Chronicle 03 12 2016

IMF projects 4% growth No. 104489

SATURDAY MARCH 12, 2016

Price: $80

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…urges reform of public enterprises, moderate wage growth

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Boosting children’s self-esteem 8

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In discussion: Participants at the train the trainers’ workshop hosted by Project Happiness. The information session sought to provide teachers and other participants with the keys to boost children’s self-esteem and promote their emotional development (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Way cleared

...for Bar Association to 3 participate in prison CoI P.

Fires flatten Wai Wai 4 Meten-Meer-Zorg, builders Campbellville homes fully paid PAGES

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

Fire flattens Meten-Meer-Zorg home

By Fareeza Haniff

THE Guyana Fire Service came in for heavy criticism on Friday morning for failing to respond in a timely manner to a fire at Lot 102 Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara.

At about 03:00hrs, fire destroyed a two-storey building that housed a Chinese restaurant in the lower flat. Residents believe that the property destroyed could have been saved had the Leonora Fire Station responded promptly to calls from members of that community. The fire station is located five minutes’ drive

away from the scene of the fire.

A resident of the community drove to the fire station and alerted the firefighters on duty, but this apparently was not enough to get them to bolt to the scene, the Guyana Chronicle understands.

“Duh fire wheel coulda save duh place, but them come late and them come without water,” one resident told the Guyana Chronicle.

According to reports, a small fire began in the kitchen of the Glory Chinese Restaurant, forcing three female Chinese nationals to escape by jumping over the

gate with a nine-month-old baby. After several loud explosions, the fire quickly spread throughout the building.

Residents assisted the occupants by breaking the gate and removing two vehicles and a motorcycle parked in the yard. The fire service arrived 35 minutes later, and was ill-equipped, as the fire tenders had no water.

The lack of water, coupled with the late arrival of firefighters, resulted in the fire quickly spreading to a neighbouring house. That house, however, was not severely damaged.

Owner of the property, Anette Dookie, is currently in the United States on vacation, but her eldest son, Robin, was asleep in the upper flat at the time of the blaze. He said he felt the heat on his body and quickly escaped. One of the occupants of the restaurant, Su, said she has no idea what could have triggered the fire, pointing out that they

The Lot 102 Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara home on fire

The remains of the house after the fire

were all asleep at the time.

Residents were alerted about the fire by Su’s loud screams of “Help! Help!

Fire! Fire!” The property continued to burn while the fire service was still trying to source water.

Only last month, it was another chaotic scene at Meten-Meer-Zorg when a two–storey house went up in flames, forcing families in nearby houses to flee for safety.

The occupants of that house: Mohammed Baseer, 76; his wife Bibi, 72; and their 14-year-old grandson, were in the lower flat of the building and managed to escape the blaze unhurt.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

Way cleared ‒ for Bar Association to participate in prison CoI

Head of the Bar Association, Attorney Christopher Ram, puts forward the association’s application for full participatory rights to commissioners of the CoI into the Georgetown Prison riots on Friday at the Ministry of Public Service, Waterloo Street. Also in photo from left to right are: Commissioner Dale Erskine, Chairman Justice James Patterson and Commissioner Merle Mendonca

By Ariana Gordon CHAIRMAN of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Georgetown Prison riots, Justice James Patterson, on Friday granted permission to the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) to have full participatory rights during the life of the inquiry.

The CoI on Thursday began hearing testimonies from prisoners on what transpired on March 3 at the Camp Street Prison.

Sittings are conducted at the Ministry of Public Service building on Waterloo Street, Georgetown.

The GBA, through its President, Attorney-at-law Christopher Ram, has made an application to the commission for full participatory rights. Ram outlined the grounds on which the application was made.

In his submission before the three-man commission, comprising Justice James Patterson, Chairman; and Commissioners Dale Erskine and Merle Mendonca, the attorney said the CoI would have a direct and substantial impact on the legal fraternity, and, as such, it is important that the association be granted participatory rights.

“The events of the night of March 2 led to the highest number of deaths of incarcerated persons in a single event in the history of Guyana. It is irrelevant whether they were convicted persons or awaiting trial; some being put away for a long period of time,” Ram said.

He described the riots

which resulted in the deaths of the 17 inmates as “a tragedy” which should never be allowed to recur.

The participatory rights sought by the GBA include, but are not limited to: The right to receive all correspondence provided to the commission, or sent by the commission with respect to the inquiry; the right to apply for preliminary, interim or summary orders, plan to respond to preliminary, interim or summary orders dropped by the commission’s counsel, or any of the interested parties; the right to participate in the hearings of this inquiry; the right to all evidence requested; the right to summon, cross-examine witnesses and provide submissions to the commissioners; and any other participatory rights that fall within the ambit of the law.

The Bar Association, Ram said, has been in existence since the 1950s, and is the authorised body that speaks on behalf of attorneys in the country. As such, he sees no reason why the application should be denied.

Ram noted, too, that many of the lawyers that form the association are representing some of the prisoners currently in the prison,

and represented some of the deceased as well.

Ram argued that the Bar Association is in a position to provide legal assistance to some of the persons who will testify before the commission; and he noted that under the Commission of Inquiry Act Cap 19:03, persons appearing before a CoI have a right to legal counsel.

He added that those associated with the CoI are also similarly entitled.

“The Attorneys-at-law on behalf of which the association speaks have a direct, substantial interest in the subject matter of this inquiry. Attorneys-at-law are directly and substantially affected by the inquiry. They clearly represent ascertainable interests and perspectives which are essential to the commissioners' mandate.

The association believes that its participation will further the conduct of the inquiry, and firmly believes that its participation will contribute to the openness and fairness of the inquiry,” the head of the Bar Association stated.

Members of the association, Ram added, practise law on a daily basis in the Magistrates and High Courts of Guyana, and are familiar with critical issues of bail,

sentencing, remand, and conditions in the prisons and lock-ups in Guyana.

“Members of the association have participated in various roles in the Linden Commission of Inquiry, and more recently in the Walter Rodney CoI; and bring valuable experience and expertise to the commission.”

The association and its members, he noted, are prepared to once again play their part in ensuring not only that the Terms of Reference of the commission are achieved, but that the recommendations serve the interest of the legal profession, clients, and most importantly the national interest.

The association believes that many of the affected parties that will be called to give testimony on matters related to the events of March 3 may not have legal representation, and the “presence of attor-

neys-at-law from the association can provide some assistance to those who have a right to such attendance and representation.”

The inquiry, Ram said, is designed to report its findings and provide recommendations to the Government and the public. The commission’s findings, he added, will have an impact on the country’s legal profession, administration of justice, human rights, the rule of law, and prison systems.

Justice Patterson, in accepting the justifications put forward by Ram, asked whether the members of the Bar Association are prepared to provide legal representation pro bono publico.

Ram, in response, said correspondence has been sent out to the body’s members on the subject, but he noted that the appearance by its members on the CoI should be pro bono, or free of charge.

“We sent an email to the Bar Association that the association is encouraging all attorneys to participate…the appearance by any member on behalf of the Bar Association is entirely pro bono,” he said.

Justice Patterson said he is unaware of many experienced lawyers working pro bono, a statement that was almost immediately refuted by Ram. Ram noted that there are experienced attorneys who work pro

bono, but their work is never publicised.

“Sir, I respectfully suggest that that statement is not entirely true. Lots of attorneys do pro bono work… it is not advertised… there is a lot of pro bono work going on, sir…we don’t always get the credit we deserve…we accept our criticisms and we strive to make the profession and the society a better place,” Ram said.

He pointed to Attorney Glen Hanoman, who he [Ram] said will be appearing before the commission next week. He will be working pro bono during the inquiry. Hanoman also served as attorney on the CoI into the death of Walter Rodney.

Justice Patterson urged the association to have young members of the profession participate in the commission, so that they can gain the requisite experience.

Prisoners Dwayne Lewis and Errol Kesney would be recalled to the stand next week to be cross-examined by the attorneys representing the Bar Association. As such, the commission was adjourned until Monday, March 14.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Wai Wai builders fully paid

WORKERS who recently reconstructed the historic Umana Yana were paid for their labour, in full, on Friday, by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.

This is according to a statement issued by the Ministry, which noted that the Wai Wai brothers have been paid a total of $14,175,000 for their labour.

The grand total of the project, including material and logistical costs is $30,539,138.

The work was completed on Monday and the workers were paid for the aspect of works for which they were contractually responsible for.

As such, the Ministry sought to highlight that the Wai Wai brothers will now have some time to visit key areas of the city and to engage in relaxing activities before returning to their homes in Region Nine.

And with the deadline for completion scheduled for April, 30, the statement

said that this is a giant step towards a successful completion of the project.

The team was led by Toshao Paul Chekema and they completed the essential structure of the national treasure, including the roof. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure commenced construction of the foundation and the casting of the concrete floor in November last year and those were completed in December.

The remaining works on the Umana Yana will resume Monday coming. The works remaining include completion of the wall, fence, floor, stage and the electrification of the facility. These works are expected to be completed by April 30 of this year.

Toshao Chekema was supported by a 35-men team that commenced work on February 5 of this year. According to the Ministry, this highly skilled and professional team of very young men set

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about their work with purpose and vigour.

PROUD OF EFFORTS “Their unwavering commitment, evident in every aspect of their work has resulted in the erection of our national treasure – the Umana Yana – in its present form in exactly 31 days. All of Guyana is proud of them. The Ministry owes them a debt of gratitude,” the statement added.

The Ministry also sought to highlight its awareness of efforts by “wicked elements” to create an environment of mistrust between it and the builders in both the conventional and social media.

These efforts, the statement said, are intended to “destroy the excellent relations” enjoyed by the Ministry and all Indigenous peoples, villages and communities in Guyana. As such, it noted that such efforts are

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Umana Yana: The roof by the Wai Wais wasted and shall never succeed.

“No attempt to politicise, manipulate or misrepresent the innocuous and sincere statements made in good faith by our Wai Wai brothers, or any Indigenous group for that matter will succeed,” the Ministry added in its statement.

The statement further added that the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs remains resolute in its mis-

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of the Umana Yana which has been rebuilt sion to ensure accountability, conical, palm-thatched hut transparency and good gov- (benab) erected as a VIP ernance. lounge and recreation centre “The Ministry assures the for the Non-Aligned Fornation at large and the Indig- eign Ministers Conference enous peoples in particular in Guyana in August of that that, no attempt by detractors year. The landmark structo impede progress, fertilise ture served as the venue for disunity or disrespect the a number of historical and citizenry of this green land of cultural events for over four Guyana will be allowed to go decades. unnoticed or remain unchalIn 2014, the historic lenged,” the statement said. structure was completely Constructed by the Wai destroyed by a fire which Wais in 1972, the 55-foot was deemed to have been Umana Yana had been a electrical in origin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Fire guts abandoned Campbellville home

By Ariana Gordon FIRE believed to be set by a known “junkie” in the Campbellville area gutted an old, abandoned Craig Street wooden building on Friday at just about 22:15 hrs(10:15pm).

This fire followed an earlier dispute between the accused and a female occupant of unsound mind who occupied the one-storey building.

Residents were heard shouting, “Inside! Inside!

Fire! Fire! You in there?” as they attempted to ascertain whether the woman was in the building.

According to reports, the woman and the alleged arsonist had a fight on Friday morning, and he was reportedly heard threatening to burn the building.

“I hear he telling she he gonna bun the building down and kill she,” a resident said.

