Chronicle 04 02 2016

Mayors elected No. 104509

Patricia Chase-Green, Mayor of Georgetown

Ganesh Gangadin, Mayor of Corriverton

SATURDAY APRIL 2, 2016

Gifford Marshall, Mayor of Bartica

Carwyn Holland, Mayor of Linden

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Kirt Wynter, Mayor of New Amsterdam

Carlton Beckles, Mayor of Lethem

Charlestown man shot dead

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Corriverton Mayor has big plans for township

Deputy Mayor Krishand Jaichand takes the Oath of Office in the presence of Town Clerk Narendra Nauth Sukham

GANESH Gangadin has been elected Mayor of the town of Corriverton, while Krishand Jaichand is his deputy. They were sworn in by Town Clerk Narendra Nauth Sukham at the Corriverton Town Hall on Friday. Thirty-six-year-old Gangadin was nominated and elected unopposed. In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he explained that he had always been a community-oriented person, having served on the council for many years. According to Gangadin, residents of Corriverton will soon benefit from proper drainage networks, a cleaner environment, the development of recreational parks, and there will be a town-wide maintenance and rehabilitation of streets and pathways. An entrepreneur by profession, and the holder of a certificate in management from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Gan-

gadin outlined some of the long-term goals he wishes to achieve as Mayor. These include: the expansion of the Skeldon Market; development of the seafront in the vicinity of the Number 79 Market; construction of a jetty or mini-wharf to accommodate residents from Orealla and farmers and small-scale loggers from the Upper Corentyne River; the creation of an industrial site which can cater for small and medium manufacturing and agro-processing, which will inevitably create employment and serve as an economic boost, not only for Corriverton. His plans also include the installation of floodlights at the Line Path and Scotsburg playgrounds, the installation of fire hydrants at strategic areas around the town, and the upgrading of all streets to asphalt surfaces, which can accommodate larger and heavier vehicles. Meanwhile, 16 councillors were elected and sworn in: 14 from the People’s

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Kirt Wynter is Mayor of New Amsterdam KIRT Wynter was elected Mayor of New Amsterdam, on Friday at the inaugural meeting of the new council, after being nominated by APNU+AFC Councillor William Moore and seconded by Pollyann Shultz. A second nominee, Winifred Haywood, was nominated for the post by another coalition member, Angelique Springer, but the former educator immediately declined the position. Thereafter, Haywood was nominated and seconded by the mayor-elect and by APNU+AFC Councillor Busta Wright for the post of Deputy Mayor, and she accepted. Wynter, a newspaper agent, is a “fresh face” in

regard to local government matters, but would be ably supported by veteran politician Haywood, who served the council previously in various capacities. Councillor Wright, a mathematician, was selected as Chairman of the Finance Committee; while the Deputy Mayor will function as the Vice-Chairperson. Other members of the Finance Committee are businesswoman Pollyann Shultz, Patricia Lynch, William Moore, Compton Grant and Eusi Smith. Earlier, 12 APNU+AFC Councillors, along with two People’s Progressive Party councilors, took the Oath of Office before Returning

Officer Town Clerk Sharon Alexander, in the presence of Deputy Regional Executive Officer Claude Henry and Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence. The New Amsterdam Council now consists of Mayor Kirt Wynter, Deputy Mayor Winifred Haywood, fellow APNU+AFC councillors Kirt Fraser, Compton Grant, Sheenta Lambert, Polliann Shultz, Angelique Springer, Busta Wright, George Tucker, Eusi Smith, William Moore and Patricia Lynch; and Sewdat Singh and Elijah Timmers of the PPP. The first statutory meeting is scheduled for April 25.

Carlton Beckles assumes mayorship of Lethem ‒ 19-year-old Maxine Ann Welch is his deputy

Ganesh Gangadin

Progressive Party (PPP) and two from the New Dawn Development Association Party. They are Saif Ivan, Sheik Mahmood, Bebi Rambarran, Pradeep Ketwaroo, Dhan Ramdass, Deonarain Singh, Inderjit Arjoon, Premchan Pooran, Winston Roberts, Evertt Hearewood, Shameer Alfred, Sabitree Ally, Latchmee Ramnarine-Edward and Jamna Persaud Ghamandi. The newly-elected Mayor is confident his team of committed councillors will provide unwavering service to the people of Corriverton. In 1994, Roy Baijnauth was elected Mayor, and served for 19 years. He was the last Mayor of Corriverton. The Town of Corriverton is located on the eastern side of the Corentyne River, separating Guyana from Suriname to the east.

Lethem Mayor Carlton Beckles, Deputy Mayor Maxine Ann Welch, and councillors after they were sworn in on Friday

By Michel Outridge HUNDREDS of residents turned up on Friday at the Amerindian Hostel Conference Hall in Lethem to witness the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Mayor Carlton Beckles, his deputy Maxine Ann Welch, 19, and councillors. The councillors of the Lethem municipality are Ahrenf Landry, Obol McDonald, Kerry Jarvis, Jessica George, and George Henry of the APNU+AFC coalition; and three PPP members: Debra King, John Macedo and Jason Wilson. The newly-elected Deputy Mayor was ecstatic after being sworn in. She told the Guyana Chronicle that she was taken completely by surprise, but was very happy to be elected and was certain she would not disappoint her fellow councillors. Welch acknowledged that it is indeed quite a task ahead of her, but feels very confident that she has the support of her colleague councillors from the APNU+AFC, following their successful running for position in the recent

Deputy Mayor of Lethem, Maxine Ann Welch

Local Government Elections in Region Nine. The Deputy Mayor told the Guyana Chronicle -- via telephone from Lethem -that the ceremony started at 13:00hrs and a large gathering of residents and others turned out to witness the ceremony and lend support. Welch said it is an honour to be elected to such a

position, and she promised to take her responsibilities very seriously. The young Deputy Mayor is eager to work along with the other councillors to develop the community. Born and raised in Lethem, Welch was employed at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) as an Administrative Assistant. “I am thankful to God for this opportunity and for making my team victorious, and I would also like to extend words of gratitude to all those persons who voted for us in the LGE, and to my team members for their hard work and dedication,” she said. Meanwhile, Beckles, a Lethem businessman and the Vice-Chairman for APNU+AFC in Region Nine, told the Guyana Chronicle that he felt very humble to become the elected Mayor. Beckles said he really wanted the opportunity to execute his plans and vision for the municipality of Lethem, was satisfied at receiving same, and will certainly deliver to the people in terms of the future development of Lethem.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Patricia Chase-Green elected ‒ Sherod Duncan Mayor of Georgetown her deputy there are several committees on the council in which they could participate; and according to her, there are legal provisions for other committees to be formed. “So they will have a say. There will be no one who will be left out of a committee system; everyone will be given an opportunity to serve,” she declared. CONSULTATIONS Chase-Green said that, as Mayor, she views the council as a team, and her first consultations will be with the entire council of elected

Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan waves as Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan and other councillors of the Georgetown Municipality look on

By Alva Solomon MRS PATRICIA ChaseGreen was on Friday elected Mayor of Georgetown when the new councillors of the Georgetown Municipality met for the first time following last month’s Local Government Elections (LGE). Sherod Duncan, former University of Guyana Student Society President, was elected Deputy Mayor by the council, whose members were sworn in at City Hall in a packed Council Room. Other council members who were elected to serve on the Georgetown Municipality are Heston Bostwick, Tameshwar Budhoo, Carolyn

Caesar, Noelle Chow-Chee, Oscar Clarke, Welton Clarke, Yvonne Ferguson, Malcolm Ferreira, Gregory Fraser, Junior Garrett, Carlyle Goring, Linda Gomes-Haley, Winston Harding, Ivelaw Henry, Lyndon Hilliman, Salima Bacchus-Hinds, Lionel Jaikarran, Bishram Kuppen, Desiree Liverpool, Andrea Marks, Alfred Mentore, Roopnarine Persaud, Akeem Peter, Trichria Richards, James Samuels, Phillip Smith, Monica Thomas and Sophia Whyte. Mayor Chase-Green told the media following the meeting that being the fourth woman to serve in the post of Mayor, “it is a great feeling,” and expressed appreciation

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor in a handshake shortly after being elected to their respective posts

to the Almighty. Chase-Green said she was very thankful to those who assisted in her campaign, including those persons she had met for the first time while campaigning. In regard to the smaller parties whose representatives sit on the council, ChaseGreen said those persons will have a say. She noted that

members. “We will sit and we will determine the way forward, because, as it is, every constituency would have promised their people in the communities something,” she promised. She said the council is designed in such a way that matters highlighted by coun-

cillors will be examined within the respective constituencies. “So we have to meet as a council,” Chase-Green noted. Moreover, she said the council is “way past” negativity, and described the mood on Friday as positive. She said the council wishes to see Georgetown develop, and there are young persons on the council who want the City to progress. On an immediate matter, she said the council’s Finance Committee has a Chairman, and that committee can meet anytime to determine the way forward as regards several persons who have grievances with payments they claimed are owed to them by the municipality. The new Mayor said that, as a new council, the body will have to determine its assets and liabilities, among other issues. NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL Meanwhile, Duncan told reporters that the council is ready to work. He said, “It cannot be business as usual at City Hall”. He noted that persons voted for a change, and, as Deputy Mayor, he intends to get to work for the citizens of the City. He said it is no longer a campaign, and according to him, the citizens will have to be represented fully by the new council members at City Hall. “I am looking forward to a better working relationship among the councillors, a different tone at City Hall with

the public, with our vendors; and, like everybody else, I am eager to get to work,” Duncan noted. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, and Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, were in attendance at the swearing-in ceremony at City Hall. Bulkan pledged the support of Central Government to the council. Hailing the occasion as historic, Bulkan said the day comes after a hiatus of 21 years, and some 18 years since the last LGE was constitutionally due. He said the mayorship baton has been passed from one Green to another, referring to former Mayor Hamilton Green, Chase-Green’s predecessor. OPPORTUNITY “I believe I represent the views of President Granger, who would have said that with reference to the General Elections of 2015, that it represented not a victory but an opportunity,” Minister Bulkan said as he congratulated the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and elected councillors of the Georgetown Municipality. The minister noted that their new posts presented an opportunity for them to serve the residents of their respective constituencies as well as the City of Georgetown. Bulkan said Friday was the beginning of the first stage of repairing and rehabilitating “the damaged system of local administra-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

South African president to repay home upgrade money SOUTH African President Jacob Zuma has promised to abide by a court ruling that he must repay Government money spent on his private home. “I respect the judgement and will abide by it,” Zuma said. On Thursday, South Africa’s highest court said he was violating the Constitution by refusing to pay. The case was brought by the opposition, which accused him of using “ill-gotten wealth” to upgrade his home with a swimming pool and amphitheatre. ZUMA HAS DENIED ANY WRONGDOING. The Public Protector, an anti-corruption body, ruled in 2014 that US$23M (£15M) had been spent on Zuma’s rural home in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province, and ordered him to repay part of the money. In Thursday’s unanimous

judgement, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Public Protector was a “Biblical David” fighting against the Goliath of corruption. Zuma’s failure to repay the money was “inconsistent” with the Constitution, the court added. %%%%%%%%%%%% ANALYSIS: PUMZA FIHLANI, BBC NEWS, JOHANNESBURG HE has been described as the quintessential escape artist, and he has done it again. South Africans were glued to their TV screens awaiting an address. Speculation was rife that the President would resign. Instead, people got an apology, the first since the Nkandla saga erupted six years ago. The immediate reaction for many was disappointment. Remember, though, that Mr Zuma is a master tactician, who rose to the highest office against all odds. He is not about to let that go without a fight. True to his smoothness, Mr Zuma peppered his address with denials and promises to never allow this to happen

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The Nkandla residence has become a political headache for President Zuma In an address to the na- me by the Public Protector is tion on Friday, Zuma said he inconsistent with the Constiagain. He even spoke respected “the finding that tution”. about how this could only failure to comply with the He added that he had make the country stronger. remedial action taken against “never knowingly and deThe man that has been the cause of anger for many presented himself as a victim of unclear rules, but said he now knows better, and that the country should forgive him and move on. It takes a lot of charm and confidence to display such boldness, and the President lives to fight another day.

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liberately set out to violate the Constitution”, and apologised for the “frustration and confusion” created by the scandal. Zuma has been in office since 2009, and his government has been widely accused of corruption and cronyism. The case had been brought by two Opposition parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). The EFF urged Zuma to step down and the DA called for his impeachment. Following the President’s address, Gwede Mantashe, Secretary-General of Zuma’s ANC party, described the calls as an “overreaction” by the Opposition. (BBC)

Honour killings on rise in Pakistan

NEARLY 1,100 women were killed in Pakistan last year by relatives who believed they had dishonoured their families, the country’s independent Human Rights Commission says. In its annual report, the Commission said 900 more women suffered sexual violence and nearly 800 took, or tried to take, their own lives. In 2014, about 1,000 women died in honour-related attacks, and 869 died in 2013. Correspondents say a large number of such

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crimes go unreported in Pakistan. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said there is no place in Islam for killing in the name of family honour. “The predominant causes of these killings in 2015 were domestic disputes, alleged illicit relations, and exercising the right of choice in marriage,” the report said. Most of the 1,096 victims were shot, the report said, but attacks with acid were also common. Among the cases highlighted in the report are a man who shot dead his two

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sisters in Sargodha, Punjab, because he believed they had “bad character”; and three teenage girls killed by their male cousin for “dishonouring” their family in Pakpattan, Punjab. The report said that 88 men were also the victims of honour killings last year. In February, Punjab, the country’s largest province, passed a landmark law criminalising all forms of violence against women. However, more than 30 religious groups, including all the mainstream Islamic political parties, have threatened to launch protests if the law is not repealed. Religious groups have equated women’s rights’ campaigns with promotion of obscenity. They say the new Punjab law will increase the divorce rate and destroy the country’s traditional family system.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 2, 2016

Two Brazilian officials resign

TWO more senior Brazilian officials have resigned in the latest blow to the government of President Dilma Rousseff. They are Sports Minister George Hilton and Col Adilson Moreira, who was organising security at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next August. Col Moreira reportedly wrote that he was ashamed the country was being led by “an unscrupulous group”. The resignations come as Ms Rousseff battles for her government’s survival in an impeachment process. Col Moreira led the National Force for Public Security, whose members will guard sporting venues during the Olympics. Brazilian me-

Supporters of President Dilma Rousseff protested in a number of cities dia reported he had sent an email to his colleagues criticising President Rousseff and other senior officials.

