Chronicle 03 31 2016

No. 104507

THURSDAY MARCH 31, 2016

Price: $80

(VAT Inclusive)

Audit finds:

Loopholes in contract of CJIA CEO …urges restructuring of 3 management, filling of vacancies P.

Presence of British Navy reassuring

Ranks of the British Navy perform a drill during a reception aboard the HMS Mersey Tuesday evening. The vessel on a Caribbean mission is docked at Port Georgetown (Delano Williams photo)

‒ Pres Granger Centre Pages

Holland set to be elected mayor of Linden 21 P.

Relatives fear for life of slain soldier’s brother 10

P.

PPP under fire for missing committee meetings 9 P.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Special Response Team to deal with prison unrest THE Guyana Prison Service will have its capacity boosted with the addition of a Special Response Team to quell disturbances such as the recent one that caused the death of 17 inmates, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has said.

He said that the unit would have the capacity to handle any case of misconduct that may arise in the future, in the prisons. Noting that the Special Response Team would not have to depend on the Police Force for support, Ramjattn said the new team of highly trained

ranks would be able to make better judgment calls and be prepared to enforce discipline among inmates. Ramjattan made the comments during an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) Recognising that the present training of prison officers was, “not of the best, ” the Ministry of Public Security has now mandated that all recruits to the Prison Service undergo training at the Guyana Police Force’s training schools. “It is not enough, they need lots more training and we want better recruits and so on,” Ram-

jattan said of the present training programme.

In addition, the Government is looking at ways to improve the salaries and conditions of work at the Guyana Prison Service, so as to attract and keep skilled personnel. “Our prisons are tough places to work and sometimes the more quality people do not want to go there,” Ramjattan said.

Referring to the recent Camp Street Prison unrest which left 17 dead and several others wounded, the minister said, “If we don’t start investing in better recruits, their accommodation,

Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

PM saddened by passing of Haslyn Parris PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has extended deepest condolences to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of former Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Haslyn Parris on his passing.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo observed that Mr. Parris’s passing will leave a

void in the ongoing process of preparing for constitutional reform, the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement. “Mr Parris was a senior, ranking member of the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform, which was set up by Prime Minister Nagamootoo last year. Mr. Parris is widely re-

vered as a national institution on constitutional reform,” the OPM said.

It added that Parris had previously served as secretary on the oversight committee that brought the constitutional reform process to legislative fruition. As then chairman of the oversight committee, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said he worked closely with Mr. Parris and was deeply satisfied and impressed with his thoroughness and steadfastness in ensuring that the process was brought to a conclusion with over 160 recommendations being converted into actual amendments.

“Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted that the nation remains deeply indebted to Mr. Parris for

Haslyn Parris

his work on constitutional reform and that he leaves as part of his immense legacy, a seminal publication – The Constitution of Guyana: What Will It Look Like?. Prime Minister Nagamootoo also extends condolences to Mr. Parris’s political colleagues and the leadership and members of his political party – the People’s National Congress.”

their allowances, their salaries and all of that, we might have lots more riots on our hands, which will cost [us] in the long term, lots more.”

Meanwhile, the Government is taking advantage of the offers made by several international partners and agencies to train law-enforcement officials, locally and overseas. Several officers of the Guyana Prison Service have left Guyana for the United States, to participate in the 18th Annual Mock Prison Riots, at the decommissioned West Virginia State Prison in Moundsville.

The Mock Prison Riot Training programme, which was initiated in 1997, offers Prison Officers from around the world training in which they learn the latest techniques and methods used to quell prison disturbances. The training features hands-on training and technology exposure to corrections, law enforcement, military, and public safety practitioners. Local law-enforcement ranks are also being trained in other jurisdictions as part of the Government’s plans to further build their capacity.

Gov't fixing schools, hospitals in Corentyne REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO), Dr Veerasammy Ramayya, has advertised for bidders to do fixes to over 50 public buildings and roads in the East Berbice/Corentyne (Region 6) area.

The REO advised that bids by contractors should be deposited no later than April 12 and must be accompanied by compliance certificates from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

According to the invitation, the Regional Tender Board has identified for the repairs, roads leading to the Number 63 Beach, preparatory works for which have already commenced. The Regional Administration has

done a major cleanup of the parapets, where secondary forests had mushroomed, between Joppa and Benab.

Also, seven different trails have been opened that lead to the Number 63 Beach which this Easter attracted the biggest-ever crowd and revelers.

Carded for repair also are almost all primary and secondary schools between Canje and Port Mourant, and all hospitals and Health Centres on the Corentyne Coast. These schools and health facilities have suffered neglect over many years, but would now be fixed in keeping with the commitment of the Coalition Government to provide a better life for citizens. (OPM)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Audit finds:

Loopholes in contract of CJIA CEO …urges restructuring of management, filling of vacancies

WEAK management and organisational structure, and human resources complement were the primary areas addressed in the findings of the Forensic Audit into the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC).

The audit, released on Wednesday and completed

by Goorwantie Devi Kaladeen, found that consideration should be given to restructuring of the management functions and the filling of existing vacancies at the corporation.

A close examination of the audit, which reviewed the operations of CJIAC for the period January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2015, has found, for instance, that the contract for the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir was not in compliance with the CJIAC Order No 20 of 2001. According to the report, CJIAC’s board was not at all involved in the renewal of Ghir’s contract, which had expired on September 30, 2014.

Rather, the Office of the President (OP) on April 21, 2005 gave it the green light for an additional three years, effective October 1, 2014.

That decision, it was found, followed a request made on April 10, 2015 by the then Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn.

The new contract was signed by Ghir himself and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works at the time.

It was uncovered, too, that the new agreement changed Ghir’s “reporting mechanism” from CJIAC’s board to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, now called the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

CJIAC RESPONDS In response to the auditor’s findings, CJIAC acknowledged that Ghir’s contract was not renewed in a timely manner, but that the oversight was brought to the attention of the subject ministry in March 2015, and corrective action was taken.

“At no time did the Chief Executive Officer cease reporting to the Chairman of the Board of Directors,” CJIAC said, adding: “This practice continued until the

Ramesh Ghir

end of the life of the board in June 2015.” It also noted that Ghir’s contract is currently being reviewed, and will be signed by the appropriate authority.

But while the CJIAC may have satisfied some of his queries, the auditor still wanted to know, for instance, why “no reason was given for this oversight, which was detected almost six months after the expiry date,” and why “Management also failed to explain the reason the oversight was brought to the attention of the Ministry of Public Works, and not the CJIAC Board, which was still active until June 30, 2015.”

According to the report, there was at least one board meeting on April 16, 2015, after the oversight of the expiration of the CEO’s contract was detected in March 2015, “yet this anomaly was not brought to the attention of the board.”

Additionally, the auditor said it is the responsibility of the Personnel Department to keep track of the expiry dates of employees’ contracts, while the Finance Department is expected to ensure that a contract is in force

before payments are made.

But according to the report, “The Personnel Officer explained that she had no access to the Chief Executive Officer’s contract, while the Accountant referred the Auditor to the Manager, Commercial and Administration for an explanation.”

This being the case, the report said “it was, therefore, recommended that the contract for the Chief Executive Officer be reviewed by the New Board of CJIAC when it comes into effect...”

It was also proposed that “it is the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that matters of his contract is brought to the attention of the board and renewed in a timely manner; and that of the Manager, Commercial and Administration, who has overall responsibility to supervise the Personnel and Finance Department, to ensure that proper systems are in place for management of contracts.”

As to the Manager, Commercial and Administration Finance Department, his responsibility is “to explain why this observation was not made and dealt with in the appropriate manner, and payments should not be made for contracted employees whose contracts have expired.”

NOT JUSTIFIED Meanwhile, it was discovered that the Manager of the Commercial and Administration’s employment was “not justified.”

According to the audit report, the incumbent was “dishonest at the interview; had no previous managerial skills; no background check was done prior to appointment; a poor performer at previous employment, and

Apology The Guyana Chronicle sincerely apologises for a photoshopped photograph of President David Granger interacting with members of the public on Easter Monday which appeared in our Tuesday March 29 th 2016 edition. Our intention was to show the President at two different scenes mingling with Guyanese. It is regrettable that a photoshopped image was used instead of a composite photograph. For this the Guyana Chronicle sincerely apologises to both President David Granger and our readers.

failed to inform CJIAC that previous employment was still in force and accepted the new employment.”

Again, according to the report, Manager, Commercial and Administration, Dursatty Doodnauth-Mangru was employed at the entity since August 22, 2005 and her “significant qualification”, as seen in her personal file, is the ACCA certification attained in 2005.

“However, her membership could not be verified at the time of the audit. A perusal of her personal file highlighted the following unsatisfactory features: Her personal file did not contain any

references from her previous employers; the evaluation for her interview states areas of concerns, in that she appeared not genuine; had limited Human Resources, Industrial Relations and Commercial Administration knowledge; her positives, according to the evaluation of her interview, were not sufficient to guarantee employment; the panel failed to notice, from the applicant’s application, that she did not have any significant experience at a management level; the Chief Executive Officer indicated on her application that she was not always truthful.”

According to the report,

consideration to employ this applicant in a senior position, with knowledge that she was being dishonest at the time of her interview and without doing a background check is “a clear indication that her employment was fixed.”

Said the report, “During the course of the forensic audit, background information was requested directly Turn to page 5 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Chase-Green tipped to be Mayor, Duncan deputy

Patricia Chase-Green FORMER Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green who secured a victory in constituency 12 at the recently held Local Government Elections (LGE) has been tipped to be the next Mayor of Georgetown.

An anticipated victory for the APNU+AFC coalition in the Georgetown municipality positioned the party to control the voting process at the level of council. The APNU+AFC

secured 25 seats, Team Benschop one and the PPP and Team Legacy claimed two each.

Chase-Green, who is former Deputy Mayor, Oscar Clarke a former councillor and People’s National Congress General-Secretary, and AFC’s Sherod Duncan all registered victories in their constituencies. It was touted heavily that the Mayor would emerge from among these three, given their services and experience at the local government level. And while Duncan was originally tipped to serve in this capacity, the government official revealed yesterday that Chase-Green would serve as Hamilton Green’s replacement. Chase-Green had defeated her competitors in constituency 12, with none of them posing any real threat to her. She began serving as a councillor in 1993.

Meanwhile, the source confirmed that Duncan will be elected Deputy Mayor. Duncan had contested the most competitive constituency, and had emerged victorious, having beaten political activist Mark Benschop, who many thought would have created an upset. In the lead-up to the elections, Duncan rose to fame around the city through his involvement in several environmental initiatives. And having the support of the coalition under his belt, he proved his superiority at the polls.

Duncan’s involvement at the community level had provided him with an early advantage of being informed on some of the issues affecting Georgetown, and on policies to remedy those issues. Apart from his community work, he was able to skilfully articulate his positions during the Georgetown debates in the lead-up to elections, pinning him as one of the favourites.

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Sherod Duncan ment, and being featured in the media quite often, the coalition candidate had done enough to secure the victory.

On Friday, the 30-member council will be officially sworn in and both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be elected.

A person would have to be nominated by a councillor and that nomination seconded by another for any person to be considered for the post. After the nomination, the council then votes and the councillor with the clear majority will be elected to the post. In other municipalities where the coalition registered victories such as New Amsterdam, it was revealed that the APNU will be awarded the mayoral post, while an AFC member will occupy the deputy mayoral position. This was reportedly agreed upon by the coalition who had intense discussions on the allocations of seats at the level of council. (Ravin Singh)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 31, 2016

25 U.S. companies for trade and investment mission to Guyana

SOME 25 companies from the United States have already registered for a Trade and Investment Mission to Guyana from May 10 to 14, 2016 and to participate in the series of meetings and briefings that will be held with Guyanese government and private sector officials.

“This trade and investment mission is timed to coincide with GUYEXPO 2016 -Guyana’s national exhibition of products, services and trade and investment opportunities, which opens on May 12, and to the opening of which mission mem-

bers have been officially invited.

During the visit to Guyana, there will be meetings with top private sector and government officials, including Guyana’s Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin and representatives of the Private Sector Commission.

Specific sector meetings will be arranged based on specific interests,” says coordinator of the mission, Wesley Kirton, in a press release. The mission, put on by Outreach Aid to the Americas (OAA) CARICOM Outreach Programme in conjunction with the newly es-

tablished Guyanese-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., is intended to serve as a platform that facilitates networking with the key stakeholders and high-level decision-makers in Guyana; an opportunity to meet these decision-makers face to face and present business interests and proposals in a one-on-one environment; source Guyanese products for export and introduce new products directly to local target markets; and network and build relationships with potential customers for joint-venture partnerships

and investment.

A nation with under one million people, the area of Guyana is 83,000 square miles and is an attractive trade and investment destination providing opportunities for investment in gold and other mining, eco-tourism and related hospitality development, agriculture and agribusiness, clean energy, electronic assembly, low-income housing, financial services and the supply of consumer goods, raw material and equipment. Kirton says the mission has the full support of the Government of Guyana and

was employed following an agreement by an interview panel, and sanctioned by the board.

Mrs.Doodnauth-Mangru was also advised of the following, regarding her employment at GuySuCo: “As a senior staff of GuySuCo, she was required to give three (3) months’ notice of resignation. This she did in lieu of annual leave; she acknowledged being written to twice on poor performance. The last letter was dated November 22, 2004 on an incident that took place on November 11, 2004.

“Her last day of work was more than nine (9) months after this incident, and she maintained that she left GuySuCo for job security, as they were facing financial difficulty.”

The auditor noted that no document was produced for audit evidence that the board had sanctioned the employment of the Manager, Commercial and Administration. “Sending a letter to the former Chairman of the Board it is not evidence that the board agreed to the employment. Further, no acknowledgement of the letter from the Chairman was verified.”

