Chronicle 10 15 2015 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 104342

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 15, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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Sale of Pradoville lands

Corruption charges coming for Jagdeo …five ex-ministers of PPP

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Central Bank projects 3% growth rate

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Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson being given a brief on the history of the Bank of Guyana at the launch of the financial institution’s 50th Anniversary stamp on Wednesday (Delano Williams photo)

Sanjay’s owner Former presidents take home $6.3M gets bail P.12

…days after being sent to jail

monthly

…can pay 10 senior ministers, 13 juniors P.2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Former presidents take home $6.3M monthly …can pay 10 senior ministers, 13 juniors DESPITE the 50% increase in the salaries for government ministers, the monthly pensions of former Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar and Samuel Hinds are higher than that of

any of the sitting Vice- Presidents and Prime Minister. The combined salaries for the former heads of state can also pay 10 senior ministers or 13 juniors, a senior government official said on

Wednesday. There has been a public outcry over the increase in salaries for cabinet members, with many critics saying that the hike in pay has come at a wrong time. Though in support of government’s move to increase wages for ministers, parliamentarians and other government officials, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) said last week that the way in which it was done was not consistent with increases for public servants. “We believe in a wage-led economy, and we can’t believe in a wage-led economy and condemn the increase. We are not against the increase in wages or salaries. What we are concerned about is the process in which it has been applied to deliver it,” disclosed General Secretary of theGTUC, Lincoln Lewis, at a press briefing. He said that government had denied that such an increase was on its agenda. “You have said two months ago that it is not on the cards. Now it is on the cards [and] you have a responsibility to come back

Former President Donald Ramotar

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

and tell people that it is on the cards. You have a right to come back and tell citizens,” Lewis proclaimed.

has refused to take the salary attached to his office in favour of his monthly pension which is 7/8th of his last salary. Jagdeo takes home $2,100,000 per month, which is more than the take- home salary of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Attorney General Basil Williams, the three vice- presidents and all ministers. “In effect,while there has been severe criticism of the increase from the public, the full extent of the salary situation needs to be shared so that persons understand that the issue of salaries is not constrained only to government officials, but members

of the opposition as well,” the government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said. “In addition to Jagdeo, two former PPP presidents enjoy monthly pensions of $2.1M which amounts to a monthly expenditure for three former PPP presidents of $6.3m,” the official pointed out. “These pensions are not taxable and when examined further what Mr. Jagdeo, Ramotar and Hinds take home on a monthly basis can pay 10 senior ministers or 13 junior ministers,” the official told this publication on the issue for which the government has taken widespread criticism. He explained that the salaries and pensions which are nontaxable are that of the President and Attorney General and the pensions of the former presidents. “The Prime Minister, the Vice Presidents and all ministers are subject to the 30% PAYE tax,” the official said. “When you consider this, the Prime Minister takes home less than the Attorney General on a monthly basis,” the official explained. In addition Minister of Finance Winston Jordan recently explained that the issue of ministerial salaries required addressing to correct what was viewed as anomalies. Finance Minister Winston Jordan was quoted in another section of the media as saying: “We inherited a system where the President was receiving a salary of about $2M non-taxable, the Prime Minister was receiving a taxable salary of $1.5M while the Attorney General, the Chancellor and the Chief Justice were receiving $1.6M. Minister Jordan explained that there was no allocation for Vice Presidents and that senior and junior ministers were receiving the same pay of about $579, 000, hence the reason for Cabinet regularising the pay structure. “It is clear that there were huge anomalies [in the system we inherited]. The President, Prime Minister and AG are receiving massive salaries and the senior and junior ministers are at the same level,” Jordan said.

