Chronicle 04 10 2016

Greater security cooperation needed No. 104517

SUNDAY APRIL 10, 2016

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‒ President points to emergence of organised crime, violent ‘posses’ & gangs in the Caribbean P.8

Over 1,000 children at Police Career Day

A future member of the Mounted Branch? An officer

of the Mounted Branch enjoys a light moment as a youth attempts horseback riding (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

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Clyde Roopchand, Woman soldier Buxton’s ‘fairy killed in hit-andgodfather’, laid to rest run accident P.2

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Communications consultant to head NCN

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Clyde Roopchand, Buxton’s ‘fairy godfather’, laid to rest Clyde Roopchand

By Navendra Seoraj KNOWN to the residents of Buxton, East Coast Demerara as the “Fairy Godfather,” Clyde Raymond Roopchand has left his mark as a caregiver in the hearts of many, especially his family members and close counterparts, who bid him a final farewell on Saturday. The former Chief Planning Officer at the Ministry of Finance, who passed away at the age of 69 on Wednesday, is survived by his wife, Latchmin, and children: Karen, Kevin and Sharon Roopchand. Joining the family to pay tribute to a “son of the soil,” as he has been labelled by many for many reasons, including his intellectual contributions to Guyana, were President David Granger; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo; former Presidents Donald Ramotar and Dr. Bharat Jagdeo; and many other distinguished past and current officials

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo greeting former President Bharrat Jagdeo at the funeral service at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. Former President Donald Ramotar is at right, while former Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali, is at left

of Government, the private sector and the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C). Turning up in their numbers, persons congregated at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre and the St. Anthony’s Church in Buxton to express their compassion to the family of the late Roopchand, and to reflect on his life as a profound public servant and role model to many. To the people of his village, he was remembered as a person who always sought to give back to the community in every way possible. Being a teacher in his early days, it was opportune for him to do so by edifying the young ones; and as time went by, it gave rise to his generous side as he embarked on his path to developing the community of

Buxton. In paying tribute to their “Fairy Godfather”, villagers explained that he had worked hard for the betterment of the community, and this, in time, earned him huge respect from everyone, ranging from the youths to the elderly. His passing deserved recital of the sacred “Buxtonian Anthem,” which was done by the many villagers who were present at the church. His work and achievements over the years were not respected and recognised only by his fellow Buxtonians, but by the nation as a whole,

President David Granger signs the Book of Condolence at St. Anthony’s Church at Buxton, ECD

given that he had been conferred with the distinguished Cacique Crown of Honour in tribute to his hard work and diligence throughout his years of service to Guyana. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Relatives attending the funeral service at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. Mrs Latchmin Roochand is at left

both shared on their moments spent with Roopchand while he served as a hard-working public servant. Minister Greenidge also shared his memories of teaching Roopchand at the University of Guyana and watching him progress to higher ground in

a matter of years. Being an Economics student, Roopchand followed through with his passion, and worked hard to gain his position on the State Planning Secretariat and to be the Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Finance. He had worked alongside Presidents Forbes Burnham, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Desmond Hoyte, and continued through to work with one of the recent Presidents, Dr. Jagdeo. This earned him respect from many within the public service sector, as well as private individuals, who had looked up to him as a teacher and role model. Dr. Jagdeo remembered Roopchand for his great conContinued on page 3 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Woman soldier killed in hit-and-run accident

A TWENTY-THREEyear-old soldier died just before sunrise Saturday after being hit by a speeding car on Sheriff Street, Georgetown. Lashana Moore, of New Providence, East Bank Demerara, was reportedly crossing the street when the car struck her, leaving

her broken body on the roadway. At about 05:30 hrs, Moore had just come out of a taxi and was crossing the street when a speeding car slammed into her and drove away, leaving her on the roadway. The young woman was pronounced dead on the spot.

The car was reportedly found abandoned in Campbell Street,Albouystown, Georgetown. The police have since arrested a Tucville, Georgetown resident as the suspected hit- and- run driver. Moore had been a member of the Band Corps of the GDF for the past four

years,as she worked to sustain her seven-month-old daughter. Moore’s mother, Denise, explained that her daughter would often stay in at army headquarters, Camp Ayanganna and return home on the weekends. According to the mother, she received the devastating

news around 06:00hrs in the morning and sped down to the Sheriff Street accident scene, but they had already moved her daughter’s body. The woman stated that Lashana was her eldest child and described her as a loving and hardworking mother. (Clestine Juan)

Clyde Roopchand, Buxton’s... tribution in the realm of economics and planning. Dr Jagdeo noted: “He was a key figure to policy making throughout the years of his life, therefore he must be remembered as a prominent figure in the economic history books of Guyana.” Roopchand’s contributions, Dr Jagdeo said, were remarkable and will always be remembered and used as a catalyst for youngsters with their ambitions set on economics and planning. “It is with deep regret and sadness that I received the news of the passing of Clyde 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,” Dr

Jagdeo said. “During the period I served as Minister of Finance and President, he held numerous posts, including Director of the CDB (Caribbean Development Bank), alternate Governor of the CDB, Guyana’s Representative to the Board of Governors’ Meetings of the IDB and IMF, 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. His work in following 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 con-

Dead: Lashana Moore

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The casket bearing the body of Clyde Roopchand arrives at the St. Anthony’s Church in Buxton, ECD

tributions to Guyana spanned many decades, serving every government and President in our post-Independence history. He was an outstanding public servant,” said Dr. Jagdeo.

Roopchand’s legacy is one which his family ought to be proud of; and one of his daughters made that clear. With tearful eyes, she reminisced on her father as a jovial and jolly man who

would spend lots of time with his family, regardless of the amount of work he had to do. She recalled him as a great teacher to her and her siblings, as well as an amazing husband to her

mother. And as such, she said, “His memories will live on in our lives, and we’ll use that to do better and make it through every day as we continue to build on his legacy.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

UK PM releases tax records after ‘Panama Papers’ storm

[Reuters] - BRITISH Prime Minister David Cameron published his tax records yesterday in an attempt to draw a line under questions about his personal finances raised by the mention of his late father in the Panama Papers for setting up an offshore fund. The revelations have led to demands for Cameron’s resignation and handed ammunition to opposition lawmakers who questioned why he was reluctant to detail his financial connections with his father. Cameron took the unorthodox step of releasing the normally confidential details after saying he

should have handled the scrutiny of his family’s tax affairs better. The documents from RNS Chartered Accountants - which cover six years - show Cameron paid tax of 75,898 pounds ($107,198) on income of 200,307 pounds in the 2014-2015 financial year, the most recent one included. His income comprised his 140,522 pound salary, taxable expenses of 9,834 pounds, 46,899 pounds from half of the share of rent from his family home in London and 3,052 pounds in interest on savings, according to the record. Scores of politicians and business figures have been implicated in the Panama Papers, including the prime minister of Iceland who has since stepped down. The 11.5

million documents leaked from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca detail the creation of more than 200,000 companies in

father’s inclusion in the documents. He said on Thursday he once had a stake in his father’s offshore trust

Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, addresses the Conservative Spring Forum in central London, Britain and had profited from it. He said the unit investment trust was not set up to avoid tax but to invest in dollar-denominated shares and that

offshore tax havens. While Cameron is not accused of doing anything illegal, he made four different statements over four days about his late

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he had paid all taxes due on his own investment, which was worth “something like 30,000 pounds” when he sold out in January 2010, before he became prime minister.

TAX TASKFORCE Cameron’s admission of fault comes after a torrid period for his Conservative government. It is divided over a June 23 referendum on whether to remain in the European Union, has been forced to backtrack on welfare cuts and has been accused of not protecting Britain’s steel industry. Seeking to further take back the initiative, Cameron also announced on Sunday a new taskforce, jointly led by Britain’s tax authority and National Crime Agency, to build on the work Britain has done to tackle money laundering and tax evasion. When Britain hosted a G8 summit in 2013,

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Cameron put tackling tax avoidance at the heart of the agenda. Some of Britain’s former colonies increasingly rely on revenues from shell companies and trusts that often hide wealth. “The UK has been at the forefront of international action to tackle the global scourge of aggressive tax avoidance and evasion, and international corruption more broadly,” Cameron said in a statement. “There is clearly further to go and this taskforce will bring the best of British expertise to deal with any wrongdoing relating to the Panama Papers.” The government said it had tracked down 2 billion pounds ($2.82 billion) from offshore tax dodgers since 2010, and authorities were already investigating 700 current leads with links to Panama. The taskforce will receive 10 million pounds of funding to start work, the government said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Armed robbery on Brazil bus leaves 10 dead RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP) — A botched armed robbery on a packed bus left 10 people dead and 24 hurt Saturday

in southern Brazil when the vehicle hurtled into a tree, police and press reports said.

The bus, which was carrying 40 passengers, departed from the city of Presidente Prudente, in Sao Paulo state, bound for a town on the border with Paraguay where products are cheaper to buy. Terrified passengers described how they were awakened at dawn by gunfire, before the driver lost control of the vehicle and smashed it into a tree, police and media said. The driver was among those killed. Joao Paulo Lauandos, commissioner of the southern city of Mambore, where the incident took place, told Globo G1 website: “There was a convoy of five buses and this was the last coach. “It was intercepted by a vehicle whose occupants fired five or six times. Everything indicates that this is an attempted armed robbery.” Police are investigating.

More than 800 workers to be affected following court ruling [Jamaica Observer] - MORE than 800 workers will been affected by the Court of Appeal’s ruling in favour of an injunction preventing Appleton Estate in St Elizabeth, from producing sugar for the rest of the 2015/16 crop, according to Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) Deputy Island Supervisor Hanif Brown. The court’s judgement, handed down on Friday, supported the injunction originally granted by the Supreme Court in January, which led to a demonstration by more than 700 people related to the sugar factory and distillery against the owners of the fish farm, Algix Jamaica Limited, which has accused J Wray & Nephew Limited and its Appleton factory of producing effluent that has destroyed their fish stock. Brown told OBSERVER ONLINE that the closure has affected more than 800 workers employed at the factory and could seriously erode economic activities in the Siloah area of North Eastern St Elizabeth, if it continues. “It has very serious implications for the workers and the economy there, as well as

US Coast Guard reports major drug bust in Caribbean Sea

this year’s sugar crop, because Appleton has to contribute significantly to the Jamaica Cane Products Limited’ production targets,” Brown commented. Since 2005, attempts have been made to get Appleton to put up a proper waste disposal mechanism but, as then Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke, explained, a “significant investment was needed to improve its waste water system”. Algix Jamaica has alleged that since then, effluent from the Appleton operations has damaged its property and has been seeking US$23 million in compensation. The injunction has resulted in the suspension of full operations at Appleton, which is part of the J Wray and Nephew Limited conglomerate since January. J Wray & Nephew Limited is a subsidiary of Gruppo Campari, the sixth largest player in the global branded beverage industry, with a portfolio of more than 50 premium and super premium brands marketed and distributed in over 190 countries worldwide.

Appleton Estate

MIAMI, United States (CMC) – The United States Coast Guard says it has seized 550 pounds of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea, worth more than US$8.25 million. The Coast Guard said that an unidentified man was detained during the interdiction north-west of Aruba. It said while on joint patrol with the Dutch HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën crew, they “detected and interdicted a suspicious vessel north-west of Aruba in international waters.

“Following the interdiction, a total of 550 pounds of contraband was discovered on board the vessel and later tested positive for cocaine,” the Coast Guard said. “The US Coast Guard LEDET and HNLMS De Zeven Provincien crew took custody of the suspect, and seized the vessel and contraband,” it added. The Coast Guard said the suspicious vessel “became inoperable during the transit and was sunk as a danger to navigation.”

