Chronicle 03 19 2016

STRONG SHOWING No. 104496

SATURDAY MARCH 19, 2016

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...APNU+AFC set to take Bartica, Lethem; tied with PPP in Mabaruma

Though voters did not turn out in fill numbers in Friday’s Local Government Elections, a number of persons with disabilities and the elderly did not let go of the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box

► Realisation of LGE was great satisfaction ‒ Granger

► Candidates in New Amsterdam transport differently-abled, elderly

► Voting in Lethem hassle-free

► Seniors walk miles to vote in Bartica

► Essequibians vote at leisurely pace ► Inadequate voter education blamed for poor turnout

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

Volunteers transport Guyana Goldfields invests US$50,000 Ann’s Grove voters ‒ to enable workers to vote in LGE Ravin Singh

Some of the APNU candidates in the Grove/Haslington district pose for Guyana Chronicle photographer Cullen Bess-Nelson at the party’s office at Breezy Point in Ann’s Grove

By Shauna Jemmott DESPERATE for development, residents of Ann’s Grove and its environs put up a united front for local government victory on Friday when vehicle owners and drivers offered to transport voters to polling stations a community away.

Villagers worked overtime to ensure that all senior citizens were transported comfortably in taxis and private cars in order that they might exercise their franchise, while younger voters were taken in buses and Canter trucks to polling stations at Hope Secondary and Primary schools.

Those dwelling in the Two Friends/Doch Four/ Hope constituency were required to travel to Hope Secondary and Primary schools, located miles away, to participate in the Local Government Elections (LGE), held for the first time in 22 years.

The entire community

consists of constituencies within Two Friends/Doch Four/Hope; Green Field and Bee Hive; and Ann’s Grove/ Clonbrook. While some residents were overheard saying they were discouraged by the distance, many became more interested when the free transportation service began operating from 09:00hrs until the close of poll at18:00hrs.

APNU+AFC Proportional Representation candidate Tracie James told the Guyana Chronicle that transportation was available to take voters who resided in Two Friends Village to their polling stations at Hope Secondary, and those who live at Doch Four to their polling station at Hope Primary School. “Some people will be discouraged because of transportation (as a result of) the distance and finance I guess, so that is why we thought of having transportation for them to go and come. We are not gonna leave them in the desert.

We’re gonna take them and

bring them back,” the candidate said.

She explained that while some voters responded positively to the LGE from the inception, younger voters seemed not to understand what it was about.

“People who are educated about Local Government Elections are coming out, and people who are not knowledgeable of Local Government Elections -- that would be like people who are young -- because for like 23 years we did not have that, so they don’t really understand until you explain to them and let them know how important it is to come out and vote.”

A candidate in the Clonbrook/Ann’s Grove constituency, Kamaladeen Balmacoon, was anxious about the elections, but said some people have shown little or no interest in the LGE. Road repairs, upgrading of two existing recreational centres, improvements in drainage and irrigation, and an agricultural boost within the communities are just a few of the plans Balmacoon has for his constituency.

Jean Herod, another candidate who has been sitting on the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) for quite some time, said she would be pleased to take her experience as councillor to the new council, so that she can help guide new councillors.

A MONUMENTAL move which is likely to set a precedent for other private companies was on Friday recorded as Guyana Goldfields expended a whopping US$50,000 to have approximately 170 employees flown from its Aurora mine to vote in the Local Government Elections (LGE).

This was confirmed last evening by Ocy Downer, who is responsible for logistics at the company.

It was revealed that the Canada-owned gold-mining company chartered a total of 32 flights over a three-day period to have the workers flown to the coast and back to the mining site.

The flights chartered were from several local carriers, including Trans Guyana Airways, Roraima Airways and Air Services Limited. The approximate distance from the worksite to the coast was estimated to be 200km.

However, this US$50,000 (or $10M) was spent after concerns were raised regarding the likelihood of workers not being able to vote on

Election Day. In a letter published in daily print, Kaieteur News on March 15, 2016, under the headline: “Guyana Goldfields may prevent us from voting,” one employee expressed that management of the company was “breaking the spirit of workers” who are legally entitled to timeoff from work to cast their ballots.

“They [workers] are being asked to stay and work because they will lose income. This is because they can’t guarantee getting us back on site before three days. Some persons who are scheduled to travel out close to Friday are being offered time and a half to stay on site and work through, because they are not bringing their replacement to site until after the elections,” the employee said while maintaining anonymity.

Knowledgeable of the law, the worker stated that all employees are entitled to time-off and in his view this was not being obeyed.

“This is a foreign company and they need to be told to obey our laws or leave our country. In the past, persons

would have labelled this kind of treatment prison-like or slave camp,” the employee said, adding that the letter could possibly cost them their jobs if their identities were revealed.

On the flip side of things though, a source last evening revealed that the employees would be paid for the day only if they provided evidence of the ink stain on their fingers.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday last revealed that 507,633 persons were registered to vote at the Local Government Elections (LGE). Three political parties, 17 voluntary groups and 63 individual candidates contested the elections which were facilitated at 1,562 polling stations across the country.

Guyana Goldfields Inc is a Canada-based mineral exploration company primarily focused on the exploration and development of gold deposits in Guyana.

The company holds advanced exploration projects and has been operating in Guyana continuously since 1996.

Candidates transport differently-abled, elderly ‒ in New Amsterdam AT JUST after midday on Friday, a 40 per cent turnout was reported for voting at Local Government Elections within the New Amsterdam township and environs, where 11,953 residents were expected to vote at 39 polling stations.

According to reports, among the challenges faced by some was their initial difficulty to find the places of poll. Many persons were turned away from their tra-

ditional polling stations because their names were not listed there, and some disgruntled voters blamed the respective public relations teams of the political parties for failing to inform residents about where they were

required to cast their ballots.

However, the traditional voters argued that many of the youths had made no effort to check the respective lists, and waited until the last moment, when they were under pressure from family members, to go vote.

Candidate Kirt Wyn-

Continued on page 3 ►

Residents liming after casting their ballots

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

...APNU+AFC set to take Bartica, Lethem; tied with PPP in Mabaruma THE ruling multi-party coalition APNU+AFC was poised to take control of two of the three new municipalities, but was tied with the PPP in the other after Friday’s historic vote at the Local Government Elections, party sources and Statements of Poll seen by this newspaper have indicated.

Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem were gazetted new towns for this LGE, and the ruling coalition had campaigned robustly in those areas. In Bartica, the upstart independent group Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA), which was seen as the coalition’s biggest test, was wiped out in most of the constituencies, with even the People’s Progressive Party/Civic upstaging them in many instances, based on SOPs posted outside of polling stations after the close of poll.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the APNU+AFC coalition won 15 of the 18 constituencies in the township of Bartica, with two going to the PPP/C and one to BIGA. In Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) Guyana Chronicle Senior Reporter Alva Solomon said results from SOPs posted indicated that APNU+AFC and the PPP were tied, with each party obtaining six seats on the town council. There are six constituencies in the municipality, and the APNU+AFC led in three, while the PPP/C obtained more votes in the remainder. The town council consists of 12 seats, and these were shared by the two parties.

The main bone of contention came from Constituencies 2, 3 and 5. These are the Mabaruma Settlement /Barimanobo, Mabaruma Township/Compound/ Broomes Estate and the Kumaka constituencies. It is here that the Coalition scored heavily in terms of votes, since those three constituencies had more eligible voters.

According to data obtained by this newspaper, the APNU+AFC obtained 777 votes while the PPP obtained 687 votes in the Proportional Representation numbers.

For the Candidates, the APNU+AFC obtained 776 votes while the PPP/C obtained 685 votes. The totals were presented by representatives of both the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) office

near the Mabaruma recreational ground. They both corresponded with each other.

For the PR aspect of voting, the APNU+AFC led in the SOPs posted outside the polling stations in those Constituencies late last evening. For Constituency 2 (Mabaruma Settlement/Barimanobo) the APNU+AFC obtained 204 votes while the PPP/C obtained 138.

In Constituency 3 (Mabaruma Township/Mabaruma Compound /Broomes Estate), the APNU+AFC obtained 192 votes while the PPP/C obtained 79 votes.

The APNU/AFC also led in Constituency 3 (Kumaka), gaining 81 votes as against 42 votes obtained by the PPP/C. The PPP/C obtained more votes in the remaining constituencies, including at Thomas Hill/Smith Creek (117), Barabina /Koberimo (113) and Hosororo Hill (189). The APNU+AFC respectively obtained 55, 86 and 147 votes for those three constituencies.

Late last evening, GECOM officials were busy in the sub-region as anxious supporters of both parties waited outside the Mabaruma Nursery School, where counting of ballots went late into the night. Later, fireworks were visible over Mabaruma and Kumaka as supporters of the Coalition seemed jubilant to hear the results that reached their area.

SURE WIN In Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Vice Chairman of APNU, businessman Carlton Beckles of Lethem, last night projected a sure win for the coalition even as some polling had wrapped up for the night. He told this newspaper that APNU has reportedly taken three of the proportional representation seats and won four of the five constituencies. There are 10 seats in the municipality.

Beckles stated that this win has given the party a 7-seat victory, which gives them a two-thirds majority thus far.

As he was speaking to this publication, last night in front of the APNU office in Lethem, a large crowd of residents had gathered to celebrate the anticipated victory. The mood last night was certainly one of obvious celebration, and Beckles added that he feels good at

this time, but he pointed out that the party could have done better.

"We should have secured eight seats, but fell down a bit in constituency #5 (Tabatinga) area; but we are still pleased with the projected results so far.” Beckles said.

He added that the people of Lethem have spoken in the LGE yesterday. He stated that the party’s plans are achievable, and they will deliver because they campaigned and they did not dream up anything.

Beckles added that it is just the beginning of good things for the people of Lethem, and once the results have been officially announced, the party will host a thanksgiving church service.

Noting that LGE had not been held for two decades, he said the people have embraced change, so much so that residents in the Savannahs are enquiring about the results.

WILD CELEBRATIONS Across in Bartica, according to preliminary reports based on the Statements of Poll published in the nine constituencies, the coalition has won 14 seats in the Proportional Representation and First-Past-The-Post components of the local elections. The PPP/C won three seats and BIGA secured one.

News of the preliminary results sparked wild celebrations at the APNU+AFC Party Office on Seventh Avenue Bartica, with scores of supporters flocking the building.

The coalition’s candidate for Mayor, Gifford Marshall, in an interview with this newspaper, expressed gratitude to the thousands of residents who trusted the leadership of the APNU+AFC. “First of all, we want to say thanks to God for His faithfulness. We want to say thanks to God, for His goodness and His mercies endureth forever. I also want to say thanks to the people of Bartica,” Marshall said.

He added: “Today is one for the record books. Why? Because the people of Bartica spoke after 22 years of being denied Local Government Elections.”

The APNU+AFC candidate said that from all indications, residents voted on issues. “What we have noted (is that) the people of Bartica did not vote along party lines, but they voted

for persons whom they trust; they voted for individuals whom they have confidence in, and we have a commitment now to the people to perform for the next three years,” he posited.

APNU+AFC Deputy Mayor designate Kamal Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle it feels great to win the support of the residents of Bartica. “It’s an extraordinary feeling to know the people in my community trusted in me and believe in my party,” she said.

Persaud said residents can expect improvement in the areas of infrastructure, drainage and irrigation, and waste disposal, among other areas.

BIGA Chief Candidate Holbert Knights, when contacted by Guyana Chronicle, conceded defeat. He said that based on the results of the elections, residents stuck with their parties and would

have failed to put their trust in an independent group, in this case BIGA. Pauline Sukhai, PPP Member of Parliament, acknowledged that Bartica is a traditional PNC stronghold.

She said her party worked and campaigned “hard in Bartica; and while we have not won the majority, we will have a voice on the council.” Sukhai is the former Minister of Amerindian Affairs.

Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden, which have traditionally been held by the People’s National Congress Reform, a key partner in the APNU coalition, were also going the coalition’s way, based on results, trends and party officials. In Georgetown, a key constituency of the coalition, where several independent groups had emerged, including Social Activist Mark Benschop’s Team Benschop

Party, the coalition could not be held back. It has been projected to have won approximately 10 of the 15 constituencies up to press time.

In Linden, the coalition was also dominant, based on SOPs seen by this newspaper.

Early in the day President David Granger had told reporters that he was confident that the coalition would receive overwhelming support in Lethem, Bartica and Mabaruma, as those three communities had recently received township status.

“This is something we promised since 2011, and I’ve been to all three…I have campaigned in all three, and they are very happy that it is the coalition that brought township…I think the coalition will have a decisive victory in all three,” he had predicted.

Candidates transport...

From page 2

ter of Constituency Three (Vryman’s Erven, Stanleytown, Savannah Park and Mount Sinai) was visiting the various polling areas in his constituency when this newspaper saw him. At midday, he had checked three polling stations, where 229 persons had cast their ballots out of 1,712.

However, some youths within Constituency Four (Stanleytown) told this newspaper that they did not encounter any problems, as one of the candidates vying in that area had visited them and had indicated the polling station at which they were to vote.

In New Amsterdam, personnel attached to the main contesting parties visited the homes of the differently-abled and the elderly in order to have them transported to the various polling stations.

However, in East Canje, Newton Winfield was concerned that residents in his Cumberland constituency were not turning out as expected. It was thought that the non-availability of vehicles to shuttle the shut-ins was causing some difficulty.

“I cannot do it on my own. I was not provided with a vehicle… The people asking for a car to take them; I do not have that…,” he confessed. How-

These persons came out early to vote

ever, a political agent who was seated next to him at the Cumberland bus shed observed that Winfield’s running mate had secured three vehicles, and was visiting homes and taking persons to the polls. “But he ain’t got nothing… How dem people gon come out?” she asked.

At Goed Bananen Land in East Canje, the pace was also slow. Residents said this was so because persons were at their various workplaces. They were expecting the situation to improve during the afternoon, when the temperature would be cooler.

Political observers, noting that the turnout was not as expected, blamed the ap-

athy on the absence of Local Government Elections, which were last held more than 22 years ago.

Some youths who spoke to this publication opined that their ballot would “not change anything” and so they did not see it as necessary to go to the polls.

It was business as usual in the New Amsterdam township, with little talk about what changes the LGE could bring.

However, the polling stations were opened at the scheduled 06:00hrs, after ballot boxes and Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) personnel had been transported to their various locations from as early as 04:00hrs.

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Seniors walk two miles to vote

By Svetlana Marshall

ANXIETY was high although the atmosphere was peaceful in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Friday, as both the main political parties and the voluntary group kept their fingers crossed at the close of polls

in one of the most historic Local Government Elections ever to be here in Guyana.

Political candidates from the three main groups –- the APNU+AFC Coalition, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Bartica Independence Green Alliance (BIGA) -- all expressed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

concern over the low voter turnout.

Approximately 6,920 persons were expected to vote in Bartica, but when the 22 polling stations across the municipal area opened at 06:00 hrs, only a few persons had turned up to vote. And some of these

polling stations, like Future Builders Nursery School, Two Miles Primary School and Pam’s Family Circle, were still empty even at about 08:00 hrs. However, during the course of the day, the number of voters gradually grew.

The APNU+AFC candi-

Eighty-year-old Mellie Singh and her friend voted at the Bartica Secondary School Determined! Though they were not too clear on the voting process, 76-year-old Randolph George and his 68-year-old wife Lucy walked for nearly two miles to get to the polling station within their constituency

date for Mayor, Mr Gifford Marshall, told the Guyana Chronicle that if felt good to have participated in the historic elections. “I think today (Friday) is a new one for the record book.

