 21, 1989 to take the vacant title Nicknamed `The Hackney Rock’, Andries had his last fight on December 14, 1996 and left with a record of 49 victories (30 KOos), 14 defeats and two draws.

Ten-man Riddim Squad stun Police, Camptown beat Beacon

A 10-MAN Riddim Squad side showed why they are 2015/2016 Banks Beer Knockout Football tournament champions when they held off the full-strength Police Force in a 1-0 win when the STAG Premier League continued on Thursday evening.

The Riddim Squad, through Wendel Joksh in the 82nd minute managed to score despite being a man down, holding off a determined police side.

Meanwhile in game two, Beacon Football Club went down 2-1 to Camptown Football Club.

Anthony Sancho’s double (31st and 68th minutes) was enough to ensure that Camptown gained the advantage over their Beacon opponents who scored through Royston Dublin in the 85th.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 27, 2016

WICB tells Sir Everton happy 91st birthday

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is celebrating with Sir Everton Weekes on this his 91st birthday yesterday.

The right-handed batsman, who is from Barbados, is possibly the oldest living Test cricketer and the West Indies would like to recognise and share in this great moment with this outstanding man in the region and the world.

President Dave Camer-

on in his wishes says, “Sir Everton Weekes, one of the three famous Ws in the West Indies and the world, forms a significant part of our history and we salute him on this milestone.”

Sir Everton has the Order of St Michael and St George, Gold Crown of Merit and the Order of the British Empire.

In the ten years he represented the West Indies, he played 48 Tests and scored 15 centuries with a top score

of 207. His batting average was 58.61 and he scored 4 455 runs.

He played for his home country Barbados for 20 years and at the First-Class level he played 152 games and scored 12 010 runs with an average of 55.34. He had 36 centuries in that total.

His highest total was 304 not out.

At the joint WICB/ WIPA Awards in Jamaica last year June, Sir Everton was one of the seven mem-

Edghill completes impressive U.S. showing G U YA N A’ S r e c e n t l y crowned National Women’s table tennis champion and Lindenwood University scholarship holder Chelsea Edghill completed an impressive showing on the intercollegiate circuit over the last weekend.

She won the Women’s Singles at the National regional division intercollegiate table tennis Championships, played at the gymnasium of the University of Lindenwood, Missouri. The competition pits upper Midwest division teams against their lower Midwest division counterparts.

Fresh off her recent success at the National championships, Edghill, defeated Maria Castillo of the University of Wisconsin in the final by a 3-0 margin to secure victory and avenge an earlier defeat in the group stages.

In group action the num-

Chelsea ber one seeded in group two, Edghill, lost to eventual finalist Castillo 3-2, but defeated Furuta Mayuko 3-0, Andrea Hoppert 3-0 and Jinvi Humi 3-0 to break into the quarterfinals.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday February 27, 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) 376 wickets (2) 7/51-Winston Davis (WI vs AUST, Leeds, 1983) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which two played a similar amount of Tests?

Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Carl Hooper, Alvin Kallicharran (2) Which team has played most ODIs against the WI to date? How many?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Edghill In the quarterfinals she defeated Yan Dan and later went on to defeat Zhang Yixin in the semi-finals before avenging her earlier loss to Castillo in the group match.

Sir Everton Weekes

Raiders battle Bulls for LABA/104.3 FM title tonight

By Joe Chapman

THE battle lines have been drawn and it is up to the leading players to bring home the bacon when the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA)/104.3 Power FM Radio MASH Open basketball championship concludes tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. Game time is 21:00hrs.

The top teams Half Mile Bulls and Retrieve Raiders will go at each other for the top prize of $150 000 and the huge trophy.

Half Mile Bulls, currently the number one-rated club in Linden, will seek to maintain their dominance and ranking when they face the challenge of the Raiders in what could be a keen contest.

Having said that, the two teams are honing their skills to make a challenge at the National Club Champion-

Tonight’s `Hostile ...

From backpage to do battle tonight and boasted that they are all 100 percent fit and ring-ready as they are physically and technically well-conditioned, “We are ready like Freddy,” Daniels quipped.

He said though Moses has not fought in three years, she has shown great signs of herself in years gone by and he is very certain that she can take care of herself against Norville.

Daniels revealed that it was only recently that Lake told him (Daniels) that he (Lake) lost on three occasions

bers of the ‘Sir’s Club’ for men who have been knighted. He was accompanied

by Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Wes Hall and Sir Curtly Ambrose.

“The region and the world celebrate with Sir Everton and we wish him the best for this special occasion,” Cameron added.

to Antoine and this will be the fourth fight against Antoine.