A letter dated July 7, 2005 to the former Chairman indicated that arising out of the interviews, Doodnauth-Mangru was identified to fill the vacancy. It also mentioned if Doodnauth-Mangru accepted the offer she would be required

to give one month’s notice to her current employer. “This is clear indication that she failed to inform CJIAC that she was required to give three (3) months’ notice as mentioned in the management response. This can be considered an act of dishonesty.”

The report said that if CJIA knowingly offered employment especially to a senior staff, who is still attached to another organisation, that is considered poor management. The offer of employment letter was signed by the Chief Executive Officer. The auditor called on Ghir to explain the reason he wrote on the applicant’s CV ‘was not always truthful’ and still agreed to offer her employment in a senior position in the corporation.

“Good governance is encouraged for employment of all categories of staff. The evaluation criteria should be according to the terms of reference and not favouritism; Applicants who are found to be dishonest at interviews should immediately be apprised of their dishonesty and the interviews to be discontinued,” it was recommended.

Due to the findings, the auditor also recommended that the achievements of Doodnauth-Mangru for the past 10 years be reviewed. Additionally, it was discovered that several key positions of the CJIAC remained vacant for an

average of six years. These included the post of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, which has been vacant since April 30, 2005; the vacant Operations Manager position has not filled since November 17, 2008; Manager,Engineering & Maintenance Department which post has remained vacant since September 5, 2009; the position of Head of the Security Department has been vacant since the formation in 2009; the vacancy for Senior Accountant has not been filled since September, 2010; the vacancy for Senior Personnel Officer has not been filled since July, 2005, while the position of Accounts Supervisor has remained vacant since January, 2015 and the Internal Audit Department is not in the Organisation Structure.

Loopholes in contract ...

From page 5

from the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) after the Human Resources Manager failed to provide adequate information.”

It was found that the manager was a “poor performer as a Treasury Accountant at GuySuCo, and that on two occasions, she was given “serious warning letters” for making “significant mistakes” that could have been detrimental to the company.

She had a final warning, after which she resigned from GuySuCo while on vacation leave to take up the appointment of Manager, Commercial and Administration at CJIAC. It was also found that she had failed to inform the CJIAC that her resignation date was effective from October 18, 2005, when she accepted employment, with effect from August 22, 2005. “She was, therefore, employed with both corporations simultaneously for a period of approximately two (2) months. This was a clear case of conflict of interest for both corporations,” the report stated.

NO EXPERIENCE OF NOTE Additionally, it was observed that the employee had “no significant managerial experience” before her appointment with CJIAC. The highest position she had previously held was Treasury Accountant, and that was at GuySuCo, from February 2004 to August 2005, a period of approximately one year and six months of experience.

She was also an accountant trainee at the Guyana Power and Light Inc. for one year, as seen on her curriculum vitae.

In response to the foregoing findings, management said that Doodnauth-Mangru

One of the businesses to be represented on the May 10 to 14 trade and investment mission to Guyana is the top Italian company ASTALDI. Here Wesley Kirton, mission co-ordinator, is pictured in discussion with ASTALDI’s General Manager for the Americas Dr. Mario Pieragostini, during the recent trade and investment mission to Belize, at Placencia, Belize the United States Embassy in Guyana, which have both indicated their support in writing and are assisting in finalising the programme of meetings and activities. The Guyana Consulate in Florida, he said, is also assisting with arrangements.

“We have also written to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat for a meeting, since many of the companies want to get a better understanding of arrangements for both intra-regional trade and preferential access to international markets for products from Guyana and other CARICOM member states,”

according to Kirton, who is director of CARICOM Outreach Programmes at OAA and a founding director of the Guyanese-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. In February, the two organisations hosted an investment conference here which focused primarily on investment opportunities in the agriculture and agribusiness sector. CARICOM imports almost $5 billion (US) in food products annually and at that conference, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) identified a number of investment opportunities in this sector.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

‘My intestines were protruding like chicken runners’ Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Treating with our environment

MAN’S habitat is a major element in assessing his thinking and outlook in life. The environment, within which we live, while comprising various facets, has been used over the years in making judgment about a society and its people. The programme that has been embarked upon in Georgetown and its environs in making efforts by the administration to have it clean and maintained, reflects the thinking not only of its leaders, but some sections of the general society.

We live in a time when the world places increasing emphasis on preventative healthcare, which is also a contributory factor in enhancing longevity. It is for this reason that a clean and healthy physical environment is equally important to one’s well-being and societal development. Bringing about this requires the involvement of both the managers and receivers of service to make sure that the end delivery benefits the whole and not the part or individuals.

The resources that are in the city to address our public health needs to remain within a limited capacity based on the finances that are available. Every citizen of or visitor to Georgetown, conscious of health requirements, can collectively work to realise a healthy environment. The recent holidays have seen public spaces in Georgetown used for respective festivities, and in its wake have seen the landscape wantonly littered without apparent care or concern. The reversion to this unhealthy behaviour attracted criticism as to the slow pace of the City Council in cleaning up, and the seemingly sole responsibility of the council for maintaining the cleanliness of Georgetown, not both the council and users of the public space.

The public spaces -- parks, seawalls, etc -- were used by all in the recent festivities and many failed to properly clean up and dispose of their garbage in an appropriate manner. With the recognition of this experience, as a measure of planning, it may be necessary for the council to assess the volume of garbage thrown around areas and in future make arrangements for garbage skips to be placed in areas to facilitate placement. It is important also that as citizens -- visitor or resident -- we cultivate a culture of environmental awareness and respect. This is not a case where this cannot be done, as evident in appropriate conduct when Guyanese visit other countries and conform to their environmental good practices. It is suggested that persons start cultivating the habit of storing their waste with them to be disposed of in one of the public garbage disposals or at their homes.

Decisions will have to be made by both government (central, regional and local) and citizens to bring about a

--victim in attempted murder case tells court

By Michel Outridge D E S M O N D M c P h e rson, called “Baby Boy,” is before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-member jury for the attempted murder of Dexter Richards, called “Obeah Man.” According to the indictment, McPherson unlawfully and maliciously wounded Richards with intent to commit murder on March 14, 2011 at Meadowbrook, Georgetown.

The accused is being represented by Peter Hugh, while the state prosecutors are Michael Shahoud and Orinthia Schmidt.

The first witness, Dexter

Richards, testified yesterday and told the court that he was sheltering from the rain on March 14, 2011 by a shop at Meadowbrook after collecting some money for work he had done.

He said that there were persons playing dominoes and cards and the place was adequately illuminated. He had purchased a juice and made a telephone call for a taxi to pick him up, when he heard someone say, “Obeah Man y’all does want people rob y’all.”

He said he recognised the individual as Desmond McPherson after he came up to him and he knocked off his hat and a scuffle ensued, but persons came to separate

them.

Richards stated that as he was exiting the shop he heard someone shouting, “Look out! Look out!” He then saw the accused coming towards him with a long knife which he described as a “Rambo” knife.

At that point, Richards told the court that he tried to run but fell and the knife was pushed into his belly and he started to bleed profusely and remembered his intestines protruding like “chicken runners” and he shoved it back into place.

He recalled being placed in a car and taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery and spent four days in the institution.

Under cross-examination

by Defence Counsel Peter Hugh yesterday afternoon, it was suggested to Richards that the accused did not push a knife into his belly, but he got injured when he fell onto a stand by the roadside which had zinc on it. He, however, maintained that he was stabbed.

He pulled up his shirt and displayed scars of the injury to the jury yesterday -- a cut to the back and another on his belly, which showed a healed, sutured wound.

Two police witnesses, Lillian Scotland and Rodwell Chapman, were also called to testify.

The case continues today at 09:00hrs.

Low voter turnout for LGE was resistance Dear Editor,

apathy – it was a form of resistance.

THEORIES abound as to why the turnout was so low at the recent Local Government Elections. I think it is quite simple. Large numbers of Guyanese could not see the point.

In an article published in the Stabroek News (26/2/15), the U.S. Charge D’Affaires, Bryan Hunt, addressing a gathering of youth assembled by USAID, was quoted as saying: “We had protests; we had people who were determined to stand outside the Office of the President every day…And then we had prorogation and we had national elections… and then in the aftermath of national elections was the announcement that we were going to have Local Government Elections. And everyone got excited again. And the date was set for March. And the enthusiasm seems to have evaporated…The question isn’t if GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) is ready. It’s whether people will turn out…

Are we going to have an elections in which the majority of Guyanese go out and cast their vote for Local Government or are we going to have councils that are elected with 10, 12, 15 percent turnouts?” This told us everything we needed to know. Who is the ‘WE’ in this statement? What does it mean when a foreign diplomat speaks in this manner with regard to the internal affairs of Guyana? Guyanese are a simple people, but this should not be confused with simple-mindedness. The illusion of democracy and independence being peddled is wearing very thin. The low voter turnout was not new level of consciousness and commitment. At the public awareness level, there is need for education-- sustained, simple and visible -- because what we are talking here is changing a behavioural practice that has become a bad habit.

At the formal level, educators can help in teaching students about environmental wellness and proper garbage disposal.

It is known that at the nursery level our educators impart knowledge on hygiene and etiquette, giving our children a very early start in taking care of themselves and being responsible citizens. Enhancing these appropriate life skills with environmental respect will help in moulding minds at a tender age. The family too has a responsibility to teach and practise environmental cleanliness.

SINCERELY, Gerald A. Perreira Chair Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)

Help this sister Dear Editor,

I WRITE to express horror at the harassment meted out to a sister by her former partner. This is a very famous singer on the East Coast. She is well known and well liked.

She has a restraining order against this man, yet he stalks her day and night. The police have been ignoring her, whom should this sister turn to now? Will all of you only express sympathy after the fact? Please do not allow this sister to be another figure in our nasty list of victims of abuse in our dear land.

Yours truly, P. SINGH. 116 Surat Drive Triumph Village E.C.D

Government has a responsibility to maintain and improve the environment by ensuring that garbage disposal is buttressed with deterrence. It may be opportune for the new council to look at littering and have by-laws that not only attract a fine that will minimise the tendency to litter, but such laws much come with community service hours in a controlled environment, such as working with the garbage collectors.

Georgetown for years has earned the unpleasant sobriquet as the garbage city and strident efforts are being made daily to restore it to the Garden City, and hopefully being a model for other parts of Guyana, this revitalisation has to succeed.

Both citizens and government must play their roles.

Religious leaders brainstorm ways to weld Guyanese society

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 31, 2016

THE need to bridge the social, political and racial divides that continue to plague today’s society was underscored when the Social Cohesion Ministry consulted with the Christian community on Wednesday under the theme: “Christianity in Nation Building.”

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, the Ministry’s Programme Coordinator Sharon Patterson and Reverend Raphael Massiah, a Senior Pastor at the First Assembly of God Church, were among the officials present at NCERD, in addition to leaders from the various denominations.

During the interactive forum, a question was raised on the magnitude of racism in Guyana and whether there was really a need for a Ministry of Social Cohesion, given statistical reports that suggest that racism is not as prevalent in Guyana as many would believe.

But Reverend Massiah in a direct response, said racism is still a major concern in Guyana, even as he cited a personal experience

Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally addressing the Christian community in which he was a victim of racial discrimination in the market place. In his quest to highlight the relevance of a Social Cohesion Ministry, he said if social cohesion is not driven from a central point, then the nation would be in trouble.

“One of the things that we need to work on in terms of social cohesion…is healing and reconciliation. Racism is not just during election year, racism is just beneath the fabric of our society,” he told those present. The majority of the religious leaders there were in support of the notion that racism remains a problem

and must be addressed holistically.

During his initial presentation on the theme, “Christianity in Nation Building,” Reverend Massiah alluded to the word “Shalom,” which according to him, speaks to wholeness, totality, well-being and harmony. He said it also conveys an interest in health, security, long life, successful completion of enterprise, prosperity and victory of war, noting that in a cohesive society, individuals or groups are not shortchanged with respect to these key elements.

“Shalom is a very complex word, it just does not impact

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individuals, Shalom describes a community…it captures the well-being not just of an individual, but the well-being of an entire nation, an entire society,” he posited.

Another concern raised at the forum dealt with the Social Cohesion Ministry’s decision to meet with the Christians, Hindus and Muslims on separate occasions.

Hence a call was made for the religious community to meet with the ministry as a single group, not in part.

Minister Ally, in commenting on the recommendations and concerns raised Reverend Raphael Massiah makes his during the forum, said it is contribution during the consultation at NCERD recognised that in Guyana there are a number of reli- Massiah, emphasised the the process forward. gious groups, but urged that importance of the ministry.

Since the establishment the differences among the “We do have problems in our of the Social Cohesion Mingroups should be seen as country. Racism is a beast, istry, the Government has barriers. She said that the inequalities, poverty and all been placing attention on Social Cohesion Ministry these things make us endure reducing extreme poverty; had thought it best to meet what we are enduring,” she eliminating gender and geowith the various factions posited, noting that Guyana graphic inequalities; fosterof the religious community will not achieve social cohe- ing greater participation of separately before hosting a sion in a month or a year, but political parties in national general meeting. it may take years. Minister development; creating opAlluding to concerns Ally said the consultation portunities for fair employraised about the relevance is a mechanism put in place ment and safety in the hinof the Ministry of Social to hear from the people on terland; and ensuring equal Cohesion, she, like Reverend measures to be taken to move access to education.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

OPR probing alleged police involvement in slaying of solider

AMID claims of police involvement in the slaying of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard rank Tuesday night, the Police Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation.

In a statement,the police said that about 22:20hrs Tuesday, GDF Lance Corporal Kevon Payne, of Sussex Street, Charlestown, and Shakel Williams, 22 years, of James Street, Albouystown,

were among a group of men standing on the roadway at Lyng and Sussex Streets, Charlestown, when two men armed with firearms drove up on a motor cycle and discharged rounds in their direction. Payne was hit about his body and Shakel Williams was hit to his right foot. Payne was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival while Williams has been admitted.