Another noted that the duo would “smoke weed” at the location and would often fight.

“This was expected. That house was unoccupied for a long time, and then suddenly this junkie come and start live in deh…she had to get a ladder to climb in and out of that place.”

Residents told Guyana Chronicle that the accused was seen pacing Craig Street between Sheriff Street and Stone Avenue just before the fire started.

“He look like he di cry-

The abandoned Campbellville home on fire ing…I see di man walking up and down, and I deh saying to somebody that like he going deh fuh start another session with the mad girl,” a woman stated.

“You know how long we reported that this junkie living here and it is dangerous?” another resident stated, noting that several reports were made to the authorities.

The man was seen running away from the scene minutes before fire was noticed in the building.

Meanwhile, members of the Campbellville Fire Station were criticised for failing to act promptly when notified, and for arriving on the scene with no water.

Approximately 15 minutes after the start of the fire,

the Fire Service arrived, much to the dismay of residents.

“They deh right round the corner and couldn’t come here! Is till the lil boy go to them again they come out!” a resident added. Three fire tenders subsequently arrived on the scene.

The fire from the old wooden house quickly spread to a nearby three-storey building belonging to former national cricketer Lennox Cush, causing some damage to the exterior. Up until press time, Guyana Chronicle was unable to ascertain whether the woman of unsound mind was in the building at the time of the fire.

NCN commissions satellite uplink for Learning Channel

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PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Friday commissioned the state-of-the-art Satellite Earth Station Multimedia Teleport at the National Communications Network Inc. (NCN).

This will effectively allow NCN to uplink and broadcast television signals via satellite.

This, according to the Department of Public Information (DIP), has allowed NCN to leap forward technologically and acquire the capacity to reach far-flung areas such as Lethem, Mabaruma, Mahdia and Orealla, among others. The satellite teleport at NCN has been set up primarily for the purpose of transmitting The Learning Channel content to hinterland areas. It is intended also that national events will be broadcast to the 16 locations across Guyana, the DIP said. The previous government had paid TVG $3M monthly to relay the Learning Channel’s programmes across Guyana via satellite. The APNU+AFC has since scrapped the deal.

Meanwhile,the Prime Minister who has ministerial responsibility for NCN, said, that this latest move is also part of the country’s defence of its sovereignty. “Guyana is ours…all of Guyana is ours, the Essequibo and the rest of Guyana,” Nagamootoo said. According to him, the boosting of NCN is also part of the government’s fulfilment of a promise to provide information for all Guyanese. “I also see this not only in keeping with the promise made to provide information to our Guyanese people, but this is securing a defence capability, a security capability, because the first line of defence in a situation such as ours is the ability to communicate,” Nagamootoo told the gathering at the commissioning. Nagamootoo said too that the satellite transmission would also be used to broadcast events of the 50th Independence Anniversary celebration to other areas of the country. He hopes that the 50th Anniversary activities would be seen by all across the country.

Pic save as NCN uplink Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, assisted by NCN’s Chief Executive Officer Molly Hassan, cuts the ceremonial ribbon to commission the Satellite Earth Station Multimedia Teleport at the National Communications Network (NCN) (GINA photo) Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the audience at the commissioning of the Satellite Earth Station Multimedia Teleport at the National Communications Network (NCN)

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Big parties in LGE

THE Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman, Mr. Nigel Hughes, recently opined that political parties have no business being part of Local Government Elections. Except for a few comments, there has not been a vigorous debate on this subject. This is most surprising, given that we are on the last lap of a campaign for LGE. Is this a sign of disagreement with Mr. Hughes’s position, or is there not much appetite for such a debate?

It should be noted that Mr. Hughes’s party, the AFC, which is contesting the upcoming elections as part of the APNU/AFC coalition, was quick to point out that its members are free to contest the elections, presumably either as part of the Coalition or as independent individuals. We know of at least one AFC member who is doing the latter.

The question of the parties’ participation in the LGE is a complex one. Mr. Hughes is correct in pointing out that local governance would be enhanced if partisan considerations and influence are removed from the process. Theoretically, it would mean that citizens in their localities would be able to engage in matters of interest to the communities without the rancour that accompanies party politics.

Indeed, in an ideal situation, the issue of local governance ought to be above party politics; but that’s precisely the point -- Guyana’s political environment is far from ideal. Our party-grounded political culture leaves little space for compromise and objectivity when it comes to the allocation of authority and power at all levels.

The ethnic divide compounds the problem. It would be very difficult to get parties to stay out of the process. In 1994, the PNC did not formally participate in the LGE at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils; but this was not reciprocated by the other major party. In any case, many of the so-called independent groups were closely associated with, if not affiliated to, the PNC. The problem, if there is one, has to do with our political culture. We have never developed a robust independent culture whereby citizens balance their partisan affiliations with their civic obligations; the

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Georgetown LGE debate was enlightening Dear Editor, OF ALL the Goliaths that President David Granger’s administration has taken care of in less than a year in office: the cleaning up of Georgetown, the Three Bs Programme, and the holding of Local Government Elections, to name a few, the recent debate held for the LGE candidates is an enormous accomplishment for our young democracy.

Certainly there are technical and stylistic elements that could always be modified and learned from for consequent debates, but deeper than that is the firm belief that the implications of this debate will serve as a turning point in our society.

For the first time in history, our citizens, the voters,

are respected enough to be given an opportunity to judge potential officials for themselves.

For the first time in history, there is a sense that citizens can question government candidates, and, most of all, hold them accountable to fulfill their promises. As such, there is no greater manifestation of true democracy than the participation of a country’s people in free and open political activities.

Another aspect that stood out from the debate was the unhesitant and free physical and financial contributions made from individuals and companies, which all came together at such short notice to bring the idea of the debate to fruition.

While our country is deemed poor, this event ex-

emplified the wealth of kindness and generosity of spirit that defines us as Guyanese — qualities that are hard to find anywhere else in the world. Thus, to all of those individuals that made the debate possible -- the lectern builders; the set designers; the organizers; the sponsors; the technical companies; and, most importantly, the candidates, I say thank you.

To analyse one point made during the debate, there was one particular idea presented by a sole candidate, Michael Leonard, which should not be lost or buried among the other proposals.

In fact, it should take precedence, given the woeful process inefficiencies within our public institutions. That point is the introduction of electronic governance. In today’s digital age, it is crit-

ical to invest in technology in order to optimize systems that serve citizens. For too long we have suffered the brunt of outdated data access and lack of vision in this area.

As such, central government should be taking this idea seriously and making it a priority.

Finally, and very importantly, the composition of the candidates was culturally and ethnically misleading. True democracy cannot be achieved without the inclusion and participation of our diverse population.

True democracy cannot be achieved without the inclusion and participation of people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, religions and social status.

Sincerely, NAICELIS ROZEMA

A continuing source of concern Dear Editor,

THE salaries and emoluments of Election Day staffers continue to be a source of concern to contracted employees who have to work on Election Day. Duties and responsibilities of election officials are arduous, and require university qualifications and managerial acumen for optimum human performance, with process improvement methodolo-

gies along with theoretical perspectives of effective applications.

In order to dispense with such duties in a fair and democratic manner, a holistic and substantial compliance for the public good is a criterion.

High levels of leadership, experience, core eligibility and personal responsibility; along with effective decision-making and judgements, are key components to avoid legal challenges.

The political parties, civil society, NGOs, the

two are generally fused. In an environment of ethnic competition and zero-sum politics, partisan considerations are compelling. The party is seen as omnipotent — a defence against domination by the other.

Even if we are swayed in the direction that Mr. Hughes advocates, it would really be a substitution of party influence for party participation. In other words, even if parties agree or are mandated not to participate in the LGE, they would still heavily influence who contest in the communities they control politically.

Whether that would make a difference to the quality of

diplomatic community and the ‘ABC’ stakeholders should impress on the GECOM Chairman and CEO, as well as the Election Commissioners, the importance of a proper ratings scale and good standards of remuneration for a democratic outcome. Poor emoluments result in poor and ineffective task performance. Salaries must reflect qualifications.

The President should step in to ensure meritocracy and stop in-

imical behaviours that are operating under the guise of rationality. The head of the Political Affairs Division in the Ministry of the Presidency earns $1M; climate change negotiators earn $1M and a gratuity of $2.7M [pay]; Election Day presiding officers earn $60,000 for long hours at work.

Regards RANDOLPH AUGUSTUS

local governance is debatable.

In the circumstances, it would have been ideal if there were a mixed-system that allowed the parties to contest a fraction of the seats up for grabs. The new system already allows for a combination of constituency representation and proportional representation. Perhaps in future elections parties could be persuaded to contest the PR seats only; thus leaving the constituency contests to independent groups and individuals.

We feel that, in the short term, that would be a fair and reasonable compromise.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

GAWU salutes Rose Hall Martyrs

Dear Editor

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) salutes the fifteen (15) sugar workers who met their deaths one hundred and three (103) years ago, on March 13, 1913, at Rose Hall Estate, and who have today become known as the Rose Hall Martyrs.

The horrific incident is one of the ugliest reminders of British colonialism, and is another manifestation of the brutal conditions our forefathers had to contend with. Removed from this landmark event by over 100 years, we nevertheless get a grasp of what was at the root of the riot and killing from the work of researcher and author Basdeo Mangru. The turn of the 20th century saw a spike of work stoppages and strikes in the estates, as workers grew more active in resisting their oppressive conditions or in attempts by Managers to deprive them of things they were already receiving; which in those times seriously impacted their lives.

The problems and issues on the Estates were accumulating, and resistance, as a consequence, was increasing. Ten (10) years be-

fore the Rose Hall incident, Mangru wrote, another major incident took place at Friends Estate, where several workers were killed.

The issue was a demand for a wage increase.

At Rose Hall in 1913, we learnt what triggered off the workers’ protests was the reneging by Manager James Smith of a promise of four days of additional holidays to workers, due to their positive and encouraging work performance.

This retreat, it seems, came at a time when discontent was rife. It ignited an obviously combustible situation, which quickly deteriorated. One action led to a counter-action, eventually leading to the shooting of the workers by the State’s police.

Fifteen (15) persons lost their lives, including a woman, Gobindei, and a police corporal. Significantly, too, researcher Mangru wrote that this riot was raised in the Legislature of India by the Indian nationalists, who used this horrifying act to strengthen the call to end the indentureship system.

The GAWU, though established much later after this barbaric event, recognises the struggles and sacrifices of generations

of sugar workers, whose contribution have brought about many changes in workers’ living and working conditions.

At this time, we, of GAWU, specifically give recognition and pay tribute to those who fell at Plantation Rose Hall. They left a legacy which runs through the veins of the contemporary workforce of the sugar industry.

This anniversary, furthermore, affords us the platform to remember with fondness and pride those who also courageously fought and heroically fell in the struggles in other plantations in other parts of the country.

These fallen workers remind us that sugar ’s history is enriched by the struggles, sacrifices, and the sweat and blood of the working class. That spirit has been kept alive over decades, and survives to this day in the industry.

We accuse colonialism and the plantocracy system it sustained for these brutal deaths. In this event, we see that the owner class will stop at no crime to protect its property and profit. But the workers sacrifices were not in vain. In the time that has elapsed since this historic event at Rose Hall

A horror story

Dear Editor,

LOCAL Government elections are to be held on March 18, 2016, and I urge all eligible Guyanese voters to go out and cast their votes.