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Sunday Editor

Neil Marks

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

Editorial

Criticisms of the Government

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OVERNMENT has, in recent times, been severely criticized; and the criticism coming from Transparency Institute Guyana has been especially scathing. A lot of this criticism has centred on the actions of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who has been accused of overreach; but the Government has also been criticized for its inaction on the revelations of the forensic audits. It is quite normal for governments to be criticized, and it should be no different for this one. Critique is a vital part of the democratic process, but understandably, some Government supporters will not be happy with the criticisms. Many have contended that it is too early to be so harsh on a government which inherited a lot of baggage from the previous Government. There is merit in that contention, but governments often become victims of their own campaigns while in Opposition. While on the Opposition benches, the parties which make up the coalition Government were quite outspoken about the excesses of the PPP. In the process, they raised the expectations of their supporters, and perhaps the country as a whole, about what they would do if they got into office. They presented themselves as a clear alternative to the PPP. It should not be surprising, then, that they are being held to a higher standard. We feel that a year is enough time for the Government to have settled in; the argument of newness is therefore not a compelling one. There is no doubt that this Government has instituted many of its campaign promises. In some respects, Guyana is a different place from what it was a year ago. We now have new Local Government bodies; the issue of low wages has, to some extent, been addressed; the physical condition of the country has improved; and many other changes for the better have occurred. But mistakes have been made, although maybe the critics are making too much of those mistakes. However, this should not prevent the Government from acknowledging its errors. The President has made the bold move of overruling an act of one of his Ministers. This is a very healthy development, as it shows a leader who is prepared to correct errors in a decisive manner. The issue of taking action on the forensic audits has to be addressed one way or the other. The President has spoken repeatedly about the need to be careful on this matter, and we share that view; but the Government has also to be careful that it does not develop the reputation of reneging on its campaign promises. It is a difficult balancing act, but it is one that must be undertaken if the Government is going to continue to be seen as a source of change.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Regardless of who is in power, APA will fight for rights of Indigenous peoples Dear Editor, THE Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) notes the sudden rise in condemnatory and misinformed writings about the organisation in the Guyana Times newspaper by Ms. Anna Correia. In her seeming watchdog role of the Association, she has made a number of incorrect assumptions and false statements; and had they not been as vindictive and purposely misleading, the APA would have been content to leave her delusional writings alone, but we are pressed to clear up these falsehoods. First of all, the APA is happy to announce that, during this month, the organization would be celebrating twenty-five years (or its silver jubilee) of existence; not twenty-three, as Ms. Correia incorrectly states. Despite the odds -- the misrepresentation and misinformation by the previous regime about the organization, discouraging communities to dialogue with us -– the APA has stood tall and has creditably represented the rights and interests of the Indigenous community in Guyana when the past government reneged on their electoral promises in this regard. In calling on the then Government to uphold the promises its members had made and the principles they said they would abide by -- when we consistently urged them to not violate certain basic principles of human rights, and to put policies and legislation in place to protect the rights of the Indigenous peoples of this country -- we were not being anti-Government, and we did not “hate” the PPP, as Ms. Correia has stated. We were being pro-rights and pro-Indigenous, as Ms. Correia is now labelling herself. We were appealing to the basic good that all human beings possess. We wish to also point out that the staff complement of the APA has remained constant before and after elections, and no “jobs for the boys” were provided, as Ms. Correia maliciously states. Jean La Rose was never a president of the organization, and is not employed by the Government. While David James and Martin Cheong were past employees of the organisation, they had, for years, left the employ of the Association to follow their own pursuits. We wish to point out that our members are free to belong to the political party of their choice, and free to seek employment where they choose. We recall that Mrs. Yvonne Pearson, past Vice-President of the APA, who never resigned her position, joined the staff of the then Ministry of Amerindian Affairs; and later, while still in their employ, campaigned on behalf of the PPP throughout Guyana. As an employee of the then Government, and if we were to use Ms. Correia’s logic, couldn’t it be

said that this is a case of “providing jobs for the boys”? We are happy that the APA, not Sharon Atkinson, quoting Ms. Correia, “has a foot in the Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project”. Previously, after various correspondence to the interests involved in the project; after several meetings, at which the APA voiced its concerns about the development of the project document with little or no consultations with Indigenous communities; and where it was recommended that the project proposal needed strengthening to ensure that it respected Indigenous rights and fully ensured land tenure security, most, if not all of our concerns, fell on deaf ears. The then Government and their partners proceeded with the project despite its various shortcomings. In the project document, where the APA is now listed under “Senior Project Beneficiaries”, this was carried without our consent. Our recommendations were never taken on board, and it is only very recently, in late 2015 and early 2016 -– more than two years after the signing of the Project agreement -- the APA was invited to attend two Project Board meetings. Anna Correia, as head of the project at the Ministry, did not ensure inclusivity, as the project document said it would do. This appears to demonstrate that there was no intention to apply transparency and elements of good governance. That the APA was included in two team visits as Project Board observers is a result of a request by the organisation to be a part of the teams. That the APA President was part of a team visiting some communities was to ensure that the communities have their fair say. We were previously never given this opportunity. We continue to speak with the current Government on the inconsistencies and shortcomings that still exist within the project, including the inadequate legislation that govern Indigenous peoples and the numerous problems that came with some of the titles previously granted. We have spoken and written to the current Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs on the subject, and therefore we feel it is only right that we give them time to fix things, as we had done with the previous Government when they came into power. After all, twenty-plus years of clean-up will take time. Ms. Correia has suddenly become a voice for the people of Tassarene, and speaks about the mining concessions contained on their lands. Might we remind Ms. Correia that, in August 2012, the title certificate was taken back from the Toshao of Tassarene shortly after being handed over by the then President of Guyana. Perhaps she can explain why this took place, and state measures she took as head of the Land Titling Project

to rectify this insult to the community? Tassarene is not the only community where mining concessions were granted on Indigenous lands, titled or untitled; most, if not all, were granted by the previous Government. The APA has always spoken up about these situations, and has been supporting the leadership of Tassarine in dialogue with the Government. That they choose to listen to the advice of Ms. Correia is their right, and I am sure that, together, the community and Ms. Correia are making great headway in resolving the community’s particular land problem. While Ms. Correia writes about the good work done ‘under her watch’, today we see the result of how the project has created more problems for some communities. Chenapau now sees part of its land being titled to Karisparu (the latter received its title just before elections). Several communities received titles with active mining blocks on them, including one community that received its title certificate exactly one week before the General Elections of May 2015. As then head of the project, Ms. Correia must accept responsibility for the many violations of the principles of FPIC under the project, and the illusion that led some communities to feel that their land tenure was now secure. Ms. Correia also speaks about allegations of sexual harassment of Amerindian women. We wonder if her memory is so short that she cannot remember the allegations of sexual harassment, allegedly by persons in positions of responsibility, in the not-so-distant past. The information was very public, and some of our own people were coerced into denying these allegations to protect the perpetrators. Sexual harassment then and now is never okay. If Ms. Correia has evidence of sexual harassment, she should take it to the relevant authorities and let them deal with it. We would also be happy to be privy to such evidence, once they do not violate any protocols. We hope that Ms. Correia can say why she did not speak out when physical threats were made against some of our members, and why she never publicly denounced the numerous violations that communities previously experienced. In her newfound status as a “protector” of Indigenous rights, we urge her to concentrate her energies in doing good for humanity. We will not engage in name calling, as she has done, and we will continue to struggle for the rights of the Indigenous peoples of this country. We will continue to hold this new Government accountable, and remind its members of their promises, as we did in the past. THE AMERINDIAN PEOPLES ASSOCIATION

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Share the pot with all senior citizens Dear Editor GRA, I believe, announced that senior citizens will no longer pay $4000 tax to travel; instead, they will pay $1500. Seniors also won’t have to pay for drivers’ licences. While I appreciate that Government has taken certain considerations that concern the

overall welfare of our senior citizens, I still wonder how these measures would change the overall welfare of our senior citizens. The reality, I feel, is that seniors who own and drive a vehicle can most likely afford the licence fee. The same thing applies to the seniors who can get on a plane.

It seems as if we’re helping (and I stand corrected) those who can most likely help themselves, and leaving in the dust those seniors who most need help. Is there a way we can compute the cost to Government of these two changes, and share the pot with ALL senior citizens? Perhaps we

can revisit the water and electricity subsidies, and give them a free pass on Government transportation services eg. ferries.

Respectfully, ANN GEER

Bartica Town Council headed forward

Dear Editor, GOD shall forever be the centre of who I am and where I am going. Barticians, today I speak from a heart full of joy as I try my best to summarize the extraordinary emotions that have been mine since March 18th, 2016. There is no doubt that I am in awe at the realization that God would select me to bear this sacred cup. I have always known that there was a purpose destined for me that was bigger than my comprehension. Now, as I reflect on all that He has made possible, and the mind-perplexing ways in which He has shaped the victory and the path thereto, I must admit that for these I shall remain subjected to Him, and forever humbled by the knowledge that favour from Him clothes me daily.

HONOURED There are no clear passages wide enough for the amount of appreciation I have for you Barticians, for your resounding confidence in my leadership.

Your reasoning, resilience and irrefutable courage during the LGE campaign season painted clearly for me and the team a picture of true unity and love for community. You have placed your trust in us, and this isn’t something we take lightly. Rather, we view it as a charge to us to epitomize superior leadership through securing an improved life for ALL Barticians. Further, I cannot represent adequately enough the profound gratitude I have for our dear President, His Excellency David A. Granger, and by extension all Ministers of Government, for breaking the chains of corruption and liberating again the people of Guyana. Further, I am extremely grateful to the team of men and women with whom I am privileged to work, a team which personifies INTEGRITY. To my righthand motivator, mountain mover and your newly installed Deputy Mayor, Kamal Persaud, I tip my hat in honour for all that we have accomplished so far through your commitment and hard work. To the men and women of the first

Council of the Municipality of Bartica, your names shall be recorded in history on account of your sterling dedication and pledge to lead Bartica forward into a season of transformation. Last but not least, deepest of gratitude is felt for my God-given help meet, Afesha Marshall, whose support throughout this season is of unmatched measure. The Bible reminds us that he who finds a wife finds a good thing, and for the blessings of her presence and support I’ll be forever grateful. Bartica, I do not take lightly the task before me, nor will I ever forget the force that propels me, this being my love for Bartica. Further, never shall I revel alone in the glory that belongs to each of us. HEADED FORWARD I haven’t looked back long enough to glance at the state of those who opposed progress. I have instead looked upward for direction, and forward towards ‘greener’ living. Bartica is moving briskly towards long overdue glory.

I cannot overemphasize the need for us all to look forward to all that needs to be done. In many instances, the areas of need seem to require Herculean efforts, but let us stand encouraged as we accept that no task is too difficult for a unified people to accomplish. I am headed forward. Your Town Council is headed forward. You, my fellow Barticians, must all seek to be on board with this movement. We welcome your concerns, criticisms and recommendations. We will not be held back by political inferences, divisive words or power struggles. Instead, we forge forward totally devoted to creating a Green Bartica; a sustainable, resilient, clean and beautiful Bartica. Bartica: the first Green Model Town of Guyana. Humbly, GIFFORD MARSHALL Mayor, Municipality of Bartica

Linden TV should not be used as a political football

Dear Editor, IT IS instructive that the persons involved in the furore over who should be in charge of the television station in Linden were, in 2012, busy trying to put systems in place to undermine the people’s struggle. The return of the television, which was gifted to the people by the Greens Construction Company, is today being used by some as opportunity to flex political muscles, rather than seeing to it that measures are put in place to address issues pertaining to enhancing the bread-and-butter wellbeing of Linden/Region 10 citizens. As President Granger speaks about identifying flags for each region, the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has not raised its voice or provided any evidence that it is prepared to have Central Government respect the 2012 Agreement in totality. Citizens must take note of what is going on. The responsibility for establishment of the Economic Committee to develop an Economic Plan, the Technical Committee to look at energy supply, and the Land Selection Committee falls within the remit of the present Council. In 2012, the then Council recognised that

a television licence could not be issued to the RDC under the law, and moreso the television never belonged to the RDC. The whole idea of the television being given to the people by Greens Construction was conceived and realised through the discussions of Morris Drakes (representative of the Guyana Bauxite Supervisors Union/Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union), Linden Smith (representative of the Guyana Mine Workers Union) and Haslyn Parris (CEO of GUYMINE), all of whom are deceased. This television dish did not drop from the air. It was after MINPROC was given the contract to manage the local bauxite company that the dish and transmitter were transferred to the RDC. The PPP/C government took away this responsibility from the RDC. Further, in addition to the PPP/C’s obsession with controlling every space and information the people received, the television was used to abuse and denigrate the citizens of the region. Citizens must ask themselves if they would want to return to that stage where the station is used against them. They must ask themselves what the likely consequences

would be if the Government changes tomorrow and the dish ends up in the hands of a PPP/C-controlled central government. Establishing the Trust and putting the licence in the hands of the Trust is to guarantee citizens ownership and control of this asset; and moreso, it works in the interest of the people and region, and must not be used as a political football by a few who want to flex their muscles. Citizens of Linden/Region 10 must hold the present leaders’ feet to the fire to make sure that all the other elements of the 2012 Agreement are executed. Let it be known that the achievement of having the Trust established and the licence being considered were continuous acts of Sharma Solomon, in and out of office. Not one cent for the establishment of the Trust and pursuing the acquisition of the license came from the RDC. That support came from the trade union, church, and other individuals and organisations. The people of Linden/Region 10 are called on not to be caught up in the political self-serving pursuit of a few. Nobody can predict the 2020 General and Regional Elections’

results, and citizens must, from now, put themselves in a position that, whichever way it goes, their wellbeing is secured/protected. The Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority is reminded that it is not within his remit to make pronouncements on the composition of the Trust. The board’s place is to operate within the parameters of the laws within which the licence will be issued, and the composition of the Trust is not among that. It is also unfortunate that the Prime Minister is allowing his name and that of his office to be sullied in an issue that he had campaigned to make right. The people of Linden/Region 10 are pioneers and of a pioneering spirit. They must not allow persons to ride on their backs. They have cast their ballots, which have seen the election of the present corps to office. These leaders must be held to account to ensure the 21st August 2012 Agreement is brought to fruition, because it was written and signed with the blood of Ron Somerset, Allan Lewis, Shemroy Boyeau and others. LINCOLN LEWIS