Brazilian officials said the planning for the Olympic Games would not be affected by Col Moreira’s and Mr

Hilton’s resignations. Supporters of the President marched on Thursday evening in a number of Bra-

documented and clandestine measures and routes that people use to secure a better life for themselves and families, and would drastically reduce the need for what we call traffickers or smugglers. “We also should not be cutting off our noses to spite our faces when it comes to freedom of movement. We personally don’t want to be controlled or fingerprinted and denied entry into places for work or educational refuge,” the academic said. Professor Kempadoo also hit out at the “rhetoric” surrounding human trafficking, suggesting that the practice of anti-trafficking needs to be exposed for the violence it visits on marginalised communities, particularly young migrant women. She warned of the serious side effects of the way Caribbean governments are dealing with human trafficking, including the detention and deportation of victims, which further stigmatises the exchange of sexual labour for benefits. The professor pointed to the publication of the names and photographs of victims in Guyana, noting that this amounts to public shaming and reprimand of sex workers. “Anti-trafficking efforts do little more than harm the working people of the region, particularly working women who are trying to find social

and economic security for themselves and their families, and who may use their sexuality to make a living or to get by,” she argued. The academic added that anti-trafficking is becoming an industry that creates more “unfreedoms” than freedoms, drains financial resources, and takes attention away from tackling the causes of poverty and inequality. Additionally, she contended that continued efforts by regional states to

fight the problem have not resulted in any of them being elevated to Tier 1 of the Trafficking in Persons Report of the US State Department. This tier is an indication that a government has acknowledged the existence of human trafficking, made efforts to address the problem, and complies with the minimum standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorisation Act, according to the report.

Caribbean governments advised to decriminalise prostitution

AN international academic is recommending the decriminalisation of prostitution in the Caribbean. Professor Kamala Kempadoo of York University suggests this would help the region get a handle on the sex trade, protect at-risk groups, and fight stigma and discrimination against those engaged in the practice. “The decriminalisation of prostitution would go a long way towards making the sex trade a safer place to work; and could eliminate underhand deals, could eliminate extortions, false promises, the criminalisation of sex workers by immigration, smuggling of persons, putting them in shady businesses, and so forth. It could allow working women to gain access to state protection, health care, and rights as any other citizen or legal migrant,” she said. The suggestion was one of several put forward by the professor during her lecture on the topic ‘Who Trafficking What? The Caribbean and Human Trafficking Discourse’, hosted last night by the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies. She further proposed fewer restrictions on immigration, saying “immigration regulation needs to be loosened, not tightened”. “Opening borders, I know, is controversial, but could undermine many of the un-

zilian cities to show their opposition to the impeachment proceedings. On Monday, Tourism Minister Henrique Eduardo Alves handed in his letter of resignation, pre-empting his PMDB party’s split from the governing coalition. The PMDB was the largest partner in the governing coalition, and its exit could deprive President Rousseff of crucial votes she needs to block impeachment proceedings against her. She is expected to announce sweeping changes to her Cabinet on Friday, to replace up to seven ministers from the PMDB party. Her critics say she is trying to buy the votes of smaller parties by offering their members posts in the Cabinet. Congress is expected to start voting next month on whether to remove her from office over allegations that she manipulated accounts to hide a growing deficit. If 172 out of the 513 members of the lower house of Congress vote against her

impeachment, the proceedings will be shelved. But if 342 members vote for it, President Rousseff will be suspended for 180 days, and Vice-President Michel Temer of the PMDB party will become interim president. The impeachment would then be reviewed by the upper house, the Senate, and a final decision will be taken in October. Ms Rousseff has denied any wrongdoing, and has likened the moves to impeach her to an attempted coup. Separately, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva continues to be investigated as part of a corruption case involving the state-run oil company Petrobras. But, on Thursday, he was handed a boost, as Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled it would take over the case. It had previously been led by a lower court magistrate, Sergio Moro, whom Lula had accused of unfairly targeting him. (BBC)

For Saturday April 2, 2016: 13:00hrs For Sunday April 03, 2016: 14:00hrs For Monday April 04, 2016: 14:30hrs

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

The Colwyn Harding story

THE case of Colwyn Harding, who was allegedly sodomised while in care of the state, was dismissed this week. That dismissal is not for the want of evidence, but because of the non-attendance of the state prosecutor and the late attendance of the virtual complainant at hearings arranged by the court. Harding was, in November 2013, remanded at the Timehri Police Station on the allegation that he had assaulted a police rank and had resisted arrest. He has alleged that, during this period of remand, officers pushed a condom-covered baton in his anus, causing him to suffer grave internal injuries. The reasons advanced and accepted in a case this serious beg the question whether all facets surrounding this case and its impact on society were taken into consideration. The society will forever be haunted by the consideration of whether justice has been served in this matter. Anyone held in a penal institution is supposed to be in the state’s protection. That Harding’s case has been dispensed in such a manner undoubtedly undermines justice. A justifiable concern is whether the judiciary has sent a message to the public that brutality for those not considered privileged or connected is acceptable when in the state’s protection. Coming on the heels of the prison unrest, with its sordid details, and the commission formulated to inquire into that event, the dismissal of Harding’s matter has concomitant questions regarding the State’s commitment to reform the justice system vis-à-vis its perceived action in this regard. Preceding Harding’s sexual assault, there was the matter of Tywon Thomas, whose genitals were burnt while he was in the protection of the state. Prior to the experience of these teenagers, who will undoubtedly be traumatised for the rest of their lives if professional intervention is not received, others have been mutilated in the most barbaric of manner when in the state’s protection. In today’s world, such behaviours are frowned upon and laws are activated to ensure justice is served. The police, too, are held to account under the laws. Issues of less gravity have seen the court summon-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Please don’t tinker with the age of sexual consent Dear Editor,

I WOULD like to voice my concerns regarding the relentless pursuit by foreign gender rights and human rights activist groups and NGOs in their campaign to increase the age of sexual consent in Guyana from 16 to 18, or even higher. First of all, the foreign NGOs and gender rights activists are claiming that increasing the age of sexual consent in Guyana will decrease teenage pregnancies, but increasing the age of consent will more likely cause consenting teenagers to have their relationships in secret, because the older partner, who might be 18, will become subject to imprisonment if his girlfriend is 17. Additionally, there were, in 2005, numerous calls from foreign gender rights activists and NGOs to increase the age of consent from 13. It was agreed by the PPP/C ad-

ministration and various stakeholders in 2005, and upon assent of the Sexual Offenses Bill 2010, that 16 is a satisfactory age of consent, because it follows the Commonwealth law, and countries like the United Kingdom has their age of consent at 16 for both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Many European countries have their age of consent at 15. China’s age of consent is 14. Therefore, the issue is not the age of consent. Furthermore, the Sexual Offenses Bill already deals with the prevention of sexual exploitation by authority figures by increasing the age of consent to 18. The provision shows there is a huge difference between consenting teenagers and young adults as compared to someone abusing their power and authority to coerce a little child into a sexual relationship. Based on this infor-

ing witnesses or issuing arrest warrants to have persons appear before it and lead evidence. While the prosecutor in Harding’s case had failed to turn up, a representative had informed the court of his absence, and had indicated that he would be present at another date. This should have attracted consideration. Given that such explanations have become culturally acceptable in our courts, even if the magistrate had issued preconditions for setting another date and had the prosecutor present himself, such should have been entertained. Harding’s matter has generated outcry, outrage and condemnation, locally and internationally. This case should have communicated to the police and the judiciary the grave importance for this matter to be prosecuted, and not dismissed on the pretext of the absence of the prosecutor. Sexual abuse ought not to be treated lightly, even moreso when it has happened to minors and persons in the protection of the state. In addition to being violated, the virtual complainant has suffered, and will continue to suffer, grave health issues. Human decency at least should have seen this case being tried to its finality. March 29, 2016 has marked a sad and dark day in Guyana’s calendar, and has recorded a bloody blot on the judicial system. Harding met the same fate as Thomas: after being sexually

mation, one should question the motives of these foreign rights activists, who aim to impose a law which would cause more harm to society than help to prevent teenage pregnancies. Under the proposed law these foreign activists promulgate, many older teenagers and young adults will be forced into Camp St. prison for having consensual sexual relationships with 16- or 17-year-old persons. The older teenagers and young adults would be more likely to later become infected with HIV/AIDS and diseases from having forced unprotected anal sex and drug use while in prison. In other words: why are these foreign activists proposing a law which will criminalize teenagers, destroy the lives of consenting teenagers, and increase the risk of HIV/AIDS, crime and poverty in our society? I propose that the

foreign rights activists demand that American teachers who engage in sex with prepubescent students be given similar jail time if the offender were a male teacher. However, these foreign rights activists only care to criminalize teenagers and put more people in jail using deceptive measures. Therefore, I urge the current government to consider allowing access for 16- and 17-year-old people to sexual health services, rather than creating a law which will criminalize thousands of older teenagers and create a burden on society due to increased strain on resources for prisoners, HIV/AIDS from anal rape in prison, and poverty and increased crime due to the stigma of being incarcerated. Sincerely, MARVIN PERSAUD

abused by the police, the judiciary seems to have turned its back on them. This is not a case where evidence was evaluated, but trivial reasons found to deny the victims and society justice. In dismissing the case, every young man has reason to fear the police and see them as objects of abuse and tyranny, not there to serve and protect, but to violate and abuse. Confidence in the judicial system to dispense justice when the police fail has also ebbed. This will undoubtedly impact community/police relations. Intelligence gathering is important to crime fighting, and where citizens feel the police are not there for them and the judiciary will not truly serve them justice, they will lose faith in two important institutions of government. Efforts by the newly appointed Chief Justice (ag), Justice Yonnette Cummings-Edwards, coupled with the assurance of the David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo government that systems will be instituted and upheld to ensure that justice is delivered to the society, will not enjoy the confidence they justly deserve while the system has again failed another member of society. It is this publication’s fervent hope that Harding is the last member of the public to have suffered injustice at the hands of both the police and the judiciary.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 2, 2016

Town Clerk must provide answers Dear Editor,

CONSTRUCTIVE criticism must be accepted with a deserving smile, and one must strive towards rectifying the situation, since self-criticism is just a phase of appraisal, or evaluation. This must be communicated to Mr. Royston King, who was once described as the most qualified individual to fill the vacancy of Town Clerk when the position was vacant, prior to the previous

government appointing the estranged “Iron Lady”, Ms. Carol Sooba, to act in that position. My, oh my, here we go again! Indeed, herein lies another typical example of estrangement, to the extent that the King (Royston), girded in royalty like a knight in shining armour, has stripped bare compassion and tolerance, with oppression and ingratitude passing as replacements. Editor, the astronomical increase -- by 500% -- in

stand rental for vendors on the Merriman Mall remains unconscionable. Likewise, the construction of stands on Orange Walk, between Robb & Regent Streets, appears from all indications to be for friends and for the rich and famous! None of the displaced vendors from Bourda Street, who willingly relocated to Orange Walk, was given preference for rental/purchase of those stands. Maybe King’s knowledge

of accountability, economics and prudent financial management would be an asset to SARU or the GRA, but definitely not to the M&CC. By the way, what considerations are being given to the few vendors who sell basically dasheen and tannia, or the elderly woman who sells chocolate sticks, starch and salted fish? Obviously, their businesses will come to a screeching halt, since more than likely the volume of sales cannot

sustain rental and profitability! Finally, with the additional construction of stands in Orange Walk as an additional source of revenue, who is responsible for the ongoing construction between North Road and Robb Street? Did it receive approval from the Engineers’ and Sanitation Departments? This I ask since a very short distance to the northern side exists, and there is a transformer affixed to a lamp-post!

Meanwhile, with rumour circulating that chicken would be sold there, is this compatible with health regulations? And with garbage receptacles, including a compactor, being situated as permanent fixtures a few feet away, it would be prudent for the Town Clerk, via the P.R.O., to provide the relevant answers. Respectfully yours, LESTER SEALEY

Thanks for the visits, Hon. Prime Minister Dear Editor,

DURING last week, Region 5 was blessed to have the Hon. Prime Minister and 1st Vice President visit on three different occasions; the first being on Thursday, March 24. On that day, the Hon. Prime Minister and his wife, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo, visited the Shieldstown Community, where they attended a church service and also distributed hundreds of kites to children of the community. The Prime Minister and his wife were warmly welcomed into the area by residents and members of the church.

What was most astonishing was when the motorcade of the PM was making its way back to Georgetown, the residents of West Berbice, both young and old, lined the roadside, waving and jumping, some shouting “Moses! Moses!”, while some of the veterans saluted the motorcade as the PM passed by. This shows the amount of love the people of Region 5 have for the Hon. Prime Minister. On Saturday, 26th March, 2016, the Hon. Moses V. Nagamootoo visited and also delivered the feature address at the inaugural West Berbice

Business Expo and Trade Fair. Also in attendance were his wife, Mrs Seeta Nagamootoo, and the Hon. Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin. The following day, the Hon. Prime Minister and First Vice President, along with his wife, visited the family of the sugar worker from Bath Settlement who was killed by Africanised bees while on duty. At the Trade Fair the PM was greeted with hugs and kisses, and was welcomed by all. Mr. Editor, what amazed me was that when the Hon. Prime Minister walked around the booths of

various companies and businesses, he was welcomed wholeheartedly by ALL, not some; ALL. Many rushed to have pictures taken with him and his wife. Mr. Editor, I could not believe my eyes at what was taking place and the love displayed by the people of West Berbice for the Hon. Prime Minister. It amazed me the most when people of Bath Settlement, whom I know to be diehard PPP supporters, approached the Prime Minister and congratulated him on his becoming Prime Minister. The most astonishing part was when a man shook the hands of the Hon. Prime

Minister and said, “You are a blessed man, and through your hands I am blessed.” This shows that the people of West Berbice are becoming wiser day by day, and seem not to be listening to some politicians who want to divide this nation. This shows that our people are beginning to think for themselves; and moreover, are throwing the past behind them, so that we can have a better and united Guyana. I must congratulate the people of West Berbice for showing that love and respect to others -- no matter what race, religion or political background we are from.

Let’s continue to show love for all, and let’s work towards moving Guyana forward as one. I must also thank the Hon. Prime Minister and his wife for making those trips to Region 5; and I am appealing to you, Hon. PM, to have more visits to Region 5. Also, I assure you that all will welcome you with open arms. Thanks for the visits. ABEL SEETARAM APNU+AFC Regional Councillor Region 5 Tel: 684-3293

UG bus operators stage protest By Alva Solomon

STUDENTS of the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus who travel by bus may experience transportation difficulties at nights on campus, as minibus drivers have threatened to continue strike action aimed at removal of the chief of their bus association. Some 20 minibus operators protested in front of the UG Turkeyen Campus gate on Friday, calling for removal of their bus association chairman, citing his inability to represent them. The bus drivers’ concern stems from the removal of several “stickers” which are usually placed on their buses and which enable them to operate at UG. Vijay Persaud, secretary of the UG Bus Association,

--want association chair removed

One of the bus operators who stopped working ing $3000 in fees to operate told this newspaper that the monthly there. chairman of the association Persaud said the contract has been making decisions indicates that the fee is in on his own, without the assofact $2500, which he noted ciation’s involvement. These was unknown to the minibus include a breach of a conoperators. tractual arrangement which He said the President of was made with UG in which the United Minibus Union, the operators have been pay-

Eon Andrews, had taken action to remove the stickers from three bus operators last month, and Persaud said Andrews acted on advice made by the bus association. He said a number of operators are listed to have their stickers removed, and this will greatly affect the UG student population. The operators have met with UG Registrar Dr Nigel Gravesande on Friday, and he promised to assist the operators in communicating their concerns to Andrews. Efforts to contact Andrews were futile, as his mobile number was turned off. The bus operators plan to continue their strike action if the situation is not resolved satisfactorily.

