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MILLIONS SEIZED No. 104454

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

â€Ś SOCU nets big bucks in anti-money laundering raids

These Chinese ladies had company in celebrating their New Year in advance at the Giftland Mall at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown on Friday. The Chinese New Year begins on Monday. The celebration, in the form of a mini-exhibition, was organised by the Confucius Institute housed at the University of Guyana. This is the Year of the Monkey, and people born under this zodiac sign are reportedly witty, clever, and have a magnetic personality (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

Suriname releases 9 Guyanese fishermen

Police Palmyra youth promotions electrocuted list to be cut 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

Harmon gives generously to Aurora By Svetlana Marshall

MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, on Thursday handed over a cheque for $217,500 to the people of Aurora, on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two, making good on his promise to assist the village in development of its infrastructure, and making this the third donation of his salary increase for infrastructure development. Last November and December, he donated his salary increases for similar develop-

about the lack of recreational facilities for the youths of Aurora village. He said that while there is no State land available in close proximity to the community, there are several parcels of private land available, one of which, if secured, can be transformed into a park. As Secretary of the Aurora Co-op Society, Mr Khan expressed willingness to hand over a plot of land owned by the co-op for the development of a park. He suggested that when construction has been completed, it should be named

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, addressing the residents of Aurora on Thursday afternoon after delivering the cheque for $217,500 for infrastructure development (Samuel Maughn photo)

Residents of Aurora during the public meeting (Samuel Maughn photo)

mental activities to the residents of Angoy’s Avenue in Region Six and Crane Housing Scheme in Region Three. Shortly after handing over the cheque, Minister Harmon, accompanied by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, listened keenly to various concerns ventilated by the Aurora residents, who had converged by the main public road for a meeting with the officials. Former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament Farouk Khan was among the first set of persons who seized the opportunity to share their concerns. Despite his political affiliation, Mr Khan, before stating his concerns, said: “I am for the development of my community, my region and my country, so I would work with any party to secure the future of this country.” RECREATIONAL FACILITIES Mr Khan was concerned

“Aurora Cooperative Park”. PENSIONERS Another issue of concern to Mr Khan was the inability of pensioners to access their pensions in a timely manner. He explained that because of the shortage of cash, pensioners are often forced to visit the Aurora Post Office for two or three days before they are able to access their benefits. “I am worried (that) the people got to travel… they are old and feeble, and they can’t walk. Why can’t (the authorities) send much more cash? You send the cash and within an hour it finish, people got to go home back. We must have some sympathy and send some more cash,” he appealed. The need for additional street lights along the Essequibo Coast, and the poor quality of water supplied to residents were among his other concerns. “Only from Queenstown to Walton Hall has treated water. The two

end of the coast, they have iron content in the water. We are asking for a better quality of water; not perfect, but a better quality of water,” he appealed. JOBS Jeffrey Paul, another resident, complained about the lack of employment for young people along the Essequibo Coast. “When I look at what has been happening to our young people, there are many qualified young women and men within our community that are not getting jobs. If you take a look at the public hospitals, the court, the Ministries and all of the different places, I have not been seeing no change,” he said. Mr Paul added: “I am not against anyone, but I still want to see a balanced ratio where our people can be employed. I need the Government to address this situation.” Mr Paul also informed the ministers that a revetment behind his house is in dire need of rehabilitation. “It is breaking away because it deteriorating every day,” Mr Paul said, noting that he had lodged several complaints to the Minister of Works in the former administration, Robeson Benn, but to no avail. The inability to access leased land for farming, and poor roads and irrigation were among other issues raised by residents of Aurora. In response, the Minister of State committed to ad-

dressing the concerns of the residents. “Roads, drains, revetments, light and water, these are issues that affect all of us, and these are issues that we are taking on board,” he told the residents. Responding to the issue regarding the pensioners, Minister Harmon said it would be a thing of the past, as he asserted that senior cit-

izens of this country ought to be accorded greater respect. “We have to deal with our senior citizens in a more respectful way… A lot of the policies which we embrace will cater to the elderly and a special group of people,” he promised. He also addressed the need for recreational facilities within the community, saying

that once land is made available by the co-op society, it would be developed by the Government for the benefit of the people. Mr Harmon had addressed similar concerns earlier that day when he met with other residents of the Essequibo Coast at Perth Park, where a “Meet the Public Day” was held.

Suriname releases 9 Guyanese fishermen The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has said it was in receipt of reports that on Friday, January 22, nine Guyanese fishermen were taken into custody by Suriname’s military but were later released. The nine men, identified as Armaan Edwards, Genovese Davair, Alistair Peneux, George Edwards, Ackley Felix, Bob Peneux, Rodrick Herman, Edward Herman and Clifton Edwards, are residents of the Upper Corentyne riverine community of Orealla/Siparuta in Region Six. According to the Ministry, they were engaged in subsistence fishing in the Corentyne River at the time of their arrest. “They were using hooks and lines and were in small boats and canoes,” the Ministry said in a statement. The men were reportedly taken some 30 miles upriver to Apoera in Suriname, where that Dutch-speaking country’s military processed and later released them. The Ministry noted that some of the men were forced to paddle for hours to get

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

back home. The matter was immediately reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is engaging that Ministry’s attention. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has also revealed that it has engaged the Toshao of Orealla/Siparuta, David Henry, and some of the affected fishermen. “In the process, Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, was properly briefed on the issue. Minister Allicock continues to engage the toshao, and

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

remains in close contact with Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge,” the statement said. And while no laws of the sea were broken by the fishermen, the Ministry sought to explain that subsistence fishing is part of Indigenous Peoples’ culture, and has been practised for centuries. “In the Amerindian village of Orealla/Siparuta, subsistence fishing forms a part of the village life and economy. The Corentyne River is the village’s sole source of fresh fish,” the Ministry said.

MILLIONS SEIZED

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

… SOCU nets big bucks in anti-money laundering raids THE SPECIAL Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) has seized millions of dollars in local and foreign currencies in a major anti-money laundering operation that was held along the East Coast and East Bank Demerara on Friday. Observers said the raids were significant as they came days before the United States Government opens a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office here with the intention to help fight organised crime in this South American country. Up to late Friday evening, SOCU Head, Assistant Commissioner Sydney James, was preparing to brief Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on the operation, which saw a woman and a man being arrested. Minister Ramjattan confirmed he was aware that an operation had been conducted, and said he was awaiting a report from the head of SOCU. A police statement said the operation was conducted in four separate areas, and a quantity of foreign and local currencies had been seized. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that approximately $15M had been seized. The cash has since been lodged, and would be used as exhibits in prosecution of the culpable parties when the matter is called before the courts. The SOCU operation, according to information

this publication received, took place in the police ‘C’ Division, East Coast Demerara, and the police ‘A’ Division, East Bank Demerara. The cash was, however, found in a house on the East Coast Demerara. VERY ACTIVE SOCU has been very active in the past several months, following up on allegations stemming from the state-commissioned forensic reports into a number of Government agencies. SOCU came into full operation in 2014, in keeping with Guyana’s treaty obligation to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). SOCU collaborates with the FIU to compile information that would build a case, and then acts as an intermediary between the FIU and the DPP to prosecute that case. SOCU was established under the AML/ CFT Act of 2009 with the primary objective being to monitor the financial sector, but with the operationalization of SOCU, its task expanded from monitoring to investigating. Back in 2014, SOCU collaborated with the FIU to make its first bust, seizing US$45,630 and €740, suspected to be the proceeds of criminal activity, from a Bulgarian national who was suspected of laundering the money. The seizure was made at the Cheddi Jagan Inter-

national Airport (CJIA) on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Based on information received, SOCU had “strong suspicion” that the Bulgarian national was involved in money-laundering activities. The individual had journeyed from Bulgaria to Spain, then from Brazil to Guyana and then to Jamaica, before returning to Guyana. It was on his return trip that he was intercepted. CRITICISED FOR INACTION Over the years, Guyana had been severely criticised for not going after money launderers. In a 2007 report, the US State Department had said that Guyana was neither an important regional player nor an offshore financial centre, neither did it have any free trade zones; however, the scale of money laundering was thought to be large relative to the size of the economy, with some experts estimating that the informal economy was between 40 and 60 per cent of the size of the formal economy. The US report said money laundering had been linked to trafficking in drugs, firearms and persons, as well as to corruption and fraud. "Drug trafficking and money laundering appear to be benefiting the Guyanese economy, particularly the construction sector," the US report said. It added that investigating and prosecut-

Director of SOCU Sydney James

ing money laundering cases was not a priority for law enforcement, noting that the Government of Guyana (GoG) had made no arrests or prosecutions for money laundering in 2006 due to a lack of adequate legislation and resources. Criticising Guyana's fight then against money laundering, the US report had said that Guyana's anti-money laundering regime was ineffective, and the implementing regulations of the money laundering prevention Act were inadequate. However, since coming to office, the David Granger administration has passed the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) legislation. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, had said the passage of this bill signals not only Guyana’s obligation to becom-

ing an AML/CFT-compliant regime, but also the commitment of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government to pass the bill in the 100 days of its coming to office. “The proposed bill has added the person authorised by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and it has said also that they could seize and detain cash above the sum of $10M anywhere in Guyana,” Mr Williams had told the House during the debate. He stressed the requirement for “cogent evidence” in the legislation before any seizure is done. “It seems to be higher-than-reasonable

suspicion, because you have to have reasonable suspicion also. They cannot seize cash that is in the possession of persons in the course of business, commerce, trade, and such activities,” Mr Williams added. Both the FIU and Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) would have to provide the evidence before seizures are done.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

UK brands Assange ruling ‘ridiculous’

Refugees mass at Turkey-Syria border AT LEAST 15,000 Syrian refugees fleeing fighting in northern Aleppo province have gathered at a border crossing with Turkey, UN and Turkish officials have said. Those gathering have not been allowed to cross, but Turkey has said it has put measures in place to enable the refugees to be feed and sheltered. In the past few days, the Syrian Army, backed by Russian air power, has made advances in Aleppo province. Earlier, NATO accused Russia of “un-

dermining” Syrian peace efforts. NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russian strikes were mainly targeting opposition groups, damaging attempts to find a political solution. Peace talks in Geneva were suspended this week amid opposition complaints that negotiations were impossible amid ongoing Syrian Army operations on the ground. According to the UN, up to 20,000 Syrians have gathered at the Bab al-Salam border crossing.

“Humanitarian organisations are responding to the needs of those displaced, but ongoing military conflict is making access to populations in need increasingly difficult,” the UN’s Linda Tom told the AFP news agency. She said another 5,000 to 10,000 displaced people had gathered at Azaz, a north-western Syrian city close to the Turkish frontier. Separately, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said 15,000 people had arrived at the border. (BBC)

THE UK Foreign Secretary has branded as “ridiculous” a UN panel’s ruling that Julian Assange be allowed to go free, as the Wikileaks founder demanded the decision be respected. Mr Assange -- who faces extradition to Sweden over a rape claim, which he denies -- claimed asylum in London’s Ecuadorean Embassy in 2012. The panel said he had been “arbitrarily detained”, and should get compensation. Philip Hammond rejected the decision, accusing Mr Assange of evading justice. Mr Assange hailed it a “significant victory”, and called the decision “binding”, but the UK Government said the report “changes nothing”. The 44-year-old Australian was originally arrested in London in 2010 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Sweden over rape and sexual assault allegations. Two years later, while on bail, he claimed asylum inside the Ecuadorean Embassy in Knightsbridge. Swedish prosecutors dropped an investigation into two sex assault claims against Mr Assange last year, after running out of time to question him. However, he still faces the more serious accusation of rape. Mr Assange fears extradition to Sweden will lead to further extradition to the Unit-

ed States for questioning over the activities of Wikileaks, the website which has published secret documents and videos, including almost 400,000 secret US military logs.