$2M MONTHLY PENSION Meanwhile, speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Wednesday, the senior government official explained that even after the recent increase to address what the government has described as the anomalies in the pay structure for ministers, the actual monthly take- home pay of Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition, remains higher than that of senior functionaries. Jagdeo

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Sale of Pradoville lands

Corruption charges coming for Jagdeo …five ex-ministers of PPP THE State Assets Recovery Unit has recommended that Attorney General Basil Williams put systems in place so that charges of “misconduct in public office” can be laid against former President Bharrat Jagdeo and five ministers of the former administration. Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud; Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford; Education Minister, Priya Manickchand; Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul; and Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee. The recommendations follow a probe into what sort of procedures were followed prior to the transfer and issuance of prime State lands at Sparendaam, on the lower East Coast, to former government ministers and persons perceived to be their friends and associates. Among those who were fortunate to have secured land in up-market “Prado Ville 2” are Ghansham Singh and Kamini Parag-Singh, son and daughter-in-law of former Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh; Florrie Loretta Ramnauth; Compton Bourne; Ramesh Dookhoo, former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC); Gary Best, former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); Shalimar Ali-Hack and Moeenul Hack; Raj Singh; Shaik Baksh, former min-

ister of housing and water; Lisaveta Valantina Ramotar, former President Donald Ramotar’s daughter; Andrew Ranji Bishop; Safraaz Khan; George Hallaq and Nada Hallaq; and Future Developers International (Guyana) Inc. AGREEMENT OF SALE The Agreement of Sale, which was signed by each of those who had received land in the afore-mentioned area, had three clauses, listed ‘A’ to ‘C’, attached to it. Clause ‘A’ stipulated: “The building shall be erected on the lots within six months of the signing of the transfer.” According to Clause ‘B’: “Upon failure by the transferees to erect the building within the aforesaid six months, the transferee shall be bound to re-convey the said land to the CH&PA (Central Housing and Planning Authority) at the same price it was sold, subject to the transferee being reimbursed with a reasonable sum for any development work undertaken during such period.” And under Clause ‘C’: “The transferee shall not be at liberty to sell, lease, transfer or part with possession of the said property within 10 years of transfer, without the written consent of the Minister responsible for housing.” Former Ministers Manickchand and Persaud have

Attorney General Basil Williams

reportedly since transferred and sold their acquisitions without the mandatory consent of the CH&PA, which, in essence, constitutes a breach of Clause ‘C’ of the Agreement. In Manickchand’s case, she sold hers to one Dave Narine for a whopping G$100M on February 21, 2013, a mere three years after the purchase of the said land. Robert Persaud first put his into the names of his wife, Kamini Persaud, and his two children (names provided). That transaction was done on September

Bharrat Jagdeo

18, 2014. He then sold it to a firm named ‘LRS’ for G$90M, also without written permission from the CH&PA. In a document sent by the Attorney General and seen by the Guyana Chronicle, it was pointed out that two of the six former government officials facing “misconduct in public office” charges were in clear violation of the terms and conditions of their land acquisition, which saw them raking in just under US$1M, collectively. INFLUENCE It is said that the reason

it is being recommended that they be charged is because of the way in which they went about acquiring the land; by using their considerable clout to facilitate the transfer and sale of said lands which they themselves were able to acquire below market price, and subsequently selling them for exorbitant sums. According to the document now with the Attorney General, “In 2010, a decision was made by the Cabinet authorising NICIL to privatise State lands, a decision which is now being considered to have been done without any authorisation and approval from the relevant bodies.” The document goes on to say that the lands were sold to former ministers and known friends and associates of the previous regime, and that at the time the sales were facilitated, the lands were grossly undervalued and subsequently sold lower than the market value, thus depriving and denying the State of its full benefits. It says further that the actions of the former Cabinet ministers clearly show that they wilfully neglected to

perform their duties, without reasonable excuse and or justification, to such an extent that it amounted to an abuse of public trust while in office. Not done there, the report says the ministers at reference knew what they were doing was wrong, but went ahead nevertheless, transferring State lands into their names and that of their acquaintances for undervalued market prices, reportedly at $114/per square foot at the time. In arriving at its decision, the report states: “It is respectfully submitted that the former ministers could be held liable for misconduct in public office, and in the absence of any Sate Assets Recovery Agency legislation, the Attorney General may institute proceedings against the former ministers. “The former ministers should not benefit from their acts of misconduct while being holders of public office. A strong message must be sent to the offenders and potential offenders.”