Registrar of the University of Guyana, Dr Nigel Gravesande, interacting with the striking bus operators on Friday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Holland is Linden’s 10th Mayor ‒ plans to convert township into city By Vanessa Braithwaite IN WHAT has been deemed a democratic renewal for the people of Linden after 22 years of waiting, 16 new councillors were sworn to serve the municipality of Linden even as born-and-bred Lindener Carwyn Holland was elected Mayor. His deputy is Waneka Arrinde. They both ran for proportional representation seats under the APNU+AFC coalition. The 14 other councillors unanimously elected the duo for the position of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Holland, reportedly the first mayor to be born in Linden, will serve under the 11th council. The new Mayor expressed gratitude to the APNU+AFC administration for holding Local Government Elections which afforded him the opportunity to serve his town in his new capacity. “Thank you for returning local democracy and self-determination to the Guyanese people and the people of Linden…this is a liberating day for our people,” he posited.

The town, Holland said, will now be able to plan and pursue its own unique path of development. And Holland has promised to collaborate with strategic stakeholders, including Central Government, the RDC and the business community, to make this a reality. He pledged to be a servant-leader for all Lindeners, and to retransform Linden into the great town it was before. “Linden can be great again…our town was renowned for possessing the best of resources, a wealth of assets that drew many to the mining town,” he reminisced. This, he said, was changed after the town was marginalised by the previous administration. His council will focus on stimulating the economy to create jobs; encouraging, inviting and enticing investors, and strengthening the education and health sectors, among other things. Holland thanked his predecessors for bringing the council to its current status, and for the progress they have made. “We will build on the progress

fection; his colleagues for placing their trust in him; and finally, the people of Linden, for voting solidly for the coalition.

Carwyn Holland takes the Oath of Office as Mayor of Linden

you have made, and take the baton and lead this town further up the path of development to new horizons,” he said. His Lordship Carwyn Holland thanked members of his family; Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, who mentored him in politics; Minister Valarie Patterson for her guidance; Regional Chairman Renis Morian and Sandra Adams for leading the campaign with per-

MUST LEAD “Linden must be a town in which families can live in peace and prosper as strong families; build strong communities; strong communities build strong townships, strong townships build strong regions, and strong regions build a strong country. Linden must lead other towns, and the people of Linden will be prosperous. Together we will move forward in unity, together we will build Linden from township status to city status. God bless the people of Linden,” he said. Deputy Mayor Waneka Arrinde, in her address, said she was very humbled to be elected to the position, and understands that the position is one of servanthood. She promised to work along with the Mayor and fellow councillors to effectively, efficiently and sacrificially do her tasks to make sure no one is left behind. Minister in the Ministry of Communities, Valarie Patterson, said she was proud and thankful that

a woman was given the position of Deputy Mayor. She believes that the councillors are among the best of the Linden crop, and is confident they will serve the people well. She urged Lindeners to support the councilors, rather than ridicule them. “They will make mistakes along the way, and they will learn from their mistakes; but our responsibility is to give them a hand of support, not to push them down,” she said. Former IMC Chairman Orin Gordon said he is a happy man to give up his chair, as he was asked to serve in the capacity for one year. That one year extended into 13, and he is now happy to see democratic renewal in Linden and Guyana as a whole. He advised the councillors to remain strong, as criticism will come, but he said they should not allow criticism to suppress them. The other 16 councillors are: Leroy James, Lennox Casper, Eleze Hall, Wainwright Betune, Colin Anderson, Keeran Williams, Fern McKoy, Neola Rogers, Devin Sears, Rawl Friday, Nikeza Noel, Derron John, Deryck Collins and Looma Mosely.

Patricia Chase-Green elected...

Members of the City Council, including Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, raise their hands during nominations to elect a new Deputy Mayor

tion”, and he described it as the democratic renewal of the life of council members. He also expressed appreciation to the former Mayor and councillors for the services they provided to the City over the years. As time ticked towards 13:00hrs on Friday, the gathering in the room anxiously awaited the arrival of ChaseGreen, who was tipped for the position following the March 18 polls. Dressed in the colours of the governing APNU+AFC, Chase-Green, who served as Deputy Mayor during the previous administration of the council, was welcomed by supporters and staff as she entered the City Hall compound. She entered the Council Room and was greeted with

handshakes, and soon after, Town Clerk Royston King administered the afternoon’s business. Shortly afterwards, the councillors took the oath, and nominations began shortly after King read the legal procedures as regards the election of the Mayor. After the floor was open for nominations, Oscar Clarke, the PNCR General Secretary, who was re-elected to serve on the Town Council, rose and nominated Chase-Green. His nomination was seconded by Councillor Alfred Mentore, and shortly after, Councillor Junior Garrett rose and requested that nominations be closed. At that point the councillors were asked if the request should be heeded, and they consented

lar table. She then presided over the meeting in her official capacity, and in emotional tones expressed her appreciation to the council on electing her to the post. She then announced that nominations were open for the post of Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Trichria Richards rose and nominated Duncan for the post. Her nomination was seconded by Chow-Chee, and nominations were closed soon after by way of vote. Duncan was then elected to the post of Deputy Mayor amid loud rounds of ap-

From page 3

mittee, and Oscar Clarke was nominated to the post without opposition. A voting process then followed for six members to be elected to serve on that committee, and soon after, those persons were elected to serve. They included Councillors Garrett, Mentore, Whyte, Ivelaw Henry and Yvonne Ferguson. The Town Clerk then announced the next sitting of the Council as being April 11, 2016, and the traditional time of 14:00hrs was agreed to by the new councillors. The council will meet

Members of the public at the meeting at City Hall on Friday

by raising their hands. When the clock on the wall inside the room struck 13:55 hrs, King announced that Chase-Green was elected Mayor of Georgetown, and the room erupted in

loud cheers from visitors and council members. After assuming her new post and responding to additional handshakes, Mayor Chase-Green assumed her seat at the head of the circu-

plause from those gathered in and outside the room. After the cheers subsided, the councillors then elected a new Chairman of the Council’s Finance Com-

on the second and fourth Monday of each month, with Tuesdays being delegated for meetings should a holiday fall on the meetings set for Monday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Charlestown man shot dead By Alva Solomon

NATHAN Gladston Taylor, a 54-year-old father of three, was last evening gunned down at the corner of Sussex and Adelaide Streets in the Georgetown ward of Charlestown, in what is believed to be a revenge hit. “Tuffy”, as Taylor is also known, was a part-time poultry farmer who lived in Adelaide Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Reports

are that Taylor was sitting in front of a house at the street corner when, at about 21:45 hrs, two men rode up on a CG motorcycle and riddled him with bullets. Picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival. Having been shot multiple times, hospital sources report that as many as 10 bullets were pumped into his body, including his back, chest and neck.

Persons at the hospital told this newspaper that Taylor’s death may be related to the murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Kevon Payne, who was killed execution-style at his Sussex Street home on Tuesday evening. One relative said Taylor’s son may have been the target, noting that persons in the Albouystown area had accused Taylor’s son of being involved in the Payne murder.

Police investigators recovering spent shells at the scene last evening. Taylor’s slippers and the chair he was sitting on lie nearby

At the hospital, Taylor’s wife and three children were lost for words. Scores of relatives rushed to the public medical institution on hearing of his death, and many were seen comforting Taylor’s mother. His friends reported having seen him moments before he died. One friend noted that he had seen Taylor at a shop in the area minutes earlier. He said Taylor was known to be a quiet individual, and his death

came as a shock to many persons in the area, given his quiet nature. At the scene, police ranks cordoned off the area as bystanders looked on in disbelief. Police “A” Division Commander Clifton Hicken, who was on the scene, told this newspaper that Taylor had been engaged in leisure activity when the assailants rode up and shot him. On Tuesday night, Payne, 22, called “Scar”, a

Lance Corporal of the GDF Coast Guard, was gunned down by two men on a CG motorcycle shortly after he had returned home from duty. According to a Guyana Police Force release, ranks of a police mobile patrol who were 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.

Taylor’s wife, Michelle, being comforted by relatives at the Georgetown Public Hospital

Pensioners welcome reduction in GPL rates The $18,200 promised as Old Age Pension in the 2016 National Budget will become payable from today. The Government Information Agency (GINA) spoke with some pensioners about how this new amount would benefit them. GINA also asked their views on the 20 per cent reduction in electricity rates, and this is what they said:

Patricia Halls: “I’m very confident and very happy about the increase. I mean, it’s just something more that we can be able to put our

Meena Khan: “Yes I’m happy that we get the 20 per cent off right; very, very happy. Well, at least I

breakfast on our table, and I thank God for that. I can able to do that especially for my grandchildren.” Rupert Gomes: “I thank the Good Lord for the increase, because we didn’t deh no way better; we de punishing more bad and that’s

about (as) much I can say. I happy about it.” Paula Green: “I think it’s great, because you have to (be) thankful for small mercies. We have bigger ones to come; and for my mom I think it’s ok, because everybody

else do for her, but the 18 (thousand) is good for her.” Nearly 50,000 pensioners will benefit from the $1200 increase which became effective on April 01st. Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during his 2016 Budget Speech to the National Assembly on January 29, 2016, noted that within the eight months the APNU+AFC had been in Government, Old Age Pension had increased by 38.7 per cent, representing the largest increase in recent memory. With the 20 per cent reduction in electricity rate, many persons are happy and relieved.

don’t have a husband and I will try. The money might come in my pocket to buy thing (to) eat.” Marcia Charles: “I feel good! I feel good about the 20 per cent, I feel good about it! I feel real good about it, because I didn’t know they got 20 per cent discount until you came and told me, and I feel real good about it.” GPL, in a press statement, announced a 20 per cent reduction in net rates for the supply of electricity across all tariff categories. This was made possible after an intensive review by the new Board of Directors

in consultation with its executive management team. According to GPL, “This reduction will be applied as a five per cent reduction on the basic rate of both fixed charge and energy charge, and a further 15 per cent fuel rebate on the energy charge. This is given that the company had previously applied an interim 10 per cent fuel rebate on the energy charge in March 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Guyanese heads Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

CPA Secretary General Akbar Khan

FOR the first time in its 105 years of existence, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is being headed by a Guyanese. The 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is Guyanese Akbar Khan. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is an Associated Organisation of the Commonwealth. It links members of national, state, provincial and territorial parliaments and legislatures across the Commonwealth. The Guyanese Secretary-General was appointed in October last year after he was recommended to the 61st General Assembly by the Association’s International Executive Committee, which is made up of representatives of

the nine regions of the CPA. At the opening of the CPA Post Election Seminar, yesterday at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, the Secretary-General recounted his boyhood days in Guyana. “Even though I left Guyana when I was a young boy, I have very happy childhood memories of living on Brickdam, not so far away from this building, and visiting beautiful places in the interior, such as Berbice, Essequibo, and other lovely wonders of the world, such as the Kaieteur Falls, which can only be found here in Guyana. “One of the feelings of coming back to Guyana is feeling the beautiful hospitality and the lush city

of Georgetown, and I am happy to be here on my first overseas tour as Secretary General. “Like so many Guyanese raised and living in the diaspora, the feeling that you can take the boy out of Guyana but not Guyana out of the boy resonates very strongly with me, and it is an enormous personal and professional privilege to be here,” Khan told the Government Information Agency. Secretary General Akbar Khan is a Barrister-at-Law and an Attorney-at-Law. He was admitted to the English Bar in 1990 and the New York Bar (USA) in 2000. He has held senior positions at the UK Foreign Office and at the Commonwealth Secretariat, specialising in International Law. Khan was congratulated by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other officials on his appointment. The Secretary-General of the CPA is now among the many Guyanese who have done exceedingly well in the diaspora, taking up key and critical positions at international agencies and organisations. Among Guyana’s illustrious children who have distinguished themselves are former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Sir Shridath Ramphal; the first female Chief Justice, then first female judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice, Madam Judge Desiree Bernard; and Justice at the International Court of Justice, Mohammed Shahabuddin; to name a few.

Anna Regina, Mabaruma elect their officials today RABINDRANATH Mohan is expected to be named Anna Regina’s Mayor when the new councillors who will sit on the Town Council in the Region Two Municipality take the Oath of Office today. Contacted last evening, Mohan acknowledged that he has been tipped for the post. Reports are that Darshan

Persaud is expected to be sworn in as Deputy Mayor. The council is expected to meet at 07:00 hrs, and voting for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor will commence shortly thereafter. At the March 18 Local Government Election (LGE), the Opposition PPP won 14 seats in the municipality of Anna Regina, as opposed to the APNU+AFC’s 2 seats.

The councillors at Mabaruma will also meet today to elect a Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Last month’s LGE saw the seats in the municipality of Mabaruma being split between the PPP and the APNU+AFC, with both sides obtaining six seats each. The council is expected to meet at 10:00 hrs today to elect their officials.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Marshall first Mayor of Bartica ‒ female Deputy sees post as personal achievement

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman stands among the first councillors of the Bartica municipality. Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford and Frederick Mc Wilfred (Political Division) are also in photo

Bartica’s Mayor Gifford Marshall presenting his credentials to the Assistant Town Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and Town Council Sherry Jerrick

By Svetlana Marshall HISTORY was created on Friday when 35-year-old Gifford Marshall was unanimously elected the first Mayor of Bartica. Marshall and the elected Deputy Mayor Nageshwari Kamal Persaud were initially sworn in as councillors of the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, along with 16 other councillors representing the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the Bartica Independent Green Alliance (BIGA). Starting precisely at 14:00hrs, Assistant Town Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council Sherry Jerrick smoothly executed the swearing-in ceremony at the Bartica Community Centre in the presence of Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communities Emil Mc Garrell, former Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford, Frederick Mc Wilfred, and scores of residents who had gathered to witness history in the making. Kenneth Williams, Carmel Williams, Lennox Lyte-Rankin, Mark Ambrose, Harry Ramjag, Gifford Marshall, Nageshwari Kamal Persaud, June Shurland, Lloyd Garraway, Hazel Allicock, Stanley Dutchin, Orin Griffith, Deborah Browne

and Ivor Melville are the 14 APNU+AFC Councillors who took the oath of office on Friday, swearing to faithfully execute the office of councillor without fear or favour, affection or ill will, and according to the best of their judgement and ability. PPP/C’s George Porter, Sonia Simmons, and Jasmattie Moungla took a similar oath along with the lone BIGA Councillor Juretha Fernandes. Minutes after the councillors were sworn in, APNU+AFC Lyte-Rankin rose to his feet, nominating Marshall for the position of Mayor. The nomination which was unopposed, was seconded by Garraway. Deputy Mayor Persaud was also unanimously elected. CELEBRATION When it was announced that Marshall was now officially the first Mayor of Bartica and Persaud the Deputy Mayor, the community centre burst into celebration with their council men and women, Government and regional officials and even residents rushing to offer words of congratulation. “I want to thank God for this opportunity to be a part of the first council,” Marshall told the Guyana Chronicle shortly after he was elected Mayor, noting that it was not only emotional for him but all the other councillors who take pride in Bartica. He said it important for the