Asked if Lake is ready to reverse the decisions, Daniels said he is very confident that Lake can do it, but he stopped short of predicting the final result.

Daniels said Lake is looking sharper than in the past, is packing a much heavier punch “So I’m very confident he will come out on top.”

Over at the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym in James Street Albouystown, Joseph Murray, a former lightweight fighter who is in charge of Quincy Gomes, said his charge is in very good

ship which is now known as the ‘Road to Mecca’ tournament.

The Raiders could also, while being ranked second to the Bulls in Linden when the draw was made, take over as the top-ranked club, should they defeat the Bulls this time around.

This is because the LABA in 2012 had instituted a ranking format for its clubs which will be dynamic and will change according to the performances of clubs after each tournament is recognised by the association.

The Bulls are on seven points and should they lose then the Raiders will join them at the podium with 12 points, since for each tournament win a club gets seven points and the losers come away with five, third-place clubs receive three, fourth two and fifth one point.

Having placed onetwo in the last tournament, the Bulls with another win would get another seven points and move to 14 points and the Raiders would then have ten points.

This will reflect with the other third-place playoff game where the Royals currently on three points are ahead of the Jets, who were unable to contest for third place and got fourth.

They forfeited their semifinal game in the recent Malt Supreme Christmas Open basketball tournament and were handed the fourth place and have only one point as against the two by the Royals.

Therefore they will also be battling for the right to be rated number three and four when this tournament concludes tonight. They clash at 19:00hrs in the first game.

(Joe Chapman)

shape and he (Gomes) did all his drills and is in excellent condition physically and mentally.

Asked if Gomes would have a problem with Khan’s height and longer reach, Murray informed that Gomes has been sparring with persons much taller and with longer reaches than himself so he (Murray) does not feel that Khan’s height and reach will be a bother for Gomes. ”My charge is ready to go to the end.”.

The Venezuelan fighters arrived in Guyana two days ago and did simple drills and from their physical appearances they look very much ready to give their Guyanese counterparts a

fight for their money.

Dharry arrived in Guyana just about a week ago along with former Guyana and Commonwealth lightweight champion Lennox Blackmoore, as his coach, and engaged in finishing touches which included speed work and pad work but no sparring as he was winding down his preparations after completing most of his work at the Gleeson Gym in New York.

Dharry has a record of 19 wins, five losses and one draw.

The boxers weighed in last evening at the Giftland Mall and all are raring to go at their respective opponents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday February 27, 2016

Persaud, bowlers give Chase Academy Banks DIH Ltd/DIGICEL title

By Rajiv Bisnauth

OPENER Joshua Persaud struck a scintillating century before the bowlers produced an impressive performance, as Chase Academy comfortably beat Uitvlugt Secondary School by 18 runs to win the Inter-School phase of the Guyana Cricket Board National Secondary School Cricket League, played yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

Courtesy of Persaud’s 104, the city school piled up a commendable 199-9 in 30 overs and then restricted the visitors for 181 in 29.3 overs despite a brilliant 76 from Chanderpaul Mohabir.

Asked to bat first on a usually flat batting-friendly Bourda pitch, Chase Academy openers Persaud and Lester Cupidore added 24 runs for the first wicket before the latter was run-out

for five.

Pacer Reyaz Khan then pushed Chase Academy to the back-foot. Khan, after a wayward beginning, found a nice rhythm to bowl Shamar Barakat for no score at 24-2.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the venue, including students from both schools, to watch as Persaud and Kirt Lovell steadied the rocking innings with an enterprising third-wicket stand of 79 runs.

The partnership was broken by medium-pacer Dodi Oselmo when he removed Lovell for 20. Ashmead Nedd then departed, trapped leg-before-wicket with a full-length delivery to provide the medium-pacer with his second wicket, three balls later.

It became 125-5 at the end of the 16th over when Oselmo had Dwayne Dick caught-and-bowled for two.

On the other hand, the

Khan returned for his second spell and immediately removed Romario Cameron (2), before Mark Fredricks and Oselmo claimed the wickets of Sese Norville (19) and Martin Wills (2).

Oselmo finished with figures of 4-28 off six impressive overs, while Khan ended with 3-28 off 5.2 overs.

The Uitvlugt Secondary’s run chase started poorly with Ryan Mohabir (7), Riedell Reddy (9), Lallchan Seeram Joshua Persaud collects his Man-of-the-Match (10) and Drakes all failing as trophy from Banks DIH Ltd representative they slumped to 57-4.

Mohabir then anchored a crucial fifth-wicket stand of 80 with Oselmo, who contributed only 21 before he was bowled by Cupidore.

Uitvlugt then lost their last five wickets for 27 runs including the right-handed Mohabir.

