Chronicle 02 29 2016

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SLEEPING GIANT No. 104477

MONDAY FEBRUARY 29, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

––President says Corentyne needs to be awakened to fulfill economic potential

Balram Persaud given military send – off

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Six Assistant Commissioners escorted the flag-draped casket of the late Assistant Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud (Samuel Maughn photo)

Man busted with ganja in bucket 13 Page

B&B Programme off to ‘good’ start

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Essequibo 13 woman ‘now in safe place’ Page

Vendors overjoyed

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KITTY Market vendors are anticipating the completion of the market, and are overjoyed at the pace of the reconstruction.

According to a third generation vendor, “the building needed repairs since it began to leak in the 1980s, and lack of repairs caused the building to go downhill, but right now the guys are doing a terrific job, and daily the transformation can be seen.”

He said he and many vendors are overjoyed at the development and are anticipating more traffic through the market since the fear of something falling and injuring a vendor or shopper is a thing of the past.

He explained that it’s a relief that the rehabilitation is finally being done, as the market has been serving the community for decades. “Situations like this give you hope and make you feel good,” he said.

Another vendor noted that he is overjoyed at the works being done at the Kitty Market, and is anticipating the rejuvenation of sales and the brightness of the building and the spot.

Although rehabilitation works on the Kitty Market were estimated to be completed in three months, the present pace of works can bring that date forward, according to M&CC acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) Debra Lewis.

Recently, rehabilitation works to sections of the Kitty Market commenced, since the previous structure was described as a fire hazard.

The 19th Century structure suffered massive deteri-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

––at pace of Kitty Market reconstruction

The once dilapidated Kitty Market is now having a new look oration over the years.

Vendors operating in the area had lodged numerous complaints with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

The Council had contended that its financial situation prevented it from delivering on its promise.

However, the Council embarked on a $240M restoration exercise on February 12 last. The repairs will be done in phases to accommodate the

relocation of some of the vendors. Both residents and vendors of Kitty have expressed relief that the market, which was once known as a landmark in the neighbourhood, is being restored to its original state.

The Kitty Market was established in 1882, two years after the Bourda Market came into being. Like the Bourda Market, Kitty Market is timber-framed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Balram Persaud given military send-off

By Leroy Smith

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud, who died last Tuesday while receiving medical attention for injuries he sustained in a car accident earlier this month, was on Sunday given a moving military send-off.

The funeral was attended by close family members, including his wife and children; senior and junior members of the Police Force; representatives of the armed forces; President David Granger; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; former President, Donald Ramotar; and other friends and associates.

The former Assistant Commissioner, Administration, who was due to retire in a few months’ time, was hospitalised since February 04, after the car he was driving had slammed into a utility pole.

Viewing of Persaud’s body took place at the Guyana Police Force ground at 08:35hrs, after it arrived in a brown casket carried by a black hearse from the Merriman Funeral Home.

The facility was packed with senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force.

Conducting the funeral service was the

Force’s Chaplin, who ironically is the person who had conducted the marriage ceremony when Persaud had married his now widow; had baptised Persaud, and had also offered Persaud’s two youngest children up to the Lord a few years ago.

It came as a surprise to many in the gathering when the pastor mentioned that he had baptised Persaud, as they could be heard saying “What?”

SINCE CHILDHOOD In his remarks at the funeral service, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud spoke of knowing Balram Persaud since childhood days, as they had attended the same primary school and later the same high school.

It would be several years later when they again met each other during their earlier days in the Guyana Police Force.

The Top Cop remarked that the now dead officer would always deal with concerns in a professional manner, and even in times of great distress, Balram Persaud would find something funny to say in an effort to ease the tension.

The Commissioner of Police remembered Balram Persaud as a good

President David Granger meets the eldest son of Balram Persaud man, whose soul he wished would rest in peace, as he proclaimed that Persaud would be remembered for a long time.

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, who now holds the portfolio that Persaud held up to the time of his death, explained that Balram Persaud chose to be a police officer.

ALWAYS HELPFUL He remarked that during his first days, weeks and months in the Guyana Police Force, there were lots of things he did not know, and it was Balram Persaud who had taught him many of the things he knows today.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan noted that it was an extremely sad occasion. He reminisced on when he was first sworn in as Minister of Public Security, saying that Balram Persaud,

who was once his client, called him and asked, “Bro, you know what you go to do?”

He said Persaud was one of the persons within the organisation who were willing to share information with him, while there are those who exhibited a reluctance to do so.

The Minister said Persaud would often tell him that he was soon going, in reference to his pending retirement.

Ramjattan said Balram Persaud was the kind of person who would not have wanted persons to mourn his death, but rather celebrate his life. He, too, hailed Balram Persaud as a good man.

Meanwhile, widow of the former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cantina Persaud, said she was very See page 5

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud salutes a fallen colleague, Balram Persaud

Former President Donald Ramotar comforts the widow of Balram Persaud

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine presents a flag of the Guyana Police Force to the wife and youngest son of ACP Balram Persaud (Samuel Maughn photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 29, 2016

Indian man kills 14 members of his family

A forensic team visited the house on Sunday to investigate the incident

A 35-year-old Indian man killed 14 members of his own family, including seven children and his parents, before killing himself, police say.

Reports suggest Hasnin Warekar laced his family’s food with sedatives before slitting their throats.

Neighbours from the home in Thane, near Mumbai, were alerted to the attack by the screaming of the man’s sister, who survived the attack.

Police say it is still unclear why Warekar carried out the attack.

Authorities are yet to question Warekar’s sister, Thane police spokesman Gajanan Laxman Kabdule told AFP, as she was “in deep trauma” at a city hospital.

“He used a big knife. He killed his parents, his sisters and his sisters’ children. He slit their throats,” Mr Kabdule said.

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news agency reported that the youngest victim was his threemonth-old daughter, and the oldest his 55-year-old father.

He also killed six of his sisters’ children, the report said.

The attack began in the early hours of Sunday morning, after everyone had gone to bed, he said.

DOORS BOLTED Te l e v i s i o n f o o t a g e showed bodies being carried out of the home, covered in sheets.

The family had gathered for dinner in Thane, about 32km (20 miles) from Mumbai, on Saturday evening.

Thane police commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre said the accused “bolted all the doors of the house and murdered his family while they were asleep”, using a knife that was found near his body.

Local media reports said the family members were drugged, but that has not been confirmed by police.

The victims’ bodies were discovered on Sunday morning in the man’s home.

Warekar is believed to have worked as an accountant in Mumbai. (BBC)

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Nigeria removes 24,000 ghost workers

THE Nigerian Government has removed nearly 24,000 workers from its payroll after an audit revealed they did not exist, the Finance Ministry has said.

The move has enabled a monthly saving of around $11.5M (£8M).

The audit is part of an anti-corruption campaign by President Muhammadu Buhari, who took power last year.

Corruption and mismanagement have long been a challenge to Nigeria’s growth, and the Government has promised to cut costs to face an economic slowdown.

Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy and the continent’s top oil producer, and its finances are under strain due to the recent collapse in oil prices.

The country has also faced rising inflation, a stock market slump and the slowest pace of economic growth in more than a decade.

The audit started in December used biometric data and a bank verification number to identify holders of bank accounts into which salaries were being paid, Reuters news agency reports.

This process allowed the identification of some workers who were receiving a salary that did not correspond to the names linked to the bank accounts.

It also revealed that some employees were receiving salaries from multiple sources.

Some 23,846 non-existent workers were removed from the payroll; an adviser to the Finance Minister was quoted

by Reuters as saying.

Periodic checks and electronic audit techniques will be periodically carried out to prevent new frauds, the Ministry said.

Officials have said the savings resulted from the anti-corruption measures will help the country tackle its crisis and prevent job cuts. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

PNP wins another seat after recount

AN official recount of votes following last Thursday’s general election has given the People’s National Party (PNP) an additional seat, leaving the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) with the slimmest majority possible – one seat.

The 33-30 victory by the JLP was already the smallest

margin of victory in Jamaican history. With the PNP picking up another seat, after its St Mary South Eastern candidate, Dr Winston Green, was declared winner of the race in that constituency. It means the JLP now has 32 seats in the 63-member Parliament and the PNP, 31.

The JLP’s Dr Norman

Dunn had originally been declared the winner after the preliminary count which gave him 7,311 votes to incumbent Green’s 7,184.

Director of Elections Orrette Fisher announced that Green had taken the seat by nine votes.

Media reports indicate that Dunn will seek a magis-

Balram Persaud given ...

terial recount.

Meantime, JLP leader Andrew Holness, who is awaiting his swearing-in, has already indicated that there will be changes when he takes over as Prime Minister.

In a statement posted on social media Saturday morning, he said he met with the Cabinet Secretary and the

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister to discuss the earliest route to inauguration and arranged a briefing on the important activities of the previous Government.

He said that, “as part of a JLP commitment not to be Government as usual and to change how Govern-

ment works,” he indicated to the Cabinet Secretary, the Financial Secretary and the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister that he does not intend to continue the policy of selling Government vehicles to ministers who were using them while in office.

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grateful for the support that she, her children and the rest of Persaud’s family had received from the Commissioner of Police and his staff during this difficult time.

After the ceremony at the Police Sports Club ground, six Assistant Commissioners

of Police -- Clifton Hicken, Christopher Griffith, Paul Williams, Leslie James, Nigel Hoppie and Dale Alves -- assisted by David Ramnarine, bore the casket of their fallen colleague to the hearse, as several senior police officers lined their path.

The procession then made its way to the East Bank carriageway and crossed the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the final journey to the cremation site at Rumzeight.

At the site, several persons gathered to get a glimpse of the remains

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Balram Persaud, being cremated (Samuel Maughn photos)

A section of the gathering at the Guyana Police Force Ground of the late senior police officer. Among them were former President Donald Ramotar and former senior police officers such as Neil Semple, Leroy Brumell and George Vyphuis.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

The Jamaican Election

IN WHAT must go down as one of the greatest surprises in modern Caribbean political history, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) wrested power from the incumbent People’s National Party (PNP) in that country’s latest general election.