Mayor and Town Council to move Bartica forward given the vision outlined by President David Granger for the municipality to be Guyana’s first Green Town. As a result, he said the council will shift into gear almost immediately, focusing on key projects such as the construction of a municipal airport, and a Town Hall, in addition to rectifying the waste management system which is in a state of disrepair. “The Town Hall is a major project for us, because it will be a model building, that will

be a true representation of what a model community should have… we will design it to produce zero per cent emissions, as such, we are looking at underground parking,” the Mayor said, noting that the walls of the building will be made out of solar panels. Other areas of concern, he said, are unemployment among young people and teenage pregnancy. “Too many of our young men are unemployed, too many of our young men are on drugs, and they are just liming on a corner, so that will be an issue for this council. I know the money will come, I know that the council will deliver, but it makes no sense for us to deliver and put infrastructure in place but the human element falls apart, so it is very, very important that we pay attention to our youth.” He said young men and women must be educated and benefit from the system. PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT Persaud said it was a historic day for her as well. “I feel very excited to be the first Deputy Mayor of Bartica. For me, this is a personal accomplishment and it gives me a great sense of joy to know that I stand as a single mother, as a woman that has faced a lot of adversities in life to be able to reach this level, it is so surreal for me.” She will be pushing for the town’s landscape to be transformed, particularly in the area of waste disposal and management. Minister Trotman, in offering his congratulations, said he was pleased to witness local democracy at work. But he did not only offer his congratulations but his advice as well, being a former councillor of the

Bartica’s Deputy Mayor Nageshwari Kamal Persaud taking the oath of office

Georgetown Mayor and City Council in 1994. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the council has been elected at a time when there is a wave of high expectations. “They have to meet the expectation, but of course not go beyond what is possible and so that expectation has to be managed.” Minister Trotman added that “they are assuming something that has never existed before, so it is their task to shape it and give it definition and meaning,” noting too that the council now has an obligation to work out a financial strategy

that will enable them to fulfil their mandate. He warned that the task ahead may not be an easy one, but said with determination, it will be accomplished. “Know that the successful person, is the person that when he stumbles or when she stumbles picks themselves up, that is not to say that you will never stumble, but you got to know that when you do, you got to look at others, and know that all the others that you see before you have stumbled themselves and have found a way to pick themselves up.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Young councillors plan to transform Georgetown By Alva Solomon WHEN the members to serve on the Georgetown Municipality were sworn in on Friday, one thing was evident about the council’s make-up: the presence of several youthful faces. Among the young faces, who will decide on the affairs of the City, are Trichria Richards, Akeem Peter and Salima Bacchus-Hinds. The three highlighted their views on the council’s agenda ahead, including the restoration of Georgetown to the Garden City title it held in yesteryear. Richards and Peter represent the APNU+AFC, while

Bacchus-Hinds serves in the seat won by Team Benschop for Mayor at last month’s Local Government Elections. Richards, who hails from the Laing Avenue area in West Ruimveldt, told this publication that she wishes to see the Capital City being transformed completely according to the title it held in the years gone by. She said that in the years ahead, she wants to see communities within the City being enhanced through selfhelp, with there being a sense of togetherness. “I would also like to see that the power of the local communities go back to the people within the different

Salima Bacchus–Hinds, who will represent Team Benschop for Mayor in the Georgetown Municipality, being interviewed by this newspaper

constituencies in terms of cleaning the environment and maintenance,” she added. Richards added that community centres would greatly add to the development of communities within the capital. Richards, who represented Constituency 13 at the March 18 LGE, noted that one of the major issues affecting her community is flooding. She promised she would ensure that this problem is corrected in the long-run. The newly-elected councillor also noted that since the change in Government last May, persons have developed a sense of self-help with regard to cleaning their communities. “I would like to see that being continued as this new council carries out its work,” she said. Peter, who represented Constituency 5 at the LGE, said the issues within the areas in his constituency are known to the Government

Councillors Akeem Peter and Trichria Richards will represent the APNU+AFC at City Hall

and the council. FIND SOLUTIONS He said the goal of the council is to find solutions to the issues affecting the communities.

“We have noted, along the years, that security, public infrastructure, public health, and youth empowerment are some things we need to focus on; and we Turn to page 21 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Embed STEM in school's curricula …says President Granger

becoming innovators and critical thinkers, he posited.

By Vanessa Braithwaite

FUTURE IS IN SAFE HANDS President Granger commended the coordinators of the fair, held in different regions biennially, and said it is “an inspiring experience for all of us.” The innovative exhibits and projects illustrate the interest and imagination of young people, he said. “These exhibitions of the creative genius of our students reassure us that our country’s future will be guided by a generation of fine minds, and they remind us constantly that the future of this country will be in safe hands,” the President said. These innovations, he said, must not only be projects, but must be seen as practical applications to be shared with the wider society. “This fair must not be

PRESIDENT David Granger has posited that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) should be embedded in all levels of schools’ curricula, as the future of Guyana depends on those disciplines. Addressing, on Friday, the audience at the closing exercise of the National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair, which ran together with the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge Fair at the Linden Foundation Secondary School, the President stressed during his main address that the four disciplines must not only be taught separately, but should be integrated into one. He encouraged the students who participated in the fairs to pursue the disci-

plines, as he said they were important for one’s intellectual development and survival. “Guyana’s young people must be educated and encouraged to be inventive and innovative. They must be provided with the opportunities to develop practical solutions to the challenges we face, and so we encourage them to undertake studies in STEM,” the President said. He said the four disciplines encourage critical thinking, which is essential to solving problems and, most importantly, to being innovative and competitive. “We have to become an innovation nation, and STEM is essential to innovation. We have to compete against bigger countries in the global market, and we can only compete if we can innovate.

President David Granger addressing the closing ceremony of the National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair on Friday

We can’t simply copy what the big boys and girls are doing, we have to be better by introducing new products,” the President articulated. For Guyana to become more innovative, more emphasis must be given to these subjects at all three levels of the education system, starting from primary; so that the students will be moulded into

seen as an end, but as merely a means to an end, a path that we should pursue beyond the walls of our classrooms. They should lead us into the communities and our countrysides, where children live, work and play. The models should be shared with the wider society, so that the practical application will not be completely lost, but will add value to people’s lives,” the President said. NEEDS ARE LIMITLESS The students were encouraged by the Head of State to take the sciences and technological/vocational skills seriously, as those would not only be to their individual benefit, but to the holistic benefit of Guyana, which possesses limitless needs. “We need science for energy generation, for management of solid waste, and (for) creating green commu-

nities and economies. Guyana needs persons in manufacturing and mining. We need architects, construction workers to build our homes. We need medical doctors and technologists to protect us from epidemic disease, or to cure our everyday disorders. We need computer scientists to enhance our knowledge. Our needs as a nation are limitless,” he said. The 2016 National Science, Mathematics and Technology Fair and the Sagicor Visionary Challenge Fair were officially launched on Wednesday under the theme: “Enhancing traditional technology to sustain modern societies through science, mathematics, engineering and technology.” The fair was hosted by Education District 10, and saw contingents from all 11 education districts participating in this biennial educational event.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Businessman suffers ‘big loss’ in robbery By Michel Outridge

THE PEOPLE’S Choice Self-Service Store, located at Meten-Meer-Zorg Public Road, West Coast Demerara, was broken into and robbed of millions of dollars in items, including brand name colognes, bags of rice, milk, beverages and car accessories, among other things. A distressed Harry Singh, proprietor of the store, told the Guyana Chronicle that he learnt of the incident after a neighbour telephoned him at home early on Friday morning. He said he hurried to the

scene and was greeted by a ransacked store, and saw that one of the side windows, which was outfitted with steel and secured by double padlocks, was removed and the wooden bars ripped out. Singh explained that the robbers gained entry from the ground floor, and entered the store, which has several sections, including grocery, stationery, pharmacy, car accessories, CDs and DVDs, gift centre and electronics. The businessman said he rents the place, the lower flat of which houses the store while the top flat is occupied by a private school named Professional Learning College

(PLC). He reported that the police were summoned, and showed up at the scene, but failed to lift any fingerprints from the many showcases in the store. Singh explained that at approximately 03:00hrs, a neighbour observed a man carrying two bags of rice passing his home, but he thought nothing of it. But when a second man passed with a basket containing boxes of milk, beverages and other things, he become suspicious and called out to his wife to hand him the cutlass, and he began to shout for "Thief!" He said the man dropped the basket and fled on foot.

The window which was once outfitted with steel and through which the robbers gained entry to the store

The store at Meten-Meer-Zorg Public Road, West Coast Demerara, that was robbed

Singh said the bandits spent a lot of time in the store, and selected the best of everything. He pointed out that they selected from the many glass cases in the store, thus he was robbed of the largest Cadbury chocolates, colognes, milk, juices and other items. Singh told this newspaper that the business is family-owned and the members

The items left behind from the empty showcases

tried to sell everything possible. The bandits had also gained access to the top flat, which houses the private school, and they took the money that was there from the canteen, and also took time to have a few beverages from the refrigerator. This is the second robbery to have occurred at the

same business place. In the first robbery, the robbers had gained entry to the store after breaking the wall. In this robbery, the men also brought their own tools, which included hammer and chisels, which they left behind. Singh is, however, thankful that it was not a gunpoint robbery, and his two employees were not hurt.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Police Force 2000 short Meten-Meer-Zorg Post Office robbed ‒ Minister Ramjattan

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan

AS the Guyana Government continues to fight crime, there is need for more manpower in the disciplined forces, according to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, who noted that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is short

of 2000 persons. Minister Ramjattan made the revelation on Friday, while addressing executives of the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) at the Ministry of Public Security. He iterated that while the GPF has approximately 4,500 persons, it was still 2000 short of its maximum capacity. “We have been working hard to ensure that there is maximum capacity in the Force, but due to varying constraints, such as persons complaining of low salaries and so forth, we have been unable to do so,” he said. He emphasised that the Force would be working hard to recruit more persons. Speaking recently at the accreditation of Kuwait’s non-resident Ambassador to Guyana, President David Granger had said, “There is

still a lot of work to be done as Guyana begins to win the war on crime.” He had also expressed his pleasure at the progress of the GPF. “There are several measures. One of the most important things that are not visible to the naked eye is that our CID [Criminal Investigation Department] has been strengthened. Though we may not be able to prevent crimes from occurring in all those cases, we could detect those crimes and bring those people to justice very quickly. That has been one of the achievements of the Police Force over recent months,” the President said. Minister Ramjattan is calling on persons to get on board -- join the GPF and play a part in protecting citizens of the country.

Drama as alleged robber-rapist remanded A 27-YEAR-OLD man yesterday made a dramatic appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged for robbing an elderly security guard after allegedly raping her. “I’m wrongfully accused...is better y’all kill me’’ were the shouts of Samuel David George when he was being escorted into the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. George broke down in tears and threw himself on the ground of the prisoners’ dock and started to pray, all the time whispering “The blood of Jesus.” Police officers tried to restrain the prisoner, but he refused and started to hit himself. However, he stopped when the magistrate entered. The court heard that on March 28 at East Ruimveldt, he robbed a 60-year-old security officer of her $5,000 cellular phone along with $18,000 in cash. He was not required to plead to the charge. Police Prosecutor De-

Samuel David George

niro Jones strongly opposed George being released on bail and pointed out that the accused had a charge of rape pending against him. Jones also noted that while George told the court that he resides at lot ‘A’ East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, he had given the police lot 600 East Ruimveldt as a conflicting address. The chief magistrate refused George bail and remanded him until April 14, when he is scheduled to make his second appearance. While George was leaving the court in the prison van for the Camp Street jail,

family members of the victim shouted taunts at him. One person who was identified as a daughter, said she hoped the prisoners would rape him “like how he rape meh mudda.” She intoned, “Ya na shame, she is an old woman.” All the while he stared blankly at them. Then, as the prison vehicle drove off, George screamed at the family: “The blood of Jesus pon yall.” According to reports, on Monday, March 28 the victim was in her guard hut at a Day Care Centre in Georgetown. The suspect allegedly broke in and beat the 60-year-old woman and robbed her before raping her twice. The ordeal is said to have lasted over 35 minutes The victim was ordered to walk to the ballfield in the Day Care compound, but fortunately for her a nearby resident heard the commotion and came out just in time to rescue the elderly woman. George was later arrested by police as he tried to change his appearance by cutting his hair.

Traditional opening of Criminal Session THREE Judges of the High Court will preside at the Demerara Criminal Session, which opens on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 with the traditional Ceremonial Parade. They are Justices Navindra Singh, Jo-Ann Barlow and Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. One of these judges will inspect the Guard of Honour, formulated by 60 ranks of the Tac-

tical Services Unit for the Ceremonial Parade, and will afterwards take the salute during the march-past outside the Court on South Road. At the conclusion of the parade, those persons who have been summoned as jurors will be addressed by the Registrar, following which the initial cases to be heard will be called up for consideration.

Pensioners waiting to uplift their money on Friday

WHEN employees of the Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) Post Office, West Coast Demerara, showed up for work on Friday morning, they got quite a shock when they saw that the place had been broken into and robbed. Deputy Post Master General of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), Abdul Hassan, told the Guyana Chronicle that the back door, which is on the ground floor of the building, was forced open by robbers. He said employees were sure they had secured the place before leaving on Thursday afternoon.

Hassan added that the bandits had managed to access the inner office, which houses the safe in which money is stored. Officials told this newspaper that some money was missing from the safe, but could not say how much, since the investigation was still active. Hassan said the missing money was for general post office transactions. This newspaper understands that several pensioners turned up at the post office on Friday, and were waiting to collect their pensions, but payment was delayed because of the theft. Some pensioners learnt that the place was broken

into only after they arrived at the location. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the theft was the work of a group of men who had ample time to get inside the building and cart off the money. Meanwhile, as they waited for the post office to resume business, several members of the Stewartville Seventh-Day Adventist Church saw it fitting to distribute meals of hot vegetable soup to the elderly. One of the many recipients of the meal, Savitri Ramsundar, told the newspaper that she was pleased to have something to eat while she waited. The MMZ Post Office has been outfitted with a shed and seating accommodation for pensioners, who previously had to brave the scorching sun while awaiting receipt of their pensions. The initiative was the brainchild of Police ‘D’ Division Commander Stephen Mansell, who got support from several businessmen. One of the donors, Halim Khan, disclosed that plans were on stream to have ceiling fans installed inside the post office.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Harmon led official delegation to China MINISTER of State, Joseph Harmon, and inhouse Legal Counsel at the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Natalia Seepersaud, have returned from an official trip to the

People’s Republic of China. The purpose of their visit was to engage in discussions in regard to payment for the 20 per cent shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), bought from NICIL

by Chinese company Datang Telecom Technology and Industry Group for US$5 million in 2012, for which a balance is owed for the purchase. This deal was entered into by the previous admin-

istration, but only US$25 million of the agreed US$30 million was paid, a Ministry of the Presidency release has said. Minister Harmon reported on his return that the investigations and enquiries that were conducted by the Guyanese delegation were highly successful. The team’s report will be submitted to the Board of Directors of NICIL for deliberation, after which a full statement on this matter will be issued. Separately, but during the same period, a team from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), comprising Head of Project Coordination, Fitzroy Corlette, and Supervisor David Hermonstine; along with the representative of

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

the Chinese companies in Guyana, Clinton Williams, visited China to participate in negotiations with NUTECH, a Chinese security scanning equipment supplier, for the acquisition of container and

baggage scanners. NUTECH is recognised as one of the world’s top providers of security scanning equipment. The company produces scanners that are used to effectively prevent trafficking of contraband such as explosives, narcotics and radioactive substances. The acquisition of security scanners by the GRA is aimed at strengthening air, land and sea-port security, and to help in the fight against the trafficking of illegal drugs. The GRA team and NUTECH both expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the negotiations, and the Guyana Revenue Authority is expected to issue a separate statement on this matter shortly.