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Greater security cooperation needed

SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

‒ President points to emergence of organised crime, violent ‘posses’ & gangs in the Caribbean PRESIDENT David Granger has made an impassioned plea for greater security cooperation in the Caribbean. Delivering the feature address at a dinner hosted by the Institute of International Relations (IIR) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) to celebrate its 50th anniversary, on Friday at the St Augustine Campus of the UWI, the President made his impassioned plea. He shared the position of Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith

Rowley, who, at the recent meeting of the Heads of Government of CARICOM, had pointed out the urgency of the security threats facing the region and the necessity for urgent action to be taken to improve security. A release from the Ministry of the Presidency said the Guyanese Head of State, who is an alumnus of the IIR and a historian, recalled a variety of security crises: the secession of Anguilla in 1967; the armed insurrection in Grenada in 1979, and the invasion of that

island four years later; the security crises in Haiti since 1994; and the challenges these have presented for regionalism. President Granger observed that “old” threats, including invasion, insurrection, intervention, international and domestic terrorism, mutiny, maritime disputes, secession, territorial claims and coups d’état still persist, while new threats in the forms of transnational crimes of narcotics-trafficking, gun-running, money-laundering

and illegal migration have emerged. He noted that the region has also witnessed the emergence of organised crime and violent posses and gangs. According to the President, current arrangements for security cooperation in the Caribbean may be insufficient to meet the needs of member states, given the persistence of old security threats and the emergence of new ones. As such, he called for these arrangements “to be evaluated and, if necessary,

supplemented by additional systems and mechanisms in order to achieve the wider strategic objectives of the states.” The Guyanese Head of State stressed that the security of the Caribbean will not improve on its own accord, and that a security system is needed to respond to the new security problems. According to the release, President Granger told the large gathering that individual countries of the Caribbean Community cannot, on their own, overcome threats posed by territorial claims, transnational criminal networks, epidemics and environmental jeopardy. He called for new secu-

rity architecture to make the Caribbean safe, deter aggressors, combat illicit trafficking, and create a zone of peace in the Caribbean. The President also urged for the Caribbean to be preserved as a zone of peace. “It must become a zone in which the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Caribbean states are respected, where the new security threats are extinguished, where our children can play in parks without fear of innocent victims of gangland violence, and where our young people are not seduced into drug trafficking and gun-running,” he said.

President Granger signing the Guest Book at the Institute of International Relations. He is flanked by Guyanese Dr. Mark Kirton and Trinidadian scholar Professor Rhoda Reddock

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Many peoples, one nation, one destiny: Identity, the state media and our cricket identity ON FRIDAY, I attended a symposium in Washington DC to commemorate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. Organized by a group of Guyanese in the area, led by Paul Tennassee and Floyd Haynes, the event brought together Guyanese and friends of Guyana from across North America, to reflect on our Independence journey these five decades. I was asked to speak on our Guyanese identity. As I prepared my remarks, I found myself reflecting on how complex identity formation is for plural societies such as ours. Although we have had that conversation continuously, it never goes away. The instinct of oneness has always been there, but the instinct that flows from our diversity is there also. We have not done a good job at marrying the two; in many regards, we have set the two against each other. For me, this has been one of our great Independence failures. Each ethnic group in Guyana has had its own struggles with intra-group identity. Amerindians are really a fusion of several tribes. East Indians came to Guyana as multiple ethno-religious groups, and developed a pan-Indian identity here. Africans became

Africans on the plantation. The other ethnic groups have had their own identity challenges. So, in a sense, we have quite a task before us as we try to forge a single identity out of our several identities. The Independence model of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” is idealistic at best; the intent is noble, but its premise is flawed. We are really a country of many peoples. Our tendency to overemphasize our oneness and deemphasize our diversity has not always been helpful. In the end, we have developed a culture wherein our people are afraid to affirm our diversity and its inherent differences. We label diversity and difference as racism; so that which is most beautiful about Guyana is constructed as ugliness. Our diversity is permanent and beautiful; the challenge for us as a nation is to erase the stigma which we have attached to our diversity. Difference is normal; it becomes destructive when we give bad meaning to it. We have learned -- I hope -- that the imposition of sameness as a substitute for diversity is in the final analysis counterproductive. Imposed sameness ultimately becomes a mask. Identity formation is a dynamic and organic process that is linked to our lived experiences.

Trying to separate identity from our political, economic and social relations, and from our larger history, is a futile experience. Our identity is a product of all of our relations. In Guyana, we have multiple identities that cannot be wished away; that much we have learned. For me, our real motto should be “Many Peoples, One Nation, One Destiny.” THE STATE MEDIA The state-owned media is not a party plantation. Those who are charged with the day-to-day management of the state-owned media must learn this hard truth. For 50 years, that section of the media was turned against the people, the real owners, in vicious ways. The recent revelation of photo-doctoring to make the President look good is disgusting. There is something wrong with a political culture in which people feel compelled to do something like that. More than the other newspapers, the Chronicle has a duty to uphold the principles of fairness and inclusion. Its pages must not be turned into manifestations of cheer-leading. Yes, the Government must be covered fairly; but so, too, must others. And critique of the Govern-

ment must be an integral part of the coverage. The paper has to move beyond reprinting Government press releases and populating the pages with the faces of ministers. The rest of us matter, too. The Chronicle has historically been an instrument of dictatorship, and we cannot continue like this. This present Government came to power as a change agent, and the state-owned media must reflect that promise. Censorship must be eradicated. We have suffered that indignity for too long. I hope the Board uses the present moment to chart a new course for the newspaper. If you change the physical look of the paper but maintain the old habits, then you are only fooling yourself. BEATING THE WORLD Whatever our feelings about the state of our cricket, Sunday, April 3, will go down as one of the most important dates in our Caribbean journey. The women and men cricketers painted a story of overcoming on the walls of civilization. Those last four balls of the day reminded the world that we, the peoples of these little islands and mainland spaces, are still equal members of humanity. Those victories have put to bed -- at least for now -- our own

anxieties about, and fear of, our capacity to continue to survive in this harsh world. The conversations in the aftermath of the sweet victories have been misguided. We often talk about, and perhaps imagine, our future in binaries: good versus evil. We reached the cricket bottom because both our governance and our communities lost their way. It is so in cricket, in politics, in economics, and in the society at large. For me, the most refreshing thing about this moment is that our boys seem to have heard the denigrating voice of the master: “They have no brains”. Those victories were carved out in defense of our Caribbean dignity. Can we turn the moment into a larger statement about our humanity? When Tony Grieg, in 1976, said he would make the West Indies grovel, Clive Lloyd and his men were spurred to the construction of a new history that the rest of the world came to respect us for. More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com

Financing stalls Linden-Lethem road construction ‒ President Granger says project remains a priority CONSTRUCTION of a highway from Linden in Region 10 to Lethem in Region 8 remains high on the agenda of both Guyana and Brazil, and President David Granger remains hopeful that, within the next four years, significant progress will be made in this regard, even though sourcing finance for the project remains a problem. Speaking on Friday

during his weekly televised programme, The Public Interest, President Granger said Guyana has to accept some responsibility for construction of this road. “It is something that we need to do. It is not a political matter, it is a financial matter,” he declared. This project is expected to be a multi-million-dollar project, and the President is hoping that its financial arrangements would be

worked out before 2020. In underscoring the importance of infrastructural development, he said, “This country cannot be developed economically until and unless we build a network of roads and bridges.” Funding to the tune of US$10 million, needed to execute the engineering design for the project, is yet to be sourced. Brazil and Guyana have, since March 2014, been discuss-

ing the financial aspect of the project after a proposal was submitted by a Joint Working Group established under the Guyana-Brazil Corporation Agreement. Even as the respective administrations in Guyana and Brazil continue to explore their options, the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has crafted a “Plan of Action” for the development of the district, which includes up-

grading the Linden-to-Lethem Road and the stretch of road from Linden to Kwakwani. Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian has explained that, under the stewardship of former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo, a development strategy had been established and submitted to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, but that was “swept under

the mat.” “The development of the road is vital to the development of Linden, Region 10, and all of the communities along that corridor,” Morian said, as he reflected on a project which had been endorsed by former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds but reportedly collapsed upon the involvement of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

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Towards a Good Life in a Green Economy

By Janelle Christian

Understanding Climate Change AS WE continue our series, I will this week initiate the discussion on the concept of Climate Change and Global Warming, and its impact on our environment and livelihoods. The objective of this article is not to present the hard science and arguments to prove that Climate Change is occurring, as there is already international consensus among the experts in this regard. The intention is to present the information in simple terms, so that the average individual can have a better understanding of the Climate Change issue and the resulting challenges for Guyana; and, in turn, the risks to human lives and society. WHAT IS CLIMATE? Climate is the prevailing weather condition in an area or place over a long period of time; at least a thirty-year period. The distinction between climate and weather is that the weather can change from hour to hour and day to day, reflecting the short-term conditions of the atmosphere; while climate is the average of the weather over time and space. Some meteorologists say climate is what you expect, and weather is what you get. Climate includes extreme values, such as record high temperatures or record amounts of rainfall. In Guyana, we experience a tropical climate with uniformly high temperatures. CLIMATE CHANGE When we speak about Climate Change, we are talking about the long-term changes or shifts in the daily weather patterns or average temperatures. Climate change increases the

odds of extreme weather events; for example, normal rainfall and drought patterns may change. This can result in the rains coming out-of-season or heavier for a shorter period of time, and out-of-season drought or droughts lasting for a longer period, such as seen in Region 9 (Lethem in particular). Guyana has already started to experience variations in weather. For example, in July 2015, Georgetown experienced intense rainfall over a 24-hour period, during which an estimated 8.26 inches of rain fell, resulting in widespread flooding. WHAT CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE? The Earth is a closed system where materials cycle between the lithosphere (earth), atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. The processes operating on the Earth interact with each other. Changes in one process, such as volcanic activity, result in changes in another, such as atmospheric composition. In a closed system, energy enters and leaves, but materials do not; there is a flow of materials between reservoirs or sinks along pathways. For example, water vapour in the atmosphere condenses and falls as rain and breaks down rocks; ocean water evaporates into the atmosphere; volcanoes erupt and spew water vapour into the atmosphere. However, a change in one reservoir or sink creates a change in others. In this instance, a change in atmospheric carbon dioxide affects the rest of the closed system. The atmosphere protects and sustains life on Earth, and acts as a filter, keeping out harmful ultraviolet radiation while letting in

the sun’s rays and keeping the planet warm enough for living organisms, including humans. This is known as the greenhouse effect, and is caused by naturally occurring heat trapping gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapour, hence the term greenhouse gases (GHGs). We do need GHGs; however, too much GHGs would raise global temperatures to levels that disrupt the natural equilibrium of the Earth’s system. Climate Change is a normal part of the Earth’s natural variability, which is related to interactions among the atmosphere, ocean, and land, as well as changes in the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth. Evidence suggests that the Earth experienced previous warming episodes which were triggered by small increases in the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface, and subsequently intensified by large releases of carbon dioxide from the oceans as they warmed. However, today most of the observed increase in average temperature globally since the mid-20th century is due to human-induced greenhouse gas concentrations. Population growth and pursuit of economic development by both developed and developing countries have severely affected the state of the environment and threatened our natural resource base. In short, humans are responsible for Climate Change. Accelerated growth through technological advancement has contributed to a build-up of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere (closed system). These gases are primarily carbon

dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide is produced when coal, oil and natural gas (fossil fuels) are burned to produce energy, and also as a result of deforestation and land degradation (ref. Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which sets the framework for conservation, sustainable management, and utilisation of our forest resources for Climate Change mitigation). Methane is produced by rice cultivation, cattle and sheep ranching, and by decaying material in landfills. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has risen by 25% since 1958, and by about 40% since the Industrial Revolution. As the concentration of carbon dioxide increases, there will be a build-up of excess heat energy in the Earth’s system, thus causing a change in climate. Against this backdrop, it is essential for us in Guyana to move beyond the LCDS and towards a green economy pathway (GEP), which is multi-sectorial and multi-resource- driven, as we pursue a good life. The next article will focus on Energy Efficiency. Comments can be sent email address: towardsagoodlife@gmail.com (Ms. Janelle Christian is a young professional with over five years of project management experience, and she is an advocate for youth and community development. Ms. Christian is qualified in the field of environment and natural resources management, with a BSc in Environmental Studies and MSc in Natural Resources Management. She is currently the Head of the Office of Climate Change)

Jagdeo wants GECOM to speak on Bulkan’s appointments THE Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Saturday said it notes “The bewildering silence and inaction from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in the face of the imbroglio which has engulfed six local authority organs that have been unable to lawfully elect a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons because of an equality of seats on those local authority organs allocated to the PPP/C and the APNU +AFC.” In a statement, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said it is no secret that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has launched

legal proceedings and obtained a series of orders from the High Court quashing decisions of Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, who took a decision to appoint the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mabaruma and Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of the several NDCs affected. Orders were also obtained restraining the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons from functioning in those capacities, he pointed out, noting too that orders were also obtained mandating the Town Clerk of Mabaruma and the several overseers of the NDCs to appoint a date

for new elections in the several local authority areas affected, as the law prescribes. “These legal proceedings were filed not only to protect and defend the will of the electorate, but were also done to protect and preserve the constitutional mandate of GECOM, which is the authority that the Constitution has endowed with the exclusive responsibility in respect of, and in relation to, the conduct of the elections,” Jagdeo stated. The government is maintaining that Minister Bulkan’s decision to appoint the Mayor of Mabaruma and the chairs of five NDCs is within his realm of authority.