History is being written, and it’s a good opportunity for us to take advantage of selecting our own leaders,” he posited.

He, however, conceded that the race is a close one.

“Given the fact that it is Local Government Elections and we have a group and two political parties participating, there is no large margin of victory… but we are convinced that, throughout the township of Bartica, in all of the constituencies, we have mass support,” a confident Marshall declared.

The 35-year-old current Chairman of the Bartica Interim Management Committee (IMC) said the race to the victory line became more complex because of low voter turnout. Alluding to the polling station at Hill View Nursery School, where he had cast his vote, the APNU+AFC candidate said that during General Elections, hundreds of residents would usually gather to vote

from as early as 05:30 hrs; but at the opening of that polling station on Friday, less than 15 persons had joined the line to exercise their political franchise.

Nevertheless, he said, voting in Bartica was smooth.

NO HICCUP Another APNU+AFC candidate, Kenneth Williams, told this newspaper that Local Government Elections in Bartica had little or no hiccups. “It was extremely smooth, extremely smooth. In fact, I have seen no incidence of disturbances whatsoever.”

Though the voter turned out appeared slow, Williams said there was a “mad rush” to get people out. “Reps from all of the parties have been going house to house, encouraging people to go out and vote. But we are seeing a strong victory for APNU+AFC,” he explained.

The BIGA chief candidate, Holbert Knights, who voted at the Baptist Place Polling Station, said he was unimpressed with the number of persons who had turned up to vote. “I haven’t seen a line at any of the polling stations, and we have visited approximately 80 per cent of the stations; and that is my only concern right now. Usually, at election time, you would see See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Lack of voter education blamed for poor turnout

AFTER an absence of 23 years, Local Government Elections were finally held in Guyana; but some people are of the view that more voter education was needed for it to have optimum participation, especially in communities in East Berbice/ Corentyne, Region Six. David Subnauth, who contested the Number 53/74 NDC as an independent party, the National Congress of Progressive People’s Alliance (NCPPA) said: “GECOM has failed the voters miserably. They were not properly educated on what Local Government is all about. People 40 years and younger never voted, and they don’t know what the Local Government Elections are about. Many persons think they (were) voting for general (elections).”

He was prompted to contest the elections, he said, after seeing the need to be the voice of his people, as opposed to someone from a political party that is based in Georgetown.

“I feel that the major political parties should not have taken part in this election at the local level, which concerns the dayto-day bread-and-butter of the residents,” Subraj said.

He added: “And no political party based in Georgetown can attend to the affairs of the people (in Region Six); the people should be given a chance to select a person in their community, who they have confidence in, to represent them, so as to have improvement and development.”

SMOOTH AND DECENT But Subnauth’s opinions aside, the general consensus is that, throughout the Region, the process was smooth, and saw a relatively decent turnout.

The Guyana Chronicle has since learnt

that many thought they were voting for a new political party to replace the one currently in power. This was evident in several areas, especially those with traditionally high support for the Opposition.

Asked what he thought about the process, and what it was like to vote for LGE, one man blurted out: “Abee ah vote fuh get Granger out!”

Another concern of the people was that because they did not see the APNU/ AFC coalition on the ballot paper in some areas, they did not support those candidates representing that coalition; hence they did not vote, but instead submitted blank ballot papers.

Some, for want of an eraser to rectify their mistake, simply submitted the ballot as was.

A resident of Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, expressed disappointment after leaving the polling station at the Port Mourant Primary School. And the reason she was disappointed, she said, was because she was nervous. So, instead of placing an X in the appropriate box, she placed a tick.

“I only realised after I came out the box…I was so sad that my vote was lost,” she said.

SMALL BY COMPARISON To all appearances, voter turnout for the LGE was small when compared to General Elections, as there were hardly any lines at most polling stations.

Older voters turned out early in the morning to cast their ballots, while the younger ones and working class were seen trickling in at either lunchtime or in the afternoon.

Some 324 constituencies were contested in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne), and the entire process was described as smooth

and generally incident-free.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was seen at polling stations in New Amsterdam and elsewhere in the region, observing the process; while his predecessor, Sam Hinds, was seen in Corriverton.

In Fyrish Village, a 72-year-old man was heard encouraging a group of young men to go out and vote.

“Now (that) people get more power, you should go out and vote,” he said, adding: “You young people don’t realise how important one vote is…. I waited long for this, and (am) happy that I can make a difference.

You should do the same.”

In some areas, the older folks, both male and female, some as old as 90, made it their duty to come out and vote. Such was their excitement it was written all over their faces as they made their way to their respective polling stations.

EARLY IN THE DAY Early in the day, voter turnout was somewhat poor, with no lines or crowds to talk about at most polling stations.

On average, the number of persons at a polling station at any one time was no more than 30. In many cases, there were no lines at all.

The three areas that had the largest turnout in terms of waiting lines were at the Berbice Islamic School at Ankerville, Port Mourant, and at the Numbers 46 and 57 villages. Also, turnout at Rose Hall Town was fairly reasonable.

While there were some who were present at the opening of polls, most started to trickle in at about 08:00hrs. In Albion and Fyrish, voter turnout was also slow. In Rose Hall Town and Corriverton, business seemed pretty brisk as per normal. One business owner said some of his staff members

had reported for work a bit late, as they had first gone to vote before reporting for work.

At various polling stations on the Corentyne Coast, many voters expressed disappointment at turning up where they’d voted for General Elections only to be told they had to vote elsewhere.

One elderly man said he was not going out to vote because of the long stairs he’d have to climb at one polling station, and he does not want to vote by proxy.

From speaking with some people, it was apparent they many were clueless about the nature of the elections, as they largely felt they were voting for a change of government.

One woman who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Me vote fuh tek Granger out.” With that, she smiled and walked away. It was her first time voting at LGE. Another said, “If they know they keeping this election, why dem nah educate the people more. Some people think this election just like the big one.”

At Number 46 Village, 70-year-old Totaram Budhoo said it was the first time he was voting at local government elections.

He said he was proud to have exercised his right, and is optimistic that once the councillors are in position, they will do the best for their communities.

He also said it matters not which party is in power; once the councillors get the support from Central Government, communities will flourish.

At Number 56 Village, an 80-year-old said it was the second time he was voting.

The last time he had so done, he said, was at general elections.

In most areas, polling started on time, with a few minor hiccups, one of which was folks turning up where they voted for general elections.

Smooth LGE -but voluntary groups fail to make impact

By Ravin Singh THE Local Government Elections have been a bitter-sweet experience for many, even as the highly-anticipated historic event has been one which mirrored, in very many ways, the voting patterns of the General Elections.

Held after more than two decades, the elections were greeted with a low voter turnout from early on. And despite unwavering optimism from some of the running candidates that the turnout would likely pick up during the course of the day, this failed to materialise in any form across the country.

Blame has become like a see-saw, shifting from the lack of voter education to the lack of knowledge of the impact of these elections on the lives of citizens.

Appreciated by all stakeholders in the process, except for the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), was the fact that the process had been a “smooth” one with little or no hiccups. The PPP could not be reached for comment, despite numerous attempts to secure a comment from its members up to late last evening.

First to assure that this history-making event had been a smooth process was GECOM Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield. Contacted last evening while in the midst of counting ballots, Lowenfield boasted that the smooth voting process was not only limited to Georgetown, but had been featured in all regions across the country.

But despite the process being deemed successful up to the close of polls, the CEO revealed that some parties and groups which contested had raised some minor concerns, but were advised to write to the elections regulatory body.

He indicated that one such concern came from the PPP, with that party expressing the view that the ink used to stain the voters’ fingers could have easily been removed.

Lowenfield debunked this claim, confidently assuring this publication that there was “absolutely no problem with the ink.”

Supporting Lowenfield’s contention about the process being free from anomalies was Private Sector observer Gerry Gouveia. Speaking on behalf of the private sector,

Gouveia noted that no concern was raised by that body since there was no incident to suggest that the process was not professionally executed.

He, however, offered that the low turnout affected all candidates, who had envisioned more support at the polls.

“We were sorry to see that turnout, because of the work GECOM did in relation to voter education,” he said.

And a local embassy observer, who was privileged to have witnessed the process in several constituencies, also said that the election was a free and fair one. Like Gouveia, he believed that the turnout was low compared to what had obtained in previous years.

However, a low voter turnout had not been the only unexpected feature of these elections. What was surprising to many was the fact that the voluntary groups which had gained momentum in the election campaign had failed to make the impact at the polls.

It had also been speculated that the larger political parties would dominate these elections, but given the grassroots nature of some of these groups, the assurance of a political seat on the council

had become threatened.

Unexpectedly, though, these groups did not make the intended impact for one reason or another.

NO IMPACT And perhaps the most popular of these was Team Benschop for Mayor, which was led by Political Activist Mark Benschop. Despite a loss, which had been unofficially calculated, the political activist expressed that he was satisfied with the process, which did not attract as many young people as was expected.

He was of the view that “voter apathy had played out”, and that it was time Guyana move away from the polarised voting pattern which was witnessed yesterday.

“Until we move away from that voting pattern, there is not going to be any change in the manner of thinking of people in Guyana. That is what Team Benschop was offering the people -- to empower them,” he said.

And despite suffering a defeat in his constituency, he reaffirmed that the group remains optimistic for the future of Guyana.

Expected to pose a threat

Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield to the bigger parties, too, was Team Legacy, a group existing prior to Local Government Election. Led by Youth Pastor Eworth Williams, the team had vouched on its ability to connect with youths in “forgotten communities”, which have been stifled over the years.

Although their efforts to convince the masses to support them did not bear fruit yesterday, Williams was pleased to state that Team Legacy was satisfied with the electoral process.

“We didn’t get any negative feedback, and we think GECOM did an excellent job.

I sat in Kitty and observed the process, and I think the efforts by GECOM are commendable,” he said, adding that the voters’ education process could have been intensified.

Reflecting on the voting pattern, he, too, was of the view that this painted a pic-

ture of allegiance to the bigger parties. And while the group holds strong to the notion of decentralization, he was convinced that the group was able to play a role in this process.

Not bitter about a defeat though, the Youth Pastor revealed that he was confident that the persons who had won their respective constituencies are capable of getting the job done at City Hall.

As for the party which is reported to have swept Georgetown, the APNU+AFC coalition, claiming two of the most heated constituencies, that party was also content with the process, which according to them was smooth.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, General Secretary of the AFC, David Patterson, noted that no reports of issues were made during the elections yesterday. Like the others, he agreed that the voter turnout should have been better, but he said this should not discredit the fact that those who did come out and vote demonstrated commitment to community development.

Tallying votes as he spoke to this publication, the AFC General Secretary revealed that the coalition was ahead in six of the nine townships across the country.

And while the party was still awaiting the official results, it was expecting to do well, not only in traditional strongholds, but countrywide.

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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

Is the world watching another inevitability?

EIGHT years ago, thanks to information communication technology, the world was glued to the USA presidential nomination race. In significant measure, this was due to the presence of two candidates in the Democratic Party who had all appearance of creating political history. Those candidates were Mrs. Hillary Clinton and Mr. Barack Obama.

Had she secured the Democratic Party nomination, Mrs Clinton would have broken through the proverbial gender ceiling. As an African-American, Mr Obama, on the other hand, was set to become the first for his race to achieve this feat. The nomination was won by Mr Obama, who went on to win the presidency; not once, but twice.

With his victories came the assurance that, while race remains a factor in a society that has been birthed on racial discrimination, there continues to be movement in realising Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream: that a person should be judged by the content of his/her character, and not by his/her race.

Make no mistake: while Obama won the votes of the racial minorities, he could not have won the presidency without the votes of the white racial majority.

Here we are, eight years hence, with two candidates in the Republican and Democratic parties. The elections of Tuesday, 15th March, having delivered big wins for Mrs Hillary Clinton (Democrat) and Mr. Donald Trump (Republican), each candidate has been placed on a strong footing to secure their party’s nomination, barring some unknown/unlikely intervention.

That being said, the rise and inevitability (perceived or real) of Trump’s candidacy has been one marked with an admixture of passion, anxiety and angst, reflecting and/or representing the state of America’s politics.

Trump is a businessman who, according to the 2016 Forbes Profile, is the 113th richest man in the USA, with a net worth of US$4.5B. He is no stranger to salesmanship, including the aspect that involves the use of the media. He is the executive producer of the reality tele-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Beware of foreign fishing companies Dear Editor, THERE is a positive side and a negative side to granting licences to foreign fishing companies to engage in deep-sea fishing off the Coast of Guyana. In theory, the arrangements always seem very beneficial to the host nation as, when scrutinised by the most diligent legal minds, the written agreement may fail to reveal any clause or situation which would be inimical to the interest of the country whose fishery zone is to be exploited.

This letter, however, is aimed at highlighting the downside of such a venture.

The agreement will most likely unambiguously state that a processing plant will be set up, which will provide employment for locals; the Port Authority will benefit from much-needed revenue from harbour dues, light dues, tonnage dues, and pilotage fees. A case will be made that the nation will accrue much-needed revenue from export of its products, and that local oil companies will benefit from increased sales by bunkering these fishing companies’ vessels; while rations will be bought locally to feed their crews. The host nation may also be told that these fishing companies’ vessels will be drydocked locally.

All of the above will most likely

be true. However, as mentioned by the Chinese company which sought permission to fish off the coast of Guyana a few years ago, a utility ship will also be brought in to service its fleet.

In reality, however, the fishing vessels at sea deposit only part of their catch to one of their refrigerated cargo vessels to take into port. The company usually has a reefer mother ship at sea which will offload catch from the fishing vessels and go directly to a port where arrangements are already in place to sell the catch without the knowledge of local authorities.

These fishing vessels remain at sea for an entire year, or more at times, without entering port; and will do so only if repairs can be carried out only in port, or dry docking is absolutely necessary.

The company utility vessel/oil tanker transfers crews at sea, and replenishes its vessels at sea; the vessels never come into port to effect a change of crew. The company will periodically even bunker its utility vessels in a port where fuel is available at a cheaper price, or even purchase it illegally and refuel its fishing vessels at sea -all without the knowledge of local authorities.

A few years ago, a Taiwanese company based in Trinidad, having at least four different names and

vision show “The Apprentice”, and is the previous owner of the “Miss Universe” pageant. It comes as no surprise that he has thus far been able to attract free or “earned” media time worth US$1.9B (according to tracking firm mediaQuant) to advance his political ambitions.

As the world looks on in real time, it has been seen that his rallies are very well attended, his supporters are energized, will wait for long hours and in harsh weather to get into the door, and some rallies have had violence.

Those sitting in the proverbial gallery have listened to his speeches, which carry strong doses of patriotism/ nationalism to “Make America Great Again”; interwoven with building a wall to keep Mexicans out, his take on handling terrorism, intolerance to immigration, Muslims, and Syrian refugees.

To say there is at least one section of the American populace not enamoured by Trump’s utterances is to disregard his poll numbers, the wins he has been racking up, and the delegates’ counts that have given him the apparent status of inevitability. Super PACs seem incapable of halting his rise. The idea has been floated to broker another Republican Convention to secure another nominee, but Trump has televised that ‘I think you’d have riots’ if such happens. Those within and outside of the USA have been weighing in on the conduct of the race, and of the nominees and their statements.

President Obama, in a media address on Tuesday,

addresses, and having about 20 vessels, was engaged in tuna fishing in the Atlantic. The company fished for several years, after which the known management players just disappeared, leaving several of their vessels, which were by then in deplorable condition, abandoned in Port-of-Spain Harbour. All efforts to make contact with these officials proved futile.

