Chronicle 03 25 2016

Revoke the pacts No. 104502

FRIDAY MARCH 25, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

…audit urges revocation of Baishanlin’s investment agreements

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Parishioners at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Thursday evening continued the tradition of Jesus through the feet-washing ceremony, which was instituted at the Last Supper referred to in the Holy Bible. The feet-washing ceremony preceded the crucifixion (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

Wanted man 8 Steep drop in Granger upbeat about new towns found dead with new TB cases 10 …says LGEs have unshackled P.

their economic potential P.3

gunshot wounds

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Look out for our next edition on March 27th

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Camp St Prison CoI

“Not your business” …Prisoner says was told before deadly fire

By Ariana Gordon PRESERVING his belongings after the fire was lit in the Capital ‘A’ Division of the Georgetown Prison on March 2 was priority for robbery-under-arms accused Collis Collison.

Collison testified before the three-man Commission

of Inquiry (CoI) into the prison riots on Thursday.

He told the commission that he attempted to find out the reason behind the lighting of the fires and was told that what had transpired was not his business.

Because of the response he received, Collison decided to focus on his belongings.

He recounted that officer in charge of the Georgetown Prison, Kevin Pilgrim,had informed the prisoners that a search would be conducted.

According to the 23-yearold, Pilgrim also instructed the prisoners to exit the Capital ‘A’ Division “five by five.”

He said on the day in question he had received a visitor and so he, after speaking with his visitor, went to the infirmary for medication.

“On me way coming back from the infirmary the officer put me in the cage and lock me up…the words to me was…dem and want me go up deh because dem done lock the door …before me name start call. “

Collis Collison poses with several bags of marijuana while in the Georgetown Prison

He said he was alone in the cage. It was at that point he was held by the prison officers. “Them tek me and lock me in the cage,” said Collison. “The officers told me the prisoners lock off the door and before me name call I go in the cage, I spend 10-15 minutes and then them said the prisoners dem open the door and then dem open me and tell me go fuh me belongings.”

After collecting his belongings, Collison, who was first charged at age 14, said he returned to the tarmac of the prison complex. He told the commission during cross-examination by attorney for the Guyana Prison Service and Guyana Police Force, Selwyn Pieters, that fellow inmates had blocked the main entrance and exit to the Capital ‘A’ Division with a cork.

Asked by Pieters to explain the process by which Turn to page 5 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Granger upbeat about new towns …says LGEs have unshackled their economic potential PRESIDENT David Granger has told the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) that the recently concluded Local Government Elections have unshackled the business and economic potential of towns across the 10 administrative regions and the government, as well as the private sector must ensure that efforts of development are not concentrated solely in the capital city, but spread throughout the country.

The President was at the time addressing shareholders and stakeholders at the GCCI’s 126th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was held Thursday afternoon at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown.

He noted that the democratisation of local government is necessary for the planned economic take-off of Guyana’s towns and regions.

“Guyana’s hinterland and rural landscape will be opened for orderly development. Our towns will lead this charge and in the process, create boundless business opportunities for the business community in Guyana. Our aim is to modernise local government and to catapult our municipalities into the 21st century. Our objective is to catalyse the economies of our towns and communities…

Tremendous opportunities for all will unfold as we boost the economies of our regions through the instrumentality of our “capital towns.” The challenges that present themselves will be dwarfed by the opportunities for economic growth that lie ahead,” President Granger said.

The Head of State noted that the local government elections which were held last Friday, were more than mere respect for constitutionality, but a reaffirmation of Guyana’s political democracy and an opportunity for economic change. The “colonial compound mentality,” where the citizens were solely dependent on central Government to meet their needs, largely continued over the years due to the absence of local government elections, he added.

“The elections restored the right of citizens to participate in decision-making in their municipalities and neighbourhood councils. They also renewed economic opportunities for innovation, investment and infrastructural development. The elections for our Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities paved the way for a change in the way our towns and communities are governed.

They also paved the way for a reappraisal of the contribution

President Granger makes a point to outgoing President of the GCCI, Mr. Lance Hinds (left) and Senior Vice-President, Mr. Vishnu Doerga after the opening of the AGM at the Pegasus Hotel

they can make toward creating economically powerful regions,” the President said.

This democratisation has been accompanied by the first major extension in municipal administration in over four decades, with the Official Gazette (Extraordinary) published on October 21, 2015, authorising the establishment of three new towns: Bartica, in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven); Lethem, in the Rupununi, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) and Mabaruma, in Barima-Waini (Region One).

Mahdia, in Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), is a village which will become a town later this year, according to the President. With the elections now over, local authorities are expected to be weaned off of central Government dictation, domination and dependency.

It will allow for a more collaborative and forward-looking model of governance, the President said.

‘CAPITAL TOWNS’ TO SPEARHEAD DEVELOPMENT “The new model will … instill a “capital town” mind set, which emphasises the role of towns in moving beyond providing traditional municipal services. The new emphasis should be on promoting business, driving economic development and giving leadership to our regions. Guyana will develop only if regions are strong. Our regions must no longer be viewed as mere administrative appendages of the central Government.

Our regions must become motors of economic growth.

The potential of our regions is indisputable,” the Head of State said.

He further noted that a “capital town” will be established in every region to spearhead development.

“Bartica will be the “capital town” of Cuyuni-Mazaruni.

Lethem will be the “capital town” of the Rupununi.

Mabaruma will be the “capital town” of Barima-Waini. Mahdia will become the “capital town” of Potaro-Siparuni.

More suitable sites will be identified to transform the compounds into “capital towns” in the coastal Demerara-Mahaica, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara and Mahaica-Berbice regions,” he said.

These “capital towns” are

expected to lead economic development in each region by encouraging growth through four factors: infrastructure, investment, information and communications technology and innovation. Infrastructure, the President said, will reduce transportation costs; provide access to markets; increase the competitiveness of production and stimulate increased output, while investment inflows will spur new industries and aid in overcoming competitive disadvantages and disecono-

mies of scale and by fostering job-creation, particularly non-agricultural jobs such as banking and engineering. “‘Capital towns’ can compensate for their lack of size with big ideas, bold innovations and business dynamism, as innovative technologies would stimulate agro-processing and manufacturing, while the playing field between rural villages and towns can be levelled by the application of information communication technology (ICT),” he added.

The President also noted that “capital towns,” however small in the initial stages, will grow into centres of economic vibrancy and engines of economic diversification. They must position themselves at the cutting edge of the economy, he pointed out. “’Capital towns’ must provide the full range of public services: education, health, housing, water, energy, law enforcement, taxation, immigration, insurance and the registration of births, deaths and businesses. A person should not have to leave his or her region to obtain these services. Education is an important public service.

Our town councils must take an interest in the education of our children. ‘Capital towns’ must provide economic services to citizens: commerce, shipping, insurance, banking, micro-financing, telecommunication, tourism and manufacturing. The availability

of these services will be an indicator of economic development within our regions,” the President told the meeting.

Municipalities, he said, must function like corporations. This status will allow them greater autonomy and financial independence. It will also allow them to engage in promoting businesses, industries and manufacturing and, thereby, create employment. “Towns must become motors of business. A corporate model for our municipalities will allow them to actively promote and partner with private investors, for example, to process this country’s abundant agricultural produce for local use and for export. The expansion of agro-processing can become a source of employment and profit for municipalities,” President Granger said. In order to address the challenges of urbanisation, central Government will implement the necessary systems to ensure that every region becomes an economic hub, he added. Meanwhile, Secretary of the GCCI, Mr. Nicholas Boyer, in brief remarks at the conclusion of the opening ceremony of the AGM, acknowledged that there are regions where potential has remained untapped by investors. He said this matter will be added to the Chamber’s agenda. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

‘You can soar like kites through education’

--Prime Minister tells Berbice youths PRIME MINISTER Moses Nagamootoo has implored youths to take their education seriously, advising that it would provide them the wherewithal to “soar like kites” in the push to advance themselves in life.

He issued the charge to a gathering at the Shieldstown Abundant Life Assembly, West Berbice, yesterday The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, Sita Nagamootoo, and with Easter around the corner, they distributed kites to children.

Using the theme of The Resurrection, Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained that

all should aspire to reach the sky, “to fly on the wings of our dreams.”

He compared the twine attached to Easter kites to education and said that children could achieve great heights with better education.

Taking the congregation back in time, Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted that during 1967 to1970, he was a teacher in West Berbice, and would bicycle from Ithaca to Bush Lot to encourage parents to send their children to high school.

One of those children

was the father of Pastor Chaitram (only name given), who invited the Prime Minister to his Church. His father Bharrat (only name given), also a priest, attended the high school where Mr. Nagamootoo taught.

Impressed by the talent of children who performed

during a cultural show, the Prime Minister said other churches should take a leaf out of the book of the Shieldstown Abundant Life Assembly.

The Assembly, he said was moulding the new generation of singers, dancers, musicians.

Man warded after being chopped outside Stabroek Police Outpost

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita Nagamootoo with children and officials of the Shieldstown Abundant Life Assembly

New Honda motorcycle launched air-cooled, EFI single-cylinder engine.

The efficient fuel economy and overall performance are amazing features of the cycle, which guarantees 370 miles between fill-ups from its 13-litre tank.

Marketing and Sales M a n a g e r, R o m e l R i c hmond has assured that purchase of one of their 2016 HONDA CB 125F motor cycles comes with a one-year warranty, free registration, free licence, free number plate, free helmet and free fitness and registration.

“It’s an unbeatable package and the offer holds while stocks last,” Richmons says.

MARICS and Co. Ltd, the home of HONDA in Guyana, yesterday presented to the nation the 2016 CB 125F motorcycle, coming in three colours red, white and blue - for the acclaimed low cost of $430,000.

Sporting an impressive muscular look, the high-performance machine, rated as one of the best within its class, is environmentally friendly and carries a 125cc

Marics & Co. Ltd. Marketing and Sales Manager, Romel Richmond presents the ‘All New’ 2016 HONDA CB 125F motorcycle at yesterday’s launch

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The children recited poetry, sang and danced during the service.

And responding to an appeal for financial assistance from the church, the Prime Minister pledged $150,000 towards new rest room facilities and the fencing of its compound.

SHOPKEEPER Mark Rodney, 39, of 515 Section ‘D’, South Turkeyen-Sophia is currently warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital nursing severe chop wounds after being viciously attacked by a man outside the Stabroek Police Outpost on Monday night.

The injured man, who vends on Commerce Street, Georgetown, was late Tuesday afternoon in the theatre for surgery. Relatives recalled that moments before the chopping incident, Rodney and his assailant’s mother had turned up at the police outpost, each claiming that they were verbally assaulted by the other.

While Rodney was exiting the police outpost, a man said to be the woman’s son pounced on him at the foot of the stairs and allegedly began chopping him. Rodney sustained several chops to the head as well as to both hands and fingers.

Persons who claimed they had witnessed the attack, said that when the man began to chop Rodney, two young male police ranks on duty in the outpost panicked and “dived for cover,” retreating deeper into the building.

But as the victim began crying out for help, another policeman, a plainclothes rank, fired three warning shots in the air, causing the knife-wielding man to flee. The plainclothes cop went in hot pursuit, apprehended him and took him to a police station. The police are continuing their investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Suspected thief shot in rear A 35–YEAR–OLD man has been hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital with a gunshot wound to his buttocks after he was shot by a licensed firearm holder.

According to a police report, at about 21:35h on Wednesday, the man who has so far been identified as “Jermaine” of ‘D’ Field, Sophia, broke into the Lisa General Store, Charlotte Street, Georgetown, and during a confrontation with the owner, who is a licensed firearm holder, he was shot to his buttocks.

He has been admitted to the GPHC where he is under police guard.

Not your... the prisoners inside of the dwelling unit controlled access or entry into Capital ‘A’, Collison replied, “I won’t be able to explain how it is used…Sir.” Collison explained that he and the other inmates spent about 45 minutes in the cage, after which the prison officials informed them that they can return to the location. He made it clear that the prisoners had not been upset because the prison officers had seized some of the illicit items found.

He said the officer in charge had spoken with prisoners after the search.

That night he said he slept early, but was awakened by the scent of smoke. “When I wake up I asked what’s going on, is six months I in prison …them prisoners deh in 9, 7, 5 years and the prisoners’ words to me was keep out we waiting on the High Court 4,5,6,7, 8 years,” recounted Collison.

The prisoner maintained that the fires were not lit on March 2, because of the search conducted by the joint services, but because of the length of time most of the prisoners were incarcerated while on remand in the Camp Street facility. “…nobody never talk about phone and them kind of things,” he told the commission.

Asked whether he had observed any quarrels about who may have divulged in-

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formation during the search to the officers, Collison said no. the prisoner said too that he did not see inmates breaking the wall that separates Capital ‘A’ from Capital ‘B’.

“No sir. The wall didn’t break sir,” he added, noting that the hole was used as a means of communicating with inmates located in Capital ‘B’. According to Collison, the hole was also used for selling marijuana to prisoners.

PROTECTING MY INTEREST The South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident said on March 3 he was more interested in protecting his interests. He explained that he remembered the words of the prisoners the night before and so he “hold me corner and block my face.”

“Remember sir, the prisoners’ words to me earlier on was nothing ain’t concerning me…I can’t talk against 50 or something man. So I hold my corner and block my face,” said Collison.

The prisoner explained that his sole concern at the time was “protecting my safety.” He said he was unaware of who may have lit the fire, but noted that no attempt was made by him to encourage the prisoners from not lighting the fires.