On Thursday, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams, explained that the court action filed by the PPP/C on Wednesday, quashing the decision by Bulkan to appoint Mabaruma’s Mayor and the five NDC chairs at Woodlands/Farm, Woodlands/Bel Air, Malgre Tout/ Meer-Zorgen, Gibraltar-Fyrish and Industry-Plaisance was a case of misinterpretation of the law. While the Government will abide by the judge’s ruling, it plans to challenge the order made on Wednesday. The PPP/C filed for the orders on Wednesday in the High Court on the basis that

the minister acted contrary to, and in violation of, the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap. 28:01. Justice Diana Insanally has granted an interim order quashing the controversial appointments, and has ordered the holding of fresh elections. The orders were filed by PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall on behalf of fellow MP Zulfikar Mustapha. But Minister Williams is maintaining that the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01, explicitly states that the minister has the right to appoint the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and

NDC Chairpersons for Local Authority Areas if the councillors cannot arrive at a consensus. According to the AG, the law was misconstrued and the applicants did not consider it in complete context, given that voters, as prescribed by Chapter 16:06 of the Local Government laws, referred to the elected councillors. He said the legislation explicitly states that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor cannot be elected by the electorate; and according to him, it would be unlawful to return to the polls for fresh elections to elect those persons.

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Granger: Corruption complaints are investigated

WITH his government facing heavy criticism for corruption, President David Granger has said when those reports are made they are investigated. “…when complaints are made they are investigated and I have asked non-governmental organisations to ask for those investigations or ask for information before going on the street or going to the press. “I am not saying that there were no error(s) but explanation(s) can be given.” The President admitted that “from time to time errors of judgement will be made.” As a result, the President wants Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) to meet with Minister of State Joseph Harmon. In a recent statement,

TIGI said: “The appointment of advisors to the APNU +AFC Government and political interference in the work of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) by Minister of State Mr. Joseph Harmon have set a dark cloud over the operations of the current government.” Minister Harmon had issued an Instrument of Appointment to Brian “BK” Tiwari as a Ministerial Advisor on Business – a move which had received widespread criticism and was subsequently rescinded by President Granger. According to TIGI, Minister Harmon in the local press had confirmed that the government has been using its position to employ and reward, out of state resources, its supporters and donors.

“By the minister’s own admission, well-paying and prestigious jobs and other privileges were up for sale during the 2015 elections campaign in which the party stood on an anti-corruption and transparency platform. By any international standard, the conduct of Mr. Harmon and by extension, the Government, constitutes corruption,” TIGI contended. But President Granger, on Friday during his weekly televised Public Interest Programme, said the statement issued by TIGI is “outrageous.” “It is an outrageous statement and I would ask TIGI to verify its information before going to the media. “As a responsible non-governmental organisation, I would ask Transpar-

ency International to have a meeting with Mr. Harmon and ask those questions, before going to the press. It is very difficult for the government as a whole or any individual minister to conduct that type of debate – shouting at each other – in the press. If they need information let them approach Mr. Harmon.” He made it clear, however, that it is difficult for him to accept blanket criticism of the entire administration because of one incident. He alluded to the fact, that as the President he took the decision to rescind Tiwari’s appointment upon learning of it, reiterating that Guyana has a competent Minister of Business who has the ability to advise the Government. Alluding to the allegation of political interference into

the operations of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), President Granger disclosed that he spoke to Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who is in the process of taking corrective action. Bai Shan Lin, which has been at the centre of controversies over the years, had two luxury vehicles seized last week by the GRA. A Nissan minivan, PRR 3888, and a Lexus SUV, PRR 2888, were taken to the GRA storage bond at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, following the confiscation. It was determined that Bai Shan Lin owed over $60 million in taxes on the brand new SUV alone. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has been investigating the Chinese company for tax evasion. President Granger,

while reiterating that corrective action is being taken, underscored the importance of seeking clarity before turning to the press. With Guyana languishing in the lower levels of the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, TIGI said it had expected that the coalition which had campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption would have immediately and vigorously confronted corruption as a primary goal. “Regretfully, the action by Mr. Harmon and the inaction and silence of the coalition on corruption suggest that any expectation of early improvement in the perception of corruption in Guyana is at best premature and at worst dangerously misconceived.”

Courts have duty to protect rights of LGBT persons ‒ Guyana Bar Association PRESIDENT of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram said that the courts and everyone in the court system has a duty to upkeep and protect the rights and privileges of the citizens of Guyana. Alluding to a speech made by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon, Ram said that there is no need for special laws, but there is need to recognise existing laws and remove any doubts of the rights afforded citizens in the Constitution, any legislation and judicial rulings. “Protecting LGBT people from violence and discrimination does not require the creation of a new set of LGBT-specific rights, it is the legal obligation of states to safeguard the human rights of LGBT people as guided by international law, specifically on the basis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which Guyana ratified and included in several constitutional commissions and legislation,” Ram said. Ram recounted previous legislative attempts, which he described as historical,

‘Twinkle’ (right), seen during a recent protest, was barred from court for wearing female attire

but after outcries from some religious groups, the term “sexual orientation” was put in a separate Bill and not put to a vote in parliament. This, according to Ram, violates the duties of the Constitution – such duties would be to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms, including access to justice. He reminded the gathering that Guyana is a secular state and that religious influence on poli-

cy-making is inappropriate. As such, he called for lawyers to be more vocal and present more cases to the courts to protect the rights of LGBT Guyanese and other marginalised groups. The President of the Bar Association expressed these sentiments during a forum held recently to commemorate International Transgender Day of Visibility 2016. It was also organised by Guyana Trans Unit-

ed (GTU) and the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in collaboration with the USAID Advancing Partners and Communities (APC) Project to discuss the recent case in which a male-tofemale transgender person, “Twinkle,” was barred from attending matters in court by Magistrate Dylon Bess for cross-dressing, presenting herself in female attire. Karen De Souza of Red

Thread, in making her contribution, said the law should be just and should be applied equally to everyone, positing that it should not discriminate against anyone regardless of who they are. She opined that the magistrate presented gender and class biases in “Twinkle’s” case, alleging that the High Court’s judgment is problematic and has deliberately been made so. “Ian Chang deliberately and mischievously left ‘improper purpose’ undefined and that is what Magistrate Bess is using for his own biased reasoning.” According to De Souza’s account, Bess said for him to accept “Twinkle” in female attire he would bring the court into disrepute. “This is nonsense. These regulations and laws or what not need to be changed. There is a focus on form but there is nothing behind it. Rather than exploring the purpose behind it, more people are just enforcing it for no apparent reason – The ministries and public offices have regulations outside the gates against women wearing sleeveless . The First Lady wears nothing but sleeveless. Would they bar her from entering?” De

Souza pointed out. “Be more dramatic,” she charged with a smile when stating that social change and progress in society comes with a louder voice from the people and progressive action such as picketing and lobbying. Political and Economic Affairs Chief of the United States Embassy in Georgetown, D. James Bjorkman, said that there is no issue with dressing in female attire. He mentioned that comment the Prosecutor made that “Twinkle” would have been arrested in the United States if she presented herself in a Court of Law in female attire is “absolutely false.” In the federal law, he expressed, President Obama has stated that discrimination of any kind is unacceptable. Bjorkman said that this is not a fight for special rights. “The community is not asking to be looked at as special, but to be included, to be made an equal part of society and not to be discriminated against by something as arbitrary as how one is dressed or how they appear,” Bjorkman added.

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2020 is not about cricket, it is about national elections PEOPLE desire a government that will treat them with respect and manage their affairs within the confines of laws, rules, time-honoured principles, universal declarations, conventions and charters. Having suffered under the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar governments, whereby rights were trampled, the rule of law treated with contempt, phantom squads having government blessings, and the nation’s resources pillaged and shared among the political hierarchy, families and friends, the people wanted no more. Any government that engages in acts of criminality threatens harmonious and peaceful co-existence among the people and hinder their development. The dastardly records of Jagdeo and Ramotar resulted in the PPP/C losing the trust of the people over the years, which in 2011 saw the loss of the popular vote and majority in Parliament, and in 2015 the loss of the Executive and Legislative branches. The APNU +AFC government came to office in 2015 with tremendous goodwill from the people and

international stakeholders, given that both are concerned about the criminalisation of the state and the dire implications such posed for stability and development, internal and external. This goodwill ought not to be taken for granted or treated with contempt. For goodwill brings with it no immunity that this administration can emulate the unsavoury conduct of the PPP and get away with it. The people were joined by the APNU and AFC when in opposition in condemning the excesses of the Jagdeo and Ramotar governments. Yet today we are seeing some in this administration, who have been given the privilege by the people to right the PPP/C wrongs, embracing these wrongs. Let me say, there have been movements in the right direction post 11th May 2015 and these harbour views of positive expectations. However, the efforts of those committed to doing right by the people will be subsumed and tarnished by those who treat the people with contempt, disregard the laws, manage the nation’s business as their personal property, and treat

government as a gravy train. In our representative democracy, state and government officials, elected and appointed, are in service to the people. Let me repeat, these officials are in service to the people and are not masters of the people. They are bound by universal principles in the discharge of their duties on the people’s behalf. This nation is witnessing continued abuse by representatives of State boards. Some are using their positons of privilege to settle petty scores, abuse the resources of the organisation, and behave as laws unto themselves. At ministerial and other political appointment levels we are witnessing instances where there is no regard for public opinion, rules, laws and conventions. The impression given is that these actors only discomfort with the things they condemned the PPP/C for, was that they were not in the positions to engage in similar arrogance and shenanigans. On the matter of rights, it must be known that such are not the remit of anyone to describe them as personal or internal, given that such are protected by and guaranteed un-

der universal principles. Presently, they are persons vested with authority on behalf of the State who are not understanding and respecting their roles, functions and responsibilities in the organisation. One such egregious conduct is the matter concerning the Editor-in-Chief of the Guyana Chronicle, Nigel Williams Media houses last week carried a story that Williams was suspended for a photoshop image of President David Granger and children. What is of concern is the response given to the Kaieteur News by the Guyana National Newspapers Limited Board Chairman, Jean La Rose when asked for a comment on the matter. The chairman reportedly told the paper, “it is an internal matter” (KN 7th April, 2016). Ms. LaRose presents herself as a human rights activist for the Amerindian community and is also an actor in the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), an organisation that correctly and relentlessly prosecuted the transgressing of the rights of three workers of the New Building Society. There is a failure and double standard in treating with

rights by Ms. LaRose. As an activist, when it comes to any matter she cares about she would not have accepted the response she gave to Kaieteur News, which exemplifies that positions taken by some are not guided and grounded in universal principles but that of self-interest. The rights of Williams like the Amerindians and those whom the GHRA considers worthy of their attention are equally deserving of protection, as too the media having a right to know what transpired on this matter, even moreso that the GNNL is a state entity i.e. it is owned by the people. 2020 is not about cricket as some in the government will want us to believe. 2020 is General and Regional Elections. As such, the government is called upon to avoid the violations, transgressions and abuses which are becoming scandals and will undo whatever good is happening in other quarters. The people have voted for change in treatment and management of their affairs. The people will continue to hold operatives accountable in our demands for good governance.