Guyana joins Islamic Development Bank GUYANA has acceded to membership of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) after receiving an official correspondence from the bank on March 22, 2016. A Ministry of Finance release said the move is a signal development, as Guyana has been attempting to join the bank ever since it became a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in 1998. Becoming a member of the OIC is a prerequisite to obtain membership of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). At a time when access to concessionary resources is becoming more difficult, membership to the bank will afford Guyana an alternative source of financing to highly concessional resources, including grants and interest-free loans. This will greatly assist in financing the Government’s development agenda, re-

dounding to the ‘good life’ for all citizens, the Ministry of Finance has said. The areas of intervention of the IDB include human development, rural development and food safety, infrastructural development, trade among member countries and private sector development, research and development in Islamic economies, and banking and finance. The Islamic Development Bank was established in December 1973, and officially opened its doors for business on October 20, 1975. It is headquartered in the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also operates through regional offices in Kazakhstan, Senegal, Malaysia and the Kingdom of Morocco. The bank was established with the purpose of fostering economic development and social progress in member countries and Muslim communities. The IDB currently has a membership of 56 countries: in Latin America (1); Africa (27); Europe (2) and Asia (26). Guyana joins as the 57th member. Suriname is the other CARICOM member state that is a member.

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First Lady meets women’s empowerment specialists ‒ explores possible collaboration FIRST Lady Sandra Granger has met with representatives of the Women’s Association for Sustainable

Development (WASD), in collaboration with the Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts.

The meeting was held at the First Lady’s State House office, a Ministry of the Presidency release has said. In an invited comment, Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur Sonia Noel, a repre-

Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur Sonia Noel, Empowerment Specialists Dr Linda Wallace and Anna McCoy, all representatives of the Women’s Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), flank First Lady Sandra Granger after the meeting at her State House office

sentative of both groups, said since empowerment specialists Dr Linda Wallace and Mrs Anna McCoy were in Guyana to mark the WASD’s first anniversary, she thought it would be remiss of her not to seek out a courtesy call on the First Lady, since the visiting ladies are all very keen on empowering women. “We have two very phenomenal women here so…I thought a courtesy call was a must. I wouldn’t let them leave without coming to see [the First Lady], so we plan to actually have discussions with her, to see where we can collaborate for the advancement of women in Guyana,” Ms Noel said. The First Lady has said that while she was pleased to facilitate Ms Noel’s request for a courtesy call, “It became a much more in-depth meeting”, and she is eager to see the benefits that will accrue from further collaboration. “We exchanged our visions on enhancing life…for the people of Guyana, and they have indicated their willingness to

support initiatives that will benefit the people of Guyana, women and children; so we’re going to work and keep in touch,” the First Lady has said. Dr Wallace, who is a pastor, empowerment specialist, global solutionist and advocate for women’s rights, said the WASD is doing its part to ensure that women reach their full potential by sharing its knowledge and creating linkages with like-minded persons. “The WASD is trying to align its efforts with the United Nations mandate for the empowerment of women, as we’re building relationships (and) fostering opportunities with women outside of the U.S. to bring our business models and training and education to fulfil that mandate to educate women and children. “We want to see women reach their potential. Strong women are healthy women, and produce healthy families, which in turn produces a healthy nation. So we’re just joining the movement, so to speak, to do our part and what we can to support women

globally, and men as well,” she said. McCoy, who is also a pastor and founder of Women Act Now, shared similar sentiments. In an invited comment, she said she is “honoured to be a part of this [effort], having an opportunity to meet with [the First Lady].” She also said she is “happy” to be in Guyana to support and advance efforts to promote women’s wholeness. “I’m excited about the women in business, the sustainability that it will bring to this country. I believe that the First Lady also has a heart for women’s empowerment. It certainly is our hope to align with other women around the world -- such as her, such as Sonia Noel and the group of women that we‘ve had the opportunity to speak to -- to really teach and share business principles that can really advance what they’re doing. “And I think a part of it and really supporting the things she’s doing is really what our hope is,” McCoy said.

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Sebastian’s death due to absence of safety measures ‒ Commission of Inquiry report By Ariana Gordon

THE death of Trenton Sebastian, 19, of Kurukubaru, Region Eight, who died in a pit in Mahdia on March 14, 2016 as a result of a mine collapse at Konawak, Mahdia, occurred due to the “absence of controls to make the mine-face safe.” According to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) report into the collapse of the mining pit at Konawak, Mahdia and the death of Sebastian -- done by Major General (Retired) Joseph Singh -- the six-inch dredge owned by Sherwin Grenada was operating without the written permission of the Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. The dredge was being operated on a Prospecting Permit Medium Scale (PPMS) property for which an application was made for it to be transferred to a Mining Permit Medium Scale (MPMS). That application was made by Shellon Luke in January 2010. Permission was not approved for conversion to a Mining Permit Medium Scale (MPMS) because of the need for map coordinates to be validated on the ground. “The principal cause of this pit failure accident is that a shortcut was taken to extract ore to a pile in the pit, wash it to the sump and recover gold quickly. The required safety practices with respect to overburden removal and proper mining bench delineation to isolate the mine face were absent,” the report, submitted to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman, on March 21, stated. Sebastian was killed on the first day of his employment by Grenada as a pitman. The mining pit collapsed at approximately 15:15hrs on March 14, and the falling material buried the 19-year-old alive. His body was recovered some three hours after the collapse. “This incident and death occurred because of the absence of controls to make the mine-face safe in relation to the miners (jet men and pitmen) washing ore to a sump (marack hole) for pumping into a process box (sluice box),” the report noted. The mining position at the time of the accident was a high and steep (almost vertical) mine-face of 30 feet, with no bench. The floor of the pit was narrow and very restricted because of fallen trees and vegetation, and there was no

proper ingress or egress to or from the mine pit, making it very difficult to safely escape when the collapse occurred, the report stated.

OTHER FACTORS Other factors also contributed to the mining pit collapse. These include poor mining techniques due to the inexperience of the workers, the lack of training at all levels, lack of technical inputs, and a “chasing gold” mentality. Sebastian suffered spinal damage caused by the material that buried him for nearly three hours. It was discovered that there was no hydraulic jetting of the wall in the direction of the lead at the time of the sloughing and subsequent collapse of the wall. The mining pit activities were focused on cleaning out the floor of the pit in preparation for processing of the material from the marack hole to the sluice box. Two jet men were directing the jets of water away from the wall and towards the marack hole. Sebastian was standing in the pit behind the jet men, and about 15 feet from the toe of the 30-foothigh vertical wall when he observed the collapsing section, shouted an alarm, and sought to get out of the way of the falling material, the report stated. As such, the men who were facing away from the wall fled in the direction of the dredge, which was positioned outside of the pit. Sebastian, being behind the jet men and nearest to the wall, fled in the direction of a large diameter tree sloping upwards from the pit floor, but he was hit by the falling ‘mud balls’ and other materials. The CoI found that the mining pit was too narrow, the face of the pit in the direction of the lead was too vertical, the material was too unstable, and the knowledge of the dredge owner Sherwin Grenada, his General Manager Clinton Emptage, the jet men and pit men, was too inadequate to cope with the combination of factors that were cumulatively responsible for the collapse of a section of the pit wall. Notwithstanding the shortcomings discovered, Singh, in his report, said the actions that followed the collapsing of the section of the wall and the disappearance of the 19-year-old, the attempts to recover Sebastian’s body from under the fallen material “were the best that could have been taken by the dredge

Major General (retired) Joe Singh

owner and his crew in the circumstances”. Additionally, it was discovered that Curt Chase, a ranger at Mahdia who represents Shellon Luke, oversees the said property for which the PPMS was applied for by Luke. Chase gave an oral approval to Grenada late last year to work on a mining position approximately 100 metres from the pit that collapsed. Grenada was issued a Cease Work Order (CWO) in February 2016 during an inspection by GGMC’s Mining Engineer, because he could not produce to her any written permission to operate on the said property by the Commissioner of GGMC. NOT APPROVED The Mining Engineer found that the application was not approved for the conversion of the PPMS to the MPMS, as it was on hold on February 19, 2010 pending a survey of the Mahdia area. “This was even more reason why the dredge owner should not have been working on the position,” the report stated. Grenada complied with CWO of February 2016, but approached Chase seeking another position on the said PPMS. This was granted orally. “Ranger Chase admitted to giving oral approval to the dredge owner Grenada to carry out mining operations on the position for which a CWO was issued in February 2016. He also admitted to giving approval for Grenada to work on the other position where Sebastian met his death. He acknowledged receiving tributes as a percentage of the dredge owner Grenada’s production. He justified his granting of approval to Grenada on the false premise that the annual rental for the PPMS property applied for was paid by Luke, and it was his opinion that he

could allow the small-scale dredge operated by Grenada to proceed,” the report added. However, since the CWO was issued in February, GGMC officials paid no other visit to the site to ensure compliance. “GGMC engineer indicated that, given the staff’s schedule of visits to other parts of the mining district, and with the limited number available at any time, given the leave rotation, another monitoring visit could not have been done to ensure compliance.” It was also discovered that the methodology used by dredge owner to create the pit was “seriously flawed” and in breach of GGMC’s regulations. Apart from his hiring of an excavator to make an initial clearing of the forested area to allow hydraulic jetting to commence, the jetting process was utilised to clear additional trees, as evidenced by one large two-foot-diameter tree sloping upwards from the floor of the pit. “This inherently dangerous operation was rationalised by dredge owner Grenada as a calculated decision to ensure more money went to his crew as a result of clearing by hydraulic jetting

rather than by assisted clearing involving the use of the excavator.” He reportedly paid $10,000 to each crew member on each ounce of gold won by use of the dredge only, as against $3000 payment to each member if an excavator is used to assist the dredge in clearing the trees and overburden in direction of the lead. This is seen as a contributing factor in the chain of events leading up to the death of Sebastian. The findings of Singh’s inquiry are similar to those of the August 4, 2015 CoI into several mining pit collapses and deaths of miners, headed by Dr Grantley Waldron. Singh said all of the recommendations of the CoI conducted by Waldron are applicable to the Konawak CoI, and quoted sections of the Waldron Report. Singh’s report noted the fact that, some eight months after the submission of the report of that CoI, mining pit accidents are still occurring, and the causes are the same. “The regulatory agency’s Training for Trainers’ programmes and the dissemination of information through the media, though laudable,

are not yet impacting on the mining community in the field. Most small miners hardly have access to the media, and visits by mines officers to mining operations are infrequent because of the scale and scope of mining operations within mining districts, and the lax culture (in relation) to safety in Guyana.” Singh recommended that the findings and recommendations of the CoI as contained in the August 4, 2015 report be the subject of “saturation”, to disseminate these as widely and as quickly as possible at the national, regional and mining district levels. The strategy, he noted, must be collaborative, consultative, and sustained; and all necessary resources must be employed in the process. The report pointed to the need for active participation of workers in the management of health and safety initiatives. This, the report noted, needs to be achieved through legislative guidance from GGMC and the Occupational Safety and Health Regulator of the Ministry of Social Protection’s Department of Labour.

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President, Opposition Leader mourn passing of Clyde Roopchand

Clyde Roopchand

PRESIDENT David Granger has expressed condolences to the wife and relatives of the late Clyde Roopchand, CCH, who died on March 30, 2016 in New York. Roopchand served for many years in the State Planning Secretariat and the Ministry of Finance, the

President said in a statement, adding that Roopchand was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in 2011 for his service to Guyana. And Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said it is with deep regret and sadness that he received the news of the passing of Roopchand. “I have known Clyde for a long time, dating back to my early days as an economist in the State Planning Secretariat. He served as Chief Planning Officer of Guyana, and did so with distinction. His commitment to national development was unquestionable, and his service to our people was selfless and exemplary,” Jagdeo said. He added that during the period he served as Minister of Finance and President, Roopchand held numerous

Young councillors plan to... From page 12

need to invest in those issues,” he said. As a young councillor, Peter said, he feels privileged to be one of the younger persons to sit on the council. “I believe that this is what Local Government is all about; it is transferring the power back to the people, whether you are young or old. This is actually our opportunity to guide Georgetown in the direction that it has to go,” Peter noted. He said the council now has an opportunity to restore “that which has been lost”. “It is good to see young people serve within these capacities, and it is something which we had been looking forward to and want to see over the years to come,” he added. Bacchus-Hinds said she will advocate for all decisions made at the council level to be undertaken transparently and in the best interest of the residents of Georgetown. She said these are the concerns of residents, including calls for improved drain-

age and garbage collection. “For those things to be managed the best way, we need to improve the management of the city,” she declared. Meanwhile, Mark Benchop, of Team Benchop for Mayor, congratulated the new councillors on their appointment, and expressed hope that they will work towards the betterment of the Capital. Benschop said he was somewhat concerned at the make-up of the newly-formed Finance Committee of the City Council. He said it was puzzling that the voting process on Friday resulted in only members of the Government side being elected to serve on the Finance Committee. This, he said, can result in issues relative to accountability and transparency. Benschop said it is now the duty of his party, and the other smaller groups whose members sit on the council, to ensure that there is transparency at the highest level.

posts, including Director of the CDB; alternate Governor of the CDB; Guyana’s Representative to the Board of Governors’ meetings of the IDB and IMF; and Chairman of the GRA Board, among numerous other regional and international posts.

“His institutional knowledge and immense experience are a great loss to our country. He guided the process of preparing the capital budget and Public Sector Investment Programme,”Jagdeo said. According to Jagdeo, Roopchand’s work in fol-

lowing up the implementation of numerous decisions made on cabinet outreaches, and the key role he played in the implementation of various development initiatives in the regions brought him close to many people who live in those areas. “Clyde Roopchand’s

contributions to Guyana spanned many decades, serving every government and President in our post-Independence history. He was an outstanding public servant. The PPP is grateful for the service of this patriot to our country,” Jagdeo added.