Global panel seeks to investigate U.S. bombing of Afghan hospital

Israel sets up East Jerusalem roadblocks in bid to stem attacks (Reuters) ISRAEL set up roadblocks in Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and deployed soldiers across the country on Wednesday in an effort to stop a wave of Palestinian knife attacks. In the latest incident, a Palestinian stabbed and wounded a 70-year-old woman outside Jerusalem’s central bus station, at the entrance to the city, before an officer shot him dead, a police spokeswoman said. Two hours earlier, another Palestinian was also shot dead after he had attempted to stab paramilitary police at an entrance to Jerusalem’s walled Old City, police said. Te l e v i s i o n f o o t a g e showed the assailant clad in military-style camouflage clothing, running with a knife in his hand. Shots are then heard and in other video he appears to be shot again when lying on the ground before an officer calls on his comrades to cease firing. Violence has been partly triggered by Palestinians’ anger over what they see as increased Jewish encroachment on Jerusalem’s Al-Aq-

sa mosque compound, which is also revered by Jews as the site of two destroyed Jewish temples. There is also deep-seated frustration with the failure of years of peace efforts to achieve Palestinian statehood and end Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel’s security cabinet had authorized the East Jerusalem crackdown in an overnight session after Palestinians armed with knives and a gun killed three Israelis and wounded several others on Tuesday. Palestinian officials condemned the Israeli security measures - the most serious clampdown in the city since a Palestinian uprising a decade ago - as collective punishment. Seven Israelis and 32 Palestinians, including assailants, children and protesters in violent anti-Israeli demonstrations, have been killed in two weeks of bloodshed. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said he will travel to the Middle East to try to calm violence.

(Reuters) AN international panel of experts is ready to investigate the U.S. bombing of a Medecins Sans Frontieres hospital in Afghanistan but awaits a green light from both governments, MSF and the Swiss foreign ministry said on Wednesday. The hour-long air raid on Oct. 3 killed 22 people, including 12 MSF staff, and led to the closure of the Kunduz trauma hospital, depriving tens of thousands of Afghans of health care, the prominent medical charity said. MSF has been demanding that the independent humanitarian commission created under the Geneva Conventions in 1991 be activated for

the first time to handle the sensitive inquiry. “The commission has already offered its services to the governments of the USA and Afghanistan,” a Swiss foreign ministry spokesman said in an email to Reuters on Wednesday. “Any investigation would require the agreement of both governments, however.”Switzerland, which provides a secretariat for the Berne-based International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, would welcome an “independent, effective and comprehensive investigation”, he added. The United States military has taken responsibility for the air strike, calling it a mistake. U.S. President

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Barack Obama apologized to MSF last week. MSF, which said it could not rely on U.S., NATO and Afghan internal investigations to get to the bottom of the bombing, said the Commission had been activated. “The IHFFC is now awaiting the agreement of the United States and Afghanistan governments to proceed,” MSF said in a statement. Both nations must give their approval for the investigation to begin. MSF has said the commission’s inquiry would gather facts and evidence from the United States, NATO and Afghanistan, and testimony from MSF staff and patients who survived

the attack. “We have received apologies and condolences, but this is not enough. We are still in the dark about why a well-known hospital full of patients and medical staff was repeatedly bombarded for more than an hour,” said Dr. Joanne Liu, MSF International President. “We need to understand what happened and why.” A White House spokesman said Obama had told Liu that a U.S. investigation would “provide a transparent, thorough and objective accounting” of the incident and if needed the U.S. president would take steps to ensure no recurrence.

Islamic State battles insurgents as Syria army prepares assault

(Reuters) ISLAMIC State militants battled rival insurgent groups on Wednesday north of the city of Aleppo, where officials say the Syrian army is preparing an offensive of its own backed by Iranian soldiers and Russian jets. A rebel fighter and a group monitoring the war said Islamic State fighters took control of parts of the towns of Ahras and Tel Jabin, about 12 km (8 miles) north of Aleppo, before being pushed back.