Law on campaign financing before next elections – Granger PRESIDENT David Granger has reiterated his Government’s commitment to have Campaign Financing Legislation in place before the next General and Regional Elections. The President renewed this commitment on Friday, stating clearly that when requisite laws are put in place to

govern campaign financing in the country, the governing coalition will comply. In the absence of such legislation, President Granger confirmed that the coalition has received financial support from external sources, but declined to disclose the names of the donors. “It is not dirty money,” he

made clear, positing that some of the donors have requested that their identities do not be disclosed for obvious reasons. “Certain people in political parties could be very vindictive and once they discover that corporations give monies to parties, they can bring economic sanctions to bear against those corpora-

tions,” he explained, adding that some corporations fear that they may be blacklisted or boycotted. President Granger maintained, however, that while donors have asked to remain anonymous, the finance provided was acquired through legitimate operations. “They have assured that it is clean money.” After observing Guyana’s General and Regional Elections in May, 2016, the Carter Centre recommended that the APNU+AFC Administration consider the establishment of

a formal process for the registration and regulation of political parties to ensure greater transparency and integrity. The latter could also be bolstered by the introduction of campaign-financing legislation, in order to ensure transparency in the sources of funding to contesting political parties. The Center said, “Guyana should consider establishing and enforcing realistic limits on campaign expenditures to help promote equity, and avoid inequalities in access to

resources, which undermine the democratic process. “…reforms such as requiring disclosure of sources, not just in the context of elections; establishing party finance regulations with clear, rigorous, and enforceable regulations for reporting; requiring electoral contestants to make reports on their campaign expenditures publicly available, with strong penalties for those who do not comply with regulations (should be considered).”

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Essequibo businessmen to push development plans

Mine Workers’ Union supports Bartica’s new Town Council

The executives of the resuscitated Essequibo Chamber of Commerce

THE resuscitated Essequibo Chamber of Commerce (ECC) held its General Meeting and Election on April 2, when members elected businessman Deleep Singh President and Johan Walcott Vice-President. The ECC has a number of priority issues on its agenda, including the rehabilitation of the Anna Regina airstrip. They also plan to engage government in improving utility services such as electricity, water, and telephone. They also want to see improved internet access. The Chamber, in a press release, stated that it will also meet education officials to develop programmes in schools that would get children to focus more on becoming entrepreneurs. The Chamber also plans to engage the relevant min-

istries on matters affecting the business community and discuss ferry transportation improvement along with security and protection for the business community. A release from the ECC noted that serious attention needs to be given to the re-establishment of the Agricultural Development Bank, the rice sector, fuel prices and the long wait to process documents for export. The issues of non-availability of potable/drinking water in farmland areas and stray animals on the road, will also be addressed by the new ECC. In his report, the Chamber’s President thanked the interim members for their full dedication and hard work in increasing the membership. It was noted that former parliamentarian Isha-

hak Basir was present as an observer at the meeting, where he opined that the Chamber must collaborate with the regional administration and other agencies to continue to build Essequibo and address all the challenges facing the different economic sectors, especially rice. The results of the election are as follows:President : Mr. Deleep Singh (Miner/Hotelier/Businessman) Vice President : Mr. Johan Walcott (General Store Proprietor Teacher) Secretary : Ms. Shaleenie Sukhdeo (Businesswoman) Asst. Sec/Treasurer : Mrs. Guitree Ramsamooj. (Manager – Republic Bank) Treasurer : Ms. Seuan Seenarayan (Businesswoman)

Public Relations Officer : Mr. Ravi D. Mohan (Manager Nafico/Nalico, Owner Promotional Agency, T.V.Host.) Committee Members : Mr. Mohamed Nazmul (Wild Life Exporter) : Mr. David Ally (Businessman) : Mrs. Maria Lord-Lewis, (Hotelier/ Businesswoman) : Ms. Hilon James (Floral Shop/Caterer) : Mr. Nateram Ramnanan (Original Juice Centre) : Mr. Wilfred Jagnaraine (Director - Lake Mainstay Resort) : Mr. Thakechand Ramnauth (Retired Teacher) : Mr. Parmeshwar Lall (Retired Head Master/ lecturer CPCE) : Mr. Rickey Toney (Boutique Proprietor/Speedboat Owner-operator)

First Lady, Mrs Nagamootoo at NY Women’s Conference

First Lady Sandra Granger and Mrs Sita Nagamootoo

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger and the wife of Prime Minister, Mrs Sita Nagamootoo, are special guests at this weekend’s “Know your Purpose” Conference held by the Women of Mission International (WOMI) Conferences in New York. Both Mrs Granger and Mrs Nagamootoo will deliver remarks at the conference this evening. The WOMI’s goal is to encourage women to take ownership of the direction of their lives and plans to collaborate with other organisations with similar missions and goals to maximise efforts to help women of all ages from the Diaspora and beyond. WOMI is open to women regardless of their incomes, race, creed, age or nationality. Their purpose is to

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, and Deputy Mayor Kamal Persaud

THE National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana has extended its full support to the first Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall and Kamal Persaud respectively. A statement from Sherwyn Downer, president of the union, noted that the victory at the March 18 Local Government Elections should be seen as a victory for Barticians, and not for a party or individual, so that the long-awaited development of Bartica would be realized. “The National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana calls on all Barticians to pledge their unwavering support to the youth leadership of the new Town Council. In so doing, the potential of Bartica, the dream Bartica (which) all Barticians (were)

longing for, will now be a reality. Let’s work together to make our town the envy of other towns in Guyana,” Downer admonished in the statement. The union, he expressed, stands ready and willing to work with and support the new Town Council of Bartica by “whatever way (is deemed) necessary to further the development of Bartica and its residents, provided that developments and works are being done within the (ambit) of the law and the best interest of the residents.” Downer expressed hope that the services that come with township will be provided fairly, and not selectively, by the new Mayor and Town Council of Bartica.

envision a world where no woman is abused, poor, untrained or marginalised. Their mission is “To make a difference in the lives of women through education, counselling, support services, scholarships, mentorship and empowerment

forums.” By the influence of the First Lady and Mrs Nagamootoo, WOMI hopes that they will be able to reach a wider cross- section of women and be able to provide assistance and knowledge.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Communications consultant to head NCN LENNOX Cornette, a former journalist who is now a communications consultant and preacher, has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Commu-

nications Network (NCN), reliable sources have confirmed. Cornette was selected by the NCN Board ahead of veteran broadcasters Enrico Woolford and Dennis Chab-

rol, and former Director of Tourism and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Indira Anandjit, who had all applied for the top post at the country’s state radio and television.

Cornette formerly worked at the Guyana Chronicle, and later worked in the Communications Department of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT). He was also Communications Manager at Conservation International (Guyana). Cornette is expected to take up his post at the end of the month, sources told the Guyana Chronicle. When contacted, Chairman of the NCN Board, Mr Bish Panday, said he would issue a statement when he is ready. The top job at NCN became available when Molly Hassan resigned, giving the entity three months’ notice, which expires at the end of this month. She may stay on an extra month to allow for a smooth transition. The new CEO will be tasked with rebranding efforts at NCN. “There has been an intense and ongoing review of both the current programmes, systems, staff and technical facilities. In addition to internal work being done on re-branding, re-programming, training

Lennox Cornette

and creating a new content culture, a nationwide call is currently out for announcers, producers and fresh programme ideas,” the State broadcaster had said in a statement announcing Hassan’s resignation. The company said it was likely to invest heavily in new technologies to create the changes it envisions.

“Several urgent needs in the area of physical space, telecommunications infrastructure, training, management and equipment have been identified. The board has been vigorously pursuing resources to rectify these problems, and intends to continue this process in 2016,” NCN has said.

US$1.8B needed to end poor housing conditions in Caribbean ‒ IDB study says

GUYANA is listed with Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago as the Caribbean countries that need US$1.8 billion to end poor housing conditions

currently endured by one million residents, according to a new Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report, called The State of Housing in Six Caribbean Countries.

The report analyzed the implementation of social housing programmes in the Caribbean from 2000 to 2015, and the IDB underscored the importance Turn to page 20 ►

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Whales are starving

– their stomachs full of our plastic waste

A study has shown there will be more plastic than fish in oceans by 2050

By Phillip Hoare Guardian Opinion In January, 29 sperm whales stranded on shores around the North Sea. The results of the necropsies (the animal equivalent of autopsies) of 13 of those whales, which beached in Germany, near the town of Tönning in Schleswig-Holstein, have just been released. The animals’ stomachs were filled with plastic debris. A 13-metre-long fishing net, a 70cm piece of plastic from a car and other pieces of plastic litter had been inadvertently ingested by the animals, who may have thought they were food, such as

squid, their main diet, which they consume by sucking their prey into their mouths. Robert Habeck, environment minister for the state of Schleswig-Holstein, said: “These findings show us the results of our plastic-oriented society. Animals inadvertently consume plastic and plastic waste, which causes them to suffer, and at worst, causes them to starve with full stomachs.” Nicola Hodgins, of Whale and Dolphin Conservation, added: “Although the large pieces will cause obvious problems and block the gut, we shouldn’t dismiss the smaller bits that could cause a more chronic problem for all species of cetacean

A 13-metre-long fishing net and a 70cm piece of plastic from a car were among the debris recently found in stranded sperm whales (Photograph: Jeroen Hoekendijk)

– not just those who suction feed.” The notion of these vast, sentient and placid creatures being stuffed with our trash is emblematic enough of the unequal relationship between man and sperm whale. The fact that the latter possess the largest brains of any animal that has ever lived only underlies this disconnection. Sadly, to anyone who follows the ongoing story of our impact on cetaceans, the terrible predicament of German whales is not new – although the scale of last January’s strandings is. In 2011, a young sperm whale was found floating dead off the Greek island of Mykonos. Its stomach was so distended

that scientists believed that the animal might have swallowed a giant squid. But when they dissected its four stomachs (sperm whales, although predators, have digestive processes similar to ruminants), they found almost 100 plastic bags and other pieces of debris. One bag had the telephone number of a souvlaki restaurant in Thessaloniki. The scientists joked, grimly, that the whale could not call up to complain about the damage caused by their product. The scale of the fate of the North Sea whales calls to mind the nesting albatrosses of Midway Island, so poignantly recorded by photographer Chris Jordan. He documented the skeletal remains of young chicks, so bloated with the plastic they had been mistakenly fed by their parents – from beer can loops and bottle tops to cigarette lighters – that they had starved from lack of nutrition. Our use and abuse of animals seems in inverse proportion to the almost ritual reverence in which we purport to hold them. Whales have become the marine icon of ecological threat. We pay obeisance to their grandeur. But sometimes I wonder if it isn’t all an illusion. We congratulate ourselves for having stopped hunting them (well, most of them). Yet many thousands of cetaceans are compromised or killed by the pollution we allow to escape into the ocean. We cannot make the direct connection between the plastic bottles of water and what they are doing to the ultimate source of their supply. Whales are still victims of our industrialisation, our insatiable thirst for growth at the expense of all else – if in not such a direct way as they were in the past.

Recently, visiting the secret storage unit where London’s Natural History Museum stows the thousands of specimens that they are unable – or reluctant – to display in the museum, the curator of vertebrates, Richard Sabin, showed me a nondescript cardboard box in a corner. He suggested I look inside. When I opened it, I found block after block of solid, pure, spermaceti wax, the solidified oil from the sperm whale’s head. Whales, in boxes – that’s how we saw them. It was for this substance that American and British whaleships travelled to the South Seas. This stuff that, when liquid, lit the streets of London, New York, Berlin and Paris. It made candles and makeup; lubricated the machines of the industrial revolution. So fine is spermaceti oil that Nasa used it in their space mission, as it does not freeze in outer space. It is the materiality of the whale that haunts me. What it has provided, albeit unwittingly, to allow us to furnish and light our own lives. Even sperm whale excretions – in the form of ambergris – are the most valuable natural substances known to us, still used as a fixative in high-fashion perfumes. Set that usage against what we now know to be cultural animals, deeply bound by family ties. Of course, it is what makes us most alike that ultimately touches us – and which may be the saving of us both. I told Meera Syal, when we met at Radio 4 the other day, that whale society is entirely matriarchal, and in some species, male whales stay with their mothers all their lives. “Ah,” she said, “they’re Indian whales.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Over 1,000 children a

UNDER the theme: “ Tr a n s f o r m i n g t h e mind, developing the nation through motivation and inspiration,” the Guyana Police Force (GPF) ‘A’ Division in collaboration with ‘A’ Division Youth Groups hosted a career day fair Saturday at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. Over 1,000 children from 27 Youth Clubs across the Police Divisions participated in the Career Day. Also in attendance was Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. Some of the booths present included: the GPF, Guyana Defence Force ,Guyana Fire Service, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, the Guyana School of Agriculture, the Guyana National Newspapers Limited, the Guyana Rice Development Board, University of Guyana Health Sciences Department, E R Burrowes School of Art, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Museum of African Heritage, Modfin Beauty School, the National Communications Network, the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana, S&S Fruit Services, and the

A member of the ‘A’ Division Youth Group dressed as a police officer pretends to be a member of the Mounted Branch

A Traffic Sergeant explains the procedures and equipment used in executing their duties as law enforcers (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute. In his address, the Minister of Education commended the efforts of the Guyana Police Force, more specifically the Divisional Commander, Officers and ranks of “A” Division and other stakeholders, for staging the event and offered his congratulations on the choice of the theme for the Career Day, the elements of which he said strike at the core of education in Guyana. He stated that he was impressed with the emphasis placed on local activities and local products observed in the exhibition booths and expressed the view that they will generate high interest in the youths. Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine also noted that many of the children attending the Career Fair were at an important stage of their lives where decisions will influence the kind of persons they become, and urged that they pay close attention to their parents, teachers and those who give them guidance in order that they may be able to make contributions to

building Guyana. Delivering brief remarks on the occasion was Commissioner of Police Mr. Seelall Persaud, DSM, who also complimented “A” Division for making the Career Day a reality and posited that the event had important values. To the children of the youth clubs, many of whom are completing secondary education and may be entering the labour force, he said the fair would help them to seize the opportunity to explore the diversity of the work environment. He said the fair also presented the exhibitors with the opportunity to recruit labour. The fair also helped to showcase the Police Force as one that is being transformed into a service-oriented and social problem-solving Police Force. The youths also participated in cultural performances such as songs, dancing, a skit, physical display and a story line that were all well received. In addition, musical entertainment was provided by the Police Steel Band and others.