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Single mom appeals for mining lands By Ariana Gordon

A SINGLE mother and her sons who mine in the Kuribrong, Potaro, Region Eight area are calling on the Ministry of Natural Resources to assist them with finding mining lands to maintain their source of income. Ruby Carrington and her sons were caught mining on state property in the Kuribrong area, and were issued a cease-work order earlier this month. However, the family did not stop working. Shortly after receiving the cease-work order, another miner from the town of Bartica, whose name was given, reportedly ventured to the spot Carrington and her children were mining and destroyed all of their property. The man claimed he has documents for the property and that the family needed to stop working immediately. A report was made to the Bartica Police Station, but the family was reportedly given no satisfaction. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, during a meeting of the public session at the Ministry of Natural Resources on Brickdam, Carrington said the named miner went to their mining location with police officers and a warden and demanded that they remove from the land. According to the woman, this miner failed to provide documentation in support of his claim. As such, the family did not remove from the property. “The following week, he himself come and chop down our box; and last week Wednesday he bring in two police and a warden and he demand to let the dredges come out, (but) the workers refused to move out the dredges,” the woman said. Carrington explained that this miner was accompanied by another miner who is his friend, (alias is only name given) and armed police officers, who looked on as this miner’s workers and those of his friend destroyed her family’s property. “The police see that the workers pull out my son’s

-- after cease-work order on state property

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes

engine and everything, and demand (that the miner’s friend’s workers) put his engine in the same hole.” The emotional woman said the two police officers who were present on that day along with the warden “washed down my box. One of my workers go into the camp and end up seeing them, and run away and go and tell Terry (Carrington’s son) that he catch them washing down the box.” A d d i t i o n a l l y, e v i dence was presented to the law-enforcement officers at Bartica that this miner and his team had threatened and forced her sons to leave the hole in which they were working, but she was told it is mandatory that they leave the land because it belongs to the miner. “Police saw video taken by GM with (this named miner) and gang destroying the box, and they ain’t say nothing,” Carrington added. Crying bitterly, the woman said she has no other source of income, and has struggled to raise her children. “I am a woman and I bring my children up from a small age, and I don’t have nowhere to work, and I don’t want my children them to be in nothing illegal,” the woman said, crying before Minister within

the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes. Carrington pleaded with the minister to help her family find land to continue mining. She acknowledged that she and her sons were mining in Kuribrong illegally. “I just begging that if my children dem and myself could get to work and we could get our dollars because we have our expense…” she added. The woman said she and her family have been mining for approximately seven years, and have been finding it difficult over those years. She said that for all of 2015, she was unable to pay the persons she received the excavator from. “The excavator; for the whole year we ain’t pay the excavator person nothing. Is from this year January we give them three installment… They see with me for one whole year…,” the woman said as she cried. She stressed: “We didn’t getting no money…I just asking if we can get an opportunity to work.” At the time the ceasework order was issued, on March 3, Carrington said, her family could not have removed from the land, as the Kuribrong River was swollen. “…the excavator could not cross back the Kuribrong River due to the water swelling, and since last year the water was very low when we crossed over. That’s the reason also make we still stay and work.” Meanwhile, one of Carrington’s sons, Terrence Ajudia, told the Guyana Chronicle that on March 23, the miner and a team went to their mining camp and “start harassing the workers.” “They didn’t produce no ID, so you could not identify them properly; and they just come and told us that we have to stop working and move our engine out of our areas…they start chopping the pipe, cutting down the box.”

Ruby Carrington

Asked if he was afraid for his life, Ajudia said at one point he was, as, from all indications, it seemed as though the police officer was ready to gun-butt (pistol whip) him. “[Because of] how they approached me… I behaved rude, and like the police they want to gun-butt me… so I stay quiet…because I didn’t want to get hurt.” LOST OVER $1.5M The man estimates that his family suffered a loss of more than $1.5M. “I can’t really estimate, but is over $1.5M,” he stated. Ajudia maintained that his family members knew they were mining illegally after being informed by the mines officer, but he noted that the matter could have been dealt with differently. “That is not the way the police or warden is supposed to come in… They are supposed to be more professional.” He said his family is in search of justice. “We just really asking for justice, and at least we don’t want this what happen to us happen to other miners,” he added. CLEAR PROCEDURES Minister Broomes has told the media that the actions of a mines officer, whose identity is known, are unacceptable. She said

Terrence Ajudia, son of Ruby Carrington

that while illegal mining will not be condoned under the APNU+AFC administration, the procedures set out within the regulations and laws governing the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) must be adhered to at all times. “We cannot condone these things…. We have a system, so if someone go to wash your box, you have to be there, you got to know how much gold it is…” Broomes said that Carrington and her sons went prospecting in the Kuribrong area, and during their prospecting they found a man on the property whom they assumed was the owner. When asked whether he was the owner, the man said he wasn’t. As a result, the family started to work the property. “They were wrong, because the place is state land,” said the minister, who noted that the family was issued a cease-work order, after which they wrote the Ministry of Natural Resources on the matter and apologised. “I told them I will deal with the matter and get back to them. When I went last week, I was told nobody had an application for the place, so I said ok. I went to the acting commissioner…and was told that one Telford Layne has an alternative letter.”

An alternative letter is secured usually after a court ruling on persons mining illegally on state property. It allows miners to receive alternative lands to continue working. According to the minister, the miner in question had made a complaint to the minister, stating that he is the power of attorney for Layne, who owns the property. “The mines officers got clear instructions what is to be done. The instruction in Georgetown is that the property is owned by nobody… [and] everybody must stop working,” the minister stated. She explained that the actions of the police and mines officer leave much to be desired, as there has been no report on the amount of gold retrieved after the “wash down” process. “Under this administration, people can’t pick up people and go in the backdam and get gun and cranking gun…the intention is peace… There is a clear procedure…you get a warning, get a cease-work order …there is provision for that in the regulations,” Minister Broomes noted. She stressed, “It is not a Mafia club, it is strictly compliance; so when we bring out the order of compliance, you have to comply. “We know and understand the plight of miners… we had the small miners’ conference, where the small miners asked for land, and this Government will make land available for them,” the minister said. She announced that a team of officials will be visiting the location soon, and she instructed that all operations on the state land must be stopped. As it relates to the plight of Carrington and her family, Minister Broomes has said she is committed to discussing the matter with Minister Raphael Trotman on the way forward.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 2, 2016

Over 100,000 visitors expected for GuyExpo

SOME 400 exhibitors and more than 100,000 local and overseas visitors are expected to attend the four days of this year’s GuyExpo, according to GuyExpo 2016 Marketing Manager, Ms Chevon Lim. Guyana’s largest Trade and Investment Exposition will be held this year from May 12th -15th, 2016 under the theme “50 Years, Guyana Means Business – Promoting Enterprise, Driving Productivity.” Lim noted that the theme is perfectly aligned with the objectives of the Ministry of Business and broader Government policy, to create the enabling environment that will foster business growth and development in Guyana. She explained that while there are many success stories in relation to how local businesses have been able to take advantage of the linkages GuyExpo has created, there are numerous Guyanese businesses scattered across North America which are now on their way to

Diaspora symposium which is slated for April 3rd in New York. The committee representatives will be encouraging those present to seize the opportunity to participate in GuyExpo 2016, and to reap the benefits that follow. The committee is collaborating with the Guyana Action Committee to host this activity. The Marketing Manager said a company, product or service will be exposed to over 2,000 persons per hour at the event. These prospective clients are able to interact with businesses in an environment that is comfortable and friendly.

Flashback: One of the many scenes from GuyExpo creating their success stories, and are awaiting their debut at GuyExpo 2016. THE DIASPORA This year, she said, the GuyExpo 2016 Planning Com-

mittee, under the auspices of the Ministry of Business, has decided to strengthen relationships within the Diaspora, and to expand the invitation to businesses and potential exhibitors in New York.

To facilitate this, Mrs Lim said, the Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Dawn Holder-Alert, and Coordinator Tameca Sukhdeo-Singh will meet and interact with business representatives in the Diaspora during a

WIDESPREAD INTEREST GuyExpo 2016 has already attracted interest from various countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, the USA, Suriname, China, Indonesia, the UK, Suriname, and Barbados; and the organisers are confident that this interest will lead to participation. As part of the activities this year, the GuyExpo Planning

Committee will be hosting a series of workshops geared towards business development and capacity-building. There will be presentations on Packaging and Marketing, Social Media, Access to Financing, Tax Breaks/Incentives and Preparing Business Plans. The opportunities for business linkages, sales and promotion are nothing but far-reaching, allowing businesses to tangibly benefit from the eagerly anticipated period, as Guyana celebrates 50 years of Independence. The hosting of this highly anticipated event during the month of May 2016 rather than later in the year is deliberate, as it gives local businesses of all categories, types and sizes and other foreign exhibitors the opportunity to showcase the products and services they offer, not only to those who reside in Guyana, but also those living abroad, who will be visiting at the time.

CPA supports establishment of tripartite budget committee By Ravin Singh DESPITE being shelved after 2011, talks on the establishment of a tripartite budget committee could possibly resume, given that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is ready to provide Guyana with the necessary advice should efforts to establish the committee be activated. This assertion was made by Secretary-General of the CPA, Akbar Khan, who spoke exclusively with the state media following one of the sessions on day two of the CPA Guyana Branch seminar. The seminar was held for local parliamentarians. In December of 2011, then Opposition Leader David Granger called for the establishment of a tripartite budget committee before the end of the year, to oversee preparation of the 2012 national budget. He had said then that the committee would, among other things, “Collaborate with the Bank of Guyana, the Statistical Bureau, and other departments in presenting an accurate and detailed picture of the economy; identify all sources and funds, and examine potential sources of new funds,” as well as “propose the inclusion of programmes and projects consistent with public needs identified during the elections, such as programmes aimed at job-creation, community-renewal, improved education and poverty alleviation. The committee, he had stated, would propose tax-reform measures, including the lowering of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) and personal income tax; and address their likely impact on revenue and economic growth. The committee, he added, would also “examine all categories of expenditure, and recommend areas where expenditure could be adjusted, foregone, revised, reviewed, renewed or removed.” COULD BE REVIVED And although this failed to manifest itself and the idea was subsequently shelved, it could be brought back to the table for discussion, given the commitment by the CPA to advise Guyana on best practices around the world regarding fiscal budgets. Budget committees are not foreign to some states in the international community. In most cases, they are positioned within the framework of the parliamentary structure, and they also exist within international organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the Council of Europe, which is the continent’s leading human rights organisation.

after a budget has been adopted, Public Accounts Committees have a very important purpose to track and evaluate where state revenues have been used. “And those Public Accounts Committees, studies have shown that where they are used effectively, wastages are reduced, efficiencies are identified, and there is more sustainable implementation, particularly around economic development and good governance; and importantly, that the incidents of corruption are reduced,” he stated. In Guyana, there are a number of committees which are set out in the Standing Orders; and with many of these committees being functional, the Secretary-General advised that members consider ways in which those committees can function more effectively. Additionally, he recommended that consideration be given on how members can work on a “cross-party basis” to ensure proper oversight of parliamentary work, and to hold the Government accountable in terms of fiscal budgetary issues.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretary-General, Akbar Khan

The budget committee there serves as an advisory body of the Council of Europe on administrative and financial matters. It advises on issues including the draft programme and budget of the organisation; the progress-review report on its implementation; the annual accounts of the organisation; and human resources and pension issues. AVAILABLE MODELS With the existence of models which could be modified to suit Guyana’s political landscape, Khan noted that the CPA will not be prescriptive about the way in which parliaments should deal with their budgets. This decision, he said, should be made entirely by the country. However, he gave the assurance that the CPA will act as a supportive mechanism and advise countries, including Guyana, on how budgets are dealt with across jurisdictions, and which method works more effectively within National Assemblies. Meanwhile, the Secretary-General sought to underscore the need for scrutiny of national budgets, reasoning that

INCLUSIVE MANNER Given the fact that the APNU+AFC Government holds a one-seat majority in the National Assembly, Khan highlighted that this feature brings out the need for both sides (Government and Opposition) to work together in an inclusive manner for the benefit of all Guyanese. “I echo the findings of the Commonwealth Observation Group which did their post-election report [last year]: that they hope that the Government and Parliament will work together in an inclusive manner and bring confidence to the people, whom the Parliament represents,” he added. The Secretary-General also explained that the CPA is keen on working with Parliaments to strengthen them, since they are the “centre of a society.” And being at the centre of society translates to this body being at the centre of accountability, given that its arm is extended to every branch of Government. This characteristic of the legislative body, he said, imposes a duty on members to be transparent. And when this body is not functioning properly, it is difficult to conceive what kind of democracy a country has; which is why the CPA seeks to strengthen Parliaments and work with Parliamentarians by way of oversight of the Executive, he said. “We work to encourage parliamentary oversight through the use of committees,” Khan noted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

TVET Council plugs post-secondary education -- for persons with disabilities

By Navendra Seoraj

Members of the gathering at NCERD

THROUGH an integrated training programme, the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is seeking to sensitise heads and seniors of post-secondary

Director of the Council for TVET, Sydney Walters, addressing the gathering

institutions across the country about the importance of giving persons with special needs the opportunity for tertiary education. The programme commenced on Thursday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), and participants were introduced to disability awareness in its entirety as it relates to the legal framework, and to understanding disability and disability etiquette. Addressing the gathering, Director of the Council for TVET, Sydney Walters, disclosed: “Disabled persons must have access to post-secondary education, since, like any other individual, they have equal rights to a proper education and other beneficial opportunities.” During the integrated training programme, which will run for two days, issues will be addressed that are deemed “a weakness in the TVET system,” since there had been multiple difficulties when it came to dealing with persons with special needs. Throughout the sessions, the intent is to provide information on the legal framework on the rights of persons with disabilities, so that educators

will be better equipped to deal with persons with special needs. Educators, Walters said, will also be made aware of the methods and skills necessary in order to effectively impart knowledge to trainees or students who are disabled in some way. The programme will be facilitated by Dr Beverly Beckles, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities, a Trinidad organisation, along with her associates, who are fully qualified and versed in the field of disability. Walters said the TVET will be moving to set up public relations systems to recruit students with disabilities who are firmly interested in furthering their studies. And after accumulating tertiary knowledge, graduates will have the opportunity to be employed or to gain further education when the TVET Council rolls out its Transitional Programme Committee shortly. When those come on stream, the Council for TVET hopes to boost the capacity and ability of persons living with disabilities by empowering them through education and employment, while also continuing the advocacy for betterment of persons living with disabilities.

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Dhoni goes on playful attack ... From page 39

also the top of the world Test rankings. He said he would have preferred one of his compatriots from the cricket-crazed country to have probed. “I would have asked whether he has a son who is

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old enough to play and is a wicketkeeper to play,” he said. “He would have said ‘no’ then I would have said maybe a brother who can play and who is a wicketkeeper.” “You fired the wrong ammunition at the wrong time,” he told the journalist, with another smile on his face.

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Dhoni goes on playful attack when quizzed over future By Sudipto Ganguly MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has mostly played retirement questions with a straight bat in the past, but the 34-yearold opted to go on a playful attack when asked about his future following the hosts’ World Twenty20 semi-final defeat. Undoubtedly India’s most successful ever captain, Dhoni stunned all when he announced his decision to quit Test cricket in the middle of an Australian tour in 2014, handing over the mantle to Virat Kohli. So it was not unusual for a journalist to ask Dhoni if

he was keen to continue playing after India’s seven-wicket defeat by West Indies knocked them out of their home tournament on Thursday. The Indian Twenty20 captain, though, took the surprising step of asking the enquirer to come and sit next to him on stage and discuss the matter. “You want me to retire,?” a grinning Dhoni asked with his arm draped around the nervous-looking journalist. “No, I don’t. I was just asking,” the Australian reporter answered. “Do you think I am unfit, looking at me running?” Dhoni said.