Many pundits had predicted that the PNP would have won the election by a distance. Few, if any, had thought that the PNP -- with its 19-seat advantage going into the election, its incumbency advantage, a relatively popular leader, and its record of presiding over a slight economic recovery -- would find itself in the opposition benches.

So what went wrong? First, this election confirms what some political scientists have long argued: political polling in the Caribbean is not as reliable as in other parts of the world. In our confrontational political environment, the fear of retaliation is ever present. In such circumstances, citizens are loath to tell pollsters their honest political preferences. This must have been a factor in the recent Jamaican elections.

Another related element is the size of public meetings.

Many commentators use the size of meetings and rallies to gauge electoral support. In our increasingly well-funded campaigns, parties have the capacity to transport supporters and non-supporters to events, and to provide them with entertainment and food. In addition, there are instances when citizens are paid to attend rallies. The size of rallies and meetings, therefore, is not necessarily a reflection of a party’s electoral support.

An important factor in the Jamaican election was the voter turnout, which was pegged at 47%. Low turnout affects all parties, but research has shown that it affects incumbents more. Supporters of opposition parties have more of an incentive to go to the polls — they want to kick out the other party. But beyond that, such a low turnout is a serious indictment of the political process. When one takes into consideration that the turnout at the previous election was just 53%, this development must represent a sort of political crisis.

This is a problem that is observed in most elections in the Anglophone Caribbean. When more than half of your electorate chooses not to vote, the democratic process is seriously compromised. What this means in the Jamaican case is that you now have a government which is representative of approximately a quarter of the electorate. In such circumstances, the legitimacy of the elected government is tenuous.

The other notable outcome of the Jamaican election is the closeness of the result, both in terms of the allocation of parliamentary seats (33-30) and in terms of the popular vote, which is currently pegged at 51.7% to

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 29, 2016

All is not lost at the Georgetown City Council Dear Editor,

IN SPITE of the growing concerns and criticisms regarding the performance and management of the Georgetown City Council, and quite rightly so, I write to let you know of an experience of mine that is a rainbow in the dark clouds at City Hall.

Last Thursday, February 25, 2016, I had cause to telephone the Solid Waste Department on Princes Street, after unsuccessfully calling several other departments, seeking guidance and assistance regarding two matters of

concern to me, including the dire need to remove the carcass of a dead animal that lay on my parapet for a number of days, and the acquisition of a skip bin that I needed to rent for the purpose of removing a quantity of discarded household articles.

To my considerable surprise, I was met with a very pleasant voice. Mr. Editor, I had to ask twice if I was calling the Mayor and City Council. The female answered, “Good morning, Solid Waste Department, How may I help you? And yes, you are calling the Mayor

and City Council….”

After I indicated my earlier frustration, I was advised how my two concerns could have been dealt with. I enquired to whom I was talking, and the person responded by saying that she was the Secretary to the Solid Waste Director.

Clearly, this young lady possesses the knowledge and competencies required to handle office administration.

She understands her role within the organisation. She spoke with confidence, using clear, concise sentences that I was able to understand quite

easily, and interacted professionally with me throughout the conversation.

After terminating the call, I told my wife that all is not lost at the Mayor and City Council; that such competent, friendly and professional staff seriously deserves special mention.

I do believe that public servants should perform to their best at their workplaces, to serve the public, since they have been lacking in that area.

Regards, SEON LEVIUS

Parents allege favouritism at Region 10 Education Department Dear Editor, I MUST congratulate the person who was brave enough to open the public’s eyes to what’s happening with the education system in Region 10.

On February 26, 2016, the Education Department of Region 10 held its Children’s Road Parade, which saw participation from nursery and primary schools within the region. However, once again, favouritism in how schools were rewarded for their performance was evident, which led to some head teacher, teachers and parents being upset.

Over the past five years, especially for the nursery

schools, one school has been constantly favoured, Pine Street Nursery School, for every activity that required the participation of nursery schools. More than seven schools participated in the Costume and Dance, but only Pine Street Nursery School was awarded for its participation.

What has happened to the other schools that didn’t place in the 1st-to-3rd award positions? Then, at the Road Parade, this same school, whose costume and other accommodations weren’t as the schools given 2nd and 3rd positions, was once again given 1st place.

Pine Street Nursery School is so favoured

48.3% in favour of the JLP. Again, this is in keeping with the trend in recent Caribbean elections; in which in four elections in the past year, no winning party has mustered more than 53% of the popular vote. It therefore means that our Caribbean electorates -- and by extension the societies -- are deeply divided. Under the winner-takes-all system, half of the population is not represented in the executive arm of government, where major day-to-day decisions are made.

Many have attributed the PNP’s loss to the struggling economy and the lacklustre leadership of Portia Simpson-Miller. While the former is debatable, there may be some truth in both contentions; but given the low turnout and the close result, this is hardly a vote of confidence in the JLP alternative economic plan, or the leadership of incoming Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

that certain stocks are being awarded to this school.

That school’s intake is done through a biased system, and the school is being hyped by the nursery section of the department. Almost all of the events or activities for nursery schools have someone from that school on the Planning and Execution Committee. Is that to say that teachers from the other schools are incompetent, or is it to only give one school all the praise?

As I left the Sports Club Ground, where the Road Parade ended, the remarks and comments from head teachers, teachers and parents were of disgust and frustration. Schools would

prefer to receive letters for non-participation in future activities than to have their parents and children publicly put to shame and be humiliated because their participation is not valued.

As a parent, I am worried that many children will be deprived of valuable experience, and that if this obvious favouritism continues, more segregation within the nursery schools within Region 10 will occur. So, my fellow parents and teachers, let us not keep it all inside, but let our voices be heard so change can come for our children’s sake.

KANDI JAMES Concerned Parent

That said, despite her grassroots popularity among the PNP’s base, outgoing Prime Minister Simpson-Miller has not been a very popular national leader. Indeed, many in the party’s hierarchy preferred Finance Minister Peter Phillips as the party’s leader. Elections have consequences. While there is no big ideological or policy difference between the JLP and the PNP, there is one area that must be of concern to the wider Caribbean — the Integration Movement. The JLP has traditionally not been enthusiastic about integration, and the Prime Minister-elect has personally not shown any overarching inclination in that direction. At a time when the region faces many challenges in the global order and CARICOM is not as vigorous as it used to be, every ounce of solidarity is needed. We hope that the new government recognizes this reality.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

B&B Programme off to ‘good’ start -- website being arranged

By Michel Outridge SINCE the recent Ministry of Tourism and Public Telecommunication advertisement for its Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Programme, the response thus far has been encouraging, with 32 persons expressing an interest.

The Ministry is optimistic that more persons will come on board. This is according to Kemie Williams, officer-in-charge of the 50th Anniversary Secretariat for Accommodation and Hospitality.

The advertisement in the newspapers for the B&B programme called on Guyanese to have their residences upgraded for the accommodation of thousands of Guyanese who will be visiting Guyana for the much-anticipated Golden Jubilee Celebrations in May. Williams said the secretariat has had ‘good’ responses up to now. She explained that once the places of accommodation are inspected, they are then registered in accordance with the blueprint for a sus-

tainable code of practice, through the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

Williams said the secretariat is in process of putting together a website for the Bed and Breakfast Programme, to create linkages so persons can view photos of the places that are available and make on-line reservations. said that pricing is left to the discretion of the owners, but the ministry has since made recommendations in this regard.

Williams noted that the B&B concept was first introduced for Cricket World Cup 2007, due to an anticipated influx of tourists, and the Ministry of Tourism has decided to resuscitate the programme this time, making the code of practice, which was voluntary, into a standard which will make the B and B a sustainable venture.

Bed and Breakfast (commonly referred to as B&B) establishments are a standard feature of the accommodation sector in many tourist

destinations. They exist to cater for a quite significant niche of travellers who, for a variety of reasons, prefer the facilities and general experience of a home stay to accommodation in a hotel.

B&B establishments are particularly relevant in times of mega-events, when the traditional hotels are unable to accommodate all the visitors coming to a destination.

B&B operations are by no means unknown in Guyana, and for a number of years they have been providing a valuable service, albeit quietly, especially at those times when hotels have been full.

Linden Town Week 2006 and CWC 2007 are two examples of occasions that stimulated B&B business in Guyana.

B&B CODE OF PRACTICE The Code of Practice for Bed and Breakfast facilities was recently approved as a national standard by the National Standards Council, after it was developed by the

Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Technical Committee – Tourism.

This standard, which specifies the minimum requirements for bed and breakfast facilities operating in Guyana, was formulated in an effort to improve the quality of services offered by local providers of bed and breakfast facilities.

It is expected that this code would be utilised by all stakeholders in the tourism sector, and specifically by local bed and breakfast providers and potential investors in this category, thereby promoting standardisation for this particular service.

CATEGORIES The standard provides minimum requirements for three categories of facilities: A, B, and C. For bread and breakfast facilities to be considered as Category A, they must include self-contained double or single bedroom accommodation with an air conditioned unit, television and other basic amenities, including telephone, access to a mini-refrigerator, and

President must release Rodney CoI report Dear Editor, ON February 24, President David Granger, in person, let the world know that he considered the Report of the Walter Rodney Presidential Commission of Inquiry, established by his predecessor and continued by him, to be “deeply flawed” and does not reflect “the truth.”

Announcing that copies of the Report had been circulated but that he was unable to obtain the views of Cabinet, as he had been travelling, the President indicated that he would challenge the report’s findings and “the circumstances under which that Report was conducted.”

The Justice for Walter Rodney Committee notes that the President is commenting on a Report that is yet to be released to the public. We wish to repeat our call on the President to release the Report to Dr. Rodney’s family, the lawyers representing all parties at the inquiry, and to

the media.

Indeed, now that the President has publicly pronounced on the report, it is incumbent on him to release it to the public. Years from now, new generations may find it strange that a government had hindered persons in search of information vital to them and the health of the society.

President Granger has faulted the Commission for letting in much hearsay, but in this regard he named only one witness, whom he described as a “convict.” The Justice for Walter Rodney Committee hopes that the President, in his next broadside at the still hidden report, will say whether all hearsay is out of place, or only if a convict is the witness.

President Granger should also be reminded that it was no less a person than his current Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams, who introduced to the Commission the most important piece of hearsay evidence: the book allegedly co-authored by army

Sergeant Gregory Smith, but published several years after his death. Under cross-examination, Smith’s sister and co-author was shattered when the book was exposed as a complete fabrication.