DATE: 14/10/2015 I

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

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Gains by Islamic State north of Aleppo would threaten the supply lines of rival rebels inside the city, which is divided between insurgents and government forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the road used by Aleppo residents heading north to the Turkish border remained closed on Wednesday. “Today there are fierce battles between us and Daesh in Ahras, Tel Jabin, and rural northern Aleppo,” said Hassan Haj Ali, head of the

13/10/2015

Liwa Suqour al-Jabal rebel group, using another name for Islamic State. His unit is one of several foreign-backed insurgent forces which find themselves fighting Islamic State on the ground, at the same time as they are bombed by Russian jets and are bracing for further ground attacks by the army and its foreign allies. “There are mobilizations by the regime in most parts of Aleppo, particularly in Bashkoy,” he said, referring to another town north of Aleppo, which before Syria’s civil war began in 2011 was the country’s biggest city and a major commercial and industrial center. “There were advances (by Islamic State) at dawn but we were able to recover Ahras entirely. There are battles in Tel Jabin,” said Ali, speaking to Reuters via an internet messaging system. The Observatory reported fighting between Islamic State fighters and government forces trying to advance towards an air base besieged by the jihadist group in Aleppo province. Any further escalation in the Aleppo area near the Turkish border will likely further anger NATO member Ankara which opposes President Bashar al-Assad, backs the insurgents, and has expressed deep concern at Russian air strikes.

13/10/2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Exodus - Fearful residents flee Logwood after murders in Hanover community

(Jamaica Gleaner) DESPITE a strong police-military presence in Logwood, Hanover, the community where six persons were slaughtered gangland-style last Thursday night, some residents are still moving from the area out of fear that the killers might return to wreak more havoc. “These men have a killing mindset and they want blood. They know the area better than the police and soldiers. They know the shortcuts and back passes,” a fearful resident told The Gleaner. “When they smoke the hot grabba (half-green tobacco) mixed with the ganja, they are raving mad. These are heartless killers we are talking about.” According to the resident, the area, which is renowned for ganja farming and is now becoming a hotbed for the lottery scam, is a place that is flooded with illegal firearms as young men, said to be aligned to two gangs in the area, have been arming themselves for a long time in anticipation of the turf war, which is now unfolding. “The guns are plentiful around here and shots are fired regularly,” a resident told The Gleaner in the aftermath of Thursday night’s massacre. “Sometimes they (the gangsters) will just idly fire shots at even barking dogs. Most of the men with

the guns are not bright, and as you should know, a gun in the hands of an idiot can only spell trouble.” It is believed that Thursday night’s gruesome killings were carried out as an act of reprisal for an incident in which the ‘don’ of one of the gangs was shot dead. It is believed that one of the persons who was in the house, which was torched, was aligned to one of the gangs. Those killed have been identified as 63-year-old Lynette Bloomfield; her 4 0 - y e a r- o l d s o n , M a r k Bloomfield; her 36-year-old daughter Kerry-Ann Bloomfield; her 18-year-old granddaughter, Alia Mahabee; her 15-year-old grandson, Davian Mahabee; and her 30-year-old nephew, Byron Mangaroo. Four others were injured. In the aftermath of the killings, National Security Minister Peter Bunting and Police Commissioner Dr Carl Williams, who both visited the area, promised a strong police-military response in a bid to apprehend the killers and restore order to the community. “I heard what the security minister and the commissioner have said, but it is not going to be easy. People know who the gangsters are, but they are not talking because, in some instances, they are family members,” the resident told The Gleaner.