‘HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE’ Reading a statement via a video link from the embassy, Mr Assange said the opinion of the panel was “vindication”, adding: “The lawfulness of my detention is now a matter of settled law.” He later addressed a crowd from a balcony at the Ecuadorean Embassy, hailing the decision a “victory of historical importance”. However, Mr Hammond said Mr Assange was a “fugitive from justice”, adding that he can come out “any time he chooses”, but will still have to face justice in Sweden. Anders Ronquist, legal chief at Sweden’s Foreign Ministry, said Mr Assange “is not being deprived of his liberty there due to any decision or action taken by the Swedish authorities”. Elisabeth Massi Fritz, lawyer for the alleged rape victim, said the UN panel’s decision was “insulting and offensive” to her client, and was “against all vulnerable victims’ human rights”. Mr Assange said the comments by Mr Hammond were “beneath” the minister’s stat-

ure and “insulting” to the UN, while Ecuador’s Foreign Minister criticised the UK for rejecting the panel’s decision. Ricardo Patiño said the UK had violated “important articles of the Universal Human Rights Convention and of the International Treaty on Political and Civil rights”. But the whistleblower Edward Snowden, who is accused of espionage in the US and has received legal support from Wikileaks, tweeted that the UK and Sweden’s response to the panel’s decision “writes a pass for every dictatorship to reject UN rulings”. In September 2014, Mr Assange complained to the UN that he was being “arbitrarily detained” as he could not leave without being arrested. The complaint against the UK and Sweden claimed Mr Assange had been deprived of his liberty for an “unacceptable length of time”. The UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention insisted Mr Assange’s detention “should be brought to an end, that his physical integrity and freedom of movement be respected”. The Wikileaks founder had been subjected to “different forms of deprivation of liberty” it said, initially while he was held in isolation at London’s Wandsworth Prison for 10 days in 2010.

Julian Assange told a crowd outside the Ecuadorean Embassy the decision was of “historical importance”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

Active Zika found in saliva, urine ACTIVE Zika virus has been detected in saliva and urine, Brazilian scientists say. The finding does not mean the virus can be readily transmitted through these bodily fluids. Meanwhile, the US has advised men to abstain from sex, or use condoms after visiting affected countries, if their partner is pregnant. The US Centres for Disease Control believes a recent case of Zika was spread through sex. While Zika is normally mild, the infection has been linked to thousands of suspected birth defects. The updated advice says avoiding mosquitoes remains the best way to prevent infection, but advises men returning from affected countries to “correctly use condoms during sex, or abstain from sexual activity for the duration of the pregnancy”. In another development, the Governor of Puerto Rico has declared a public health emergency over Zika. The US territory has 22 confirmed cases. The main method of infection is via mosquito bites, but scientists say tests on two

suspected cases of babies born with small brains, although only 404 have been

Curacao not renewing oil refinery lease with Venezuela

Active Zika virus has scientists say patients have revealed Zika can be found in other body fluids. Paulo Gadelha, the head of Brazil’s Fiocruz Institute, which is part of the Ministry of Health, said: “The presence of the active Zika virus has been found in saliva and urine, but that does not mean there is a capacity for transmission through saliva and urine.” Traces of Zika’s genetic material was detected in saliva and urine during the 2013 outbreak in French

been detected in saliva and urine, Brazilian Polynesia, but the Brazilian authorities say this is the first time “active” virus has been detected. Oswaldo Cruz, also from Fiocruz, added: “It means the virus is active, capable of infecting a cell, so this is completely different; it means that the virus is functional”. Professor Jonathan Ball, a Virologist at the University of Nottingham, told the BBC: “Because we can detect a virus in a particular body fluid, it does not mean that it will become an important source

USA in US$450M aid plan for Colombia peace PRESIDENT Barack Obama has said he would ask the US Congress for US$450M (£309M) in aid to help Colombia implement a peace deal with the FARC rebel group. The proposed funding will also support de-mining, humanitarian and counter-narcotics projects, he said. The aid was announced after President Obama held talks at the White House with his Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos. He told Mr Santos the US would be “your partner in waging peace”. It was “an incredible moment of promise” for ending the long-running conflict in Colombia, he said. The new plan is called Peace Colombia, but the fact is that even if a final agreement to end 50 years of internal conflict with the FARC is achieved -- which looks extremely likely -- the

confirmed, 709 have been rejected and 3,670 are still being investigated. (BBC)

negotiations with the second largest rebel group in the country, the ELN, seem stalled. Although much smaller in size, with about 1,400 armed fighters, the ELN has shown it can still do damage. Its members are still kidnapping civilians, capturing soldiers, and killing members of the security forces in confrontations. Although an agreement with the FARC would be an accomplishment that should not be underestimated, if the ELN does not follow

suit, Colombia can hardly yet speak of peace. That is, unless the Government launches such a strong offensive that they defeat the ELN militarily. Mr Santos has said he expects his Government to sign a peace deal with the FARC next month. Both sides have agreed a March 23 deadline to reach an agreement. It comes after FARC rebels said they were willing to lay down their weapons after five decades of conflict. (BBC)

of virus for transmission to humans. “At the peak of virus replication in the blood, virus can often be detected in other body fluids, but the levels of virus are often much lower, and there is no obvious or efficient means for the virus to get from that bodily fluid into another person’s bloodstream.” The risks of different modes of infection are still unclear, but experts say that the million-plus suspected cases in the Americas have been contained to areas where the mosquito is found, suggesting it does not spread easily through other means. Brazil has seen 4,783

IN A letter to the leader of the coalition party PAIS, Alex Rosaria, Member of Parliament, the Minister of Public Health, Science and Environment, Siegried Victorina, has indicated that the Curacao Government will not renew the oil refinery lease agreement with the Venezuelan State oil company PDVSA. In his letter, the minister indicated that it was important to move quickly because the current contract states that if one of the parties does not terminate the contract in writing two years before the contract expires (2019), the contract will automatically be extended for 10 years. This would mean that PDVSA could continue operating the refinery until 2029 without any contractual obligation to modernise it. Victorina said the Government has decided not to renew the current contract and the lease. The future solution for the oil refinery is to adapt it for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel for the refinery and the Curacao Refinery Utilities (CRU) plant. (Caribbean News Now)

The oil refinery in Curacao

Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams

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

Editorial

Coalition politics

IN THE presence of fractured forces and diversity, which continue to influence both not-so-positive and positive relations, there exists evidence of a consistently strong undercut to forge a national character out of oneness. This undercut has presented itself in various forms, and in this year, designated “National Renaissance”, attention is being paid to the political aspect of this relationship. When President David Granger, in addressing the opening of the Alliance For Change (AFC) headquarters last week, said coalition politics is here to stay, his statement was grounded in historical fact, and was woven into the nation’s tapestry. On January 1st, 1950, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Guyana’s first mass-based party, was established on coalition relationship of groups and influential persons. It had the aim of improving the wellbeing of citizens and the working class, and self-government/independence was seen as a pivotal factor in pursuit of this agenda. The original PPP included the Women’s Political and Economic Organisation; the Political Affairs Committee; ‘remnants’ of the British Guiana Labour Party, and notables like Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, Eusi Kwayana of the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), Rory Westmaas, and Martin Carter (national poet) among others. This was a coalition of diverse demographics, such as race, class; urban, rural and hinterland dwellers; and professions -- a pattern that continues into the present. After the split between Messrs. Burnham and Jagan, Mr. Burnham, on 5th October 1957, established the People’s National Congress (PNC), which comprised factions which had left the PPP and persons from the United Democratic Party, besides other influential persons, such as Mr. Llewellyn John, member of the League of Coloured People. At the 1964 elections, which were contested by the PPP, PNC, and The United Force (TUF) headed by Mr. Peter D’Aguiar, the PNC and TUF joined forces to defeat the PPP, and thereafter formed the Government. It should be said that though there were differences in strategy by the varied political forces, their desire, and that of the union of Guyanese, for self-government remained intact. In and outside of holding constitutional office there have been coalitions. One such is the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), which comprises an alliance of the Movement Against Oppression, ASCRIA and RATOON. In the mid-1980s, the opposition PPP, along with others, formed the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD). While varying accounts as to what led to the group’s disintegration exist, suffice it to say that the alliance fell apart. Another force -- Guyanese United for Action, Reform and Democracy (GUARD) -- was formed with similar agenda, and this amalgam included influential persons such as Messrs. Yesu Persaud and Samuel Hinds. Mr. Hinds became associated with the created CIVIC arm

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

Guyana’s first-round Futsal exit Dear Editor,

BEING a realist, it came as no surprise to me that the nation’s Futsal football team was ingloriously dumped from the CFU 2016 Futsal Championship in Cuba. Competing in the group stage alongside traditional regional powerhouse Trinidad & Tobago; Curacao and Antigua & Barbuda, in the opening encounter for the locals, a 2-5 trouncing was the final result against the Dutch lineup; followed by the twin-island republic prevailing 4-3, with Guyana gaining a consolation 3-2 win over the Antiguans. From the three matches played, Guyana scored 8

goals and conceded 11, for a goal difference of -3, while averaging 2.2 goals per match! Editor, to say that I am disappointed with the outcome of the final result would be a gross understatement, along with being unrealistic. Suffice it to say that with a National Futsal Association in place, some semblance of improvement should have been evident. And please don’t make any excuses, citing time constraints was against the Futsal Association! I should like to have relevant answers to the following questions:

to include the Futsal Association in its deliberations? iii) Having not participated in a regional futsal tournament for a period of almost 8 years, is this format still within the GFF’s annual calendar of activities? iv) What were the criteria for selection, in the absence of local tournaments?

i) When was the GFF duly informed of the Futsal qualifying leg? ii)Was any attempt made

Finally, the GFF is under a new dispensation of governance, which began in November last year. With it being affiliated to the National Futsal Association, within a 2-month period, could not at least 2 teams from 8 associations have converged at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall over 3 weekends for a competition? At the conclusion of that

what she refers to as the commencement of human resource auditing, which sounds nice and transparent; but such an exercise would be a complete waste of time if this audit does reveal the enormous amount of nepotism, cronyism and favouritism that exists there. A huge chunk of staff, particularly the more recent appointees, consists of relatives and friends of councillors and senior officers of the municipality. An audit should reveal that, and have those persons removed and replaced by competent non-aligned persons, as this undermines the

common good of the Council. However, what really need to be audited as well are the tax waivers given by one councillor to tardy taxpayers last year under the guise of an amnesty. It was irresponsible to give one councillor discretionary authority to grant commercial and corporate property owners a 50% to 75% amnesty, dependent on special circumstances, as they put it. It turns out that, in contradiction to the guidelines, this person even gave 100% amnesty to some persons. What need to be audited are the cleaning contracts that were given out to some

period, a proper squad could have been selected for training and national representation. Band-Aid solutions and stop-gap measures are totally unacceptable this time around, lest Guyana continue to go down as “The also rans”! In 2008, the local lineup was the best 4th placed team in the CFU! Meanwhile, my heartiest congratulations are extended to the Beach Soccer Association for their insight and vision in organizing a competition and inviting a foreign coach to observe and impart his knowledge on the technical aspects of the game towards its improvements! Respectfully yours, ANONYMOUS