The President made reference to the fact that former Crime Chief “Skip” Roberts was not allowed to testify, and former army head, Norman McLean, did not complete his testimony. We wish to remind President Granger that it was he who, despite the strenuous pleas of lawyers and the parties represented at the Commission, brought the Commission of Inquiry to an abrupt end.

The President cannot have it both ways; he cannot stop the Inquiry and, later, when the findings are adverse to his interest, lament the absence of their testimony.

President Granger, in claiming that the Commission did not give the “Guyana people what they deserve; that is to say, what were the circumstances under which

Dr. Rodney acquired a certain device and how that device came to be detonated”, not only attempts to rewrite the Commission’s terms of reference, but completely overlooks the expert evidence of a witness whose credibility and evidence were not affected, even after extensive cross-examination by the team of attorneys representing his party.

It is regrettable that the President has once again raised the issue of the cost of the Commission. Our Committee is on record as being sensitive to the instances of wastage surrounding the Inquiry, but we find it highly improper for the entire Inquiry to be measured in dollars and cents. We are moved to repeat the old saying: “Justice is more precious than gold.”

Regards, JUSTICE FOR WALTER RODNEY COMMITTEE

comfortable, functioning furniture in a quiet and attractive setting.

In addition, the standard states that private access to rooms is preferable, and hot water; hot and cold shower; fresh, clean linen, and breakfast shall be provided.

Lunch, dinner, or any other meals could be arranged on request at an additional cost.

Requirements for facilities falling under Category B and C are similar to Category A, with a few exclusions in descending order.

The standards also address minimum requirements for rooms, which include sufficient size for freedom of movement, privacy, requirements for beds and sheet covering, and other furniture

requirements. Electrical installation, fire safety, hygiene and pest control are also addressed by the standard.

As Guyana strives to expand and improve its tourism sector, there is the growing need to provide quality services and comfortable accommodation for tourists and other visitors here.

Acquiring a copy of this standard and implementing the requirements would certainly aid entrepreneurs and operators in the tourism industry, particularly providers of bread and breakfast facilities, to better meet the demands of visitors.

Copies are available upon request from the Technical Standards Information Unit of the GNBS.

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Living in limbo GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

––woman with HIV relates her experiences

By Akola Thompson

EVERY morning, 51-year-old Paula F. (not her real name) wakes up, completes her morning rituals, and then joins a food line at the Georgetown Night Shelter in North-East La Penitence, Georgetown.

After breakfast, she leaves the compound and tries to find a job. There never seems to be any vacancies, even if there is a vacancy sign.

“It’s as if they know,” she whispers.

During the interview, she stared at me from six feet away, coming over and sitting only upon my request. She has been a resident at the shelter for close to nine years, during which she has done courses on HIV and domestic abuse, and has completed a floral arrangement course at Carnegie.

For the first few minutes, Paula seemed reluctant to speak. An unspoken fear plastered on her face, she seemed to think that I might shun her. Upon hearing her story, I began to understand her fear. I could not blame her; people have disappointed her time and time again.

As a child, Paula learnt the importance of working hard, thanks to her mother, whom she described as an “incredibly strong woman”. While other children were learning how to make ‘pretend-food,’ Paula was learning how to work for her own money alongside her mother, who was a household maid. She continued working alongside her mother up until 1999, when her mother died of brain cancer.

“She was strong, but cancer, that stronger than everybody.”

Paula described her life after her mother’s death as a “haze”. Never knowing who her father was, she had to depend upon her elder sister, who had inherited the family home. Adolescence came and went, and Paula would eventually become a mother of seven, having her had first child at 18.

‘BIG’ DREAM She joked that it had always been her dream to have 12 children, but that dream was cut short. “I like big families,” she said. I asked her how she could have possibly provided for 12 children with the current economy. She smiled and said, “God always provides”.

Her seven children were born out of relationships with three different men, with whom she lived for a while before personal circumstances caused the relationships to end. Of Paula’s seven children, five are still alive. As she recounts the deaths of the two, her face takes on an almost stoic expression, as if she were steeling herself against her own words. Her first child, she said, “Supposedly die of gastro-enteritis” while she was in the Pomeroon. I asked her why she used the word “supposedly,” and she smiled and said, “Because I don’t think my baby died. His father take him to Berbice to live, and suddenly I hear my child dead; and soon

after, the father disappear.”

Questioned as to whether she believed the same happened to her second deceased child, she violently shook her head and stated that her baby, one of a pair of twin girls, had died in her arms.

“You know how hard that is for a mother? For one of they twin baby to die in they arm?” The child, she said, was mere months when she died. She had fallen down one day and was immediately taken to the hospital, but a week later, the child was dead.

Two of her daughters are living with their husbands, another one lives in Sophia with her cousin, and the other three are still living with her sister in West Ruimveldt.

Her eldest child is 31, while the youngest is 16.

After her last failed relationship, which domestic abuse ended, Paula moved back in with her sister, but, shortly thereafter, was asked to leave. To this day, she stated, the reason is still unclear.

With nowhere to go, she sought residence at a local motel, where she paid $700 a night until she found a long-term place to

stay, which caused her $10,000 a month.

“It was smaller than this here,” she said, making wide gestures with her arms. “There was only space enough for a bed, bathroom and toilet, and that was it. Clothes everything had to be pushed under the bed, but I made it my home because I had nowhere else to go, and could not afford anywhere else.”

At the time Paula was working at Roshan Khan’s Security Service. There, she met a man with whom she began talking.

Eventually, she said, mutual attraction developed.

UNPROTECTED SEX The first night they had sex, she said, he took her to his apartment and shut off the lights before he removed any of his clothing. She said she did not find it odd, until the next morning, when she woke early to use the washroom and saw marks “like itches” all over his torso. After that, “He didn’t stick around for much longer; he knew what he did to me.”

Despite the nagging feeling that something was wrong, she did not suspect him to be infected with HIV/AIDS. It was not until the year 2006, two years after, when she repeatedly became sick for long periods, that she took a test after being advised to do so.

At this time, she was living with a man with whom she had formed a close relationship.

“We were happy,” she said, “until he found out my status.”

Paula said that when she found out she was HIV positive, everything changed; all the doors that might have still been opened were now closed. Asked whether she did not know the risks of having unprotected sex, she became defensive, and I had to assure her that it was not a judgment but merely a question to gain more information.

Despite being an open secret, sex, she said, was never discussed within the family.

“You does see these modern day children and they parents sitting down to talk bout birds n’ bees; I never had that. I know bout sex since I small, because everybody talking bout it -- this goes there and wherever. You even know all the false name they call it, especially in a neighbourhood like we own.

No one gave us advice on the bad things bout sex, you’d hear hints of it, but you never really know, yuh know.”

Getting her back to our line of questioning, I expressed my curiosity about the man she was living with, and whether he had ever gotten tested.

KICKED OUT “I had to tell him of my status,” she said. “After I did, he kicked me out and didn’t want to see me. I heard he got tested and was negative, but I don’t know.

Maybe he was shame; I hope not, though.

No one should have to live with this.”

Paula had by then lost her job at RK’s and had found another job as a guard. She was staying with her daughter, but was shortly after asked to leave by an uncle who was living there. She suspects that she was “put out” due to her status, but the uncle claimed that it was because she “used to come home when I feel like, but that wasn’t the case; I was working”.

Back in the rental market again, Paula, with the support of a friend, rented a room for $7000 a month, but after a while, she could not keep up with the rent and sought comfort and boarding at the home of a friend on the highway.

“I had known her long, and she had always been a good friend. All of us would eat and drink from the same thing, yuh know.”

Paula amusingly recalled how quickly her friend’s attitude towards her changed after she had confessed her status to her.

“Every time she give me food and so now was in plastic things, I can’t use her spoon nothing now.”

A week later, she was told she could no longer stay there. “She no longer felt comfortable; I was a walking disease, one she didn’t want walking around her house and touching her things.”

Paula’s life has since been lived in limbo. There were many days, she said, where the thought of ending her life seemed like the appropriate response. There was no one to love her, no one she could freely talk to, no one she could innocently touch without them instinctively pulling away from her.

Upon ending the interview, I asked Paula whether the thoughts of ending her life were still paramount. She shook her head in the negative, “Not as much as before, but I still do, because it’s a depressing thing to live with, an isolating thing, yuh know.”

Student was intoxicated, not raped ––UG says

THE University of Guyana (UG) has refuted a report carried in this newspaper last Saturday that a female student was raped on campus.

The university in a statement said last Friday that a female student was taken to the medical centre on the Turkeyen campus and was subsequently diagnosed as being intoxicated by the university’s capable medical personnel.

“Investigations by the University of Guyana Administration have not revealed any basis to conclude or suspect that she was sexually assaulted,” UG said.

Guyana’s premier tertiary institution said it places high priority on the safety and security of its members and visitors to the campus.

But the release stressed that the university is pursuing several measures to enhance security on campus, and will continue to exercise maximum care and due diligence in providing a safe and secure environment for students and staff

on campuses.

This publication on Saturday reported that a female student of the university was allegedly drugged and gang-raped by a group of male students.

The report alleged that 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, who lives on the campus in the building behind where the rape was alleged to have 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.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Dharmic Naujawaaan hosts charity drive HUNDREDS of people, including children, living in the Woodley Park and Bath Settlement areas of West Coast Berbice, recently benefited from a charity drive hosted by members of the Dharmic Naujawaaan (DNJ).

The DNJ is the central youth arm of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

According to a release, persons were in receipt of nutritional food hampers, school bags and supplies, toys, books and clothing.

DNJ also, on the same day, assisted the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (its parent body) in a medical outreach targeting residents of West Coast Berbice.

The DNJ has hosted several charity drives in the past, targeting poor and vulnerable communities across the country, including Strathavon in Cane Grove, and Good Hope on the East Coast of Demerara; Plastic City on the West Coast of Demerara; Sarah Johanna,

Herstelling, Sea Dam on the East Bank of Demerara; Charity in Essequibo; and areas in the Upper Corentyne.