“No, everybody was running wild…people were trying to secure their food and

these kinda things… there was water all over the place,” said Collison who has been in the Camp Street facility since October 2015.

He recounted during cross-examination by Pieters that at approximately 7am on March 3, he woke up and noticed that other prisoners in the other divisions were being fed. He said Capital ‘A’ is usually fed first. “People didn’t wake up yet… I notice the prison feeding up in the process…normally they feed us up in Capital ‘A’ and ‘B’ first. No officer came and ask us if we want to be feed up.”

Shortly after, Collison said he saw a large crew of prison officers around Capital ‘A’ and it was then that Officer in Charge Kevin Pilgrim instructed the inmates of the division to get their valuables and exit the building “five by five.”

Pilgrim was accompanied by an Officer identified only as “Officer Charles.” As the prison officers attempted to open the door with the keys, it was discovered that the door was blocked with a cork. “I told my fellow inmates to unblock the door.

Cork was there…when the

door lock from outside it was in between the steel,” the man said. When the door was unblocked, two officers were standing outside of the door.

Collison explained that he saw approximately seven task force officers circling the prisoners who had exited Capital ‘A’. He said he saw one prisoner Steve Allicock being ill-treated by the officers. “…one hold him by he foot,” the prisoner recounted.

He, Collison, was among the next set of prisoners to exit the premises. He said he had “self-sufficient wares” and a towel over his shoulder.

NOTING ILLEGAL “I was searched…nothing illegal wasn’t found on me…After the search – I hear an officer asked if I finish getting search… then they came running towards me…lift me up and throw me down and they use their knee and press down my chest…

Cuff me to my face…I was on the ground… me n do nothing… nobody aint answer me when I ask what I did… they drag me…drag me up the step,” Collison, who said he was shackled, told the commission.

At that point the prisoner said he saw the third and fourth set of prisoners running back into the prison.

He was then asked to state what he felt was responsible for the prisoners retreating to the prison; he said “I can’t read their mind, I wouldn’t be able to say why they run back in, but I would suggest that is fear.”

After Collison was taken to the reception area, he said he asked to see someone in charge and was told he couldn’t, as all persons were busy. He said he spent a few

hours in the reception area before he saw “Mr Samuels” whom he requested an audience with. According to Collison, Samuels called him and as he was about to recount his ordeal, he was summoned to a meeting. “…meen even get to talk because the president or somebody call them,” the prisoner related. While in the reception area he noticed the fire. “There was a window with some grills…was a clear view of the Capital ‘A’ building…I saw a set of black smoke and hear hollering.”

Based on his vantage point, the prisoner said he saw no prison officers only prisoners on the catwalk. He observed what occurred for about 30 minutes after which he was told that some of the prisoners had died. “When I receive the news I start crying too…”

GANJA SALE A NORM Meanwhile, Collison who had posted sever al pictures of himself and other inmates on ,told the commission that the sale of marijuana is a norm in the Camp Street facility. He also admitted to the use of cellphones and improvised weapons used for protection.

According to the prisoner, inmates would break the steel out of the bed frames

and “pay somebody some cigarette” to have it sharpened. “That’s how you get it in the prison,” he added.

Scissors and razor blades can also be found in the penitentiary said Collison. Asked whether he has a Facebook page, Collison responded in the affirmative and noted that he has posted pictures from prison to his Facebook page.

The CoI was adjourned by the commission just before noon on Thursday.

It is unclear when the next sitting will be held, as according to the original Terms of Reference (ToR) the commission is required to render its report, findings and recommendations to Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

by Monday, March 28.

Though strict rules are not applied at the commission, the commission is bound by the ToR. Justice James Patterson made it clear to Glen Hanoman, attorney sitting for the Guyana Bar Association that while the ToR state March 28, it is impossible for the inquiry to be completed then.

An extension he said must be granted. Meanwhile, Attorney Pieters has travelled back to Canada and said he would return after receiving word from the commission on a date for resumption.

Friday, March 25, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Saturday, March 26, 2016 - 05:30 hrs Sunday, March 27, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

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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

Good Friday’s significance

TODAY, Good Friday, dubbed as the “holiest” day in the Christian calendar, is believed to be the day when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified. Marking this day as Good Friday is not representative of an oxymoron, given that it marks the death of Christ, but the exemplification of new beginnings. According to the Christian faith, Jesus was sent to earth by God, His Father, that the world through Him might be saved. His coming was born out of recognition that humankind has departed from the values prescribed by God and relations among fellowmen, and man with God were not satisfactory.

This was a period when leaders -- religious and government -- were engaged in acts that did not lend themselves to relationships of equality, justice and love among fellowmen. Christians recall the story of Christ’s visit to the temple, his condemnation of a practice he described as akin to that of a den of thieves. In pouring out the money-changers’ coins and overturning their tables, he remonstrated against the unacceptable practice in a sanctuary.

The teachings of Jesus are grounded in four principles: equality, justice, love among fellowmen, and redemption.

Children learn at a very early age concepts of love and equality in church songs with lyrics such as: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

The benefit of this early socialisation helps in shaping man’s outlook towards each other, in the sense that none can claim superiority. The history of man has seen this principle used to topple oppressive systems such as slavery, indentureship and colonialism. The famed African-American Civil Rights for equality was grounded in this principle, which is also enshrined in the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Guyana Constitution. Values of equality, justice, love and redemption have informed laws, universal declarations, conventions and charters.

Christ’s life exemplifies leadership by example. He preached the principle of doing unto others as you would like them to do unto you. The story of a woman, who had committed an unsavoury act, condemned by the masses and brought before him to be castigated, his words to the crowd were: “Whoever is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7 KJV). That none was befitting of this virtue, Christ told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:11 KJV).

Spiritually, the application here is that everyone has shortcomings and if given an opportunity to plead with God for forgiveness, that person would be heard and accepted. Likewise, similar opportunity should be granted to others. At a societal level, the moral rests in opportunity for freedom, improvement, second chances. Christ’s teachings embody the spiritual, social, political and economic well-being of humankind. He spoke to the importance of spiritual health and wellness, condemned the bad practices

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

KN Phagwah ad with Smirnoff Ice Vodka Drink irks Viraat Sabhaa Dear Editor

PHAGWAH, like other religious festivals has its origin in deep religious values. Hindus believe that all religious festivals should be respected and citizens of Guyana must subscribe to enhance the true meaning of all religious festivals.

While most religious festivals have a social side to them, that side must not be abused with negative expressions.

The consumption of al-

coholic beverages has its prevalence in the social side of festivals. This conduct must be fully rejected, so that the deep values of these festivals would be sustained. What adds to the disrespect and total disregard of the festival of Phagwah is the blatant advertisement in the Kaieteur Newspaper 22nd March edition - page 15, wherein a sign extending Shubh Holi greetings with a great exhibition of Alcoholic Beverage (Smirnoff Ice Vodka

Drink).

Over the years, all our businessmen would extend their greetings by highlighting religious pictures, quotes or expressing nature’s beauty to observe these festivals.

King Liquor Guyana Inc. is fully aware of the great significance of these festivals, but still blatantly disregard the religious community, especially our Hindu brothers and sisters, to desecrate the festival through his ads.

ly stated, this matter goes back to 2003. Also stated are the various state officials to whom the students appealed but did not get the desired redress. That means one of three things: the officials were impotent, or Alexander was all powerful, or their cases had no merit, at least in the eyes of the officials and/or the system with which they, the officials, would have raised the matter.

What was not stated was that the matter had been addressed by four successive vice-chancellors, who ruled on the matter after examining the facts. Not that I am distancing myself from the rulings. As Deputy Registrar I was never the final arbiter.

Admittedly, as Registrar in the latter years, my view on the university’s approach to the matter differed from that of the then Vice-Chancellor, who by right pursued his own considered course of

action, which resulted in the court proceedings that were chronicled in the March 8, 2016 article in the Chronicle.

I take umbrage at Mustapha’s insinuation that my judgement should have been clouded by my advocacy for justice for blacks. I will always advocate for justice for any deserving case. I thank Mustapha for highlighting what he considers to be my destruction of the career of blacks. The fact is my disposition to the administration of justice is not clouded by my black consciousness.

Mustapha’ s race card will not intimidate me.

As for his contention that “I was responsible for the entire issue,” he exposes his own incongruence.

This matter has its origin in students not paying fees for as much of two years of their period of studies, while conspiring to write examinations during the said period and years after

I therefore call on all Hindu families and also the religious communities to protect all of our festivals (especially the religious ones) in the future and also asking the business communities and citizens to desist from such a desecration. The Sabhaa is also humbly requesting that our newspapers disregard these advertisements in the future.

Thank you Viraat Sabhaa Guyana

Don’t blame Alexander

Dear Editor,

MY attention was drawn to a letter published in the Kaieteur News of March 18, captioned; “UG and Vincent Alexander have been cruel to us.” I am not sure who composed that caption, but to suggest that UG and Alexander, severally, were cruel, on a matter pertaining to students, is to suggest that Alexander took action in his personal capacity and that, through him or some other officer, the university also took action. I pity the journalist or Student-at-Law, who would have concocted such a caption about a matter that clearly has to do with the university and the affected students; and I further suggest that if Alexander had personally been cruel, then he should have been dragged before the court.

As has been correct-

of earthly governments and man, inclusive of poverty, intolerance, inequity and injustice.

Obviously, his presence on earth and teachings disrupted the status quo. The religious-minded and politically inclined found his leadership unnerving as he disturbed the way they preferred things. Thus, those who did not condemn his actions schemed to have him killed. As they proceeded with allegations of blasphemy and deserving of death, even though the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate found no evidence to the effect, he handed Jesus’s fate over to the crowd, who called for him to be crucified.

Though on this day in the crucifixion stake-like nails were driven through his palms and feet and in a moment of humanness he cried, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken

seeking to retroactively establish an entitlement to have written those examinations. That’s where the matter originated. How can I be blamed for acts and their consequences when I had nothing to do with the acts nor the primary causal factors.

On my part, I refused, as a matter of principle and good governance, to be involved in the determination of this matter on the occasions beyond the students’ first approach, on this myater, to the university’s administration.

This is also my position now that I am at the ministry. I wish them the best in their juridical quest, I hope their hands are clean.

Let the chips fall where they may.

VINCENT ALEXANDER Former Registrar University of Guyana

Me?, (Matthew 27:46 NIV); accepting his role in life between earthly man and heavenly Father, he proclaimed, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:18 NIV)” And while earthly man thought that in crucifying him, they were killing his teachings for a new dispensation, he was in fact paying the ultimate price to bring about a new life for humankind on earth and in the hereafter. In the hereafter, it is the opportunity to have everlasting life and be with God. On earth, it is a life built on justice, equality, love and redemption.

The upholding of these principles in our daily lives can ensure peaceful and harmonious relations among all, given that they are not constrained by religious or irreligious dispositions.

Revoke the pacts 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

…audit urges revocation of Baishanlin’s investment agreements

THE Government of Guyana (GoG) should consider terminating investment agreements with Baishanlin and recover the value of the fiscal concessions granted to it says former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran.

Goolsarran made that recommendation among others in his report on the forensic audit conducted into the operations of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC).

The report was made public by the Ministry of Finance on its website on Thursday.

According to Goolsarran, the Chinese logging company has not fulfilled its obligations under State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP) 01/2011 and due to the fact that the Forests Act does not permit a renewal of such permits at the end of three years the SFEP 01/2011 is invalid. “Accordingly, the related State forest should be returned to the Commission for reallocation,” the report stated.

The Forests Act prevents the transfer of ownership of control of a forest concession without the specific approval of the Commission. As such, the five concessionaires that have transferred such ownership or control to the officials of Baishanlin “should be made to surrender their concessions to the Commis-

sion for reallocation to other potential concessionaires.”

Between 2007 and November 2015, Baishanlin and four companies owned or controlled by it exported a total of 50, 928 cubic metres of logs with a Free on Board (FOB) value of US$4.483M. According to the report, the amount only accounted for 43, 868 cubic metres or 86.1 per cent valued at US$7.410.

“Baishanlin has, however, failed to fulfill its obligations to set up a downstream wood processing plant despite assurances it had given since 2007 to do so as well as generous fiscal concessions the company was granted.

The Commission calculates export commission on the FOB value of the logs, which is standard practice internationally.”

The GFC in granting export licences ensures that the FOB invoice prices are not below the benchmarks set and when concessionaires ship logs to other destinations, the final cost takes into account costs related to insurance and freight as well as other costs for transporting the logs to locations within the countries where they are sold. The export company is also required to apply its own mark-up so as to derive a profit. It means therefore that the final price for the logs would be significantly

higher than the FOB invoice on which the export commission is calculated.

“It does not appear to be an indication of under-invoicing and hence loss of revenue, unless the benchmark values are set too low,” the report stated.

Baishanlin International Forest Development Inc. was incorporated in 2006 with the main objective of setting up downstream wood processing operations in Linden and on the East Bank Demerara.

On 4 November 2011, the Commission granted the company a SFEP 01/2011 covering 104,783 hectares of State forest. This was despite the fact that Baishanlin did not meet the criteria for the grant of such a permit, including: the submission of audited financial statements for the last five years; evidence of technical and financial qualifications; and a history of compliance.