Trinidad, with its formidable Coast Guard fleet of air and surface craft, made no impact on the activities of those Taiwanese vessels.

The Guyanese fishermen/fishing companies were quite in order when they expressed concern about the previous Government granting licences to the Chinese company which had applied. Guyana does not have the means to monitor these vessels at sea. Even with the use of modern satellite tracking systems, Guyana would still encounter great difficulty in knowing exactly what is going on.

It is therefore incumbent on the relevant Guyanese authorities to be extremely careful when entertaining applications for permission to fish in Guyana’s Fishery Zone, as this business is usually much more complicated than it appears to be.

Regards, ANONYMOUS

expressed his concern about the campaign, with choice words such as “vicious,” “vulgar and divisive”. He has called it a “race to the bottom”, and one not in keeping with what America represents at home and abroad.

Last December at a news conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Trump, who responded in kind. According to “the guardian” online news (15/3/2016) Canadians are worried that a Trump presidency can jeopardise U.S. trade relations, and China is ridiculing Western democracy with the rise of Trump (17/3/2016).

In January, the British Parliament debated whether to ban Trump from entering the United Kingdom, given his anti-Muslim sentiments.

Trump has successfully obliterated his opponents through uncommon strategies. He has labelled his Republican challenger Jeb Bush “low energy”; Marco Rubio “lil Marco”; and Ted Cruz “Liar.” On the democratic side, Clinton is referred to as “no good”, and the self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders is called a “communist.”

A week in politics is considered a lifetime; therefore, from now to November, when Americans go to the polls, anything can happen. Americans on both sides of the aisle (Republican and Democratic), like the world, know what they want to happen; but only time will tell which side of the aisle will get its desire.

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Seniors walk ...

From page 4

long lines of persons all over Bartica, and that is not visible right now,” he said.

CONFIDENT OF VICTORY H o w e v e r, h e s a i d , based on observations, the process went smoothly.

He explained that, upon entering the polling station, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officers gave clear instructions as to how to vote.

He is optimistic that BIGA would emerge victorious.

Another BIGA candidate, Christopher George, told the Guyana Chronicle: “Local Government Elections is new; it’s strange,

and, for Bartica, it seems to have more tension than General Elections.”

He said that unlike the last General Elections, two parties and one group are competing for the votes in this local election.

Former Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai was manning the PPP/C Command Centre on Second Avenue. “I could only tell you based on the reports that we are getting, and the reports are that at most of the polling stations polling began on time, the contesting groups in all of the polling stations have field polling agents; and from information, there seem to be a low voter turnout,” Sukhai told Guyana

The GECOM advertisement has no errors Dear Editor, MR. Alfred Bhulai’s correspondence in the Stabroek News of March 18, 2016, titled “Gecom Ad contains errors”, is one of the many examples of the rhetoric articulated around Local Government Elections (LGE).

It is a clear indication of wholesome democracy and the freedom of expression in our society. Whether accurate or inaccurate, it is important for all to listen to the various viewpoints and observations. It is equally important for us to provide guidance where there is misconception.

In his letter, Mr. Bhulai referred to a full-page public awareness message issued by the Guyana Elections Commission which contained an animated sketch of the voting process, supported by text explaining the steps for balloting. He pointed out that “Panel 3 in the illustration shows the left hand being checked. (A two-handed, full-figured person is drawn in other panels)”. This point speaks to the composition of images and layout of the artwork in lieu of actual content on the voting process.

Panel three (3), which contains the image of the hands, as pointed out, has the text which states “Your fingers are checked for ink or stain”; it does not say your left hand is checked.

The text that the artwork supports in this advertisement clearly explains what a voter is required to do at the polling station. Moreover, the animation in the advertisement cannot stand alone to convey the message; it requires the written component, which accurately guides the average reader.

While Mr. Bhulai has his differences with the artwork provided, we wish to state that there are no errors in the information given.

Yours sincerely, TAMARA RODNEY, Public Relations Officer, GECOM

Chronicle.

Notwithstanding the concern over the low voter turnout, those who turned up to vote were overwhelmed with joy to have participated in these historic elections. Local Government Elections were held on Friday, after their last holding in 1994.

FEEL GOOD “I feel good to be voting for the first time in Local Government Elections,” 64-year-old Merlin Nathan said, shortly after exiting the Hill View

Early birds: These persons gathered at the Hill View Polling Station were anxiously awaiting the opening of poll time in Local Government Elections.”

She said Local Government Elections speak of change, not only for the people of Bartica, but for the rest of Guyana.

Merlin Nathan was among the first batch of people to have voted at the Hill View Nursery School Polling Station at Third Avenue, Constituency Three Nursery School Polling Station at Third Avenue in Constituency Three.

For her, the voting process was easy, and, as such, she was able to vote for the political party or group of her choice in the Proportional Representation (PR) component of the elections, and for a candidate in the First-Past-The-Post component.

Nathan said she is excited about the future of Bartica, given the improvements witnessed since November 2015.

Edward Persaud, a first time voter in the Local Government Elections, said he felt empowered to have exercised his political franchise. “It’s kind of touching…because after being denied this opportunity for the past 22 years, and based on the developments we would have seen over the past four months, I am pleased to have played my part.”

He added: “What have been done in and around the community of Bartica have really stimulated Barticians to come out and

be a part of this historic process.”

Shallen Bacchus of Fourth Avenue, Bartica said voting at Hill View Nursery School Polling Station was problem-fee. “I am happy, happy; and I feel young to have voted for the first

OCTOGENARIAN Over at the Bartica Secondary School in Constituency Six, 83-year-old Mellie Singh said she did not get an opportunity to vote in the 1994 Local Government Elections, but felt great to have participated in the process this time around.

The elderly woman said that when the results are announced and councillors are sworn in, she has major expectations in the area of infrastructure and waste management.

Joyce Persaud, along with her three Anderson daughters, said it was important for them to participate in the local elections.

“The outcome of these elections would determine the future of this town in the area of infrastructure,” Per-

saud posited as they headed to the Byderabo NDC/IMC Municipal Centre.

Most of the voters in Bartica who spoke to Guyana Chronicle concluded that the new voting process was smooth and easy to understand.

NO CLUE However, 76-year-old Randolph George and his 68-year-old wife, Lucy, had no clue what to do when they entered the polling station at Baptiste Place.

The elderly couple who hail from Mora Camp, approximately one and a half miles from Central Bartica, said they did not benefit from the voter education programme since they do not have access to television or radio, due to the lack of electricity.

“I didn’t know who to vote for, so I just put it anywhere…nobody never explain what we have to do, so I just do anything,” Lucy George said, even as her husband interjected: “I vote though; I vote at de top and at de bottom.”

Joyce Persaud and her daughters heading to the Byderabo Polling Station

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

Red Thread wants Lawrence disciplined ‒ for “excuses” in not addressing child molestation claims

By Ravin Singh RED Thread Guyana is calling on the Government to take disciplinary action against Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, for making “excuses” and not addressing a situation involving a paedophile recently.

The coalition Government had, last week, faced criticism for fielding in the Local Government Elections (LGE) a candidate who, since 2012, has been repeatedly accused and charged for child molestation.

Winston Harding, who was contesting in Constituency 13 (East and West Ruimveldt), had campaign posters bearing his photograph and text which read “Child Molester” plastered at places within the constituency in which he was contesting.

Minister Lawrence, who was responsible for the APNU+AFC campaign in Georgetown, subsequently told Stabroek News: “This is a family issue that has been going on and on and on and on for whatever reason.”

RETRACTING SUPPORT But after outcries had been made public regarding Harding’s candidacy under the governing coalition, the APNU faction issued a statement retracting its support for Harding in his elections bid.

“In light of the alleged behaviour of Mr Winston Harding and the pattern of accusations over the years, his candidature cannot be supported at this time,” APNU said in the statement.

And while Minister Lawrence’s comment did not appear to do any damage at that

time, Red Thread Guyana, which has been in the fight for women and children’s rights for a number of years, took umbrage at her remarks.

To express their condemnation of what had appeared to have been a “contradictory” statement made by the Social Protection Minister, members of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) on Friday staged a protest opposite the Ministry’s Lamaha Street building, where the Minister is stationed.

Speaking to the media during the peaceful picketing exercise, co-founder of Red Thread and women’s and children’s rights activist, Karen De Souza, called on the Government to indicate very clearly that it is serious about child care and protection.

She related that she could not understand how the Min-

ister of Social Protection, who has responsibility for child care and protection, could say that the incident of child molestation is a family issue.

Referring to the Sexual Offenses Act, which stipulates that every report of sexual abuse must be investigated, De Souza noted that the police then have limited time to file charges or to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

According to her though, in this specific case, this did not happen.

And given that the Minister has said the issue was a “family issue”, the activist opined that the Minister was attempting to give excuses for the person accused.

WRONG “You can’t, on one hand, make excuses for not ad-

dressing a situation involving a paedophile in a legal way, and on the other hand say that you take child care seriously; it is contradictory. And so the Government has to hold her responsible, as we are holding her responsible. The Government has to indicate to us very clearly that they are serious about child care and protection, because at the moment it looks like hypocrisy,” De Souza declared.

The situation appears to have set a precedent, she said, adding that friends are apparently involved, and they will be sheltered whereas they should be prosecuted. And should this be the case, a firm De Souza said, “We are not accepting that.”

Her call was not limited to “not accepting it”, as the rights activist seized the opportunity to call on the Government to take disciplinary action against Minister Lawrence.

“They [Government]

need to find someone who is qualified to head this Ministry, because we can also say that very little has happened in terms of policy movement on domestic violence, sexual offenses, and child care since she has been minister,” De Souza said.

One of the justifications for the slow process in policy implementation has been the fact that the coalition Government has been in power for only 10 months, but De Souza is not buying that. According to her, 10 months is long enough to make “some move”.

“I’m saying that the moves have not even begun.

There may be a view that things are happening internally and that they’re doing stuff [at the Ministry], but they’re not doing stuff if you don’t know about it.

They’re not doing what they need to be doing,” the activist contended.

Members of Red Thread Guyana during their Friday protest on Lamaha Street, opposite the Ministry of Social Protection building

Low turnout of youths in Linden

By Vanessa Braithwaite FRIDAY was not officially designated a holiday, but the atmosphere was quiet and the voting ratio very poor in the Local Government Elections in Linden.

When Guyana Chronicle visited several polling stations across the town, not a single queue was observed; and as the day progressed, the staff of GECOM seemed bored and unoccupied.

It was also observed, and several staff members of GECOM posited, that the support from youths was unsatisfactory, as those who came out to vote were mostly the middle aged and the elderly.

Compared to the noticeable voter turnout at the 2015 General Elections, where the youths were the main sup-

porters, this sight was almost unbelievable. Guyana Chronicle saw many elderly voters making an earnest effort to support the elections, most having to depend on a walking stick or a younger person for mobility.

An elderly man, Terry Atherley, who braved the heat of the sun in a special effort to exercise his democratic right, even though he had to be assisted by a family member in addition to his walking stick, said he was extremely happy that after 23 years he could now vote at Local Government Elections.

“I feel overwhelmed because the younger generation can get to experience real governance,” he shared.

It was also observed that Mackenzie had more residents turning out to vote than at

Wismar and Amelia’s Ward.

Guyana Chronicle visited polling stations at the Mackenzie Sports Club, Mackenzie High School, and at Regma Primary School, where it was reported by GECOM staff that the voter turnout was “average”.

Despite this disappointment, it was posited by many party and independent group observers, as well as by GECOM staff, voters and the police at many of the 74 polling stations, that the process could be deemed smooth and successful. This excludes limited hiccups on the Wismar shore at polling stations at Burnham Drive, Blueberry Hill and Watooka, where a few persons voted under oath without updated identification cards or with their old identification cards.

At many of the polling stations, observers representing the two independent groups, Ambassadors for Progress and Linden 2015, were noticeably absent; but all of the stations had observers for the contesting political parties, APNU+AFC and the PPP. Ambassadors for Progress mayoral hopeful Norris King, who cast his vote at 6am at Linden Foundation Secondary, told this publication that he was pleased with the professionalism and efficiency of the GECOM staffers and the conduct of the voting process. He was, however, disappointed with the voter turnout, especially on behalf of the youths.

“I think the voter turnout is kind of disappointing; but I have faith in the youths, and I believe that as the day wears

on, younger people will pick up the momentum and come out,” he said.

Joy James, a young woman who opted not to vote, said she does not really understand the process and was not fully ignited by what was promised during the campaign trail.

Guyana Chronicle also observed APNU+AFC candidate for constituency 1, Elize Hall; proportional representative candidate for APNU+AFC, Devin Sears; and Region 10’s Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira played a role in assisting the infirmed and elderly to polling stations.

Figueira told this publication that he welcomes this democratic renewal, as, during his teens and early twenties, he and a generation of countless youths were denied the right to exercise their franchise, and

by extension were denied the right to make meaningful contributions to development of their respective communities.

“This is another historic day and a victory for all Guyanese, and the Granger administration should be applauded for respecting the constitutional rights of the citizens of our country,” he articulated.

Linden is comprised of eight constituencies. Two political parties and two independent groups have contested to have a majority on the municipality’s council. These are Ambassadors for Progress, Linden 2025, APNU+AFC, and the PPP. The municipality was, for 13 years, managed by an Interim Management Committee, with Orin Gordon acting as chairman. The last Mayor of Linden was Stanley Smith.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

Voting at Local Government Elections

I voted! Leader of Team Benschop, Mark Benschop

Former Mayor Hamilton Green also voted at the Enterprise Primary School, Georgetown

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo after casting his ballot at St John’s College, Georgetown

Duncan, Chase-Green score big in constituencies 12, 14 ‒ Mayor likely to emerge from among duo Ravin Singh

No problem with my finger this time. People’s Progressive Party/ Civic General Secretary Clement Rohee after casting his ballot

Despite calls for the major political parties to refrain from competing in Local Government Elections (LGE), and those parties refusing to do so, the votes after the close of polls on Friday revealed just why they belong in the process.

Claiming a landslide victory in the two most competitive constituencies in Georgetown was the APNU+AFC coalition, which had been threatened initially by the emergence of voluntary groups that relied on grassroots supporters and unorthodox techniques. One of these groups was Team Benschop for Mayor, which was led by political activist Mark Benschop. He was able to rally the support

of scores of persons in the lead-up to these elections, and it had positioned him nicely to contend as a favourite to win his constituency convincingly.

Running against APNU+AFC’s Sherod Duncan, who had already been made popular around the city by his involvement in several environmental initiatives, Benschop unexpectedly suffered severe blows at the polls.

And while this was not entirely credited to the low voter turnout, Duncan has proven his superiority, given the support of the coalition behind him.

Duncan’s involvement at the community level had provided him with an early advantage of being informed on some of the issues affecting Georgetown, and on policies to remedy

9

those issues. Apart from his community work, he was able to skilfully articulate his positions during the Georgetown debates in the lead-up to elections, pinning him as one of the favourites.

Being informed, having the support of Central Government, and being featured in the media quite often, the coalition candidate had done enough to secure victory, though these were based on unofficial calculations.

At South Ruimveldt Secondary School, in constituency 14, Benschop managed to get 40 votes while Duncan registered 269. At the Ruimveldt Day Care Centre, Benschop managed to secure only 16 votes, while Duncan secured 105. Team Legacy’s Saiku Andrews managed

to record 35 votes.

At another polling station, at the popular ‘Sir Leon Residence’, Benschop barely managed to get 20 votes, while the coalition’s candidate attracted 129 votes.