The DNJ received tremendous support from the community, and is very grateful to Mr Deodat Siriram and members of the Woodley Park Vishnu Mandir, and members of the D’Edward Vigneshwar Mandir.

“The DNJ is also grateful to Mr Mathew Yosuff, Mr Sase Gunraj, Ms Sharmine Rampersaud, Ms Meena Singh, Angela from Bourda Market, a group of generous attorneys, and all others who donated the resources to make this Charity drive a success,” the release said.

The DNJ is scheduled to hold another Charity drive in November of this year, and encourages everyone to contribute to the cause.

Persons can visit the DNJ’s Facebook page, “Dharmic Naujawaan”, to receive updates and details on how they could contribute in the future.

DPP to commence public outreach next month THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will commence its Public Awareness and Public Outreach Programme this year in Region Three, West Coast Demerara, on March 9.

According to a release, residents of Region 3 who are desirous of meeting with the DPP to file complaints pertaining to criminal matters can do so on Wednesday, March 9,2016 between 08:30hrs and noon, and between 13:00hrs and 16:00 hrs at the Regional Council’s Office, Vreed-en-Hoop.

“The objective of the outreach programme is also in keeping with

the DPP Office’s open-door policy to help and assist aggrieved persons around Guyana who find it difficult, or are unable to come to the Kingston office in Georgetown to seek help for justice,” the release said.

During the next three months, the DPP’s Office has planned outreaches to Essequibo Coast, Linden, Berbice, Bartica and its surrounding environs on dates that will be published in the newspapers and broadcast on television and radio.

Previously, the office held outreach programmes in Region 6 and Region 9.

Members of the Dharmic Sabha during the recent charity drive

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Kortberaadt to receive support for self-help projects

PRESIDENT David Granger has promised residents of the East Bank Berbice village of Kortberaadt that he would provide materials for them to construct bus sheds, and that he would support the desilting of trenches in the community, in order to improve community drainage.

He, however, encouraged them to engage in selfhelp to accomplish projects that would benefit the entire community.

During his visit to Region Six, East Berbice/ Corentyne, the President, accompanied by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Social Cohesion,

Amna Ally; Regional Executive Officer Dr Veerasammy Ramayya and other regional officials, met Kortberaadt residents on the streets of the village after he was told they had a number of concerns they wanted to discuss with him.

A release from the Ministry of the Presidency said the Chairwoman of the Community Leaders Committee, Bernadette Douglas, accompanied by other residents, welcomed the President’s impromptu visit with dance and song, but wasted no time in listing a litany of problems with which they needed help, and indicated that residents of Kortberaadt had, for many years, felt

neglected.

Kortberaadt’s problems included drainage works, land demarcation, construction of bus sheds, inclusion of the community in the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the development of pasture lands for cattle rearing, and a number of other issues.

In responding to their problems, President Granger, a firm advocate of communitarianism, said that while small projects, such as construction of the bus sheds and desilting of the trenches, would receive immediate support, the community must take ownership of them.

President David Granger shakes hands with one of the youngest residents of Kortberaadt, East Bank Berbice, during his recent visit there NO SPOON-FEEDING “As far as the projects are concerned, I will help you to help yourself. I can

provide all the materials, if you want to build the bus sheds. But you have a lot of able-bodied men here, so I will help you to get the materials, whatever you need, [and] I will depend on you to do the construction,” he said.

“Similarly, with the canals and the road shoulders, whatever it is: If you need the tools, I will help you, but you have people here who can do that. I am not going to spoon-feed you. We are aiming to finish the sheds and the cleaning before May 26, so that’s three months to work with,” he told the residents.

Minister Harmon indicated that $10 million would be committed to community work, even as he echoed the President’s comments.

“We have heard your complaints and we are going to do whatever possible to help you. But it is a cooperative effort; we can provide some resources, but the community would have to help.

“Under the Community Infrastructure Rehabilitation Programme, I understand, there are some funds left in that programme, so we are going to see how we can free up that money so that some of

the things that you want done here can be undertaken,” Minister Harmon promised.

RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE P re s i d e n t G r a n g e r committed that where those funds are not sufficient, his office will ensure that funds are available for those community projects.

With regard to the surveying of household lands and allocation of pasture for cattle to graze, Minister Harmon, within whose purview the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) falls, said the matter would be looked into.

“We would have to go back to the books. We just cannot move lands from place to place, so let a representative from your community make contact with me and I will provide the necessary information,” Minister Harmon said.

In responding to the issue of including Kortberaadt village in an NDC, it was noted that moves are afoot by the regional administration to ensure that this is done.

The President and the Minister of State expressed a willingness to work with the community to ensure the completion of other self-help projects.

Monday February 29th, 2016 - 08:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Drainage, security, recreational facilities

By Ravin Singh

THEY have a plan; and revealing what their individual plans for their constituencies are, candidates of Team Benschop who are contesting the upcoming Local Government Elections seems to be placing drainage, security and recreational facilities high on their agenda, once elected to office.

T h i s w a s f i r s t r evealed by youth candidate Royston Alkins, who is contesting the First-Pastthe-Post aspect of the elections to vie for Constituency 12, North Ruimveldt/Guyhoc-Lamaha.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle following the official launch of the group’s manifesto on Friday, Alkins explained that one of the more pressing issues in almost every community in Central Georgetown is the issue of flooding due to poor drainage.

And for the areas South and North Ruimveldt, it is no different.

“We know about the flooding issue in South; ever time it rains the area floods,” he said.

And while community development demands that attention be placed on this issue, he noted that in the long run it could be a tedious task because of the complexity of the drainage system in Georgetown.

G u y a n a ’s d r a i n age system consists of secondary and primary drains, the latter of which generally discharge water into the rivers or the

ROYSTON ALKINS ocean through sluices.

However, many primary drains do not drain directly into the ocean or river, but into a facade drainage canal running parallel to the coastline, which in turn drains into the ocean or river through a sluice. Drainage and irrigation for the whole area is therefore dependent on the effective management of the network.

And due to the complexity of this network, the youth candidate explained, cleaning within the constituency alone is not enough, given that Georgetown has 14 different outflows.

“If you clean up in

––are big issues on Team Benschop’s agenda

one area and you don’t clean the 14 outflows, then you’re really not doing anything. So if we could clean the area and the outflows simultaneously, then that would tackle the issue holistically,” Alkins said.

A ‘REAL’ PROBLEM And this view was supported by Georgiana Lewis, a Team Benschop candidate running for Constituency 15 - Meadowbank to Agricola. According to her, this has been an issue which has tremendously affected Guyanese from all walks of life over the years.

“Poor drainage results in flooding when there is heavy and/or consistent rainfall. And once the water rises to an unexpected height, persons who live in bottom flats and those who own small shops are forced to count their losses due to damage done to their properties and goods,” Lewis related.

Last year, it was announced by Minister of Public Infrastructure that Netherlands had offered to help improve the country’s drainage system amid bouts of heavy flooding. Guyana is a former Dutch colony, and its drainage system had been designed by the Dutch during colonisation.

Mandated to study the drainage system and recommend improvements in the latter part of last year, a three-man Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) Team presented its recommendations on the way forward for Guyana.

Alkins then explored the second issue, which he was keen to note is not less important than the other two; that issue being security.

NEED FOR STREET LIGHTS According to him, one of the greatest risks residents face at nights is being robbed on their way home from work or school. And while most residential and community-based areas have been starved of street lights, he offered that street lighting could significantly reduce the risk of people being robbed.

“There is not enough light in that area, and it’s not safe for people. Some of them get robbed very often,” he said, acknowledging that this is not an inexpensive undertaking.

In fact, he reasoned that security demands strategic allocation of funds.

And this remains a long-term plan he said, adding: “I don’t want to give a timeframe because

some of these projects will be in the long term.

“I am sure, however, that these can be done within the three-year lifespan of the council.

We want to focus on consultation and action, not just sitting in office and being passive,” young Alkins said.

Similar sentiments were again expressed

by Lewis, who lamented that the lack of street lighting creates a “home for bandits”. And given this situation, she noted that residents who should have free access to and from their destinations are stripped of their rights to freely move around, due to fear.

“Residents are not safe, and they are of the belief that they are forgotten,” she said passionately.

The third issue which, according to the duo, needs immediate attention is provision of recreational facilities, which are deemed to be a thing of the past.

Alkins, a cricketer, spoke extensively on this, arguing that there are parks in and around the city that should have been in operation but have been covered by bushes.

And having done his research, he was able to relate that the Georgetown

City Hall has a mandate to ensure that every constituency has a playpark.

To combat this restriction to access to these facilities due to overgrown bushes, he stated, there needs to be a reallocation of resources to rehabilitate some of these parks.

“If this is done, it would be really beneficial to everyone in the community, particularly youths,” he added.

Lewis couldn’t agree more. She weighed in, offering that where there are inoperable facilities in some communities, there is none in others.

“In Meadowbank there is a nice field but it is full of grass, and recently I saw children playing there, and I was so touched by that. I thought to myself that, if I was elected, that would be one of the first issues that I would address,” she said.

But not limited to recreational facilities, she explained that there is need for a resource centre to help to train persons who might not be academically inclined but are skilled in other trades, such as electrical work or barbering.

“The idea is to develop the community and the people, whether through youths, women, or even men,” she said.

SLEEPING GIANT

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

––President says Corentyne needs to be awakened to fulfill economic potential

By Nafeeza Yahya

PRESIDENT David Granger has called the Corentyne in East Berbice “a sleeping giant” which needs to be awakened to realise its full economic potential.

“This county of communities has the potential to transform the whole economy. It can lead the economic recovery of the entire country; it can influence the development of the Caribbean community, particularly through CSME [Caribbean Single Market and Economy],” the President said on Saturday

Speaking of the vast economic potential of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), President Granger said Berbice has every reason to be regarded as the agriculture heartland of Guyana.

The county boasts three grinding sugar estates, which together contribute to 56 per cent of the country’s overall sugar production; and the largest water-control system in the country, the Black Bush Polder Scheme, is also located in that county.

“There is good reason for the Corentyne to be rich; it should not be poor…,” the Presi-

President David Granger addressing the gathering at the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam’s World Understanding and Peace Dinner (Ministry of the Presidency photo) at a dinner in East Berbice to promote World Understanding and Peace.