Police said too that ranks of a police mobile patrol that was in the vicinity responded to the sound of gunshots and confronted the two suspects who managed to escape after an exchange of gunfire with the ranks.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that two gunmen had opened fire on Payne in the presence of his family, shortly after he had returned home from duty. When the Guyana Chronicle arrived on

the scene, scores of residents had swarmed the street as they expressed anger over the shooting. There was also a high police presence, with ranks keeping a close watch on the many spent shells that were scattered all over the scene of the crime. Payne’s brother, Vellon Thorne, told the Chronicle that he was with his brother at the time of the shooting.

“We were sitting in front of the house, two guys came

up on a motorcycle and start shooting at my brother,” he recalled. According to him, it was not long after a vanload of police ranks arrived on the scene. “The police pull up in a split second and start a shooting too, along with the guys them on the bike,” Thorne alleges. He said he is very familiar with one of the policemen.

Meanwhile, Thorne and other residents have alleged that police ranks had aided the gunmen. Thorne, like many of the other family members and residents who were around at the time, managed to escape unharmed.

The enraged young man spoke openly about the shooting, and went into a fit of rage when he raised his head and noticed one of the po-

licemen whom he alleged shot his brother. “Look the man who killed my brother!” he screamed as he advanced towards the rank. It was not long before the accused rank was surrounded by fuming friends and relatives who cried murder. The rank was escorted off the scene after seeking advice.

Payne’s aunt, Pauline Paris, who wept bitterly on the scene, said she not only witnessed the shooting, but after running to safety was able to see the licence plate of the vehicle the alleged killers were in. “When the police started to ring out the heavy bullets, I had to run,” the woman said.

Payne’s mother was too distressed to speak to the Chronicle.

Jury finds ‘Pipe’ not guilty ‒ of 2011 death of female friend

By Michel Outridge SHAMEER Mohamed walked out of the High Court yesterday afternoon a free man and was re-united with his relatives after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of the May 17, 2011 manslaughter of Munrajie Amza, called "Sandra."

The matter was before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and after the unanimous verdict was announced she told Mohamed, called "Pipe," that he was free to go.

A relieved and smiling Mohamed embraced his relatives yesterday before he exited the courtroom.

According to the indictment, Mohamed was charged with manslaughter in the county of Demerara, for the unlawful killing of his female friend Munrajie Amza, called "Sandra" on May 17, 2011.

Mohamed had elected to give an unsworn statement.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Ten witnesses, including Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, were called to testify during the trial.

Dr. Singh gave the cause

of death as septicemia as a result of infection to burns on 70% to 80% of the body surface. It is alleged that on the evening of May 17, 2011 Munrajie doused herself with kerosene and gave a dying declaration that Mohamed lit the match and she was severely burnt.

Amza was imbibing in a bar when Mohamed saw her and they left together and went to her apartment.

There Amza told Mohamed that she had broken up with her husband and he should take her, but he said he could not since he was not ready, and hugged her after which she threw kerosene on herself and told him to ignite it.

He went to the washroom and upon his return saw Amza engulfed in flames and assisted in dousing the fire.

The state prosecutors were Michael Shahoud and Orinthia Schmidt, while the defence counsel was Michael Somersall.

The incident took place on May 12, 2011, but Amza died on May 17, 2011 in the hospital and the post-mortem was performed on May 18, 2011.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

PPP under fire for shunning parliamentary committees THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is under fire for reportedly failing to attend meetings of the Parliamentary Management Committee and also for failing to meaningfully participate in the work of other standing committees.

For the fourth time on Wednesday, a meeting of the PMC had to be put off due to lack of a quorum as a result of the PPP’s absence.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the committee, unlike the other Parliamentary committees,has parity in representation from both the government and opposition.

The committee is chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly. In an invited comment on the issue, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who is also Leader of the House, said it is unfortunate that the PPP who only re-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

cently complained about the lack of sittings of the National Assembly, has not been attending meetings. “The work of Parliament is not only in the National Assembly, lots of work has to be done at the level of committees and

Gail Teixeira

this is being affected.” Nagamootoo said the Parliamentary Management Committee constitutes a very important function of the parliamentary system and should not be taken lightly. He said too that the opposition has not been attending some of the other

committees.

Only recently Nagamootoo had expressed “shock” over claims by the PPP regarding the adjournment of the National Assembly to May 4th. Nagamootoo had said then that the Opposition knew fully well that no sittings would be advised before Local Government Elections and during the Easter and Phagwah holidays.

Additionally, he said there is an ongoing capacity-building programme among the parliamentarians of Guyana, Canada and the United Kingdom for which several seminars have been scheduled overseas during the month of April. The Speaker of the National Assembly, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk, Clerks of Committees and other key parliamentary officers are due to travel to the United Kingdom for such events.

According to the PM, the adjournment to May 4, is therefore not unreasonable in the prevailing circumstances. “It is most disingenuous therefore for the PPP opposition to seek to lecture the government on lapse in sessions, especially when it is taken into consideration that when it strangled Parliament for nine continuous months between July 2014 and April 2015 by proroguing Parliament, then dissolving the House when the PPP was faced with a no-confidence motion.”

The Prime Minister proffered that the PPP should be most concerned about its own cavalier attitude towards Parliament, which it has so far shown a significant amount of disrespect for, first by boycotting then by refusing to nominate a Deputy Speaker, then by staging

four walkouts within five months. Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that he has explained the six-week adjournment to the opposition Chief Whip Ms. Gail Teixeira after the March 10 sitting, as he felt that the opposition would have had notice of the capacity-building events through the Parliamentary Management Committee and the Guyana Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, of which it is an active member. Teixeira had responded, saying that she viewed the PM’s statement with “some amusement.” Teixeira noted that the practice in this the 11th Parliament of some discussions between the government and the opposition with regard to the date for a parliamentary sitting has been largely dispensed with.

Sacked GuyOil boss speaks out …defends contracts awarded to relatives

caption was for fuel trucked over a four-year period.”

FORMER General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil), Badrie Persaud has finally broken his silence on his dismissal and has defended recent revelations that he awarded millions of dollars in contracts to his nephew and brother.

The Board of Directors of GuyOil fired Persaud on February 27 following the findings of the forensic audit, undertaken by Nigel Hinds Financial Services, for the period November 01, 2011 to May 31, 2015.

That audit found that Persaud had failed to disclose his close relationship to persons who had been granted contracts, and recommended that he be “disciplined for non-disclosure of conflicts of interest” for awarding contracts to his brother and a nephew; and for abusing his authority, and breaching the procurement policy.

It was discovered that

REQUEST DENIED Persaud claims that while several managers of the company were interviewed by the auditors during the audit, he was not.

He explained that upon completion of the audit in February 2016, he requested a copy of it and asked to be interviewed on the findings but this was denied.

In defending his tenure, Persaud noted that sales at GuyOil are over $40B annually, and that the company’s credit portfolio is rigorously managed by the Credit Controller.

“For several consecutive years prior to 2015,” he argued, “no bad debt was incurred at the company. This is highly commendable for a company with sales exceeding $40B. “In fact, the Credit Controller was often commended at the Finance & Audit Committee meetings for doing an

over the period under review, Persaud awarded transportation contracts worth $62M to his brother, Indarjeet Persaud, and a construction contract valued at $860,000 to his nephew, Avinash Persaud.

LENGTHY STATEMENT In response, Persaud, in a lengthy statement, on Wednesday defended the contracts, explaining that in the case of his nephew, four acres of land were reclaimed from the river at the Providence terminal, East Bank Demerara, which entailed the levelling of the land.

He explained that because the contract was not a large one, contractors were not inclined to take it on.

One even went as far as asking for $4.5M to do the job, Persaud said, adding that in the circumstances, it was given to his nephew, whose bid was the lowest.

“This was considered

very unreasonable. At about the same time, Avinash was mobilising his equipment in Georgetown to go to the Linden Highway, and I told him about the work we had at the terminal. He was asked to make contact with the terminal manager, visit the site, and submit his price for the work. His price was $860,000. So management had two prices: $4.5M vs $860,000,” the former GuyOil boss explained.

In the case of the $62M transportation contract offered to his brother, Indarjeet, Persaud explained that his bid, too, was competitive.

“Given this scenario, management decided to review all the cost centres in the company’s operations, and seek ways and means to reduce same,” he said, adding: “Operating the company’s Road Tank Wagons (RTW) stood out as a high

Former GuyOil General Manager, Badrie Persaud

cost centre. The unit cost to the company to truck one litre of fuel from the Providence terminal to Georgetown was calculated. This was below $2.00/L. Most contractors offered a price of $2.00/L and above.

“The price offered by Indarjeet Persaud was $1.11/L, significantly below the company’s unit cost. Tenders for trucking fuel were again requested in September, 2015 and Indarjeet Persaud’s bid was competitive. Again, no explanation was sought by the auditor. The $62M at

excellent job. And the service of the Finance Manager was extended beyond retirement age on March 18, 2016.

“Certainly, his service would not have been extended if financial management at the company was poor.”

He also claims that during his time at GuyOil, sales volume increased from 864,362 to 1,242,158 barrels, and that net profit, after tax, rose from about $800M and peaked at $1.4B. In addition, he said, daily bank balance increased from $0.5B to $7.0B, and that some $2B was expended on capital projects such as concreting wharf facilities; expanding and modernising company-owned service stations and the food court at Diamond; computerisation, and increasing fuel storage capacities at terminals from 67,000 barrels to over 80,000 barrels.

According to Persaud, all the funds used were self-generated by the company.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Relatives fear for life of slain soldier’s brother RELATIVES of slain Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard, Lance Corporal Kevon Payne are accusing a ‘drug dealer’ of ordering his execution, and they are now fearful that his brother, Vellone Throne is next on the list.

In the circumstances, they want the 28-year-old Throne to be protected.

Payne, 22, called ‘Scar’, was killed Tuesday night after two gunmen opened fire on him in the presence of his family at his Sussex Street, Charlestown home. The incident occurred shortly after he returned home from duty.

The father of two would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on June 17.

The Guyana Chronicle

understands that he was shot six times about the body, while his friend, Shakel Wilson, was shot in the leg and is being treated at a private city hospital.

Senior officials of the GDF visited the family on Wednesday to offer their sympathy, and promised to provide any assistance to the grieving family.

The GDF team included Commander of the GDF Coast Guard, Gary Beaton; Force Chaplin, Reverend Nicholas Corbin; and welfare officers.

Relatives say that as far as they are aware, Payne had no grievance with anyone.

However, this newspaper understands that Payne was involved in an argument with

some individuals earlier in the day.

According to an eyewitness, Payne was standing at the side of the roadway with another man, when two men on a white motorcycle rode up and shot him. The eyewitness said that the gunman then walked east up Sussex Street towards a group of policemen in a vehicle, and then turned back to where they left Payne’s body. The police then opened fire.

Thorne told the Guyana Chronicle that he was with his brother at the time of the shooting.

“We were sitting in front of the house; two guys came up on a motorcycle and start shooting at my brother,” he recalled.

Dead: Kevon Payne

According to him, it was not long after that the police van arrived on the scene.

“The police pull up in a split second, and start shooting, too, along with the guys them on the bike,” Thorne said.

He also claimed that he

is familiar with one of the cops, who he is accusing of murder. “Rambo was one of the police that shoot meh brother.”

Payne’s aunt, Pauline Parris, who wept bitterly at the scene, said she not only witnessed the shooting, but after running to safety, was able to see the licence plate of the vehicle in which the alleged ‘killer’ was. “When the police started to ring out the heavy bullets, I had to run,” the woman said.

The grieving mother, Evett Parris said she lost a daughter in 2008 under similar circumstances, and got no justice, but feels she cannot live now without her son, who has been her support.

On Tuesday night, scores of residents swarmed the street as they expressed an-

ger over the shooting of their loved one and friend.

There was also a high police presence with ranks keeping a close watch on the many spent shells that were scattered all over the crime scene.

According to a Guyana Police Force release, ranks of a police mobile patrol that was in the vicinity responded to the sound of gunshots and confronted the two suspects who managed to escape after an exchange of gunfire with the ranks.

The Police Office of Professional Responsibility and ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department are conducting investigations into the incident. A post-mortem on Payne’s body is expected to be done this week.

Four non-violent prisoners released ‒ Thanks to Food for the Poor FOOD for the Poor (FFP) has secured the release of four non-violent offenders who were incarcerated due to their inability to pay the required fines, even though the amounts were minimal.

On Wednesday, the prisoners were interviewed at the Georgetown Prisons by FFP’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kent Vincent and Public Relations Manager Wayne Hamilton.

The CEO informed them of their impending release,

and encouraged them to change their lives in a meaningful way.

According to a FFP release, the prisoners were treated at FFP’s office to a simple ceremony that included a special lunch and words of inspiration from the President and CEO of Food for the Poor Incorporated, Florida via telephone, Robin Mahfood; Chairman Paul ChanA-Sue, CEO Kent Vincent, Director Paulette Charles, Finance Officer of the Prisons,

Mark Smith and Father Jerry Dias, S.J. who said a special prayer for them.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, loaves of bread were shared and food hampers, clothing, personal care items and bibles were given to the prisoners. They also received cash for assistance with transportation.

Twice a year, during the week of Christmas and Holy Week at Easter, the Food for the Poor’s Prison Ministry Programme secures the release of inmates who had committed minor offences.

Freed prisoners being blessed subsequent to their release

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

No bail for vendor on robbery charge A CLOTHES vendor of West Ruimveldt was on Wednesday remanded when he made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates Court charged with robbery under arms.

Twenty-seven-year old Dwayne Harding pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on March 22, 2016 while being armed with a dangerous weapon, a cutlass, he robbed Calvin Mercurius of two gold chains valued $90,000.

According to the facts presented by Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers, the defendant went up to the virtual complainant and snatched his chains. He then ran into a bus and made good his escape.