City Hall needs a major audit Dear Editor,

I SAW a newspaper report two days ago in which the City Council’s Public Relations Officer is boasting that “The AG’s office is to help the M&CC to audit its Treasurer’s Department”. If indeed true, this would be exhilarating news. But, then again, one has to wonder why the M&CC is attempting to direct the Auditor General’s Office which department they should audit and where they should start. The entire Council needs auditing. City Hall Public Relations Officer alludes to

councillors and/or their children, and to friends of senior officers. What needs to be audited is the wanton expenditure embarked upon, such as buying several new vehicles, refurbishing of offices, etc, etc, and the list goes on. The announcement by the Council’s PRO of an audit taking place at the M&CC is merely window dressing. I hope that when the new Council comes into place, its members would demand a real audit. Sincerely, MARK ROOPAN

CAL needs to address this complaint Dear Editor,

I AM delighted to learn of the ‘Caribbean Airlines connection’ with Guyana’s 50th Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary. On this grand occasion,

and as an overseas-based Guyanese and United States citizen, we need to pay particular attention, not only to this ‘connection’ per se, but also to the efficiency in all related matters. As an example, I am

of the PPP, which contested elections as the PPP/C in 1992 and henceforth. The PNC, in 1997, formed a similar alliance, called the REFORM, and contested the elections as a single force (PNCR). In 2006, there was an unorthodox coalition of sitting Members of Parliament when Messrs. Raphael Trotman (PNCR), Khemraj Ramjattan (PPP/C), and Mrs. Sheila Holder (WPA), who had quit their respective parties, formed the AFC and contested the elections. Then there have been pre-elections coalitions to contest, as in the instance of the Guyana Action Party (GAP) and Rise

attaching a detailed letter about an area in which Caribbean Airlines personnel need to pay particular attention to travellers’ complaints. It would seem to me that this complaint should have been resolved by now,

and that I and not too many others in the anticipated 350,000 travellers would suffer from Caribbean Airlines’ inefficiency. Yours, E. FERDINAND

Organise And Rebuild (ROAR); the WPA/GAP; PNCR-One Guyana Platform in (PNCR-1G) in 2006; A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which included the PNCR, WPA, GAP, Justice for All Party, et al for the 2011 elections; and in 2015, the APNU+AFC. For the 2016 Local Government Elections, there continue to be alliances of civic forces, political parties and/or influential persons. While the editorial makes no pretence to certainty that it captured all the various forms of political coalition, groups and individuals involved, it holds true to the evidence that Guyanese have always sought unification to address their affairs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

Palmyra youth electrocuted By Jeune Vankeric

THE electrocuted body of Timothy Ian Andrews was seen sprawled on his kitchen floor at Palmyra Village, East Coast Berbice, with one hand clutching the fragment of an electric bulb, shortly after 08:30hrs on Friday morning. A black and red wire which was attached to an electrical point was around his feet when his aunt Melinda Mayers made the discovery at her nephew’s home. Relatives observed that the 22-year-old Busta beverage employee had removed a bulb from the upper flat and may have been attempting to connect the loose end of a wire on the lower flat when he came in contact with 220 volts of electricity, sometime after 17:00hrs on

Dead: Ian Andrews Thursday afternoon. Andrews lived alone, having moved with his older brother Vivian, who has since married, from Wakenaam, Essequibo, five years ago in search of employment.

For Vivian, who sat motionless on a chair outside the two-storey wooded cottage, it was a bad dream he was experiencing, losing his only ‘easy going’ brother. Mayers recalled calling, then knocking as she awaited a response from her husband’s nephew. She had gone to the house after Sarah Andrews, the mother of the deceased, kept telephoning her after failing to contact her younger son. “I went to the house and I called and knocked, but there was no response. I returned home. But his mother called again saying something is wrong. So I returned to the house. I peeped through the opening space of the window and I observed that the back door was open. I went around the house, and on entering through the back door, I saw

him lying on the floor. He was dressed in his church clothes. I ran outside, called the neighbours and was told to call the police.” “When the sleuths turned over the body, which was lying downwards I saw his hand was clutching a bulb, the bottom portion. Pieces of glass were around. Ian’s entire body got very dark. He was fair skinned,” she recalled. This newspaper was told that the home is powered by 220 volts of electricity, but with the use of a converter, the voltage is reduced to 110 voltage. It is believed that the converter had been turned off, resulting in the tragedy. Andrews leaves to mourn his parents Sarah and Jimmy. His body is currently at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting an autopsy

Too many failed politicians on LGE lists Dear Editor, I WAS extremely disappointed when I examined the list of candidates put up by some of the political parties and other organisations for the upcoming Local Government Elections. Some of these lists are chockfull of old, tired, worn out, mentally bankrupt and failed political hacks of these parties. In the new democracies of the world, the role of youth is of special importance; and in the world today, there are more new than established democracies. But in Guyana, political parties seem oblivious to this fact, or they would not have even considered putting back some of those old councillors who have been at City Hall for the last 21 years. Throughout the history of Guyana, young people have always played a crucial role in politics. Why then must our local government administration be left in the hands of lazy old politicians? Young people between the ages of 18 and 35 are the future of this country and its

political system. The young people of Guyana have a responsibility to be involved with politics and with their civic duties. Youths of Guyana must be allowed involvement in politics. To ensure that Guyana stays a country of freedom, and to combat the corruption in politics, they must also be involved in discharging their

civic duties, in order to give back to their country and to leave a legacy of political and civic participation for generations to come. The popular and other old timers have had their time, and they need to step back and give the young people, as promised, opportunity to function at the second tier of government,

as they prepare to move up to the first tier to govern this country. The present local government leaders have all been given a chance, and have all failed miserably. It is therefore time that they back off and retire. Sincerely, SEAN MONIZ

I say no to ‘gated community’ for City workers Dear Editor,

IS THE report ‘Gated community for M&CC staff’, which was carried in the Guyana Chronicle of January 20, 2016, for real? Are Royston King and his people really even entertaining the thought of commandeering reserve lands in Guyhoc Gardens, South Ruimveldt and Bel Air Park for their own use? I believe the residents of all three areas should pursue legal and other remedies to prevent this land grabbing exercise by the Council. It is wrong, it is shameful, and it is an act of greed. Why does the Council believe that it has the power to take over state lands, change their intended use, and then benefit from these real estates? If that entity called the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown wishes to acquire housing for its staff, then it should purchase suitable and available land, and then find a way to recover the cost from its employees. The report indicates that several designs have been created; by whom, the very staff that will have to approve these designs? And are the citizens paying for that? And why gated communities? Are the officers of Council part of a bourgeoisie class? The land in Bel Air Park that the Council is seeking to confiscate is that empty tract of land bordered by Eping Avenue, Potaro Road and Kamarang Road. It is designated an open space. Why should the residents and bona fide owners of property in Bel Air Park allow this? I ask the Government; the Minister of Housing; the Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, who incidentally happens to be the Mayor, to step in and put a stop to this madness. Sincerely, DEBRA GIBSON

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

Intense fogging State closes case in minibus murder against Zika WITH the threat of Zika infestation hanging over Guyana, the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Public Health has stepped up its fogging exercises countrywide. Dr Horace Cox, Head of the Vector Control Unit, said during an interview on Jumpstart FM that while there is yet no cause for concern or alarm, the Ministry would nevertheless be stepping up its fogging exercise. “Communities outside of Georgetown are now being targeted, and residents are being encouraged to support the efforts by ensuring that their windows are open during the fogging exercise, to allow the mist into their homes to kill the mosquitoes,” Dr Cox explained. The Ministry will also begin a house-to-house verification and information exercise, a component of which would seek to offer information to persons about the mosquito-borne virus. Communities along the East and West coasts and banks of the Demerara river will begin to see an increased presence of officers carrying out the fogging exercise. But in spite of the efforts of the Public Health Ministry, citizens are being encouraged to do their part by ensuring they eliminate breathing grounds for mosquitoes. Citizens across the country should play their part by ensuring their communities are clean, Dr Cox explained.

The Zika virus is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito

He said empty plots of land should be weeded to chase away the mosquitoes, and containers of water in yards should be disposed of. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman disclosed that his Ministry intends to assist the Ministry of Public Health in ensuring that mining communities are made aware of the Zika threat, and will assist with the fogging exercises in interior communities. The Ministry of Public Health declared in a statement that fogging commenced on February 1, 2016 in identified communities. “These fogging exercises will kill the adult mosquitoes which carry mosquito-borne diseases”, the statement said. To ensure that the fogging exercise is most effective, residents in targeted communities are reminded to open their windows to allow the

fog into buildings to kill the adult mosquitoes. To avoid any health problems, residents are reminded to cover all drinking water and secure all foodstuff (uncooked and cooked) to prevent possible contamination; secure all domestic animals and poultry, and keep persons who suffer from asthmatic conditions, young children and the elderly away from the direct flow of fog. The fogging exercise will be completed on February 29, 2016. Guyana has recorded just one confirmed case of the Zika virus. The World Health Organization has declared an international emergency as more cases of the virus continue to appear across the world. Several cases have been recorded in Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela, as well as in some Caribbean nations.

AS THE Plaisance minibus park murder trial continued before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury in the High Court on Friday, the State closed its case against the accused Orin Jerrick after the last witness testified. Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh testified that he conducted the post-mortem on the body of minibus driver Gavin Fiffee on August 4, 2014 at the GPHC mortuary, and that he gave the cause of death as perforation of the lung due to a stab wound. Dr Singh told the court that the body bore, to the upper right chest, a single wound which was caused by a single-edged blade. However, under cross-examination by Defence Counsel Peter Hugh, Dr Singh stated that the laceration was caused by blunt trauma on the body of Fiffee, and he concurred with the opinion that a knife or sharp pointed object could have caused the wound, depending on the size. After the State closed its case on Friday afternoon, Jerrick was asked to lead his defence, and he elected to remain in the prisoner’s dock, where he told the court: “I am innocent of the story given by the police.” In his closing address, Defence Counsel Nigel Hughes said the accused, Orin Jerrick, had been attacked by a mob, and had been robbed

and beaten while he was urinating on the minibus of the deceased at the Plaisance minibus park at Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic. He said the accused had defended himself, had turned himself over to the police two days after the fatal stabbing of Gavin Fiffee, and had given a statement regarding the matter. Hughes asked the jury to consider that the State had presented three different versions of what they thought had transpired on the day in question, but no one could say how Fiffee had received to his chest the single stab wound which had led to his demise. NOT SURE He added that witnesses were not sure of the identity of the ‘man’ who was by the minibus with Fiffee, and pointed out the accused for the first time at the Magistrates’ Court, while he was seated in the prisoner’s dock. The State, in its closing address to the court made by Prosecutor Narissa Leander, had said that the State has proved its case against the accused through its witnesses; and that the accused had placed himself at the crime scene, having turned himself over to the police and submitted a statement. She added that the accused was the aggressor in the incident, and he had not been severely injured, as was suggested by the defence,

Do more to educate public on LGE – Granger urges By Fareeza Haniff AS the proposed March 18 date for holding Guyana’s historic Local Government Elections (LGE) draws closer, President David Granger is urging small groups and individual contestants to play their part in educating the electorate on how to vote on Election Day. Responding to questions posed by the Guyana Chronicle during his weekly programme, ‘The Public Interest’, the President pointed out that a large part of the population had never previously participated in LGE, thus much ignorance exists in this respect.