At Dynasty Night Club, which served as a polling station, Benschop received only nine votes while Duncan got 26.

At Roxanne Burnham Nursery School, Duncan managed to secure 215 votes while Benschop got 62. And at South Ruimveldt Primary, where most of the voting was done, Duncan recorded 478 votes while Benschop got a mere 64.

Former Deputy City Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen dominated constituency 12, with no candidate posing any form of threat to her electoral bid.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

Wardens didn’t beat inmates ‒ prisoner testifies; some inmates were avid Facebookers

By Ariana Gordon

MURDER accused Owen Belfield testified on Friday before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Georgetown Prison riots that he never saw prison officials beating inmates on March 3, in the compound of the Camp Street penitentiary.

Belfield was at the time being cross-examined by Dexter Todd, who asked him to recount what had transpired on March 3 at the prison. The prisoner told the three-man Commission that following the instructions of the Prison Authority, he attempted to make his way through the front door of Capital ‘A’ Division, but by the time he arrived at that location an instruction had been passed for the door to be locked.

The prisoner who has been on remand for 11 months told the Commission that after the door was locked, based on the instruction of “Mr Heyliger,” he proceeded to his “bed space.” He made it clear that though he heard other prisoners stating that those who left Capital ‘A’ earlier were being beaten when they got downstairs and his decision to return to his “bed space” had nothing to do with that.

“You went back in because the other inmates were being beaten?” asked Todd and Belfield replied, “No Sir, I didn’t come out the building - I was just in front the door.”

The prisoner explained that the front door was open as he was approaching it and from where he was, he could have seen into the yard.

“Did you look into the yard?” the attorney representing the interests of Delroy Williams and Marcellos Verbeke asked.

“Yes sir,” Belfield replied, after which he was asked by Todd to state what he saw. “Prisoners were being searched and the taskforce were taking away one of the prisoners… carrying him to the front of the yard.”

Asked whether he saw inmates being beaten by the prison officers or wardens on March 3, “at the time I

didn’t see no inmates being beaten…they were carrying them away.”

The attorney followed up by asking Belfield if he did not see his fellow inmates being beaten, why did he believe the words of the prisoners who retreated into the prison. “Sir I didn’t believe…I was coming out and the door lock in my face.”

during his cross-examination of Belfield suggested that he (Belfield) and Collis Collison are close friends.

“For the purpose of your friends in prison you were tight with Collis Collison,” said Pieters. “No sir,” replied Belfield who was later confronted with the fact that he took a photo with Collison that was later posted to Facebook.

familiar with “sharpened toothbrushes.”

He was also asked whether he witnessed inmates breaking the bunk beds provided by the State to use the metal to make weapons. The murder accused denied being aware of such occurrences.

Murder accused Owen Belfield

wasn’t able to get coloured copies,” said the attorney.

But Belfield during his questioning made it clear that he had taken only one photograph with Collison.

“It was only one time sir.”

Two prisoners with mobile phones in hand pose for photographs. (Photo taken from Collis Collison’s Facebook page)

The prisoner explained that he was prevented from leaving the Capital ‘A’ Division and did not refuse to leave because of what the other inmates had stated.

Additionally, the prisoner said his fellow inmates were not angry or rowdy on March 3.

“So you would want this Commission to believe that persons were ordered to come out of the cell, some refused to come out because of the fact that others were being beaten… an order was made to lock back the door… a fire started in Capital ‘A’… you saw no prison officer come into Capital ‘A’ and you would say that is a calm situation?

Sir listen, you have to be respectful to yourself.”

Todd’s suggestion to the prisoner was objected to by both counsel for the Prison Service and Police, Selwyn Pieters and Chairman of the CoI Justice James Patterson.

Meanwhile, Pieters

“Let me ask you this, have you ever posed for pictures with Collis Collison while you were in jail?”

“Yes sir,” the prisoner replied. He was then asked to state who took the photo of him and Collison and it was then that it was revealed that Collison had taken the photograph with his mobile device.

“He tek it with a phone sir,” replied Belfield. Pieters then informed the prisoner that the photograph of him and Collison was uploaded to the social media site. At that point, the prisoner admitted to having a Facebook account but said he did not know that Collison had posted the photograph to Facebook.

“I am going to tell you that your picture is on Facebook… Mr Chairman, I was hoping that we would get colour pictures that I could have presented to the tribunal and give copies to counsel, but the prison

COLLISON’S FACEBOOK PAGE Meanwhile, a search of Collison’s Facebook page saw several photographs with Collison while in the Georgetown Prison sporting mobile phones, and marijuana.

A photograph of a gun and ammunition posted on August 12, 2015 was also evident on his page; photos of Collison with packets of marijuana along with photographs of Collison’s inmates in the Georgetown Prison. The latter photographs were all posted on January 25 this year.

Pieters then put it to Belfield that contrary to what was stated yesterday by fellow inmate Desmond James that he never saw mobile phones in prison, that phones were indeed in the penitentiary.

“You’d agree that cellphones were in Capital ‘A’?” “Yes sir,” replied Belfield, who was then asked “you’d agree as well that marijuana was in Capital ‘A’? “Yes sir.”

The prisoner, however, denied seeing photographs of large packs of marijuana being placed on Facebook

by Collison. He also denied knowing that marijuana was “trafficked by certain inmates within that cell block.”

Belfield did acknowledge the presence of weapons in Capital ‘A’ and said while he was unaware of the presence of cutlasses and sharp ice picks in the Camp Street jail, he is

GLASS BOTTLES NOT ALLOWED Meanwhile, Belfield told the Commission that glass bottles are not allowed in the Camp Street jail. He said for the 11 months he was in the penitentiary he has never seen glass bottles allowed. He explained that plastic bottles are allowed into Capital ‘A’ Division of the prison.

Attorney Todd questioned Belfield on the process by which items enter the facility. The prisoner noted that all items that are coming from outside of the facility enter only after a thorough search by prison wardens.

Holding on to the premise that only plastic bottles are allowed in the prison, Todd asked, “If you hear the theory that a cork was placed at the keyhole from the inside of the cell while

the fire was in there, what would you expect to happen to the cork?”

Belfield replied, “Sir the cork would melt.” Pieters in his cross-examination of Desmond James on Thursday stated that the prisoners placed a cork in the keyhole of the door and that prevented the prison authority from being able to open the main door during the fire.

“Yes sir, plastic do burn sir,” said Belfield.

RINGLEADER The prisoner was then asked to identify the ringleader within Capital ‘A’, whom he identified as “Jermaine.”

“Who was the ringleader in Capital ‘A’?” asked Todd, who was told “I don’t know sir”. The attorney rephrased his question after recognising that the prisoner did not understand what he was asking.

“Who was the person in Capital ‘A’ who carried the weight?”

“Sir we have an orderly…his first name is Jermaine Sir…I ain’t know he last name,” Belfield replied, while adding that the orderly was not at the prison on March 3.

Collis Collison poses with small packets of what appears to be marijuana. (Photo taken from Collis Collison’s Facebook page)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

A great satisfaction ‒ President says Gov’t has delivered on elections promise

By Ariana Gordon PRESIDENT David Granger has expressed optimism that there was a fair voter turnout on Friday, during what has been the country’s third Local Government Elections (LGE) after gaining independence.

Speaking with reporters at the Enterprise Primary School, where he and First Lady Sandra Granger were the first to cast their votes, President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger showcase their inked index fingers after voting at the Enterprise Primary School, Durban Backlands

Durban Backlands resident Yvonne O’Donoghue walks towards her polling station, located at Enterprise Primary School

the President said he was not worried about what appeared to be a low voter turnout earlier in the day.

He stressed: “It is hours early yet” before persons turn out to vote in their constituencies, and said he had a feeling of great satisfaction that the APNU+AFC coali-

tion has been able to deliver LGE, something that the people of the country had craved for two decades.

“I feel very happy, very satisfied, that we’ve been able to deliver local democracy to our citizens,” the President said, as he noted that the hosting of LGE on Friday completed “the circle of democratic governance in Guyana.”

“It is a working day, and it is not a holiday like normal general elections. I expect that there is going to be a fairly good turnout,” he disclosed.

The President said he had seen much excitement regarding the holding of Local Government Elections over the past two months, and he expected that excitement would be translated into persons voting.

“I am sure (that) even if we don’t make the 72 per cent of the general and regional elections, I think we’d be coming close to that,” President Granger declared, while noting that in areas where he had campaigned “the mood was very electric.”

“I think (that) in all of the areas there is going to be a good turnout. People want change, and they want to be able to have the type of municipality which can give

Former Mayor Hamilton Green casts his vote at the Enterprise Primary School, Durban Backlands, on Friday morning

them that quality of life. I am not worried about the numbers or the outcome,” he declared.

The President was confident that the coalition would receive overwhelming support in Lethem, Bartica and Mabaruma, as those three areas had recently received township status. “This is something we promised since 2011, and I’ve been to all three…I have campaigned in all three, and they are very happy that it is the coalition that brought township…I think the coalition will have a decisive victory in all three.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

Essequibians vote at leisurely pace

By Rabindra Rooplall THE FARMING community of Essequibo Coast did not see the antic-

ipated turn-out for the long-awaited Local Government Elections (LGE).

Residents of Region Two slowly trickled into polling

Saturday, March 19, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, March 20, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Monday, March 21, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

stations throughout the day.

Of the total 28,646 electors living on the coast, many, even reluctant to speak, said they really didn’t care who won, as long as the elected officials created avenues for employment of the region’s residents and development for the region as a whole.

“Whoever go in, I just want them to do their job and make the place better.

This thing shouldn’t matter is who win, it should matter is what they will do for the people; if they can’t do nothing, then put somebody else,” one voter in the Anna Regina community told this publication.

Spot checks at polling stations from Supenaam to Charity could not give a true sense of the voter turnout, since many either visited polling stations in random numbers or just decided to do so during the day. There was neither cluster nor lines at any of the polling stations on the Essequibo Coast.

Another notable factor was the lack of youth participation in the voting process, as only sparse numbers appeared interested.

“My mother send me out to vote because I am no getting jobs and we need more opportunities,” one young

Riverstown Primary School was one of the many polling stations along the Essequibo Coast where scattered voters visited to cast their ballots

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, visited Good Hope Primary School, where he interacted with GECOM officials pertaining to voter turnout

lady shyly related.

Market vendors related that they would be voting, but this would be at a time when there were limited

patrons, as polling stations would be open until evening.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, visit-

ed the Essequibo Coast on Friday, and toured multiple polling stations to get a feedback on how the process was going.

Former IMC Chairman of Anna Regina, Mark McLean, said the turnout was low and persons did not really understand the benefits of the LGE and how it could affect them directly, even though Local Government officials made decisions every day that affected the wellbeing of residents and their communities.

“People need to understand the seriousness of the elections,” he declared.

PPP candidate and businessman Toolsie Narine said that Friday being a working day, most people had left the voting for after their working hours. “I believe it will pick up, although there was not such a high interest,” he opined.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

Voting in Region Five incident-free THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been praised by many voters in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) for staging very smooth Local Government Elections.

Checks and reports revealed that all polling stations opened on time; voting commenced on time, and was done relatively quickly.

Voters said they had thought the process would have been confusing, but were relieved, on receiving the ballot paper, to find

that voting was in fact very simple.

“It was like voting at the national elections, and I appreciated the simplicity of the system,” one elderly woman said.

Many who voted couldn’t agree more.

There were no complaints of irregularities at any of the polling stations, nor was there any instance of voters being intimidated.

Participation, however, was low. Physical checks at most of the polling stations revealed that there was nei-

ther line nor build up persons waiting to vote during the course of the day. Most polling stations looked relatively deserted, with an occasional voter showing up every 15 minutes or so.

Near close of poll, some unofficial observers who were close to the process in various parts of the region said that participation in the voting amounted to about 50 per cent of eligible voters, with the remaining percentage choosing not to vote.

A polling station at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice at 06:30 hrs

At Novar Mahaicony, party representatives help their supporters find where they have to vote

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A great...

First Lady Sandra Granger called on all women to vote. She noted: “Women are smart enough to know that when they cast their ballots today they are going to have a say in their own local communities, because they can speak directly to their representatives.”

YOUTHS TO MANAGE GEORGETOWN Like the President and First Lady, former Mayor of the municipality of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, who voted at the Enterprise Primary School, said it was his desire to see young people take over management of the city, so there could be progress.

Green told reporters: “At

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last, democracy has been emancipated. It is a good day for me, and I leave graciously, deliberately, and hope that someone else will take up the mantle to continue the restoration of Georgetown.

We have been suffocated for 21 years, and I think it is time that we move forward; and the evidence is there that we are moving forward.”

Green, the longest-serving mayor in the history of the municipality of Georgetown, described the voting process as “very smooth and interesting.”

HELP THE ELDERLY Yvonne O’Donoghue, a resident of Durban Backlands, Constituency 9, told

reporters that this year marks the third occasion for her voting in LGE. “For as long as they have had Local Government Elections, I have been voting,” said O’Donoghue, who added: “It has been such a long time that I think I forgot.”

LGE was last held in Guyana in 1994. Prior to 1994, the elections were held in 1970. The elderly woman, who walks with a cane, said she wants to see a community centre resuscitated.

“Years ago, there was a community centre where you had the village office where you pay your rates and taxes and things like that. It will help the elderly.

You won’t have to travel to Georgetown.”

The woman said that for every trip she has to make to central Georgetown, she is forced to spend $1000 for

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016 a return trip via taxi.

“Years ago, they [Community Centres] looked after the roads, lights, poles; they looked after everything, and the people were employed by the village. We want our people employed right here to keep our village clean,” O’Donoghue, commonly called “Aunty May”, stated.

CALM AND COMPOSED Independent candidate Mia Ritchie told the Guyana Chronicle after voting that she felt “calm and composed”, and was optimistic that all will go well for her.

She has contested Constituency 9, Lodge, Meadowbrook and Durban Backlands.

“Whatever happens happens…we are praying for the best,” Ritchie, who campaigned on Thursday night and just before she voted, said.

She said she went knocking “door to door” to encourage persons to vote, and “the feedback was amazing.”

“I am confident,” the independent candidate stated.

Former Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green after voting at the Tucville Primary School

that she was not bothered by what appears to be a low voter turnout. She noted that even if Friday was declared a public holiday, it might not have changed the number of persons voting.

“Persons will come out to vote. I have been able to vote at a LGE before. There is always a very low turnout, and the people always

Independent candidate contesting Constituency 9, Lodge, Meadowbrook and Durban Backlands: Mia Ritchie, after voting at the Enterprise Primary School, Durban Backlands

Like O’Donoghue and Ritchie, Eugenie Kippins joined the few persons who turned up to vote at the Enterprise Primary School before 06:30hrs. She said she had awakened early but didn’t want to rush to the polling station. “I thought about it, and as a matter of fact, when I got up this morning…I decided to water my plants and then get down to preparing to get here.”

The elderly woman said she was “anxiously awaiting that moment” to cast her vote. Friday was the first time Kippins had voted at LGE. VOTER TURNOUT Former Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green, told reporters after voting at the Tucville Primary School

come trickling in; but I am quite certain (that) before the day is over persons will come in.”

Asked why she believed persons would “trickle in,” Chase-Green said persons were generally less interested in Local Government Elections (LGE) as they believed that voting at the General Elections was enough.

“It is never important to some people. In this Local Government Elections, there may be hype; it still needs to catch on…people still need to catch on that they have a voice in their community and they need to elect someone to be that voice in your community to speak out.”