Prosecutor Jeffers also

told the court that Harding had made an oral confession when arrested, saying that he took the chain.

Jeffers objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence and the fact that Harding used a weapon while he was committing the alleged act.

Attorney-at-Law Paul Fung-a-Fat, who represented Harding, told the court a different version of the story.

He stated that on the day in question, Harding and the virtual complainant’s younger brother were involved in a scuffle on the road and while Mercurius was assisting his brother he was injured.

Harding was however remanded until April 8, 2016.

Clothes vendor on drugs charge A FORTY- FOUR-YEAR old clothes vendor was on Wednesday remanded by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan after he was charged for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Joseph Ramsey of Kitty Railway denied the allegation, which stated that on March 24, 2016, at Kitty, he had in his possession 25 grams of cannabis.

The facts were not stated, but the defendant was remanded until April 18, 2016.

Region Two REO calls for probe into misuse of State resources

Rupert Hopkinson

REGION Two Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson has called for an investigation into contracts valued $60M that were awarded over the past three years without any accountability, in addition to the abuse of State resources.

This was disclosed by the REO after evidence revealed malfeasance and corruption within the region by various officials.

Hopkinson explained that the investigations will sur-

round the issuing of fuel, receipts of lumber, highly suspicious purchases, removal of State property and workers’ attendance, among other matters.

“All I come here to do is my work and I’m not allowing corruption under my watch,” the REO said.

In order to pursue his developmental agenda, the REO explained that he would solicit the support of communities at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

He said he has been able to convince the residents and the business community to fulfil their corporate responsibility, hence they have been actively involved in the development of the region.

Hopkinson also explained that the solutions to many of the issues within the region lie with the stakeholders, but there is need for coordination, cooperation and volunteerism in this regard.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Sixth Zika case confirmed

‒ other patients fully recovered THE Ministry of Public Health has confirmed that a sixth person has contracted the Zika virus. This patient is from the Soesdyke area on the East Bank of Demerara.

According to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, the other five persons who had contracted the virus have fully recovered.

Preventative measures continue, with over 5000 chemically treated bed nets being distributed country wide. An additional 75,000 are available for distribution.

In addition, the Vector Control Services (VCS) has been fogging many communities.

Port Health Officers are also present at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and all other ports of entry countrywide. These officers are monitoring individuals travelling to Guyana who may exhibit signs of the illness.

Zika is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

Signs of the illness include fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, rash, and sometimes swelling of the limbs.

Some persons may also experience vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

There has been no direct treatment developed for the illness, but patients are treated with basic pain killers.

Precautionary measures such as the use of insect repellants, mosquito treated nets, and wearing longsleeved clothing are recommended. Household insecticidal sprays, coils, candles, screening of windows, doors

and other openings can also aid in reducing mosquitoes in the home.

Individuals should conduct systematic searches in and around their environment for any stored or exposed bodies of water, and remove these sources of mosquito breeding places to control the spread of mosquitos.

Persons are asked to clear their environs of unnecessary materials such as tyres, punch holes in discarded containers, properly cover containers with stored and drinking water, pour a little oil in water stored for domestic use, and change water regularly in vases, pet containers and plant saucers, since these also attract vectors.

It is also advised that individuals use only insect repellents that are registered and approved by the Pesticides & Toxic Chemicals Control Board.

Persons who travel to Guyana should inform the Port Health Authority at the airport, seaport or land crossing; or contact the nearest health facility if they have had symptoms of fever within the last week. The necessary advice and follow-up care would be provided by the Ministry of Public Health officers.

Individuals are reminded that denying Public Health Officers access to their compounds for spot checks is breaching the Laws of Guyana, and they are advised to desist from so doing. Those who do not follow these regulations could face legal action.

(GINA)

Guyana, European Union host fourth negotiation session on FLEGT-VPA THE Government of Guyana and the European Union (EU) held its fourth negotiation session on the EU’s Forest Law and Enforcement Governance and Trade Action Plan Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA) earlier this month.

At a preparatory meeting held ahead of the March 10 FLEGT-VPA, between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Technical Working Group (NTWG), Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman reiterated Govern-

ment’s commitment to the process, and its confidence in the capability of the team to reach an agreement in the best interest of the country by the close of 2016. The fourth FLEGT-VPA was held in Georgetown, Guyana.

The VPA is a key element of the FLEGT Action Plan, and a VPA with the EU would facilitate increased market access for Guyana’s timber into the lucrative EU market. Guyana formally entered into the negotiation process with the EU for a Continued on page 13 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

MACORP, Guyana Goldfields sew up equipment deal MACORP has announced the signing of an equipment deal with AGM, a subsidiary of Guyana Goldfields Inc. (GGI), for the procurement of eleven units of Caterpillar mining equipment to the mining company located in Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Essequibo.

According to a statement by MACORP, the deal symbolizes the expansion of business relationships between the companies and acts as a major contributor to the strengthening of the country’s economy by bringing growth and innovation of modern technology and presenting new employment opportunities for Guyanese.

MACORP said the deal was finalized recently for the supply of six 745C articulated trucks, two 390F Hydraulic Excavators, two 326D2 L Hydraulic Excavators and one 336D2 L XE Hydraulic Excavator, all Caterpillar brands which were well equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

The equipment are customized with Product Link, part of the Vision Link system, and will maximize time and reduce owning and operating costs through sophisticated and timely information on its location, utilization and condition.

“The machinery is wellequipped with state of the

art technology. The 336D2 L XE has the hydraulic hybrid technology which is the latest example of such an innovative product in the world. The “XE” on Caterpillar equipment stand for the most technologically advanced, fuel-efficient machine capable of reducing fuel consumption by up to 20% for high efficiency work in all application and material types.”

Additionally, “the 745C articulated truck has many updated and improved features such as a new power train and ease of operation features over the out of production 740B Articulated Truck. The 326D2 L Caterpillar Hydraulic Excavator incorporates innovations to improve efficiency by reducing fuel consumption by 13% for excellent performance, high versatility, and the 390F Caterpillar Hydraulic Excavator is built to keep production numbers up with a C15 ACERT engine for fuel efficiency, and reliability to succeed,” MACORP explained.

MACORP and GGI had successfully made contractual agreements for purchasing of new equipment and the utilization of rental equipment during the construction phase of AGM and the early mining phase, previously.

Guyana, European Union host fourth...

From page 12

VPA, in December 2012.

The FLEGT-VPA process provides an opportunity for Guyana to further strengthen and mainstream its consultation and engagement process to enhance forest governance, improve legal compliance and build in-country capacity for community engagement in forest-policy development and implementation.

At this session, Guyana provided an update on the progress of the development of the VPA, highlighting key concepts and strategic considerations in the further development of the Agreement.

The parties stressed that the VPA represented a general commitment to communication, transparency, and consultation, and emphasised that these are key pillars of a robust agreement.

The two parties recognised that the VPA is framed by the existing legislation governing dif-

ferent aspects of timber legality, including forest use. While the focus of the VPA remains on forest operations-related legislation, Guyana and the EU acknowledged that this agreement represents an opportunity for the promotion of broader governance issues, including those related to land titling and land use. Both parties expressed satisfaction on growing integration and linkages of REDD+ and FLEGT in Guyana and also encouraged the promotion of synergies with the broader forest policies and other major initiatives in the forestry sector, such as the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) so that they are mutually supportive. Consideration of the linkages between private certification and the VPA were also welcomed.

(GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 31, 2016

The Journey to Guyana

By Tommy Walker

“I’M a British backpacker and travel writer, having left my home back in 2012.

“I recently took a 10-month trip to South America. I didn’t even know about Guyana until I saw it on a map in a guidebook.

“I was intrigued; I knew it was going to be off the beaten path, a different kind of culture and challenge.

“For me, this is the kind of travel that excites me most, going to places with no expectations.

Here is my three-week journey through Guyana in 2014.”

WEEK ONE: I had decided to go venture into Guyana whilst I was in Brazil. It was a random decision to go. I felt I needed something a bit more out of the norm to what I had experienced before. I couldn’t really get any advice from anyone, as no one I knew had ever visited Guyana.

Yet, I thought to myself, ‘Why not? Let’s create something new in your world.’

I knew it was going to be something completely different to what I’d been used to, and more so, I knew it wasn’t going to be typical Latin America.

I had made my way up to Brazil, by long bus rides, by flights and then I finally got to Boa Vista, boarding Guyana.

Lethem is the border town, but the final destination was to get to Georgetown, Guyana’s capital.

Getting there took a while, so the night before, I made the hours count by being asleep.

I knew it was going to be a slog, and I knew it was going to be hot.

LETHEM Getting into Lethem was quite odd, from my point of view. We took a coach from the border, which dropped us off right before the passport and check-in point.

Then, random locals with unmarked taxis came and explained, confidently yet helpfully,

how things worked. They would take us to the check-in, wait, and then into Lethem town.

Nothing got pre-arranged; it was just as you go. The check-in desk was empty, and I had to show my Yellow Fever vaccination card before entering.

I was asked, ‘Why are you here?’ Almost in surprise, I explained that I was a tourist and travelling through. It didn’t seem that many tourists came here much, especially by this route. I gathered that quickly, and it came as no surprise.

I was going away from the trails that backpackers normally take. Everything was polite, and happened fairly efficiently after that. After being stamped through, we were taken to Lethem by our waiting taxi.

Arriving in Lethem, the first thing that came to mind was that it was an old cowboy kind of town: Dusty roads, beaming sun, and antique, wooden-styled surroundings.

Kids were playing in the swamps happily and freely. It was very relaxed and laid back; a slow place. And it had that ghost-town feel.

There wasn’t much happening really, as you’d expect from a border town. Despite only being one to two hours away from Boa Vista back in Brazil, it already felt like worlds away.

I roamed the shops, and managed to pick up some cargo pants for $1. It was like a DFO centre: Clothes everywhere. I tried on the pants in the middle of the store; the locals were intrigued. I was a tourist in unfamiliar territory.

OFF TO GT From what I was told, Georgetown was a good 15hour trip away, apparently.

On normal roads, the journey would be a four-hour one.

Whilst the wait from one hour took four hours for our pick up, I got to try some local food in the meantime. It mainly consisted of chicken and rice, but it

was right up my street; it gave me the first taste of Guyana, and I was only getting started.

As we finally got picked up to board our journey to Georgetown, the sky was falling. It was past evening, and coming into the night. It was going to be a tight squeeze, as our vehicle was a minibus and camper-van all rolled into one: Luggage on top; passengers tightly in the middle.

We had to make do; I knew it was going to be uncomfortable, but it’s what I had imagined. Things were different here to what I had been accustomed to: You make do; don’t complain, and get on with it.

One other traveller I was with didn’t really like that, and one kicked up a fuss over where she was sitting on the bus, kicking and screaming like a baby, like a first-time traveller. I was embarrassed for her. It wasn’t going to make much of a difference; there were nearly 20 people crammed into one journey.

The roads weren’t tarmac either; it was red rock and sand, with the occasional wooden bridge.

It was still very hot and humid during the night. It was bumpy; had Guyana music rocketing out of the van windows and the driver was fairly reckless. Every time I tried to sleep, it was difficult.

There was no headrest to lean back into, and only a metal protective bar at the side above the windows. As I drifted off, my head would occasionally bump up against the metal, waking me up again, tired and drained as the vehicle bolted along.

After countless hours of being a sardine, we stopped for a two-hour break until dawn.

KURUPUKARI CROSSING The river-crossing did not open until 6am. A regular stopping point, it seemed, with several hammocks, and covered areas for passengers and drivers

alike to get out and stretch their legs a bit, get some water, and wait.

Most people slept in silence, exhausted from the journey. Mosquitos were rife outside, so I decided to get a bit more room inside, and for the first time, put meh head down as I slept sideways in the backseat.

Soon awoken, we got to the river crossing at Kurupukari.

The way across was by barge, which was powered by an engine. The barge itself was practically wooden on the surface, and it could accommodate three vehicles. I guessed it was probably less, but we made it without any incident.

The journey continued through the dense Iwokrama jungle, which covers most of Guyana. I tried to spot the famed jaguars that lurk here, but with the road that had been carved out, these animals weren’t going to be close by.

We passed through village towns, getting local fruits and water along the way. We were assured the journey wasn’t much longer, but really, I was taking that with a pinch of salt; we had a fair bit to go.

CIVILISATION AGAIN We eventually got into Georgetown mid-afternoon.

The heat was still prevailing, and everyone was passed out.

Almost. No one had really slept, from what I gathered. Yet, we were in a new world again.

I remember looking out the window at old American houses that seemed to be from the 20s and 30s era on either side of the road.

We had entered civilisation again, although completely different to anything I had experienced before. I was excited and nervous; I was dehydrated and stank. I was praying for a nice shower and a bed. We rocked up at Jerries, quite luckily, having not booked anything prior, and managed to get beds. We were here. Jerries + Georgetown.

Presence of British Navy reassuring-Pres Granger

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

…says Guyana keen on strengthening international security cooperation

P

President David Granger and the Ship’s Commanding Officer, Lt. Commander, Richard Hewitt stand at attention as the National Anthem of Guyana is played, just after the President’s arrival

RESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday toured the British Naval Vessel, the HMS Mersey, which arrived at Port Georgetown on March 29 saying that this first such visit in 20 years is significant for the country, even as Guyana looks to build stronger international cooperation for regional security.

“The presence of the British Navy here is very reassuring. Although we do not have an agreement for them to be involved in any enforcement activities, we hope that this is the start of a longer [term] relationship, in which the Coast Guard and the British Navy could conduct joint training [exercises] and improve the level

of security along Guyana’s coastline,” the President said.

The HMS Mersey is specially designed and equipped to respond to disaster-related emergencies and to intercept the trade in narcotics and the President explained that since Guyana is a part of the Caribbean’s disaster and emergency management mechanism and is also keen on interdicting narcotics entering and leaving Guyana, the ship’s arrival is welcomed by the administration.