FLASHBACK: President David Granger and others, while in Opposition, protesting outside the then Office of the President, urging for LGE to be held

He called on those contesting the elections to play a more active role. “Individual contestants who want to participate should go house-to-house…I expect the political candidates to also be part of the information process,” he said. The President added, “APNU, in particular, has been campaigning for nearly three years. I don’t share the view that there is no enthusiasm. What I can say is that a large part of the population never participated in the elections before, so there might be ignorance; but it’s not ignorance born out of apathy, probably it’s ignorance born out of lack of information,” the President opined. The President agrees that

more needs to be done to educate the public, but he made it clear that the Government and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) should not be blamed for this lack of information. “I would admit, too, that there is a literacy problem in some communities, and merely handing out leaflets is not going to solve the problem. You need multi– media approach; you need to use social media; you need to use television; you need to use face-to-face contact; you need to have maybe street fairs and plays, explaining how to vote and who to vote for; who can be a candidate; what Local Government Elections are all about; and it’s never going

since the deceased had merely broad-sided him with a cutlass after he had first attacked the minibus driver. Leander said the State had produced witnesses who gave evidence in the court, and the State’s case was not based on speculation, as indicated by the defence. She urged the jury to deliver a guilty verdict, since the accused had inflicted on the deceased the injury which had caused his death. According to reports, Fiffee, a father of two, was loading his minibus at the Plaisance bus park, on Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic, when Jerrick began urinating on the wheel of the vehicle. Fiffee confronted Jerrick and an argument ensued. Jerrick reportedly stabbed Fiffee to the upper right chest. Fiffee was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) by a public-spirited citizen, where he later succumbed. Following investigations into the incident, the accused, who had been evading capture for a few days, turned himself over to the police on August 2. The State is being represented by Narissa Leander, Siand Dhurjon and Michael Shahoud, while defence counsels are Nigel Hughes and Peter Hugh, in association with Savannah Barnwell. Justice Singh will sum the evidence to the jury up on Monday at 09:00 hrs.

to be enough,” President Granger said. While in the Opposition, the President and his party members had picketed the then Office of the President on a weekly basis, calling for announcement of a date for holding LGE, given that those elections were last held in 1994. Now that he is in office, and a date has been set, the President says he feels “good” about it. “It feels good because we committed ourselves to Local Government Elections; we worked in the 10th Parliament -- both the APNU+AFC. We feel it is not something monumental, we feel it is fundamental to democracy, and people in all of the regions and neighbourhoods and municipalities should run their own affairs,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

NO MISHANDLING OF WALES ‒ President says was a Cabinet decision By Fareeza Haniff PRESIDENT David Granger does not believe that his administration has mishandled the situation regarding the Wales estate closure. He has, however, admitted that Government should have reached out to the Wales estate workers following the announcement of its intended merger with the Uitvlugt estate. Government’s approach in regard to the situation has been criticised in certain quarters, with veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis, in a statement, saying, “The manner in which the announcement of the Wales proposed merger was made has contributed to polarisation in the society, and this will deepen and widen if a process is not arrived at to bring stakeholders to the decision-making table.” Asked by the Guyana Chronicle about the issue during his weekly programme, the Public Interest, President Granger expressed a divergent view: “No, I don’t believe that the Government mishandled (the situation). I do believe that enough information was in the public domain, and the public ought to have been aware of the fact that serious decisions had to be implemented in the sugar industry,” the President said. He also believes that sugar workers ought to be properly informed in the future

if such a decision is to be taken. “And I do believe, too, that in the event of another closure -- it’s unlikely that (closure of another estate) is contemplated -- that people should be given longer notice; but in this particular case, it was a fact that the Wales factory was underperforming in a serious way,” the President affirmed. Since the impending closure of the Wales estate was announcement in January, Government officials are yet to meet with those sugar workers who are going to be affected, and this is something which the President believes Agriculture Minister Noel Holder should undertake. “I am not aware that (Minister Holder) did not go ‘to the ground’ at Wales, but this is something that can be rectified. I would agree that the workers need to be engaged by State officials face– to–face,” the President said. CABINET DECISION Upon assuming office in May 2015, Government launched a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). That CoI report recommended that GuySuCo be privatised in three years’ time. As such, the administration came in for criticisms after it decided to go ahead with the merger. President Granger has

revealed that it was Cabinet, and not the Board of GuySuCo, which ultimately made the decision to merge the estates. “Yes, a decision was taken to close Wales, and it’s a decision which the Cabinet is responsible for; and I think (that) in the fullness of time, it will be shown that the money saved from attempting to keep a dysfunctional factory working is better spent improving other areas. That is: improving the field, rather than the factory,” the President explained. According to the President, the question of the state of GuySuCo has been in the public domain for several years because of the decline in production, problems with the factory at Skeldon, poor labour turnout, high production cost and low international market prices for sugar. The President made it clear that there was no immediate plan to privatise GuySuCo. He pointed out that the CoI report would be discussed in the National Assembly, after which there would be a national consultation on the state of the sugar industry. Government has noted that the Wales Estate was projected to make losses of between $1.6B and $1.9B in 2016, and requires extensive repairs to remain operable after suffering years of neglect. The Ministry of Agriculture has revealed that the

Decorations of a different colour

President David Granger

investment required to refurbish Wales estate remains significant, and the finances are simply not available. “Diverting funds from the other estates to keep Wales afloat would seriously jeopardise the future of these estates. This cannot be allowed to happen,” Government had said. Wales estate will be merged with Uitvlugt estate at the end of the 2016 second crop; and with effect from 2017, farmers’ canes will be milled at the Uitvlugt factory. During this year, the routing of the farmers’ cane to Uitvlugt would be determined to ensure the least additional cost; agricultural workers at Wales will be absorbed by Uitvlugt up to the extent of suitable vacancies on that location. Surplus labour would have to be made redundant, and the same principle would apply to the other departments.

GREEN and yellow are apparently hard on the eyes of the Opposition, and the public has been having a ball with these colours these last few days. A former female minister, in a spirited statement, said it is offensive that the buses and boats in the Government’s initiative, as well as other projects, should be painted in the APNU colours. She called for an “immediate halt” to such activities, while assuring the public that the PPP/C “never painted things black and gold”. Well, perhaps the Opposition members never “painted”, but they have certainly used those colours as decorations in previous events, as was quickly pointed out by members of the public. Could it be a case of early onset Dementia? Meanwhile, memes have begun to surface as people posted various photographs of popular entities with green and yellow branding, such as the GuySuCo Logo, the Guyana Jaguars cricket team uniform, and even Fly Jamaica. So, they are asking, are these items an eyesore too? Some people really want to know…

Zika on the ‘rise’

The Centre for Disease Control has warned travellers who have been to Zika-infested areas to use a condom in having sex, in order to avoid passing on the virus to their partners; and if their partners are already pregnant, to abstain from engaging in sex until after the birth of the baby. Things are getting even more serious with Zika. Of course people have joked that this is just another form of population control, but one could never be too sure. Better to be safe, right? At least for now.

Police promotions Work on Kitty list to be cut Market begins Wednesday 3 held for unlicensed

By Leroy Smith

THE list submitted by the Guyana Police Force to the Police Service Commission for the consideration of promotions will not have an easy passage. The Guyana Chronicle was on Friday reliably informed by sources close to the Commission that some names will be slashed from the list, which, according to sources, consists of persons who still have disciplinary matters before the Commission and the Police Office of Professional Responsibility; while others on the list are on pre-retirement leave and would, by the time the list is processed, have gone into retirement. Moreover, the Commission is still in the process of scrutinizing the list to

ensure that its final output is in keeping with the needs of the Guyana Police Force. The vetting of the list is taking more than one month beyond the traditional December monthend period when the list is usually released and the promotions announced. The promotions were not announced last year since, according to the Police Service Commission, the list from the GPF was received late. The Commission, in January, said it would be able to release the list of promotions only on or before February 23, given the amount of work that has to be put into making the list a ‘clean one’, and ensuring that those promoted to higher office are suitable.

THE EYESORE Kitty Market will, from Wednesday next, undergo restorative work undertaken by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), after sitting in its dilapidated state for years. Town Clerk Royston King made this disclosure during a press conference on Thursday, and said: “After a comprehensive inspection of the facility on Thursday, the Council decided that we have the competency to restore the market ourselves.” He accordingly ordered the City Engineer’s Department to begin work on the facility, as of Wednesday, in an initiative which would cost approximately $240M,

according to King. The M&CC is currently in the process of procuring materials for the work, and informing the 46 stall owners that they can be temporarily located across the street, so that work on the structure might not be hindered. “We will ask them to cooperate and support the venture, because it will be one that will help to generate a substantial amount of revenue when completed,” the Town Clerk said, while explaining that the rental fees are expected to be increased. The restoration exercise is expected to last for three months.

guns, ammo

THREE men are in police custody as investigations continue into the discovery on Thursday of illegal guns and ammunition at Turtle Creek, Mazaruni. Acting on information, police ranks arrested the three men in whose possession were found an unlicensed .32 pistol with three rounds, an unlicensed .38 revolver with three rounds, and an ATV that is suspected to have been unlawfully obtained, a police release has stated.

New Boards to process Public Assistance

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

This Week

50 Years Ago

Minister Lawrence meeting with members of three of the five Boards responsible for Region Three at the West Demerara Secondary School on Friday

THE Ministry of Social Protection has installed new local Boards of Guardian across the country to process public assistance applications. Effective from February 1, the Local Board of Guardians has been responsible for evaluating and determining the legitimacy of the public assistance applications from outside of Georgetown, to ensure that taxpayers’ dollars are justifiably spent. Public Assistance is a form of temporary financial assistance issued by the Government of Guyana to specific persons, including the aged, infirm, sick, destitute, and children below the age of 14. Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, met members of three of the five Boards responsible for Region Three on Friday at the West Demerara Secondary School, and apprised them of their roles and responsibilities. She urged them to be compassionate towards persons seeking assistance, and at all times to treat cases with the highest

confidentiality. The minister also encouraged the Board members to network with other services offered by the Ministry, such as training through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), and job placement through the Central Manpower Agency, in order to further empower persons seeking public assistance. Underscoring the importance of this, the Minister revealed that the Ministry plans to introduce, in 2017, conditional cash transfers which will seek to empower families rather than individuals. Board members are appointed by the Minister of Social Protection in accordance with the Pension Ordinances, Chapters 36:02 and 36:03 respectively. Members are selected from communities within the regions. The several persons from the previous Boards whose mandates have recently expired were returned to serve on the new Boards. There are 28 such Boards across the country, all of which report to the Poor Law Com-

Nude body washes up at Whim Foreshore

THE nude body of an as yet unidentified man of East Indian descent was found on the Whim Foreshore in Corentyne at about 09:00 hrs on Friday. A police report described the deceased as being about 5’ 6” in height, brown complexioned, and appearing to be in his mid-forties. The body is at the Port Mourant Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

mission, which also has responsibility for public assistance in Georgetown. The commission’s authority includes consideration, amendment, discontinuation, and restoration of the relief granted by the Local Board of Guardians. This is done based on reports presented by Social Services Officers, who are required to investigate each claim in collaboration with relevant entities such as the National Insurance Scheme, in cases of medical conditions and disability.