EDUCATE PEOPLE The former Deputy Mayor believes that more needs to be done to educate the

masses about local governance. “There should be some more education on LGE…it should continue, because this election is every three years, and general elections are every five years.

Between now and the next three years, there should be workshops again, so people would have that interest and build that hype and interest in LG once again.”

She believes that in spite of the lack of education on LGE, it will attract more persons the next time it is held. “In the future, people will start coming out and appreciate what it is to be a leader in your community, where you can determine what are your priorities and what you’d like to have done,” she said.

Mrs Chase-Green has served as a councillor for 22 years, and as Deputy Mayor for approximately four years.

VOTERS’ CONFIDENCE Asked why she believes she should contest the elections after serving for many years on the City Council, Chase-Green said she has the confidence of the voters.

“I have been the voice in the City Council for many years. Had it not been for myself and other councillors, like Mayor Greene, there would not have been Local Government Elections a day like today; because the previous Government was stifling the City Council.”

She explained that the majority of the roles and responsibilities of the City Council had been stripped by the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration.

“We were at a point of debt. They had taken away almost all of the responsibilities…and all we would have been left there with, if we didn’t protest, was a skeleton,” she declared.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

At Lethem: Voting hassle-free but turnout low

By Michel Outridge

THE polling stations in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) on Friday had doors opened for voting in the Local Government Elections from 06:00hrs to 18:00hrs, but voter turnout was relatively low.

At the polling station at the Lethem Community Centre, a one-flat concrete structure, polling agents were at their desks awaiting voters and it was reported that about 60 persons showed up to cast their votes.

During the morning hours there was no queue at all, but two men were seen checking the preliminary electors list for their names before going into the polling station to vote.

WELCOMED CHANGE One such person was Walter George, who told this publication that he is a first-time voter at the historic Local Government Elections. Guyana has not had LGE since 1994 and many in the Lethem community deemed it a welcome change. George said he thought it best to vote for the development of his community, which is Central Lethem.

He told the Guyana Chronicle also that Lethem over the years had been grossly neglected and it is time for infrastructural and other long-term development not only for foreigners, but also for the youths, who were observed as being not too inclined to vote.

George was however disappointed that many persons were not out in their numbers to cast their votes Friday morning.

Meanwhile, at Arapaima Primary School, Virgina Phillips who was also a first-time LGE voter, said she had to come out and vote because it is in the best interest of the village; but she was upset that more people were not present to cast their votes.

Meanwhile, at the Tabatinga Sports Complex, even under a makeshift tent, several residents braved the scorching sun and showed up in their numbers and waited in line for their turn to vote.

Most of those gathered were the older folk, who expressed a feeling of satisfaction, having voted for a political party of their choice.

HASSLE-FREE AT TABATINGA Regina James, another

first-time LGE voter, told this newspaper that she was pleased that she came out to vote despite the unwillingness of some villagers. She added that she came out to the polling station at Tabatinga and went in and voted hassle-free.

However, at Culvert City Nursery School, there was no voter in sight; the only persons were the GECOM staffers who were seated behind several tables and chairs. However, they said a few persons did show up to vote as early as 06:00hrs.

At Moco Moco, the polling station was housed

The Tabatinga Sports Complex was the only polling station with a queue on Friday

Virgina Phillips after casting her vote at the Arapaima Primary School

at Miss Grimmond’s residence which is about 14 miles from Lethem. Only 18 voters, mainly older folk, showed up to cast their ballots. The youths were notably “missing in action,” this

publication observed.

There were only two observers, who are attached to the US Embassy in Georgetown, and they told this publication that they could not comment on the LGE

voting. However, they visited the polling stations in Lethem and the far-flung community of Moco Moco.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman was also in Lethem and visited the various polling stations to get a first-hand glimpse of the voting process.

In sun-kissed Lethem, it appeared to be a normal day on Friday and most residents

opted to go very early to the polling stations to cast their votes after which they went about their normal business.

Overall, the LGE voting process was incident-free in Region Nine and the only polling station where there was any queuing was at the Tabatinga Sports Complex, while in many sections of Lethem it seemed as though it was a Sunday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

Nagamootoo: Local democracy could return

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo, proudly indicate that they have voted

AFTER an absence of many years, Guyana could have a return to local democracy via the ballots and fairly elected councillors.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo so opined on Friday, after exercising his franchise as a citizen by voting in the Local Government Elections (LGE). Having voted at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, the Prime Minister disclosed: “It is a great day for Guyana, because, after many years, we’re holding Local Government Elections”.

This is the third time Guyana is holding Local Govern-

ment Elections since gaining Independence, and the Prime Minister deemed it a “tremendous achievement”.

With the process of voting being an easy one, the Prime Minister urged citizens to vote for whomever they deem fit to represent their communities as councillors. “They (citizens) must exercise their franchise, because this election is based on a majority principle; and if you don’t vote, somebody else will vote in order to make up the majority,” the Prime Minister said.

Asked about his views on the poor turnout so far, the Prime Minister said: “It is a casualty of a fall in the interest

of Local Government Elections, given that it was not held for over two decades.”

He is, however, opti-

mistic that Guyanese will regain interest in this aspect of our democracy in due time.

Duo busted with marijuana A MAN is in custody after police found three kilograms of marijuana in his baggage during a routine search at 70Km Checkpoint, Essequibo, on Thursday.

The police in a release said the man is assisting with the investigation.

Meanwhile, police ranks on foot patrol along the Guyana/Brazil Bridge at Takutu, Lethem, on Thursday observed a man who started to run after throwing away a bag as they approached him.

The bag was retrieved and found to contain one kilogram, 600 grams of marijuana.

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Polling slow but steady at Mabaruma

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

By Alva Solomon VOTERS trickled into the polling stations during the day yesterday at communities which fall within the Mabaruma municipality for this year’s Local Government Elections (LGEs).

The electorate comprised mainly the older residents of Thomas Hill, Mabaruma Settlement, Mabaruma Township, Kumaka, Koberimo Hill, Hosororo Hill, Wanaina Hill and Smith’s Creek.

When the polling stations opened at those communities, persons were already lined up at the doors of the more populated ones, such as Mabaruma and Hosororo Hill.

Agents of the two main political parties, the ruling A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) and the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) told this newspaper that to the best of their knowledge, voting was without incident.

According to the coalition’s Juliet Baird, the electorate at Mabaruma was out in their numbers

after 07:00hrs, when work had started in the region’s administrative capital.

She said they were able to vote without encountering any issues or concerns.

One taxi driver even told this newspaper that he was still undecided as to who to

This Kumaka minibus driver said he voted early vote for, as he had not yet made up his mind.

There are no independent groups or individuals contesting the elections in the sub-region.

QUIET AT KUMAKA At Kumaka, the hub of the sub-region, the mood was quiet for the better part of the day, until the afternoon hours, when those who had left work early, as well as the curious, stopped by on their way home.

Things were relatively quiet also at the polling station at the National Agricultural and Research Extension Institute (NAREI) at Kumaka, when this newspaper dropped by around mid-morning yesterday, and again later in the afternoon.

At midday, agents for both contesting parties reported that, based on their records, close to 90 ballots had been cast at the polling station there.

LARGE TURNOUT Voting at the Hosororo Hill Primary School saw a large turnout during the day, with persons coming out in either groups or as families.

One elderly resident, Mercedes James, of Wanaina Hill, voted at the Hosororo Primary School, since her community falls under

that constituency. She said that she’d left home since “day-clean” yesterday, but because of other pressing matters, could not have vot-

satisfied. I hoping for the best,” she told this newspaper as she displayed her inked index finger.

Another resident said

to vote, as ranks from the Mabaruma Police Station provided security at the polling stations.

Among those persons

Terrisha Broomes (left) and her mother were among those who voted at the Mabaruma Nursery School yesterday around midday ed earlier. She was, however, happy to have gotten that out of the way.

“Me vote, and I feel

Early yesterday at the NAREI extension office in Kumaka

it was a first for her at LGE, and while she did not fully understand the process, she voted with an open mind, nevertheless, since the elections are about developing one’s community.

PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD Over at Mabaruma, a mother and daughter told this newspaper that the process was pretty straightforward, and as they left the polling station, two elderly women were seen arriving to cast their votes too.

Both were helped down a small slope as they entered the compound of the polling station.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Colin Croal was in the region to assist his party’s agents, while the representatives of the APNU+AFC either sat or stood around the polling stations as the day progressed.

The elderly were provided with transportation to and from their homes

who contested the elections for the coalition in Mabaruma on the Proportional Representation (PR) list were Joyce Adams, Stephen Ashby, Juliet Baird, Francine Bennet, Susan Boyer, Ron Campbell, God frey Chan-A-Sue, Henry Smith, Keisha Fraser, Astrille Gamell and Patrick O’Selmo.

Those for the opposition included Victor Boyer, Nichol Birchman, Sia Liverpool, Dwayne Payne, Mark Persaud, Dellon Williams, Cynthia Singh and Charles Richards.

For the First-Past-ThePost list, Mark John, Lorenzo Daniels ,Cleveland December , Roxanne Skeete , Victor Oselmo and Nigel Peters contested for the APNU+AFC. On the other hand, Leslie Robinson, Leonard Daniels , Fermin Singh ,Vibert Emanuel , and Victor Boyer contested for the PPP. Candidates for both parties were confident of their party’s performance at yesterday’s elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Brazil joins the CDB THE Federative Republic of Brazil is the latest country to become a member of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), signalling that country’s commitment to sustainable development of the region.

Brazil’s membership became effective on December 31, 2015, following a process that began with that country’s application for membership in 2007 and its acceptance by the CDB Board of Governors in 2008.

Observers say Brazil’s membership is a major boost to the

Caribbean lender. Brazil is the CDB’s 28th member, and the fourth non-borrowing regional member, joining Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela in that category.

The announcement of Brazil’s membership was made on March 9th at the CDB’s first Board of Directors’ meeting for 2016. “We are delighted to welcome Brazil, and thank its Government and people for joining hands with us to advance our mandate of reducing poverty and promoting economic growth and sustainable development in the Caribbean.

Rafael Ranieri (left), Brazil’s Alternate Director to the CDB, is greeted by Dr. Warren Smith (right), President, CDB “Brazil’s membership is another historic seal of its relationship with the Caribbean, and (its commitment to) strengthening of Latin American-Caribbean cooperation,” said Dr William Warren-Smith, President of the Caribbean Development Bank.

Rafael Ranieri, Brazil’s Alternate Director to the CDB, was in attendance. “Brazil is pleased to join the Caribbean Development Bank in support of its important role within the Caribbean Region. We expect that Brazil’s membership will contribute to strengthened relations between Brazil and the Caribbean, and lead to greater collaboration in building a better future for the people of both our countries,” said Mr. Ranieri, who is the General Coordinator of Relations with International Organisations in the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management and Secretariat of International Affairs.

Brazil’s Director to the CDB Board is Carlos Eduardo Lampert Costa, Deputy Secretary of International Affairs.

The Governor to CDB is Francisco Gatani, Vice-Minister; and Rodrigo Estrela de Carvalho, Secretary of International Affairs, serves as Alternate Governor. All three are from the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management and Secretariat of International Affairs.

Brazil is the world’s seventh largest economy, with a GDP of US$2.5 trillion and a population of more than 200 million. It shares many common geographical, historical and demographic similarities with the Caribbean.

The CDB’s other recent addition is The Republic of Suriname, which joined as a regional borrowing member in 2014. Membership in the Caribbean Development Bank is open to states and territories of the region; non-regional states which are members of the United Nations or of any of its specialised agencies; or of the International Atomic Energy Agency and its institutions.

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Citizens vote for changes GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

AS they cast their votes in the Local Government Elections, citizens hoped for transformation and massive improvement in infrastructure and social life within their communities soon after the installation of their new councils.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the East Coast of Demerara Friday morning, Albert Reynolds of Farm, Mahaicony, said he was preparing to vote for “the best things” for the Now or Never/Zeskenderen/Farm Mahaicony area.

Among those “best things” he spoke about was the region’s investment in youth development through enterprise.

Falling under the administrative region number Five, the grocery vendor at Mahaicony Market told the Guyana Chronicle, “What we need definitely is job creation.”

“A lot of youths who have little employment,-

just would work a couple days and on and off.... If they could be self-sufficient, plant a garden or mine chickens or some ducks.

There is also a lot of single parents.” He said many such youths are involved in “construction and rice work, and like how you see the rice ain’t doing so well, the place get real slow.”

One young man, Delroy Charles, who also lives in that constituency, said, “I am living in a community and I want to see it get developed and this election is all about that – development. I would like to see it more clean, I would like to see development in infrastructures, recreation… to create a more healthy society.” He said he was confident that Government would make it happen.

Meanwhile, a senior citizen, Vibert David, of Ann’s Grove, told this publication he expected the community after March 18 to be better than before.

EXPECTATION “Better than the last 15 years,” he said, “We’re looking for good drainage, lights and clean streets.”

An elderly woman who wanted to be recognised only as Cousin Baby, was one of the most excited individuals on Friday.

She said her excitement stemmed from the fact that the election had returned after more than two decades and brings a ray of hope for Two Friends Village, where she lived.

After 22 years we hadn’t no Local Government. That time we used to get things were much better. The trenches and so were clean, but now look. We’re hoping for that same thing like in the latter day.”

Delon Adams, a Parliament employee took the time around 09:00hrs to cast her vote at a polling station at Hope Secondary School. It was her first time voting in Local Government Elections.

Voting at Mahaicony Secondary School (Photo by Cullen Bess Nelson)

Mahaicony Vendor Albert Reynolds showing the finger he was about to stain

She was on her way to Hope Secondary School around 08:00hrs to vote with confidence.

She laughed and smiled interchangeably as she related to the Guyana Chronicle her hope for the return of a better community living and how long she had waited for this day.

“That was how much years ago! That was when I was young, now I am old!

BETTERMENT “I’m voting because I wanna see betterment in my community in terms of having some representative right here on the (Neighbourhood Democratic) Council,” she said, and added, “Only when you live in a place are you able to say exactly what is wrong, because you’re moving around the community and you’re see-

This Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara man proudly displays his finger for Chronicle Photographer Cullen Bess-Nelson after voting ing things. If you’re in an office, you cannot tell me what is wrong in my community and make efforts to fix it. So I will have proper representation in the council.”

She is voting for infrastructural changes, road construction and repair, proper garbage disposal and youth development programmes.

She suggested more youth-based educational and cultural programmes to offer youths with talent more exposure and opportunities from their home communities.

“Even though you might have experienced persons as village councillors, these are programmes they can start up and involve the young people around. Whichever councillor gets elected they can look into cultural programmes for our youths. Our education system here, I’m a bit concerned about. I don’t think children are being exposed enough.”

She has observed that certain opportunities seemed central to schools in Georgetown.

“They might say it’s not a Georgetown school, but the same level at which the Georgetown schools are at I think we can achieve that too.”

“We have lots of young, talented individuals here and you only find out about their talent when they leave and they go to something out of the village. You have people who are experts in playing the keyboard, the drums, people who are experts in writing songs, poetry. So why aren’t we bringing them out to represent the community?

You only see and hear of them when they go other places.”

She suggested that programmes such as the annual community Emancipation festival on August 1 be the “catalyst for exposing our youths.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Corentyne farmer turns table on alleged kidnappers

CORENTYNE cattle farmer Darvendra Hoopnarine, called “Bob”, is alleging that he was kidnapped by a known traffic rank and another man on Tuesday night, and that their motive was to kill him.