Brazil’s Rousseff accuses opponents of ‘coup-mongering’

(BBC News) EMBATTLED Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has accused the political opposition of seeking to oust her government by “coup-mongering”. Speaking at a meeting of union leaders, Ms Rousseff also said her opponents were spreading hatred and intolerance across the country. Her comments come after an audit court last week ruled that she broke the law in managing last year’s budget. The opposition says this could pave the way for impeachment proceedings. Ms Rousseff was re-elected less than a year ago but currently has record low popularity ratings. Corruption scandals Addressing the gathering in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, the president accused the opposition of practicing “deliberate coup-mongering” against a “project that has successfully lifted millions of Brazilians

out of poverty”. “The artificiality of their arguments is absolute, their poisoning of people in social networks, their relentless game of ‘the worse she does, the better for us’,” Ms Rousseff was quoted as saying by Reuters. Her remarks follow the ruling of the Federal Accounts Court on accusations that the government borrowed money illegally from state banks to make up for budget shortfalls. The minister who handled the case in the court, Augusto Nardes, said the government disregarded fiscal and constitutional principles in the handling of the 2014 accounts. The irregularities amount to more than $26bn (£17bn; 100 bn reais), according to the court. The opposition said after the ruling it would seek impeachment proceedings in the Congress.

Jamaicans believe crime monster too big for Gov’t

(Jamaica Gleaner) SEVEN out of 10 eligible voters in Jamaica have suggested that the Government is out of its depth in fighting crime and violence. At the same time, the Government’s record at creating employment opportunities for Jamaicans remains poor, at least in the estimation of 67 per cent of voters who gave the administration a bad rating in the area of job creation. This represents four percentage points less than the 71 per cent of persons polled who echoed a similar view in September 2014. A Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson poll said 70 per cent of the Jamaican electorate is of the view that the Government is doing a bad job at tackling the problem of crime. The poor rating came little more than two weeks after the Police High Command released data showing a 20 per cent increase in murder for the period January to September 5, 2015,

compared with the similar period in 2014. Between January and September 5 this year, 826 persons were murdered in Jamaica, compared with 686 killed for the similar period last year. Johnson polled 1,200 residents islandwide from September 25 to 27 with a sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 per cent. The number of persons who gave the Government the thumbs up this year for crime fighting declined by three percentage points when compared with the results of a similar Johnson poll in September 2014. According to the poll results, 13 per cent of respondents believe the administration was doing a good job at crime fighting. Another 15 per cent of those interviewed said they neither had a good nor bad rating of the job the Government was doing in fighting crime and violence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Guyana

Every government must Great hope for deliver better service correction of unjust than its predecessor wages in public sector Dear Editor,

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL Cleaning Georgetown

GEORGETOWN is beginning to look good again. In many places, we see teams of workmen and women cleaning drains and waterways, excavating, digging, levelling, among other works. The work is hard, but the results are beginning to show. We could assume that ultimately, the new town clerk and Minister of Communities are in the lead. Whomsoever is the lead person on this ought to be praised. The people doing the cleaning and lifting and fetching should be praised too. Between Church Street and North Road, there is a good strip of land. It is being levelled; the adjoining waterway is being dredged, the mud packed carefully to offer a buffer against potential flooding or overflow. It is thoughtful work. Maybe there will be a park with green grass and benches, with flowers, and picnic tables. It is purposeful work, and when we look at the body language of the men at work, it tells a happy story. Maybe a few swings or such things upon which children may play. Maybe there will be umbrellas under which parents may sit and watch their children at play or under which our young people can read some good books. The environmental improvements are obvious; and, while they are important, they are also superficial. This nation of souls cannot afford to betray ourselves by “WOWS” based on surface changes. Clean drains and parks of poetry are vitally important. But the “WOWS” mean nothing. They may soon be mud-clogged again if our own hardened habits do not change. Real, deep and permanent change can only come from a change of attitude in all spaces and places: in homes (or houses, since there is a difference); in schools; in private businesses, in the public sector; in our playgrounds; in our “university”; and on our roads. Changes of attitude can come about when we use our minds and our hearts. This would be a great clean up, but it would take a great deal of effort. There is a Commission of Inquiry about the attitudes, habits, functionality and efficiency in the public sector. We can only hope that firm action results which would render our public service sector more service-oriented and efficient. Obviously, some of it is about our people; but even the best of us can be stymied by our inherited bureaucratic red-tape. The old British way. The carbon copies. The redundant entries. The many hands a small thing has to go through in order that any work be done. The British, of course, have evolved out of the lashed-up systems that they gave to us. But like the truly colonised, we are too paralysed to change. This attitude that since it was always so, then it must always be so. This attitude must go. Strangely, we have readily adopted every bad new foolishness that the world has to offer. The noise that passes for music, for instance. We get hooked up very quickly. The ear plugs and cell phones for ready “music”, for instance. But in our schools, we teach the same old things in the same old ways as if the world of education has stood still. Change does not come easily. It takes work, and it takes will, and it takes courage. The workers cleaning up the waterways, drains, and streets of Georgetown are setting an example. It would be good for the rest of us to follow that example.