“Guyana has not entered a formal defence or security agreement with the [United Kingdom] or with the British Navy, but we are committed, as part of the Caribbean Community, in

the two main areas [disaster response and fighting the narco-trade] in which the Royal Navy has particular interest in the Caribbean,” the Head of State said.

Speaking of the country’s large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), he gave a reminder that Guyana has been victim to intrusion into the zone, which it does not have the maritime capability to efficiently patrol on its own. The HMS Mersey is currently touring the region to explore opportunities to render assistance to British territories overseas. It is scheduled to remain in Guyana until Friday. The tour of the vessel was facilitated by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard Hewitt and

Japanese engineers to assist Georgetown municipality SENIOR engineers of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) met with Chief City Engineer Colvern Venture to assist in building capacity and improving competencies in the City Engineer’s Department.

According to Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, the purpose of the meeting was to foster a closer alliance between the two organizations.

Town Clerk Royston King said that he welcomed this alliance since the council is at a critical juncture where all of its buildings, bridges and historic edifices are being refurbished.

King noted that the expertise and competencies of international organizations would help the municipality to achieve its goals and build the capacity of the officer to enable the delivery of improved services to citizens.

“The JICA works with developing countries, to help them to accurately grasp their changing needs. The organization also works to promote public-private partnerships, pooling of experience, technologies, and resources of local governments, universities and nongovernmental organizations,” King said.

Mr. Koji Tsutsui, Senior Volunteer and Civil Engineer and Minoru ITO Volunteer project coordinator, architect and civil engineer would be working with Chief City Engineer Venture on several projects, which Town Clerk Royston King (extreme left), JICA officials and City Engineer Colvern Venture during the meeting. will help to improve the infrastructure of the city.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 31, 2016

dency, who, in a brief comment after that meeting expressed his gratitude to the country for the hospitality that he and his crew have received since their arrival in Guyana.

“We are here to visit Guyana on what is its 50th anniversary of Independence to reaffirm our partnership… It was an honour for me to visit the President and I was delighted to have an open discussion. He made us

feel most welcome,” he said. During the four-day visit, the crew on board the ship will be interacting closely with the Coast Guard of the GDF to share experiences and offer technical support and training on counter-narcotics patrolling. The HMS Mersey, with a 48-member crew set sail from the United Kingdom in early January to visit British overseas territories. (Ministry of the Presidency)

President David Granger in discussions with Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard Hewitt and Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Brown as British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. James Quinn looks on, aboard the HMS Mersey

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Brown. British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. James Quinn, was also present and discussed areas of cooperation with the President at a lunch, which followed the tour.

The Head of State was accompanied by Minister

of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman, who is currently performing the duties of Minister of State; Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams; Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan; Brigadier Mark Phillips, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force

(GDF) and Head of the Task Force on Narco-Trafficking and Illegal Firearms, Major-General (Rtd) Michael Atherly.

Prior to visiting the vessel, the President met with the Ship’s Comm a n d i n g O ff i c e r, L t .

Commander Hewitt at the Ministry of the Presi-

Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo conversing with officials aboard the ship on Tuesday evening

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Voice from the street: William Samuel Bremner- Part 2

By Akola Thompson

LOCKED away from the eyes of others in the ship’s stern, William Samuel Bremner

alternating between readings, eating and sleeping, quickly lost the concept of time.

He was not sure how long he had been hidden away, but to

William Samuel Bremner

his inexperienced and restless mind, he reckoned it had been more than a week. One day, in a state of reverie, he said he felt the ship come to a slow halt and upon believing he had reached, got up excitedly and peeked out a nearby window from which he saw “buildings, tall like skyscrapers.”

Filled with joy at finally meeting his destination, the possibilities of a new and better life flooded Samuel’s mind so much that for several hours, he did not wonder as to why no one was coming down to get him. Night had fallen again and Samuel, fearing he had been forgotten, decided that he would have to leave the ship on his own; despite being a good way from the dock, he made his mind up to swim to shore.

“It was a good pull,” he said with slight exuberance, the tapping sound of his feet on tile fading the more he talked, “but I was a good swimmer, so leaving my stuff behind, I swam towards the shore. By the time I reached, I was so tired that I climbed into a little boat that was there and fell asleep.”

The next morning, Samuel, drowsy and cold, was awakened

by someone calling down at him: “It was a Rasta man,” he said, which was the first thing he noticed as he had never seen one before. The second thing he noticed was the man’s accent, which was not even slightly that of the English, but an unapologetically Caribbean one. Samuel had gotten off at Trinidad; the ship from which he had swum was no longer in sight and Samuel’s fantasies of life in England immediately ceased.

The Rasta man, curious as to who he was and his purpose in the boat, began questioning him continuously. Samuel, realising that he stood no chance alone in a new country at the age of 16, decided that the best option for him was to answer the man’s questions truthfully.

“He told me that in exchange for a small percentage and food and lodging, I would have to sell weed for him.”

At this point, Samuel glanced nervously at me as if to see my reaction; I encouraged him to go on and asked whether he took the deal.

“Of course,” he said, “what else was I gonna do? I started selling for him; it didn’t take me long to learn, because I was quick in the head. Within a week, I was measuring grams and buying directly from the dealers and selling back.”

Shortly after, during a visit to a bar, he met a young woman from Santo Domingo whom he later learnt was a prostitute.

Despite her work, he said, they instantly clicked and so, began talking, going out on dates and then had a relationship.

“It was like a courting- we clicked really quick,” he said, turning his face away from me.

“Anyway,” he said heavily, “lets fast forward from those years…”

I stopped him and asked why we must move so far ahead; he went quiet for a moment, and the only sounds between us were the murmurings in the café and his

tap-tapping shoes.

“Do we have to talk about this?” he asked, turning to face me, tears settled in his eyes, “I-I really don’t feel like talking about it- yes, it’s long but it still hurts.”

Moving along to his deportation, Samuel stressed that it was not the dealing that got him sent back, but rather, his quick temper.

Always an avid reader, Samuel would frequent a café not far from where he lived and spend parts of his days reading. A homosexual man who had taken a liking to him, he said, owned the café and would occasionally serve him his coffee and throw subtle hints his way.

“I used to be friendly, but he got more bold every time and I had to tell him I’m not in for that and he began being nasty-he would spill my coffee and so.

I was still civil to him, but the day he tried to touch my crotch it was like something dark came over me,” he said solemnly.

In anger, he began beating the man until onlookers pulled him off. He immediately left and went to a nearby pool shop where he played until the police came for him, guided by some of the man’s friends.

By this time, Samuel had begun learning the basics of three languages and so he decided to try to fool the police of his nationality for reasons which he himself acknowledged were not very clear. They kept him at the station for several days, wearing him thin in an attempt to get a straight answer and he grew tired and finally told them he was Guyanese. Upon realising that he was an illegal immigrant, Samuel was deported from the home he had grown to respect and the woman he had grown to love.

Back in Guyana, Samuel did not waste a lot of time before illegally travelling over to Brazil.

As he had nothing or anyone for him in Guyana, he saw no reason in staying.

For Thursday March 31, 2016: 10:30hrs For Friday April 01, 2016: 12:00hrs

Once again a stranger in a foreign land, which in his opinion was much more inviting and loving than home, Samuel once again found himself in “wrong company.”

“Due to my linguistic abilities and because the men knew I was there illegally, they had me running drugs, not weed,coke,” he said.

That was the place where Samuel said he truly lost his way. Exposed to the vices of the “fast life,” Samuel said that it was not long after his arrival that he became involved with many women and began doing recreational cocaine.

Looking back now, Samuel mused that it was “all shit, I don’t want you to feel anyway about my language but it was all shit,” he said.

Eventually, said Samuel, he rather began to enjoy what he was doing and the perks that came along with it.

As the trading grew and more trust was placed in him, the ones to whom Samuel was employed provided “excellent” fake Brazilian papers for him and got him a job on a ship in which he would transport drugs to different areas.

By this time, he said, he had learnt the trade well and was not afraid of ever being caught. He travelled six times without any hiccups, but on the seventh trip, the drugs had been stolen.

“I became afraid and paranoid,” he said, “I knew I could not go back and tell them I had lost the drugs. They would think I had sold it to get the money and kill me. I couldn’t go back.”

As soon as the ship had made its round trip, Samuel said he escaped undetected and went to hide out in a hotel. He stayed holed up for approximately two days while trying to figure out what his next move would be. On the third day he said, he heard a knock on the ,but already being well learned in the way in which they operated, he knew they had come to kill him. He answered by voice and quickly dashed to the side to avoid what was coming, two gunshots in rapid succession.

Snatching up his passport and his wad of money, he claimed to have jumped out of the window into the currents beneath it.

Knowing that he needed to get out the area quickly lest he be found, Samuel travelled to a small village he had frequented in the past where an old acquaintance of his lived.

“She was from the streets,” he said, “so if you said you were in trouble, she’d understand, but we weren’t’ friends, if she had known how much money I had on me, she probably would have turned me into them or kill me herself.”

Again on the verge of losing his life and the environments of which he had grown fond, Samuel began to ponder the direction his life had taken and where it was supposed to go now.

After several days of thinking and worrying, he knew there was only one place to which he could go. Back home, to Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Linden’s very own

BY VANESSA BRAITHWAITE

‒ an international designer in the making

Fashion Night,” with her line “Eye Candy.” She said that the excitement still bubbles within her as she recalled being asked by Linden’s novelist Sherene Noble to be a part of the show. It was now rooted in her that fashion designing was a gift bestowed upon her and must be pursued with all her youthful zest. “Eye candy” was the pioneer to many other lines over the years such as Debonair, Flame and the latest Epiphany.

“Epiphany was launched early this year as I was forced to do some introspection which forced me to make some important choices in my life,” shared Miss Lam. “As I experienced a deeper realization of self the line represents transformation and I felt like it is something the entire country can relate to,” she posited. With this sparkle in her thoughts, the line is all about our country’s jubilee celebration as it perceives who she really is and how she feels about her country.

Currently Crystal is in the process of launching her own boutique in Linden exclusively with her designs. This will be the start of a five-year

OUT OF THE dust of Linden sprouts a young self-motivated, determined and passionate young woman who sees herself as the next Miuccai Prada. With several success stories in the local fashion industry, Crystal’s latest achievement is the launching of her “Epiphany” line for our golden jubilee celebrations.

This 23-year-old mother of one began her journey as a rising designer at the tender age of 12, being the daughter of Garvin Lam and niece of Derek Alphonso who are renowned tailors and designers in the mining town of Linden.

Though their guidance and training contributed to her achievements as a young designer, Crystal boasted about being a “natural” in the business.

“My first piece of work was a two-piece suit for my eldest sister. I was just about 12 years old and I got home from school and she was preparing for an interview the next day, but didn’t have anything to wear so I decided to get her an outfit. From that moment I knew this was a part of me, I couldn’t deny because it was so effortless and I got it right the first time,” boasted the young designer.

This created a zest for more and the young teenager and Mackenzie High School student introduced her first collection at the 2008 “Linden

inning and Crystal says that at the end of the match she must be owner of one of the most renowned garment factories in the industry. “I would like to get into mass customization and this is something I am always passionate about and I’m currently making strides to make this a reality, so this is something you can all look out for,” she revealed.

The success of her sister Timika Marshal as a well-recognized artiste proved to be a motivation for her as she is often pushed by the thought, “If she can do I can too.” Her biggest motivator however is her daughter, Crisan as she is aware she emulates her and wants to set the right example. “She makes me want to be a better

- Crystal Lam

person in every area of my life and I want to make sure I am setting the right example,” said Crystal.

W i t h that in mind Crystal recently resigned from her job as a bank teller as designing should be given priority and not placed on the back burner as a part time job. “I woke up one morning and decided I wanted to live life my way I wanted to do something I am very passionate about, not as a part-time work, but I wanted to invest all my energies into it.” Even though she admires the designs of Sonia Noel, Crystal said that she is a designer with a “style of her own” and with this philosophy she is determined to reach places.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Amerindian resident opens art museum in Linden “I WANT TO keep my work with me, so if I die here my family would have a legacy to say, "Well my brother or my dad has this in Guyana and it’s all in one place, it’s not scattered all over the country.”

That was the reasoning given by Wilfred Regan Martin, an overseas-based artist for

transforming his home into an art museum.

Regan who has over 100 pieces of art work mainly of paintings with a few sculptures and drawings, has opted not to sell his pieces as he wishes to keep a legacy after his passing. “I’m not selling my work for $5,000 or $10,000 dollars. I think art is much

more expensive than that, so I will keep my work with me,” he affirmed. Donations however will be accepted at the goodwill of the visitor.

The 69-year old renowned artist was prompted to establish a museum, cognizant that Linden has none. The museum located at 14 Buck Hill, Wismar, Linden will be opened to the public from 9am to 4pm and will be free of cost to view the art. Interested adults can make an appointment since walk–ins will not be encouraged. There are several paintings depicting former Presidents and national leaders, sections of Guyanese culture, our flora and fauna etc.

Wilfred Regan Martin, born in 1946, started doing sign art as a boy as he emulated several renowned artists in the mining town which he described at that time as a “striving art community.” He was forced to put his newfound interest on the back burner as there was a need to seek employment.

Even as the mundane things of life and the responsibility of being a provider for his family took precedence, he always had art on his mind. Regan migrated to the United States in 1985 where he continued his trade as a welder, ironworker and contractor.

Whenever time would allow, he would paint, but unfortunately that was rare. After the 9/11 incident, his view of life changed and this created a turning point. “After 9/11, my opinion about life changed drastically as I realized that tomorrow may never come.”

“I decided to spend more time doing something I love, so the first thing I did was to give away my television and begin painting and inventing,” he shared. One of these was the sculpture “Captive” that was displayed

in the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland for over a year. The sculpture of a captive which described the atrocities of human behavior was made of metal and weighed about 300lbs.