The state of affairs in our capital city is a horror story, and the administration that ran the affairs of the city for the past 20 years could be described as anything but good or competent.

Lack of change and renewal over a long period of time has caused some councillors and staff to believe that they have a divine right to be there. Both parties (PPP/C and PNC/R) are guilty of gross neglect and failure. So, finally, we, the citizens, have a duty to get rid of the old and put in its place young, energetic leaders. The time for young people to shine is now, and I urge voters to vote for a new, young team.

The campaign for LGE seems low-key and a lot of established parties’ candidates, who carry political baggage, are very quiet. Voters should take note of their silence.

The clean-up campaign ongoing at present is the usual election time gimmick. The city having been neglected for over 30 years, and there being no planned programme of maintenance, it is only a matter of time before the rut steps in.

The City Constabulary runs its own show. It controls all the vending done on the sidewalk.

Regards I. SINGH

Estate, the workers in the industry, and the industry itself, have advanced in several ways. It is therefore regrettable that attempts are constantly being made to roll back hard won gains in the industry.

Increasingly, sugar workers find themselves engaged in actions to defend their rights and interests against our homegrown bureaucrats and their hirelings.

Our times, in many ways, differ from the era in which the Rose Hall Martyrs lived. Conditions are not the same, and the demands we make are different, yet continue to revolve around the fight for decent and rising wages and better working conditions. Indeed, such is the struggle before the workers

in Guyana and the world over.

And while demanding on one hand, these class struggles hold out the promise of further achievements, and significant social changes in the future.

Many years have gone by since that fateful period when the workers from Rose Hall were killed. We pay respect 103 years later to their memory. They dared to challenge the existing socio-economic order for a better day. But improvement is a constant feature of our existence; and in our day, a new generation continues to raise its voice and make fresh demands for allround improvements.

In our fight of today,

we also remember past battles and those like the Rose Hall Martyrs, who have been the victims of colonial plunder and exploitation.

H i s t o r y ’s l e s s o n s should not be forgotten, lest workers lower their vigilance and succumb to disunity, to their detriment. Workers’ struggles have not come to a close.

Indeed, their struggles continue, but in a different context and in different circumstances than what faced the Rose Hall Martyrs.

Regards, GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION (GAWU)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

Boosting children’s self-esteem ‒ First Lady gives her full support

First Lady Sandra Granger is flanked by (left) Colleen Cameron, Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Coordinator, and Evelyn Hamilton (right), Chief Planning Officer, both of the Ministry of Education (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Mr Vickram presents a token of appreciation to First Lady, Mrs Sandra Granger, at the close of the session presentation (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger has given her full support to moves to provide teachers with the necessary tools to boost children’s self-esteem and promote their emotional development.

Mrs Granger was among participants in the first ReThink- Project Happiness Train the Trainer workshop, held at the Ministry of Education’s National Centre for Education Resource De-

velopment (NCERD) on Thursday.

Some 65 professionals, including officials from the ministry, NCERD, teachers, schools’ welfare officers, subject specialists, guidance counsellors and representatives from several non-governmental organisations, participated in the two-day training session.

Officials from ReThink-Project Happiness included Ms. Randy Taran

of California, USA, Founder/CEO Project Happiness; Ms. Amanda Fernandes, Chief Happiness Officer at Rethink - Project Happiness Regional Director in the Caribbean and Ms. Brook Dorff, Director of Operations and Development, Project Happiness.

In an invited comment, the First Lady said her participation in the programme is linked to her collaboration with Mr Ernie Ross, Guyana’s Consul-General in Trinidad and Tobago, on ReThink’s Kind Soles programme, which donated hundreds of pairs of shoes to students in the hinterland.

ReThink’s Project Happiness, aimed at empowering persons to be empathetic and to live contentedly, also sparked the First Lady’s interest as she is interested in “recreating a Guyanese society that practises compassion.”

Mrs Granger said she is pleased about the training, noting that it will “equip participants with the skills to encourage and empower beneficiaries, particularly children in schools as children who feel good about themselves are less likely to commit suicide.”

The Project Happiness Train the Trainer Course comprised nine lessons designed “to improve children’s focus, emotional resilience and their ability to make better life decisions.”

The format of the workshop included presentations from the trainers, general interactive sessions and small-group interactive sessions,during which participants were allowed to prac-

tise skills such as empathy and appreciation.

Ms Dorff, who conducted one of two major training exercises, said that the link with the First Lady is “vital,” as she is passionate about enhancing the lives of Guyanese, particularly children and other vulnerable groups, and her influence “will broaden the reach of the programme from just schools to countrywide.”

VITAL TOOLS The programme aims “to give students and teachers the tools for emotional resilience and to teach persons how to deal with all kinds of emotions,” she said.

The group was invited to host the sessions, and the skills taught will be used to augment the ministry’s programmes aimed at reducing the incidence of suicide, she added.

The ministry’s involvement in the training stemmed from an invitation Mrs Granger had extended to Mrs Evelyn Hamilton, Chief Planning Officer at the ministry, to the first presentation of shoes from ReThink, last year.

Mrs Hamilton then introduced the programme to the ministry, to determine how it could be incorporated into the schools programme, she said.

Mrs Colleen Cameron, Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Coordinator at the ministry and based at the UNESCO building in Georgetown, noted that the training is happening at an opportune time. The ministry is currently revisiting its HFLE curriculum for Grades

1 – 9 and is developing its curriculum for grades 10, 11 and nursery children, she said, adding that the skills taught during the workshop will be integrated into the HFLE curriculum.

Mrs Cameron expects that the programme will be introduced at the start of the new school term on April 4, after the students would have returned from their Easter holiday break.

Meanwhile, Mrs Jennifer Cumberbatch, Director of NCERD, was heartened by the participants’ enthusiasm during the training and encouraged them to “find exciting ways to get children’s attention.” According to Mrs Cumberbatch, “each teacher, NGO who conducts this programme, will impact the recipients’ lives and, with regard to children, foster learning.”

NGOs According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, the participating NGOs are also expected to use the

knowledge that they’ve acquired from the workshop to serve their focus groups and wider communities.

Mrs Deborah Blackmore, a representative from the Guyana Foundation of which the First Lady is patron, and the Bernice Mansell Foundation, said the training has given the volunteers the skills that they need to boost the self-confidence of the persons whom they serve.

She said she plans to immediately incorporate what she has learnt into the Literacy Programme that the Bernice Mansell Foundation hosts for school dropouts, where she is a volunteer teacher.

Mrs Blackmore believes that the sessions have taught her how to improve children’s emotional resilience, a skill she views as crucial when treating troubled children and which she plans to now use “to boost their self-esteem and to encourage them to want to learn.”

Similar sentiments were expressed by Ms Uso Telford, of the Buxton Arts Theatre. Ms Telford said she works with many young persons and expects the training to “better my relationship with them.”

She hopes to use her newly acquired skills to “motivate them to make positive life choices.”

Meanwhile, Mr Vickram, one of only two male participants in the programme, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her support.

He added further levity to the sessions by reciting a poem he had written in honour of Mrs Granger, expressing the admiration that he and the country at large feel for her. The First Lady thanked the group for the gift and expressed high hopes about the future outcomes of the workshop.

Belvedere man shot

A BELVEDERE, Corentyne man was shot and injured by bandits Thursday night at his home.

In a statement,the police said that about 21:00hrs on Thursday, mini-bus driver Takraj Boodram , 33 years, of Belvedere South Squatting Area, Corentyne, Berbice, was about to enter his premises when three men approached him. One of the men who was armed with a firearm, discharged a round that hit him to his left shoulder.

The men escaped on bicycles. Takraj Boodram has been admitted to hospital as the investigations continue.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

Guyana to join Inter-Parliamentary Union THE National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a motion for Guyana to become a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

The motion was tabled

by First Vice-President and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who explained that the motion was in keeping with a decision made at the 13th Meeting of the Parliamentary Management Committee on May 2, 2014.

According to the whereas clause of the motion, “the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) provides an opportuni-

ty to express views on issues of international interest with the aim of bringing about action by Parliaments, and provides the forum for the promotion and defence of human rights, which is an essential factor of parliamentary democracy.”

Guyana, on May 27, 2014, had made application to the IPU for membership, and the IPU, in response, had asked for a resolution of the Parliament of Guyana to be approved before acceptance is granted.

Guyana’s acceptance to the IPU will, however, come

at a cost, Prime Minister Nagamootoo told the House as he explained that an annual subscription fee of just over $2M will be required.

But the benefits, he said, will be enormous. “Besides fostering contacts and exchange of experience among parliaments and parliamentarians of other countries, “we will also have working knowledge of how other institutions work, and how we can… bring our Parliament to a level of acceptable… standards.”

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Chief Whip

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Gail Teixeira, in signalling the Opposition’s unwavering support, recalled that while in Government, she along with then Opposition Member Joseph Harmon, had had extensive consultation on the possibility of Guyana becoming an IPU member before an agreement was met on May 2, 2014.

The IPU has been placing major emphasis on women’s participation in parliaments around the world.

“An increase in the number of women Speakers of Parliament during 2015 and some regional successes

were among the few highlights in what proved to be yet another disappointing year for women’s participation in parliament,” the IPU said.

The IPU’s “Women in Parliament 2015: the Year in Review”, released ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, indicated that for the second year in a row, the number of women Members of Parliament (MPs) across the world rose by a worryingly low 0.5 percentage point. Women now account for 22.6 per cent of the world’s MPs.

IMF projects 4% growth …but urges gov’t to moderate wage growth A RECENT International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff report has projected a 4 per cent growth for Guyana in 2016, but suggested that Guyana moderate growth of wages, as well as reform public enterprises with a view to reducing their reliance on Government support.

In this regard, the mission welcomed the improved financial performance of Guyana Power and Light and the reforms proposed by the Commission of Inquiry for the Guyana Sugar Corporation.

But the mission, in a statement on its preliminary findings on a recent visit here, noted that the scope and pace of reform should take into account social implications.

“Containing current expenditure would provide additional space for public investment, while preserving debt sustainability. The magnitude and sources of

financing of the deficit have implications for growth. Domestic financing may crowd out credit to the private sector and raise interest rates,” the mission said.

Regarding external financing, the mission welcomed Guyana’s intentions to continue to refrain from non-concessional external borrowing that would raise the interest rate burden and adversely affect debt sustainability.

“The authorities’ exclusion of possible future hydrocarbon export income from their medium-term plans is commendable,” the IMF mission also noted.

It stressed that Guyana’s monetary policy stance should remain accommodative, pointing out that lower prices for imported goods, including fuel, continue to restrain inflation.

The mission observed that credit to the private sector had expanded at a rapid pace over

the past decade, but broadly in line with economic activity and financial deepening.

Credit growth has moderated since 2015, mainly on account of reduced lending to businesses.

“As long as inflationary pressures remain contained, a more accommodative monetary policy stance, with base and broad money growing more rapidly than nominal GDP, remains appropriate,” the mission contended.

However, it said that while banks remain well capitalised, heightened vigilance is warranted due to increases in non-performing loans.

Recent changes to credit-reporting legislation, the mission said, are welcome and encourage Guyana to continue to strengthen financial sector supervision.

SUGGESTIONS In particular, the mission suggested tightening: (i) provisioning requirements;

Youth Parliament on Monday IN observance of Commonwealth Day 2016, the Guyana Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will host Youth Parliament 2016 on Monday under the theme: “An Inclusive Commonwealth”.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, made this disclosure on Thursday during the 35th Sitting of the National Assembly.