It was discovered that a “key consideration for the grant of the SFEP was the assurance Baishanlin had given in relation to the setting up of a state-of-art integrated wood processing value-added facility in Linden, Region 10.”The company had leased 200 acres for this purpose and had given a commitment to complete the facility by the end of 2013, following which the Government of Guyana

would make available a further 100 acres for further value-added processing.

As part of its agreement for the grant of the SFEP, Baishanlin was required to do a number of things, namely to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) before any extraction could begin; (b) prepare a business plan; and (c) do a forest inventory.

It was discovered that at the expiration of the SFEP 01/2011, on November 2014, the company did not honour its obligations. “Baishanlin contended that it faced a number of constraints, including passing through eight concessions and the need to repair/upgrade roads; and that it had since been able to access the area. As a result, on 1 October 2014, Baishanlin requested an extension of one year to fulfill these obligations under SFEP 01/2011 as well as to set up the wood processing facility,” the re-

port stated.

Goolsarran pointed out that notwithstanding the instructions provided in Section 9 (9) of the Forests Act 2009 that prohibits the renewal of an exploratory permit, the GFC approved of Baishanlin’s request for extension of SFEP 01/2011.

The extension was granted until November 4, 2015 while no board was in place to address the issue.

“The Minister responsible for natural resources indicated that: (a) the company applied for a further extension of two years to enable it fulfill its obligations under the permit, especially as regards to setting up of the wood processing 5 facility; and (b) the Government was favourably disposed to approving Baishanlin’s request. The Ministry of the Presidency later clarified that the Government had not taken any decision and that it has requested information

from the company about its proposed business plan and evidence of financing.”

Government has since said that upon its receipt of the information requested from Baishanlin it would review the company’s request and make a decision. The logging company is yet to make that information available. “If this second request for extension is approved, the company would have enjoyed the benefit of the grant of an exploratory permit covering a period of six consecutive years whereas the law allows for a maximum period of three years for such a permit.”

It was also discovered that despite the failure of Baishanlin to fulfill its obligations under SFEP 01/2011, the GFC granted the company a second exploratory permit SFEP 01/2013 which covered 73,015 hectres of state forest on April 26, 2013.

Turn to page 8 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Kwakwani residents protest ‒ Rusal’s willy-nilly removal of items from crushing plant

mantling of the plant; however, they fear that would not be the case.

“Rusal came to Kwakwani and met a working crusher and they must leave a working crusher in Kwakwani when they go,” said one resident.

They reason that if another investor shows interest, there must be equipment left for them to benefit from.

In addition to that, the crusher was used to train youths of the community in the various fields of mining.

“Rusal is raping this community and the community is not benefiting from

Residents of Kwakwani during the protest on Thursday

By Vanessa Braithwaite RESIDENTS of Kwakwani on Wednesday staged a protest against the ongoing removal of bauxite mining equipment and items from the still operational crushing plant by Rusal employees. The items are being moved to their new mining district in Kurubuka.

The residents told this publication that the crushing plant was left for the community after the closure of the nationalised bauxite company Bermine. The crushing plant which houses several electrical appliances and mining machinery is being dismantled by Rusal and the residents who claim that they have no one to represent them decided to stop the continuous efforts of the Russian mining company.

Police Officers were brought to the scene of the protest and the Rusal employees were cautioned to stop the removal of the items.

One resident Charles Thom said the next step that will be taken if the items continue to be removed is to

block the plane which transports the salaries of Rusal employees.

The residents were told that the items were sold to Rusal by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) under the stewardship of Winston Brassington, but no documentation of these purchases was ever shown to residents; hence, they did not have an idea as to what should be removed and what should be left.

“What we need is transparency, to see what these people buy and what they didn’t buy because they keep moving things and nobody saying nothing,” posited Thom.

He said residents reported the matter to the relevant ministers, the head of NICIL and the Regional Administration but were never shown any documentation of the alleged transactions between Rusal and NICIL. Being cognisant of how lucrative is the scrap iron business, the residents are concluding that it will be later sold to dealers and those in the mining industry as was

done before.

Thom told the Guyana Chronicle that six to eight years ago, the community sold those materials and raised over $9 million which was used for community projects.

He revealed that last December, Rusal removed some fuel trucks from the community and upon enquiring, the residents were told that the trucks were bought from NICIL. The residents, however, are concerned that if these purchases are made, they are done under questionable circumstances.

NOT RIGHT “Rusal is saying that these trucks were bought from NICIL but we are of the opinion that they are doing underhand business as there isn’t anyone to represent the community,” posited Thom.

The concerned residents are of the opinion that Rusal met a working crusher and at the end of their tenure, a working crusher must be left.

With the continuous dis-

Revoke the...

The company on this occasion submitted audited financial statements dated 2007-2011.

“However, a review of these statements indicates that the company was in dire financial difficulties. In particular, except for 2007, the auditors have qualified the accounts of the company because of accumulated losses that cast doubts as to the ability of Baishanlin to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future without sustained financing,” the forensic audit stated.

Additionally, the Commission granted Baishanlin

two State Forest Permits that cover an additional 8170 hectares of state forest but the grounds on which the permits were granted are unclear.

“The Commission has since advised that one permit has been relinquished in March 2015. The Forests Act prohibits the granting a State forest authorisation to two or more persons associated together in a joint venture unless each of them qualifies under the Act for the grant of such an authorization.”

Additionally, without the written consent of the Commission, the holder of a SFA cannot engage in any act that

From page 7

results in a change of effective control which includes transferring the authorisation or sub-contracting or sub-letting. “Any such transfer, sub-contacting or sub-letting arrangement is void, and the authorization is deemed revoked,”Goolsarran noted.

He said during the period 2009 to 2014, the shareholders/directors of Baishanlin acquired controlling interest in five logging companies, through the acquisition of shares.

However, there was no evidence that the specific approval of the Commission was granted in relation to the

the things left for us,” posited Thom. “There is nobody to protect us,” he added.

One employee of Rusal who opted for anonymity for fear of being fired, revealed to the Guyana Chronicle that the company was demolishing the remaining assets every day in large quantities and these were being transported to Kurubuka.

“These people moving these things by the truck loads and we as residents of Kwakwani are concerned but cannot say anything because we don’t have a union to represent us, so every morning we come to work we talk about it but nobody is coming forward out of fear,” he said.

Horace James, Head of NICIL told this publication that there was a list of things bought from NICIL by Rusal and his officer in Kwakwani was aware of what was being moved and have reported no malpractice on the part of Rusal to him.

The question being asked by the residents is how the community is benefiting from the sales.

Two security officers were employed by the residents to guard the crusher until proper documentation can be presented to them showing the transaction between NICIL and Rusal. Efforts by the Guyana Chronicle to contact Rusal were unsuccessful.

Wanted man found dead with gunshot wounds A MAN once charged merara-Upper Berbice) for shooting at the powhich occurred on July lice and who was wanted 15, 2014, at Mowasi Landfor murder, was discoving, Konawaruk, Potaro, ered dead in Le Repentir Region Eight (Potaro-SiCemetery, Georgetown, paruni).

Thursday morning with Reports revealed that several gunshot wounds Thompson was involved to the body. in an argument with two The bullet-riddled body men during which he was has since been identified stabbed and shot several as Steve Mohamed, called times.

“Cheesy”, of Lot 721 Third Mohammed was Street, Kaneville, East charged in connection with Bank Demerara. a number of robberies and The Guyana Chronicle Dead: Steve Mohamed had once been shot by the understands that the body police during an armed bore at least six bullet wounds, including confrontation. one to the head.

The police have confirmed that there According to reports, detectives re- were three commitment warrants against portedly found no bullet casings at the Mohamed in matters where he was found scene, leading them to believe that the guilty after ex parte trials. victim was slain elsewhere and dumped Two of the matters were for possesin the cemetery. sion of firearm without licence and one The fugitive was wanted for the for discharging a loaded firearm at a murder of 31-year-old Quacy Thomp- policeman. He was sentenced to five son of Linden, Region 10 (Upper De- years imprisonment on each charge. change of ownership/control of these companies. As such, the holders of Timber Sales Agreements (TSA) should have surrendered their authorisation to the 441,119 hectares of State forests.

“Baishanlin therefore had access to a total of 627,072 hectares of State forest. In addition, while evidence was seen that the Commission granted approval for joint ventures between Baishanlin and these logging companies, it is unclear whether the provisions of the Act are applicable to existing holders of State forest authorisations.

In any event, Baishanlin was only the holder of an exploratory permit and therefore would not have qualified to enter into a joint venture

agreement with the holders of TSAs.” The forensic audit report has stated that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has indicated that the government of Guyana granted Baishanlin fiscal concessions on a number of machinery, equipment and construction materials valued $7.464B or US$37.320M. The granting of the concessions was based on “Investment agreements” between the Government of Guyana through the Minister of Finance and Baishanlin for the construction of the wood processing facility in Region 10. The total value of concessions granted amounted to $1.827 billion.

“A review of the list of items of machinery, equip-

ment and construction materials for which fiscal concessions were granted indicates that many of the items were either unrelated to, or were significantly in excess of, the requirements for the construction of wood processing facility. Indeed, the evidence suggests that the fiscal concessions granted were substantially in relation to Baishanlin’s ownership/ control of the five logging companies having TSAs as well as its proposed investment at Providence, East Bank Demerara. This is not withstanding that the investment agreements were exclusive to the wood processing facility in Linden,” the report noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

President distributes Proposal made for gov't kites on ECD, Georgetown to buy aircraft PRESIDENT David Granger and Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally on Wednesday distributed kites to children in Georgetown and along the East Coast Demerara in preparation for the upcoming Easter celebration.

The distribution started at the Buxton Gas Station

tarmac, where the Head of State spoke about the significance of Easter. Dozens of eager children swarmed around the President, upon his arrival at the Good Hope-Lusignan Learning Centre. There he reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to supporting the Centre since it prioritises

education, an important area on his Government’s agenda.

The President also visited the communities of Roxanne Burnham Gardens and Riverview, Ruimveldt where, apart from distributing kites to the children, he also interacted with residents.

Easter will be celebrated in Guyana on March 27.

THOUGH it has not gained the attention of Cabinet, a proposal has been made for the Government of Guyana to own a fleet of aircraft.

The proposal was put to the Government by the Finance Ministry Director of Project Cycle Management Division Tarachand Balgobin, who had explained that from a financial perspective it seems viable. He had

pitched this idea when a team of Government Officials had appeared before the Budget Planning Team at the Finance Ministry for the 2016. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman made this disclosure on Thursday when asked about the possibility of Government owning is own fleet of aircraft.

He said Balgobin had even undertaken to carry

out an assessment that will determine whether it is indeed economically viable for the Government, given the high price tag attached to chartered flights for the Administration to execute its duties locally and internationally. Though he made it clear that this proposal has not been discussed at Cabinet, he did not rule out the possibility of it happening. “Nothing is before cabinet but noting at the same time is being ruled out.”

Guyana rice likely going to Venezuela via Suriname

By Svetlana Marshall

This teenager was all smiles as President David Granger presented her with a kite, during his visit to the Roxanne Burnham Gardens playfield

THERE are unconfirmed reports that rice from Guyana is being shipped to Venezuela via Suriname.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman told reporters yesterday that “Venezuela is buying (rice) from Suriname and there are suggestions that some of our rice is travelling to Venezuela via Suriname.”

Four months before the PetroCaribe agreement came to an end, Venezuela in July 2015 issued a directive for Guyana to cease all paddy and rice shipments. Guyana had been supplying Vene-

zuela with rice through the PetroCaribe agreement.

Venezuela stopped supplying fuel under the PetroCaribe agreement and ceased buying rice from Guyana and instead turned to Suriname for grain supplies as the Spanish-speaking country heated up its border claim, in wake of Exxon Mobil Corp.’s significant oil discovery offshore Guyana.

However, the Natural Resource Minister said the prospects for rice are looking up.

“The prospects look good but I don’t think we will get the preferential mar-

ket that we got from Venezuela,” Trotman posited, while pointing out that soon a shipment of rice will leave for Africa.

Moving forward, he said the Government and the Private Sector must continue to work collectively in order to source additional markets for rice.

NEW MARKETS As of now, he said government has been actively pursuing new markets in Europe, Mexico and in America, among other places. “I believe time will yield good results,” he opined.

Patentia man stabbed to death

Children of Good Hope/Lusignan display their kites gifted them by President Granger

Medical Items to be sole-sourced MORE THAN $153.9M in medical supplies will be sole-sourced following Cabinet’s approval last Tuesday, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman said on Thursday.

Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc. will supply the Public Health Ministry with Biohit pipette tips and devices to the tune of $34.4M. That same company will also supply the ministry with Nova Express Test Strips to

the cost of $16.2M. Beckman Coulter Reagents will also be provided to the Public Health Ministry at a cost of $23.2M, in addition to Becton Dickenson Syringes, needles and tubes at a cost of $39.5M. However, the Eagle Reagents will be supplied by Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc. at a cost of $40.5M. The Natural Resource Minister told reporters that these supplies for standard

and technical services were being acquired through solesource to avoid loss of life or injury to a person due to the absence of critical drugs and or equipment.

He further explained that a decision to single-source is taken when there is a possibility that the process of going out to tender could cause delay in delivery, which could affect the timely delivery of health-care services.

A FARMER was stabbed to death Wednesday, allegedly by his Uncle-in-law, following an argument during a family event at Skull City, Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The dead man has been identified as 25-year-old Dellon Bradford called “Chicken” of Patentia, West Bank Demerara. He was a father of three.