Credit should be given to Chase’s bowlers, especially Cupidore, who claimed 3-13. Dick (2-26), Man-of-the-Match Persaud (2-40), Norville (1-36) and Lovell (1-33) were the other successful bowlers.

right-handed Persaud was scoring runs at will. He made batting look easy, and at the same time showed a glimpse of his brilliance.

Batting with much fluency, Persaud scored his hundred from 69 balls. However, Persaud, whose well-placed innings was laced with 11 fours and four sixes, departed five balls later bowled by Troy The victorious Chase Academy team with officials from the Guyana Drakes.

Cricket Board and representatives from the sponsors

Beaton puts Guyana F1 Superstar vs Guyana’s Rising Star?

Hamilton could take on Ming in SR3 Barbados series.

Jaguars on top

FAST bowler Ronsford Beaton took 5-43 to give the Guyana Jaguars a slight edge at the end of day one of the eighth round of the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day To u r n a m e n t a g a i n s t Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

The Jaguars, the reigning champions were 44-2 at the close, still 172 runs behind the Volcanoes first-innings total of 216.

Opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Assad Fudadin are the not-out batsmen on 21 and one respectively. Test opener Rajendra Chandrika (17) and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo (0) were the batsmen dismissed in the Jaguars reply.

Earlier opener Devon Smith (87) and Jelani Robinson (57) were the only two batsmen with substantial scores for the Volcanoes.

Raymon Reifer (2-42) Bishoo (1-29), Veerasammy Permaul (1-36) and Keon

By Stephan Sookram

Ronsford Beaton Joseph (1-51) supported Beaton in a total bowling effort.

Meanwhile, scores from the other two games: Barbados Pride replying to Jamaica Scorpions first-innings total of 177 were 103-3, and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force were 7-0, replying to Leeward Islands Hurricanes 225.

F1 CHAMPION Lewis Hamilton is heading to Barbados later this year for that country’s Festival of Speed and a possible on-track run-in with overseas-based Guyanese and Suzuki SR3 Radical Superstar Calvin Ming is not being ruled out.

With the Mercedes driver already confirming his participation for the May 7-8 event at the Bushy Park Raceway in Barbados, speculation is rife as to his input in the action.

Chronicle Sport yesterday contacted Chairman of the Bushy Park Motor Sport Inc. (BPMSI) Sean Maloney, who contended that while the Brit is confirmed, no solid plans as to his exact roles are in place for the two-day meeting in the Eastern Caribbean Island.

Maloney did not, however, rule out the possibility of the Silver Arrows driver as a guest in their ongoing Suzuki SR3 Radical series.

“It could or could not

Calvin Ming (left) and Lewis Hamilton happen but I can’t speak to it until it’s agreed by Lewis and all the other parties,” said the BPMSI Chairman Maloney, adding “That’s something that will be made public when it is confirmed but it’s not at that stage yet. I wouldn’t want to speak to rumours.”

He continued, “Lewis will be participating in the various events on the day and all of that is still to be confirmed. How it happens whether it’s racing, whether it’s exhibition, whatever it is, is to be confirmed.”

The mouth-watering prospect between the two is one that Ming’s fans, and by extension Caribbean racing enthusiasts, will be sure to want to witness as the overseas-based Guyanese virtually mopped the floor with the local competition on debut there in January.

He picked up two firstplace and one fourth-place finishes while also clocking an unofficial time of 58.48 secs during the practice session in the series, leaving many with the belief that he is one of the prime competi-

tors in the series.

The current official lap record is set at 58.9

by Maloney and adding the BPMSI boss to the possible mix would mean that fans would be in for a treat.

According to the Bushy Park website, “The ninehour programme will be packed with a broad cross-section of motoring and motor sport action on two and four wheels, including British Superbike and Micro Banger Champions from the UK, Monster Truck and Stunt Bike stars from the USA, along with local and regional contingents, including the Suzuki Challenge Series Swift Cup and SR3 Cup.” It continued, “The family-friendly day will also include a lunchtime show featuring Rupee, music from the Barbados Defence Force Band, a parade of classic cars and other activities that will give this new event on the annual motoring calendar a very specific Caribbean twist.”

GFF commends new FIFA president Infantino

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation Wayne Forde, who was part of an observer mission to the FIFA elections, yesterday offered his congratulations to newly elected boss Gianni Infantino.

In an invited comment, the GFF boss said, “It was a historic day for FIFA and I am very happy to have been a part of it. The reforms have been adopted, the elections are over, President Infantino has to now change the culture of FIFA and he can only do it by setting the right example.

“Development programmes must now be detached from personal relationships which have been the practice in the past,” continued the GFF boss.