Cup?” Dhoni asked, referring to the 50-over tournament in England and Wales. “Sure, yes, sure,” came the reply. “Then you have answered the question,” Dhoni said with a big smile while giving the journalist a pat on his back as he quickly left the stage amid laughter from the room. Dhoni has led India to the World T20, the 50-over World Cup, the Champions Trophy and Mahendra Singh is undoubtedly India’s most sucessful captain ever

T h e j o u r n a l i s t re sponded: “No, very fast.” “Do you think I can survive until the 2019 World

Rockets, Pacers see play-off hopes hurt THE NBA play-off race heated up as the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers failed to capitalise on their chances. The Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers missed chances to move closer to securing NBA play-off spots after losses on Thursday. The Chicago Bulls rallied past the Rockets 103100 to close to within a game of the Pacers in the Eastern Conference. The Rockets could have moved into eighth in the Western Conference, but instead were outscored 32-20 in the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Nikola Mirotic had 28 points off the bench for the Bulls, while Jimmy Butler finished with 21 and Pau Gasol had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. James Harden finished with a game-high 24 points for the Rockets. The Pacers were well-beaten, going down to the Orlando Magic 114-94

LeBron at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Evan Fournier (25 points) and Nikola Vucevic (24) led the Magic, with Paul George’s 27 points not enough for the Pacers. The Portland Trail Blazers consolidated their spot in sixth in the Western Conference with a 116-109 win over the Boston Celtics. LeBron James moved into 12th on the all-time

James NBA scoring list with 24 points in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 107-87 thrashing of the Brooklyn Nets. Steven Adams hit a go-ahead tip-in to see the Oklahoma City Thunder overcome the shorthanded Los Angeles Clippers 119-117, while the New Orleans Pelicans edged past the Denver Nuggets 101-95. (Sportsmax.com)

See page 38

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

England flying high ahead of ‘dream’ final By Andrew Miller

WHILE West Indies and India were getting down to the nitty-gritty in a fascinating semi-final in Mumbai, England’s cricketers were cruising at altitude over the plains of Uttar Pradesh, oblivious to the swings in fortune that would ultimately decide the identity of their opponents in Sunday night’s World T20 final. It wasn’t until England touched down at Kolkata airport and switched on their phones, after a two-hour flight from Delhi that had begun late in India’s Virat Kohli-powered innings that they were able to track the final swings of Andre Rus-

Joe Root and Jos Buttler celebrate sealing England’s semi-final victory over New Zealand. sell’s bat that brought their campaign full-circle. England, whose steady - even stealthy - progress through the gears has resulted in four wins on the bounce

and a sense of serene optimism, must now overcome the only team to have got the better of them if they are to be crowned the World T20 champions for the second

time in the competition’s nine-year history. “We knew they (India) were on course for a big score when we set off and there was about an over and a bit left when we landed,” said Joe Root, whose tally of 195 runs in five innings is second only to Kohli for the Super10 stage of the competition onwards. “They must have played really well to get over the line, but we know how strong West Indies are as a side and we are going to have to play well to beat them as we’ve had to play well to beat everyone so far.” England’s team will remain broadly the same, with Liam Plunkett’s displacement of Reece Topley the only anticipated change from the side that lined up at the Wankhede last month for their opening match of the tournament. However, the confidence and competence of England’s batsmen and bowlers are light years removed from the tentative pathfinders who ended up being walloped by the broadest of Chris Gayle’s bats. And now, having had a day to digest the implications of their thrilling victory over New Zealand in Delhi, Root says England can’t wait to take centrestage at India’s most venerated venue. “You can’t beat it,” he said. “You dream of these opportunities as a kid to play a World Cup final. Every time over the past couple of days I’ve looked round the dressing room or the lads on the bus, they have just been smiling, so I think everyone is excited and can’t wait to get out there on Sunday.” In keeping with most of the squad, Root has never before played a match at Eden Gardens - notably, 10 of the England players in this tournament had never played a single international fixture in the country. However, Root was 12th man during one of England’s most remarkable Test wins in recent memory - the seven-wicket victory in 2012-13 that enabled Alastair Cook’s men to claim the series 2-1. With that nugget of reconnaissance under his belt, he said he was unfazed by the prospect of fronting up for the final. “Every game here so far has been rocking, so let’s hope it will be on Sunday,”

he said. Though it was put to him that the mood in the city may be a touch muted, following the tragic collapse of a flyover in Kolkata this week, Root - who had been unaware of the news - hoped that his team could help to revive a few spirits. “India’s a fantastic country, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of support at this wonderful ground,” he said. “We want to make sure that it’s a very entertaining spectacle and that we’re on the right side of that on Sunday.” The other factor that is likely to impact on the atmosphere is, of course, India’s absence from the final itself. The likelihood is that this is good news for England - the prospect of performing in front of a pumped-up and partisan crowd might well have given the hosts that added sense of belief. Root, understandably, argued otherwise.. “I don’t think it matters,” he said. “If you are going to win the World Cup you have to be the best team through the tournament. If we are going to win we are going to have to beat the side that beat us, but otherwise we would have had to have beaten India on home soil, so it’s irrelevant who we play. “It’s about doing our stuff in practice leading up to it, then going out there and putting on a really strong performance and doing everything we can to get over the line.” That “stuff” that England have been doing has been serving them well enough so far, for the extent to which they have confounded most pre-tournament predictions is startling. Their record run chase against South Africa in Mumbai is cited as the moment that their campaign was kick-started - they chased 230 in a contest that could have effectively eliminated them there and then. Root, however, insisted they had had no great epiphany on that remarkable night. Merely, they have stuck to their commitment to free-flowing, fearless cricket, and have reaped the rewards that have come from each new victory. “We have stayed true to what we believe in as a side and the way we want to play cricket,” Root said. “That has been the most important thing for us, to ensure we did not go away from

how we wanted to play and approach our cricket, and having that self-belief in each other meant we could get that win against South Africa and build confidence from that point onwards. “The best thing is that everyone has contributed in some shape or form, which is always nice going into a final. If things aren’t going quite to plan, there are other guys you could call upon who might not normally do that job.” As for England’s approach going into the final, Root said that they would be watching back the highlights of the match that they had missed while airborne. And when they have done so, they will doubtless note the manner of West Indies’ victory, which was achieved with batting tactics markedly different from their own. Whereas Root himself has rocketed to the upper echelons of the run-scoring table by working the singles and avoiding dot balls, West Indies’ batsmen have been unafraid to stack up the blobs, safe in the knowledge that their hard-hitting players will be able to clear the ropes to keep their scoreboard moving. Case in point was the India game, in which a massive 146 of their 196 runs came in boundaries. “If you do get a string of dot balls, it’s about finding ways to keep building them up and put them under more and more pressure,” Root said. “Obviously everyone has their own way of playing the game; we’ve got plenty of players that can play in a similar fashion to that. So more than anything, it’s been about being smart in the situation and making sure that you’re roughly aware of what they’re trying to do and you’ve got something in place to combat it. “We’ve been winning games of cricket, which is really important leading up to a final,” he added. “We’ve found ourselves in a number of different situations, and we’ve overcome them. It means that whatever happens, we’ve been in that situation before in this tournament, and we’ve got experiences to call upon where we’ve been successful. “That will stand us in really good stead, so I’m just looking forward to Sunday (tomorrow).” (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 2, 2016

Intikhab Alam lays into ‘clueless’ Guyana to face Curacao, USVI in CFU Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi second round

GUYANA’S Golden Jaguars will line up in Group three of the second round of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2016 Scotiabank Caribbean Men’s Cup Championship. According to a release from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday, the Jags will face Curacao on June 1 in Guyana and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) on June 7 in that country. In Round One of the tournament Guyana topped Group five after defeating Anguilla 7-0 and Puerto Rico 1-0 in Guyana and Puerto Rico respectively. The Round Two commences on June 1 and in addition to the Guyana match, the other matches to be played on that day are: Grenada vs Puerto Rico at the Grenada National Stadium; Martinique vs Guadeloupe at Stade Pierre Aliker (Martinique); French Guiana vs Bermuda at the Stade Dr Edmard Lama (French Guiana) and St. Kitts & Nevis vs Suriname at the Warner Park Stadium (St Kitts). Round Three is scheduled for October 3-9 and will consist of four groups, each with three countries. Thereafter the Fifth Place playoff will be held November 7-15 and the Final in May 2017. The top three of this tournament will qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Vetting of candidates ...

From back page

prises seven persons, who are unaware of who the other is, will be responsible for looking at the winners of the various categories and will be oblivious of the other person’s findings. Jones continued, “The panellists are unaware of each other, they do not know each other. So there are actually seven independent persons vetting nominees and then they will submit their findings to an independent source. “That independent source will on May 4 bring the envelopes with the results to the Cultural Centre and only when that category is named, will the envelope be opened and that winner will be named,” he concluded. Meanwhile, those nominated will receive an invitation to the ceremony but will be unaware of the category in which they have been nominated. Jones had earlier said that this new format is in keeping with the promised ‘Grammy-style’ festivities that he envisioned for the ceremony. He said that for too long, the ceremony has been under-attended. This new move

seeks to celebrate Guyanese sportsmen, women and officials. Guyana and West Indies spin bowler Veerasammy Permaul is the reigning Sportsman-of-the-Year, while track athlete Cassie George won awards for Sportswoman-of-the-Year as well as Junior Sportswoman-of-the-Year. Circuit racer Kristian Jeffrey was runner-up among the men, while squash player Akeila Wiltshire was the women’s runner-up. The runner-up Junior Sportsman award went to Shimron Hetmyer, while track athlete Jason Yaw collected the Junior Sportsman-of-the-Year award. Multitalented athlete Alisha Fortune won the runner-up Sportswoman-of-theYear award. The Guyana Rugby Football Union won the awards for Most Improved Association, Sports Association-of-the-Year and the Sports Team-of-the-Year. GRFU president Peter Green won the Male Sports Personality award and National Rugby coach Theodore Henry won the Sports Coach award.

SHAHID Afridi copped a lot of criticism as Pakistan exited the ICC World T20 2016 from the Super10 stage. Pakistan lost three out of their four matches in Group 2, to finish second-bottom. A post-mortem was inevitable after another poor performance in a world tournament by Pakistan, with Afridi the prime focus. The attacking batsman’s captaincy has always been brought into question, following quite a few strange decisions on the pitch, and the team manager Intikhab Alam joined coach Waqar Younis in criticising Afridi’s skills as a leader. Waqar wrote a detailed report on what went wrong for Pakistan in the World T20, criticising Afridi’s decision-making abilities on the field and Intikhab has backed the coach’s comments, in a report of his own, sent to the PCB, which has, again, fallen into the hands of the media. “The tournament was being held in India, where the team was under multiple scanners at the same time, pushing the stress and anxiety levels very high,” Intikhab wrote in the report according to ESPNCricinfo. “Much to our chagrin was a captain in his farewell event after a career spanning nearly 20 years, yet absolutely clueless in terms of on-field tactics and off-field leadership.” Pakistan, after a strong start to their World T20 campaign, when they thumped Bangladesh, lost their way in the loss to India at the Eden Gardens. Following that defeat, they went on to be comfortably beaten by New Zealand and Australia. Intikhab, who also blamed the weather, felt Afridi could have captained his team better in that match, when India were in early trouble while chasing a total, before Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh strung together a crucial partnership. “On the day, the events also conspired against us,” Intikhab added. “For one, the weather didn’t help. On the same square where the Pakistan batsmen gave a command performance against Sri Lanka (a warmup match) and Bangladesh, the weather suddenly turned from sultry and sunny to wet and unpredictable. “Intermittent rain during the night prior to the game, followed by further downpours and overcast skies, meant that the pitch and out-

Intikhab Alam criticises the decisions made by Shahid Afridi on the field. field remained covered for more than 24 hours, changing its character from slow in pace to a spitefully turning and gripping one. “I also felt if proper field placing was placed for Shoaib Malik in his initial over may have given us a breakthrough -- it was very surprising to see in a low-scoring game there was no attacking field-placing. There was no slip; had he employed a slip cordon for Malik, we may have had Yuvraj as two chances from his blade went through.”

Intikhab also felt Afridi got the batting order wrong. The captain promoted himself to No.3 to no success, while leaving Mohammad Hafeez, coming off a sterling half-century against Bangladesh at the same venue, and Sarfraz Ahmed, one of their best T20 batsmen, with too few balls to face, which in turn led to Pakistan ending up with a total about 20-run below par. “Earlier our batting, too, had left much to be desired. Hafeez was not sent in at

number three while Sarfraz too did not get a meaningful strike. These two were our best bets, as they were our prime exponents against spin. “The Indian spin attack was not challenged at all by our batting, save Shoaib Malik near the closing stages, resulting in a total that was 20 runs short of the average on the Eden Garden turf.” On Thursday, Waqar brought Afridi’s place in the team to question, let alone as captain, insisting the all-rounder did not merit a place in the playing XI, owing to his struggles with bat and ball. “We lost to New Zealand, Asia Cup and the World T20 due to poor captaincy,” Waqar said in his report. “Over several occasions, I had made it clear that Shahid Afridi was not performing with the bat, ball or as a captain, but I was not listened to. Poor tactics really cost us matches. A meeting was held after the New Zealand T20 series, where the boys emphasised that they felt confused with what the captain was telling them to do.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, April 2, 2016

Khawaja, Burns and Voges Messi out of this earn Australia contracts world, says Barca coach Enrique

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Batsmen Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges and Joe Burns have been rewarded for their strong form over the past 12 months by being awarded central contracts by Cricket Australia yesterday. The trio became regulars in the side in the last year and have moved onto the centrally contracted list after the retirements of six players following last year’s unsuccessful Ashes series in England. They were not on the original list but were upgraded throughout the season with the more matches they played. Khawaja scored 713 runs in six Tests at an average of 101.85 in the last 12 months, while he was also consistent in the small number of one-day and Twenty20 international

Usman Khawaja matches he played. Voges, who only made his Test debut last June, posted a Donald Bradman-esque average, scoring 1 337 runs at an average of 95.59, with five centuries and four half-centuries. Burns scored three Test centuries and 692 runs in his eight matches in the last 12 months at an average of 53.23. Cricket Australia typi-

cally award between 17 and 20 central contracts each year. Centrally contracted players earn a minimum of A$270 000 ($206 577) for the year, with match payments on top of that. Bowlers Nathan CoulterNile, John Hastings and Peter Siddle, who is battling stress fractures in his back, were all given central contracts, as was Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. “We believe the players chosen in this group are those that are right in contention to represent the country over the next 12 months,” chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said in a statement. “Following a number of high-profile retirements, we believe this group of players gives us a healthy blend of youth and experience to represent Australia at the highest

level, allowing us the best chance of maintaining our number-one rankings in Test and ODI cricket, as well as improving our performances in the T20 format.” Australia were knocked out of the World Twenty20 in India in the pool phase earlier this week, with their next tour a triangular one-day series against West Indies and South Africa in the Caribbean in June. Centrally contracted players: George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Adam Voges, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Proposed Afghanistan tour of Pakistan on hold after Lahore blast