He had made this observation earlier in the day at the commissioning of two 50-seater buses at Rose Hall Town in East Berbice. The buses are to be used to ferry school children in specific areas in that part of the country to and from school.

The dinner at which the President spoke is hosted annually by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam. It was held at the Caribbean Cusine restaurant at Number Two Village in East Canje.

President Granger, who was the Guest of Honour, touched on a number of perplexing issues that have been uppermost on the minds of just about every Guyanese, but more particularly those in the business community.

Among those issues are high-seas piracy; security; suicide; economic development, and national unity.

dent said, and added: “Unfortunately, in many areas of poverty, we have a strong productive base. We have good natural resources; a highly skilled and experienced labour force; vibrant non-governmental organisations like the Rotary; enterprising businesses and Chambers of Commerce; strong potential for continued growth and economic diversification.”

Contending that there’s no earthly reason why the region should not experience high and sustained levels of growth, President Granger said the exact opposite has instead been happening over the last few years.

“In fact, over recent years,” he said, “we find that this region has been the victim of de-population. The population in the Corentyne was over 150,000 in 1980, but by 2012 it declined to about 110,000.

The decline in population in 1980 and 1991 was over 6.5 per cent, and in 1991-2012 the

decline was over 23 per cent.”

DIVISIVE POLITICS Asking of no one in particular why people are running away from this great and beautiful region in spite of the Government’s every effort to ensure everyone has a good life, President Granger put it all down to what he called the culture of divisive politics.

“This culture of divisive politics must stop, as it has led to the neglect of this great region, causing it to be in the current state it is,” he said, adding: “Something seems to have been injected into our culture; and over a period of years, that injection has led to a lack of understanding among the people of this region. And that lack of understanding has had a spinoff effect on your development. As a result of this, you find division and neglect, which benefits a few, but the masses suffer, causing an unevenness…. While there are pockets of prosperity, there are also pockets of poverty.”

President Granger noted: “This unevenness causes despair -- a sense of alienation; and is manifested in the abuse of narcotics, rise in suicide, rape and high-profile crimes such as piracy, murders and armed robberies across all race and age gaps.

“These are all issues which can be fixed through consultation; not confrontation, but by working together. The children of this region should be happier, more rich, and not be forced to seek greener pastures overseas,” the President asserted.

President Granger proceeded to pledge his Government’s support to working with all to make this region realise its full potential by being smarter, stronger, richer and safer.

“I want to make Corentyne safe; I want to make the fisherfolk safe from piracy; I want to make the businessmen safe from bandits; our women safe from abuse,” he said, and added: “I don’t want the people of the diaspora who want to invest to come back to be killed or shot at. They want to be prosperous and safe…which is why we are spending so much time to strengthen our regions; and security is vital to that economic development.”

Noting that the only way forward is to have better community policing to combat and tackle these issues, he said: “You have to be en-tuned to your community; to hear screams for help and know who is vulnerable to being attacked by some drug-crazed young man. Someone must know; and we need a form of policing that takes preventative action based on this information. We need a form of community policing which combines the interest of the community with regular policing.”

The President said the order had already been given -- two days ago at the Police Conference -- to the top brass of the Police Force to make it happen.

“The same way we are meeting here and discussing, it’s the same way the divisional commanders will go out into the communities to meet with residents to discuss making the community safer,” President Granger said.

A section of the gathering at the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam’s dinner, held on Saturday evening (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Essequibo woman ‘now in safe place’ – Mom says

“SHE is now in a safe place,” the 62-year-old mother who has been accused of imprisoning her daughter in squalid conditions in a room of her home said, as she alluded to the woman being admitted to the Psychiatric Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

On Friday, the 31-yearold daughter was transferred from the Suddie

Man busted with ganja in bucket A BERBICE man was on Sunday busted with 2 kilogrammes of ganja concealed in a five-gallon bucket.

According to reports, police acting on information went to the New Amsterdam Market, where the suspect was seen walking on the road.

He was approached and searched, and the plant was found in his possession.

The man was arrested and a test carried out on a sample of the contents of the bucket proved that the substance therein was cannabis sativa.

The illegal substance was weighted in his presence and he was subsequently taken into custody.

The Berbice River is said to be one of the areas in Guyana where much of the country’s cannabis is cultivated.

Police have on several occasions conducted raids at villages along the bank of the Berbice River, and on many occasions found cultivated fields. These were destroyed.

It is believed that much of the cannabis produced in Berbice is sold in Georgetown, along the East Coast of Demerara, and in Suriname.

Public Hospital to the GPH, where she is undergoing treatment. The transfer comes approximately one week after she was discharged from the Suddie Public Hospital, where she had been an in-patient for two weeks after being rescued from being confined in a faeces-filled room.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, the mother said she would forever be grateful to the medical team at the

Suddie Public Hospital, who did not force her child out of the hospital after she had been discharged, but instead sought a better alternative for her accommodation.

“I don’t know how long she would be there for, but I am happy that she is in a safe place, getting the treatment she needs,” the woman said. She was a part of the team that assisted in the transfer of her daughter, who is now considered to be mentally ill.

“God is in charge and all is well. You know, what man cannot do, God can, because he is a miracle-working God,” the woman added.

The mother of three told reporters and local officials that she was forced to lock her daughter away for two primary reasons: they both were victims of rape; and the daughter, after becoming ill seven years ago, had become violent in recent years.

But even with her

daughter away from the home, the mother is still living in fear. “I feel as though I can’t sleep in my own home. I feel as though I am not free to live here, because all over bar up, everywhere nail up. How long will I have to live like this?” she asked rhetorically.

She, along with her son who visits periodically, had to put extra security measures in place at the home after both mother and daughter had allegedly

become victims of rape.

They allegedly were last raped in December 2015.

According to her, they were repeatedly raped by a man who is no stranger to the police; however, he is on the run in the interior.

“When something like that happen to you, you could never be the same.

You are always afraid; there is always that fear,” she noted.

She hopes that, sooner rather than later, justice will be served.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Road accidents can be curbed through ISO systems – GNBS

By Rabindra Rooplall GLOBAL research has shown that death and serious injury can be considerably reduced by adopting a holistic safe system approach, and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is recommending the implementation of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 39001: 2012 Road Traffic Safety (RTS) Management Systems.

Public Relations Officer of GNBS, Lloyd David, said this involves a clear focus on RTS results and evidence-based actions, supported by the right levels of organisational management.

He explained that the incidence of road accidents cannot be reduced by the actions of governments alone. Organisations of all types and sizes, as well as individual road users, have a role to play. It is in this regard that the United Nations has been making considerable effort to save lives on the roads by spearheading

Correction THE headline “SASOD discusses same sex marriage with Govt” which appeared in the Sunday, February 28, 2016 edition of the Guyana Chronicle is incorrect.

SASOD did not discuss that specific issue when it met with Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence. The Guyana Chronicle apologises for this error.

its “Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 resolution”.

GNBS PRO, Lloyd David Launched in over 100 countries on May 11, 2011, the resolution has a clear goal in sight, which is to prevent five million road deaths by 2020. David said road traffic accidents are the eighth leading cause of death globally, and they are the greatest cause of death among young people aged

15 to 29 years.

Perhaps even more shocking, nearly 3,500 people die in road accidents around the world each day.

That is nearly 1.3 million personal tragedies a year.

The grim reality is that the death toll is on the increase, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Guyana.

Without action to reverse this trend, he said, experts project that fatalities from road crashes will reach 1.9 million per year by 2020, and millions more will suffer non-fatal injuries.

Fortunately, “we can now look forward to a major breakthrough in the realm of traffic safety with this relatively new management system standard on road traffic safety published in 2012 by the International Organisation for Standardisation.

This standard, ISO 39001: 2012 RTS Management Systems - requirements with guidance for use, experts be-

lieve, will play an important role in reversing the trend,” he explained.

He said the standard specifies requirements for a RTS management system to enable an organisation that interacts with the road traffic system to reduce death and serious injuries related to road traffic crashes which it can influence.

He noted that the requirements of the standard include the development and implementation of an appropriate RTS policy, development of RTS objectives, and action plans which take into account legal and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes, and information about elements and criteria related to RTS that the organisation identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence.

David said the ISO 39001:2012 is designed for public and private organ-

isations that interact with the road traffic system. It is expected to be particularly relevant to organisations with large numbers of vehicles. These include freight and passenger companies, as well as those with large fleets of private vehicles, like those used by engineers, sales people, or supermarket delivery drivers. It will also be of interest to organisations that manage road networks.

“Through the development of the ISO 39001 standards, ISO is making a significant contribution to that ambitious UN goal.

The standard is expected to have a considerable impact on the future of traffic safety by addressing safety aspects relating to speed, vehicle condition, and driver awareness. This will improve traffic safety, and reduce the number of persons killed or severely injured on the road,” he noted.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Dharry registers knockout victory over Machado, Marques...

From back page Demerara on Saturday night.

The victories for the two Guyanese have secured them Commonwealth title shots and these championship bouts will be held here in Guyana on May 21.

In their 10-round bantamweight contest, Machado failed to answer the bell for the start of the fifth round after being `bullied’

by Dharry during the first four rounds of their bantamweight contest.

Baleno, on the other hand, carried Marques the full 10-round distance before the Guyanese was adjudged the winner.

According to GBBC’s president Peter Abdool, the two locals had to emerge victorious in their respective bouts in order to secure Commonwealth title shots.

Abdool further pointed out that the title fights will be staged in Guyana on May 21 and will be televised live around the world.

The GBBC president however stopped short of naming the venue for the card but the Giftland Mall is the likely venue.

In the night’s feature bout, Machado, a southpaw boxer, started off feeling out his opponent who was the aggressor and immediately took the fight to the Venezuelan, connecting with a few straight rights.

From the start of the

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second, Dharry, sensing he had the better of his opponent, went into another gear and caught Machado with a few left/right combinations, sending him on the retreat.

Dharry pressed forward and caught his opponent with four solid straight rights to his jaw and this seemed to have taken a toll on the Venezuelan as he tried desperately to evade further punishment, but Dharry, the New York based Guyanese kept the pressure on.