Regan Martin who is now back home continues to paint very often and says that opening the museum is one way he can give back to the Guyanese People. “I can share my work with the people of Linden and Guyana and that is how I decided to do this, since I know people have personal museums,” he said.

Regan is currently doing paintings in recognition of the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations and will be participating in the National Art Competition in November.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

9 members added to Linden TV Trust THE Region 10 Television Station Incorporated has added nine members to the Trust which will man the operations of the television station. This expansion of the membership was done following a recommendation by the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) to trustees. This recommendation along with others was made at a recent meeting held in Linden with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to iron out controversies that were brewing over management of the station.

Chairman of the GNBA, Leonard Craig, reiterated that the Trust is the official, recognised agency of the station and instead of forming a new Trust, it was recommended that it be extended. “The GNBA’s advice to the group was to expand the number of trustees, so we can continue to do business with the same Trust rather than upturn the entire apple cart and start over,”

Sharma Solomon

he said. The television station’s Trust was formed by Sharma Solomon during his tenure as Regional Chairman after realising that the law does not allow for a television station to be controlled by an RDC or an individual, but only by a Trust or a company. In so doing, Solomon along with prominent members of the community joined together, thus forming the Trust (Region 10 Broadcasting Inc.). The policy states however that any member of the community to be part owner of the station should be residing in Linden or be owners of persons within the community.

Mr. Craig told media operatives that without the formation of the Trust, the application for an operating licence would not have even been considered. “The Trust adequately represents the intent of the RDC to fulfil that requirement, so we did business with the Trust,” he explained. In addition

Cevon’s Waste accused of illegal dumping in Linden ALLEGATIONS against garbage disposal company Cevon’s Waste Management are being made by Wisroc residents, who are saying that the company is dumping garbage at the community’s watershed area. This is being deemed a health hazard, since the water is used to supply Wismar residents.

Since 2014, Cevon’s waste has been providing a weekly garbage-disposal service for residents across Linden. The residents claim that the garbage after collected is being of at the water shed. This service was welcomed by many residents, since the municipality’s garbage-disposal service was unreliable. This unreliability had resulted in garbage being piled up at several locations around Linden. Residents were also forced to burn their garbage

which led to air pollution.

With many residents benefiting from this service however, the Wisroc residents are being affected adversely and they are afraid that the water will become polluted and unsafe for use.

One resident who asked for her name to be withheld told this publication that not only does Cevon’s Waste dump garbage there, but many other organisations were guilty of the act and the situation was one that needed urgent attention since their health was at risk.

With this being deemed an illegal dump site, Regional Chairman Renis Morian said that legal action would be taken against Cevon’s Waste Management and the other organisations such as the Wismar Hospital using the area to dump their garbage. “I am asking Cevon’s Waste on behalf of the re-

gion and the residents to stop dumping garbage there, because legal action will be taken against them,” he said.

The Regional Chairman said that the situation started before he took office but would not continue under his watch. He will be sending correspondence to the Environmental Protection Agency to have this situation remedied. “We want to promote a green environment and to promote a green environment we have to put garbage disposal management under a separate programme and to look at the whole business of garbage disposal comprehensively,” he said.

The newly elected councillors, though not sworn in as yet, have already met to discuss the garbage-disposal situation in Linden and are looking at avenues to improve it.

Holland set to be elected mayor of Linden BUSINESS executive and former journalist Carwyn Holland seems well poised to be elected mayor of Linden, well-placed sources within the APNU+AFC coalition have said.

The coalition swept the Linden municipality at the recent Local Government Elections winning 15 of the 16 seats on the new Linden

Town Council. The coalition won all eight of the FirstPast-the-Post seats and seven of the proportional representation seats at the elections.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that Holland is likely to be elected when the council meets for the first time on Friday. However, reports are that Wainwright Bethune Turnt to page 22 ►

Carwyn Holland

to extending the Trust, the GNBA also recommended that it consist of the ordinary people of Linden and representatives from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), since the RDC is the entity that initiated the process.

Mr. Craig however said that he is not aware if the members added include anyone from the RDC. Regional Chairman Morian told members of the media that he will continue to rally for councillors of the RDC to be part of the Trust.

“Based on the new truths that have emerged, the RDC who is the legal representation of the people, will champion the cause of going forward.” “We want the people of Region 10 to have this television station, hence the elected persons should be part of this entity,” he said.

Mr. Craig also affirmed that those recommendations were made with the interest of the people of

Linden at heart. “The people of Linden can be assured that their interest is being taken care of and that the GNBA is very interested in helping to preserve the interest of the people. We have no desire to circumvent anything and we are willing to work with the people.”

Solomon, who is also Secretary of the Trust said that the new members of the board will be revealed on Friday. Even though he is happy with the nine persons who have joined the team, he believes that the recent passing of Haslyn Parris comes as a great loss to the board. Mr. Parris was among the original five members who played a pivotal role in what was accomplished since the formation in 2013. “Haslyn was like the linchpin, he was on the technical committee, economic committee….he was a trusted friend of the region and was involved in so much,” he shared.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Bring back Region 10 sports awards Says Joe Chapman THE double Silver Medal performance by Under-18 female field athlete Chantoba Bright from District 10 (Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani) and Linden was one of the bright spots when Guyana last weekend attended the Carifta Games in Grenada.

The performance of another District 10 400m male athlete Daniel Williams, who unfortunately had his Under-18 Silver Medal taken away because of a lane violation, should not be discounted and Linden should honour these young, upcoming athletes in the immediate future.

The bauxite mining town has since the days of it being called Mackenzie, and before independence in 1966, been a respected community, which produced national and international athletes.

But in 2015, we can proudly say that Linden had produced Guyana’s Sportswoman of the Year in middle-distance, teenage athlete Cassie George. A few years ago Linden produced its fifth-ever Sportswoman of the Year when national power lifter Dawn McCammon-Barker was chosen.

What future does the sportsmen and sportswomen have in the town, which is facing tremendous challenges with its sporting

and recreational infrastructure?

Let us rewind just over 30 years ago when the Linden Sports Development Council was formed as then Minister of Sport Roy Fredericks had installed that body, and it was the only recognised affiliate to the National Sports Development Council.

I remember this body as it worked in tandem with the Regional Administration of the region in the planning for the successful 1985 Guyana Games in Linden; afterwards it became known as the Region 10 Sports Development Council, as it catered for the sportsmen and women in the entire region.

Regional Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) Renis Morian needs to sit down with the soon-to-be elected Mayor of Linden and his councillors and plan how they can revive the Region 10 Sports Development Council. They must also engage the various functioning sports associations and bodies to hear what are the priority areas that are in need of being addressed in the short and long terms.

When this is done, an effort must then be made to revive the Region 10 Sports Development Council. Let us not depend on our athletes being named at the national level to win such accolades, but honour them first at the regional level also. This may help them strive for greater heights, as not all of them will be able to reach the top like Dawn McCammon-Barker and young Cassie George of recent.

For starters therefore, the Region 10 Sports Development Council, an off-shoot of the National Sports Development Council back in 1985, should be installed after consultation with the active sports associations, which must satisfy certain criteria, before being allowed to be part of this process.

There is also the need for a Youth, Culture and Sports Officer in the region.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian should

Chantoba Bright

now put systems in train to resuscitate the Region 10 Sports Development Council and ensure that it gets the same recognition it had received some three decades ago.

This sports council, I repeat, must comprise mainly active sports officials/administrators from the various functioning sports bodies in the region and coordinated, as it was then, by the Region 10 Culture Youth and Sports Officer, if there is one.

Why that Region 10 Sports Council died a natural death by the start of the 1990s one cannot be too sure, but the time is right for sportspersons to be given due recognition. This must be the starting point for the return of the annual Region 10 Sports Awards in 2016 in the mining town of Linden and the resuscitation of sports development in the region as a whole.

Holland set to be... and Pastor Leroy James- both APNU+AFC candidates have their eyes set on the top post at the council. Waneka Arindel is well poised to take the deputy mayoral post, the Chronicle was told.

Holland of Richmond Hill, Linden, had told this newspaper in an earlier interview that he will address, “head-on”, the many issues affecting the people of the mining town once he is elected mayor. Holland had been financing a number of charitable projects in the mining town since the age of 19. He contested in the Proportional Representation (PR) component, Constituency 4. In the interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Holland had said that he was ready to join a fresh group of young, vibrant leaders who will stand committed to the development of Linden, a town ever so often described as a depressed community with a high rate

of unemployment. “The Linden IMC is in a sad state,” Holland posited. However, he said it is no fault of the current Chairman of the Linden Interim Management Committee (IMC) Orrin Gordon, who took office after the fall of Stanley Smith, the last Mayor of Linden.

“He did one hell of a job in trying to lift the level of the operation of the council.

He tried his best and I believe that he did a reasonable job.

Under strenuous circumstances, he fought against the regime, and he fought against the authorities to get betterment for Linden, but he did not get anything,” Holland said. Lack of support from the previous administration, insufficient funding, poor management and a political divide that tore the council to pieces are among the contributing factors that have led to the current state of affairs of the council. According

From page 21

to Holland, the subvention supplied to the Linden Mayor and Town Council on an annual basis was clearly insufficient. “Linden needs a fresh injection.”

“Approximately 70% of the roads in Linden are uncapped, about 30 per cent are capped. To do one kilometre of road is about $80M, our subvention is $11M, now what can we do with that?”

In addition to the push for an increase in the annual subvention to the council, the APNU+AFC candidate said once elected to office, a proposal will be made for the municipality to receive a greater percentage of the revenues being garnered at the Mackenzie\Wismar Bridge. The Mackenzie/ Wismar Bridge is managed by the NICIL through the Linmine Secretariat, but a percentage of the revenues garnered is given to the council.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 31, 2016

Twenty-five coaches Clash of the ... and 70 youths ...

From backpage

day’s activity, what he imparted to the coaches was almost immediately evident as the youths showed much improvement.

He, however, hopes that the transition will continue after the Pele Alumni return to North America.

“I gave the coaches a template and I hope the concept is transmitted from youth soccer, to intermediate and then to elite soccer,” Jones stated.

He added, “Every day, as a

coach you see things happening on the field of play and so you have to correct the mistakes, so I think coaches of any club have to meet at least every six weeks and discuss what is needed.”

Pele’s Alumni treasure and former national player, Patrick `Labba’ Barton, expressed the hope that the coaches who benefited from the seminar would take back what they have learnt to their respective clubs and impart the knowledge so as to develop their respective clubs.

Each of the youths who participated in the camp was also given a football and a backpack with school supplies..

Meanwhile, beginning at 14:00hrs today, Pele Under-15s will oppose their counterparts from Santos.

The second game brings together Pele Under- 17s against Santos Under-17s, while Pele overseas Masters take on Santos Masters. In the feature game today Pele Elite will tackle Santos Elite from 17:00hrs.

From backpage of T20 cricket. And that’s the nature of Chris Gayle.

“No names, just cricket ball, beat it as hard as possible,” Gayle added.

India coach Ravi Shastri said his bowlers were aware of the danger posed by Gayle but were determined to tame him.

“Bring it on. All our bowlers will target him,” said Shastri in his eve-ofmatch press conference.

The former Indian all-rounder said Kohli was on his way to proving himself as one of the greats of the game after a lull in form.

“You have to give him the credit for really believing that he can be right up there with the best and for putting in the hard yards, because let me tell you no one trains harder than Virat,” said Shastri.

“Credit must be given to him for putting in that much hard work and believing in his own ability.”

India are looking to take another step on their quest to become the first team to win the World T20 twice, after their triumph in the inaugural 2007 edition, and the first on home soil.

They are also bidding to give inspirational 34-year-old captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni -- who is thought to be close to announcing his retirement

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:20 hrs Trip To Troy 08:55 hrs Sweet Weaver 09:30 hrs Tricia Dupont 10:05 hrs Mother Russia 10:40 hrs Machismo 11:15 hrs Nesspresso American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 The Great Whiteway Race 2 Pranzare Race 3 Getup Stayup Race 4 Laura’s Patriot Race 5 Splendid Gold Race 6 Dreamsdocometrue Race 7 Literata Race 8 Legend of Lorelei English Racing Tips WolverhMPTON 09:00 HRS Comanche Grey 09:30 hrs Mount Cheiron 10:00 hrs Sbraase 11:40 hrs Mister Marcasite 12:10 hrs Happy Jack 12:40 hrs Southern Storm

-- the chance to out on a high.

India were stunned by New Zealand in their first match but picked up three straight wins to qualify second from Group Two. By contrast, the Windies won their opening three games to top Group One before being shocked by minnows Afghanistan.

Gayle believes India have the momentum but warned that “anything was possible”.

“India are the favourites.

It is always going to be difficult to beat them here. But the West Indies are ready for an upset,” he said.

The Windies preparations were dealt a blow with the announcement that Andre Fletcher, whose unbeaten 84 fired his team to victory over Sri Lanka, had been ruled out the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

Fletcher has been replaced by Lendl Simmons, who gets a second chance to take part having been originally named in the squad but having to withdraw on the eve of the tournament with a bad back.

India have drafted in batsman Manish Pandey in place of all-rounder Yuvraj Singh who has been ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury picked up in Sunday’s victory over Australia.

Bangor 09:10 hrs Belami Des Pictons 09:40 hrs Thedrinkymeister 10:15 hrs Saint John Henry 10:45 hrs I Am Colin 11:20 hrs Itshard To Do 11:50 hrs Matchaway 12:25 hrs More Than Two Ffos Las 09:20 hrs Ballypoint 09:50 hrs Highway Storm 10:25 hrs Belmount 10:55 hrs Artic Gold 12:00 hrs Geordie Des Champs Irish Racing Tips Clonmel 11:10 hrs Timing’severything 11:45 hrs Laid Back Luke 12:15 hrs Ancient Highway 12:45 hrs Owennacurra Milan 13:20 hrs Bright New Day 13:50 hrs Mt Ada Supreme 14:20 hres Joey Sasa

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Starc back for West Indies tour MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc will return from a broken foot during Australia’s limited-overs triangular series in the West Indies in June.