According to Commander of ‘D’ Division Stephen Mansell, two persons, including the mother of his children, have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.

Relatives of the dead man disclosed that he was stabbed six times and was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

“When we carry him Best

The house Bradford shared with his reputed wife and three children

Hospital, he even fall off the bed and was bleeding and hollering plenty, then we rush he to Georgetown Hospital where he died,” his sister Miskha Bradford told this publication.

She explained that her brother’s reputed wife and “her uncle who did the stabbing” are in police custody.

“They call him (the uncle) Scrawly and he had two knives stabbing my brother,

and they take his child mother in custody,” the sister said.

The man’s reputed wife was identified as Anita Ramsundar.

Ms Bradford said “Scrawly was drinking in the yard when the argument start, and is like he buy it over.”

In 2005, the dead man’s sister Shenalla Williams was stabbed to death in Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Cummings Lodge man Fisherman caught with killed in drunken brawl two grams of cocaine

By Shirley Thomas

A PHAGWAH celebration in Second Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara on Wednesday afternoon turned sordid with the sudden murder of a man, who moments before had left a neighbour’s home where there was feasting, dancing and jollification.

Dead is Tularam Sonalall, also called “Rajesh” and “Bushman.” He was stabbed in the neck with a ‘sting ray’ bone, allegedly by a man with whom he had an argument.

The stabbing death took place shortly after 15:00hrs.

A woman who lives not far away from where Sonalall dropped dead, said he lived alone, worked at sea and was well liked by neighbours.

She painfully recalled that he had spent the greater part of the day at her home, having fun with other friends and later left. The woman even mentioned having cooked and served the guests (including Sonalall) with dhal puri and

boulanger, parasad, channa and other sweet meats.

Moments after he left, the woman said an alarm was raised, stating that a man had been murdered and was lying on the road, but when she raced to the scene and saw his body on the road, she could not believe what she was seeing.

Meanwhile, a man who also lives close to Sonalall, said he was made to understand that the two men who were relatives, had gone to a nearby shop and were imbibing alcohol when an argument broke out between them.

They both left the shop and seemed to be headed in the direction of Sonalall’s home when he was stabbed.

The man recalled that he was upstairs in his home when he heard an argument on the road and one appeared to be pursuing the other. When he looked out the window, he saw Sonalall lying lifeless.

The neighbour, who declined to be named, blamed

the incident on alcoholism, stating that intoxication was in a large measure responsible for the men, in particular, displaying such behaviours.

“We recognised that he had a drinking problem and needed attention, and we as neighbours, gave him lots of attention.”

Generally, residents spoke well of the deceased, stating that he had worked at sea, but whenever he was at home, he would look out for neighbours and cooperate with them in any way possible.

“Receiving such news is really hard on us. He will be sadly missed,” neighbours contend.

The police were summoned and the man was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

There are however, unconfirmed reports that the alleged killer may have been injured as well. He was taken into custody as police continue their investigation.

A FISHERMAN of Corentyne was on Thursday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after he was charged with the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Fifty-year-old Roy Singh of 79 Village, Corentyne admitted to the charge the first time the case was called before city magistrate Faith Mc Gusty. It stated that on March 17, 2016 at Kitty, Georgetown, he had in his possession two grams of cocaine.

Police Prosecutor Sean Blackman, told the court that on the day in question the

defendant was arrested and brought to the Kitty police station for an alleged attempt to commit a felony.

A search was carried out on his person and one transparent zip lock bag was found in his pants pocket. The bag contained four small pieces of hard white rock-like substance, suspected to be cocaine.

An investigation was carried out and he was later placed before the court for the present charge.

Singh was also fined $30,000 along with the sentence.

Port Kaituma shopkeeper badly chopped by bandits A PORT Kaituma businessman was last Saturday night viciously chopped by two men who were armed with a piece of wood and cutlasses during an invasion of his shop at Port Kaituma backlands.

Deon Charles, 38, told the Guyana Chronicle that he was locking up his shop from the outside when the two men barged into the

building and told him that they had come to kill him.

Charles, who refused to be cowered, said, “When I hear that I pick up a wood and lash he.” A scuffle ensued, during which the shopkeeper was badly chopped. But his wife came up from behind one of the attackers and dealt him a lash with a mop-stick.

The couple put up a gallant fight but were over-

powered by the armed men.

However, neighbours were alerted and came to their rescue. Charles was taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital, then air-dashed to the city the following day.

Charles, having sustained multiple chop wounds to both legs and hands, is now warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Steep drop in new TB cases …as ministry commissions chest clinic at WDRH OVER the past three years the Tuberculosis (TB) epidemic has shown a form of stability with the incidence on the decline, as regions along with the help of the Ministry of Public Health and other key stakeholders continue to battle it on all fronts.

The fight against the disease showed its intensity with Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) being the most recent advocate and employer of actions against the epidemic, as they revealed their newly built chest clinic and the rehabilitated stepdown care facility.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at the West Demerara Hospital, where the two facilities are housed, Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton confirmed that there was some level of stability when it came to containing the spread of the TB epidemic.

“As the number of cases decrease, we aim to ensure that the number of incidence is down from 75 per 100,000 population to 65 per 100,000 population, which will be a great achievement,” said Minister Norton as he outlined the

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings and Programme Manager of the National Tuberculosis Programme, Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall cut the ribbon for the ceremonial commissioning of the new West Demerara TB Clinic. Also in photo from left are: Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud; Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton; Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako and standing aback of Minister Cummings is Regional Health Officer, Dr. Shawn Bancroft

fact that there was a noticeable decrease in the prisons, where in 2015 only nine new TB cases were detected.

However, he made mention of the fact that there was a dire need to establish Regional TB programmes and for them to take ownership of TB control activities in their respective regions. The process has started but more needs to be done in terms of improving coordination and

boosting communication with the key stakeholders.

In lauding the region for its achievement, the minister said that the West Demerara TB Chest Clinic had acquired a new building with the support of the Region Three administration, while the TB Step-Down Care facility was refurbished with support from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Guyana. This in-patient facility has a capacity

of 20 beds, along with two isolation rooms and will be utilised for in-patient management, mainly for TB patients who are infectious, homeless or who have complications.

The architectural layout includes the need for improved ventilation so as to decrease transmission of the TB bacteria. Infection control standards are adhered to in the design, with the necessary remodelling done to suit such

a facility, said Dr. Norton.

Programme Manager of the National TB Programme, Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall, echoed the minister’s sentiments in lauding the region for its achievement and highlighted the fact that check-ups can now be increased to a daily basis rather than the routine twice per month operations of the Chest Clinic.

With the region being the second highest carrier of the disease, this will indeed be a boost to their preventative measures, as they can now work more efficiently from the clinic, as well as conduct more outreaches, especially on the islands in the Essequibo River.

Meanwhile, in light of World TB Day, the minister said that Guyana was waging a strong battle against this public health threat, but this can only be successful with the involvement of all healthcare providers and the public at large.

While it is the aim of the Ministry of Public Health to provide improved health care services to those infected and affected by TB, it is even more beneficial to implement preventative measures, where diseases such as TB are concerned, he said.

According to the World Health Organisation, 9.6 million persons fell ill with TB and 1.5 million died from this disease in 2014. Over 95 per cent of deaths related to TB occur in low and middle-income countries and it is among the top five causes of death for women ages 15 to 44.

Persons infected with the TB bacteria have a 10 per cent lifetime risk of falling ill with the disease. However, persons with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill.

Children are also greatly affected by this disease, and in 2014, an estimated one million children became ill with TB, resulting in a mortality rate of 140 000 children. As such, ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals.

The Ministry of Finance has allocated a total budget of G$139,716,000 for the new financial year 2016, to combat this disease, an allocation that has been steadily increasing over the past number of years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Dry weather takes toll on Lethem-REO

By Michel Outridge REGIONAL Democratic Council (RDC) Regional Executive Officer, Carl Parker,has said that Lethem has great economic potential, but like other newly established towns, there is need for more development.

Parker told the Guyana Chronicle during a recent visit that the challenges are many and varied in Region Nine, which has five sub-districts.

He explained that these sub-districts are very farflung in the Pakaraimas which is mountainous and transportation in that area is dependent on the use of ATVs (all-terrain vehicles).

Parker said while the north is a very developed part of the region, the riverine communities have their own challenges.

DRY SEASON He noted that the dry season has taken a toll on Region

Nine, more so in the Central and South-Central Rupununi, with just one main river running through the area. Parker stated that the Deep South Rupununi has an existing conflict with a mining company and the area which was once considered the bread basket of the region, is now in turmoil.

The REO explained that the large mining company has a prospecting licence but there are small miners and villagers who depend largely on the Marudi Mountains for their livelihoods.

COMMUNICATION Parker told the Guyana Chronicle that the biggest challenge in the region is communication in relation to the far-flung areas, since they do not have televisions, radios or cellphones, especially in South Pakaraimas.

Parker stated that they are virtually cut off from mainstream Guyanese current affairs, which is very

challenging because at times when one get news from those areas, it is often late, or so late, that you have to hurry‌recently a vehicle was dispatched for a sick resident, but by the time it arrived there the woman was better.

He pointed out that the main challenge is information-sharing and dissemination of information. Parker noted that they went into some villages and saw the portraits of the former president and prime minister hung up in places, because the people there had no idea that the government had been changed after the May 11, 2015 general and regional elections.

THE ECONOMY He told this newspaper that the other challenge is economic, since the region has not taken off where the economy is concerned, although a commercial zone has been constructed.

Parker said that in this commercial zone, most of the business-

es are operated by foreigners, Chinese and Brazilians, but the buildings are owned by locals who collect rent.

The REO recalled that in the early 1990s, plans were in train to establish an industrial area to bring about the creation of jobs, but this did not happen.

He noted also that Region Nine has a lot of potential for wind power.

Parker pointed out that the youths have been doing poorly in English Language and Mathematics, but are excelling in the other subjects, so it is necessary to examine ways to make it easier for them in schools.

He added that there are youths in the region with nine plus subjects, except Mathematics and English Language, but they cannot get jobs.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION However, Parker noted that at St Ignatius, there is a vocational education programme which has been going on for the past two years and it is geared towards equipping the youths with lifeskills, so that they may be gainfully employed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Unprofessional behaviour unacceptable ‒ Dr Norton

‒ Diamond Diagnostic Centre officials under scrutiny

By Navendra Seoraj AN investigation has been launched into alleged unprofessional behaviour by staffers of the Diamond Diagnostic Centre following a series of complaints by persons visiting the East Bank Demerara facility to seek treatment.

Several persons have told this publication that they experienced unpleasant behaviour, negligence and other negative actions by doctors, nurses and other workers attached to the health facility.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, said an investigation has been launched and his ministry looks forward to rectifying the situation.

According to the minister, he too has received several similar complaints, not only about the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, but other public health facilities across the country.

The minister was prompted to look into the situation at the Diamond Centre after an asthma patient was allegedly barred from retrieving oxygen and forced to wait for hours before receiving treatment.

Dr Norton informed this publication that disciplinary action will be taken against those culpable in the case of the asthma patient.

During that incident, the minister was contacted and both the nurse and doctor on duty allegedly refused to speak to him,

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton

and reportedly said, “If he wants to talk to us he got to call us.”

Dr Norton explained that, “Nothing is wrong with speaking to someone over the cellphone, especially in the case of an emergency and what they did is unacceptable….

Therefore, once someone is found guilty of this act, disciplinary measures will be taken so that order can be restored to the hospital.”

The minister said his officers are currently visiting every health centre across the country to ensure that they are efficient and functional.

“We are working hard across the country, trying to fix things and we have persons at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre complaining about conditions there instead of reaching out to us and behaving atrociously,” Dr Norton said, stressing that he will not accept such behaviour from anyone at any medical institution.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Merriman Mall vending fee now $1,000 per day HASSLE Other vendors complained that the entrances to Merriman Mall are closed to vehicles and every day it is a hassle with the security guards to get their vehicles in to offload their items.

Geeta Singh, a plant

Vendors returned to their original vending area about two weeks ago

MAYOR and City Council (M&CC) officials yesterday held a meeting with vendors of Merriman Mall and reduced the daily stall fee from $1,500 to $1,000, while promising to have the vending facility completed in three weeks time.

The vendors were moved from their original spots earlier this year and made to do business between Cummings and Light Streets on Merriman Mall, with the City Council citing untidiness at the location as the reason for the removal.

About two weeks ago, the vendors moved back between Orange Walk and Cummings Street and have so far commented that they are quite comfortable with their new surroundings and are grateful for the reduction in their stall fee, although originally they had paid $300 per day.

NEW SETTINGS ARE FINE One woman, who has been vending some 36 years at this location, told this newspaper that the new settings are fine, except that the plyboard separating the stalls are too high. “We cannot see out on the road; we can’t leave for the washroom or anywhere else.”

She said she was much more comfortable with the fee at $1,000. “It’s a bit high but better than $1,500. Business is slow but it picks up in the evening.”

Another woman, vending for some 20 years on Merriman Mall, said business is slow but not necessarily as a

result of the move. Furthermore, she said she doesn’t mind paying $1,000 as the City Council promised to put in the stands and other facilities such as security, light, water and so forth. Previously, the vendors had to put up their own structures and then take them down each week.

HAPPY Amar Sugrim, vending for 15 years there, said he is happy he doesn’t have to build stall structures in the sun every week. “We find $1,000 is much better. They said they will finish the lighting, compactor (to store their garbage), and shed for the sun, in three weeks time.