In round three, Machado, with a record of 40 fights, 26 wins, 13 losses and one draw, continued running from the powerful shots from Dharry, but the latter, who up to Saturday night had fought 25 times as a professional, winning 19, losing five and drawing one, started to cut off the ring and in the process landed several shots on Machado.

Most of them were to his jaw and at the conclusion of that round, Machado was seen complaining to his handlers about his jaw.

In the fourth round, Machado was caught with two more straight rights to his jaw and like the previous rounds went on his `bicycle’ but Dharry would have none of that and pressured his opponent into the blue corner (Dharry’s) and connected with a series of combinations.

When the bell sounded to end the round, Machado walked back to his corner grinching and never came

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out for the fifth round, giving Dharry a technical knock-out win.

In the main supporting bout, Marques, a former CABOFE champion, started off taking the fight to his opponent who appeared cautious, but who threw a few overhand rights which went wide of its mark.

Rounds two and three were similar as Marques landed with a few punches that were by far too light to have any effect on Baleno.

Marques however caught his opponent with a straight right in the fourth round, sending Baleno to the canvas for the eight count.

Rounds five to eight saw Marques throwing a barrage of punches that landed on their target, but Baleno kept stepping forward, looking for the haymaker that could end the fight, but it was never there as the Guyanese, realizing that he was ahead on points kept out of danger’s way.

Baleno continued to press forward for the remainder of the fight but Marques, on most occasions was out of range.

Eventually, Marques was declared winner by a unanimous decision.

In other results from the professional segment, Anson Green secured a unanimous decision win against Kishawn Simon in their fourround welterweight contest; Quincy Gomes gained a split decision win over Imran Khan in their six-round lightweight contest; Revlon Lake was adjudged winner by a split decision over Barbados’ Miguel Antoine in their eight-rounder in their welterweight return contest and in the female category, Mandsessa Moses scored a unanimous decision win against Ansilla Norville in a four-round bantamweight bout.

In the amateur segment, Jason Phillips of Forgotten Youth Foundation, registered a surprise unanimous points win against the much talked about Nandkumar Singh of the Republican Gym in a junior welterweight contest and Diwani Lampkin also registered a unanimous decision win against Clairmont Gibson in a lightweight match-up.

There was an exhibition bout involving Guyana’s two Olympic hopefuls in Dennis Thom and Desmond Amsterdam so there was no decision.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 29, 2016

FIFA World Football Museum celebrates opening IN an intimate ceremony presented by Roman Kilchsperger, some 100 guests celebrated the opening of the FIFA World Football Museum to the general public, yesterday . There was a special surprise in the programme as the newly elected President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, was also in attendance, and he was visibly delighted to open the museum as his first official duty since attaining office.

“This is a place in which football is lived and breathed,” he said in his welcome message to those

FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the opening of the museum present. “Here you can in- already have it. In this place, oculate yourself with the only football matters!” football virus, if you don’t Led on stage by

Caballero the hero as Man City land League Cup

By Martyn Herman

LONDON, (Reuetrs)-Manchester City guaranteed manager Manuel Pellegrini some silverware in his last season in charge with a penalty shootout defeat of Liverpool in the League Cup final after yesterday’s match at Wembley ended 1-1.

City keeper Willy Caballero saved spot kicks from Lucas Leiva, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana while Yaya Toure slotted home the winning effort as Pellegrini’s side triumphed 3-1 on penalties.

Earlier, Fernandinho gave City the lead after 49 minutes when his shot slipped through keeper Simon Mignolet’s grasp but Coutinho levelled with seven minutes to go from a rebound.

Mignolet and Caballero made vital saves in extra time but City clinched the season’s first trophy in dramatic fashion to give Pellegrini his second League Cup, having also lifted it two years ago as well as the Premier League title.

Once the now familiar pre-match razzamatazz of pyrotechics and national anthem was concluded, the final failed to ignite in a first half low on quality.

Liverpool were assured in possession without having much cutting edge and it was counter-attcking City who came closest to scoring after 22 minutes when Sergio Aguero’s shot was touched against the post by Mignolet.

Aguero had led Liverpool centre back Mamadou Sakho a merry dance in the

Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany celebrates winning the Capital One Cup Final with the trophy and team matesAction Images via Reuters / John SibleyLivepic build-up, the Frenchman still dizzy after an earlier clash of heads with team mate Emre Can that eventually forced him off to be replaced by Kolo Toure.

The second period was action-packed and it was four minutes old when the deadlock was broken in a moment Mignolet will want to forget.

TIGHT ANGLE Aguero slid a pass to the sprinting Fernandinho down the right and while the Brazilian’s shot from a tight angle was well struck, it should never have squeezed past the keeper.

Raheem Sterling, loudly booed by Liverpool fans throughout, could have killed off his old club on the hour but steered a shot wide with the goal gaping.

City took charge and Aguero was denied a clearcut penalty when tripped by Alberto Moreno and Mignolet redeemed himself with a low save to keep out the Argentine’s shot.

Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp sent Lallana on with 20 minutes remaining and the England midfielder was involved in the equaliser.

Arriving unmarked in the area, he prodded Daniel Sturridge’s cross against the post and the ball deflected kindly for Coutinho to beat Caballero in front of a red wall of Liverpool supporters who set off flares in celebration.

Mignolet denied Yaya Toure and Fernando in the nervy final minutes while at the other end Liverpool substitute Divock Origi was close to touching captain Jordan Henderson’s shot past Caballero.

Aguero had the first clear chance in extra time when he was denied by a reflex save from Mignolet.

Caballero, preferred to Joe Hart in goal, made an even better stop to keep out Origi’s point-blank header at the start of the second period of extra time.

Stephane Chapuisat – a former star of the Bundesliga and Swiss national team – a group of juniors from the local club FC Wollishofen entered the hall.

The youngsters set the scene for the ‘F2 Freestylers’, who wowed the audience with their audacious tricks, before handing a ball over to the new FIFA President and museum director Stefan Jost for the museum’s official ‘kick-off’.

A talk with Jost, Mario Fehr of the Swiss National Council, Norbert Müller, Chief of Staff of Zurich’s Mayor Corine Mauch, and FIFA Secretary General Markus Kattner rounded off the official part of the event.

“A special moment! Finally we can open this great

museum to everybody,” said Jost delightedly. “This is a museum for everybody, since football transcends classes, religions and borders.

This is a cultural treasure.”

The renovation of the ‘Haus der Enge’ took roughly 20 months to be completed, with the interior building of the complex a particular challenge due to complex technological features.

The museum’s aim is to take visitors on an emotional journey of footballing discovery, and Kattner for one is firmly convinced by its appeal. “With this museum we’ve managed to create a fantastic meeting point for all lovers of football and sport,” said the 45-year-old.

“The opening comes at the perfect time, and – to a certain extent – symbolises a

new beginning,” he added in reference to FIFA’s reforms and recent presidential election.

Mario Fehr, Swiss politician and a self-confessed football fan, was also left mightily impressed by the city’s latest attraction. “It’s marvellous, and certainly an enrichment for the entire Zurich area.”

Covering an area of 3,000 m², over 1,000 objects, 1,400 photos, some 500 videos, 60 screens and 15 interactive stations all come together to form a unique football experience.

Additionally, the museum also boasts a sports bar, a bistro, a café-bar and a library – all of which are available to the public – as well as events and seminar rooms. (FIFA.com)

Rashford continues to dazzle as United sink Arsenal

(REUTERS)-Teenager Marcus Rashford followed up two goals on his Manchester United debut with another double as Louis van Gaal’s team dented Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes with a 3-2 win yesterday.

Arsenal wasted a big chance to turn over the depleted hosts and the London team stayed third in the table, five points behind leaders Leicester City as United climbed to fifth.

The 18-year-old Rashford struck twice in three first-half minutes before former United striker Danny Welbeck pulled one goal back for Arsenal.

Rashford then set up Ander Herrera for United’s third before Mesut Ozil reduced the deficit.

Wi t h a d o z e n s e nior players unavailable through injury, including captain Wayne Rooney, the under-pressure Van Gaal gave a first league appearance to Rashford, who responded brilliantly at Old Trafford.

After 29 minutes he was in the right place to capitalise as Arsenal defender Gabriel could only half clear Guillermo Varela’s right-wing cross.

Three minutes later he headed United’s second goal

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford applauds their fans after the matchReuters / Phil NobleLivepic after Jesse Lingard was given too much space to cross from the same area.

Arsenal, needing a win to keep pace with local rivals Tottenham in pursuit of Leicester, were given hope before halftime when Welbeck -- who once played for the same Manchester boys club that produced Rashford -- nodded in Ozil’s free kick.

It was the German’s 18th assist of the season and he added a goal of his own in the second half after Rashford had held up the ball intelligently before passing to Herrera whose 20-metre shot was deflected in off Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.

Van Gaal -- who de-

lighted the home crowd by throwing himself to the ground to illustrate a foul on Herrera -- sent on two more young debutants in defender Tim Fosu-Mensah and midfielder James Weir.

United’s third win in seven days after beating Shrewsbury Town 3-0 in the FA Cup and Denmark’s Midtjylland 5-1 in the Europa League had the Old Trafford fans roaring their approval in a difficult season.

“It’s unbelievable,” Van Gaal told Sky Sports about Rashford’s four goals in four days.

“I can understand it last Thursday against Midtjylland when you come in without any pressure but the second time is always more difficult and he did all the things I asked of him.

“Four goals in two matches is an average that’s unusual.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tried to remain upbeat after another disappointing result that cast doubts over his team’s ability to win a first league title since 2004.

“I cannot fault the commitment and desire but unfortunately we conceded two easy goals,” Wenger said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

FIFA head Infantino must mend bridges, sort out finances

By Brian Homewood ZURICH, (Reuters)-Gianni Infantino will mark his first working day as president of soccer’s governing body today by playing in a soccer match with Swiss-based FIFA employees battered for months by an unfolding corruption scandal.

The match symbolises a return to the primary focus of FIFA that for some has been lost in tales of high-living by top executives and abuses that culminated in the banning of Infantino’s veteran predecessor Sepp Blatter for six years.

When he walks into the presidential office at FIFA’s

headquarters on a Zurich hilltop, the new incumbent will quickly have to deal with financial and administrative problems, bring back sponsors, motivate a demoralized work force and engage with clubs and players who are growing increasingly disillusioned.