It is expected that some 38 students between the ages of 14 and 17 will participate in this sitting. These students will be drawn from 23 secondary schools from the 10 administrative regions, but children from the New Opportunity Corps and the

Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre will also be present.

The students from the outlying regions, accompanied by their teachers, will arrive in Georgetown today, and will return to their respective regions on Tuesday.

“During their stay, the students will attend training sessions on Commonwealth leadership, parliamentary etiquette and decorum, the democratic process, and parliament and parliamentary procedures. All of these items will be treated prior to the sitting of the Youth Parliament on Monday, March 14, 2016,” the Speaker explained.

He said Members of Parliament have been asked to mentor the students, thereby

helping them to develop their elocution and debating skills, and finalise their speeches.

The Youth Members of Parliament will take up the positions of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Ministers of Government, Private Members, Clerk and Deputy Clerk.

It was explained that they will speak to a motion formed around youth cohesion and building inclusive societies in the Commonwealth. The resolve clause states that: “The Youth Parliament calls upon Commonwealth countries to create opportunities for youths to be involved in the decision-making process.”

(ii) large exposure limits: (iii) restrictions on related lending; and, (iv) loan-classification rules.

“In addition, the stress testing toolkit could be expanded to include shocks to loan collateral values, and also take into account inter-linkages among economic sectors, borrowers, and financial entities,” the mission noted.

A Financial Sector Assessment Programme mission will visit Guyana in May to provide a more granular analysis of financial sector challenges, and assist the authorities with strengthening the prudential toolkit.

Meanwhile, the mission said, while recent steps by Guyana towards strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism framework are welcome, Guyana should address remaining deficiencies promptly.

It also urged Guyana to accelerate the implementation of the action plan agreed with the Financial Action Task Force.

Guyana’s economy remains resilient, and continues to grow despite significant global headwinds.

In 2015, real GDP grew at 3 per cent, notwithstanding lower commodity export prices, delays in budget implementation, and political

uncertainty in the run-up to general elections.

POSITIVE PROJECTIONS Developments in the global economy remain a drag on growth, particularly for commodity exporters.

Nevertheless, growth is projected to increase this year, supported by an increase in gold production and public investment.

Guyana has projected a 4.4 per cent growth in 2016, but the mission projects 4.0 per cent. According to the mission, boosting private sector confidence is key for growth momentum, and it commended Guyana for maintaining macroeconomic stability.

The steep decline in international oil prices narrowed the current account deficit. Lower prices reduced the cost of fuel imports, which more than offset the impact of lower commodity export prices, reducing the current account deficit to 4.6 per cent of GDP in 2015 from 10.8 per cent in 2014.

Reserves stood at 3.6 months of imports at end2015, and are projected to increase over the medium-term, bolstered by foreign investment and donor support for public investment.

“The exchange rate has remained broadly stable due

to offsetting positive and negative external shocks. Nevertheless, Guyana remains vulnerable to movements in commodity prices due to dependence on imported oil and the concentration of exports on a few commodities,” the mission reported.

The mission said exchange-rate flexibility would continue to facilitate adjustment to external developments, mitigate their effect on growth, and safeguard reserves.

The fiscal balance improved in 2015, reflecting one-off factors. The overall non-financial public sector deficit narrowed to 0.2 per cent of GDP in 2015 from 5.7 percent in 2014.

D e s p i t e a n e c o n o mic slowdown, revenue increased, buoyed by fuel excises (which were raised as the international oil price declined) and a one-off increase in non-tax revenue from statutory agencies.

According to the mission, capital expenditure declined by nearly 30 per cent, reflecting the late start of the public investment programme; and going forward, the deficit is expected to remain between five and six per cent of GDP. “The authorities have an ambitious investment strategy for environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive growth. Improvements in transportation and telecommunication infrastructure and renewable energy projects will boost productivity, integrate remote regions, facilitate economic diversification, and ease key impediments to growth. These investments should stimulate economic activity, provide a durable increase in competitiveness, and ensure that the benefits of growth are more broadly distributed,” the mission said.

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‘Babyheart’ team performs 22 surgeries THE International Children’s Heart Foundation (ICHF), commonly known as ‘Babyheart Foundation’, has successfully completed cardiac-related procedures on 20 children and two adults at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corpo-

ration (GPHC) during its fourth trip recently.

Over a two-week period, 16 open heart surgeries and five cardiac catheterisations were performed on patients ranging from one year old to 35 years old.

According to a release

from the Ministry of Public Health, “So far, no complications have arisen, and all 22 persons are recovering well from their respective procedures. Those procedures were done by a 22-member team from the Babyheart Foundation, which worked

along with 49 local medical professionals.”

The Babyheart Foundation team included a perfusionist, surgeon, cardiologist, nurses, and a respiratory therapist; while the local medical professionals included 35 nurses, a perfusionist and six paediatric residents.

(A perfusionist is a specialised healthcare professional who uses the heart-lung machine to manage the patient’s physiological status during cardiac surgery and other surgeries that require cardiopulmonary bypass).

The team arrived in Guyana on February 27, and will depart on March 13, 2016.

Its members have, to date, performed 67 cardiac-related procedures on Guyanese. The team is scheduled to make its next trip in June 2016.

In addition to performing cardiac-related procedures, the foundation has also been helping to build the capacity of the GPHC to cater to paediatric cardiac patients.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

‘Trunker’ confesses his sins SADEEK Mohammed, 53, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne Berbice, was yesterday fined $70,000 with an alternative of nine months’ imprisonment, after being convicted as a ‘trunker’ (one who steals from unattended motor vehicles).

He pleaded guilty to simple larceny before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan,

admitting that on March 7 at Brickdam, he stole a pair of Perry Ellis sunglasses, a quantity of clothes, and other items totalling $266,000, property of Mohammed Khan.

Police Corporal Deniro Jones said the convict stole the booty from a parked vehicle, and was caught by public-spirited persons. He further noted that Mohammed confessed to stealing the items when confronted.

East Coast man on bail for allegedly stealing gold TWENTY-THREE-yearold Kendal Lewis of Nimrod Street, Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara was on Wednesday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with larceny and possession of narcotics.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which alleged that on March 7, at Aranka Backdam in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni mining district, he stole seven

pennyweights of raw gold, valued at $77,000, property of Samantha Marshal.

It is also alleged that, at the same time and location, he had in his possession two grams of cannabis.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not object to bail, and Lewis was granted bail in the sum of $30,000. He will next appear before the Bartica Magistrate on March 30.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

PAC to complete outstanding work A MOTION paving the way for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to take into account all outstanding work of the previous committee was adopted in the National Assembly on Thursday.

The motion was initially tabled by the PAC Chairman Irfaan Ali; however, in his absence on Thursday, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira explained that approval was being sought for the completion by PAC of key reports which were initiated at the level of the committee in the 10th Parliament.

According to the whereas clause, Standing Order 104(1) requires every Committee to submit a report to the National Assembly upon matters referred to it. However, the Public Accounts Committee, a Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the First Session of the 10th Parliament, was unable to complete its work owing to the proroga-

tion and subsequent dissolution of the Parliament.

Nevertheless, Teixeira said, the PAC has been meeting, and has set a deadline at the end of March to conclude its proposition on nominations for the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

The Opposition Chief Whip also used the opportunity to signal the PPP/C’s objection to the presence of government ministers on the PAC, contending that it is a conflict of interest.

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, in her response, said the Government places strong attention on transparency and accountability.

“So the motion before us is one which will allow the PAC to continue its work with regards to presentations made by the past Speaker in laying the accounts of the Auditor General in this House. The Public Accounts Committee in Guyana stands

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Iwokrama funds drying up – PM THE issue of money to maintain Guyana’s massive eco-park, Iwokrama, was raised by Prime Minster Moses Nagamootoo during separate meetings with non-resident envoys from Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany.

The Australian High Commissioner and German Ambassador paid courtesy calls on the Prime Minister on March 09 at his office at the Ministry of the Presi-

dency’s Complex. A release noted that last year the Prime Minister had plugged for financial support for Iwokrama when he addressed a luncheon held by diplomats at Hermanston House. He had indicated that the million-acre “green lungs” of Guyana has been made a patrimony of humanity, to pursue studies in bio-diversity and preservation of our eco- system. “However, the Iwokrama International Center for Rainforest Conservation has cut back on services, due to lack of financing from patrons and donors, which resulted in the Prime Min-

ister’s appeal,” the release from the Prime Minister’s Office noted.

According to the release, recently, under the aegis of Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, a committee was established to look into the future of Iwokrama. The Iwokrama Forest is some 1,430 square miles big. Its eco-system contains high species, richness, and several species of animals that are threatened or extinct, like the Giant Anteater.

The committee is expected to brief cabinet on the way forward.

Kissoon assault case adjourned Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira

unique within the region because, like no other public accounts committee, this public accounts committee does have oversight over the Audit Office,” she posited.

Motions allowing for the Economic Services Committee and the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services to complete their work begun in the 10th Parliament were also passed on Thursday.

CITY Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday adjourned the court matter against Kwame McCoy and two others charged with assaulting Freddie Kissoon.

Police say investigations are still ongoing.

After being released on $100,000 bail each last month, McCoy, former Liaison Officer under the PPP government; self-confessed death squad member Sean Hinds; and Opposition Executive Jason Abdulla made their second court appearance at the city court.

On February 22, McCoy (40), of Diamond, East Bank Demerara; Hinds (51) of Albouystown, Georgetown; and

Abdulla, (34) of Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on May 24, 2010 they assaulted Kissoon.

However, at yesterday arraignment, Magistrate Latchman was told by Corporal Keri Boswick that investigations were still ongoing, which rendered the prosecution’s files incomplete. The matter was adjourned until April 3 for report.

On May 24, 2010, at about 19:00 hrs, Kissoon had just emerged from Nigel’s Supermarket on Robb Street, Georgetown and had already entered his vehicle when a man walked up to him and

threw fecal matter in his face.

Kissoon managed to drive behind the perpetrator, who ran north along Light Street then west into North Road, before jumping into a waiting white AT 192 Toyota Carina motorcar and escaping. A soiled Kissoon tried to intercept the car but backed off to avoid a collision.

The case had gone cold in the years that followed, but last month the case took a dramatic turn. Hinds has provided security services to a number of PPP personalities. Abdulla also worked at the Office of the President, and is attached to the PPP’s Freedom House Headquarters on Robb Street.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

GPOC Board urged to modernise service

By Navendra Seoraj

THE newly-appointed members of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) Board were on Friday charged to modernise its services, in light of the rapidly increasing world of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Under the stewardship of the new Chairman, Reverend Raphael Massiah, the Board is tasked with bringing a “sleeping giant” back to speed with the developing world.

Other members of the Board are Martin Gaul, Oscar Clarke, Maureen Philadelphia, Leon Dickson, Nicola Trotman, Gobin Harbhajan, Oslyn Armstrong, Harold Shepherd, Delon Baird and Karen Brown.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson congratulated the Board members, while noting that the Corporation is the oldest in the country, dating back to the 1800s and this shows its vast importance and rel-

Government ministers share a moment with the newly-appointed Guyana Post Office Corporation Board members

evance.

“I would like to congratulate the new Board members on their appointment and relate to you all that a lot depends on the stewardship, given that across the world there are many problems and challenges which postal services face.

“However, with the combination of experience and skill which I see at this table, I am sure that you will execute your mandate to the best of your abilities,” said Patterson.