They have already installed water.”

Sugrim said the City Council has also promised to cut down the plyboards or put in steel. “The space is a bit too small. It is seven feet in width and 10-14 feet in length. What we had was one and a half of this, but we will make do with this for now until we can meet them again and work something out.”

One other vendor told this newspaper that although the market has for years been opening on only four days a week, the City Council ought to be able to make a more permanent arrangement to facilitate the vendors every day.

“The reduction in price is a little relief, but I am just wondering what would be our fate when the rain falls.

Ever since we came over here, we didn’t have rains,” said another vendor.

vendor for many years, said the stall is a bit small.

However, she is grateful to Town Clerk Royston King for lowering the fees.

“They promised to complete the stalls in about three weeks’ time. We look forward to working with them.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

Medical school to begi PROFESSORS from the American International School of Medicine are currently in discussions with the regional authorities in Linden as they want to establish a branch in the mining town. The international university, located and recognised in several continents including Asia and Africa, has been operating in Guyana since 1999 with an established

campus in Georgetown.

Being the first international university to be established in Guyana, it has successfully graduated hundreds of students across the country who have successfully completed the medical programmes. These include the pre-medical programmes, basic science programmes and the clinical science programmes.

These programmes allow

one to progress from the high school level to being a fully qualified medical practitioner.

Dr Colin Wilkinson, a senior professor of medicine at the university, visited Linden on Monday, accompanied by a team from the university to make the initiative public. They informed prospective and current students of the initiative through a radio programme and engaged

the Regional Chairman who pledged his support and expressed interest in having the university established in the town. He said that the medical programmes focus on equipping one with the skills to practise medicine, teach medicine and perform clinical research.

Dr Wilkinson said that he was persuaded by Regional Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira,

who met with him in Atlanta, Georgia and expressed a strong interest in investing in the young people as he had a strong passion for education. He said that he

was also encouraged by the overwhelming support given by the Regional Minister Valarie Patterson and other administrators. “I’m very happy with the

MP Jermaine Fegueira(center) with Professor Colin Wilk Professor Ordones(second right) a

Visitors get Phagwah, Eas THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) ushered in the spirit of Phagwah and Easter by welcoming visitors to Guyana with complimentary gifts and treats.

Arriving passengers were presented with packets of coloured powder and sweet treats on Tuesday in celebration of the Phagwah holiday the next day and those arriving on Thursday were given kites and crossbuns in celebration of the upcoming Easter holiday.

Visitors from the U.S., Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands were warmly welcomed as they entered the arrival terminal by GTA staff.

According to GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh, the aim of the exercise was to spread Guyanese hospitality to the visitors.

With the country celebrating Phagwah, a major Hindu festival, and Easter, a Chris-

Easter kites and cro

tian holiday in the same week, Haralsingh explained that the Tourism Authority used the opportunity to offer visitors a glimpse of multi-cultural Guyana. “We want to share the spirit of these festivities and convey our hospitality while we celebrate several of our

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 25, 2016

in operations in Linden administrators of this region and vision and purpose in terms of what they are doing.” “It is very magnetic and will attract people of like mind and like interest to

come together and with that I don’t see any limit in what can be achieved in a very short time,” he posited.

The five-year programme, which encompass-

kinson (third left), Professor Shabake Fernands (Right), and Regional Chairman(second left)

t Guyanese ster welcome

ossbuns being distributed to an arriving passenger

main festivals, which play an important part in our culture and tourism,” he said.

Visitors commended the GTA staff for the exercise, noting that it was a welcoming surprise which left them cheerful and ready to enjoy their holidays in Guyana.

The GTA is also inviting

all Guyanese and visitors to come out in their numbers and participate in the Easter kite-flying celebrations across the country.

The Authority will also be hosting the annual Kite-Flying Competition at the Number 63 Beach on Easter Monday.

es three semesters per year, should commence in Linden

by September as the team is currently working on location and other logistics. The team is also putting systems in place for a modified tuition, which will include scholarships and sponsorship.

Dr Wilkinson is looking for dynamic, ambitious and intelligent persons to come on board. “We want the best

qualified people because we want to train them in a way that they can actually breathe back into the community; we want the brightest minds and the people who qualify; we will teach them and train them, especially the people who are interested in working here and teaching here and will work to develop the community,” articulated the doctor.

Dr. Odones, Associate

Professor of Medicine, said that he was very excited about the programmes coming to Linden as he had previously operated a clinic in that area. He said that the programmes would equip students with the skills of giving diagnoses. “For me it is a dream come through and it is a very joyful feeling knowing that people so talented and so brilliant, like Lindeners, will have the

accessibility of something they deserve,” he said.

Professor of Psychology Shabake Fernandes said that most of the students in Georgetown were from Linden and the initiative would minimise the cost of transportation.

MP Fegueira said that the response so far has been overwhelming, as he had already received several calls.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

Requiem for the ‘Caddy-Ol’-Punch’

By Jasmaine Payne ONE of the many joys of being Guyanese is the simple, often homemade pleasures that served as significant parts of a fulfilled childhood.

As children, everyday materials furnished our playtime, from using the seeds of the ‘awarra’ or ‘kuru’ to play the backyard game ‘gam’, or matchboxes and corks to create tiny toy cars, to even using old strips of rubber for the legendary pastime of ‘chinee’.

It is without a doubt that Guyanese have forever been known as an ingenious people. As such, it is not surprising that such ingenuity would trickle over to holidays such as Easter.

In fact, in the days of old, it was common practice that in the place of a readymade kite, which, for many, was a luxury often not seen, the ‘caddy-ol’-punch was eminent.

The story goes that the ‘caddy-ol’-punch – which is said to have taken its name from the method of punching the pointers through the holes of the paper -- served as a blissful substitute for children whose parents could not afford the wooden kites that were being sold.

As a result, for many a young Guyanese, Easter

A perfect example of the ‘Caddy-Ol’-Punch (Courtesy uncommoncaribbean.com) ‘X’ out on that paper with started with the ‘caddy’. could be left flying over- a pencil, and mark off the Young boys would make night, is in the ‘loop’, kite- holes evenly,” he said. “And almost a religion of con- makers say. Once knotted then you use the pointers structing these kites, using perfectly, the loop can give and guide them in and out leaves from their old exer- the makeshift concoction along the lines.

“And that was our excise books, pointers from the unflawed balance. Though citement.

And we use to fly household pointer broom, their profession is embeda ‘caddy’ whole day! We thread, and some glue. ded in the making of the would never pull it down!

And while, in many cas- traditional star-point kites, We’d fly it through the es, it was just a pastime, many kitemakers admit to night, once the rain don’t for those who had no other having their start with the fall.

Then we’d wake up option, the ‘caddy’ was the very simple but complex the next morning, and your only kite they’d have for ‘caddy’. ‘caddy-ol’-punch’ is still in Easter, so it had to be made “You make the holes the air.” perfectly. with the pointers: In, out, in,

THE PERFECT CADDY The key to the perfect ‘caddy’, the one that would soar high enough that it

A star-point kite, the traditional yet still relevant kite used on the market

out; roughly about a halfinch away. And you make an ‘X’; a perfect ‘X’,” one veteran kitemaker said.

“We use to draw that

THE EVOLUTION As time progressed, makers of the ‘caddy-ol’punch’ soon graduated to making ‘pointer kites’, which were exact replicas of their wooden superiors, but with pointer frames.

With the pointer kites

ready to soar, the aim then centred on whose kite would make the most noise, and whose would get cut from the sky in a brutal game of ‘cut-away-kite doan-vex’.

What this meant was that kites were equipped with razor blades on their tails and wreaked havoc in the sky in a battle for which kite flew the highest.

Many remembered these times fondly, and have said that while it was a tough game, it was all in the fun of things.

But alas, the days and nights of the caddy’s flight, and that of its pointer-infused sibling have very well been put to rest.

With the ‘star-point’ kites now within pocket reach, and the proliferation of the cheap and effective Chinese ‘bird kites’, the option to use an exercise book page and pointers to construct a makeshift creation has undoubtedly lost its appeal.

“It’s two different generations,” one kitemaker said, adding: “I made caddies when I was about five or six, but a six-year-old now can pick up a smart-phone or ‘tablet’ and show you so many things.

“So, it’s a more advanced generation. But that excitement, where Easter involved making your kite with your own hands, is totally different now; and that’s because of the advancements in technology.”

ON THE MARKET Today, the ‘star-point’ kites remain a constant on the market, and are known for their durability and their guaranteed ability to fly.

Yet, the kitemakers still make room for the readymade ‘bird’ kites, which they said are used mostly by schools in the last days before the Easter holiday, and as a last-minute resort by fathers who don’t want the hassle of having to raise a ‘star-point’ kite. Then there are the unorthodox but less popular ‘box’ kites, which kitemakers say do garner some attention from persons looking for something more unique, but which do not sell as quickly as the traditional ‘star- point’.

But, for persons who grew up in the age of the ‘caddy-ol’-punch, their minds will always saunter back to the days of climbing the ‘gamma-cherry tree’ to get glue, and finding a ‘balla (a piece of wood)’ around which you’d ball your string, and running to no end up and down the street, trying to get your handmade invention up in the sky. Because, the moment it went up there, even if it lasted only but a minute, it was the ultimate accomplishment; at that very moment, in their own little way, that was how children in those days really connected with Easter.

An array of bird kites ready to be sold

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

Easter-time: A different taste

By Daniel Haynes

EASTER has come yet again, and Guyanese are expected to be celebrating the primarily Christian holiday in typical fashion.

But what is this fashion, one might rightly ask? That would be the perennial ‘hot cross buns’ found around the city at this time of year, and oodles of kites littering the sky.

T’is this fashion that has become a tradition and proves that Guyanese are nothing if not consistent.

However, as the years go by, Guyana is quickly becoming a hub for different nationalities.

With that in mind, I decided to check out the differences with which each nationality celebrates Easter.

THE EASTER STORY Easter has had several add-ons to its initial celebration. Despite this fact, the true meaning of Easter has not changed for Christians.

Christians believe, according to the Scriptures, that Jesus came back to life, or was raised from the dead three days after he was crucified on the cross.

Guyanese Easter tional ‘cross buns’ we have all come to know and love. Kites litter the streets, and parents and kite lovers have an array to choose from. In some cases, persons start making ‘cross buns’ the week leading up to the Easter weekend.

As a young boy, one of my favourite things to do as soon as school closed for the holidays was build a kite with my neighbours.

Having been raised in a Christian home, Good Friday would find me and my friends in church. From church, it would be home to the delicious ‘cross buns’ that were freshly baked and waiting.

Then, as the weekend wore on, the family would look at the many Easter movies reliving the death of Jesus.

Easter Monday would bring the kite flying that, as a child, was looked forward to.

IN THE USA With Easter taking on new meaning over the years, the cross has since lost its uniqueness in terms of symbolism.

In its place are such other symbols as real eggs, or eggs manufactured from a range of materials, nests, lambs and even rabbits or hares.

Sometimes, these symbols are combined; for example, in

The famous egg roll at the White House

candy models of rabbits with nests full of eggs.

Eggs, rabbits, hares and young animals are thought to represent the re-birth and return to fertility of nature in the spring. The ‘cross buns’ that we usually make, and the annual kite flying are not a feature in the US, something that isn’t a surprise. What is the big thing, then? Egg rolling races, according to Mo Williams.

Yes! Egg rolling races! These races are held every Easter Monday, Mo said.

There is a big race held on the lawns of the White House in Washington DC on Easter Monday, and sometimes even the President takes part in the “White House Easter Egg Roll”.

Eggs are rolled down a hill or slope, and there is a variety of activities, as well as food and entertainment, for families.

IN FRANCE The French are known by most to be extravagant in what they do, and French national, Audriane Adami corroborated this. “Back home, Easter always consists of a long weekend. And in some

districts, we even have a week or two of vacation around the long weekend,” she said.

In a more festive spirit, there is the Cloches volantes or “flying bells”. French Catholics believe that on Good Friday, all the church bells in France fly to the Vatican in Rome, carrying with them the grief of those who mourn Jesus’ crucifixion on that day. These Cloches volantes return on Easter Sunday morning, bringing with them lots of chocolate and eggs.

The French also follow the United States in the egg rolling contest. The contest of rolling raw eggs down a gentle slope is an old custom.

As per the legends, the surviving egg is the victor, and symbolises the stone being rolled away from Jesus’ tomb.

IN GHANA Easter is celebrated across the board in Ghana by both Christians and non-Christians alike.

For Christians, the celebration starts well before Palm Sunday, but Palm Sunday is the largest, most widely known event before Easter.

Palm Sunday is celebrated by various church congregations with processions through some principal streets.

The next important day of the Easter season for Ghanaian Christians is Good Friday.

Nearly everyone tries to attend church on Good Friday, because they believe that their sins from the year before are crucified on the cross with the Son of God. In most orthodox churches, men and women are dressed in dark-coloured mourning clothes, and are in solemn moods.

“Many people attend church services only this one time during the year,” said Kibwe Tiatum, a Ghanaian currently studying law here.

People in the Pentecostal churches, on the other hand, dress in bright colours and are usually in a happy mood, as they believe that Jesus’ death calls for a celebration because He died for their sins. “Some ethnic groups, like the Kwahus of the Eastern Region of Ghana,” Kibwe said, “see Easter as one of the holidays that they need to travel to their hometown to enjoy.