Previously general secretary of European soccer’s governing body UEFA, Infantino must also dispel the notion he was elected to represent only the interests of his own powerful continent.

Some had expected a Bahraini rival to win the post in a tilt towards Asia for the sport.

FIFA has been the subject of criminal investiga-

Notable Dates

LOCAL featherweight icon Patrick Ford was 24 years old when he tackled Fernando Jimenez of Dominican Republic on February 29, 1980 in Trinidad. Ford had an unblemished record of 13 victories in as many fights with eight stoppages.

At the end of the 10-round contest held at the Jean Peirre Sports Complex the judges awarded the fight to Ford. A powerful puncher, Ford had already picked up the Guyana and World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX titles.

Two fights after the clash with Jimenez, Ford added the Commonwealth featherweight title to his collection. This was achieved following an eightround TKO of Nigerian Eddie Ndukwu in Lagos. Coming from a family of boxers, Ford joined the professional ranks

tions in the United States and Switzerland, although these will be lurking uncomfortably in the background rather than an immediate worry.

The same goes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar in a highly controversial vote in 2010 and the subject of the Swiss investigation.

One of the Swiss national’s earliest tasks will be to appoint a secretary general to take charge of day-to-day operations, a post Infantino has already indicated will go to a non-European.

Another priority will be to lift the morale of the 400-odd employees at FIFA, many of whom are highly-qualified and have soldiered on for the last eight months trying to ignore the chaos at the top.

“They went through a difficult time, a difficult period and I want to tell them that I count on them, that I believe in them and we will do great things together,” Infantino told a news conference after being elected.

PLAYERS’ DISCONTENT

Patrick Ford in 1976.

One of his finest hours occurred in September 1978. Filling in as a late replacement, Ford knocked out world rated Diego Alcala of Panama in the ninth round. Alcala came to Guyana having just lost to world super featherweight champion Alexis Arguello.

Pride condemn Scorpions to another home defeat

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica Scorpions fell to their fourth straight defeat in the WICB Professional Cricket League after losing by six wickets to Barbados Pride at Sabina Park yesterday.

Set 118 for victory, Pride reached 118-4 in the postlunch session on the third day of the scheduled four-day encounter. The win gave the Barbados Pride 16 points while Scorpions collected only 3.

It was the Scorpions’ third consecutive home loss this season.Scores: Scorpions 177 & 157; Pride 217 & 118-4.

Player- of- the- match Roston Chase, who made a half-century in the first innings, top-scored with 35 not out, while Shane Dowrich was left unbeaten on one.

Slow left-arm orthodox bowler Nikita Miller took 2-38 to end with match figures of 10-105.

FIFA’s lack of credibil-

ity has made it difficult to sign new sponsorship deals and it is facing a $108 million deficit for 2015, according to Suketu Patel, who sits

Newly elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino. on the independent audit and compliance committee.

Patel said there was a shortfall of $530 million between the budgeted revenue and actual contracts signed so far for the 2015-18 cycle.

Jerome Champagne, one of Infantino’s four rivals in the election, has said that two of the eight sponsorship slots for the 2018 World Cup and 20 out of 27 slots for other competitions remained unfilled. FIFA did not comment on the figures.

Infantino will have to come good on the generous

promises of development funds for FIFA’s 209 member associations made during his electoral campaign.

“The sponsors need to regain trust and confidence in FIFA and, if we can achieve this, then revenue streams will increase and FIFA will not have to worry about the future,” he said.

“I have vast experience in this area and ….my track record showed that UEFA didn’t go bankrupt at all, on the contrary revenue increased.”

He must also mend bridges with the clubs and players, who complained they were left out of the process which led to a sweeping reform package passed before Infantino was elected.

FIFA’s competitions depend on a delicate agreement signed with the clubs who release their players for national team games on certain dates stipulated in an international calendar.

The international players’ union FIFPro last year launched a legal complaint at the European Commission against soccer’s transfer system, which could have wide-ranging ramifications.

FIFPro did not even congratulate Infantino on

his election, instead unleashing an angry statement saying it took a “dim view” of the whole process.

“FIFA’s system of governance has been based on favor swapping and financial inducements, not to mention obstructing external oversight from governments and the game’s key stakeholders,” said FIFPro. “The players, much like the clubs, leagues and fans, were ignored in the latest reform.”

It added that the rights of the world’s 65,000 professional players were “often blatantly overlooked and exploited as a result of FIFA’s monopolistic structure”.

FIFA’s unity is another important matter.

Large parts of Africa and Asia voted for main rival Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa and even Infantino’s South American allies admitted there were issues over the drain of their top players to European clubs.

“We have told Infantino that clearly there are opposing interests because of the way the European market operates,” Uruguayan soccer chief Wilmer Valdez told reporters.

Superb Sabbir leads Bangaldesh to victory SABBIR Rahman’s superb 80 helped Bangladesh to a 23-run win over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup yesterday.

With both teams coming into the game on the back of wins over the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh produced their best batting performance of the Twenty20 tournament in Mirpur.

And it was Sabbir’s excellent 54-ball innings that proved crucial in guiding the hosts to a total of 147-7, with their bowlers defending it brilliantly as Sri Lanka could only muster 124-8.

Sri Lanka, despite missing Lasith Malinga through injury, did not need long to dismiss the Bangladesh openers as Mohammad Mithun and Soumya Sarkar both went for ducks in nine balls.

Sabbir mounted some-

Bangladesh claimed a second straight Asia Cup win thanks to a fine batting performance from Sabbir Rahman. thing of a recovery before a sixes – found a capable communication mix-up with partner in the middle order Mushfiqur Rahim (4) ended in Shakib Al Hasan (32).

That pair put on 82 for the latter’s innings courtesy of a run out by Angelo the fourth wicket, with Sabbir’s superb innings ended Mathews.

H o w e v e r, S a b b i r – by Dushmantha Chameera whose prolific innings fea- (3-30).

Shakib and Mahmudtured 10 fours and three

ullah (23 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over after Sabbir’s exit and Bangladesh claimed an early scalp in defence of their total as Tillakaratne Dilshan (12) went in the fourth over to Shakib (2-21).

Dinesh Chandimal (37) and Shehan Jayasuriya’s (26) partnership of 56 appeared to have Sri Lanka in command, the former going for a run a ball before Mahmudullah (114) got him to reverse sweep to deep point.

Jayasuriya then fell victim to a stumping and the wickets continued to tumble, with Sri Lanka’s middle order failing to get going.

On 116-6, Sri Lanka required 32 runs from six balls, but instead Al-Amin Hossain (3-34) took two further wickets as Bangladesh claimed a second straight win. (OMNISport)

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday February 29, 2016

Boston’s 6 win Jeet Brothers dominoes

BOSTON’S 6 emerged winners of the Jeet Brothers specially arranged dominoes tournament, played last Friday night at the Everest Cricket club pavilion, Camp Road, Georgetown.

In a hotly-contested affair, Boston’s 6 tallied 81 games to win from Ramroop “Spoon” Sukhai’s 6 on 77 while Colin “Maestro” Hicken’s 6 brought up the rear with 68 games.

With both Boston’s 6 and Ramroop’s 6 tied on 66 games at the end of the penultimate sitting and Hicken’s side trailing on 54, the race for the winners became a two-team affair with the Boston’s 6 prevailing.

BOSTON’S 6 skipper Orin Boston (left) receives the winning trophy from Frederick Halley on behalf of the Jeet brothers. Organizer Manniram Shew is at extreme right.

The supercool Boston led from the front with 29 games after playing through, counting 16 in the first three sittings and 13 in the latter three. Robert “Pacer” Adonis also made 29 in six sittings, 14 in the first three and followed this up with 15.

For the first runners-up.

Hilbert “Bumpy” Ali led with 16 games while Sonia Goodluck tallied 28 in six sittings. Andy Madhu also played well to score 15.

The top players for Hicken’s 6 were Claude “Fatman” Stuart with 14 games and captain Hicken with 13.

Sukhai and Frederick Halley (Hicken’s 6) went down lover’s lane.

Apart from the win-

ning and first runners-up trophies, other incentive awards included watches and caps, For the winners, Boston collected a watch and a cap while Adonis and Intikhab “Corbie” Ali received caps.

The first runners-up side saw Hilbert Ali being the recipient of a watch and cap and Madhu getting a cap while Stuart of Hicken’s 6 took away a watch and a cap.

The tournament was organised by Manniram “Packer” Shew on behalf of the Jeet brothers of Queens, New York and Scarborough, Ontario, Canada in recognition of the visit of Halley, a member of International 6, who resides in Toronto.

MVP ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts leads Raiders past Bulls

By Joe Chapman THE supposedly aging Retrieve Raiders ended the Linden Amateur Basketball Association /104.3 Power FM Majority sponsored Mash Open Basketball Championship with an 80-78 win over the Half Mile Bulls in the Finals.

Playing like purebred pups, the Raiders banked its first title of the 2016 season with a euphoric win Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court.

With the win, the Raid-

ers, through most valuable player (MVP) and power forward Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts erased its ultimate stigma of not getting past the Bulls when it mattered most. ‘Brown Sugar’ had support from an experienced cast of national forwards in Neil Marks, Abdulla Hamid and Marvin Hartman along with national guard Keon Cameron.

It was a particularly satisfying win for the Raiders, which was ranked second to the Bulls

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue

after losing the 2015 Malta Supreme Christmas Open basketball championship. The earlier loss had raised questions over how the Retrieve side would have stacked up against the youthful and tireless Bulls.

Considering the Bulls boasted senior national players in Terron Welch, Michael Turner and Dennis Niles in back-court and up front had Shane Lewis and Kevin Easton, the Half Mile side was the clear favorite to win, despite the absence of power forward Travin ‘Babylon’ Dryden.

Dryden’s non-showing due to work commitments, proved costly in the end for the Bulls and as such Roberts was able to pound his way inside to not only come away with the MVP but also the Defensive Player Award. He accumulated 24 points, grabbed 15 massive rebounds and blocked three shots and two assists in a superlative performance.