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at Police Career Day SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

A soldier engages young men at the booth set up by the army

The children enjoy an entertainment session

Sexual and reproductive health was taught at the Guyana Defence Force booth

A young girls gets piano lessons

Information sharing: a rank of the Police Force explains an aspect of her work to a member of the Guyana Fire Service

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Chernobyl: wilderness regained What happens to the environment when humans disappear? Thirty years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, booming populations of wolf, elk and other wildlife in the vast contaminated zone in Belarus and Ukraine provide a clue. On April 26, 1986, a botched test at the nuclear plant in Ukraine, then a Soviet republic, sent clouds of smouldering radioactive material across large swathes of Europe. Here, a white-tailed eagle lands on a wolf’s carcass in the abandoned village of Dronki in Belarus

International donors have funded the building of a 30,000 tonne “safe confinement” arch to prevent more deadly particles spewing from the stricken nuclear reactor’s site for the next 100 years. Nevertheless, nothing can be done to decontaminate trees and soil that suffered the worst of the nuclear fallout within a 30-km radius of the plant. “People can never live there - it’s impossible - not even for the next 24,000 years,” Ukrainian Ecology Minister Hanna Vronska said of the zone, which encompasses 2,600 sq km of forest, marsh and open countryside

Despite the radiation, wolf numbers are over seven times higher in the Belarussian part of the zone compared with uncontaminated areas elsewhere, according to a study published in the scientific journal Current Biology last October. Some wolves have taken to straying outside the zone to steal calves from nearby farms, prompting hunters to set traps or shoot them as a deterrent

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Aura nightclub opens to the public

AURA, deemed the “hottest” night club around town, the once membership- access- only bar, will now open its doors to the general public. Going up in the elevator of the Pegasus Hotel, your mind leaves you to wonder what awaits you on the top floor. As the doors open, the lights, sounds and atmosphere draw you in, and is capable of changing a frown to a smile. Being eight stories up, the club, apart from its internal atmosphere, offers a 360 degrees view of the entire city and the Atlantic Ocean - an experience which was meant to be shared with everyone. Therefore, making the announcement of its public opening, Events and Marketing Consultant, Andre Rochford declared that, “This is one of the hottest nightclubs in Guyana, and by opening our doors to the public, we

promise to change your view of the night life.” Aura intends taking night life to the next level. Adopting the Trinidadian style of partying, the nightclub aims to give Guyanese the ultimate partying experience. Rochford said that Guyanese views of entertainment will be changed, given that unlike the other competitors who market their clubs on artistes and DJs, they will be training their own Aura DJs. “We are not selling Aura on entertainment. It must be sold as an experience, so that they can come and get services… we’ll have hostesses, we’ll have welcome drinks, generic music, and not focus and on selling artistes, but we will engage the concepts that will enhance the artistes coming,” said the Club’s Marketing consultant. Meanwhile, potential “committee members” can look forward to compli-

General Manager of the Pegasus Hotel, Susan Isaacs (right), and newcomer to the Pegasus team, Andre Rochford (second right), along with other representatives of the hotel, pose for a photo at the Aura Bar and Lounge

mentary drinks on entry, good music and the added attraction of performances by international artistes during selective periods. Additionally, security escorts will be available to escort guests to their vehicles at the end of the night. Access to the lounge attracts a $2,000 cover charge. (Navendra Seoraj)

Guyana, Suriname Police collaborate to fight organized crimes, human trafficking

Police officers at the confab in Suriname

A DELEGATION from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) attended an inter-agency conference held in Nickerie, Suriname on Thursday last. The GPF delegation included Commissioner of Police Mr. Seelall Persaud, DSM; Assistant Commissioner, ‘Operations’, Mr. Christopher Griffith; Head, Criminal Investigation Department, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blannum; Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Assistant Commissioner Dale Alves; Head, Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Lindon Denny; and Commander, ‘B’ Division, Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam. The Suriname delegation comprised Commis-

sioner Agnes Daniels and Commander of the Nickerie District, Mr. Widejai Kumar Oedit, along with twelve (12) other senior officers from the Suriname Police Corps. According to the GPF in a press release, Law Enforcement counterparts in Nickerie hosted a joint meeting between the two agencies, and issues discussed included the sharing of information/intelligence and other assistance regarding organized crimes, inclusive of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering as well as piracy. “A number of decisions were taken to enhance the collaboration between the two police organisations,

and those decisions include the establishment of points of contact to pursue specific areas; that meeting being a structured one would occur annually and alternatively in the two countries,” the GPF noted. Professional exchange will also occur to enhance the relationship and understanding of the laws of the two countries and the procedures of the two organisations. One of the most important objectives achieved was the familiarisation of the officers holding key positions since, like Guyana, new officers would have been appointed to the Suriname Police Corps, the Police Force said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

US$1.8B needed to end... of housing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the larger agenda in poverty alleviation, economic development, and climate resilience. It was noted that rapid urbanization has created a housing deficit in the Ca-

ribbean, prompting a large share of the population to live in informal settlements that are disproportionately affected by landslides, flooding, and storm surges, the report has said. Moreover, the absence of efficiently functioning land markets, coupled with

inaccurate property registries and land disputes, have compounded the problem and slowed the pace of housing programmes. “Improving housing conditions in the Caribbean can have large impacts on poverty reduction, improving lives of a significant

share of the population,” the report quoted Michael G. Donovan, IDB Senior Housing and Urban Development Specialist, one of the authors of the study, as saying. “The IDB and the Caribbean have been working together on several projects to help solve this challenge. However, more needs to be done. With this book, we expect to help the region develop a comprehensive urban agenda so countries can achieve their sustainable development goals,” the report continued. The study says that Caribbean governments need to incorporate into their

social housing programmes measures to protect homes against rising sea level, because half of the population in the region lives within 5 kilometres of the coastline. “As the Caribbean urbanizes, it will be also critically important to incorporate risk reduction into the location and design of social housing,” said Pauline McHardy, Jamaican Urban Planner, another author of the report. According to the report, several housing ministries in the region are adopting new designs to increase the resilience of coastal housing, improv-

From page 14

ing building codes, and ensuring that floor levels of social housing are above recorded flood levels. Elevating homes in flood-prone areas saves $15 for every $1 invested, because governments do not need to rebuild infrastructure. Supporting the Caribbean to confront urban challenges and increase economic vitality of cities is central to the Bank’s mission in the region. The IDB has provided over US$700 million in long-term financing to support urban programmes in the Caribbean since 1968.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

‘Pull your socks up!’ By Stephan Sookram

THE West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) continues to come under fire over its

– Roopnaraine tells WICB

alleged mistreatment of the players during and after the recently concluded World T20 in India. Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine is the latest to weigh in to the Region’s talking point and had some strong words for the management of the WICB. “I believe that there is a deteriorated situation between the board and the cricketers and it’s not very good and I think that since the cricketers are doing fairly well, the board should pull its socks up and do as well as the cricketers,” Dr. Roopnaraine said. Giving Chronicle Sport an exclusive comment, the

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Ffos Las 09:00 hrs Kilcullen Flem 09:30 hrs Zero Visibility 10:05 hrs Air Glider 10:40 hrs Victors Serenade 11:15 hrs Suit Yourself 11:45 hrs High Aspirations 12:15 hrs What A Diva MARKET RASEN 09:15 hrs Dream Berry 09:45 hrs Kerrow 10:20 hrs Midnight Chorister 10:55 hrs Mont Royale 11:30 hrs Quieto Sol 12:00 hrs Express Du Berlais 12:30 hrs Codeshare IRISH RACING TIPS Leopardstown 09:10 hrs Housesofparliament 09:40 hrs True Solitaire 10:15 hrs Alice Springs 10:50 hrs Moonlight Magic 11:25 hrs Papa’s Way 11:55 hrs Aimhirgin Lass 12:25 hrs Aussie Valentine TRAMORE 08:50 hrs Let Her Cry 09:20 hrs Sizing Alberta 09:55 hrs De Benno 10:30 hrs Tennis Cap 11:05 hrs Off The Charts 11:35 hrs King Blue 12:05 hrs The Storyteller SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:45 hrs Shenyang 09:20 hrs Helderberg Blue 09:55 hrs Kileigh 10:30 hrs Wealthy 11:05 hrs Your Worship

Education Minister contended that the board must be able to meet in the middle in an attempt to solve the latest problem plaguing the regional game. Dr. Roopnaraine is no stranger to cricket having spent time at the crease as a player for Demerara as well as a first-division, lower-order batsman during his stint at Cambridge University in the early days. His comment while brief, was along the same line of opposition leader and former president Bharrat Jagdeo, who earlier in the week called for the WICB and the players to iron out the issues, with CARICOM as the mediator. He was at the time meeting with the Guyanese players who were part of the championship-winning U-19 and women’s teams, when he encouraged them to continue to do well for Guyana. “You have a friend in the Ministry of Education,” contended Dr. Roopnaraine, who also committed his ministry’s support in areas where necessary for the continued

development of both sets of players. The male U-19 players were Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach, while the women cricketers included Tremayne Smartt and Shemaine Campbelle. In a speech after his side’s historic World T20 win, West Indies captain Darren Sammy thanked CARICOM heads for their support during the tournament, but lamented the fact that the team had not heard from the WICB. “That is very disappointing,” Sammy said. He added: “I don’t know when I’m going to be playing with these guys again, because we don’t get selected for one-day cricket. We don’t know when we’re going to be playing T20.” To date, others who have weighed in on the controversy include former West Indies Test captains Ramnaresh Sarwan and Sir Vivian Richards as well as historian and current Vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hillary Beckles.

Jamaica name three for ... From back page and is organised by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association. GABA President Steve Ninvalle, said that Jamaica was due to send a larger contingent. However, one of its top junior fighters died by drowning late last month. The tournament is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and comes on the heels of the 13-nation Caribbean Development Tournament held here last year. It is being held at a time when the Region is clamouring for more emphasis on a nursery for the sport. The English-speaking Caribbean sent a total of 36 fighters to last month’s Olympic Box Off in Argentina, but only two had qualified. Ninvalle stated that Barbados and St Lucia are also confirmed to participate, but are yet to send in composition of teams. This is expected by Wednesday.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Arsenal title hopes extinguished, Villa all but down By Martyn Herman LONDON, (Reuters)-Arsenal’s title hopes were virtually extinguished by a 3-3 draw at West Ham United and Aston Villa’s topflight status is merely mathematical after an eighth successive defeat all but sealed their fate yesterday. Needing a barnstorming finish to the Premier League season and a Leicester City wobble to have any chance of finishing top for the first time since 2004, Arsenal seemed on course for a third consecutive win when they led 2-0. Arsene Wenger’s team were then rocked by Andy Carroll’s quickfire hattrick for the Hammers. Laurent Koscielny’s equaliser spared third-placed Arsenal a defeat in a pulsating last London derby at Upton Park before West Ham uproot to the Olympic Stadium but they remained 10 points adrift of Leicester with six games left. “We have to keep going no matter what, and hope. You never know what can happen,” said manager Wenger although his priority now seems to be sealing a 19th straight season in the Champions League by finishing in the top four. Slaven Bilic praised his sixth-placed West Ham team after the game. “I’m proud of everything. We were spectacular. The only thing I’m not happy about is the result,” said Bilic after a second consecutive draw dented his dreams of a top-four finish.