THE Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has put on hold its ongoing discussions with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) with regard to Afghanistan’s proposed tour of Pakistan in April, following the terrorist attack in a recreational park in Lahore on Sunday. Kenya Women’s trip to Pakistan has also been called off amid the new wave of security concerns. Afghanistan were in talks to tour Pakistan next month for a series of three ODIs as well as a four-day game against Pakistan A. But with the blast in Gulshan-i-Iqbal park - about 15 minutes away from Gaddafi Stadium - which killed over 70 people, the tour is now in

International cricket in Pakistan has been a rarity following the 2009 Lahore attack on the Sri Lankan team. have visited as part of a doubt. Afghanistan’s ODIs in Pakistan had been tentatively set for the period between April 15 and May 8, with Lahore and Karachi serving as venues. Kenya Women were to

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday April 02, 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) India’s Irfan Pathan (2007) (2) England’s Katherine Brunt (2009) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who are the finalists of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016? (2) Who are the finalists of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2016? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

development programme, which would have seen them play a series of matches against a Pakistan Women’s developmental team. In 2011, Afghanistan became the first international team to tour Pakistan, for a series against Pakistan A, following the terror attack on the

visiting Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March 2009. They also visited frequently for conditioning camps at the National Cricket Academy facility. But now, ESPNcricinfo understands, the Pakistan government has advised against hosting the series. Pakistan successfully hosted Zimbabwe for two T20Is and three ODIs last year, with heavy security arrangements in place, but has not been able to attract any other international team since then. With the exception of that Zimbabwe tour, Pakistan have had to play all their home matches since March 2009 at neutral venues, mostly in the United Arab Emirates. (ESPN Cricinfo)

By Richard Martin

BARCELONA, Spain (Reuters) - Lionel Messi’s strike rate “is from another galaxy” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said yesterday as the Argentine maestro bids to score his 500th career goal in this weekend’s ‘Clasico’. Messi’s penalty against Bolivia in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier took him to 499 goals for club and country and there could be few more fitting scenarios for Barca’s talisman to make it 500 than today’s clash with Real Madrid at the Nou Camp. “The figure (499) is from another galaxy. If you add the goals of all our other players, including the ones I have scored, you don’t even get close to it, but I’ve seen Messi’s face and he and his team mates are desperate to win the game and give joy to our supporters,” Luis Enrique told reporters. Five-time World Player-ofthe-Year Messi has netted 449 goals for Barcelona and now has 50 for Argentina, six behind his country’s record scorer Gabriel Batistuta. The 28-year-old is also the all-time top scorer in La Liga. With Barca 10 points clear of third-placed Real Madrid and nine ahead of Atletico Madrid with eight games remaining ‘El Clasico’ is unlikely to affect the title race. However, asked if that made it any less important for his team, who could become the first Spanish side to win successive trebles, Luis Enrique laughed off the suggestion. “I don’t think so,” he said. “We are playing to win everything, we are league leaders

Lionel Messi and playing to take another big step towards the title, and we’re playing against one of the best teams in the world with one of the best squads in the world. It’s a very difficult game for us and we know that.” It will also be the first Barca game since the death of club great Johan Cruyff, who had a big impact as a player but more success as a coach, winning four league titles, the King’s Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and their first European Cup, in 1992. A minute’s silence will be held before the game in memory of the visionary Dutchman and Barcelona’s players will bear the message ‘Thanks Johan’ on their shirts, although Luis Enrique said his players did not need any extra motivation. “Barca have a competitive spirit which is bombproof and we know we’ll have to be motivated or else we’ll lose, but that should be easy against Real Madrid, our eternal rivals,” he added. “What Cruyff would have wanted the most is that we won the game deservedly by playing spectacular football.”

NOTABLE DATES

CAESAR Barrow started professional boxing on April 1 1955. Barrow was 20 years old when he collided with Joe Primo in British Guiana and won the four-round contest on points. Five years later Barrow grabbed the local lightweight title when he defeated Emmett Smith who was stopped in round five. Barrow had 19 victories in a 10-year career. Born on

March 4, 1935, the skilled lightweight boxer knocked out 46 percent of his opponents. On October 30, 1959 Barrow stopped Kid Chocolate II (Elmer Yearwood) in round two at the Wrightson Road Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The fight produced the 11th straight victory for Barrow. It was the second meeting between the skilful Guyanese and Kid Choco-

late in two months of that year. Barrow had defeated Yearwood via a unanimous 10- round decision in August of the same year and was undefeated in 12 fights when he challenged Trinidadian James Harper at the BGCC ground in March 1960. Harper seemed in a hurry and so knocked out the Guyanese in the first round. However, Barrow was quick to

return the favour and gained revenge in September of the next year. Then, Harper was KOed in round three. A year later, Barrow stopped American Arthur Persley in round three and lost by knockout to Lennox Beckles in 1964. Barrow stopped fighting one year later. His record includes seven defeats. He died on July 4, 2005 at the age of 70.

43

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 2, 2016

Inter-county U-17 Tournament

Hatheramani (6-25) spins Demerara to 135-run Kevin Omroa bowl Berbice win over Essequibo … Kevin Sinclair, to 107-run victory By Rajiv Bisnauth

DEMERARA pulled off a comprehensive 135-run victory over Essequibo in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-17 Inter-County One-Day Tournament at the Enterprise ground yesterday. A stunning performance by off-spinner Sagar Hatheramani, backed by excellent fielding, helped Demerara to comfortably defend their total of 213-9. Hatheramani (6-25) orchestrated a spectacular collapse that saw Essequibo go from 38-1 to 78 all out in 28.1 overs. Bomesh Ramdahin (22),

Kevin Christian (15) and Chanderpaul Mohabir (14) were the only batsmen to have reached double figures as Hatheramani provided his side with rip-roaring momentum by running rings around the Essequibo batsmen. Leg-spinner Tameshwar Motiram complemented Hatheraman, and chipped in with 2-12 while left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd had 1-8. Earlier, the game was reduced to 46 overs-a-side after overnight rain, saw left-arm spinner Joel Fortune produce a decisive role with the ball, claiming 5-31, after Essequibo won the toss and decided to have a

Billy Heaven re-elected JCA president

WILFORD ‘Billy’ Heaven will remain president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) for at least another term after elections for the organisation were held on Thursday. Heaven, who is also the CEO of the CHASE Fund in Jamaica, beat his challenger Fritz Harris, 52-47, at the JCA’s annual general meeting, held at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Wednesday. Heaven’s slate was almost re-elected en bloc as well. Dr Donovan Bennett is, once again, first vice-president, while Mark Neita is the second vice-president. Diann Campbell is the organisation’s honorary secretary, Clinton Clarke is the assistant secretary, Hopeton Morrison is the treasurer and Kerry Scott, his assistant. “It feels good to be returned as president, as over the past two years, the JCA has made several strides,” said Heaven. “It is a good victory for cricket, I believe, as the association is moving in the right

Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven direction generally, and the hope is that over the next term things will get even better.” Harris, who was general secretary of the organisation during Heaven’s first stint as president, was disappointed with the result, but accepted the decision of the delegates. “I am naturally disappointed with the result, but it’s a membership association with the right to elect the president, and I have to respect that,” said Harris, before congratulating Heaven on his victory. (Sportsmax.com)

Off-spinner Sagar Hatheramani collects the man-of-the-match trophy from match referee Grantley Culbard. bowl in murky conditions. They executed their plans perfectly and the decision to bowl first paid off after 3.2 overs into the innings when medium pacer Shamar Dusraj (1-45) removed opener Bhaskar Yadram for 14 at 17-1. Fellow opener Mark Ramsammy was joined by Robin Williams and the duo stitched together 35 for the second wicket. However, just as the stand was gaining dangerous proportion, left-arm spinner Joel Fortune ended the promising partnership when he bowled Ramsammy for 17 with the batsman making room for the cut.

Williams then forged a positive partnership of 49 for the third wicket with Alphius Bookie before his momentum was broken. Williams was taken at the wicket off Fortune for a 27-ball 41, inclusive of five boundaries. That dismissal triggered a mini middle-order collapse, much to the annoyance of coach Garvin Nedd. Bookie was run-out in a mix-up with Kurt Lovell for 19, after which Lovell was trapped leg-before-wicket to Fortune for 23 and Hatheramani was bowled by Fortune for one. Essequibo then restricted the smooth flow of runs thereafter, resulting in a quiet phase as Rajendra

Singh and Nedd tried to make amends for the wobble. The duo managed to keep Essequibo bowlers at bay for the next seven overs but, just as they seemed to be settling down, medium pacer Randy Rooplall (2-15) had an entry in the wickets column when he removed both Nedd (14) and Singh (17) in quick succession. Despite those two dismissals Anthony Antonio and Tameshwar Motiram were defiant and managed to prevent further damage till the final over when Fortune bowled Antonio for 26 to complete his five-wicket haul. Motiram stayed unbeaten on 19 at the end in the company of Colin Barlow (1). The run chase with purposeful Ramdahin and Christian added 38 for the first wicket in 13.2 overs, but the introduction of spin at both ends ended the openers’ resistance. Hatheramani claimed the wicket of Ramdahin while left-arm spinner Nedd removed Christian for 15. From that point, Essequibo never looked like chasing down the target. They lost Orlando Jailall via run-out without scoring, before Hatheramani removed Chanderpaul Mohabir (14) and Quintin Sampson (2) at 69-5. Motiram drove home the advantage when he

bowled Reon Venture for six. Hatheramani then removed Joshua Jones (6), Fortune (0), Besham Moses (0) to complete his hat-trick before Motiram claimed the final wicket of Randy Rooplall as Essequibo’s last five wickets contributed 13 runs. In the other game at Wales, Berbice hit back after being dismissed for 151 to whip the Selected Under-15 team by 107 runs. Off-spinner Kevin Sinclair (5-10) and left-arm spinner Kevin Omroa (4-11) bowled economical and penetrative spells to skittle out the Selected Under-15 team for 44 in 23 overs. Steven Kalamadeen chipped in with 1-10. Earlier, an all-round effort from the Selected Under-15 bowlers saw them restrict Berbice in 42.3 overs. Kevin Sinclair (33) and Keith Simpson (26) were the only two batsmen to offer any meaningful resistance with the bat. Bowling for the Selected Under-15 team, Gevon Schultz (3-13), Nigel Deodat (2-26), Dwayne Dick (2-32), Seon Glasgow (2-32) and Leon Swami (1-15) were the successful bowlers. The third and final round is set for tomorrow with Essequibo playing the Selected Under-15 team at DCC and Demerara clashing with Berbice at GCC.

Pollard smashes hundred in massive Queen’s Park win KIERON Pollard has returned from injury with a bang. The West Indies all-rounder, who is missing from the team in the final of the ICC World T20 because of a knee injury that had not healed in time, slammed an unbeaten 110 to help lead Queen’s Park to a 251-run victory over Tableland in the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) 50-over competition on Wednesday. The West Indies T20 star smashed 10 towering sixes and

KieronPollard

seven fours off 55 balls and he and Jeremy Solozano, 148, propelled Queen’s Park to 378 for six. Solozano, the left-handed opener, went more than a run-a-ball, smashing 21 balls to the boundary in his 137ball knock. Pollard joined Solozano at 189 for five after 32 overs and proceeded to destroy the bowling attack. Negus Carthy, 3 for 64, was the best bowler for Tableland in his 10 overs. Tableland never got close to the victory target as Khar-

ry Pierre, 4-41, and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, 3-24, skittled out the visitors for 127 in 35 overs. Elsewhere, Ewart Nicholson scored an unbeaten century to steer Powergen to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Clarke Road United. Clarke Road were bundled out for a modest 202 in 49.4 overs. Powergen replied with 204 for one with Nicholson scoring 102 not out. Videsh Sookhai was unbeaten on 61 at the end. (Sportsmax.com)

Hatheramani (6-25) spins Demerara to 135-run win over Essequibo See story on page 43

Simmons warns Windies are more than Gayle

MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Aggressive opening batsman Chris Gayle usually hogs the headlines but West Indies’ advance to the World Twenty20 final against England has shown they are by no means a one-man band, according to batsman Lendl Simmons. Gayle scored an unbeaten century in the Caribbean side’s first pool-match against England, which set up their successful run chase of 183, reaching the target with 11 balls to spare in Mumbai. Since then, he has scored nine further runs. He was dismissed for five in the semi-final against India before Simmons smashed 82 from 51 balls, while Andre Russell scored 43 from 20 to guide their side into tomorrow’s showdown with Eoin Morgan’s team in Kolkata. “I think England will certainly be aware that it’s not a one-man show in this team,” Simmons told reporters. “Chris Gayle didn’t get

Dwayne Bravo of the West Indies (L) Darren Sammy, captain of the West Indies (C) and Chris Gayle celebrate after winning the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 Semi Final match against India in Mumbai. (Photo by Pal Pillai/IDI via Getty Images) off but we still managed to get over the line and it was a big total. “Even when he didn’t perform, we were still able

to get up and fight and that shows a lot of character from our players.” The team have needed to rely on their character and

collective will after a turbulent few months in which they have been pilloried for their performances in Test matches and one day inter-

nationals. They have also been galvanised by yet another bitter pay dispute with their board, who less than two months ago threatened to send a second-string side to the tournament in India unless the squad accepted their offer. Since Gayle’s blistering start to the tournament, others have assumed the mantle of trying to chase down the totals they have been set in all five games. Andre Fletcher scored 84 not out in their seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka, while Johnson Charles (32) and Marlon Samuels (43) saw them to a three-wicket win over South Africa. “All of our players are match-winners in our team,” Simmons added. “We have a lot of batting power and I think we can chase any run total, we always back ourselves to chase totals.” That confidence has also been evident in Morgan’s

side after they comfortably accounted for New Zealand in the other semi-final, with man-of-the-match Jason Roy epitomising the aggressive attitude that has filtered through the team. That aggression, and confidence, made them a better outfit than the England team that won the World Twenty20 in 2010, according to the captain of that side, Paul Collingwood. “In the past our line-up probably had one or two players who were real match-winners. This team is full of match-winners,” Collingwood told the ECB website. “These guys are mentally different to what we used to be. ‘Who dares, wins’ is pretty much the motto. “We probably would think ‘this is a big game’ and pull back a little bit. It seems to be the other way round for these guys, they seem to thrive on the excitement of the big stage.”

Vetting of candidates Guyana to face Curacao, begins for NSC Awards USVI in CFU second round By Stephan Sookram

THE vetting of candidates for the National Sport’s Commission (NSC) awards began earlier this week with just over four weeks to the ceremony. Director of Sport Christopher Jones confirmed to Chronicle Sport that the vetting process of the submitted nominations began between Tuesday and Wednesday of this week ahead of the May 4 ceremony billed for the National Cultural Centre (NCC). “All the associations have made their submissions to the NSC with respect to the various categories and I can confirm that those persons who have to vet them are doing so as we speak,” Jones explained. He noted that for now, the selected panel, which com-

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The victorious Golden Jaguars football team celebrate after beating Puerto Rico on Tuesday evening. (See Story on page 41) SATURDAY, APRIL 2 2016