HUB Also participating in the ceremony were Minister of

Public Telecommunication and Tourism Cathy Hughes who observed that in some parts of the country the post office is still a hub for community activities.

Therefore, she added, it should innovate itself with new ICT methods and technological enhancements in terms of mailing and so forth.

REBRAND, REPACKAGE “The postal service is still a unit which is used to make contact with the rest of Guyana and around the world.

Therefore, you must ensure that you look at other services

and initiative in order to rebrand and repackage services which the GPOC offers,” said Minister Hughes.

And since the GPOC now partially falls under the Ministry of Public Telecommunications, she assured Board members that her Ministry will have a key interest in the output of the Corporation.

She noted that steps to develop interconnectivity, broadband services and implement solar panels at rural post office locations so that Internet services could be provided to the communities are among initiatives current-

ly in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson also stressed the importance of ICT development and the improvement of e-commerce, which will in turn improve the financial services and postal service development within the country.

INCREASE REVENUE She charged the Board members to utilise and improve the services such as bill payment, money transfer, office space and also retail

services which are offered at the 65 GPOC outlets across the country to increase revenue earnings.

The private sector has taken the lead when it comes to adapting to the digital age and increasing profits, so Ferguson encouraged the new Board to take a page out of the book of some leading express delivery services such as UPS, DHL and FEDEX. Training of employees will also aid in this transition and modernisation of the Corporation so Minister Ferguson charged the GPOC Chairman to explore the resuscitation of the post office school which will aid in creating a customer- centric service.

In the meantime, Chairman Massiah announced that the Board will strive to adapt to the changing environment by implementing a number of innovations as the GPOC gears “itself to enter into the 21st century…”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

NAREI promoting community-based mangrove management

The geotextile tube groyne that was constructed at Devonshire Castle

OVER twenty-five persons residing on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, are now equipped to help promote community-based mangrove management.

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) recently held a four-day Mangrove Ecology, Restoration and Management Workshop in Region Two. The workshop was funded by the World Wildlife Fund through the Education for Nature Programme.

Participants of the workshop included teachers, representatives of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, students of the Guyana School of Agriculture, fishermen, police, and personnel of the Sea and River Defence Division. They are likely to become members of the Region Two Village Mangrove Action Committee (VMAC).

These stakeholders were selected based on their current and potential influence to further promote mangrove protection and management.

Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth, and Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry, George Jervis, delivered remarks at the opening session of the workshop, which was held at the Anna Regina State House.

RESTORING MANGROVES According to Dr Homenauth, NAREI has implemented several interventions to restore mangroves along the Essequibo Coast. Works executed in several communities include successful mangrove seedling planting at Lima, construction of Bamboo Brushwood Dams at Walton Hall and Anna Regina, construction of a geotextile tube groyne at Devonshire Castle, and Spartina grass planting.

NAREI will be extending by 150 metres the 100-metre Bamboo Brushwood Dam completed in 2015 at Walton Hall. This infrastructure development will promote sedimentation and create the conditions necessary for the

restoration of mangroves, he added. Dr Homenauth emphasised that communities need to take responsibility for their mangrove resources.

Meanwhile, the involvement of youths in the workshop was praised by Permanent Secretary Jervis, who saw this as a promising sign for the sustainability of mangrove restoration in the region. He encouraged participants to question the project officers about the interventions being made, and to and provide their own inputs and recommendations.

This encouragement created an energetic atmosphere for the interactive workshop, and participants were divided into groups to allow involvement from everyone.

Recognising the importance of public education and awareness, participants noted the different avenues they would utilise to share information on the protection and the restoration of mangroves. For instance, the teachers would utilise the Parent Teacher Associations to disseminate information.

ECOLOGY OF MANGROVES The workshop also focused on the ecology of mangroves and mangrove ecosystems; main species of mangroves found in Guyana; the range and biodiversity of mangrove communities found in Guyana; the natural and anthropogenic impacts on mangrove ecosystems;

Saturday, March 12, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Sunday, March 13, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Monday, March 14, 2016 - 08:30 hrs

and appropriate conservation strategies that can be used to address impacts on mangrove ecosystems.

As a field exercise, the participants visited several areas, such as Walton Hall, Devonshire Castle, and Lima, areas that benefited from restoration interventions. The tour enabled participants to have a better understanding of coastal erosion, the importance of mangroves for coastal defence, and the different types of interventions being implemented by NAREI along the Essequibo coast.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 12, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Guyana preparing for Earth Hour …putting the spotlight on climate change

By Shauna Jemmott

AS the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guyana prepares to observe Earth Hour, the call has been sounded for unity in change. Guyana is prompted to take personal actions to save the country from the destructive threats posed by global warming.

According to WWF-Guyana Communications Consultant Lennox Cornette, Guyana celebrates Earth Hour with an educational and entertaining programme which begins at 7:00hrs today with an Earth Hour Run from the Jubilee Stadium at Durban Park to the National Park. The celebration ends with a concert, dubbed ‘Light’s-Out’ in the National Park on March 19.

Cornette said ‘Earth Hour’ is a global event organised by WWF, and is held annually to put “the spotlight on climate change by bringing people together, urging action against climate change, and reminding that personal actions matter”.

During the run, which encourages walking as a form of transportation as well as fitness, Alicia Fortune will deliver a pep talk on the importance of fitness for healthy living, and it will also be highlighted that more walking encourages less driving, and as a result less fuel being burned, positively affecting climate change.

Cornette said that WWF-Guyana and its partners would this year focus on renewable energy, and encourage individuals, businesses, and communities to join the world in switching

off their non-essential lights for one hour, at 20:30 hrs on March 19, symbolising their commitment to take action to halt climate change.

According to Cornette, the switching off of lights is “not necessarily to save energy, but to make a statement to put the spotlight on climate change…to know that it’s important, it’s affecting, and to know that individual difference can make a change.”

The ‘Light’s-Out’ Earth Hour Concert in the National Park will have as its high point the switching off of non-essential lights for one hour, during which time candles and glow sticks will be used. These will be distributed by the organisation. The free concert will be headlined by local music, dance and acrobatic performances, and will feature a special address by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

While energy plays an important role in almost all aspects of daily life, most of the energy used (electricity for lighting and operating appliances at home, fuel for transportation, cooking, and in manufacturing) is produced from fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to climate change.

CONCERN Cornette, in a document, pointed out: “In May 2014, the Guyana Office for Climate Change reported that the effects of climate change in Guyana were of concern.

The report noted that there had been an increase of 1.0°C of the mean annual temperature in this country over the past 100 years. Rainfall in

2004/2005 was the highest level recorded since 1888 – resulting in the worst flooding in the country’s history.

Since more than 90 per cent of Guyana’s population lives and works on the coastal zone, which is below the mean high tide level, the main livelihoods, economic activities and infrastructure of the country are extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts.”

Guyana’s Earth Hour activities seek to “build awareness about the event; encourage people to take action prior to, during, and following Earth Hour, for a healthier planet; and re-engage society about the importance of adopting renewable forms of energy as one measure to lessen climate change”.

Earth hour is an avenue to highlight issues facing planet Earth, to inspire more sustainable living in millions across the world, and not about how much energy is saved during the hour.

Cornette told Guyana Chronicle in an interview that former Costa Rican Minister of Energy, Carlos Rodrigues, would visit Guyana for the celebrations of Earth Hour here. He will headline an exclusive Earth Hour programme on “Renewable energy” at the University of Guyana Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) at 09:00 hours, and a WWF-Guyana and Conservation International (CI) Guyana Forum on the “Green Economy” at Herdmanston Lodge on 18:00 hrs. Both activities are slated for March 17.

Prime Minister holds talks with Australian, German envoys

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The two officials reflected on the long history of bilateral cooperation shared between Guyana and Australia; and Prime Minister Nagamootoo briefed High Commissioner Pilbeam on Guyana’s infrastructural programme as well as plans to rebuild and rehabilitate deteriorated infrastructure, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister said.

Both parties agreed that immediate plans need to be put into place to assist with the current drought situation that confronts Guyana.

High Commissioner Pilbeam noted that the Australian Government would support, in any way possible, all efforts to assist the situation in Region 9.

Prime Minister NagaJohn Pilbeam, High Commissioner of Australia, meeting with Prime Minister Moses mootoo and the High Commissioner also discussed the reform Nagamootoo of the penal system, as well NEWLY accredited Austra- on Wednesday paid a couras the construction of a new lian High Commissioner to tesy call on Prime Minister prison, which the Government Guyana, Mr John Pilbeam, Moses Nagamootoo. of Australia will fully support.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Non-Resident Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Guyana, Lutz H. Gorgens, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo Earlier in the day, Pilbeam was accredited the new Non-Resident High Commissioner of Australia to Guyana.

Meanwhile, Nagamootoo also met with Non-Resident Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Guyana,

Lutz H. Gorgens. During the cordial meeting between the two parties, the 2015 elections were discussed; Ambassador Gorgens was in Guyana for the 2015 General Elections as part of the European Union (EU) Observer Mission.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained the current drought situation that confronts Guyana, and discussed other areas of mutual interest with the ambassador. On the priority list of topics, the Prime Minister raised the possibility of funding from the German Government for the Iwokrama Forest. Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained some of the future plans for Iwokrama Forest, noting that this unique forest is reserved for bio-diversity studies.

The Prime Minister also congratulated the ambassador and expressed his admiration for Germany’s approach to the Syrian war crisis. He noted how impressed he was by the country for accepting the largest amount of refugees.

Ambassador Gorgens explained that he would meet with his counterparts on the possibility of full support on all areas discussed with the Prime Minister.

Kitty-Subryanville LGE candidates square-off

By Ravin Singh

KNOWN to be a constituency that is relatively quiet and not prone to many social ills, Subryanville and sections of Kitty are really still far from fitting this description.

And with the highly anticipated Local Government Elections quickly approaching, running candidates have laid out their plans for the constituency, should they be elected to serve as councillors.

Perhaps one of the more pressing issues in the area is that of flooding, as was expressed by several residents. And according to Team Benschop’s candidate, Jameel Rasul, the drainage situation has been an “eyesore” not only for that constituency, but for the entire Georgetown.

As such, his plan, and that of his group, is to tackle this issue immediately, since it adversely affects the lives of residents of all walks of life.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Albert Cromwell, an independent candidate, who noted that his plan was to bring back Kitty and Subryanville to the place it had been 30 years ago.

“For the past twenty-something years, the place has deteriorated, and I would like to see proper infrastructure in place to deal with this issue,” he told the residents.

In that area, too, City Hall has been sourcing $20,000 per annum for every house lot. And while this money is seemingly not being expended in a way that would benefit the constituency, Cromwell suggested that if he is

elected, he would ensure proper representation was made for the council to address drainage in the area.

Agreeing with Cromwell that there was a “systemic deterioration” of Subryanville was APNU+AFC’s candidate Carlyle Goring. He was, however, convinced that this was a result of the country being starved of Local Government Elections for over two decades.

As it relates to the rates and taxes paid by residents, Goring, firm in tone, recommended that once the residents pay their taxes and the council does not deliver, they (the council) should be given the “Gideon boot”, which translates to them being kicked out of office. But he went on further to suggest that this $20,000 per lot is inadequate, since it works out to approximately $1700 a month.

However, he did not suggest an increase in this amount.

Reserved in his comment, Rasul refused to make promises to the residents in this regard.