Starc broke his foot during the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand in Adelaide last November and missed the rest of Australia’s summer programme.

He also used the enforced break to have surgery on an ankle injury that had been bothering him for the past year.

The 26-year-old began running slowly at the end of last month and had been gradually building his fitness and was named in the squad for the tournament yesterday.

“Mitchell has progressed very well in his rehab and the medical staff are confident he will be fit to play in this series,” chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said in a statement.

“It is extremely pleasing to have a bowler of his calibre back in the side.”

South Australia batsman Travis Head has also been called into the one-day

Mitchell Starc

squad for the first time after an impressive domestic season, which included making his Twenty20 international debut against India in Adelaide on January.

Head scored a double-century for South Australia in the domestic one-day competition, a century in the Twenty20 competition and was named the first class Player-of-theYear after scoring 721 runs that included three centuries.

“Travis has put in some match-winning performances in all three formats of the game this summer,” Marsh said.

“He is an exciting young batsman with a bright future and if he gets his opportunity I have no doubt he will make

the most of it.”

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has also returned to the one-day side after he was dumped for the World Twenty20 tournament in India for Test keeper Peter Nevill.

Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon has also been given an opportunity to prove his credentials in the shorter forms of the game, with the 28-year-old having played just 10 one-day internationals in four years.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who impressed in the World Twenty20 in India, has also been included to exploit the expected turning wickets in the Caribbean.

South Africa will also contest the triangular tournament that runs from June 3 to 26.

Australia: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner (vice-captain), George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Grove beat Agricola in physical battle as four red cards issued

DEFENDING champions Grove Hi Tech were tested to the hilt and responded like true champions when they defeated old rivals Agricola Red Triangle 2-0, despite finishing the game with 8 men after receiving red cards in a physical battle; Agricola ended with 10 players.

Sunday’s other match saw Herstelling Raiders record their biggest victory yet in a short but encouraging history so far when they upstaged Soesdyke Falcons 2-1.

The Grove/Agricola matchup was anticipated to be a close and fierce battle but ended up being a physical tug-o-war almost resembling a rugby match at times, with players on either side, rather than allowing the ball to do the work, going after each other bodily.

The first half did not produce any goals but the defending champions created the better opportunities but couldn’t break the deadlock even as Agricola also had some good moments.

The final 45 minutes turned out to be the most rugged in a very long time and possibly the worst ever on the East Bank as the referee was forced to issue four red cards.

Three minutes into the

… Herstelling edge Soesdyke

second half, Grove found themselves a man down when Mervin Squires received a straight red card. This setback seemed to wake up the home team which took the lead four minutes later from the penalty spot; the goal was scored by Lloyd Matthews in the 52nd minute.

Both sides are capable of playing much more attractive football but did not look the part on the day.

Grove were further placed on the back foot when Lloyd Matthews, who was booked in the 56th minute, received his second yellow card in the 66th minute much the disgust of his teammates and coach who felt that the referee was a bit too harsh and was not being fair in his treatment of the Grove players.

Ten minutes after being reduced to 9 men, Grove doubled their advantage when Delroy Dodson finished on the end of an enterprising run, slotting the ball past the otherwise efficient Agricola custodian, Shemroy Kendall.

All along, the referee and his assistants had their work cut out as they were required to be ever so vigilant with the many off-the-ball and other

infringements that were being committed.

Three minutes after increasing their advantage, Grove Hi Tech again found themselves in red card zone when Denzil Crawford was booked for his second offence in the 79th minute; they were now down to 8 players. But even with this sort of advantage, Agricola could not find a way to penetrate let alone score against the home team.

As the minutes ticked away the atmosphere was tense with the players from both teams not letting up; Agricola pressed forward for all their worth and even scored a goal that was disallowed from a set play in the final moments.

In the first minute of added-on time, Agricola’s Jermaine Frank was shown the dreaded red card for a fierce tackle against a Grove player, to bring the curtain down on match that will be the talking point beyond both villages for a long time to come.

Grove prevailed 2-0 to take over the lead on the points table with their third win in as many matches. It was Agricola’s first defeat of the league.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 31, 2016

Windies Women target maiden World T20 final appearance WEST Indies have been the eternal bridesmaids at the Women’s World T20. Having failed to get past the semi-final stage in three previous attempts, they have a fourth chance today at redemption when they take on Suzie Bates’ New Zealand, who are in rip-roaring form, having won all their group games with a touch of disdain.

West Indies received a wake-up call in the one-wicket loss to England that left the team shattered.

But the manner in which they put the loss behind them and knocked India Women out in a high-pressure game in Mohali showed the team’s character..

When in form, they are one of the more watchable teams - their batsmen can make the ridiculously long boundaries look short, their athleticism has the

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor typical Caribbean punch road to the final four has and they celebrate like no had little to do with luck or other team. accident.

These skills will be put to New Zealand’s bowlers the test against a side whose have adapted to the Indi-

an conditions the best. A battery of spinners, led by Leigh Kasperek and Morna Nielsen, have weaved a web around batting units, giving a power-packed top order sub-par totals to gun down.

West Indies, on the other hand, have had to make do with their plethora of medium-pacers, who have mastered the art of bowling cutters on pitches where the batsmen have had to force the pace.

While both teams are high on entertainment value, there has been a conscious change in plans.

Stafanie Taylor, the West Indies captain, and Deandra Dottin, who has the reputation of being one of the biggest hitters in the women’s game, have suddenly transformed themselves to play the role of anchors, allowing others to bat around them.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have banked on the belligerence of their captain

New Zealand captain Suzie Bates Suzie Bates to give them a flier at the start, while Sophie Devine mans the middle order.

No total looks defendable on a Wankhede deck these days, however,

and this could push both teams to go back to their firebrand approach. The semi-final could thus boil down to a contest between two top-heavy batting sides.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Australia Women reach GCB assists GuyBCA with monetary donation fourth World T20 final

THREE-time defending champions Australia stepped closer to a fourth successive ICC Women’s World Twenty20 title with an impressive five-run win over old foe England in the first semi-final in New Delhi yesterday.

Australian captain Meg Lanning hit 55 off 50 balls to steer the Southern Stars to 132 for six after they were sent in to bat on a slow pitch at the Feroze Shah Kotla ground.

England, runner-up to Australia in 2012 and 2014, were kept down to 127 for seven despite an opening stand of 67 in 10 overs between skipper Charlotte Edwards (31) and Tammy Beaumont (32).

Australia await the winners of today’s second semi-final between New Zealand and the West Indies in Mumbai in the title clash at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.

Australia’s innings was anchored by their captain Lanning, who came in to bat at the fall of the first wicket in the sixth over and stayed

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has assisted the Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GuyBCA) with a monetary contribution to compete in the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WICCBVI) Regional Blind Cricket tournament.

The tournament is set to for July 8 to 16 in Trinidad and Tobago.

President of the GCB, Dru-

bahadur, wished the team every success during the tournament, adding that the GCB has always been supportive of GuyBCA and will continue to do so as they play a very integral part in our society.

Drubahadur urged the team to play at their best so that players can earn selection to the West Indies Blind Cricket Team which is set to participate at the World Cricket Council for the Blind

(WCCB) T20 World Cup in November in India.

Executive member of GuyBCA, Cecil Morris, thanked GCB for its continuous support, adding that the donation would help immensely in their preparation.

Guyana will play Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and a combined team from the Islands, after which, the top two teams will contest the final.

Player-of-the-match Meg Lanning sweeps en route to her 55 in the first semi-final in Delhi. till the 20th over to help her team record their highest total in the tournament.

Lanning, world’s number one-ranked batter, hit six boundaries, but opener Alyssa Healy (25) was the only other player to cross 20.

The Southern Stars, who were 121 for three after 18 overs, conceded ground by losing three wickets in the final two overs for the addition of

just 11 runs.

Natalie Sciver was England’s most successful bowler with two wickets for 22 runs, while Laura Marsh finished with one for 18.

England were coasting at 89 for one in the 14th over but then managed just another 38 runs for the loss of six wickets as Australia turned on the screws. Megan Schutt claimed two for 15. - ANI

President of the GCB, Drubahadur, hands over the monetary contribution to executive member of GuyBCA, Cecil Morris, in the presence of another member of GuyBCA.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, March 31, 2016

Berbice beat Essequibo by eight wickets

… Win also for Demerara

By Rajiv Bisnauth AFTER a disciplined show with the ball, Berbice chased a modest target of 133 with eight wickets in hand, to handsomely beat Essequibo in round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-county Under-17 tournament yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.

Opener Javid Karim did the job in convincing fashion with an unbeaten 62-ball 54 to earn the player-of-the-match award.

The left-handed Karim scored freely on both sides of the wicket to ensure Berbice overhauled the target with 21.3 overs to spear.

Skipper Kevin Sinclair made an unbeaten 30, and shared 59 for the third wicket with Karim, who stroke seven classy boundaries.

Earlier it was a complete performance from the Berbice bowlers, especially their spin-

ners who shared seven wickets between them as they restricted Essequibo to 132 in 47.1 overs.

Off-spinner Kevlon Anderson (3-14) and left-arm spinner Keith Simpson (2-29) were the chief destroyers, but left-arm spinner Kevin Omroa (1-16) and off-spinner Kevin Sinclair (1-13) both recorded stupendous figures of 1-16 and 1-13 to strangle Essequibo up front, with their 20 overs just going for 29 runs.

Medium pacers Sayaad Pairbaksh, who bowled with a suspect action and Steven Kalamadeen chipped in with figures of 2-26 and 1-30 respectively.

Openers Rayon Venture and Bomesh Ramdahin gave Essequibo a reasonable start, after skipper Joshua Jones won the toss and opted to make first use on a pitch which had a reputation for uneven bounce.

The pair added 23 in eight overs before Pairbaksh removed Ramdahin for 13 and Sinclair bowled Venture for

Javid Karim acknowledges his teammates after reaching his half-century.

11 in quick succession to leave Essequibo floundering on 31-2.

Orlando Jailall, failed to make use of two chances and fell to Omroa for two off 18 deliveries.

Trevor Collins, who was given a life on three and Kevin Christian mounted some fight, putting together 28 for the fourth wicket.

But scoring runs proved to be a difficult task, Simpson did not ease the pressure and removed both Collins and Chris-

tian for 13 and 24 respectively, at 85-5.

At that point, Essequibo never looked like mounting a fightback, losing Chanderpaul Mohabir (11), Randy Rooplall (1) and Jones (1) to Anderson.

Quintin Sampson and Joel Fortune added 28 for the ninth wicket before Pairbaksh removed Sampson for 17 and Kalamadeen trapped Besham Moses leg-before-wicket for eight.

Alex Algoo and Karim then

plundered the Essequibo attack to give a perfect start to Berbice’ chase with an entertaining stand of 40 in eight overs when lunch was taken, with Algoo on 13 and Karim on 21.

Upon resumption medium pacer Mohabir trapped Algoo plumb in front, but Junior Sinclair, who joined Karim put together 35 for the second wicket to further shut Essequibo out of the match.

However, the promising partnership was broken by leftarm spinner Fortune when he

bowled Sinclair for 15. Skipper Sinclair and Karim took Berbice safely without further hiccups.

In the other game played at Wales, Demerara whipped the Selected Under-15 team by 142 runs.

Batting first Demerara were bowled out for 213 in 48.3 overs with Sagar Hatheramani (54), Kurt Lovell (44), Bhaskar Yadram (32) and Joshua Persaud (28) being the principal scorers.

Bowling for the Selected Under-15 team, Gevon Schultz had 3-48 while Seon Glasgow, Nigel Deodat and Dwayne Dick all picked up two wickets apiece.

In the run chase, the Selected Under-15 were bowled out for 71. Ashmead Nedd (3-10), Anthony Antonio (2-14) Manof-the-Match Hatheramani (215) and Yadram (2-5) were the main destroyers for Demerara.

Round two will be played tomorrow with Essequibo taking on Demerara at Enterprise and Berbice battling the Selected Under-15 at Wales.

GBOC calls for an apology from GABF president Nigel Hinds THE Guyana Basketball Official Council (GBOC) has spoken out on the abandoned final of the Road to Mecca National Club Championship which was held on March 19 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

With reference to comments made by GABF president Mr Nigel Hinds, the referees of the Guyana Basketball Official Council (GBOC) would like an apology from him for the irresponsible comments made after the abrupt end of the game on the night of Saturday March 19, 2016.

In a heated but tightly contested game, Linden’s Retrieve Raiders walked off the court in protest of a foul called by the officiating referees, which then translated into three technical fouls and the ejection of Raiders’ captain Dwayne Roberts. This act of walking off the court ended the game which many fans had come to see.

After a 40-minute break in deliberations between GABF

president and Raiders players, the Raiders returned to the court only to see the Bounty Colts walk off the court in protest to the actions of the Raiders as well as the GABF president.

The following is the full statement by GBOC: It was unfortunate that the Clubs Championship Road to Mecca 111 on Saturday Mach 19 2016 between Colts and Retrieve Raiders at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall came to a halt, based on the opinion that an unwarranted foul was called against a player from Retrieve Raiders.

After receiving the foul, the said player threw the ball to the floor reacting to the referee’s call. Subsequently other players showed acts of indecent gestures which led to two more technical fouls and a disqualifying foul against the captain of the said team for mouthing profanities at the referee.

Before the referees administered the free throws to Colts, the Raiders were informed what the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday March 31, 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) South Africa (2) Mithali Raj Today’s Quiz: (1) Who delivered the first ball in an ICC Men’s World Cup final?