“A Kwahu-born person will go to any length to travel home to celebrate Easter.”

But whether it is home in Guyana or abroad in other continents, the significance of Easter, at its core, ultimately remains the same.

Easter is a time for reflection on the grace of Jesus Christ, whose death, burial and resurrection paved the way for salvation and eternal life.

So, ‘cross-buns’ or kites, Easter eggs or Easter candy, homage should be paid to the Risen King.

A Ghanaian Easter Concert As part of the season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday; always the Friday just before Easter.

Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the ultimate penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in Him eternal life in Christ Jesus. On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

LOCAL TRADITION As Guyanese, we each know what happens on Good Friday: Businesses are closed with the exception of a few bakeries that provide the tradi-

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A kitemaker’s pride

EVERY year leading up to the Easter Holidays, stalls with colourful displays of kites litter the junction at Camp and Regent Streets, manned by ‘kitemakers’ who have for years occupied this area to serve the Guyanese public.

And while, for some, this may just be a seasonal means to an end, among these vendors exist others for whom the art of kitemaking is their passion.

“I think in my mother’s womb, I was probably making kites,” says Trevor Smith, who has, for the last 37 years, made Camp Street his place of work around this time of year.

Trevor started selling kites at the ripe age of 16, and has over the years dedicated his life to kitemaking in a bid to serve the Guyanese public “I consider myself the best ‘kite man’ in Guyana; I have the title of a grandmaster in mak-

ing kites,” Trevor said, adding that he is well known for his handiwork, having been one of the longest standing kitemakers in that area.

“Easter is a national holiday, and the people in authority have seen my kite vending as an honest business; they see that I am a true patriotic citizen in the number of years I have been vending,” Trevor said, adding: “So, I’ve sold kites to ministers, and I have established myself in this business. And I have become well known, because my duty is to serve the Guyanese public every year; that’s my job.”

As he stands proudly by his display of ‘star-point kites, Trevor’s pride in his work is apparent.

And while selling kites only lasts about two weeks every year, he attests that kitemaking itself is a job that he practises all year round.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

when the ‘rush period’ for kites begins today. “Every person should follow that little voice in them,” Trevor says. “My feeling was of positivity, and the reaction where that was concerned was great.

“I’m amazed at the level of business I’m getting, because you keep hearing, ‘Business ain’t doing.’ But, for me, I cannot complain; I have created a connection with the Guyanese public for 37 years.”

Trevor Smith has sold kites on Camp Street for 37 years HIS MODUS He also has a grocery store at That preparation includes his home that helps to bring procuring all the material in additional income, but it from his regular suppliers, is kitemaking that fuels his including a hefty supply passion 365 days a year. of Simarupa wood for the “The preparation of my frames; kite paper and other work is not just like a month materials. or two. When Easter finishes, Trevor then gets down I begin to prepare for the to cutting the wood himself, next year that same April and building the frames of month-end,” he said. hundreds of kites. By the time Easter hops around the next year, Trevor has made well over 1,000 kites, all of which, he says, are sold out every year.

This year, Trevor made just about 1,250 kites; a bit more than his usual number.

He said that this was due to a “positive feeling” he had.

“I don’t know if it’s because of ‘the change’, but I had a very high energy level. And that’s also probably because we had no Mashramani, so this is one of our first major celebrations,” Trevor said.

As such, he also came out one week early, bringing his time on Camp Street to three weeks instead of two.

The extra week has proven beneficial for him, too, since he has since sold more than 300 kites. He is sure that his remaining kites will no doubt be sold out as usual

MORRIS PRINCE Morris Prince is another kitemaker who knows Camp Street well, having been coming out there for 28 years.

Morris practises the trade of sculpting on most days, but uses kitemaking as a secondary income. “I was just home and not really working; so, to occupy the time, I decided to also do kites,” Morris said.

Like Trevor, Morris makes close to 1,000 kites

every year, but he doesn’t toil all year to reach this goal. He said that work for the Easter usually starts around the August of the prior year.

He attests that most times, all of his kites are sold out annually, but that he also gives many of his kites away. “There are some less fortunate children that come and ask for kites, and I would give them away; that’s no problem for me,” Morris said.

This act of goodwill affects him even less with the increased business he has attested to experiencing this year. Morris says he enjoys the craft of kitemaking, and would like to encourage anyone who wishes to make a living in the area of handmade craft to continue following their heart, since, as is the old adage, ‘One who does what they love for a living will never work a day in their life’.

Morris Prince in front of his kite display

Morris Prince’s creations

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

Inner Wheel Hat Show set for next week THE Inner Wheel Club of Georgetown will be holding its annual Hat Show and Garden Party next Saturday at the Promenade Gardens from 16:00hrs.

The show was first held in 1987, and remains one of the organisation’s major fundraisers.

This year’s event will feature competitions for both adults and children in three categories: Elegant, Original, Comical and the Topical.

As usual, it will also feature games, face painting, snacks, and a tea party, with performances by the Guyana Police Force Band.

Prizes for the best hat will be awarded for all categories. Entry into the event costs $300, with registration beginning at 14:30hrs.

What’s Buzzing this weekend

THIS weekend is an uber long one that starts today; and being a holiday weekend and all, there are a myriad of activities for both Christians and non-believers. From Georgetown to Bartica to Lethem, this weekend will not leave you wanting.

TODAY **It is Good Friday, and true to tradition, the WOODSIDE CHOIR will be doing John Henry Maunder’s “Olivet to Cavalry”, a choral performance of the story of the crucifixion.

Interested? Then, the St. James the Less Anglican Church on David Street, Kitty is the place to be. Admission is free. **The annual Rupununi Rodeo gets off to a grand start today and concludes tomorrow at the Triple R rodeo Ground.

TOMORROW Ultra Weekend Party: Once again, Pulse Entertainment brings their Ultra Party hosting skills to the fore, with the first of two weekend parties at the Gravity Lounge.

DeeJay NICPENA will be mixing all night. Lights will be bright, and the music will be epic. Admission is $2000 before 23:00hrs, while ladies are free until 22:00hrs.

SUNDAY Sunday Mass: Today is Christ Church’s first 6am mass under Reverend Father Charles Alexander Davidson.

Christians as well as non-Christians are invited to this first service to celebrate the risen Christ.

Bartica Regatta Races: The first races of the Bartica Regatta go down today, and if you are already in Bartica, checking out the other happenings, why not stay for the thrills and spills.

Also going down tonight after the races is the Miss Bartica Beauty Pageant. Racing and pageantry? Recipe for success.

Body Shot Party: The second of Pulse’s weekend events culminates at the Gravity Lounge. One of the hottest parties of last year it promises a repeat performance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

Johan Cruyff, the high priest GKC completes successful of Dutch Soccer, dies at 68

By Andrew Das JOHAN Cruyff, a brash Dutch soccer star who helped develop a style that revolutionised the way the game is played, becoming the Netherlands’ greatest player and later a scolding conscience of the sport, died yesterday in Barcelona, Spain. He was 68.

The cause was cancer, Cruyff ’s family said in a statement on his website.

Cruyff, a heavy smoker until he had heart problems in the 1990s, revealed in October that he had lung cancer.

But as recently as February 16 he had predicted his recovery, saying he had “the feeling that I am 2-0 up in the first half of a match that has not finished yet.”

Widely acclaimed as one of the best players in history, Cruyff and the famed coach Rinus Michels teamed in the 1970s to perfect a style called Total Football, a shape-shifting system in which players switch positions effortlessly.

Cruyff, a wiry and deceptively quick forward, was the personification of the style, bursting forward to attack or drifting back to defend, but always ready to deliver an incisive pass or to appear in the perfect position when an opportunity to score arose.

During his career and after, Cruyff was a proponent of beauty over efficiency, though his fierce competitive streak proferred both.

“Quality without results is pointless,” he was quoted as saying. “Results without quality is boring.”

Cruyff, though, was never boring. Supremely confident in his opinions and quick to share them sometimes with acid-tongued criticism, his career as a player, coach and executive was accompanied by a trail of bitter feuds.

He quibbled about money and sponsorships, and about tactics and control.

He departed his boyhood club, Ajax Amsterdam, several times on bad terms, and was fired by Barcelona in 1996 - four years after winning the European Cup - after a falling out with the club board.

Yet the vision and adaptability inherent in the Total Football he helped create changed the way soccer was

Johan Cruyff plays against Argentina in the 1974 World Cup. (Credit Agence FrancePresse - Getty Images) played, and lifted its ad- era of trophies and champiherents, notably Ajax, F.C. onships.

The former England Barcelona and the Dutch nastriker Gary Lineker, who tional team, to great heights.

Ajax won the first of played for Cruyff at Bar-

Cruyff at an awards ceremony in Barcelona in 2006. (Credit Gustau Nacarino/Reuters) three consecutive European Cups in 1971 with Cruyff and Michels at the controls and the Netherlands reached consecutive World Cup finals in the 1970s, becoming known as the Clockwork Orange for their signature orange jerseys and their sweeping movements.

Cruyff, like Michels before him, preached the style at Barcelona, which Cruyff coached to their first European title in 1992 and where their essence remains the club’s guiding soccer philosophy. Cruyff’s influence on the club’s youth academy and players and coaches like Pep Guardiola set a foundation that has carried Barcelona, and Spain, into their recent

celona, said, “Football has lost a man who did more to make the beautiful game beautiful than anyone in history.”

Hendrik Johannes Cruyff was born on April 25, 1947, in Amsterdam, and grew up in a working-class neighbourhood that was only a short walk from the Ajax training facility. He joined the club as a 10-year-old and made his first-team debut at 17 in 1964. Michels arrived a year later, and together they turned Ajax into one of the best teams in the world.

With Cruyff directing the Total Football symphony Michels had designed, Ajax won the European Cup, the forerunner of the UEFA Champions League,

three straight times from 1971 to 1973. In 1973, Cruyff joined Michels at Barcelona for a transfer fee of about $14.1 million in today’s dollars, a record at the time, and a year after that they led the Netherlands to the World Cup final in Germany.

The Dutch took a 1-0 lead in that game, stringing together 17 passes from the opening kickoff until Cruyff won a penalty, which Johan Neeskens converted, before the Germans touched the ball. But Germany answered with two goals, denying Cruyff and his country a title they have yet to claim.

But that final, like the Barcelona transfer, also gave a glimpse of Cruyff’s mercenary side. The Dutch federation had signed a sponsorship with Adidas for that year’s World Cup, but Cruyff, who had his own deal with rival Puma, refused to wear the team’s official uniform, believing it to be a conflict. To appease their star, Dutch officials relented and allowed Cruyff to play in a custom-made shirt bearing only two stripes on the sleeves instead of Adidas’s famed three.

Honoured as Europe’s best player in 1971, 1973 and 1974, Cruyff won nine Dutch League titles in Holland (eight with Ajax and one with Feyenoord at the end of his career) and another in Spain with Barcelona. He later coached Ajax and Barcelona, with whom he won four Spanish titles and his fourth European club title, but despite several flirtations and feuds with the Dutch federation he never led his national team.

Cruyff retired from international soccer in 1977, missing the Netherlands’ return to the World Cup final in 1978 in Argentina. The reason given at the time was that he opposed the military dictatorship in Argentina.

Years later, however, he revealed to a Catalonian radio station that he and his family had been subjected to a kidnapping attempt in Barcelona a few months before the tournament.

He left Barcelona in 1978 but returned to the game a year later when he signed a $1.4 million deal with the Los Angeles Aztecs of

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outdoor training

By Stephan Sookram

STUDENTS of the Guyana Karate College (GKC) were last weekend the recipients of a two-day outdoor training session, aimed at skills building ahead their karate grading examinations set for next month.

The two-day camp, which took place at the Splashmins Resort on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, engaged over 50 students and parents.

According to senior instructor and vice-president of the GKC, Sensei Jeffrey Wong, “The sessions we had this weekend were great. We had a good turnout of athletes and parents who supported their children for the two days. Weekend helped the students focus more on their training especially outdoors and has shown them that they can train outside of the dojo.”

“We think that this initiative shows our children, and even the ones out there who are not a part of our club or even our karate family, that there are ways to have fun through sport.

We also believe that more initiatives like this can help to curb the crime situation among youngsters,” continued Wong.

He noted that the public perception of the sport being brutal must be dismissed, adding “We have seen some students who have come here with the aim of just learning to fight, that is not what we are about. We, at the GKC, are here to build characters, build better model citizens that will in the whole make Guyana a better place. We want to do that through individual discipline “Karate, is all about focus and discipline. We have some students doing examinations and the exercise this weekend I think has given them a chance to settle down and build their focus more and we expect them to do well,” continued the Sensei.

The side is also using it as a warm-up and the first in a series of outings for the Caribbean Cup in Jamaica in July.

A p a r t f ro m S e n s e i Wong, the other instructors on the retreat were Sensei Guy Low, Sensei Aubrey Bettencourt, Roland Fanfair and Kenrick Cheeks.

The college is preparing for the April 8 grading by head of the International Karate Diagaku Master Frank Woon-a-Tai. They are also celebrating their 10th Anniversary this year.

West Indies chance ...

From back page restrictions are lifted.

Both times, he has been successful in pulling back opposition from fast starts but they may not get off to those if he is used earlier on.

Should South Africa be pondering any experimentation in the PowerPlay, then Nagpur will be the venue and West Indies the team to do it against. Unlike Mumbai, where South Africa conceded 89 and then 64 against England and Afghanistan respectively, things will slow down at VCA and West Indies already seem to like it that way.