Dear Mr. Editor

PUBLIC service is about delivering for the people by way of making appropriate sacrifices. Some view public service as the highest form of service to humanity, outside of religion. The greatest reward one receives from delivering public service is the level of satisfaction that comes from playing a role in improving the lives of others. Every successive government has the greater opportunity to deliver better service than their predecessor. And it is for this reason the current government is expected to not make the same mistakes or experience the same pitfalls of previous governments. There was a time, not so long ago, when politicians believed that committing an infraction against the society will only see citizens reacting for the proverbial ‘nine days,’ and then thereafter the issue is forgotten. Politicians usually waited out this period to continue acts of intransigence. In this Information Age, by the touch of a mouse, what was said in the past is now easily retrievable and can be used to hold persons to account or haunt them. Conscious that there has been significant change by way of receiving and sharing ideas and information, a prudent government has to be more discerning in its actions and treatment of citizens. Current discussions as to the increase in salaries for ministers and parliamentarians, etc. cannot be treated the same way as done in the past. We are today operating in a society where the citizens are more informed, desirous of seeing best practices in other countries replicated in theirs, and moreso understanding of their rights and responsibility in the body politic. Citizens are also aware that offering oneself to serve the people comes with a corresponding responsibility of operating in service to the people and putting the nation’s interest above self. This is not to say the people expect elected officials to be deprived; what they expect is deliberateness in actions and respect for them. In managing the people’s business there is a universally acceptable blue print that every government needs to follow and it is premised on respecting fundamental rights and freedoms, the rule of law and time-honoured principles. Foremost, every government that comes to power on the vote of citizens must remember whom they are elected by and to whom they are in service, to the people. The litmus test for this government is how responsive it will be to alternative opinions, criticisms and public outcries. The David Granger/Moses Nagamootoo government like the Donald Ramotar government, has an opportunity to demonstrate to the citizens that they are not insensitive as the Bharrat Jagdeo regime. This government should also take note that the wave of citizens’ activism that secured change in political leadership will be the same wave that will hold them to account. The people desire meaningful change to the political circumstances under which their affairs are managed and some will fight for it. Discerning and self-respecting government will read the tea leaves and act accordingly.

I REFER to article in the letter column of your daily dated 13th instant written by retd Lieutenant Colonel George Gomes and wish to join him in expressing support for pay increase for Ministers of the Government and Parliamentarians. In that article a comparison was made with salaries received by the CEOs of GPL and GUYSUCO, respectively, with that received by our ministers. Mr. Editor, let us put this comparison in a Boss and Boy perspective where the Boy receives a pay rate $60M yearly and the Boss $11M. Can this be fair wage application Mr. Editor? This is the reason why Mr. Granger and his administration are so eager to fix this grave anomaly with a view to get the best from our government functionaries. Mr Editor, no one will dispute the fact that politics is the order of the day and on which most of the sentiments bandied are based, but politics is not the only driving force within the total social system in arriving at the rudiments of a minister’s function; the other operatives, such as the economic and social aspect, need to be brought into the equation, they are all inextricably interwoven. For example our AG will be comfortable politically in his office serving the people because he was elected to serve. But will he be comfortable economically and socially with a meagre remuneration package, taking his previous engagements in consideration? I doubt it. The CEOS’ and the government functionaries they all shop at the same supermarket. In the regions, considered the second tier of the Government, the situation is even more atrocious and demeaning, no wages, no duty free concession other than a meagre stipend of $10,000 monthly given, the fact that officers are required to inspect and approve for payment projects valued millions of dollars, these are some of the egregious nature of situations that gave rise to the assertion by our PA and to a position of mendicancy within the regional and other systems. However, there is great hope for a correction given the present wages consideration by our administration.