He noted that he did not want to make grandstanding statements and fail to deliver. He told the gathering, though, that if he were elected, those complaints would be examined in their entirety and solutions would be forthcoming.

Then it was the issue of zoning code violation, which all four candidates acknowledged as a major problem. The APNU+AFC candidate first suggested that residents sign a petition against this violation, but one resident pointed out that this had already been done, but

-- drainage, infrastructural development among priority issues

((L-R) APNU+AFC candidate Carlyle Goring; Team Benschop’s candidate Jameel Rasul; Healing the Nation Theocracy Party’s (HTNTP’s) candidate Alfred Park; and independent candidate Albert Cromwell and address their concerns that these were, he noted that inputs, it bore no fruit.

And having appreciated this fact, Goring hinted at the shortcomings in the judicial system to immediately act on these issues.

LOBBY Continuing on the said topic though, the coalition’s candidate noted that what could be done in the short term was to lobby for some moderation in the noise level emerging from bars and local shops.

Cromwell weighed in, too, offering that for the past twenty-plus years, “lawlessness went on” and the deviation in adhering to zoning codes has tremendously affected the lives of people in a negative way. He explained

that apart from loud music, improper solid waste disposal by those commercial enterprises had directly and indirectly affected residents living in close proximity. And Cromwell was of the view that should he be elected to serve as councillor, he would “stomp that out”, since he is a “no-nonsense man.”

“Commercial areas are supposed to be commercial areas, and residential areas are supposed to be residential areas,” he added.

The Team Benschop candidate also suggested there should be consultation with residents if a business was being opened.

“These business people should speak to, and listen to, residents;

way. You cannot just open a business and have it affecting people in a negative way,” he said, adding that it was an issue which needed to be examined at the level of council.

Additionally, all candidates acknowledged the need for a community ground, which they agreed played an integral role in the development of any community through participation in health and social activities.

Meanwhile, Cromwell sought to highlight that he had already made some “headway” in addressing some concerns of the residents since the change in government last year. Though he did not specifically say what

through him, were made to current Mayor Hamilton Green and Town Clerk Royston King.

“I’m working even before I’m elected” he said.

Goring, running with the support of the coalition Government under his belt, promised the residents to introduce bus stops at strategic points in the community, to benefit senior citizens; install street lights, and undertake regular garbage collection.

And given that he is the coalition’s candidate, Goring sees himself as being in a more advantageous position, since it would be easier for him to network with the relevant ministers to address concerns.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Tackling Glaucoma

By Shirley Thomas ACTIVITIES in observance of World Glaucoma Week kicked off here on Monday with the launch of a glaucoma poster under the theme “Beat Invisible Glaucoma.”

The poster was launched at the Eye Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and was followed by the commencement of one week of free glaucoma testing at the same venue, which ended today.

The launch of the glaucoma poster was a joint initiative of the Ministry of Public Health; the GPHC; and Ansa McAl, which printed and assisted with the designing of the posters.

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, in brief remarks at the launching ceremony, congratulated the Eye Department for the activities that are being executed to benefit the people of Guyana in observance of World Glaucoma Week.

He also thanked Ansa McAl for the posters, which will be used to help boost public awareness.

Minister Norton is urging the pubic to come out and have their eyes, tested to

see whether or not they have glaucoma. Glaucoma, even though common, can only be diagnosed by a specialist ophthalmologist, who would have undergone a fellowship in glaucoma studies.

Dr Norton pointed out that in testing for glaucoma, one does not look for just one sign. “You need at least five tests, and those have to be interpreted by somebody with the requisite amount of experience and competence in glaucoma,” he said.

“You need to know the thickness of the eye, the pressure of the eye, the structure of the eye, among other things, before you can actually put the patient on treatment; because, as you know, the treatment is for lifetime,” he added.

COMPLICATIONS He, however, cautioned that treatment also has some side complications that may not be in the patient’s best interest. Therefore, it is important that the patient be diagnosed for glaucoma not by an optometrist, who gives spectacles, but by the specialist ophthalmologist who, in this case, is Dr. Shailendra Sugrim at the GPHC. Doctor Sugrim, who has

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, and the dedicated nursing staff of the GPHC Eye Clinic following Monday’s launching of the Glaucoma Poster

a fellowship in glaucoma, is being ably assisted by Drs Lammy, Allison and Hinds, as well as by Chinese doctors, Dr Norton said.

Glaucoma is prevalent in Guyana, as attested to by both Drs Norton and Sugrim. It is largely found in pigmented persons, as has been found in Barbados, St Lucia and Jamaica. In the Linden/Wismar area of Guyana, there is a high inci-

dence of glaucoma as well.

The other important factor, Dr Norton said, is that the condition has a hereditary component, meaning that your mother, father or grandparents can have glaucoma and you can get it as well.

In this regard, he is encouraging persons to come out and get tested.

VISION LOSS Cataract, on the other hand, by far outweighs the prevalence of glaucoma in Guyana. “But the difference with cataract,” Dr Norton noted, “is that you can be almost completely blind, and with surgery, within a matter of about 15 minutes, you can regain your sight.

“But with glaucoma, the vision loss is irreversible because it comes about through nerve damage. So we have to try to prevent you from losing vision, in order to maintain your sight.”

Dr Sugrim added that although studies have not yet been done to determine the prevalence of glaucoma in Guyana, there is need for intervention. “From our practical experience here, we find that it is very common indeed; and in Afro-Guyanese communities.

“We think there is a high incidence here, that is why this week is dedicated to public awareness; why our poster slogan says: ‘You may have glaucoma and you may NOT know it’.”

Glaucoma is an eye condition that silently and permanently damages the optic nerve of the eye, slowly over the years, until the entire nerve is destroyed, Dr Sugrim said. He said individuals 40 and over are invited for screening, and persons over 60 should be screened at least once per year.

Also collaborating with the initiative is Eye Care Guyana (ECG), and rep-

resenting that entity at the launch was Pastor Charles Vandyke, National Programme Manager. ECG, which works with the GPHC and the Ministry of Public Health, is headquartered in Charlotte Street. It also collaborates with other hospitals and eye-care institutions in Guyana. ECG provides equipment, low-cost spectacles, training for personnel, and whatever else is needed for the prevention of blindness.

“For glaucoma, we arrange for the specialised training of two doctors: Dr Shailendra Sugrim and Dr Sarju, who both work at the Georgetown Public Hospital Eye Department. We have also trained other doctors in ophthalmology.

“Personnel performing checks for vision are trained and paid through funding Eye Care Guyana receives from organisations,” Vandyke told the Guyana Chronicle.

Accused of wounding neighbour Dr Shailendra Sugrim and another doctor look on as a patient is being screened for glaucoma (Photos by Ivan Bentham)

ORIN Wilson, 41, of Cornelius Avenue, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was yesterday placed on $75,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he appeared before her on a wounding charge.

The charge stated that on December 3, 2015, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Carver Profit.

Wilson denied the allegation, and Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not object to bail being granted, but indicated to the court that both men live in the same rented apartment but stay in separate rooms. The prosecutor did not reveal any further facts.

The matter has been adjourned to April 12.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Turkey donates tractor, Bobcat to MMA

DIPLOMATIC representatives of the Republic of Turkey on Wednesday donated a tractor and trailer and a Bobcat excavator to the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) as part of a development assistance programme to the Government and people of Guyana.

Handing over of the equipment was done outside the Head Office of the MMA/ADA at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, and was the final act of a development assistance programme for Guyana, agreed to by the two countries in 2014.

As part of that agreement, before the donation on Wednesday, the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) donated computers and software to eight primary schools, funded a conference system for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, funded an archival system for the records of the National Communications Network (NCN), and purchased two ambulances for the Ministry of Health, officials disclosed.

A new agreement for additional forms of development assistance from Turkey is expected to be finalised shortly.

The equipment for the MMA was handed over by Dr Mehmet Ozkan, Associate Professor of International Relations in South America. Those present at the event included members of the Turkish team led by Dr Ozkan; staffers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duanne Bess and Roxanne Laroc; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jarvis; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the MMA, Dr Kenneth Sealey; General Manager of the MMA, Aubrey Charles; and other board members and MMA staff.

Before handing over the equipment, Dr Ozkan disclosed that his country will continue to contribute to social and economic development and the betterment of the lives of the people of Guyana.

Permanent Secretary Jarvis, General Manager Charles, Chairman Dr Sealey and Foreign Service Officer II Duanne Bess all made brief remarks, expressing the gratitude of the people of Guyana for the development support assistance from the Government of Turkey.

Jarvis noted that the equipment was specially requested by the Ministry of Agriculture because of the ever present need within agricultural areas to either provide irrigation or alleviate flooding.

“They fit in nicely with what the MMA is required to do,” he said, while disclosing a wish that the relationship between Guyana and Turkey would grow from strength to strength.

Sealey, noting that the MMA was service-oriented, said the farmers of the MMA will be the main beneficiaries, due to the increased capabilities for drainage and irrigation management as

Dr Mehmet Ozkan cuts the ribbon to formally hand over the gifts from Turkey. MMA officials Godfrey Woodroffe, Aubrey Charles and Dr Ken Sealey (second, third and fourth from right) look on well as access to and from farms that the equipment will provide.

Charles disclosed that the equipment will be deployed immediately to bolster work in the critical areas of responsibility of the authority.

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Pakistan to play in World Olympic Qualifiers Twenty20 after India Amsterdam addresses concerns on show today

By Asad Hashim

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) - The Pakistan government cleared the national cricket team’s participation in the World Twenty20 yesterday after hosts India addressed concerns about the safety and security of their players.

The much-anticipated March 19 clash between the neighbours had earlier been shifted to Kolkata following Pakistan’s security concerns over the original venue Dharamsala.

Pakistan had said its men’s and women’s teams would travel to India only after New Delhi gave a public guarantee on the safety of its players.

Outside of international tournaments, cricket matches between the two countries have been suspended since gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai in a three-day rampage in 2008, which India blames on a Pakistani militant group.

“I would like to give you and cricket-lovers the good news that Chaudhry Nisar (Ali Khan), the Interior Minister, has given permission to send the Pakistan cricket team to play the Twenty20 on the basis of solid assurances ...” Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) executive

committee chairman Najam Sethi told reporters.

Sethi said Pakistan had received assurances from the state of West Bengal, where Kolkata is in, and the Indian Home Ministry.

Indian Home Minister

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan Rajnath Singh said yesterday Pakistan should not have any safety concerns in India, while junior minister Kiren Rijiju promised “foolproof security”.

“The team is completely ready and hopefully they will fly to Dubai tonight and then from there will leave straight for India,” Sethi added, signalling the end of an organisational headache for both the Indi-

an board and the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters in Lahore that the cricketers were given the option to pull out if they felt any security threat but all 15 squad members wanted to play.

“We want cricketing ties to remain active .... Our hope is that our cricketing relations (with India) remain intact,” Khan said.

The uncertainty around Pakistan’s participation had threatened to further sour relations between the neighbours.

“Unfortunately, Pakistan is looking for an excuse not to come,” India Board (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur had told CNN-IBN channel earlier yesterday.

“We are providing security to everyone and Pakistan will be given adequate security. They should not be worried about security,” said Thakur, also a member of parliament, representing India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Former champions Pakistan, who lost to India in the final of the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, begin their campaign on March 16 against a qualifying team.

NOTABLE DATES JUNIOR middleweight Adrian Dodson (Carew) remained unbeaten in eight fights after winning a unanimous decision over Danny Juma on March 12, 1994 at the National Ice Rink in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.