(2) Who delivered the first ball in an ICC Women’s World Cup final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

decision by the three referees was.

After hearing this they immediately walked off the playing area.

According to FIBA Rules Article 20.1 A team shall lose the game by forfeit if: The team is not present or is unable to field 5 players ready to play 15 minutes after the scheduled time to begin Its actions prevent the game from being played It refuses to play after being instructed to do so by the referee.

Point to note, GBOC would have written LABA the (Linden Amateur Basketball Association) on the February 24 2016 inviting referees to officiate in the said tournament.

The GABF president inter-

vened which should not have happened because the referees’ decision is final. The president was informed of what happened by the lead referee that once a team walks off the playing area automatically they lose the game which should have been rewarded to Colts.

The president was able to get the Raiders back on the floor, bearing in mind the fans really wanted to see the outcome of the game. At this point the Raiders and the president wanted the technical fouls to be withdrawn.

But the referees disagreed. The lead referee and the president went to the monitor to review the play which caused the foul after watching the play in “real game time” about three times the lead referee did not notice a foul.

However as the lead referee, twenty-four hours later, I had the opportunity of watching the same replay, this time in slow motion about five times, which gave me a better view from the previous replay. I was able to detect a foul from one of the players from Raiders pushing off a player from Colts to gain possession of the ball therefore it was the correct call by the Referee.

If you are playing for Five Hundred Thousand Dollars or Five Million Dollars you must respect the referee’s call at all times even if it is a bad call, because we are all humans and at some time we will make the wrong call, in this case it was the right one. Players must learn to control their emotions in

such situations. In this case the referees were very lenient with the players.

FIBA RULES ARTICLE 6.2 The captain shall immediately at the end of the game inform the referees if his team is protesting against the result of the game and sign the score sheet in the space marked ‘Captain’s signature’ in case of protest.

With reference to comments made by the GABF president Mr Nigel Hinds, the referees of the Guyana Basketball Official Council (GBOC) would like an apology from him for the irresponsible comments made after the abrupt halt of the game on the night of Saturday March 19, 2016.

NOTABLE DATES LENNOX Blackmoore remains a legendary name in the sports annals of Guyana, An exceptionally talented boxer Blackmoore was a classic during Guyana’s golden era of boxing and due to his performance in the ring, provided many instances for the country to celebrate.

The skilful lightweight began his professional career in January 1974. Two months later he earned his second victory with a four-round points-decision over Roy Smith. The fight was held on March 31, 1974.

However, the winning streak was halted there.

Lennox Blackmoore In Blackmoore’s next fight he was defeated by nemesis Terrence `Tiger’ Green. The darling of Guyana’s boxing bounced back

and won the Commonwealth lightweight title in October 1977, after pounding out a 15-round decision over Jonathan Dele in Nigeria.

He lost the title in October 1978, following a fifth round KO at the hands of Hogan Jimoh, another Nigerian.

Moving up one division, the Cancer-born Blackmoore challenged World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight champion Aaron `The Hawk’ Pryor in June 1981.

Once considered one of the best counter-punchers in the business, the Guyanese found himself in early trouble

as Pryor swarmed from the opening bell and knocked him down several times in the brief encounter. Pryor won the bout by a TKO in round two, in the process denying Guyana a chance of claiming its first world title. `Blackie’ turned to training after retiring in 1986 and ironically piloted countryman Vivian Harris the World Boxing Association super lightweight (junior welterweight) title, the very crown Pryor denied him.

The former Commonwealth champion will celebrate his 66th birth anniversary on July 10.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday March 31, 2016

Second International dominoes GFSCA hosts successful tourney starts tomorrow tournament at Crabwood Creek

By Stephan Sookram DOMINOES enthusiasts across the country will be gearing for the second edition of the International dominoes competition, under the auspices of the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA).

The tournament which begins tomorrow at 1222-23 Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt will feature teams from the Caribbean coming face to face with the best of Guyana.

The tournament concludes on April 4.

According to president of the GDA, Faye Joseph, “This year we (are) more off the ground and not so

limited with this tournament. So far we are getting good response but I would like to encourage teams in Guyana to come on board, I always say come and play the game that you love.”

She continued, “Everyone is interested in coming to Guyana to explore and see what Guyana is all about and be involved in the games.”

The second edition of the tournament according to the GDA president is aimed at celebrating the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

She continued, “More over I’m seeing a lot of teams coming out, some of them you can’t even pro-

nounce their names but I know them all because we live like a family by coming and playing dominoes every day. We’ve become a family.

The winning team will receive US$5000 along with a trophy, while the second-placed team will pick up US$2500 and a trophy.

Third- and fourth-placed teams will collect US$1500 and US$1000 with entry cost pegged at US$200 or GY$40 000.

Marshall said that members of the private and public sectors and established teams were invited to participate in the tournament.

President of the GDA and organiser of the upcoming International Tournament Faye Joseph (6th left) and WDC representative Gregory Bledman (4th left) pose with members of the Organising Committee.

Roy smashes 78 as England storm into World T20 final

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Opening batsman Jason Roy struck a career-best 78 as former champions England stormed into the World Twenty20 final with a seven-wicket romp against New Zealand yesterday.

Electing to field, England staged a strong comeback in the second half of New Zealand’s innings to restrict their opponents to a modest 153 for eight, at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Roy and Alex Hales (20) then provided a flying start to their reply and Jos Buttler smacked a six to seal semi-final victory with 17 balls to spare.

England, the 2010 champions, now meet the winners of today’s match between India and West Indies on Sunday.

Roy launched England’s reply in emphatic style, smacking four boundaries off the first over by Corey

Anderson.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson introduced spinner Mitchell Santner in the fifth over but a breakthrough still proved elusive.

Roy took 26 balls to bring up his maiden half-century in Twenty20 internationals as he put on 82 for the first wicket with Hales.

“I felt there was a chance to go out there on a decent wicket and get off to a great start,” said man-of-the-match Roy. “It was one of those totals where if you don’t get off to a great start and then have a little hiccup, it can be a bit dangerous in the middle overs. So I gave it a crack and it came off.”

COMPOSED ROOT Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi gave the Kiwis hope by removing Roy and captain Eoin Morgan off successive deliveries but Buttler (32 not out) provided the fireworks and Joe Root (27 not out) the

composure to fashion an easy win for England.

E a r l i e r, N e w Z e a l a n d cruised to 89 for one after 10 overs before Morgan’s men rallied.

After dangerous opener Martin Guptill fell in the third over, Colin Munro (46) added 74 for the second wicket with Williamson (32) to lay the foundations for a big total.

England, however, applied the brakes with some disciplined bowling and tight fielding.

Anderson made 28 down the order but New Zealand eventually fell well short of the 180 total that looked reachable at the halfway stage.

Ben Stokes (3-26) was the pick of the England bowlers, again showing how good he is in the latter stages of an innings.

“Credit to England’s bowlers for the way they pulled it back. I knew we were probably a little bit short especially after the start we got,” said Williamson.

GREAT excitement and sound family entertainment thrilled approximately 1500 spectators on Easter Sunday, at the Crabwood Creek cricket ground in Berbice.

The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association, along with the teachers of Crabwood Creek Primary School, organised a spectacular softball competition to raise funds for the restoration of toilet facilities at the school. There were three 15/15 softball matches, two for males and one for females.

The first encounter was between Floodlight Legends and Crabwood Creek-Corriverton Masters. They competed for the Mohan and Meena Memorial Trophy. (Mohan and Meena are the late father and sister of Mr Ricky Deonarine) The Berbice team rattled up 178-4 off their 15 overs.

Kash Persaud blasted 66 while Vishaul Persaud supported with 43. The chase by Floodlight Legends was not an easy one. They lost wickets at regular intervals.

They needed 26 runs from the last over. It is here where Wayne Jones came to the party. He smashed four successive sixes and sealed a great victory for his side and in the process copped the man-of-the-match prize.

In the second match

Head Teacher of Crabwood Creek Primary School, Clement Edwards hands over the Mohan and Meena Memorial Trophy to Floodlight Legend skipper Ricky Deonarine. which was in the open category, Floodlights disposed of Crabwood Creek by 13 runs. Floodlights rattled 157 with Lloyd Rooplall scoring 38 and Greg De Fraca plundering 35.

Crabwood Creek managed 144-8 off their 15 overs with De Fraca picking up 3 wickets.

Floodlights took away the Vejay Satnarine-Breed Memorial Trophy while De Fraca won the man-of-the-match award.

The final match of the day was among the ladies.

The city girls, Trophy Stall Angels, travelled almost a 100 miles to take on Karibee Rice girls. From ball one, it was non-stop action.

Trophy Stall Angels folded for a paltry 73 in the 13th over.

Leacock made 15 while Roberts scrambled 11. Encouraged by total home support, the Karibee Rice Girls reached

74-6 with two overs to spare.

Shanna made 19 while Erva Giddings was left not out on 12.

At the presentation ceremony, the Head Teacher of Crabwood Creek Primary School, Clement Edwards, expressed thanks to the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association, He also thanked Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall, Massy Group of Companies and the Gopaul family for the many gate prizes which included tablets, a DVD player, a magic jack and clocks.

Cricket commentator Inderjeet Persaud was thanked for sharing his voice at Crabwood Creek.

GFSCA made a cash donation of $100 000 while Thakur Sookram chipped in with an undisclosed sum as well.

Martinique, Grenada win as first round of Caribbean Cup concludes MARTINIQUE and Grenada pulled off wins during the final round of matches in the Scotiabank CFU Caribbean Cup on Tuesday.

Fifteen nations, ,including St Vincent and the Grenadines, who got a bye, will now move forward to the next round in June.

Playing at home, Dominica were dominated in a 4-1 loss to Martinique. The home team got off to the worst possible start when Malcolm Joseph scored an 11th-minute own goal to give Martinique an early lead. Deniel Herelle made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute to see Martinique go into the interval leading 2-0.

Martinique widened the lead in the 53rd minute with a penalty conversion from Yoanne Arquin.

The home team pulled one back in the 74th minute from Chad Prince but Martinique added a fourth in the 88th minute from Stephanie Abdoul.

The third team in the grouping, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), ended their 2016 Caribbean Cup run, going down 2-1 to Grenada.

Shane Rennie opened the scoring for Grenada in the 14th minute, ending the first half in favour of the visitors.

USVI equalised in the 67th minute through Trevor Wrensford, but with the match looking to go into extra time, Grenada scored.

The 90th-minute strike from Kimo Sampson was just in time to give Grenada the 2-1 advantage.

Meanwhile, Dominican Republic defeated Barba-

dos 2–0. After an opening victory versus Curacao in Group 4, Barbados found themselves eliminated on their visit to Dominican Republic.

Baptista Darlyn had a second-half double strike, in the 50th and 57th minutes, to give the home team the goals needed to advance to the next round.

French Guiana assured themselves qualification from Group 3 to the next round with a 3 -0 home victory over Cuba.

Goals from Loic Baal in the 24th minute, Alex Eric 44th, and Ray Contout’s strike in the 64th minute ended the match 3-0 in favour of the hosts, which also means Bermuda qualify to Round 2 as well. (Sportsmax.com)

Second International dominoes tourney starts tomorrow See story on page 31

Clash of the Titans! Kohli v Gayle in World Twenty20 semi MUMBAI, India (AFP) Chris Gayle is determined to grab the World Twenty20 limelight back from in-form Virat Kohli when the West Indies and India clash in a mouthwatering semi-final in Mumbai today.

The destructive opener smashed an unbeaten century, which included 11 sixes, in the West Indies’ opening win against England but has only batted once since, making just four.

Kohli has been the star of the tournament so far, expertly guiding India through the group stages with a half-century against Pakistan and 82 not out in a crunch win over Australia.

With the flat wicket at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium a dream for batsmen, the lastfour showdown between the hosts and 2012 champions is set to be a battle of the big-hitters.

Virat Kohli

“I am looking to show what Chris Gayle is,” Gayle warned ominously on Tuesday.

“I have only batted twice but this (semi-final) is a perfect opportunity to actually start the tournament and try and pick up where I left off, get a big one for the team and put them in a winning position,” he added.

The 36-year-old described Kohli, who is the top run-scorer left in the tournament with 184, as a “world beater” but insisted neither he nor the West Indies were concerned about individual players.

“Chris Gayle will always be positive. It does not matter which bowler is bowling against Chris Gayle,” he said.

“Chris Gayle would attack. That’s the nature

Chris Gayle

See page 27

Twenty-five coaches and 70 youths benefit from Pele FC’s coaching programme

By Michael DaSilva TWENTY-FIVE coaches and 70 youths benefited from Pele Football Club’s Coaches Seminar and Soccer Camp that was conducted yesterday at the Georgetown Football Club’s (GFC) facility as part of Pele FC’s 45th Anniversary celebration.

The programme, which was coordinated by founder member of Pele FC, Ivor `Brazilian’ Jones, saw coaches from several Georgetown clubs as well as a few from the East Bank of Demerara benefit from

theory, tactical and technical sessions that lasted two hours.

When they were finished, the coaches were then given the opportunity to impart what they had learnt to the 70 youth footballers drawn from clubs and schools mainly from Georgetown.

On completion, Jones told Chronicle Sport he is satisfied that what the coaches were taught earlier in the day, was indeed imparted to the youths from his observation during the four-hour session which was interrupted by the

lunch break, sponsored by the Pele Alumni Corporation of North America.

Jones said one of the things covered was Respect’ “These kids seem not to have respect for their coaches and with that they would not have respect for anyone”.

According to Jones the coaches also did skill drills (attack, defence and midfield play) and he advised the coaches to incorporate the drills into a game situation.

Ivor `Brazilian’ Jones (centre) executes a flat pass yesterday when Jones said during the he held a football coaches seminar at the GFC ground, Bourda.

Twenty-five coaches from mainly Georgetown benefited from the See page 27 programme (Photo by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016