Manchester City, who are fourth, secured back-to-back league wins for the first time since October, a 2-1 home defeat of West Bromwich Albion putting pressure on fifthplaced Manchester United in the battle to

Andy Carroll scores the second goal Livepic qualify for next season’s Champions League. Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri were on target after Stephane Sessegnon had given West Brom an early lead as City moved four points ahead of United who visit second-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. VILLA MAROONED The relegation trapdoor is not com-

pletely nailed down on bottom club Villa but after an eighth consecutive league defeat, 2-1 at home to Bournemouth, they can start making plans for life in the Championship after 28 years in the top flight.

fans that waved white handkerchiefs are not expecting miracles. “It’s a sombre mood, as you would imagine,” said stand-in manager Eric Black. “We’re not relegated yet but we’re not far off.” Newcastle still retain a modicum of hope but it is fading fast after they lost 3-1 at Southampton to leave Rafa Benitez’s side second from bottom, six points behind Norwich and two adrift of Sunderland who host Leicester today. Goals from Shane Long, Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama put Southampton clear and Andros Townsend’s reply was scant consolation for the visiting fans who travelled south as Newcastle crashed to a ninth successive away defeat. “It’s important that everybody continues to believe. The anxiety is killing us sometimes,” Benitez said. Swansea City effectively secured their safety as Gylfi Sigurdsson’s goal meant they became the first side to beat Chelsea in the for West HamReuters / Stefan Wermuth- league since Guus Hiddink took charge of the champions in December. Injury-hit Chelsea produced a lackVilla are marooned on 16 points with five lustre display as their 15-match unbeaten games left and the most they can now attain spell under Dutchman Hiddink ended in is 31, the haul that fourth from bottom Nor- disappointing fashion in Wales. wich City have after they went down 1-0 at Elsewhere, FA Cup semi-finalists Watford Crystal Palace. and Everton drew 1-1. The former European champions also The focus of attention now switches to have a minus-41 goal difference compared Leicester today with the runaway leaders, to Norwich’s minus-22 so only a surreal who are chasing their first top-flight crown, set of circumstances can save them and the seven points clear of Spurs.

IPL opener ...

Rahane, Pietersen take Pune to crushing win over Mumbai

MUMBAI: Debutants Rising Pune Supergiants made a splendid debut in the Indian Premier League by thrashing defending champions Mumbai Indians by nine wickets in the opening game of the season at the Wankhede Stadium here yesterday The visiting team took early control of the Maharashtra state Derby by reducing MI to 30 for four during power play and then 68 for seven before Harbhajan Singh led the fight-back with a breezy innings of 45 not out in 30 balls to help the hosts reach 121 for eight. The Supergiants made a fantastic start in the runchase with openers Ajinkya Rahane (66 not out) and Faf du Plessis (34) pushing the score to 78 in 10 overs. There was no stopping the visitors’ charge after this splendid start and the Supergiants surged to victory in 14.4 overs with Rahane remaining unconquered on a well-made, unbeaten half ton off 42 balls, embellished with three sixes and seven fours, along with Kevin Pietersen (21 not out). Rahane finished off the game in style, by striking two sixes in 15th over from Hardik Pandya. MI, thus, made another unpromising start to their campaign after having lost five and four games initially in the last two seasons respectively. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, MI lost their top four batsmen with only 30 on board, including captain Rohit Sharma, and then slid further into difficulties before they were revived by Harbhajan’s late hitting. India’s Test pace spearhead Ishant Sharma and Australia’s Mitchell Marsh struck twice each to reduce MI to 30 for four inside the six-over of power play. MI could not recover from these early shocks and

stuttered along but managed to avoid being shot out below their lowest score at this venue 92 against Delhi Daredevils in 2012. Among the frontline batsmen only Ambati Rayudu

and seven fours. Harbhajan also added 28 runs, the highest of the innings, with R Vinay Kumar (12) for the eighth wicket and 25 for the unfinished ninth with Mitchell Mclenaghan. For the league debutants, Ishant (2/36) and Marsh (2/21) did the early damage. Rajat Bhatia (1/10) and leggie Murugan Ashwin (1/16) also got among wickets along with Ravichandran Ashwin (1/7), who was brought on to bowl his first and only over after 15 overs, and R P Singh (1/30). In reply, the Supergiants got off to a fast start, raising 57 by the end of the six overs of power play. While Rahane played in his elegant fashion, driving with elan, Du Plessis used his power to clobber three sixes, two of those in successive balls in the last over of power play bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, who leaked 20 runs. Rahane started the run-flow by cover-driving Mitchell McClenaghan for a four and then hooked his short ball for a six that was later replicated by Du Plessis who stepped out and clobbered the New Zealander for a maximum over the straight field. The South African WT20 skipper was, however, lucky The Supergiants made a fantastic start in the run- to escape being run out after a misunderstanding with chase with openers Ajinkya Rahane (66 not out) Rahane while going for a second run. He was later dismissed by Harbhajan, bowled behind and Faf du Plessis (34) pushing the score to 78 in his legs when attempting to hoist the off spinner over the 10 overs. (BCCI) mid wicket region. But by then the Supergiants were well on way to victory. (22 in 27 balls) reached double figures. Harbhajan (1/24) was the lone wicket taker alLater, Harbhajan used the long handle to make an though he was clubbed over the long-on fence for two innings-high 45 not out in 30 balls, inclusive of one six huge sixes by Kevin Pietersen.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Teenager Mullins wins Grand National on Rule The World (REUTERS)-RULE The World won the 169th running of the Grand National, the world’s greatest steeplechase, at Aintree yesterday under an inspired ride from David Mullins, a 19-yearold jockey making his debut in the race. The 33-1 outsider, trained in Ireland by Mouse Morris, son of the late International Olympic Committee president Lord Killanin, came with a perfectly-timed run to win by six lengths from 8-1 joint favourite The Last Samuri. Remarkably, the nineyear-old horse, owned by Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Europe’s largest budget airline Ryanair, had never won over fences before and had suffered an injury-hampered career. Yet he performed beautifully over the fearsome fenc-

es of the four-mile marathon, strongly coming through to storm past The Last Samuri and third-placed Vics Canvas,

a 100-1 shot. Mullins, the nephew of all-conquering trainer Willie Mullins and the latest

Rule The World ridden by David Mullins celebrates after winning the 5.15 Crabbie’s Grand National ChaseReuters / Andrew YatesLivepic

success story in a famous Irish racing dynasty, could hardly believe his success on his National debut. “Rule The World, what an aptly-named horse! It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t expect things to have gone any better,” he told the BBC. “To get the call to ride this horse was amazing. The fact that it is his first win over fences is more amazing than me winning on my first time around.” For Rule the World, it was eighth time lucky after having finished second on seven occasions and connections suggested afterwards that, given his previous injuries, it might be the last race of his career. LIKE DISNEYLAND The effervescent O’Leary, renowned for his outspoken comments as an airline boss,

Notable Dates

THE name Andre `Stone’ Purlette once drove fear into the hearts of cruiserweights and heavyweights around the world. The chiselled six foot, one inch boxer was a Knock Out specialist who had won 32 fights ( 29 stoppages ) before falling to his first defeat. He had left Guyana in 1995 for the USA to develop a promising career. In 1996 he won all five fights in his adoptive homeland by Knock Out. Purlette was quite busy in April 1997. That month he had two fights. Both were won by Technical Knock Out. The first was held on April 10 against Kenneth Myers, an orthodox fighter who hailed from South Carolina. Purlette

GCB/Hand-in-Hand three-day U-19 cricket starts on Wednesday THE three-day version of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) sponsored Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company Under-19 Inter-County Cricket Competition bowls off on Wednesday. While the official fixtures are yet to be released by the GCB, Chronicle Sport was informed that a Select Under-17 team will be a part of the tournament. Each team will oppose each other once and the team with the most points will be declared the winner. Meanwhile, the one-day version will commence immediately after the three-day version, with the same number of teams participating. Each team will oppose each other once. However, after the three preliminary rounds, the two leading teams will clash in the final. Players eligible to participate in both tournaments must have been born on or after September 1, 1997. The competition is being used as a yardstick by the junior selectors to pick the Guyana team for the West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Under-19 competition scheduled for later this year.

ANDRE `STONE’ PURLETTE

said he was virtually speechless. His Gigginstown racing operation, which had delivered the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack three weeks earlier, could now celebrate victory in the two biggest and most lucrative races over the fences in Britain. “I think I’m officially going to give up as an owner now!” O’Leary joked on Channel 4. “David gave him a masterful ride.” He also praised a brilliant training performance by Morris, who was left emotional following a difficult year during which his son Christopher died in a freak accident in Argentina. “It’s like Disneyland. Someone is looking down on me,” Morris, who also saddled Rogue Angel to victory in the Irish Grand

National last month, told reporters. “I’ve got great friends who stood by me and helped. “I’d have settled for third at the Elbow but he ran on like a train. He has injured his pelvis in two falls and before that he was one of the best horses I ever had.” The other co-favourite Many Clouds, looking to become the first horse since Red Rum to win the National in successive years, ran out of steam under Leighton Aspell, who was hoping to become the first jockey to win the race three years in a row. The best news of all was that, although only 16 of the 40 starters finished the demanding course, all jockeys and horses returned safely after a difficult week at the Aintree festival which saw the death of four horses in the previous two days.

was 23 years old at the time, 12 years his opponent’s junior and took only three rounds to convince the referee to halt the bout. Fifteen days later, the power-punching Guyanese travelled to Florida to face Ed Mosley who also lasted three rounds. Purlette would suffer his first defeat five years and 15 fights later. On January 4, 2002 he was TKOed by Cuban-American Eliester Castillo in Miami, Florida. The contest was stopped at two minutes and 58 seconds of the fifth round. In October of the previous year, the `Stone’ TKOed Jeremy Bates to snatch the vacant World Boxing Organization/ North American Boxing Organization (WBO/NABO) heavyweight title. Purlette stopped fighting in 2009 at the age of 35 after 17 years in the sport. He secured a record of 40 victories in 44 fights and has boxed 134 rounds, with a 79 percent knockout average and is now a fitness trainer in the USA.

GT Beer ‘4-A-Side Knockout’ football tournament slated for Aracari Resort TEAMS from the West Demerara district are poised for fiery collisions when the 2016 GT Beer ‘4-A-Side knockout’ football tournament kicks off at the Aracari Resort (160 Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara from mid-April. Currently, over 12 teams have registered for the event. There is expectancy over big-name clashes when Team Pouderoyen, take on Parfaite Harmony, Windsor Forest, Versailles, Bagotville, and other participants. Each team is required to pay an entrance fee of $5000 and will be battling for $200 000) in cash prizes. Trophies will also be awarded. The sponsors for this event are GT Beer, Twisterz Digital Audio entity, Tina’s Variety Supermar-

Aracari Resort General Manager Dennis De Souza (left) and promoter Ceon Swan ket, and Aracari Resort. on April 14 at 19:00 hrs on April 17 and 21, before The events will commence and will run concurrently concluding on April 23.

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Ranatunga applauds WICB By Anjana Kaluarachchi

CT Sports: Former Sri Lanka World Cup winning Captain Arjuna Ranatunga commended the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the decision they took to uplift the West Indies Cricket despite the huge criticism from the World T20 winning captain Darren Sammy and his teammates. This was after players like Sammy and Dwayne Bravo had said that the WICB is the most unprofessional Cricket Board and had called them ‘immature’ while blaming its President Dave Cameron. However, Ranatunga said the decisions which had taken by those administrators may not have pleased everybody but those decisions had helped the West Indies to win the ICC Under-19 World Cup and the ICC Men’s and the Women’s T20 World Cups. Ranatunga said that Sri Lanka too needs such administrators who could take bold decisions for the betterment of cricket than trying to make decisions to please everybody. “This is the best example (for work-

ing with a plan) as the West Indies won the Under-19, Women’s and Men’s T20 World Cups as they had worked according to a plan. There are legends such as Clive

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga Lloyd working in the system (WICB). There are administrators and ministers

who understand the value of them in those countries. Though West Indies Captain criticised the WICB, they had taken decisions to uplift the West Indies cricket. Those decisions may not be famous decisions. Famous decision will not help in uplifting the game. Administrators who take famous decisions can last long (in their positions). But when you take the right decision you may have to face problems from the public, players etc and you should have a good backbone to face those critics” said Ranatunga during a discussion on the current status of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Ranatunga also said that Sri Lanka cricket could regain their glory days once again only if the administrators are willing to take those hard decisions while looking at the big picture.(Extracted from Ceylon Today Sports) “Today administrators and minister’s take some decisions in order to get famous and please their fans. But the damage from those decisions (for the sports) could be immense,” added Ranatunga.