Lincoln Lewis

Sam T. Fraser

Guyana Times’ hasty conclusion

THE Guyana Police Force wishes to clarify misleading information published by the Guyana Times today Wednesday October 14, 2015, in an article captioned “No weapons linked to crime - Crime Chief.” The Guyana Police Force is informing the public that at the forum hosted by the police yesterday Tuesday October 13, 2015, at the Tagore Memorial Secondary

School, Corentyne, Berbice, the Commissioner of Police Mr. Seelall Persaud, DSM, did say that the Police Force did not expect that criminals using firearms to rob persons as their only means of providing for themselves would turn in the firearms. He also said that, similarly, it was not expected that drug traffickers and persons involved in organised crime

and who use firearms to protect their interests would turn in the firearms. However, the Commissioner of Police empasised that the 171 firearms that had been turned in so far can no longer get into the hands of persons with criminal intent, nor can they be used to harm persons in moments of anger by persons who had possession of them. That can no way support a

conclusion, as alluded to in the article, that the Firearm Amnesty Programme was a failure. In fact, the Guyana Police Force sees it as a huge success. The intent of the Amnesty was to have unlicensed firearms turned in to the police and that is exactly what the programme has achieved. Ivelaw Whittaker

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Public Service CoI hears...

Foreign Affairs badly in need of staff evaluation

- too many typist/clerks, broken systems By Michel Outridge

DIRECTOR-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Audrey Jardine, told the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Public Service yesterday that there is no monitoring and evaluation of employees at the ministry regarding their performance. She stated that there is no formal arrangement to assess workers’ performance, and that during the post-elections audit when there was a transition period, it was revealed that there was a lack of accountability. Jardine, when questioned further, said that the report she had compiled was ad hoc after which the chief accountant was put in place at missions to oversee certain things. Commissioner Samuel Goolsarran asked Jardine whether improvements are necessary in that ministry and she responded in the affirmative, noting that they need to re-visit the positions that exist because, for instance, they do not need so many typist-clerks.

She explained that a re-constructing process is needed, since there is a delay with the Public Service Commission (PSC) regarding staff matters. Jardine said also that some employees have been in acting positions far too long and the allowance payment is very drawn out and this is affecting employees’ morale. NEED FOR SPECIALISED TRAINING She told Chairman of the CoI Professor Harold Lutchman, that appraisals in that ministry are non-existent and staffers need to see growth and performance on the job. Jardine added that there is also need for specialised training which must be structured to match the needs of the ministry. When asked by Commissioner Sandra Jones how they resolve issues around the world since they have so many missions here and farther afield, she said they address issues on a case-bycase basis. Jardine noted that every High Commissioner must be in contact with her on matters

relating to policies, security and the Guyanese diaspora where there are a lot of requests coming in and they communicate via e-mails and telephone calls. She expressed her general views on remuneration and retirement to Commissioner Goolsarran, saying that salaries need to be improved to attract suitably qualified persons to fill certain positions, especially in the area of foreign language skills. Jardine said at age 55 she is in her prime and the retirement age needs to be revised, but there are mixed views on this issue. The second speaker yesterday morning, former Member of Parliament, attorney-at-law James Bond said he spent four years in the public sector attached to the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers and recommended improvements in that area. The attorney-at-law told the CoI that “we must be service- oriented and driven to have a job in the public sector, since we are there to serve people and must act in humility.” Bond said, “When I joined the public