On February 6, 1966, these two dancers entertained Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the Prime Minister’s Reception held at the Theater Guild

Teenage sex Murder case now workers on manslaughter case robbery charge THREE teenage male sex workers appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday, charged with the offence of armed robbery. The matter was held in camera, since they are minors ranging in age from 14 to 16 years old. The trio has pleaded not guilty to a charge detailing that on Wednesday, February 3, being armed with a knife, they robbed an elderly man of $110,000 in cash. Magistrate McLennan

remanded the 16-year-old to prison and placed the two younger defendants on $25,000 bail each. The matter will be called again on February 25. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the three accused are no strangers to the court, since they have prior charges and convictions. The current charge stems from a video which went viral on social media, with one accused worker verbally and physically assaulting the victim.

AFTER a year-long Preliminary Inquiry (PI) of a murder, 47-year-old Jamal Bacchus of Caledonia, East Bank Demerara was committed to face a judge and jury for the offence of manslaughter. At the end of the PI, Magistrate Fabayo Azore decided to reduce the murder charge to manslaughter, based on the evidence provided in court. It is alleged that on February 4, 2015, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport access road, Bacchus murdered minibus driver Dhanshana Ram. Bacchus is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes. According to a police report, on the day in question, Ram sustained stab wounds about his body during an

argument at Timehri. Ram was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Jamal Bacchus

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

DEA to open office next week

US Ambassador Perry Holloway

THE United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will be officially opened in Guyana next Wednesday, a statement from the United States Embassy in Georgetown said on Friday. The office, to be stationed at the US Embassy, will be declared open by US Ambassador Perry Holloway and a senior Guyana Government official. Ambassador Hol-

loway had, in October at his first press conference, said the DEA would have been permanently staffed by January 15; and he had announced that someone has been selected to head the local office but he was not at liberty to divulge the identity of the person. Holloway had then explained that there were a number of temporary personnel, stationed in Guyana during 2015, who worked round the clock to ensure that all is in place for the full complement of staff and activities. “We have had a number of DEA temporary-duty personnel stationed here for weeks and months at a time,” he said. This has been ongoing since the office was set up in 2014. Since the establishment of the DEA office here, the ambassador said, “We have started ramping up the office.” Officials from the DEA have been working along with local authorities to improve certain aspects of Drug Enforcement. “They have already been

No-contest in 4 Local Authority Areas ‒ process of printing ballot papers begins By Ariana Gordon THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) announced on Friday that ballot papers will not be printed for four Local Authority Areas for the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE). GECOM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield told reporters that in the four Local Authority Areas, only one person expressed interest in contesting the elections. As such, GECOM is considered giving those areas a no-contest certification. “We have a scenario where there are four no-contests, meaning (that) in four of the 71 Local Authority Areas, there was no contest… only one party would have indicated their interest on Nomination Day to participate,” Mr Lowenfield said. The Local Government Elections Law states that where the list of candidates is unopposed, the lists or candidates are deemed to have been elected. The four Local Authority Areas are: Mocha-Arcadia, Kintyre-Borlam, Black Bush Polder, and

GECOM’S Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield

Crabwood Creek- Moleson Creek. The CEO was, however, quick to point out that though the areas are no-contest areas, it does not mean that they are sparsely populated. He could not, at time of the press conference, provide the numbers of persons who would not be voting in those no-contest areas. “The Commission has addressed that issue as far as going forward, since it has implications for the production of our ballot papers in those areas and otherwise,” Turn to page 23 ►

working very closely with the appropriate Guyanese authorities on cases, training, technical assistance…,” the US Ambassador told reporters in October. The DEA office has been set up here to go after drug lords who are bent on transporting narcotics through whatever means possible. In 2014, former US Ambassador Brent Hardt had said the DEA would be bringing equipment and personnel to Guyana to ensure the office

is adequately furnished. It was noted that officers of both the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the police would be screened so as to ensure that information is not leaked to those suspected of being part of the narcotics trade. But while the US is furnishing the DEA’s office in Georgetown, and providing the requisite skills and expertise to the local law enforcement bodies, it is only local officers within those agencies that

will be responsible for arresting suspects, after receiving and sharing critical information with the DEA. The aim, therefore, is to build cases and ensure prosecution. The former administration, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), was slammed by the APNU-AFC administration, while in Opposition, for its slothful approach to having the DEA office established. The failure of that administration to implement a National Drug Strategy Mas-

ter Plan and provide CANU and the police with the requisite assets was considered to be a lack of interest in the establishment of the DEA office here. It is believed that establishment of the DEA office here will see Guyana, a major transshipment point for drugs entering the US, being better supported to tackle the narco-trade, traffickers, and smuggling across the country’s porous borders.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

Region 2 RDC on ‘mission to thwart’ their corporate responsibility, hence they had been actively involved in the development of the region.

--says REO Rupert Hopkinson By Svetlana Marshall

REFUTING allegations that he was overstepping his boundary as the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Mr Rupert Hopkinson has, in his defence, said he would not sit idly by and allow the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) - dominated by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Councillors -- to stymie the development of the Pomeroon-Supenaam District. Addressing reporters in the region during a press conference called by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon during the ‘Meet the Public Day’ at Perth Park, Hopkinson refuted this allegation and said the RDC is divided on issues of development; hence, the support element is missing. Residents had com-

plained that the REO was micromanaging the region, usurping the duties of even the engineers within the region; but Hopkinson denied that this was so. Mr Hopkinson posited: “I think the RDC is on a mission to thwart our efforts. It you thwart our efforts then you give the impression that much is not being done for the region.” Mr Hopkinson said he would often admonish Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt on the importance of putting aside their political differences for the development of the region. “I have said to the Chairman: ‘If we don’t come together, if we don’t agree, then production is simply going to be stymied’.” Questioned on whether he would have taken any unilateral decision, Mr Hopkinson responded in the negative. “I have always done things with the knowledge of the Chair-

Region 2 REO Rupert Hopkinson man, but not necessarily with his concurrence,” he told reporters. “Do we wait until someone says ‘yes’ at the expense of production, at the expense of the development of the region? Do we wait?” PRESSURED Hopkinson strongly believes that the Regional Chairman is in support of the development of the region but is being pressured by his colleagues to pursue an anti-development agenda. “You know what the Regional Chairman would have said to me, ‘I have nothing against progress, but the

Region 2 Chairman Devanand Ramdatt guys are saying that I am too soft’. I know that deep down inside, he wants to see development. In his mind, he believes that we should continue our work, (but) he tells me that the guys don’t want him to support our work, and so I understand.” However, in order to pursue his developmental agenda, REO Hopkinson would often solicit the support of communities at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). He said he has been able to convince the residents and the business community to fulfill

NO SUCH DISCUSSION But, on Friday, the Regional Chairman told the Guyana Chronicle that he never had any such discussion with the REO pertaining to him being influenced to pursue an anti-developmental agenda. Mr Ramdatt said it is Mr Hopkinson who is failing the people of the region. He explained that, on a monthly basis, the Council is convened and developmental issues would be raised; and the REO, being the clerk of the Council, would be given clear instructions. But, Mr Ramdatt said, the minutes of these meetings would show that the REO had, on numerous occasions, failed to execute his duties. “Even councillors from the APNU+AFC Government have expressed dissatisfaction that problems identified by the Council are not being addressed by the REO,” Ramdatt charged.

Instead of executing his duty, Mr Ramdatt reported, Mr Hopkinson has been overstepping his professional boundaries. “In December, he employed an admin officer when there was never a post for that position. The person’s service was terminated this year, (but) I wasn’t aware,” Mr Ramdatt pointed out, noting that Mr Hopkinson could not justify his decision to hire an admin officer, or his decision to terminate his service without the approval of the Chairman or the Council. According to Mr Ramdatt, it is clear that Mr Hopkinson does not understand his functions. “He has to understand that this is not the private sector, and he doesn’t own the region. Mr Hopkinson needs to understand that he is a public servant and not an elected official,” the Regional Chairman said. However, he said he is prepared to sit with the REO to address problems for the betterment of the people of Essequibo.

QC launches ‘Operation Safe and Sound’

UNDER the theme ‘I am a Survivor’, Operation Safe and Sound was on Friday officially launched by four Queen’s College students who are seeking to lend support to tackling the issue of suicide throughout schools in Guyana. The students: Angelina Boodhoo, Akarshini Singh, Shafeena Milton and Wei Jun Wong, all agreed that the project aims at educating fellow students on the signs and symptoms that characterise imminent suicide victims, finding positivity in life, and knowing how to seek help.

The operation sought to introduce ‘The Elder’s Sibling Programme’, where a responsible, mature, upper school student poses as a ‘sibling’ and lends emotional support, advice and academic help to a student of any age. Diego Alphonso, Administrator of the Men’s Affairs Bureau, congratulated the students on this initiative, and noted that it is a model which could be adopted in other schools countrywide. This initiative comes at a time when the Ministry of Social Protection is intensifying

its efforts to prevent suicide by taking the message to grassroots fora, including schools, communities and workplaces. This week, a suicide prevention conference for staff was hosted by Qualfon and was facilitated by Alphonso and Adel Lilly, Gender Specialist within the Social Protection Ministry. The discussion also included gender-based violence and anger management. An outreach was subsequently conducted at the Buxton Secondary School as part of the ongoing collaboration with the

Community Policing Group of C1 Division, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Several Ministers of Government have just recently met to discuss suicide prevention in Guyana, after the incidence was perceived to be spiralling out of control. The workshop saw presentation of the National Suicide Prevention Plan 2015-2020 by Dr Bhiro Harry, Head of the Ministry of Public Health’s Mental Health Unit. With Guyana being ranked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) report in 2014 as

having the highest suicide rate relative to its population, the suicide prevention strategy aims to “reduce the incidence of attempted suicide and suicide mortality by more than 50 per cent, thereby preventing premature death from suicide, or morbidity/ disability from attempted suicide across the lifespan”. The 50 per cent range, according to Dr Harry, was chosen because it is a realistic target, which could be achieved once the proposed plans are executed successfully. The line of action proposed

in the document which was presented last year includes risk factors’ reduction, health promotion, and prevention of suicidal behaviour; reduction of access to the means of suicide; health system response to suicidal behaviour; and suicide surveillance and research. If you, or anyone you know, are/is experiencing suicidal thoughts, speak to a family member or leader in your community, or call the suicide helpline on telephone numbers (+592) 2230001, 223-0009, 600-7896, 623-4444. Say yes to life!