Europe’s Infantino chosen to lead FIFA into new era

By Mike Collet ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - Gianni Infantino vowed yesterday to lead FIFA out of years of corruption and scandal, after the former UEFA general secretary was elected to succeed his Swiss compatriot Sepp Blatter as president of football’s world governing body.

“We will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA and everyone in the world will be proud of us,” the 45-year-old law graduate, who for the last seven years has been the leading administrator for Europe’s governing body, told an extraordinary FIFA Congress in Zurich.

“I feel a lot of emotion and have not realised yet what has happened today.”

After a first round of voting in which he narrowly beat Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Infantino appeared to gather up

pensing development funds to his global support base.

Before the election, the Congress had overwhelmingly passed a set of reforms intended to make FIFA more transparent, professional and accountable.

That package should mean the new president faces much closer scrutiny than Blatter did -- his salary will be published for the FIFA president Gianni Infantino gives the thumbs first time -- and have less up after being elected the new FIFA president in influence over the day-toSwitzerland yesterday. (FIFA photo) day management of the oralmost all the votes that had banned from football last year ganisation’s business affairs. been cast for the two trailing along with Blatter for ethics candidates, Prince Ali and violations.

NEW Jerome Champagne.

“I thank Michel Platini GOVERNANCE He won 115 of the 207 for everything that he has The reforms include votes in the second round, taught me and given me term limits for top offigiving him a simple major- and the work we have done cials and a clear separaity ensuring a European together,” Infantino said. “I tion between an elected again holds the top job until have strong, dear thoughts FIFA Council responsible 2019 and frustrating the for Mr Michel Platini right for broad strategy and a hopes of those looking for a now.” professional general secreswing to Asia.

Only the ninth president tariat, akin to a company’s Infantino owed his can- in FIFA’s 112-year history, he executive board, handling didacy to the fact that Eu- inherits a very different job the business side. rope’s preferred candidate, from that enjoyed by Blatter, Infantino’s campaign his former boss and UEFA who toured the world for 17 did not at first glance president Michel Platini, was years like a head of state, dis- mark a dramatic change

from the naked financial appeals of past elections as he promised member federations more money in his quest for support, and an expansion of the World Cup finals to 40 teams from 32.

But unlike most of the other candidates, Infantino can point to the fact that he never served under Blatter in FIFA’s tainted leadership, having worked for UEFA since 2000.

Sheikh Salman, the bookmakers’ favourite, had been on FIFA’s executive since 2013, and had had to repeatedly deny allegations from rights groups that he had been involved in or known about the detention and torture of Bahraini players in 2011 at the height of a crackdown on anti-government protests.

Following Blatter’s 17year reign, Infantino’s election maintains Europe’s stranglehold on the running of world football, and the continent’s officials were

quick to welcome the result.

“It is the first time in a long time that I have felt happy about anything to do with FIFA,” said Executive Committee member Michel D’Hooghe of Belgium. “(Infantino) is a young, dynamic man who has done a superb job at UEFA.” UEFA executive committee member Karen Espelund of Norway said: “We needed someone credible, we needed a clean winner, a clean man, and I believe we have that in Gianni.”

Blatter too welcomed the appointment but was still trying to take a share of the glory despite a day of speeches from candidates promising to clear up the mess of his watch.

“Gianni Infantino will now have to take over what I started, the last remaining points of the big reform package,” Blatter said.

“The new president can-

See page 28

Tonight’s ‘Hostile Territory’ boxing card promises much excitement BOXING fans and enthusiasts can expect an evening of exciting and entertaining boxing when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) stages its `Hostile Territory’ boxing card at the Giftland Mall, Pattensen, East Coast, Demerara from 20:00hrs.

The highlight on the night’s card will be a 10-round bantamweight between Guyana’s United

Felix Machado

States-based Guyanese and International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental bantamweight champion Elton `The Bully’ Dharry and Venezuela’s Felix Machado.

The main supporting bout brings together Guyana and Caribbean Boxing Federation flyweight champion Dexter Marques and another Venezuelan, Freddy Baleno, in a 10-round flyweight contest.

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

… as local pugilists face foreign opponents

Elton `The Bully’ Dharry

The under card will see Revlon Lake match gloves for the fourth time with Barbados’ Miguel Antoine in an eight-round welterweight contest; Imran Khan will face Quincy Gomes in an all-Guyanese six-round lightweight affair; Cassius Matthews meets Keshon Simon in a six-round welter-

weight rematch and Mandessa Moses meets Ansilla Norville over four rounds in a female bantamweight contest.

Speaking with Chroni c l e S p o r t y e s t e r d a y, Marques, Moses and Lake’s coach Lennox Daniels said his charges are very ready

See page 30 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016