At the end of the first quarter, Marks and Roberts combined well to see the Raiders leading 17-26; as the Bulls’ Welch sin-

Dwayne Sugar’ Roberts gle-handedly scored 11 of his team’s points. The second quarter, however closer featured no change at the end with the Retrieve side still ahead 40-39 and though the third was competitive in bursts, it still ended 66-58 for the Retrieve side.

The writing was on the wall, but it was misread by those watching on as the Bulls attempted the final push, the Raiders responded with Roberts sinking freebies to send the score to 75-64 in favor of the later.

A late push from Turner coupled with Tappin’s efforts however brought the Bulls within striking distance at 73-75 and the

additional support of Niles brought them to within a point of the win, at 77-78 for the Raiders. But when it mattered, the Niles chocked.

He missed the crucial free throws down the final stretch and while he did get in a last shot close to the basket, it was too late.

Other Raiders’ scorers included Cameron (16 points, six steals and four assists), Hamid (16 points and five rebounds), Hartman 10 points and four rebounds and Marks nine points and 11 rebounds.

On the opposing end, Welch’s game high 41 points, three assists and two steals coupled with Turner’s 13 points, Tappin’s 11 points and four rebounds and Niles seven points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots summed up the Bulls’ scorecard.

The Victory Valley Royals beat the Amelia’s Ward Jets for third place 62-53 with Trevor Profitt scoring 17 points, Alwyn Rodney 11 points and Harold Adams seven points.

The final was witnessed

by President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation Nigel Hinds, along

with LABA President Lawrence Simon and owner of Linden’s 104.3 Power FM Radio Haslyn Graham, all of whom were introduced to the finalists prior to the game.

Other sponsors were Power Lines Auto sales, Trophy Stall, Babaloo’s Car Rental, Johnny Whyte, Mackeson Brand, BOSAI Minerals Group Guyana Inc. and Cloyde Brush.

The teams received their trophies and will later this week collect their cash incentives from Ansa McAl Trading.

Meanwhile, the LABA has called an Emergency General Council for this evening from 18.30hrs at the Mackenzie Sports club pavilion to address some concerns it has ahead of the Road to Mecca three National Club championships which is billed to bounce off on Friday.

A source close to the association said that several queries pertaining to the rules and other matters of this championship remain unknown and the clubs have asked for this meeting to clear up their concerns.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 29, 2016

Ming misses out on F4 Podium

By Stephan Sookram

Calvin Ming takes a photograph with a few of his fans after narrowly missing out on the podium at the third round of the F4 Championships in Mexico

Blairmont Raiders cart off Mohan Memorial trophy …HACC resuscitates Berbice youth club THE Hawaiian Arctic Youth Cricket Club is once again functioning, thanks to the untiring efforts of its parent body, based in Toronto, Canada.

Amidst much pomp and ceremony, long-standing Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) president Narchand “Archie” Mohan made the resuscitation a reality at the C-3 Park, Cotton Tree, West Bank Berebice on Saturday after the club, which was formed some 22 years ago, simultaneously with the one in Canada, went dormant.

The occasion, graced by hundreds, featured a fourteam Under-19 tournament which saw Blairmont Raiders emerging as champions with a hard-fought 11-run victory over archrivals and neighbours DeEdwaard, thereby capturing the Mohan Memori-

al Trophy, played in honour in observance of the fifth death anniversary of Mohan’s late mom, Kuntie Mohan.

Led by a five-wicket haul by man-of-the-match Javed Karim, whose three overs cost a mere 14 runs, DeEdwaard were restricted to 100 for nine in the reduced 15 overs, chasing a challenging 111for nine, also in 14. The main contributors were I. Wilson (30 not out with a six and a four) and C. Budhu who struck three fours in his 23.

Blairmont were led to their total by a fine knock of 31 from Shimar Flatts who struck two fours and a six.

Dellon Phillips claimed four for 19 from his three overs while A. Budhu supported with two for 19.

Earlier, DeEdwaard had spoiled the debut of the

HACC Youth team with an easy five-wicket victory after limiting the hosts to 87 in 19.1 overs with A. Blackman being the main destroyer with three for 12 in his four allotted overs in the 20-over affair. Blairmont reached the final after getting past West Berbice Achievers.

Phillips was again among the runs for the victors, hitting a top-score of 30 as his team cruise to victory in 15.4 overs.

A. Hemraj was the best bowler with two for 11.

At the presentation ceremony, an emotional Mohan praised the efforts of all those involved in making the resuscitation of the youth club a possibility, lauding the efforts of the sponsors, which included his nephew Vishal and wife Rema of Mohan Contracting firm of Toronto, Canada

and 747 Bar & Lounge, Lethem, Trophy Stall and HACC among others. The Mohans also provided cash incentives for the winning and runner-up teams.

Mohan also recalled when the club was formed more than two decades ago and felt aggrieved over its non-functioning over the years. He however pledged that he would make every effort to sustain it this time around and also told the gathering that the unprecedented success of the HACC team in Toronto, which has captured the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Premiere League title for the past six consecutive years, has been the main driving force behind the efforts.

The tournament was originally slated to be played on Mash Day but was rained out.

Inderjeet Mohan, brother of HACC president Narchand “Archie” Mohan presents the winning Mohan Memorial trophy to Blairmont Raiders skipper Zameer Inshan. HACC president Narchand Mohan and manger Frederick Halley are at extreme right.

FOLLOWING a topsy-turvey weekend in Mexico, Guyana’s Calvin Ming narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the NACAM Formula 4 Championships third round at the San Luis Potosi race track.

Ming, who opened practice on Friday, was the fastest in that section, being trailed only by his team mate Axel Matus. The two completed unofficial practice and official practice in the same order, putting in best times of 01:14.141 and 01:14:335 respectively, leaving their competition more than half a second off the pace.

During the first qualification run, however on Saturday morning, the driver’s 1:13.637 was only good enough to put Ming fifth on the grid following a mix-up in his pitting to change tyres.

According to his team’s management, Ming came

into the pit too late to change tyres and as such was caught in the pitlane when the qualification segment closed. Matus, on the other hand, posted a 1:12:978 time for pole position.

Nonetheless, he was confident heading onto the track for the first race later that day, but things subsequently went downhill. After the first lap, Ming had to retire his car to the pit as his mechanics later found an issue which led to an electrical system failure and cost him the race.

Heading into the second race of the day yesterday, the Guyanese was forced to start at the back of the 15-member pack and skillfully maneuvered his way to fifth position for the third and final race of the day.

In the final race, Ming battled gainfully to finish fourth just missing out on a podium spot.

Windies seniors look to emulate juniors

WEST Indies captain Darren Sammy says his team will draw inspiration from the performance of the Under-19 team heading into next month’s ICC World T20.

The West Indies juniors were the toast of the cricketing world when they captured the Under-19 World Cup earlier this month, on the back of some impressive performances in Bangladesh.

Heading into India next month, in a reversal of roles so to speak, Sammy hopes the seniors can emmulate the juniors.

“The young boys showed a lot of character. They were tested but they came out victorious and that is something that we will need to show in the World Cup,” Sammy said.

“We will have to show a lot of character, we need to show calm heads like the Under-19s did and all the men here were watching and following closely.

Most of them on twitter or Instagram, they passed on their congratulatory messages,” he added.

Despite having issues ahead of the tournament the West Indies will be among the favourites to claim the

Darren Sammy

title in India having assembled some of T20’s biggest names under their banner.

The team also has several players that were a part of the 2012 title winning campaign.

“The fact that we’ve won a World Cup means we know how to get it done … this year we’re coming in with eight members from the team that won the World Cup [in 2012] so the squad is not lacking in experience,” he explained.

“The guys are seasoned T20 players so in that vein, I believe we have the right personnel and right calibre cricketers to help us perform in the conditions in India, and we just have that belief that we can do it.”(Sportsmax.com).

Ming misses out on F4 Podium See Story on Page 23

Dharry registers knockout victory over Machado, Marques wins on points Dexter Marques (left) on the attack against Venezuela’s Freddy Baleno during their 10-round flyweight fight at the Giftland Mall on Saturday night (Photos by Delano Williams).

Elton `The Bully’ Dharry (left) connects with a right dig to the body of Felif Machado during their 10-round bantamweight fight at the Giftland Mall on Saturday night.

Guyana Boxing Board of

By Michael DaSilva Venezuela’s Felif Macha- Control (GBBC) staged do, while Dexter `The Kid’ its `Hostile Territory Pro/ UYANA’S Elton `The Marques registered a unani- Am card at the Giftland Bully’ Dharry secured mous points decision victory Mall, Pattensen, East Coast Dharry and his coach the former Guyana and Commonwealth a fifth round Technical over another Venezuelan, lightweight champion Lennox Blackmoore celebrate the fifth round See page 19 KnockOut win against Freddy Baleno, when the Technical Knock Out victory over Venezuela’s Felix Machado .

G

Guyana Jaguars overcome jitters of post outright win GUYANA Jaguars strengthened their lead at the top of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) fourday Professional Cricket League (PCL) points table with a six-wicket victory over the Windward Islands Vulcanoes at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia yesterday.

Set a modest 40 for victory, after the Vulcanoes were dismissed for 161 in their second innings, the Jaguars overcame some early jitters,

Pacer Ronsford Beaton returned match figures of seven for 71.

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losing the wickets, openers Tajenarine Chanderpaul (one) and Rajendra Chandrika (three), while Assad Fudadin and wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble were sent packing for nine and nought respectively.

Skipper Leon Johnson, who stroked a fine 107 in the first innings, and the consistent Vishaul Singh avoided any further alarms, ending on 17 and nine respectively when victory was achieved with a

day to spare. Yesterday’s victory against the Volcanoes has now taken the Jaguars to 125 points.

Final scores in the match were: Windward Islands Volcanoes 216 and 161; Guyana 338 and 40 for four.

The Guyana Jaguars, resuming on their overnight 310 for seven and already with a first innings lead of 94, added a further 28 runs before they were dismissed for 338, extending their overall lead to 124.

Batting a second time, the Volcanoes were undone by the bowling of left-arm fast medium bowler Raymond Reifer, who finished with four for 35, while leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo claimed three for 71 and fast bowler Ronsford Beaton two for 28 to end with match figures of seven for 71.

Opener Devon Smith was again among the runs, hitting a top-score of 51, to follow on his first innings 87.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016