Ronaldo sets 30-goal record as Barca lose again at Sociedad By Richard Martin BARCELONA, (Reuters)-Leaders Barcelona’s Anoeta Stadium jinx struck again when they lost 1-0 at Real Sociedad yesterday, their second successive defeat in La Liga. Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to hit 30 La Liga goals in six consecutive seasons as he inspired Real Madrid to a 4-0 thrashing of Eibar while Fernando Torres was on target once more as Atletico Madrid triumphed 3-1 at Espanyol. Winger Mikel Oiarzabal headed the only goal for Sociedad in the fifth minute. “The game began in the worst way possible,” said Barca coach Luis Enrique. “We played really badly in the first half. “We didn’t deserve to lose but we are still the leaders. Now we have to pick ourselves up after leaving this great stadium where we never do well.” Barca, without top scorer Luis Suarez through suspension, fielded a much-changed side and managed just five shots on target all game. Luis Enrique’s team have 76 points with six games to go, one ahead of Atletico and four in front of Real Madrid. After going unbeaten in all competition for six months, Barca have followed last week’s 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid with another slip-up. The European champions are without a victory in three league outings, their longest stretch since Luis Enrique

took charge in 2014. The coach made four changes to the team that lost to Real Madrid, bringing back midfielder Rafinha after a six-month injury absence and starting without Andres Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Ivan Rakitic. Barca were handed their fifth defeat in six visits to Sociedad after 18-yearold Oiarzabal nodded in a cross from Xabi Prieto. The visitors struggled to get back in the game and home goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli did well to save from Lionel Messi twice, substitute Iniesta and Arda Turan. Ronaldo netted for Real Madrid in the 19th minute and also provided passes for Lucas Vazquez and Jese to score as the hosts stormed into a 4-0 halftime lead against Eibar. James Rodriguez had opened Real’s account with a curling free kick in the fifth minute. EIGHT CHANGES Coach Zinedine Zidane made eight changes to the team that suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at VfL Wolfsburg in the Champions League in midweek with only Ronaldo, Pepe and Casemiro keeping their places. Brazilian right back Danilo was booed by the home fans for his disappointing display at Wolfsburg when he came on in the second half but it was an otherwise positive afternoon for Real who host Wolfsburg in their quarter-final second leg on Tuesday. Rodriguez was criticised for being

caught laughing on the sidelines in Germany in midweek but the Colombia international lifted the crowd by scoring early on, his first goal in justunder two months. A fine piece of skill from Ronaldo allowed Vazquez to pass the ball into an empty net in the 18th minute before the record-breaker finished off a cut-back from the lively Jese a minute later. Ronaldo returned the favour for the 23-year-old in the 39th minute as Real made it 4-0. Eibar’s top scorer Borja Baston hit the crossbar in a rare attack for the visitors who are 10th in the table. Torres bounced back from his sending-off in the midweek Champions League defeat to Barca by scoring his third goal in as many games, cancelling out Papa Diop’s opener in the 29th minute for Espanyol. France international Antoine Griezmann grabbed his 20th league goal of the season to put the visitors ahead on 58 minutes and midfielder Koke sealed the points for Diego Simeone’s side with a close-range finish in the 89th. Simeone made one change from the team that lost 2-1 at the Nou Camp, replacing Saul Niguez with Augusto Fernandez. Torres hit the bar early on but Senegal midfielder Diop headed Espanyol in front from a corner. The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker equalised by converting a pass from Koke.Torres was then also involved in the other goals by Griezmann and Koke.

Sattaur, Barnwell and Rutherford hit half-centuries for DCC …GNIC 61-5, replying to GDF first innings 191

GEORGETOWN Cricket Club (GCC) closed the opening day of their semi-final match of the Georgetown Cricket Association two-day tournament on 172-5, replying to hosts Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), 301. The batsmen set to resume today are Ronald Ali-Mohammed on 11 and Devon Lord on 8. GCC still face a first-innings deficit of 129 runs. After winning the toss and deciding to make first use of the surface, DCC were bowled out for 301 in 53 overs. Brain Sattaur, Christopher Barnwell and Sherfane Rutherford stroked contrasting half-centuries to propel DCC to the 300 landmark. Sattaur, who put together 88 for the first wicket with Tevin ImBRAIN SATTAUR lach (16), smashed his way to 70, inclusive of ten fours and four sixes. Barnwell made an attacking 68, and reached the boundary on 11 occasions in addition to two maximums, while Rutherford’s knock of 52 included four fours and similar amount of sixes. Dennis Squires contributed a quick-fire 38 to the total, with one four and five sixes. Bowling for GCC, Vishaul Singh claimed 3-40, Raymond Reifer 2-55, Anthony Adams 2-75, Devon Lord 1-52 and Robin Bacchus 1-45, were the successful bowlers. In reply, GCC lost Bacchus (8), Manny Ford (12), Vishwanath Ramlakan (10), Singh, for an attractive 74 and Reifer (33). Totaram Bishun has so far snatched three wickets, while Barnwell and Sattaur were the other successful bowlers. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final game between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and GNIC Sports Club, GNIC closed day one on 61-5, replying to the GDF’s first innings 191.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday April 10, 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) West Indies (2) West Indies

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who were the winners of the inaugural IPL? (2) Who were the winners of the last IPL?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE April 10, 2016

Inaugural Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival set for April 24 By Tamica Garnett

WITH the success of the Boyce/Jefford Classic track meet, the organisers will now be introducing the Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day, which was officially launched on Friday at a simple ceremony at the 704 Lounge and Sports Bar Set for April 24 at the Police Sports Club ground, the event will include 10 relay events, five-a-side Football, Softball Cricket and Dominoes, as well as a $1M 100m race between Colin “Poison” Boston of Big Boss Trucking Services and Cadogan of Dynasty. Purse money for the $1M race is being put forth by the participants, who are putting their money where their mouths are to settle the final score to see who is the faster of the two. Each participant is depositing $500,000 apiece with a winner take all. In other prize money to be won, first-place winners of the relay will walk away with $20,000; second- place

finishers will take $12,000 and third-place finishers will receive $8,000 for each race. The football, cricket and

one that has been two years in the making, and the organisation will be doing everything to ensure that this event is just

al Sports Commission and making remarks on behalf of the Director of Sport, was NSC representative Seon

Members of the head table at the launch of the inaugural Boyce/Jefford Relay Festival and Family Fun Day, from left are: Banks DIH Non-Alcoholic Brand Manager, Clayton McKenzie; NSC representative, Seon Erskine; Secretary of the Boyce/Jefford Committee, Cheryl Sam; Chairman of the Boyce/Jefford Committee, Colin Boyce; and Technical Director, Mark Scott domino events are also set to have cash prizes up for grabs. According to Chairman of the Boyce/Jefford Organisation, Colin Boyce, though the event is only now coming to fruition, this relay festival is

as big and successful as the annual Boyce/Jefford Classic held in Linden. “Despite being a first for Boyce/Jefford, it is actually a two-year-old concept for us, as there was a clarion call for

Slingerz extends STAG Elite points lead in 2-1 win over Pele ––Fruta Conquerors beat Alpha 3-1

WEST Demerara- based Slingerz United extended their points lead in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) STAG Elite League after edging Pele 2-1 on Friday evening at the Leonora Synthetic facility, while Fruta Conquerors beat Alpha United by a 3-1 margin the same evening. The win for Slingerz propels them to 24 points from eight victories in as many matches, while Fruta Conquerors move to 19 points from eight matches also. Devon Millington and Julian Wade scored for Slingerz in the 32nd and 58th minutes respectively, while Pele’s lone goal came off the boot of Jumane Somerset in the 86th minute. In the other game played under floodlights, Jaball Greaves, Eon Alleyne and Hubert Pedro netted one goal each for Fruta Conquerors in

us to do something in Georgetown given the success we have had in Linden with the Boyce/Jefford Classic.

the 31st, 66th and 85th minutes respectively, while Delon Lanferman scored Alpha United’s lone goal in the 90th

DEVON MILLINGTON minute. Slingerz has so far scored 22 goals and conceded a mere three to record a plus-19 average. Fruta Conquerors on the

other hand have won six of their eight matches to date. They have lost one and drew one with 20 goals for and nine against and has a plus-11 average. Pele has a minus-seven average from eight matches. They won two matches, lost five and drew one. They scored a total of five goals and conceded 12. Alpha United on the other hand have won four of their eight matches. They have lost two, drew two and scored 18 goals to date and conceded eight for a plus-10 average and 14 points. The league was expected to continue last evening at the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice, with a doubleheader, featuring Monedderlust and Georgetown Football Club, while the opening brought together Buxton United and Guyana Defence Force.

We want to make this event as big as possible. A lot of fun, competition and rivalry are expected on the day, quite a lot of cash will be on offer,” Boyce said. Representing the Nation-

Erksine, who lauded the Boyce/Jefford Organisation for coming with the event and expressed the Commission’s joy to be associated with the event. Relays for the Festival

include the 4x100, 4x200m 4x400, sprint medleys, and distance medleys for both the male and female categories. In the football competition, participating teams include Sparta Boss, Agricola, Police, Rich Boys, Wartsila, Barber Shop, Brazilians and Customs. Winners of the football competition are set to walk away with a $50,000 top prize, while second place is in for $25,000. The cricket competition will see the Floodlight Masters coming up against the Boyce/Jefford Stars for the male softball match, while the Trophy Stall Angels will contend against Mike’s Well Woman on the female side. There is also set to be a media race, as well as several side attractions, including trampolines and bouncy castle for the kids. The event has received sponsorship from Banks DIH under their Smalta brand, with Banks DIH Non-Alcoholic Manager, Clayton McKenzie, noting the company’s elation to be associated with the event

NSC hands over tickets to GTTA

THE National Sport Commission (NSC) yesterday handed over tickets to the table tennis team that will be touring The Dominican Republic from April 1218 for the 21st Caribbean Juniors and Cadets Championships. Following the handing over of the tickets, Sport Director Christopher Jones wished the team well, reminding them that they leave with the pride of an entire nation. “Keep the golden arrowhead flying high abroad and remember that you are going as ambassadors, so whatever people see you do or say, it reflects your country. But I am quite confident that you will represent us well,” said Jones. According to President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Godfrey Munroe, the side, known as

“Generation Next,” has been putting in the hours of training, noting that he expects great things from them. He added that the championships will be a stepping stone for regional teams. “This will be a qualifier for the first Pan-American junior and cadet championships in Canada in June. The first four teams from the Caribbean Region will represent us there,” the GTTA boss noted. He continued, “From there, they will select the best teams again from the Caribbean to represent the Region in the world championships in November.” The selected players are: Shemar Britton, Kyle Edgehill, Miguel Wong, Nicholas Romain and Elisheba Johnson,while the coach is Linden Johnson. The team departs on Tuesday. (Stephan Sookram)

Sport Director Christopher Jones strikes a pose with Team Guyana for the 21st Caribbean Juniors and Cadets Championships.

Inaugural Boyce and Jefford Relay Festival set for April 24 See story on page 31

‘Pull your socks up!’ – Dr.Roopnaraine tells WICB

See story on page 27

Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine meets with the Guyanese members of the West Indies Women and Male U-19 teams

Jamaica name three for int’l boxing tourney THE Jamaica Boxing Association (JBA) has named a three-man team to represent that country at the International Schoolboys

GBA president Steve Ninvalle

and Junior Boxing tournament set for Guyana this month-end. President of the JBA Stephen Jones, recently stated that so far two boxers and a coach have been confirmed to represent the Caribbean island. Joshua Forrest Davidson (69 kg) and Daniel Hylton (60 kg) would be battling for Jamaica during the two-day tournament. Robert Napier is the coach. Hylton is no stranger to Guyana, having been here last November to compete in the Caribbean Development Tournament. He defeated local Christopher Moore in his first fight, but was later stopped by Trinidadian Justin Par-

DARREN SAMMY

JBA president Stephen Jones ris. The Schoolboys and Juniors’ tournament is set for April 29 and 30 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall See page 27

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CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) — The Australian duo of Mike Hussey and Shane Watson have congratulated St Lucia Zouks teammate Darren Sammy, following the St Lucia government’s decision to rename the Beausejour Cricket Ground in his honour. Watson, who retired from international cricket following the recent Twenty20 World Cup in

Hussey, Watson hail Sammy stadium honour India, hailed Sammy as a “great leader” and said he was looking forward to playing alongside him at the Zouks’ home ground in Gros Islet. “I knew when I first signed up for CPL how passionate the West Indies public are, but to receive this news about the St Lucia government’s decision to rename the national stadium in honour of one of their favourite sport-

ing sons is a huge thing, especially for someone so young who has so much top-level cricket ahead of him,” Watson said. “Darren is a great leader and a true champion in all regards, and I know how passionate he is about the Zouks. He deserves this accolade for the manner he has led the West Indies team and this is an honour for all time.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2016