The four Queen’s College students flanked by supporting officials at the launch of ‘Operation Safe and Sound’ on Friday

woman

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

Fourth man charged with bank robbery KITTY resident Shawn Harris is the fourth person to be charged in connection with the recent Bank of Baroda robbery committed at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Recently released from prison after serving a sentence on a drug charge, the 27-year-old Harris appeared before Sparendaam Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul to answer to the charge of robbery. The Pike Street

resident was not allowed to plead to the indictable charge, which detailed that on January 22, 2016 at Mon Repos, ECD, being armed with a gun and in company of others, Harris robbed Bank of Baroda tellers Raywantie Lall and Latchmie Mohabir of $2.75 million; and Shirley Lucas, a female security guard, of her .32 Taurus revolver, property of RK Security Service. The Police Prosecutor

objected to bail, since there was no assurance that the defendant would return to court, and there are three others charged and on remand in connection with the matter at hand. Moreover, the prosecutor pointed out that the police had retrieved some of the money. Harris was refused bail, and he has to return to court on February 18, 2016. The matter was heard at the Better Hope Community

Centre because the Sparendam Magistrateâ€™s Court is under reconstruction. Thirty-one-yearold Sean Anthony Aaron, who is a taxi driver of North-East La Penitence; 28-year-old Kennard Jabar of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, who is self-employed; and 39-year-old graphic artist Eon Campbell of Campbellville are the three other persons jointly charged for the said rob-

bery. They are remanded, and the matter has been transferred to the Vigilance Magistrates Court for February 9. Members of the trio had made their first appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on January 26, 2016. Police are stilling looking for Timothy Asher Morrison of Bougainvillea Park, East Bank Demerara.

Shawn Harris

Saturday, February 6, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, February 7, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Friday, February 8, 2016 - 05:00 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

Vulnerable men getting attention

Diego Alphonso, Administrator of the Men's Affairs Bureau, speaking to participants of the drug rehabilitation programme (Ministry of Social Protection photo)

THE Ministry of Social Protection, in partnership with the Salvation Army, has extended its reach to men in rehabilitation. The Men’s Affairs Bureau of the Ministry conducts weekly visits to the Salvation Army’s Social Centre, which caters to men recovering from drug addiction, a statement from the Ministry of Social Protection said on Friday. The outreach is geared

at improving the men’s anger management skills and helping them to better deal with social issues, such as violence and suicide. The Ministry of Social Protection, through the Men’s Affairs Bureau, has partnered with the Salvation Army since 2014, and that partnership has benefited several men who were part of the Salvation Army’s Rehabilitation Programme. For more than a century,

Salvation Army has worked in Guyana in the areas of evangelism, education, and its drug rehabilitation programme, among other areas. The organization, which has received a national award for its work in drug rehabilitation, receives an annual subvention from the Government to assist in executing the programme that is offered to drug addicts at a minimal cost.

No-contest in 4 Local... he disclosed. Of a total of 508 constituencies, there are 149 in which the lists are unopposed. As such, eligible voters will be required to vote in only the Proportional Representation aspect of the election. Only voluntary groups and political parties can contest in the Proportional Representation aspect of these elections. Under the First-Past-ThePost Component of the election, an individual candidate can contest for only one seat in a single constituency in which he or she is registered and resides. Fifty per cent of the number of councillors of each Local Authority Area will be elected through Proportional Representation, while the other 50 per cent will be elected through the First-Past-thePost method. BALLOT PAPERS Mr Lowenfield told reporters that GECOM is in process of producing the ballot papers for the LGE. He said the Commission is working towards having the ballots printed and returned to the country “in an appropriate

time” before the March 18 elections. The artwork on the ballots is currently being done, Mr Lowenfield said. “I should let you know the format for the ballot; it speaks to the Proportional Representation (PR) component and FirstPast-the-Post arrangement. Of interest is that each party will have their party symbol, and in the case of parties participating in the First-Past- the-Post, the photograph of the representative of the party for whom electors will be voting in those particular constituencies.” What it means is that the ballots will have photographs of those individuals whom the electorate is required to vote for on Election Day. “Even if they missed the symbol for the voluntary group or for the individual, the photographs of those individuals for whom they are voting in each constituency; and if is a party…will be there,” the CEO said. He disclosed that the ballots will be printed in Montreal, Canada, and that process will be observed by the GECOM Commissioners.

From page 19

GECOM is currently “satisfying all the administrative requirements” for the acquisition of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials required for LGE. Along with the ballot papers, the Statement of Poll and tally sheets will also be printed in Canada. “It is a work in progress, and we are confident that we will be able, notwithstanding where we acquiring them from, they’d be here in good time so that the process continues without any flaws,” Mr Lowenfield noted. The Commission is not at all worried about securing the integrity of the ballot papers and Statements of Poll, and GECOM’s Chair, Dr. Steve Surujbally, told reporters that it would be difficult for persons to tamper with the ballot papers or Statements of Poll as was the case in the May 2015 General Elections. “Our security system proved itself because we were able to pick up the non-correct ones immediately. It is as simple as that,” he declared. He is not at all worried about the integrity of the sensitive documents being tampered with.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, February 6, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

African confederation backs Salman for FIFA job By Clement Uwiringiyimana

KIGALI, Bahrain `(Reuters) - Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa received a major boost in his bid to become the next FIFA president when he received endorsement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) yesterday. Salman and Swiss Gianni Infantino now appear to be the frontrunners to win this month’s presidential election at soccer’s ruling body FIFA, which has been embroiled in a huge cor-

ruption scandal that has seen 41 people and entities indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice. The governing body of soccer in Africa, which has 54 full voting members, said Asian Football Confederation president Salman was its preferred candidate for the poll in Zurich on February 26 that will determine who succeeds Swiss Sepp Blatter. “CAF will give full support to Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa towards his candidacy for the FIFA presidency,” vice-president Suketu Patel told reporters before declining to answer

questions. Salman already has the backing of his own Asian confederation while Infantino, general secretary of UEFA, has the support of his European organisation along with the 10-member South American confederation CONMEBOL. “I am deeply honoured to have earned the trust of many of our African friends at this crucial stage of the campaign effort,” Salman said in a statement. SECRET BALLOT “The two endorsements only

Ramchand’s Wreckers ready for GMRSC Endurance WITH less than 72 hours remaining before the season’s opening Endurance Race of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club, top dogs Ramchand’s Wreckers are priming for a battle with some of Guyana’s finest. Team principal and owner Anand Ramchand, who spoke to the media yesterday, confirmed that the team is looking good in terms of preparation, adding, “We are looking forward to a lot of competition; this year looks like a lot of competition and we are looking forward to the big guns.” He contended that he will field a four-car team in

this event come tomorrow, inclusive of two Toyota Celica, a Toyota Levin and a surprise package that will take the field by storm. Though he declined to name the fourth car, he confirmed that all competitors on the day will be blown away by its ability. Ramchand will team up with long time racing partner Adrian Fernandes inside their Celica, come race day. “It’s a fair day and we want to have fun; it’s all about endurance and finishing the race and who can show the skills. The endurance race is something that is free and fun,”

said Ramchand. In keeping with tradition, cars will be placed into groups based on engine capacity and will compete for three hours along the largest version of the South Dakota Circuit. In an added attraction for fans, there will be a several three-lap superstreet races where street cars will be allowed to race along the smaller track. The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has also announced that spectator admission is free and the event begins at 10:00hrs. (Stephan Sookram)

President ... From Backpage

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:25 hrs Fah Fee 09:00 hrs American Story 09:35 hrs Shadow Ofhis Smile 10:10 hrs Champagne Haze 10:45 hrs She’s A Dragon 11:20 hrs Lady Al English Racing Tips Sandown 08:40 hrs Seven Kingdoms 09:50 hrs Arthur’s Oak 10:25 hrs Maximiser 11:00 hrs Ibis Du Rheu 11:30 hrs Summery Justice 12:05 hrs Perceus Wetherby 09:00 hrs Pink Play 09:35 hrs Katkeau 10:10 hrs Bigironhiship 10:45 hrs Native River 11:20 hrs Waterclock 11:55 hrs Big Fella Thanks 12:30 hrs Applaus Lingfield 09:10 hrs Clement

09:45 hrs Rivellino 10:20 hrs Burning Thread 10:55 hrs Grendisar 11:30 hrs Shyron 12:05 hrs Miss Giler 12:35 hrs Golly Miss Molly Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 08:55 hrs Ivanovich Gorbaton 09:25 hrs Good As Gold 09:55 hrs Bell Shill 10:30 hrs Pont Alexandre 11:05 hrs Vercingetorux 11:40 hrs Road To Riches 12:15 hrs On The Fringe 11:45 hrs Some Neck American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Regulus Race 2 Yummy Bear Race 3 Vincento Race 4 Mambo At the Gym Race 5 Wine Not Race 6 Andrew’s Got Zip Race 7 Drive Race 8 Granpa Len Race 9 Here Comes Tommy

its fourth Patron. The club, she noted was quite passionate about its work and was very generous with its time, energy and spirit. She stated that it was an honour to pass on the Patron’s baton to President Granger. President Granger, after taking the Patron’s Pledge, expressed his delight at being offered the opportunity to serve the club in such an important role. He committed himself to working along with the membership of the club to make a positive difference, and expressed the hope that every township and region in Guyana can have a club like the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club. Describing the RHTYSC as a treasure, President Granger urged management to share its vast experience and contacts with the corporate community, with other communities across Guyana. The new Patron also urged club members to always strive for excellence.

mean there is a strong groundswell in favour of my candidacy. What they don’t mean is that I can sit back and relax. This campaign will be decided on the day of the vote, not before. “Naturally I am confident I now have a reasonably strong position to work from with such support,” added Salman.

The FIFA poll will be a secret ballot and the support of executive committees for candidates does not necessarily translate into a united block of votes. The decision is a blow to South African candidate Tokyo Sexwale who had been aiming to get the support of his own continent but has recently been under pressure to withdraw.