The southpaw Guyanese, who was 23 years old at the time, won every round of the six-round bout. It was Dodson’s second fight that year and he secured three other victories by December. Dodson is one of a handful of Guyanese boxers that never competed as a professional on home soil. Dennis Andries, Steve Frank and `Vicious’ Vivian Harris are also members of that small group.

Dodson was undefeated in 18 fights when he met World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super welterweight (junior middleweight) champion Ronald `Winky’ Wright. The fight was held in December 1997 and the Guyanese retired at the end of the fifth round.

He later challenged for the Commonwealth title in October 1999 but was disqualified in the 12th round for biting Alain Bonnamie.

Dodson would win the lowly regarded International Boxing Organisation on March 3, 2001 following a third round knockout of Paul Jones. He lost the title in his first defence which occurred the following month.

TEAM Guyana will go into action today at the AMBC Olympics Boxing Qualifiers in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Light heavyweight Desmond Amsterdam is set to collide with Colombian Juan Carlos Carrillo in the eighth fight of today’s second session which commences at 14:00hrs Amsterdam’s compatriot Dennis Thomas will start competition tomorrow. The middleweight policeman drew a bye and is scheduled to face Puerto Rican Jose Luis Rodriguez. A victory would put Thomas into the quarter-finals.

Manager/coach of the team Sebert Blake confirmed that spirits were high in the Guyana camp.

“We are looking at some videos of the persons we are supposed to fight and our spirits are high. With that we expect to have the right results,” Blake said.

The three-man Guyana team arrived in Argentina on Thursday morning. Amsterdam is a gold medallist at the Caribbean Development Tournament held last November in Guyana while Thomas reached the quarter-final round of the last Commonwealth Games.

According to Blake there are a total of 184 boxers at the Qualifiers. Thomas’ division has 21 fighters while 14 make up Amsterdam’s category. The Olympics Qualifier is a hurdle boxers have to cross in order to participate in the Olympics.

Guyana last appeared at the Olympics in 1996.

Policeman `Big’ John Douglas was this country’s lone boxer at the games.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Cricket great Martin Crowe given farewell in Auckland memorial service … Crowe remembered by brother Jeff for his ‘beautiful mind’

FAMILY and former teammates have remembered New Zealand cricket great Martin Crowe as a uniquely gifted player, a cheeky prankster and a loving father. About 1 000 people filled Auckland’s Holy Trinity Cathedral for Crowe’s funeral yesterday.

Addressing the mourners, former teammate Ian Smith described how hard he was hit upon realising Crowe was dying after receiving a text message in England. “It simply said: Hey Stockley, I want you to do my eulogy,” Smith said.

Martin Crowe tributes reflect the man, and show cricket at its best.

Smith recalled Crowe’s unique leadership, determination to win and his agony after a 299-run innings against Sri Lanka in 1991. “We all shared the dismay as he fell agonisingly one run short,” Smith said. “One word sums up Martin Crowe and all that he did to me: passion.”

He described Crowe, who

died at 53, as a cheeky prankster who took pride in his ability to do impersonations of other player’s styles on days interrupted by rain.

“There were a lot of things I

Russell Crowe was a pallbearer, and Martin’s brother Jeff joked that yesterday was maybe the only day Martin would be the most famous of the pair.

describing him as someone with a “beautiful mind” who gave so much beyond cricket. “Perhaps in death he’ll get the recognition fitting the player and the per-

Auckland Grammar students perform a haka at the funeral of Martin Crowe. admired about Martin Crowe, but more than anything his ability to relax.”

Crowe’s cousin, actor

Speaking to the congregation, Jeff recalled Crowe’s cricket prowess from an early age, before

son that he was,” he said.

He described finding out about his brother’s death while in Bangladesh and how

it filled the news there, with parks Crowe had never seen holding moments of silence and tributes.

Video tributes from current New Zealand internationals Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill, preparing for the World Twenty20 in India, were played with both saying they owed him a great deal.

Taylor recalled calling Crowe as a 20-year-old to seek his advice and that was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. He revealed Crowe sent him an email after New Zealand had been well beaten in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane in November which left him questioning his future in the game.

“That page and a half of words made me really believe and have faith again,” said Taylor who made 290 in the next Test. A tearful Guptill said both he and Taylor were incredibly proud to be referred to as the sons Crowe never had.

Wife Lorraine Downes said Crowe was her soulmate: “My grief is huge as was my love for Marty,” she said.

New Zealand Cricket representatives at the funeral included chief David White, president Stephen Boock and board member Richard Hadlee. Former international teammates were among the mourners as was former Australian Test captain Greg Chappell, representing Cricket Australia.

Meanwhile, former Black Caps skippers Brendon McCullum and Stephen Fleming, who could not attend, opted instead to hold a minute of silence at the New Zealand Open in Queenstown along with former Australian cricketers Allan Border and Ricky Ponting.

Students from Crowe’s former school, Auckland Grammar, formed a guard of honour and others performed a rousing haka as Crowe’s coffin left the church. (www.Guardian)

Cameron: ‘Give us your money, not your advice’

By Dr Rudy Webster SOMEONE once said that if you want to predict how managers and administrators are likely to behave and perform at work, look at their motivational profiles and hierarchy of values, not just their talent or skill.

For years, West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) overriding motivation has been the need for power, control, recognition and self-preservation, hence its authoritarian style of leadership, its self-delusion and its inflated sense of worth.

Instead of focusing on the growth, development, welfare and performance of its players, it is continually consumed by its power, needs and desires. This is a prescription for failure and disaster.

The Board rejected the recommendations of the CARICOM Governance Review Panel months ago as impractical, unnecessary and intrusive. Since then nothing has changed.

As expected, the Board reinforced its position at a WICB meeting in Jamaica just a few days ago.

At the same time that the Board was dismissing the prime ministers of the region and the CARICOM Report, Cameron was calling on Caribbean governments to join forces with the WICB to invest financially in the rebuilding of its overall cricket programme. Cameron is sending a very strong message to the Caribbean prime ministers, “We don’t want your advice, just give us your money.”

After the 27th Inter-sessional Meeting in Belize a few weeks ago, CARICOM prime ministers unanimously affirmed that the recommendations of the Governance Review Panel must be implemented and stressed that they will explore all options to see that this is done.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell explained that the WICB would not have the final say on whether the report’s recommendation will be implemented.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, Giles Clarke the president of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and one of the chief architects of the Big Three takeover is set to be called before the UK Parliament

to answer questions and explain his role in the controversial ICC structural reform of February 2014, in which the Boards of England, Australia and India

WICB president Dave cameron took control of cricket’s finances.

The Select Parliamentary Committee wants to look into the conduct and governance of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in relation to international cricket. The committee has already had hearings with Greg Dyke, the FA chairman, over FIFA corruption; Sebastian Coe, IAAF pres-

ident, over doping in athletics; and Chris Kermode of ATP over match-fixing in tennis. The Committee wants to know if cricket is a clean sport.

Committee member Damian Collins, the Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, has asked the ECB to answer six specific and pointed questions pertaining to Clarke’s ongoing role and the Board’s overall commitment to good governance. He believes that ‘the cricketing public deserve to know the answers”.

There are a few things that the cricketing public in the West Indies also deserve to know. Perhaps a similar CARICOM committee should summon president Cameron to answer the seven questions below.

Pat Rousseau, a former president of the WICB, asked some of these questions a while ago but so far they have not been answered.

QUESTIONS: 1. Why were you unwilling to support the group led by Pakistan to block the takeover by the Big Three

when your vote would have put an end to the efforts of England, Australia and India?

2. Why did you sign the Big Three agreement when you knew that WICB would automatically lose $43M? 3. Are you aware that there is no provision in the Constitution for an Executive President?

4. Are you paid by the Board as an Executive President? If so, are you aware that those payments are ultra vires because they are not provided for in the Constitution and may have to be refunded?

5. What are you paid by the Board in respect of your duties as Chairman and for what you do on behalf of the Board?

6. Why is Part 1 of the Lucky Report on the WICB website and not Part 2 that criticises the actions of President Griffith, Roger Brathwaite and Dave Cameron?

7. During your presidency the DIGICEL Contract was renewed. Does it contain the same provision requiring the sponsor to pay sponsorship fee to the DIGICEL agent giving him

authority to deduct money from that payment before paying the Board?

The WICB has more or less declared war on CARICOM prime ministers and clearly has no intention of searching for a mutually beneficial solution. The Board must understand that West Indies cricket does not belong to twelve board members. It belongs to the players, the coaches, the clubs, the territories, the schools, the governments, the press, the people of the Caribbean and the millions of people around the world who are dying to see a competitive West Indies team again.

It is time for CARICOM governments to step forward and flex their muscles. As Prime Minister Errol Barrow of Barbados used to say, “The Board must be brought to Christian understanding.” In addition to insisting that the questions above be answered fully and truthfully, governments should deny WICB the use of their grounds and stadia.

They should also demand a detailed forensic audit of the governance of the WICB.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Hand-in-Hand joins list of sponsors for YWCC Mash Cup

INSURANCE giant Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company joined the list of sponsors for the Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) Mash Cup. The rescheduled tournament is billed for March 20 at the Cumberland ground.

At the presentation held recently, Eshwarie Persaud, employee of the New Amsterdam Branch, said that her company is happy to be associated with the tournament.

She added that the club continues to produce outstanding players with the latest being young batting star Shimron Hetmyer, who successfully led West Indies to the Youth World Cup glory in Bangladesh.

Collecting the sponsorship cheque on behalf of the club, Hetmyer thanked the company and pointed out that sponsorship is of utmost importance for the development of the game.

He encouraged other young and aspiring

cricketers to work hard since the game has lots to offer.

This event will form part of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations with proceeds going towards further improvements to the club’s facilities and day-to-day running.

In addition, funds will be allocated to three schools in the Number 19 to Gangaram area.

The tournament will involve 12 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 hosts are expected to compete.

Incentives with the value of over $100 000 will be up for grabs with lots of gate prizes to be won.

Hand-in-Hand employee Eshwarie Persaud (left) hands over sponsorship cheque to YWCC, Guyana and West Indies Youth batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer in the presence of Berbice manager Tajpaul Adjhodea and another staff member of Hand-in-Hand insurance company.

Blairmont Cricket Club T20 tourney attracts more sponsors REPUBLIC Bank and Big B’s – Baksh Restaurant have thrown their support behind the Blairmont Cricket Club (BCC)-organised Roy Fredericks memorial floodlight T20 tournament.

The two-day tournament is billed for March 19 and 20.

Funds garnered from the tournament in March will be used to secure covers for the pitches at the club.

Another of the club’s plans is to promote a Spelling Bee and a Mathematics quiz for Grade Six students in Region Five to prepare them for the National Grade Six Assessment, with the blessing of the Ministry of Education, in the latter part of the year.

A staff member hands over the Republic Bank cheque to treasurer of BCC, Shizad Ali, while other staff members and officials of BCC look on.

Meanwhile, the two-day cricket event will see 10 top teams battle for supremacy, namely Cotton Tree Die Hard, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Youth and Sports Club, Bath Underdogs, Blairmont Blazers, Skeldon Gladia-

tors, West Berbice Super Kings, Black Bush Rangers, Bush Lot Strikers and Lusignan Emperors.