The 36-year-old farmer, who is also a diesel mechanic, said he was taking his cattle to settle in for the night when he was stopped by a traffic officer, whom he recognised and named. He said the officer was in the company of another male in a white Toyota 212 motorcar when he accosted him on the Middle Walk Dam in Number 58 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Hoopnarine recalled that the incident occurred at about 21:00hrs.

Both men, he said, wanted to know what he was doing with cows that hour of the night. “What you doing here?” they asked. “You t’iefing cow?” they asked.

Hoopnarine said that for a moment he hesitated to answer, and this seemed to irritate the traffic rank, who again asked, “Why you not answering? You know is who talking to you?” Pointing to the man beside him, he said: “This is Sergeant Brown.”

Hoopnarine said that by then he had got over his initial fear, and he swiftly replied: “Is me cows, sir; I taking them to the pen.”

Hoopnarine said he knew fully well that the man the traffic rank introduced him to was not who he said he was. “I know the next one was not a police, ‘cause I know Sergeant Brown; he a is big-built person and this was a small person,” he said, adding: “But at no time did he say anything bad, or try to hurt me; it was the traffic officer that I know who said things.”

Seemingly satisfied with his explanation, or so Hoopnarine thought, the men drove off, and he continued on his way.

Darvendra Hoopnarine, called “Bob” STRANGER AND STRANGER But as he came out of the street, he again encountered the pair outside of a popular supermarket, and the traffic rank again accosted him.

“I was stopped by the traffic officer, and asked where I going; if I tracking them,” Hoopnarine said. And with that, he said, the traffic rank came out of the car and ordered him to get in.

“He come out de car and tell me, ‘Get in, yuh goin’ to de station’,” Hoopnarine said. “So I put meh bicycle in de truck, and they drive off. But this time the police drive, and the other guy sat next to me in the back seat.”

Hoopnarine said that all the while the vehicle was headed in the direction of the Number 52 Police Station, but as they neared the Number 56 Water Treatment Plant Road, it suddenly turned off the road and onto the dam. At this point, he said, he really became scared. “I ask them, ‘Where we going? I thought you taking me to the station!’”

And that is when he knew he was in real trouble. “The police then tell me, ‘Meh gon stuff yuh mouth and kill you now,’” Hoopnarine said.

Hoopnarine said he had to think fast. He knew they’d only travelled about 200 metres into the dam when the traffic rank said what he did; and as the car began to slow down, he seized the opportunity and made a run for it.

“I run fuh meh life! I was scared!” Hoopnarine said. “Imagine somebody tell you that! All you can do is think what you gon do to save your life, so I just run as fast as I could…. I feel if I didn’t escape, I could be a dead man, and nobody wouldn’t know anything, ‘cause…. Why would they take me at the back deh?”

A FRIEND IN NEED Running as fast as his legs could take him, Hoopnarine said, he never stopped until he came to the Number 55 Village, where he stopped at a businessman friend of his, named Ahmad Rajab, and told him what had transpired. After hearing him out, Rajab took him to the Number 51 Police Station, where a report was made.

And during the course of their investigation the following day, Hoopnarine said, the police found his bicycle at the home of the traffic rank. They summoned him to the station to identify the bicycle, and, complying, he came face-to-face with his would-be killer, the traffic rank.

Now repentant, Hoopnarine said, the policeman apologised and said he was sorry; but he wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily, Hoopnarine said. “I tell he, ‘When you de telling me you gon kill me, you didn’t feel sorry.’”

Investigators took him back to the scene on Thursday morning to identify the area where he was taken, Hoopnarine said. The Guyana Chronicle has learnt that the traffic rank is stationed at the Albion Police Station and lives at Number 58 Village. Hoopnaraine said the rank has been known to him for over 10 years, and that as far as he knew, they’d never had any quarrel that could have prompted him to do what he did.

He is calling on the relevant authorities to look into the matter, as he now fears for his life.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

SDA Church wants more cohesive communities

MEMBERS of the Guyana Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) have indicated their willingness to collaborate with the Government in various areas of activity in order to effect positive changes in the society.

They indicated this desire to President David Granger during a meeting on Thursday at the Ministry of the Presidency; and some of the projects they have lined up include implementation of a prisoner rehabilitation initiative, completion of a home for the elderly at Durban Backlands, where an existing facility already houses 12 residents; and engaging civil society bodies, regional officials and non-governmental organisations in leadership seminars.

The SDA delegation

comprised President of the Seventh-Day Adventists of Guyana, Mr Richard James, along with Mr Exton Clarke, Mr Michael Kendal, Mrs Genevieve Whyte-Nedd, Mrs Pamela Mentore, Mr Malcolm LaFleur, Mr John Joseph and Mr Marvin Smith.

Mr James commended the Administration for its vision to transform Guyana and its drive to develop cleaner, more cohesive communities; an objective which he said was consistent with that of the church. “As a responsible religious body in Guyana, we wanted to ensure that we play our part in helping with the reshaping and development of Guyana, and to resolve social issues and to use the resources of the church to help bring about that which is needed,� James said.

From left are: Mr Marvin Smith, Mr John Joseph, Mr Malcolm LaFleur, Mrs Pamela Mentore, President David Granger, Mr Richard James, Mr Exton Clarke, Mr Michael Kendal, and Mrs Genevieve Whyte-Nedd

The Adventist Church in Guyana will be celebrating its 130th anniversary next year. To mark this significant milestone, its leadership wants to work closer with the Government to ensure that the

work and services the church provides to communities are even more impacting and far-reaching.

The church is looking at agricultural development as another area through which

it can assist communities, and President Granger urged church leaders to put more focus on agro-processing and producing more value-added products.

Church leaders are also

looking to build a school and to working closer with the Ministries of Education and Social Protection to enhance the welfare of women and youths. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, March 19, 2016

At farewell meeting:

Green tells M&CC staff to embrace change AMIDST cheers and celebrations, staffers of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) paid farewell to Mayor Hamilton Green, who charged them to “embrace change as you co-operate to build a greener, greater, and better Georgetown.”

Green, who has served as the Mayor of Georgetown since 1994, on Thursday made his final mayoral address at City Hall to staff and councillors, some of whom might be re-elected. Citing government’s mandate to deliver a “good life” to all Guyanese, Green challenged staff members to be more efficient and to consider those words while they execute their task as M&CC workers.

“The road to getting Georgetown to where it is today was not easy,” he said, as he outlined the challenges he had faced during his tenure as mayor of the capital city.

FAITH IN NEW GOV’T Green expressed faith in the new government when it comes to co-operating with the council in order to get the work done and enhance the city. He urged staff members to do their utmost to get things done, and to rest assured that they are in good hands despite the probable changes within the council.

Green said he would not be a candidate at the LGE, but would sit back and relax with his wife and six daughters and let the new faces take charge, given that he has already “vindicated” his position as the Mayor of Georgetown.

He said he would now place more emphasis on his role as Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), and would take some time to write and enlighten the youths of today about how Guyana went about achieving its Independence.

Nevertheless, he said, once the need arises, he would always be willing to lend a helping hand to the M&CC and contribute towards its success.

Green called on the populace to go out and express their democratic right by voting for whomever they deem fit to be councillors in the various constituencies.

His sentiments were followed by the farewell speeches of councillors, some of whom had served

City Mayor Hamilton Green during his final mayoral address to staffers of the M&CC

for more than 15 years on the council. They also expressed gratitude at being afforded the chance to work alongside Mayor Green.

The Youth for Local Government (YFLG) group also extended heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing Mayor, Deputy Mayor Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green, and all M&CC councillors.

“We would like to single out Mayor Green and Mr. Oscar Clarke; these two gentlemen have held the fort at the M&CC for years.

You have been through good times and bad times, and when the going got tough, you stood your ground and fought for what you believed in, and we appreciate that,” relayed a statement from the Youth for Local Government.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES In bidding farewell to the Mayor and Councillors, Town Clerk Royston King highlighted that the work of the Mayor has, over the years, been remarkable; but, he said, it is time to “break the boundaries of human possibilities at City Hall.”

He recalled the number of drainage works, rehabilitative exercises, the Merriman Mall development, and a host of other initiatives which over the years were spearheaded by the Mayor and councillors.

He stressed the importance of the innovation of new projects and ideas that will be geared at creating a better Georgetown as the legacy of the Mayor is perpetuated. This, however, will only be possible with the co-operation of the staffers, King noted, as he echoed the sentiments of the Mayor and charged the staffers to embrace change and work towards a better Georgetown.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

New Zealand hold nerve to edge out Aussies by eight runs Hetmyer’s day at DHARAMSALA, India (Reuters) - New Zealand held their nerve to edge out Australia by eight runs in a tense World Twenty20 Group Two match yesterday and move closer to a place in the semi-finals.

On a high after beating hosts India in their opening game, New Zealand posted a modest 142-8 before defending the total with disciplined bowling and tight fielding against their trans-Tasman rivals.

Australia came into the tournament with an embarrassment of top-order riches and decided to open with Usman Khawaja and Shane Watson.

The decision meant no place for Aaron Finch, who was captain of the side barely six weeks ago and is the topranked batsman in this format of the game.

Khawaja (38) added 44 runs with Watson (13) before Australia suffered a collapse to slump to 66-4 at the halfway mark of their innings.

Glenn Maxwell (22) and Mitchell Marsh (24) tried their best but Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals and needed 19 runs

off the final over sent down

by Corey Anderson.

Anderson dismissed James Faulkner with the first ball to dash Australia’s slender hopes of a narrow win as New Zealand rose to

not get any partnership.”

Mitchell McClenaghan justified his selection at the cost of off-spinner Nathan McCullum, claiming figures of 3-17. Spin duo of Mitchell Santner (2-30) and Ish

New Zealand’s Mitchell McClenaghan (3rd R) is congratulated by his teammates after taking the wicket of Australia’s Mitchell Marsh. (Reuters/Adnan Abidi) the top of the group table.

“I thought around 150 was about par,” Australia captain Steve Smith rued. “Obviously their spinners bowled extremely well in the middle and we didn’t respond well.

“We lost wickets in clumps which you can’t do in T20 cricket ...we just did

Sodhi (1-14) also troubled Australia.

“Our spinners were fantastic and brought us back to the game,” McClenaghan said after collecting the manof-the-match award.

“It’s nice to show some teams that we can play in these conditions ... but there

are two more games and in this format, we still got to win two more games to get through,” he added.

Earlier, Martin Guptill (39) gave New Zealand a flying start in a 61-run opening stand with skipper Kane Williamson (24) who decided to bat first on a dry track at the picturesque stadium in the north Indian hill station.

Guptill greeted Aston Agar by hitting his first two balls out of the ground and a third six off the final ball of the over ensured the left-arm spinner was swiftly removed from the attack.

Maxwell proved why he is such an asset for the side, taking a catch in the deep to send back the dangerous Guptill, dismissing Williamson with his second delivery and sending back Anderson in his next over.

The 27-year-old remained in the thick of things, taking another catch to dismiss Luke Ronchi and firing in a bullet throw to run-out Mitchell Santner.

Grant Elliot struck a quick-fire 27 down the order but New Zealand managed only 84 runs in the last 14 overs.

NZ Women beat Ireland; Australia overcome South Africa IRELAND were well beaten yesterday in their first game of the Women’s World Twenty20 as New Zealand triumphed in Mohali.

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates won the toss and led the way, hitting 82 from 60 balls and adding 104 with Sophie Devine (47 from 34).

The Kiwi total of 1773 from 20 overs always looked beyond Ireland.

Captain Isobel Joyce top scored with 28, while Leigh Kasperek’s four overs only cost 10 runs as the Irish made 84-5, handing New Zealand a 93-run win.

Kasperek, born in Edinburgh, appeared for Scotland against Ireland in the 2007 European Championship aged only 15, but later switched her allegiance to New Zealand and made her one-day and T20 international debuts in 2015.

“We performed poorly and it was never going to be easy chasing 178,” said Joyce. “They are a very professional side and I hope our girls have learnt from them.”

Meanwhile, champions Australia began their title defence with a six-wicket win over South Africa in Nagpur.

Openers Dane van

Niekerk (45) and Trisha Chetty (34) shared an open-

Perry 2-13 Australia 105-4 (18.3 overs): Blackwell 42

RACING TIPS South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:30 hrs Shepard One 09:10 hrs One Man’s Dream 09:50 hrs Bally Swiss 10:30 hrs Ultimate Survival 11:05 hrs Top Shot MEG LANNING ing stand of 72 for South Africa before they collapsed, posting 102-6 from their 20 overs.

The Southern Stars were then reeling at 9-3, but the experienced Alex Blackwell (42 not out) and skipper Meg Lanning (30 not out from 19 balls) saw them home with nine balls to spare.

Lanning was batting down the order at number six after a spell off the field with illness, which had also prevented her from appearing for the coin toss at the start of play.

Scores: South Africa 1026 (20 overs): Van Niekerk 45, Chetty 34, Cheatle 2-13,

KENILWORTH 08:55 hrs Spirit Of Hamilton 09:35 hrs Captains Companion 10:15 hrs River Gold 10:50 hrs Flying Ryan ENGLISH RACING TIPS Uttoxeter 09:50 hrs Pougne Bobbi 10:25 hrs Midtech Valentine 10:00 hrs Run Ructions Run 11:35 hrs Chef D’Oeuvre 12:10 hrs Sizing Coal 12:45 hrs Daliance 13:20 hrs Lilywhite Gesture 13:55 hrs Stowaway Magic FONTWELL 10:00 hrs Treay Girl 10:35 hrs Gold Carrot 11:10 hrs Dolores Delightful 11:45 hrs The Cider Maker 12:20 hrs Bigmartre 12:55 hrs Tanit River 13:30 hrs Young Lou

not out, Lanning 30 not out.

(BBC Sport)

KEMPTON 10:05 hrs Brain Power 10:40 hrs Always On The Run 11:15 hrs Townshend 11:50 hrs Orbasa 12:25 hrs Ballyhenry 13:00 hrs Vendredi Trois 13:35 hrs Whispering Storm IRISH RACING TIPS Gowan Park 10:10 hrs Mustadaam 10:45 hrs Alamaein 11:20 hrs Toushan 11:55 hrs Lift The Latch 12:30 hrs Whisper Rock 13:05 hrs Garrai Phaidin 13:40 hrs Grotesque AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 Boalt Hall Race 2 Levcos Pirgos Race 3 Dunkin Bend Race 4 Derby Champagne Race 5 Caren Race 6 Saffron Hall Race 7 Live by the River Race 8 Who’s Your Drama Race 9 Heckuvashot Race10 J S Bach Race11 Morning Fire

Providence ...

From back page

most of good batting conditions after Johnson won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket expected to produce runs in sunny conditions.

They reached the lunch interval at 73-0, with Chandrika on 50 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul on 19.

Both batsmen found the pitch to their liking, with the left-handed Chanderpaul getting off the mark with a cover-driven boundary in the very first over, before the right-handed Chandrika began to play fluently. But the tourists squandered three early chances.

Chanderpaul was dropped twice at second slip by John Campbell on four and Dennis Bulli had been the villain when he floored another sitter at mid-wicket with Chanderpaul on seven.

Chandrika was then dropped on 22 by wicketkeeper Aldaine Thomas. He, however, made good use of the chance and exhibited some fine drives thereafter.

On the other hand, Chanderpaul, who chose patience over flamboyance on an easy-paced track, eventually broke the shackles, hitting leg-spinner Damion Jacobs for the innings’ first six.