They’ve scored 55 and 39 in their previous two PowerPlays but, importantly, have only lost one wicket in each to ensure they stick to

a more traditional approach of keeping firepower for the end.

JP Duminy’s injury-enforced absence means the balance of South Africa’s side will be affected. They will have to bring in a batsman to replace Duminy in the middle-order with Rilee Rossouw and Farhaan Behardien competing for the spot, but they will also need to make room for an extra spinner.

Aaron Phangiso should make his first international appearance in five months, at the expense of either Chris Morris or David Wiese. Kagiso Rabada will have to lead the attack if Dale Steyn continues to sit out. (ESPN Cricinfo)

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

Ex-England footballer Johnson jailed for child sex crime LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former England international football player Adam Johnson was jailed for six years yesterday after being found guilty of sex offences involving an under-age 15-year-old girl.

Johnson, 28, who was sacked by Premier League club Sunderland in February, was convicted earlier this month of sexual activity with a child, having already admitted kissing and grooming the teenager.

“Adam Johnson exploited a young star-struck fan, actively grooming her over

Former Sunderland soccer player Adam Johnson (R) arrives for sentencing at Bradford Crown Court in Bradford, Britain, yesterday.

(Reuters/Craig Brough)

a number of months in single-minded pursuit of his own sexual gratification,” said Gerry Wareham from Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service outside Bradford Crown Court in northern England.

“This situation had a devastating effect on the young victim and it is my sincere hope that she and her family will be granted the respect and space they deserve to recover and rebuild their lives.”

The winger, who has played 12 times for England, began his career at Middlesbrough and also played for Manchester City

before joining Sunderland for £10 million in 2012 on a four-year contract.

He had been a regular for the northeast side this season until the start of his trial and scored in his last appearance in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool last month.

Johnson was suspended

by Sunderland in March 2015 after being arrested but two weeks later the club lifted the ban.

Sunderland’s chief executive Margaret Byrne resigned two weeks ago over her role in the decision to allow Johnson to continue playing for the team.

RHTYSC receives all-weather concrete cricket pitch

THE cricketers of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC), can now practise their craft all year long after the club was presented with an all-weather concrete pitch, compliments of the staff of the Rose Hall Town Republic Bank Branch.

The pitch worth $150 000 was handed over by Branch Manager Harry DassGhaness to RHTYSC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster after it was constructed by staff members of the Rose Hall Town Republic Bank Branch and cricketers drawn from across the RHT Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell

Under-17 and Pepsi Under-19 cricket teams.

Foster, in accepting the donation stated that the membership of the RHTYSC junior section was expanding at a very rapid rate and management was seeking ways to get all youths to develop their full potentials.

The concrete pitch, Foster stated, would be equipped with practice nets to allow club members to practise as a pair and also for coaches to conduct one-on-one sessions with junior cricketers.

The long-serving Secretary/CEO stated that the RHTYSC is currently seeking to obtain enough cricket gear

for its junior members and expressed gratitude to the management of the Rose Hall Town Republic Bank Branch for the 6 ‘ x 40 ‘ concrete pitch, which he described as an investment into the future of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation.

Foster described Republic Bank as a true friend of the RHTYSC and stated that it was the support of corporate entities such as Republic Bank that enabled the club to receive the historic Medal of Service Award from the Government of Guyana.

Captain of the RHT Bakewell Under-17 team, Kelvon Anderson, whole-

heartedly expressed gratitude for construction of the pitch and noted that it would assist young cricketers to improve their batting against fast bowling.

He pledged on behalf of his colleagues to take full advantage of the facility to make both the RHTYSC and Republic Bank proud in the future.

Republic Bank Rose Hall Town Branch Manager Harry DassGhaness stated that as a corporate entity, the Bank was committed to fulfilling its responsibilities especially in the fields of sports, education and culture.

The Bank, he noted, was pleased to be associated with the RHTYSC, an

Janet Jagan Cohesion Day set for tomorrow THE National Sports Commission (NSC) under its 50 Shades of Games banner will tomorrow host its first Cohesion Day of activities in honour of Guyana’s first female president Mrs Janet Jagan.

Sport Director Christopher Jones told Chronicle Sport that activities will be held in an attempt to bring together communities through sport, something the first female president and former First Lady strived for.

This weekend’s activities take place in Anna Regina Region Two and will see teams in various sports vie for top honours.

Jones said the various

Former President Janet Jagan

Neighbourhood Democratic Councils will be engaged in cricket, football, volleyball among other games, for a championship trophy which they will have to return for competition next year..

He said the aim is to develop a more unified Guyana.

Janet Jagan was born on October 20, 1920, in Chicago, Illinois. In the early 1970s, she co-founded the Union of Guyanese Journalists. In 1997, she became the country’s first female Prime Minister and President.

She died on March 28, 2009, in Georgetown, Guyana.

organisation which has an outstanding track record of achievements. He also praised the joint effort of

both his staff and the club’s cricketers in constructing the project in the shortest possible time.

Johan Cruyff, the high ...

From page 27

the North American Soccer League. At the time, he credited his comeback, at age 32, to his love for the sport and to the chance to bring the game to a new place. In reality, he acknowledged, he had lost money in a series of investments, and so the rich contract with the N.A.S.L. was a welcome payday.

He played for one season with the Aztecs and another with the Washington Diplomats before returning to Europe for a brief tenure with Spain’s Levante and then a return to Ajax. When Ajax did not offer him a new contract in 1983, he signed with rivals Feyenoord - and promptly won the league and Dutch Cup double at age 37 before retiring for good.

The English journalist David Miller labelled him “Pythagoras in boots” for his ability to see open spaces and advantageous angles on a field, and David Winner, in his book on Dutch soccer, “Brilliant Orange,” compared Cruyff’s play to the perfection and organisation of a Vermeer painting.

His game was so sublime that he has a move named

after him: the Cruyff turn, a deft sleight-of-foot manoeuvre in which he teased defenders in one direction before using his heel to push the ball behind him and a burst of speed to break away.

But he had little tolerance for a Netherlands that turned away from his ideals. When the Netherlands reached the World Cup final in 2010, Cruyff decried their bruising style as “anti-football.”

“This ugly, vulgar, hard, hermetic, hardly eye-catching, hardly football style, yes it served the Dutch to unsettle Spain,” he told a Spanish newspaper. “If with this they got satisfaction, fine, but they ended up losing.”

Spain, playing with a possession-based style more to Cruyff’s liking, and with a goal scored by player Andrés Iniesta, who had emerged from the Barcelona youth system, Cruyff had nurtured, won the final, 1-0.

Cruyff is survived by his wife of 47 years, Danny Coster; two daughters Chantal and Susila and a son Jordi, who followed his father into professional soccer, playing with Barcelona and Manchester United, and coaching. (www.nytimes)

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

NSC/Archery Guyana shoots off ‘50 Shades of Games’ AS A PART of the Guyana’s 50th Independence activities the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) once again successfully collaborated last Saturday, to feature Indoor Archery in the NSC’s 50 Shades of Games Sports Programme.

In his opening remarks, everyone present was welcomed by Chairman of the Archery Committee, Nicholas Hing, who advised of the strict safety rules which are a standard of the World Archery (WA) and its affiliated organisations.

The GSSF is an affiliate of WA and aims to uphold its standards and rules at all times.

The competition was officially declared open by the first arrow being shot by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones who after a brief demonstration of correct target archery form and technique, released the opening arrow in style, thereby starting the intense evening of Archery fun.

The competitors utilised the Federation’s PVC Olympic-styled recurve bows.

The Indoor Target Archery competition was held under

Archery Guyana/NSC’s 50 Shades of Games prize-winners pose with the Director of Sport. the strict Rules of World Archery and monitored by Chief Judge Peter Hugh, who was assisted by head scorer Ricardo DeAbreu.

Targets used were the World Archery-approved 40cm targets and were shot from 9m which is half the distance of the Olympic Indoor Target Archery competitions.

The competition attracted spectators who saw 8 archers in the Men’s and Ladies’ categories, and Re-

World T20 wins for Australia and Pakistan

DEFENDING champions Australia cruised to a nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Women’s World Twenty20.

Captain Meg Lanning (56) and Elyse Villani (53) shared an unbroken second-wicket stand of 98 as the Southern Stars got home with 14 balls to spare.

Dilani Manodara and Chamari Atapattu both scored 38 for Sri Lanka but they were pegged back to 123-8 in Delhi.

In Group B, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by nine wickets, overhauling 113-9 with 21 balls to spare.

Sidra Ameen scored an unbeaten 53 and Bismah Maroof 43 to seal a victory that leaves their side third in Group B, behind leaders England who beat second-placed West Indies by one wicket in Dharamsala.

Pakistan can still reach the semi-finals if they beat England tomorrow.

In Delhi, Sri Lanka won the toss and were well set 75-1 in the 11th over as Dilani Manodara and Chamari Atapattu both scored 38 before Australia took 7-43 to slow the scoring rate.

The Southern Stars, now second in Group A behind New Zealand, face Ireland in Delhi tomorrow.

They will definitely reach the semi-finals if they beat Ireland and South Africa fail to win their last two matches.

curve Division, vying for the top 3 spots.

At the end of two rounds, comprising 4 ends of each, the winners were declared as follows: Men’s category:

1st Place, Mr Nicholas Hing (140 points) 2nd Place, Mr Michael Abrams (115 points) 3rd Place: Mr Ryan McKinnon (104 points) Women’s category:

1st Place, Ms Sarah Piggott (81 points) 2nd Place, Ms Narda Mohamed (20 points) 3rd Place, Ms Vidushi Persaud (16 points) The Director of Sport

presented the beautiful trophies to the winners and delivered some brief remarks, expressing his continued commitment to working with the Federation.

In her closing remarks, president of the Federation, Ms Vidushi Persaud, thanked the members for participating and the Director of Sport for his support.

She reiterated the need for continuous practice and training so that this Olympic sport can be further developed.

The Guyana Sport Shooting Federation/Archery Guyana is pleased to successfully host its first Indoor Target Archery competition in honour of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. The Federation currently hosts two Practice sessions per week for Indoor Archery.

Plans will commence shortly for an Outdoor Archery competition. For more information visit the website: www.guyanasportshooting. com

Watson to retire at end of World T20

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Australian all-rounder Shane Watson will bow out of international cricket after the World Twenty20 in India, cutting the team’s last link to their golden era in the early 2000s.

The 34-year-old blond quit Tests last year after losing his battle against a spate of injuries that plagued his career, and has not featured in a one-day international since September.

“One morning I woke up in Dharamsala, waking up to the beautiful view and I don’t know what it was exactly but I knew now was the right time,” Watson told reporters in Mohali where Australia take on Pakistan in their next Super10 match today.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time being back in the Australian squad. But it is quite different, none of the other guys I played with growing up are here anymore,” he added.

Watson made his oneday debut against South Africa in 2002, three years before he broke into the Test team led by Ricky Ponting.

He played alongside the

Australia’s big-hitting all-rounder Shane Watson likes of Ponting, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist and also helped to rebuild the side after his seniors quit the game.

Since his 2005 Test debut against Pakistan, regular hamstring and back injuries have taken a toll on Watson’s body, prompting him to end his Test career after 59 matches, scoring a total of 3 731 runs to go with 75 wickets.

Watson, along with three teammates, was axed during the team’s tour of India in 2013 for ignoring team order

and the all-rounder said he considered retirement after the “homework” controversy under the-then coach Mickey Arthur.

“That was a time I certainly was considering my future within the Australian team because at that point in time I certainly wasn’t enjoying the environment at all,” he said.

“It changed within two or three months with Darren (Lehmann) coming in (as coach) and changing things around.”

Watson was a bigger

force in limited overs cricket, amassing 5 757 runs in 190 one-dayers averaging 40.54 and was part of Australia’s 2007 and 2015 World Cup winning teams.

A World Twenty20 title continues to elude Australia but Watson was adjudged player-of-the-tournament at the 2012 edition of the tournament in Sri Lanka.

The big-hitting all-rounder, who attracted a $1.4 million bid from Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction last month, will continue to play domestic Twenty20 tournaments including the Big Bash League for the Sydney Thunder, Cricket Australia said.

“Shane should be proud of his contribution to Australian cricket,” CA chief executive James Sutherland said.

“At his best, he was a devastating batsman and skilful swing and seam bowler who thrilled crowds the world over. And to his enormous credit he is the only Australian batsman to have scored centuries in all three forms of the game.”

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

TTCB mourns passing of Rangy Nanan

THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has extended its condolences to the family of former West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago cricketer Rangy Nanan, who passed away early Wednesday morning at the Couva Hospital.

Nanan also captained the national senior team and at the time of his retirement in 1991 was the leading wicket-taker in regional competition.

He was 62 years old.

Azim Bassarath, president of the TTCB said on Wednesday he was saddened to learn of the passing of Nanan whom he described as one of the nation’s outstanding cricketers and certainly among the best spinners to emerge in an era when pace bowling was dominant.

“Rangy was one of a kind who will be remembered for

his tight control with the ball on any kind of surface, and who was no rabbit with the bat, clouting the ball to all parts of the field,” said Bassarath.

He hailed the Preysalborn all-rounder as a tribute to the gentleman’s game who carried himself with dignity, exemplifying the ideals of fair-play and respect for his opponents on and off the field.