A spokesman for Sexwale was not available for immediate comment. CAF listened to presentations from Salman, Sexwale, Infantino and Frenchman Jerome Champagne, the former FIFA deputy general secretary, who all travelled to Rwanda to attend the meeting.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

Under-19 World Cup 2016

Zakir, Mehedi fifties guide Bangladesh U19s to semi-finals A S P L E N D I D 11 3 - r u n fifth-wicket stand between captain Mehedi Hasan and Zakir Hasan steered Bangladesh U19s to the semi-finals after completing a six-wicket win against Nepal U19s in Dhaka. The pressure steadily built on the pair after Joyraz Sheikh was dismissed for a patient 38. However, they found the boundary, rotated the strike and compiled fifties in the process as Bangladesh

reached the target with 10 balls to spare. Earlier in the chase, Nepal had chipped away at the wickets and gained a slight edge despite contributions from Joyraz and Pinak Ghosh (32). Off-spinner Sunil Dhamala was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2 for 33 from his 10 overs. Raju Rijal had set up Nepalâ€™s score of 211 with a fluent 80-ball 72, which

comprised eight fours and a six. He strung handy stands of 44, 51 and 32 with Dhamala (25), Arif Sheikh (21) and Rajbir Singh. Some useful cameos lower down the order eked out 51 from the last 10 overs. Fast bowler Mohammad Saifuddin picked up 2 for 38. Karim Janat smashed a 132-ball 156 to propel Afghanistan U19s to a massive 226-run victory against Fiji U19s in the ninth-place play-

off in Coxâ€™s Bazar. After being inserted to bat, Afghanistan piled on 340 for 9 and then bowled out Fiji for 114 in the 32nd over. Perwez Malakzai (74 off 69) combined with Janat to add 130 in a fourth-wicket stand to rescue Afghanistan from 47 for 3. The middle and lower order contributed handy cameos to help add 73 in the last 44 balls. Peni Wuniwaqa picked up three for 41 and T. Veitacini claimed two scalps. Fiji were never really in the chase after losing Delaimatuku Maraiwai off the first ball of the innings. They were soon reduced to 18 for 5 before Malakai Cokovaki (25) and Josaia Baleicikoibia (29) shared a

50-run stand. Another clump of wickets soon fell and Fiji were bundled out. Nijat Masood returned figures of 6-1-6-3, while Rashid Khan claimed 3 for 16. A collective bowling effort, led by Jeremy Ives, followed by a fifty from opener Shaun Snyder helped Zimbabwe U19s seal a comfortable win against Canada U19s in the ninth pace playoff quarter-final. After opting to bat, Canada were quickly reduced to 21 for 2 and then 56 for 3. Harsh Thaker (23), Amish Taploo (37), Abraash Khan (32), Arslan Khan (31) all got starts in the middle order, but gave them away. Slow leftarm spinning all-rounder Ives

was the pick of the bowlers for Zimbabwe with figures of 3 for 30. The lower order also struggled for momentum as Canada crawled to 186 for 8. Ives starred with the bat as well, making an unbeaten 43 off 55 balls to steer his side home. It came after a strong opening partnership of 89 between Snyder and Wesley Madhevere. While Madhevere was dismissed for 31, Snyder went on to stroke his second successive half-century. Ives and William Mashinge added 46 together, to ensure that the chase was completed in 31.4 overs with six wickets in hand. (ESPN Cricinfo).

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

IAAF to probe Chinese letter pointing to systematic doping by Ma (REUTERS) - World athletics body IAAF said yesterday it would investigate the authenticity of a letter signed by 10 Chinese athletes that says a Chinese Olympic coach ran a systematic doping programme up to the mid-1990s. Signatories to the 21-yearold letter, published for the first time on private news portal Tencent Sports, included women’s long-distance runner Wang Junxia, an Olympic champion and world record-holder. The allegations in the document, which Chinese TV channel CCTV and other state media also reported, date back to before the IAAF presidency of Lamine Diack, who took over in 1999. Reuters could not independently confirm the authenticity of the letter and was unable to reach Wang or the coach the document named, Ma Junren. The letter, sent in March 1995 to journalist Zhao Yu but never previously publicised, suggests Ma ran a systematic doping programme in China some two decades ago. Reuters was unable to reach Zhao for comment.

leading to the country’s athletes being banned from the sport indefinitely.

Ma Junren (C), veteran track coach of China’s national team, is interviewed beside 17-year-old Sun Weiwei (L) from China after she won the Hong Kong marathon February 16, 2003. The IAAF said its first action would be to verify that the letter was genuine. “In this respect, the IAAF has asked the Chinese Athletics Association to assist it in that process,” it said. An executive at the Chinese

Athletics Association declined to comment. The release of the Chinese letter comes as Diack, the former head of world athletics, is under investigation by French authorities for corruption. According to a World An-

ti-Doping Agency (WADA) report, Diack ran a clique that covered up organised doping and blackmailed athletes while senior officials looked the other way. The WADA report found a “deeply rooted culture of cheating” in Russian athletics,

‘CHANGING PERCEPTIONS’ Wang, whose 1993 world records for 3 000 and 10 000 metres still stand, was among a team coached by Ma, who for years had been dogged by doping allegations. “For many years, (Ma) forced us to take large doses of banned drugs, it was true,” the letter signed by her and nine others said. “Our feelings are sorry and complex when exposing his deeds. We are also worried that we would harm our country’s fame and reduce the worth of the gold medals we have worked very hard to get.” Ma has consistently denied the drug claims and said his athletes reached such levels through hard work and natural remedies, including turtle’s blood. However, in 2000, Chinese authorities fired Ma from the Olympic team after six of his athletes failed drug tests. The organisation confirmed

that any athlete admitting to taking an illegal substance at some time prior to setting a world record would have the mark removed. Tencent Sports said details of doping had been deleted from a book on Ma that Zhao had published in 1993. However, these details were reinserted in a recent re-publication. “We (author and editors) previously believed that the doping part was too sensitive, but now it’s a better time as Chinese people’s perceptions towards sports have changed substantially,” Zhao told the news website. In 1993 alone, Ma’s team broke 66 domestic and world records, CCTV said. They took all three medals in the 5 000 metres and gold and silver in the 10 000 metres at the Stuttgart world championships. His athletes smashed three world records at the Chinese national championships, with Wang taking 42 seconds off the 10 000 metres mark. She went on to win 5 000m gold and 10 000m silver at the 1996 Olympics.

Ansa McAl supports YWCC Mash Cup DISTRIBUTION giant Ansa McAl Trading has once again come on board with the now-popular annual fund-raiser of the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice - Mash Cup 2016. At a simple presentation ceremony held recently, Imran Khan, Marketing Representative of the Berbice area, handed over the sponsorship cheque to Hubern Evans, senior coach of the club. Khan said that his company is proud to be associated with the cricket club, which has over the years produced many outstanding cricketers, with the latest being current West Indies Under-19 captain Shimron Hetmyer, who is

GCA/NBS second division semi-finals on today

THE semi-finals of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)-sponsored New Building Society second division 40-over cricket tournament will be played today at separate venues in the city. Georgetown Cricket Club will host Transport Sport Club while Demerara Cricket Club will play Everest Cricket Club at their Queenstown-based venue. Both games are scheduled to commence at 11:00hrs. Meanwhile, play in the Gise/Star Party Rentals/ Trophy Stall first division two-day tournament continues this weekend. Police will tackle GDF at Camp Ayanganna, while GNIC oppose UG at Malteenoes.

follow suit. Evans warned that the pattern of crime these days involves many youths. This event will form part of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebration, with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club’s facilities and its day-to-day running. In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the Number 19 to Gangaram area. The tournament will be played on February 23 - a national holiday - and will involve 10 second division teams from the area. It will be five overs-a-side with no first division cricketer allowed. Top clubs such as Canje Pathfinders, Betsy Ground Triple Stars, Kendall’s Union A, Rose Hall Community Centre and the host club are expected to compete for top honours. Incentives, to the value of over $100 000, will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes.

YWCC senior coach Hubern Evans receives the sponsorship cheque from Marketing Representative Imran Khan. in Bangladesh for the Youth World Cup. Hetmyer is also a senior national opener. Khan continued by commending the club for providing opportunities for the young people in the Canje area. He also praised the club for the level of accountability they have shown over the years. Evans, in reply, thanked the company for coming on board once again after providing support for every tournament since its inception. He said that despite the challenges faced, the club continues to march forward. Evans emphasised that Ansa McAl Trading has been one of the biggest sponsors of the annual fund-raiser over the years. He called on other businesses and private individuals to

Busy weekend for local golfers

LOCAL golfers will be in action for the entire weekend at Guyana’s lone golf course, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, when they take part in the Vish Trading Inc. and Caddies tournaments. The Vish Trading Inc. Open Medal Play tournament will tee-off at 12:30hrs today, while the Caddies tournament will tee-off at 08:00hrs tomorrow. Today’s tournament is being held in memory of the late Prabudial Ramdial, who was an ardent golf fan. The defending champions of the respective tournaments are Joaan Deo and Kevin Dinanauth.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

RHT Gizmos and Gadgets are Tenelec Inc. champions IN perfect conditions for cricket, Rose Hall Town (RHT) Gizmos and Gadgets defeated neighbours and arch rivals Albion Cricket Club in the final of the 2015 Tenelec Inc. first division, 50-overs cricket competition last Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex. The competition was sponsored by Bobby Deonarine and Tom Gruntzel of Tenelec Inc. of Washington, U.S.A. Taking first strike after winning the toss, Rose Hall Town’s opening pair of r Khemraj Mahadeo and former Michael Hicks going early to Josiah Dhanai for five and four runs respectively. Jason Sinclair also went cheaply for eight, bowled by national youth all-rounder Balchand Baldeo. Wicketkeeper-batsman Delbert Hicks started to look good, but fell to national T20 star Jonathan Foo for 18 with his team reeling at 39-4. Assad Fudadin and Royston Crandon attempted

Captain Shawn Perreira receives the winning trophy and cash incentives from Imtiaz Bacchus in the presence of BCB officials Angela Haniff and Vicky Bharosay. operation recovery. However, Albion had other ideas with Baldeo accounting for Fudadin caught at slips for 24. All-rounder Rajiv Ivan joined Crandon and together they steadied the ship for

Rose Hall Town, putting on 48 for the sixth wicket before Crandon was caught behind off Veerasammy Permaul for 24. Ivan rallied with the tail but was eventually run-out on

the last ball of the innings for a magnificent 71. Collis Butts chipped in with 18 as Rose Hall Town finished on 180-9 off their allotted 50 overs. Dhanai, Baldeo and Foo took two wickets each.