BCC will also partner with the Berbice Volley Association (BVA) during the event by hosting a

Mohamed Samad, executive member of BCC collects the sponsorship cheque from a representative from Big B’s while other staff members share the moment.

volleyball competition at the Community Centre to resuscitate the game.

The home team Defenders, during 19952007, were one of the top teams in Guyana, producing many junior and senior national players.

There will also be a dominoes competition, live commentary, ice cream and air horns giveaways, bouncy castle, trampoline and live musical entertainment from local artistes.

For more information on sponsorship rights or participation, persons can contact Shizad Ali (Green’s Massive) on 6275215, Nigel Trotz on 6434289 or Shabeer Baksh on 628-6767.

Fitzgerald to lead GDA men’s team to Caribbean Festival

THE Guyana Darts Association GDA yesterday announced that coming out the trials which were held over the past two weeks, the following persons have been selected to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Darts Festival, scheduled for July in Barbados.

T h e m e n ’s ’ t e a m is headed by National champion Sudesh ‘Kerry’ Fitzgerald and he is supported by Nicholas Seetaram, Luis Ramirez-Merlano, Jamwant Bhupan, Terence Joseph, Marvin Yaw, SUDESH FITZGERALD Sanjay Bhupam, Sherwin Greene and Adrian Damon.

The Ladies’ team will be led by National champion Jaswantie ‘Rosetta’ Hiralall and Mary Correia, Victorine Chandro, Melissa Smartt and Natisha Fordyce will complete the squad

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday March 12, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALLBourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to Thursday’s quiz: (1)India & Pakistan (2)Sri Lanka

Today’s Quiz:

(1)How many games have been scheduled for the current ICC T20 World Cup? (2)Name the teams that are in ‘Group A’ of the current ICC T20 World Cup?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 12, 2016

Continental Agencies to continue sponsoring Chelsea Edghill CONTINENTAL Agencies Ltd (CAL) through its lead brand Sunburst Juices has continued its support of Caribbean and National table tennis champion Chelsea Edghill by handing over sponsorship ahead of the 2016 Olympics qualifiers.

The company, through Marketing and Sales Manager of Continental Group of Companies, Avalon Jagnandan, handed over a cheque to Chelsea’s mother Deirdre Edghill recently.

Edghill, who became one of the youth ambassadors under the Sunburst Brand, commenced her partnership in 2013 while pursuing her quest for Junior Olympic qualification.

Jagnandan said that the company would like to commend Chelsea on her recent success at several international tournaments, and would like to wish her continued success in her upcoming tournaments,

especially her quest for the Rio 2016 Olympics, to which the sponsorship

qualifiers would have Latin America’s best table tennis talents on show but only

Games from this event. Each association is entitled to enter up to three men and three

Avalon Jagnandan, Marketing and Sales Manager for Continental Group of Companies, hands over sponsorship cheque to Ms Deirdre Edghill in the presence of Godfrey Munroe, president of the GTTA. goes.

Meanwhile, the 2016

Leeward Islands Hurricanes close day one on 237-3

LED by half-centuries from Montcin Hodge and Kieran Powell, Leeward Islands Hurricanes closed the rain-affected opening day of their ninth round match of the WICB/Professional Cricket League (PCL) fourday Tournament against Guyana Jaguars on 237-3.

The game is being played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, Antigua.

Hodge is unbeaten on 74, while Powell made 55.

Daron Cruickshank (43) and Keacy Carty (33) were the other two batsmen to be dismissed.

The other not-out batsman is Orlando Peters on 29. The successful bowlers for the Jaguars are left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (2-44) and Christopher Barnwell (1-40).

In the other two matches: Barbados Pride closed day one on 220-2 against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

Kraigg Brathwaite is unbeaten on 105.

In the other game between Windward Islands Volcanoes and Jamaica Scorpions at Arnos Vale Cricket Ground, the Jamaica Scorpions closed day one on 237-5. John Campbell slammed 135.

five men and six women will qualify for the Olympic

versity in Akron, Ohio.

The Scholarship has allowed her the opportunity to actively train, play and participate in high-level competition against top-level players on the intercollegiate circuit on a consistent basis, in view of achieving 2020 Olympics qualification. Her university is fourth in the intercollegiate rankings.

According to Godfrey Munroe, president of the Guyana Table Tennis Association, (GTTA) while Chelsea is a true prospect for 2020 qualification, having had some great performances to start the year, her quest for 2016 Olympics qualification will be enhanced.

It will also provide an opportunity to learn, play and compete against the best players in Latin America and re-establish her world ranking and establish her position for possible wild card Universal qualification.

DDL on board KMTC’s Phagwah Day race meet for 43rd year DEMERARA Distillers Limited (DDL) has stepped on board the Kennard Memorial Turf Club’s (KMTC) Annual Phagwah Day Horse Race meet for the 43rd year with the handing-over of the firstplace trophy and a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Honorary President of the Club, Justice Cecil Kennard Thursday.

The six-race event is set for Sunday at the club’s facility, Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, beginning at 13:30hrs.

According to the former Chancellor of the Judiciary

Bangladesh, Oman face shootout after rain wreaks havoc

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Heavy rain led to the abandonment of both World Twenty20 qualifiers in Dharamsala yesterday, leaving Bangladesh and Oman firmly in the race to secure the lone spot in the main draw from Group A. The two sides now meet in a shootout tomorrow with the winners joining Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan in Group A of the Super10 stage.

After Wednesday’s eight-run defeat against Bangladesh, Netherlands badly needed to beat Oman and an overcast sky prompted Dutch skipper Peter Borren to tweet: “Rain, rain go away. We have 10 percent of our 2016 matches to play today”.

The rain relented to allow the toss, Oman winning it and opting to field, before it started pouring again.

women players.

According to Chelsea’s

mother, the three-time Junior Sportswoman, Caribbean champion, Junior Olympian 2014 and a prospect for 2020 Olympics has been identified by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

She will make the trip to the Latin American continental qualification championships in Chile along with team mate Trenace Lowe.

Chelsea is the recipient of a partial scholarship to pursue Undergraduate and Masters Studies in Chemistry Physics and Forensics from Lindenwood University, Missouri USA, based on her academic and sporting prowess.

Just recently, the Guyanese was the 2016 Regional division women’s champion and also won silver at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Butterfly table tennis challenge, gold at the Badger Open and she secured U-22 silver at the newly Table Tennis Open at Walsh Uni-

“A lot of effort, energy and time have gone into trying to qualify for the event,” a dejected Borren said.

“We don’t get many opportunities, our next opportunity could be in four years’ time and even then that would take a lot of hard work again to get here. So very gutted.”

Ireland, beaten by Oman in their first match, joined them on the sidelines when the game against Bangladesh was called off after eight overs.

After the bad weather reduced the contest to 12 overs per side, Bangladesh got off to a flyer with Tamim Iqbal (47) clobbering four sixes in a 26-ball blitz as he put on 61 for the opening wicket with Soumya Sarkar (20).

They were cruising at 94 for two in eight overs when heavy rain returned and no further play was possible.

Justice Kennard, this is the 43rd year that DDL has been supporting horse race meets for the club and he welcomes the contribution which the company made yesterday at a very simple ceremony.

According to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, DDL has been very supportive of the KMTC’s activities and it is his hope that the beverage giants will continue to support KMTC in years to come.

D D L’s I v a n o f f Vo d ka Brands Manager Maria Munroe said her company is pleased to be associated with KMTC and, apart from part sponsoring the feature race on Sunday’s card which is the one-mile event for horses classified G1 and Lower, DDL has committed to sponsoring three more races planned for later in the year.

Munroe, a national hockey player, said she is expecting a great turnout of turfites as she anticipates the day’s activity will be very exciting.

Munroe praised Justice Kennard and his team for always being well organised and putting on a good show at their meets.

Justice Kennard disclosed that over 60 horses have been registered for the meet and he anticipates keen rivalry.

Justice Kennard said the Phagwah Day meet usually attracts a lot of spectators and

Justice Cecil Kennard (left) accepts the winning trophy for the `G1 and Lower’ one mile race as well as the sponsorship cheque from DDL’s Ivanoff Vodka Brands Manager Maria Munroe (photo by Cullen Best-Nelson). this year should not be different.

He said, `”We don’t need just the support of the sponsors, but the support of the public as well.

Other sponsors on board are; DIGICEL, Roy’s Pharmacy of Bourda Market, Ganesh Parts and General Store of Robb Street, Dalip Trading Ltd of Robb Street, Khanai’s Electrical Agency, Silvie’s Variety Store, P&P Insurance Brokers, R’Us Petrol Station of Corentyne, berbice, N&S Mattai and Company of Wa-

ter Street, Berbice Bridge Company Inc., Metro Office and Stationery Supplies, Mohamed’s Enterprise of Lombard Street, R. Singh and Sons of Regent Street, Goodwood and Horseshoe Racing Services, Mike’s Pharmacy, Kissoon Dyal Rice Miller of Chelsea Park, Mahaica, Nand Persaud and Company of Corentyne, COURT Guyana Inc, Essential Supplies Inc and Hand-in Hand Group of Companies.

Continental Agencies to continue sponsoring Chelsea Edghill See story on page 31

Olympic Qualifiers

Amsterdam on show today See story on page 28

Manager/coach of Team Guyana, Sebert Blake (right), poses with light heavyweight Desmond Amsterdam (centre) and Dennis Thomas shortly after arriving in Argentina.

Guyana in the vanguard GOA meets Australian High Commissioner over 2018 Commonwealth Games of Youth Boxing - Ninvalle

By Stephan Sookram

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) continues to be in the vanguard of the sport on the regional scene, firstly with a Caribbean Development Meet last year and now with the announcement of a schoolboys and juniors tournament.

President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, during a media interview recently announced that the body has put its hand up to host the Caribbean tournament, saying, “Guyana again has jumped into the vanguard and is hosting the schoolboys and juniors tournament.”

“The fact is that the region has not had a schoolboys and juniors tournament. At our Caribbean development association meeting of administrators we thought it only right that we place some focus on the nursery of boxing,”

continued Ninvalle.

He noted that already, St Lucia, Barbados and Jamaica are ready to attend with the tournament seeking one more invitee, adding,

STEVE NINVALLE “Trinidad have already said that they cannot make this tournament because of the fact that they have not bud-

geted for it.” “ F ro m a p e r s o n a l standpoint, I think it augers well for the development of the nursery and we plan to place a lot of emphasis on the nursery.

Just recently Chase Academy offered a scholarship to us for any young boxer coming out of the tournament.

The tournament is a direct result of the Demerara Distillers Limited U-16 tournament, which has been going on for some five years and the GBA boss commended the beverage company for its input and confidence.

In closing, Ninvalle, who is also an Executive Committee Member of the World Amateur Boxing body (AIBA) contended that the fruits of the programme will start showing in four or five years down the line.

The tournament is billed for April 29-30.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9

THE president and members of the Guyana Olympics Association met (GOA) with Mr John Pilbeam, Australian High Commissioner-designate to Guyana, to discuss the 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland,

Australia from April 4 to 15, 2018.

Present at the meeting were GOA vice-presidents, Ms Karen Pilgrim & Noel Adonis, GOA secretary Hector Edwards and GOA Council member Gokarn Ramdhani.

GOA president Gokarn Ramdhani meets with High Commissioner-designate Mr John Pilbeam. Also present were vice-presidents Ms Karen Pilgrim & Mr Noel Adonis, secretary Mr Hector Edwards and Council member Mr Gokarn Ramdhani.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016