Chandrika hit consecutive boundaries off Bulli to reach his 50 off 85 balls, inclusive of nine sweetly-timed boundaries.

After the interval Chanderpaul was trapped leg-before-wicket to Jacobs (2-63) for 21. Following Chanderpaul’s dismissal, Chandrika made good progress in tandem with Shimron Hetmyer.

The West Indies Under-19 captain began his knock in flawless fashion, muscling Jacobs for a six to get off the mark and then sweeping the same bowler for four next delivery.

The pair batted with assurance, but Hetmyer was fortunate, though when Andre McCarthy spilled the offering at mid-on.

He eventually raised his half-century off 66 balls, with seven boundaries and a six.

However, they added 76 for the second wicket, before Jacobs provided the vital breakthrough, when he had the West Indies Test opener caught and bowl. An innings which spanned 215 balls, 163 minutes, with 13 fours.

Hetmyer was accompanied by Johnson and together batted through the remainder of the session, with Hetmyer on 68 and Johnson on nine.

The final session saw the pair continue to put the Jaguars on course for a healthy first-innings total.

Hetmyer reached the landmark from 127 balls, 147 minutes, with 14 elegant boundaries and a six.

However, Hetmyer was bowled by Jermaine Blackwood (1-8) to end the 87-run third-wicket partnership.

Vishaul Singh, who was dropped on 10, was then bowled by Gavin Brown (1-58) for 22 before Johnson, who found a valuable ally in Bishoo, reached his 28th First-class fifty off 118 balls.

The duo batted until the close without further hiccups. Johnson has so far faced 127 balls at the crease, with three boundaries and a six. Play continues today at 10:00hrs, and admission to the venue is free.

In the other two matches yesterday Barbados Pride closed on 145-5, replying to Leeward Islands first-innings 119. The Pride lead by 26 runs. In the other game, Windward Islands Volcanoes, replying to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 211, were 33-0.

Top scorer in Red Force’s first innings was Guyanese Narsingh Deonarine who hit an unbeaten 91.

SCOREBOARD GUYANA Jaguars 1st innings R. Chandrika c & b Jacobs 76 T. Chanderpaul lbw b Jacobs 21 S. Hetmyer b Blackwood 107 L. Johnson not out 58 V. Singh b Brown 22 D. Bishoo not out 1 Extras: (w-1, nb-8, b-1, lb-2) 12 Total: (for four wickets, 93 overs) 297 Fall of wickets: 1-80, 2-157, 3-243, 4-286 Bowling: Dawes 9-1-22-0, Brown 15-2-58-1, Thomas 12-3-30-, Jacobs 26-6-63-2, Bulli 10-1-52-0, McCarthy 3-0-11-, Campbell 16-0-50-0, Blackwood 2-0-8-1.

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Holders Barcelona face Atletico Madrid, PSG meet Man City

By Brian Homewood ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - Holders Barcelona will face fellow Spaniards Atletico Madrid, runners-up two seasons ago, in the Champions League quarter-finals following the draw in Nyon yesterday.

Paris St Germain, who last reached the semi-finals in 1995, will face fellow big spenders Manchester City in the other outstanding tie, with the first leg at the Parc des Princes.

Ten-time champions Real Madrid were pitted against German side VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich will face Portugal’s Benfica. Both Bundesliga teams will play the first legs at home.

Barca, at home in the first leg, get the chance to avenge their defeat at the same stage two years ago when Atletico won 1-0 at home after a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp. Atletico went on to reach the final where they lost to neighbours Real.

H o w e v e r, r e c e n t form clearly favours the Catalans who have won their last six games against Atletico with Lionel Messi scoring in five of them. In all, the LIONEL MESSI Argentine forward has netted 25 goals in 27 matches against them.

PSG and Manchester City have met only once before, in the group stage of the old UEFA Cup in 2008-09 when they shared a goalless draw.

Real Madrid have won their last three knockout ties against Bundesliga teams, with Bayern among the victims, but Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking was unperturbed.

“We have the opportunity to show our ability on the biggest stage, and we want to grasp that chance with everything we’ve got,” he said.

“I will have to think about whether we want to approach the game with an attack-minded approach or more defensively.”

Bayern demolished Benfica’s rivals Porto 7-4 on aggregate last season, with a 6-1 win at the Allianz arena, although they were not taking anything for granted.

“We came through a tough tie against Juventus and need to keep going,” midfielder Xabi Alonso said.

“We have to respect Benfica, but we have plenty of time to analyse them.”

Amputees to take the ring in Linden

FOR the first time in boxing history in Guyana, amputees will venture into the ring, when an inter-gym fight night card, organised by the Pocket Rocket Gym of Linden, will also feature three exhibition bouts with ‘one-foot’ boxers at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground tonight. Fight time is 19:00hrs.

The Harpy Eagles Gym and Forgotten Youth Foundation are the gyms out of Georgetown who will match skills with their Pocket Rocket counterparts.

Organiser and coach of the Pocket Rocket Gym, Orlan Rogers, has thanked Commander of the ‘E’ Division of the Guyana Police Force Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus for his support of the promotion, along with Esmond Nelson of Banks DIH Linden Branch and the Guiana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA).

He said that his gym will also have another boxing card on the last Saturday in this month which will be sponsored by Carwyn Holland.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

FIFA announces new sponsorship deal, says more on the way

By Brian Homewood

CURRENT CRISIS FIFA has struggled to find new sponsors since the current crisis erupted in May and has failed to replace top-tier partners Sony and Emirates after their deals expired at the end of 2014.

Despite its recent troubles, FIFA on Thursday revised its forecast revenue for the 201518 cycle upwards from $5 billion to $5.65 billion.

FIFA sources have said the federation faces a shortfall of around $500M in its predictions if it fails to reach the targets set for sponsorship revenue.

“I have to say that the wind has changed now,” Infantino said. “The rela-

tionship with the partners is one of my key priorities.

“I will restore the trust in FIFA and this means we will attract new partners, new sponsors and there will be some more positive news to announce in the coming weeks in this respect.”

“2015 is in the past, the figures for 2016 will look very different.”

Infantino said he had also identified ways of saving up to $200 million a year, including potential restitution payments.

“We have financial challenges but we will overcome them quite easily,” he added.

Infantino is also confident of overcoming opposition from European clubs for his plans to increase the World Cup from 32 teams to 40.

“When I put something in my head, I can be quite convincing so I will try to convince everyone including the European Club Association (ECA) of the merit of my arguments,” he said.

“Probably half of the last 15 years of my life has been spent discussing with clubs, arguing with clubs, debating with clubs, and in the end always, always agreeing,” Infantino added.

Elliott, who added a There was disappointCHELTENHAM, England (Reuters) - Don Cossack, Gold Cup to the Grand Na- ment for Mullins, now a sixthe 9-4 favourite ridden by tional won with Silver Birch time runner-up in the Gold Bryan Cooper and trained in 2007, also shed tears of Cup, and Walsh, who had chalked up his 50th festival

by Gordon Elliott, won the joy.

Cheltenham Gold Cup yesterday as Irish punters celebrated and bookmakers took another pounding.

Willie Mullins-trained Djakadam, with Ruby Walsh in the saddle, finished second and stablemate Don Poli was third in an Irish sweep of the most prestigious race in the English jump racing season.

The heavily-fancied Cue Card, ridden by Paddy Brennan, provided more drama with a nasty fall three jumps from the finish while challenging for the lead. The horse and rider appeared unhurt.

Don Cossack, owned by the jubilant Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, had failed twice before at Cheltenham but ended up a strong winner four and a half lengths Don Cossack celebrates winning the 3.30 Timico clear of Djakadam, who was Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. (Action Images via also second last year.

“Fair play to Gordon, he Reuters/Paul ChildsLivepic) stuck by me...he had him right “I’ve never been so ner- winner on Thursday but for today. He never missed a beat,” the emotional Cooper, vous in my life,” said the failed to land the big one.

“What do we have to do? who could have been riding Don stunned trainer. “I really Poli but made the right choice, can’t believe it...I’m shell- Hopefully we’ll be back again shocked.” next year. I will never comtold Channel 4 television.

plain about second, although hopefully one year we’ll break our duck,” Mullins told BBC radio.

While the bookmakers cursed another winning favourite, with Ladbroke’s saying in a press release that they could not get out fast enough after “the most expensive week here that we can remember”, punters had plenty to cheer.

So too did double Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton after finishing fifth on Pacha du Polder in the Foxhunter Chase won by another female jockey Nina Carberry.

“I think it’s probably one of the greatest achievements of my life,” said Pendleton, who started out a year ago as a complete novice.

“She rode superbly. You saw her confidence increase.

She was weaving and scything through the field. That was unbelievable. Walt Disney stuff,” former National Hunt jockey Luke Harvey told the BBC. “To get round at Cheltenham only 12 months after getting on a horse for a first time is amazing.”

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino said a wind of change was blowing through football’s scandal-plagued governing body after announcing a sponsorship deal with China’s Wanda Group yesterday.

FIFA has been battered by a series of scandals and the deal, which runs until 2030 and includes the next four World Cups, came one day after the Swiss-based federation announced a $122 million (£84 million) loss for 2015, its first deficit since 2002.

The deal could help Infantino, elected last month to replace disgraced Sepp Blatter, fulfil ambitious promises of greater funding for FIFA’s 209-member associations which he made during his campaign.

FIFA has been thrown into turmoil in the last year with criminal investigations under way into the sport in both the United States, where several dozen former football officials have been indicted, and Switzerland.

Blatter has been banned by the federation’s own eth-

ics committee for six years after being engulfed by the scandal.

“I cannot change the past but I can influence the future and make sure we will face all the challenges,” said

FIFA president Gianni Infantino Infantino after chairing his first executive committee meeting.

On Tuesday, FIFA applied to United States authorities for tens of millions of dollars compensation from ex-officials who are indicted there - a move Infantino said marked a change in attitude.

“FIFA is moving from the defence to the attack and

it must be clear to everyone who abuses FIFA and abuses football to enrich themselves that they will not only be excluded from football but they will have to give the money back,” he said.

Wanda Group, China’s largest commercial property company, will “engage in numerous initiatives, with a strong focus towards grassroots football development in China PR and the Asian region,” FIFA said, adding it would be a “top tier” partner.

Don Cossack wins Cheltenham Gold Cup

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Confident Pakistan geared up to rewrite history against India KOLKATA, India (Reuters) - Pakistan have never defeated India in a World Cup match but coach Waqar Younis is confident his team can break the jinx against the hosts, who are smarting from a thumping defeat against New Zealand in their tournament opener.

A defeat against their arch-rivals today at the Eden Gardens will push India towards an early exit from the World Twenty20 and Waqar feels it will be the best chance for Pakistan to end their poor record against their neighbours.

Pakistan, on the other hand, got off to a confident start in the tournament with a win against Asian rivals Bangladesh.

“They (Indians) have lost the last game, they must be worried that they can go out of the tournament, that’s a huge worry when you are playing in your own country in such a huge tournament,” Waqar told reporters.

“I am sure that they are feeling the heat. It is an added pressure on them, not on us. And in Kolkata, as I said, we have played really well in the past, and we have won the last game.

“I think that the monkey is off our backs now, so hopefully we will deliver the goods.”

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since becoming separate countries in 1947, two of them over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Bilateral cricketing ties between the neighbours remain suspended after gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai in a three-day rampage in 2008 which India blames on a Pakistani militant group.

While India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin called a match between the two countries a bigger Pakistan coach Waqar Younis contest than the traditional rivalry of the Ashes, which involves Test matches between England and Australia, Waqar said the cricketers should be proud of the rivalry.

“I think first of all, you have to take it as a sport,” the former fast bowler added.

“Our rivalry is definitely there, there is a history between Pakistan and India, not only culturally but also there is a cricket history given how we have played each other for 50 years.

“No other game is watched as much as this one, so we should all cherish that and we should all feel proud about it.”

Ashwin said India are well versed with handling pressure and have left behind the defeat against New Zealand.

“I don’t think we really see a lot of pressure in this game. We are used to playing a lot of that for India,” Ashwin said. “Every game that India play is a pressure game as you can see with the amount of people here (at the news conference).

“A game like this ... more than whom we are playing against, it’s the T20 World Cup and we have almost put ourselves in a position where we have to win every game from here.

“I think that’s more important and pertinent.”

Milestones set by England in victory over South Africa MUMBAI, (Reuters)-Following are some records and milestones set during England’s two-wicket victory over South Africa in the World Twenty20 Super 10 match yesterday.

230 runs - Highest ever total scored by England in a T20 match 230 runs - Highest successful run chase ever at a World Twenty20 tournament 230 runs - Highest ever total scored in India in a T20 match

England chase down 230 to stun South Africa

By Sudipto Ganguly MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - England posted the highest successful run chase ever at a World Twenty20 tournament with Joe Root smashing 83 as they overhauled an improbable South Africa total by two wickets in a run-fest yesterday.

Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla struck half-centuries at the top while JP Duminy provided the late assault with an unbeaten 50, as South Africa posted a massive 229-4 after they were put in to bat in their Group One match at the Wankhede Stadium.

If South Africa, considered one of the favourites for the tournament, hoped they had amassed enough runs, they were in for a rude shock, as England attacked their bowlers left, right and centre to post their highest-ever T20 total and the second highest run chase ever in the format.

“The fact that we can pull off performances like that with the bat will give us lot of confidence for the rest of this group stage and hopefully further on in the tournament,” Root, still wearing his batting pads, told reporters.

“There is no better feeling than winning a game when

you are up against it. I can’t wait to get back in the dressing room and celebrate with the rest of the boys.”

England, the 2010 cham-

Kyle Abbott.

England looked to maintain their batting tempo though leg-spinner Imran Tahir tempered it with 1-28

Man-of-the-Match Joe Root acknowledges the applause after being dismissed for 83 in Mumbai, yesterday.

pions, looked comfortable for most part of their chase before losing three wickets in seven balls towards the end but eventually reached their target with two balls to spare.

Jason Roy (43) and Alex Hales gave England a rollicking start, posting 48 in just 15 deliveries before both were out to paceman

in his four overs.

But Root, who was out in the penultimate over, hit six boundaries and four sixes in his 44-ball knock and added 75 for the fifth wicket with Jos Buttler (21), bringing the sizeable crowd to their feet.

England were on the receiving end of a brutal onslaught from West Indies opener Chris Gayle during

Wednesday’s defeat when their spinners struggled to grip the wet ball and that prompted captain Eoin Morgan to field after winning the toss.

But Amla (58) and de Kock (52) tormented the English bowlers, plundering 96 runs off seven overs during an explosive opening stand.

South Africa opted to use Amla and de Kock as openers and it proved it was the right decision from the outset. de Kock, who thrashed David Willey for 20 in the third over, hit seven fours and three sixes during his 24-ball knock before he fell to off-spinner Moeen Ali. Amla, who was dropped on nine by Reece Topley off Ali, hit an identical number of boundaries before falling to the off-spinner.

Duminy (54 not out) and David Miller (28 not out) provided the finishing touches for South Africa with an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 60.

England paceman Chris Jordan conceded four fours and a six in the fifth over and finished with figures of 0-49 in three overs. Topley gave away 33 in his two overs.

GKC two-day camp begins today THE Guyana Karate College (GKC) today commenced its twoday training camp for karatekas.

Set for the Splashmins Eco Park, the two-day camp which concludes tomorrow afternoon will see over 50 students and 30 parents combine for a participating contingent of approximately 80.

The unit is currently in training for grading on April 8 which will be conducted by head of the International Karate Diagaku Master Frank Woon-A-Tai. The side will also be using it as a warm-up and the first in a series of outings for the Caribbean Cup in Jamaica in July.