Albion started well with Kandasammy Surujnarine and Baldeo batting superbly to put on 53 for the first wicket. Baldeo was then caught-and-bowled by Ivan for an ominous-looking 33. Surujnarine followed, caught behind off Shawn Perreira for 15. Albion then lost quick wickets, reaching 95-6 in the 31st over when the prolific Foo went caught on the long-on boundary off Butts for 11. However, the Albion lads were determined. Gudakesh Motie and Permaul joined forces and put pressure on the opposition, until Motie was needlessly run-out for 22 at 136-7. With Motie gone, the hopes of his team diminished, as they lost their last three wickets for six runs to finish 39 runs short of their target. Butts spun webs around the Albion batsmen, finishing with 5-35, to share the Man-of-the-Match incentive with Ivan. At the presentation which followed, Angela Haniff

spoke on behalf of the sponsor as well as the Berbice Cricket Board. She said that Tenelec Inc. was pleased to be associated with the Berbice Cricket Board and was impressed with the media coverage the competition got. When speaking on behalf of the board, she said that the board is always grateful to Bobby Deonarine and Tom Gruntzel of Tenelec Inc., USA. She added that Tenelec Inc. is the board’s biggest sponsor and, coupled with sponsorship of the Under-15 tournament, the company has contributed significantly to the overall success of Berbice cricket. She also thanked Albion Estate for hosting the game and the print and electronic media for excellent coverage off all BCB cricket. Rose Hall Town skipper Shawn Perreira collected a beautiful trophy and $100 000 for their efforts, while runners-up Albion also received a trophy and cash incentives

GRFU/GTT 15s League resumes this weekend

Pepsi Hornets hunting second win against Police Falcons today ACTION in the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)/ GTT-sponsored Division One 15s League will continue this weekend at the National Park Rugby Field. Today, Pepsi Hornets would be looking to continue their winning trend when they take on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Falcons at 16:00hrs. Hornets are expected to field an unchanged squad against the Falcons, who are still young in the game, but would be pressing hard to win their first game in the league and shake off the

opening day’s humiliation they suffered at the hands of the University of Guyana (UG) Wolves. According to coach Troy Yhap of the Police Falcons, the team would be coming with extra firepower and will not be going down without a fight. When the league got started last weekend Hornets pulled off a major upset; coming from behind to defeat one of the top clubs, Yamaha Caribs, in the second quarter of the game 38-20 to announce their intention that they are going to be a force in the league.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(February 06, 2016) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to Thursday’s quiz: (1) WI vs ENG, Bourda, 1994 (2) 31 ODIs

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test matches WI Faoud Bacchus played? (2) Who is the first WI to register an ODI century? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

FLASHBACK! Part of the action between Pepsi Hornets and Yamaha Caribs on the opening day of the GRFU/GTT 15s League

Meanwhile tomorrow the action is expected to be more intense when two of the most experienced teams, UG Wolves and Yamaha Caribs, clash. The University students, fresh from their trouncing of Police Falcons (64-5), would be looking to inflict the same on Caribs, but, led by National coach Theodore Henry, the Ming’s Products and Services-sponsored club would try their utmost to turn things on the ‘Wolves’

as they are hungry to register their first points on the table. The Wolves coach Larry Adonis stated that he expects Caribs to come strong at them but his players are up to the challenge. According to a release from the GRFU, the GTT 15s League would be used as a benchmark for the selection of players to the National squad for international engagements later in the year. (Rawle Toney)

Australian women’s cricketer banned for betting on match MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Australia has banned women’s cricketer Piepa Cleary for six months, with another 18 months suspended, for placing bets on a men’s Test match between Australia and New Zealand in November. The 19-year-old Cleary, who plays for Western Australia, had placed six bets totalling A$15.50 ($11.10) on the match at Adelaide Oval. “CA has imposed a 24-month period of ineligibility on Cleary of which 18 months are suspended on condition that she com-

Piepa Cleary

mits no further offences under the (Anti-Corruption) Code,” Cricket Australia said in a media release on Thursday. “She is also required to participate in anti-corruption player education programmes delivered by CA in future.” The penalty bans Cleary from all domestic and international cricket including cricket-related functions and events. It follows a 24-month suspended sentence given to Sydney-based women’s cricketer Angela Reakes in December for placing five bets worth a total of A$9 on

the man-of-the-match for the cricket World Cup final last March. Cricket Australia said there were “aggravating factors” in Cleary’s case including that she had received face-to-face anti-corruption training two months before she placed the bets. “Bets totalling $15.50 might seem small but it doesn’t matter,” Cricket Australia Integrity Unit boss Iain Roy said. “We take a zero tolerance approach to any form of gambling on cricket by players in order to protect the integrity of the game.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday February 6, 2016

Warriors to give preference to region-based players during CPL draft By Rajiv Bisnauth THE Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has confirmed a stellar line-up of international stars, but the Guyana Amazon Warriors will most likely give preference to the region-based players, according a top official within the Warriors management. The CPL player draft takes place on February 11 in Barbados where 289 players - 157 from West Indies and 132 from overseas - have been registered for the draft. “We are still in discussion … we want the best players, but obviously we want to give preference to the players in the region,” the official said. Further this publication was reliably informed that star batsman Lendl Simmons and skipper Denesh Ramdin are unlikely to be a part of the Warriors make-up.

Simmons, who has been the team’s highest run-scorer over the past three seasons, and Ramdin are locked in fee negotiations with the local franchise, but Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that no tenable resolution has been reached by the parties. This publication also understands that New Zealand star batsman Martin Guptill, who played for the Warriors during the first edition, is likely to return to the Warriors setup after representing the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots last season. Meanwhile, former West Indies vice-captain Roger Harper is expected to return as head coach, replacing former West Indies captain Carl Hooper, who was appointed head coach of the 2015 edition. Harper was the head coach for the Warriors for the first two seasons. The 289 players does

ICC blow for India, England, Australia DUBAI, UAE (Reuters) The boards of India, England and Australia will no longer be permanent members of the International Cricket Council’s decision-making executive committee, the governing body said on Thursday. The ICC approved wide-ranging changes in 2014, giving the three powerful nations permanent seats in its executive committee and the lion’s share of the revenue while also promising more funds for everyone. After taking over the reins at the ICC last year, Indian cricket board president Shashank Manohar flayed the imbalance of power and criticised the 2014 restructuring. “The board has agreed to carry out a complete review of the 2014 resolutions and constitutional changes,” the governing body said, in a statement following a board meeting held at its Dubai headquarters on Thursday. The ICC received widespread criticism two years ago with some suggesting the ‘Big Three’ would take over the sport at the expense of the other cricketing nations. The governing body’s

Shashank Manohar constitution is also to be completely reviewed and all members asked to provide feedback in the next few weeks, it said. “No member of the ICC is bigger than the other and I am determined to make a meaningful contribution in this regard with support of all the members,” Manohar said, before adding the ICC chairman would not be allowed to hold a position in a member country board in future. The ICC has also reinstated Sri Lanka as a full member after the country held elections last month to appoint a new organisation to run the sport. Sri Lanka had previously been sanctioned for government interference.

not include the six players - Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara,

Martin Guptill Shane Watson, and one other name set to be revealed ahead of the draft - who will take one ‘marquee’ spot in each of the six CPL teams. Sixteen of the 157 West Indies players to register have already been retained ahead of the draft, leaving 141 el-

South African, 23 Australians, and 20 Sri Lankans. New Zealand will be represented by 11 players and Bangladesh by seven. Outside the Test-playing

Roger Harper igible for selection on draft day. This is 25 more than the 116 who vied for spots at last year’s draft and represents a 22% increase. Coupled with an 18% increase in international player registration, this is further illustration of the CPL’s growing stature as one of the foremost tournaments in T20 cricket. Pakistan will be the most represented overseas nationality at the CPL draft, with 37 players. There will be 34

Lendl Simmons countries, the draft will also include players from Afghanistan, Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland and USA. Meanwhile, the League will make a number of

changes to its players’ draft format ahead of the new season. The number of players that the franchises can retain before the player draft has been held has been reduced from four to three, while squad sizes increased from 16 to 17 for the new season. The new rules also allow the six franchise teams to sign one ‘marquee’ player as a free agent before the draft process begins. Further changes to the rules include a reduction in the number of players who must live in the franchise territory from four to two, while the limit on overseas players has increased from four to five. 2015 also saw the introduction of ICC Americas players, with two being selected for the Tridents and Patriots squads. In 2016, at least six ICC Americas players will be guaranteed a contract.

India announce World T20 squad

HOSTS India have announced their 15-man squad for the upcoming World T20 tournament, with MS Dhoni’s side bidding to become the first multiple winners of the shortest format’s most prestigious event. Veteran batsman Yuvraj Singh, 34, has again been included - some nine years on from the inaugural edition of the tournament in which he smashed England’s Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over en route to scoring a world record 12-ball

half-century The Indians, who recently beat Australia 3-0 in the T20 series Down Under, are firm favourites to take the World T20 title and boast a typically impressive blend of youth and experience. Dhoni, Yuvraj and ageless off-spinner Harbhajan Singh are at the older end of that scale, while 27-year-old Virat Kohli - the world’s No.1-ranked T20 batsman - and the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravi Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin are all

well-proven on the biggest stages. Dhoni also called young quick Jasprit Bumrah the “find of the series” in Australia last month, after the paceman debuted alongside fellow speedster Hardik Pandya. Kohli was in devastating form against the Australians, making 90 n.o., 59 n.o. and 50 in the three T20s to play a leading hand in the convincing series win The Indians’ preparation continues next week, with another three-match T20

series, this time against Sri Lanka, before the Asia Cup takes place at the end of February and into March. The World T20 begins on March 8, with the final taking place on April 3. India squad: MS Dhoni (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, S u re s h R a i n a , Yu v r a j Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Ravi Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Mohammad Shami, Pawan Negi.

Allen set to return to the ring in NY

UNDEFEATED Guyanese super middleweight Lennox `2 Sharpe’ Allen is scheduled to make a return to the ring on February 17 in New York. According to boxing internet website Boxrec.com the southpaw knock-out specialist’s opponent is yet to be named but the fight would be held at the BB King Blues Club and Grill in New York. It would be Allen’s third fight at the venue,

Lennox Allen

the last being in January last year when he knocked out Ghanaian Kojo Issah. In his last fight Allen brushed aside Hungarian Istvan Zeller to win by TKO. That contest was staged in Virginia last October. The New York-based Allen turned pro in 2004 and has racked up a record of 20-0 with 13 knockouts. He has drawn one fight. The talented southpaw secured the vacant World

Boxing Council, Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) title in 2011 following a unanimous 12-round decision over Kwesi Jones at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Allen’s career slowed after that, resulting in the 30-year-old having only one fight in 2012 and a similar number in 2013. He did not enter the ring in 2014 but bounced back the following year with three victories.

Warriors to give preference to region-based players during CPL draft See Story on Page 39

Carl Hooper

President Granger inducted as RHTYSC Honorary Patron

HE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC), Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation last Wednesday inducted President David Granger as its fifth official Patron. The President was formally inducted by former Patron Beverly Harper in front of a large gathering of RHTYSC members who travelled to the Ministry of the Presidency for the historic swearing-in ceremony. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to the President for accepting to serve as the Club’s Patron for the next five years and noted that he would be following in the footsteps of the late President Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Peter Ramsaroop, June Mendes and Harper. As Patron of the RHTYSC, President Granger would serve as the public face of the club, role model to its members and would offer advice to Club management. The President would also be expected to attend major activities, like its annual award ceremony, prepare Patron’s remarks for all RHTYSC publications and assist the club to fulfil its mandate to make a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate. The long-serving Secretary/CEO traced the achievements of the RHTYSC over its twenty-five-year history and disclosed that under President Granger’s Patronage, the club would be placing special emphasis on its ‘Say No to Crime, Suicide, Drugs and Say Yes to Education/Sports’ Programme, charity outreach, expansion of its cricket section and promotion of sports as an alternative to a life on the road for youths and the development of the Area ‘H’ ground outfield. Foster expressed confidence that President Granger would lead by example and that the RHTYSC would continue to maintain its status as Guyana’s best. Harper stated that it was a privilege to serve the RHTYSC as See page 35

African confederation backs Salman for FIFA job

... describes Club as one of Guyana’s treasures

President Grander is presented with the Patron’s sash, Club insignia and Certificate from outgoing Patron Beverly Harper.

Ramchand’s Wreckers ready for GMRSC Endurance See Story on Page 35

See Story on Page 35

Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa

Anand Ramchand

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016