Bassarath said that Nanan will be best remembered for being the last Trinidad and Tobago captain to lead the national cricket team to victory in the West Indies Cricket Board Regional 4-Day Tournament then called the Shell Shield.

Nanan played one Test for the West Indies, against Pakistan in Faisalabad, from December 8 to 12, 1980 when he took four

Rio cancels cycling test because velodrome is not ready RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, (Reuters) - Rio Olympics organisers have cancelled the only test event for the indoor cycling at this year’s Games because the velodrome will not be ready in time, a spokesman said yesterday.

The event was due to take place on April 30 and May 1 but logistical problems mean the velodrome will not be ready until at least May 31.

“The track cycling test event has been cancelled and will be replaced by a training opportunity June 25 through the 27,” Mario Andrada told reporters.

“We are 120 per cent confident it will be ready for the Olympics.”

Andrada said the delay came in laying the track, which is made from Siberian wood.

“We had some logistical problems, such as unloading the wood into the venue and to install containers and offices, and we realised that it was too close for us to make sure that the track was perfectly installed,” Andrada said.

South America’s first Olympic Games begin on August 5 and run until August 21.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday March 25, 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) 4 runs (2) 6 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) Who top-scored in the last ICC T20 Women’s World Cup final?

(2) How many matches were scheduled in the last ICC T20 Women’s World Cup? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Rangy Nanan

wickets with his impeccable control, and snared two important catches as the Caribbean cricketers won by 156 runs.

It is important to note that Nanan was picked on a regional team whose bowling arsenal comprised bowlers of the calibre of Colin Croft, Malcolm

Marshall and Sylvester Clarke.

In his 19-year playing career Nanan turned out for 94 First Class matches, scoring 2 607 runs and taking 366 wickets, in addition to 35 List ‘A’ fixtures. He also had one hard-hitting century to his name.

But his best bowling

came in the 1980-1982 regional season when he took 32 wickets in just five matches in the Shell Shield and retired as the leading wicket-taker in 1991.

The funeral of the former policeman is yet to be finalised. Nanan is survived by his devoted wife Martha, and two sons. (TTCB)

Serena Williams takes three sets to beat Mchale (Reuters)-Top seed Serena Williams dropped the second set before bouncing back to beat compatriot Christina Mchale 6-3 5-7 6-2 in second-round action at the Miami Open in Florida yesterday.

The eight-times winner of the event took more than two hours to dispose of the world 56, but in the end notched her 14th consecutive victory against an American opponent.

The last countrywoman to beat her was sister Venus in Montreal in 2014.

Playing in what almost amounts to a home game, Williams was not in top form, making more than 40 unforced errors, but she finally wore down Mchale in the third set.

“She’s clearly capable of playing great tennis.

pion, who resides in nearby Palm Beach Gardens.

In other women’s second-round matches, third seed Agnieszka Radwańska, of Poland, advanced with a 6-0 6-1 cakewalk over Frenchwoman Alize Cornet.

“I’m just very happy with that win, maybe the score was not showing everything that was happening

Serena Williams She showed it today,” a relieved Williams, speaking of Mchale, told Tennis Channel in an on-court interview.

“Miami is such a special place to me. I live so close to here,” continued the 21-times grand slam cham-

NOTABLE DATES

GAIRY St Clair moved up to super welterweight (junior middleweight) but was denied success after losing to Australian Ryan Waters on March 25, 2011.

St Clair lost by unanimous decision to Waters while vying for the World Boxing Association Pan African super welterweight title.

Stylish and at times cocky, St Clair started preparing for his trip to the world title arena in the USA, where he fought several tough opponents including Diego Corrales, Leonard Dorin and `Vicious’ Vivian Harris among others. He shifted camp to Australia in 2001.

While there, he defeated Argentine Cristian Sabastian Paz in April 2004. The fight was held at the State Sports Centre in Sydney and was one of six ring contests he had that year. St Clair won by unanimous decision and added the WBF International super featherweight title to his collection in the next fight.

St Clair was 31 years old in July 2006 when he defeated Cassius Baloyi to claim the International Boxing Federation and the International Boxing Organisation world titles and lost soon after to Amir Khan in a challenge for the Commonwealth lightweight title. He last fought in June 2013 and has 48 victories, 12 defeats and two draws.

on the court,” Radwanska said.

“But I think it was a great start and a couple of tight games at the beginning of both sets was the key.”

The highest seed to be eliminated in day action was 11th-seeded Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic, who fell toYanina Wickmayer of Belgium 6-2 6-3.

I didn’t know where the ball went, says Cruyff-turn victim

By Philip O’Connor

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (Reuters) - Decades after being on the receiving end of Johan Cruyff’s most famous piece of outrageous skill, former Sweden defender Jan Olsson says he still wonders where the ball went.

Cruyff died yesterday aged 68 after a five-month battle with lung cancer and the video of the Dutchman performing his famed ‘Cruyff turn’ against Olsson at the 1974 World Cup immediately started circulating on social media.

The clip shows Cruyff feigning to cross with his right foot, before whipping the ball behind his standing leg and darting off in the other direction as a bemused Olsson, his eyes still fixed on where the ball had been, stumbled in his wake.

“A long ball came towards the corner flag and I was after him,” Olsson told Swedish broadcaster SVT. “I had his back and I thought I had the situation under control. He went to cross and I thought I’d go to cover it -- but the ball wasn’t there.

“There were 25 000 Dutch fans in the section where I was fooled, and you can imagine how they shouted and cheered,” added the 73-year-old.

Luckily for Olsson the ball was cleared and the game finished in a goalless draw, but the meeting left a lasting impression on the former defender.

“I didn’t understand it; I just wondered where the ball was. It was a fun episode, and I’m glad to have met a player of that class.

“He was one of the world’s best players and leaders; this is very tragic, it was far too soon,” he added.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday March 25, 2016

Agricola needle KK Warriors in STAG/EBFA Senior League AGRICOLA Red Triangle, on account of a 60th minute penalty from Kacy ‘Boombie’ John, took full points from Kuru Kururu (KK) Warriors in the lone match of the STAG/East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League which was contested last Sunday at the Grove Playfield.

In a match that saw the Warriors create the majority of chances but failed to score, Agricola, runners-up to defending champions Grove Hi Tech, made good on their only serious chance to win the

match.

It was John himself who was fouled in the box by the Warriors’ Joshua Oselmo and he made the opponents pay for that slip-up.

What made the loss even more heartbreaking for Kuru Kururu was the fact that Agricola were reduced to 10 players in the 33rd minute when Collis Samuels was given marching orders by the referee for using abusive language to one of the Assistant Referees. Samuels will now have to miss two matches.

England Women beat Windies off final ball

ENGLAND claimed a nerve-wracking final-ball, one-wicket win over West Indies to move closer to the Women’s World Twenty20 semi-finals.

Chasing 109, England slipped from 59-0 to 83-6, then 101-8.

With seven needed off the final over, Anya Shrubsole scored four from two balls but was then bowled. A wide, a Rebecca Grundy single and a scrambled bye then got England home.

England will reach the semi-finals if they beat Pakistan tomorrow.

The 2009 champions will also secure a place in the last four if West Indies fail to beat India earlier on the same day.

FINAL-OVER DRAMA Charlotte Edwards’ side only just managed to scrape past India on Tuesday, with Shrubsole required to hit the winning runs with six balls to spare.

Here, the finish was closer and also echoed the thrilling match between India and Bangladesh in the men’s tournament 24 hours earlier.

19.1 overs, Deandra Dottin to Shrubsole - two runs, five runs needed from five balls 19.2 overs, Dottin to Shrubsole - two runs, three from four needed, England in control 19.3 overs, Dottin to Shrubsole - dot ball, three from three required 19.4 overs, Shrubsole b Dottin 4 (England 106-9) - Shrubsole plays on to her stumps, only number 11 Rebecca Grundy is left 19.4 overs, Dottin to Grundy - wide, a precious run to England’s score 19.5 overs, Dottin to Grundy - one run, a single to point, Nat Sciver needs one from the final ball 19.6 overs, Dottin to Sciv-

er - one bye, Sciver misses, England scamper across the line.

On Wednesday, in exactly the same situation, India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni ran to the stumps to run out Mustafizur Rahman and win the match for his team. Here, Merissa Aguilleira threw and missed, giving England victory.

BATTING ISSUES REMAIN Against India, and chasing only 90, England fell from 62-3 to 87-8 before sealing victory.

Here, the collapse was just as dramatic, with middle-order problems looking to be a serious obstacle to England winning the World T20 for a second time.

Tammy Beaumont and Charlotte Edwards appeared to have England cruising with an opening stand of 59, albeit if they were fortunate to survive a stumping and caught-behind appeal respectively.

However, after Beaumont was harshly adjudged lbw to Shaquana Quintyne, England imploded in an overall collapse of 9-47 brought about by a series of loose shots.

BOWLING IN GOOD ORDER England’s bowling, however, remains a strength particularly seamer Shrubsole.

The number one-ranked T20 bowler in the world returned figures of 1-11 from her four overs, including the dismissal of Stafanie Taylor in the 19th over.

At that time, Taylor’s 52run stand with Dottin looked set to launch West Indies to a winning score.

Dottin also fell in the 20th over, looping Jenny Gunn to wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor and England had a target that proved to be only just within their grasp. (BBC Sport)

Kacy ‘Boombie’ John (outstretched hands) in celebratory mood after scoring from the spot.

KK Warriors custodian Ethan Sparman is on hands and knees after being outplayed..

But despite the loss, Agricola rallied to win the match, as Kuru Kururu blundered on too many occasions including the penultimate minute when one of their players missed an open goal.

Sunday’s opening match did not come off as Diamond United gifted a walkover to Mocha Champs.

Agricola will now face off with defending champions

Grove Hi Tech in a crucial match this Sunday which will have a bearing on the eventual outcome of the league.

It is always a ding-dong battle between these two teams and Sunday’s feature match is expected to be no different.

The opening match at 13:00hrs will see Soesdyke match skills with Herstelling Raiders.

England Women beat Windies off final ball See story on page 31

A teary-eyed Stafanie Taylor

West Indies chance to seal semi-final berth today I

Skipper Darren Sammy’s men hold the aces after their two wins from opening matches.

Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe and Martinique win in CFU Caribbean Cup

ANTIGUA, Barbados, Guadeloupe and Martinique emerged winners on match-day two of the Scotiabank CFU Caribbean Cup on Wednesday night. Guadeloupe however, required penalties after they played to a draw against their opponents.

In Group 1, Antigua and Barbuda defeated Aruba 2-1 at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in North Sound.

Joshua Parker opened the scoring for the hosts in the fourth minute of play. The Benna Boys doubled the lead in the 23rd minute courtesy of goal from Adriel George.

Aruba found the score sheet in the 28th minute with a strike from Fredrick Gomez but were unable to find the net for the remainder of the tame encounter.

Meanwhile, Martinique blanked the British Virgin Islands 3-0 in Group 7 action at the Stade Pierre Aliker.

Kevin Parsemain opened the scoring in the 12th but the home team had to wait until the 68th minute before Yuan Aquino made it 2-0. Steven Lange scored Martinique’s third in the 84th minute to round off an emphatic victory.

Over in Barbados, the home team edged Curacao at the Usain Bolt Stadium in Bridgetown in Group 4 play. Romario Harewood scored the lone goal in the 69th minute to seal the win.

Guadeloupe and Suriname’s Group 6 match at Stade Renee Serge Nabajoth Les Abymes in Guadeloupewas the first game in the tournament to go down to penalty kicks after both teams battled to a 0-0 draw. Guadeloupe, however, grabbed the 3 points by edging Suriname 3-2 on penalties.

Round one matches resume tomorrow when Aruba host St Kitts and Nevis in Group 1; St Maarten host USVI in Group 2; French Guiana travel to Bermuda in Group 3 action; Curacao are at home to the Dominican Republic in Group 4; Anguilla host Puerto Rico Group 5 and British Virgin Islands entertain Dominica Group 7. (Sportsmax.com)

T has been talked up as the fixture that will decide Group 1, making the match-up between South Africa and West Indies perhaps the most intriguing of the group so far.

West Indies hold the aces after two wins from their opening two matches. A third will see them take control of the group and set themselves up to top it, with only Afghanistan left to play. It will also guarantee them a semi-final berth.

South Africa remain far away from such safety. Defeat to England means that even after beating Afghanistan, they still have to deal with the two most recent champions if they are to ensure advancement.

On paper, South Africa should not be too anxious of the West Indian challenge, but we all know the saying about where sport is actually played.

In sharp focus will be the contrasting approaches of these two sides. Well-planned South Africa take on carefree West Indies, perhaps the last

people they want to see when under pressure - it means South Africa have to think of what they can expect and what they can’t from a West Indies side that thrives on the spontaneous.

Already, one of South Africa’s strategies - to use JP Duminy to bowl more - has been spoiled because Duminy is injured. West Indies don’t even have that worry after Chris Gayle’s injury scare passed.

For both sides, this may be their toughest test before the knockouts. As such, whoever win this may become favourites for the title.

With spin set to take centrestage Imran Tahir and Samuel Badree could be game-changers, albeit in different ways. Badree had opened the bowling against England and Sri Lanka, against whom he was both container and destroyer-in-chief, while Tahir tends to be held back for when the fielding

See page 27

GKC completes successful outdoor training See story on page 27

Some of the karatekas go through their training last weekend.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016