According to senior instructor

Senior instructor of the GKC Sensei Jeffrey Wong

Sensei Jeffrey Wong, “We expect a good turnout of students. They have been very enthusiastic over the last couple of weeks and we at the GKC see this as something that will help them.”

“Firstly it takes them out of the usual dojo to an outdoor area where they can move freely and practice in wide spaces. We also want to show the students that there are many ways of training; that training is not only for the dojo,” the Sensei added.

Apart from Sensei Wong, other instructors on the retreat are Sensei Guy Low, Sensei Aubrey Bettencourt, Roland Fanfair and Kenrick Cheeks. (Stephan Sookram)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Chanderpaul named brand ambassador of TAU

By Rajiv Bisnauth VETERAN Guyana and West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been named brand ambassador of the Texila American University (TAU).

Chanderpaul signed a one-year contract with the University and completed the formalities Thursday evening at the Pegasus Hotel.

Head of Operations at the University, Immanuel Prabalanathan, prior to formally handing over the agreement to the cricketer, welcomed the West Indies superstar and said TAU is honoured to have him as their brand ambassador.

“It’s a proud moment for us at TAU, and we are elated,” Prabalanathan said.

The Head of Operations also spoke briefly on Chanderpaul’s achievements.

Chanderpaul, who played a record 164 Tests, was controversially axed last May

by West Indies selectors following a run of low scores.

Chanderpaul amassed 11 867 runs at an average of 51 and lies second on the all-

time West Indies list of run-scorers behind Brian Lara who scored 11 953 runs.

He struck 30 centuries and 66 half-centuries. Chanderpaul also played 268 One-day Internationals garnering 8 778 runs at an average of 41, and also suited up for 22 Twenty20 Internationals.

He made his Test debut as a 19-year-old against England back in 1994 and proceeded to become a feature of West Indies’ batting over the following two decades.

Renowned for his unconventional batting stance and his ability to concentrate for long periods, Chanderpaul consistently scored runs for the regional side despite their fluctuating fortunes in Tests.

He was one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year in 2008, the same year he was voted the ICC Player-of-the-Year.

The soft-spoken star also led West Indies in 14 Tests but quit in April 2006 after a year on the job.

“I look forward to making an important contribution to the company. It is also a great honour for me to be associated with the Uni-

Riddim Squad slay Beacons; Camptown, Flamingo play to exciting draw THIRTEEN goals were scored in the latest Georgetown Football Association (GFA) STAG Premier League fixture at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, when the tournament continued on Thursday evening.

In the opening game, Riddim Squad routed a hapless Beacons FC 6-1, while Sunburst Camptown and Flamingo played to an exciting 3-3 draw.

Entering the game chasing their first win of the League, Beacons FC instead encountered a goal-hungry Riddim Squad team.

Amos Ramsay (10th and 63rd minutes) and Kevin Agard (59th and 60th minutes) both netted a double for the Mocha Arcadia team, while the other two goals came off the cleats of Wendell Joseph and Sceyon Hope who scored in the seventh and 37th minutes respectively.

Beacons had lost four of their five previous outings while salvaging one draw. However, following Thursday’s results they are now the only team in the League that failed to win a game after six rounds.

Beacons’ lone goal came from Shaquille Cornwall in the 32nd minute.

Meanwhile, Camptown FC, searching for their second win, in the eight-team league, got off to a perfect start, with Richie Richards giving them the lead just eight minutes into the game, but Flamingo equalised when Orlando Ricketts put his effort at the back of the net in the 31st minute.

The first half ended with the scores level 1-1, but it was Flamingo who went ahead when Ryan October scored in the 56th minute. But Flamingo’s lead was short-lived as Rawle Adams pulled one back for Camptown three minutes later (2-2).

Not to be outdone, Flamingo once again went ahead, this time when veteran Leon Yaw scored in the 62nd minute.

Camptown, nonetheless, ten minutes later (72nd minute), equalised once again, thanks to Anthony Sancho.

Both sides had their fair share of chances to find a game winner, but failed to capitalise on their respective chances.

Head of Operations, Immanuel Prabalanathan, hands over the agreement to Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Also sharing the moment are Ashok Kumar, vice-president – International Operations, Anand Arulsamy Vice Chancellor and Sherry Ferrel. versity,” Chanderpaul said.

Texila American University, one of the best Caribbean medical schools, is located in Guyana, the only English-speaking

country in South America. TAU offers several Health Science programmes with a high level of professionalism, exactness and problem-solving skills.

Slingerz remain unbeaten SLINGERZ, the unstoppable? The Vergenoegen-based club kept their perfect record in the STAG Elite League intact following their 4-0 win over Monedderlust. Their arch rivals, Alpha United, also continued their winning ways, brushing aside Buxton United 2-0.

Playing at home (Leonora Stadium) for the first time in the STAG Elite League Finale, Slingerz Football Club routed the winless

Berbice club with goals from Trayon Bobb, Devon Millington, Domini Garnett and Grenadian International Kithson Bain.

In the night’s opening game, defenders Colin Nelson and Joshua Brown found the net for Wayne Dover’s Alpha United.

The League will now break to accommodate Guyana’s CFU Caribbean Cup match against Anguilla, at the Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday March 22.

Latest points standings in the STAG Elite League

Latest points standings in the GFA STAG Premier League

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday March 19, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Virat Kohli-77 (2) 35 matches

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Name the teams that are in ‘Group 1’ of the current ICC T20 Men’s World Cup? (2) Name the teams that are in ‘Group 2’ of the current ICC T20 Men’s World Cup?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday March 19, 2016

Jeffrey arrives ahead of showdown at South Dakota tomorrow

By Stephan Sookram

OVERSEAS-based Guyanese and two-time Caribbean champion Kristian Jeffrey arrived in Guyana late yesterday afternoon ahead of the first National Race of Champions set for the South Dakota Circuit tomorrow.

The Guyanese who trains and studies overseas also spoke to Chronicle Sport following his arrival saying, “We just came here to run the car, ensure everything is as good as last November in preparation for Jamaica.”

Jeffrey added, “We didn’t even touch the car since the last races (November) we just did a spanner check. Today is the first time we are running the car for the year at the track so we are just going to do some fine-tuning and we are going to see where it goes from there.”

The group four competitor and son of ace racer Kevin Jeffrey, who made light

work of the Caribbean Competition in 2015 and will seek the treble of the Caribbean Motor Racing Association’s Championships this year, is upbeat about the coming season, set to get going in May. “Right now, we’ve got a few new cars from Jamaica and we’re looking at the big picture In group 4, we’ve got some more artillery coming so the game has been upped but we don’t know what’s going to happen with the splitting of classes right now,” said the Caribbean champion He continued, “But as a racer, I have a car, we built the car to suit the rules and it’s still fresh for me. Just my second year in and I just love racing and I take every opportunity I get.”

His Mitsubishi Evolution 9, sponsored by STAG and Fly Jamaica will be in action when the flag drops tomorrow.

Race time is 09:30hrs with Fly Jamaica and GTT as the main sponsors of the day.

Colts, Raiders set for Linden vs Georgetown showpiece … Ravens, Pacesetters to clash for third place COULD teenage sensation Stanton Rose carry Colts to a National Championship or will the Raiders take the honours and the trophy back to Linden along with the $500 000 first place prize?

Many questions will be answered tonight as the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) bring the curtain down on its National Club Championship – the Road to Mecca III – tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 19:00hrs.

The third-place playoff will involve the former champs, as inaugural winners Ravens collide with last year’s title-holders Pacesetters.

But all eyes will be set on Rose, the 17-year-old point guard from Kwakwani, who has taken the Road Mecca III and made it his own.

Rose’s consistency in the backcourt led to Colts being one of the dangerous teams in the tournament. In fact, so deadly is the team’s entire backcourt that it counted for 65 points of the team’s total, as Rose, backed by Shelroy Thomas, Dave Causeway and Kurt English, wreaked havoc on the Ravens defence during their 81-59 semi-final win.

Head-to-head, Colts stand a better chance than their Linden counterparts. However, should Raiders’ go-getter and centrepiece Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts get going, the game could be difficult for the city team who were heavily dependent on their guards to lead them.

Keon Cameron, Retrieve Raiders’ point guard, is exciting to watch but could be just as horrible when he’s having an off-night.

While there is an inside presence for the Colts – Kurt Elias and Shane Webster – it’s the team’s point guards/ backcourt who have been winning games.

But on the contrary, the Raiders’ backcourt, led

by Cameron, veterans Abdullah Hamid and Marvin Hartman, could be outplayed by the much younger and faster Colts guards.

Meanwhile, the third-place game should be mouthwatering as it features two rivals – Pacesetters and Ravens – going into battle where the winners will pocket $150 000 and the losers have to settle for $100 000.

Raiders shocked Pacesetters in their semi-final, sending the tournament’s second-edition winners to a 65-55 defeat.

Knowing coach Clement Brusch and his troops, they will attempt to exact revenge on the Ravens, the team that took home the accolade in the tournament’s first year.

Several novelty events are also planned by the organisers in their effort to get fans involved.

Kristian Jeffrey stands with his two-time championship winning STAG and Fly Jamaica-sponsored Mitsubishi Evolution 9.

Shabazz comfortable with squad selected for CFU Caribbean Cup

By Rawle Toney JAMAAL Shabazz, head coach of Guyana’s National football team the Golden Jaguars, said that he’s comfortable with the

GREGORY RICHARDSON squad selected to commence participation in the 2016-2017 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup. The Golden Jaguars will kick off their Group 5 campaign against Anguilla at the Guyana National Stadium on Tuesday March 22 and would later travel to the U.S. Island of Puerto Rico their second match against on March 29.

Shabazz called eight overseas-based players – Akel Clarke (Trinidad and Tobago), Neil Danns

(England), Samuel Cox (England), Walter Moore (Finland), Brandon Beresford (USA), Christopher Nurse (Puerto Rico), Marcel Barrington (England) and Anthony Whyte (Canada).

Alex Murray (Alpha United FC), King Austin (Alpha United FC), Joshua Browne (Alpha United FC), Kester Jacobs (Slingerz FC), Eon Alleyne (Fruta Conquerors FC), Vurlon Mills (Slingerz FC), Gregory Richardson (Pele FC), Devon Millington (Slingerz FC), Daniel Wilson (Alpha United FC), Dwight Peters (Alpha United FC), Quincy Adams (Slingerz FC), Clive Nobrega (Slingerz FC), Les Charles Critchlow (Slingerz FC), Tichard Joseph (Slingerz FC) Trayon Bobb (Slingerz FC), Konata Manning (Pele FC), and Delon Lanferman (Alpha United FC) are the other players, all based locally.

However, the exclusion of Trinidad and Tobago-based Sheldon Holder and Pernel Schultz, along with Alpha United defender Colin Nelson and UKbased Matthew Briggs, have caused many to voice their concern about the strength of the Golden Jaguars.

“The forwards we selected in the squad right now - Mills, Richardson,

Millington and Barrington - we feel are a good combination of pace and skill,” Shabazz said in an exclusive interview while adding that in the case of Schultz, “they are ahead of him”.

“Colin Nelson is recovering from a hamstring injury and played his first game (70 minutes) after two weeks,” Shabazz explained, adding, “We prefer to give him time to heal and fully recover.”

There was much controversy surrounding Briggs, the 25-year-old left-back, who plays with Colchester United in England.

Many fell in love with the defender based on his style of play, seen during his Golden Jaguars debut against Grenada, where he helped Guyana to secure a 2-0 win over the men from the Spice Isle.

“Briggs is one of the best players I have ever worked it. He is unavailable for these matches but the team is so competitive I think we have one or two replacements for each position,” said Shabazz.

Looking ahead to the tournament that brought about a love-hate relationship with Shabazz and some of the most die-hard Golden Jaguars fans, the Trinidadian said that “there

is respect for Guyana in CFU. But the problem is, over the years, constant administrative turmoil takes away our focus from the

CHRISTOPHER NURSE football on the field.”

“This CFU is important for Guyana to establish its name as an emerging force in the Caribbean’s future.

I am so excited about this team that I have applied for my Guyana passport and (am) trying to lose 20 pounds to see if I can make the team.

The challenge is getting cohesion and everyone to pull in one direction. If we can achieve this the fans will be in for a good ride,” Shabazz said.

Jeffrey arrives ahead of showdown at South Dakota tomorrow See story on page 35

Hetmyer’s day at Providence Stadium ... young left-hander fashions maiden ton to put Jaguars in strong position

By Rajiv Bisnauth WEST INDIES Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Shimron Hetmyer put the Jamaica Scorpions bowlers to the sword with a masterful 107. his maiden First-Class century. Guyana Jaguars dominated the opening day of their final round of West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day game at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence yesterday.

Not many spectators watched the hosts finish the day on 297-4 with skipper Leon Johnson on 58 and night watchman Devendra Bishoo on one, set to resume on the second day.

The 19-year-old Hetmyer was dropped on 30, but apart from that his innings was one of elegance and timing. He struck 15 fours and a six off 135 balls in 162 minutes at the crease. Test opener Rajendra Chandrika also fashioned a classy 76.

The visitors did not help their own cause with a series of dropped catches. The Jamaica Scorpions bowlers toiled manfully with the fast men creating some problems for the batsmen, but suffered because of their fielding lapses.

The Jaguars openers capitalised on three missed chances in the post-lunch session and made the

See page 31

Chase Academy, Lodge Secondary hunting second Milo football title today TODAY, the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue will be the battle ground for the Chase Academy versus Lodge Secondary final of this year’s Petra Organisation/Milo Schools Football tournament.

This is the tournament’s fourth installation and it culminates with Lodge Secondary, winners of the second edition, facing off with defending champions Chase Academy.

The third-place game today features Queen;s College and South Ruimveldt who will get things on the way from 16:00hrs.

Looking at the two finalists, clearly Chase Academy are by far the superior of the two, being equipped with the best young talent Guyana has to offer.

Most of their players turn out for several

top clubs in the city and their experience was evident throughout the tournament this year.

Kelsey Benjamin, Ryan Hackett and Frank Parris are usual goalscorers for Chase Academy, while for Lodge Secondary, the team strived on playing collectively.

As pundits have it, Chase Academy are highly favoured to come out on top in today’s game and should do so by a considerable margin.

Winners of the event will walk away with the championship trophy and $500 000 towards a school project.

On the other hand, the second-, thirdand fourth-place finishers will receive $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000 correspondingly, towards the funding of a school initiative, as well as the respective trophy.

Shimron Hetmyer hit 15 fours and a six in his 107.

Umpire Crawford elated at First Class debut

SHANNON Crawford made his First Class debut as an on-field umpire yesterday at the start of the final round West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Four-Day game at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, yesterday between Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions.

Reacting on his progress, a visibly delighted Crawford, who is also president of the Demerara Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (DCUSA), told Chronicle Sport that he is elated at the progress he

has made.

“I am very happy; it has been a long hard road but having said that I am up to the challenge,” Crawford said.

He added, “The feeling was good despite the level of cricket which is much more different to what I am accustomed to, but it’s all about going out and believing in your ability and putting out a high standard of officiating.”

Crawford hopes this is just the beginning and a stepping stone for his dreams in officiating at the highest level.

Chase Academy’s Jobe Caesar controls the ball during their 6-0 semi-final rout of South Ruimveldt Secondary School.

Umpire Shannon Crawford (left) and Barbadian colleague Leslie Reifer (Jr) leave the field at the end of play on day one.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2016