Financial audit needed at M&CC Dear Editor, T h e G e o r g e t o w n M unicipality is in need of a straightforward financial audit, but rather a complete forensic audit of all its departments. Of course in the Finance Department, there needs to be an examination of the recent cleaning and other contracts that were given to Councillors and friends, to determine the criteria used for awarding them and to understand how one Councillor could have been recently paid for the rental of his truck to his very Council years ago whilst another collected millions of dollars allegedly for advertisements placed by the Council on his television station which incidentally no one looks at,

two clear cases of cronyism. Apart from its financial management systems which are and have been in a mess for a long time, there is need for an audit to be done to its human resource department to highlight and root out the nepotism that is endemic there, where there an infinite number of persons employed who are relatives and friends of Councillors and senior officers, who have been employed not because of their competency or qualifications but because of their family member status. They should also examine the promotions and increments that have been given quite improperly, not based on merit but rather comradeship. The City Engineer’s Department needs to have a management audit un-

dertaken to determine who have allowed all the illegal structures to go up in the city, to ascertain how building inspectors whose responsibility it is to ensure that persons are erecting buildings according to approved plans, could be allowed to draw these very plans whilst ignoring blatant violations. Over at the Markets there needs to be an examination of the books to uncover who the real stall holders are and to see whether all the fees collected particularly from itinerant vendors go where they belong. The City Council needs to be audited from top to bottom. Sincerely Debra Gibson

Chairman of the CoI Professor Harold Lutchman (seated centre) flanked by Commissioners Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsarran sector I was told to act with humility to public servants.” He explained that back then the offices of public servants were rundown and very shabby and so the staff were discourteous and up to now some people still face those issues at some ministries. MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE He told the CoI that for Guyana to have a modern public sector the performance of workers must be reviewed, because they need to be monitored and services rendered should be available online. He remarked that steps should be taken to modernise the public sector so persons will not spend hours on paper trails. De-centralisation of DPP office Bond also told the CoI that the DPP needs to establish offices in all the regions, because people should not have to travel from Lethem

to have an interaction with the DPP in the city. He said that as public servants “we need to give the people a public service they deserve and there should be reform because people need to be comfortable with the services provided.” POLITICALY FREE PUBLIC SECTOR Bond stated further that there must be a politically free public sector where suitably qualified persons can fill positions in a professional public sector. He added that persons should not be appointed on the basis of their political affiliations. Bond said persons within the public sector should first be aware of their responsibility as public servants rather than putting their political allegiance foremost. And former public servant Parbattie Deonarine was yesterday asked by the CoI to return to take the witness stand, since she did not have the required documents to support her claims of not

being paid for her 29 years of service. She worked at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as a cashier and was also attached to the Public Works Ministry as a janitorial staff. The CoI comprises Chairman Professor Harold Lutchman; Commissioners Sandra Jones and Samuel Goolsarran; and Secretary Geeta Chandan-Edmond. Sessions are open to the general public for oral presentations and are held at the secretariat on Waterloo Street. The terms of reference of the CoI state that the commission is to enquire into, report on, and make recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment process, remuneration and conditions of service for public servants. The CoI is also expected to determine measures to improve the efficiency of the public service, and to examine in detail how salaries and wages are determined and allocated.

Central Bank projects 3% growth rate THE Central Bank of Guyana has projected three percent growth in the country’s Gross Domestic Product, Governor of the Bank, Dr Gobind Ganga has said. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the bank’s new stamp, Ganga stressed that, “starting from this year there has been a slowdown in the economy, particularly during and just after elections.” However, he said there is a projected growth of about three percent, as there is much hope of achieving it with three months to go before the year is completed. Further, highlighting that the probability of achieving the target is good, Ganga said: “We recorded a bumper rice crop, the sugar output is expected to increase, the service sector has been doing well and although gold has been down, it is at an acceptable level… therefore, we are looking for a good outturn at the end of the year.” Only recently President David Granger had said that the slowdown of the economy started since last year. “…when we speak about slowdown, the slowdown is perhaps a year or more old. It is not a recent slowdown, it has been taking place over a very long period of time,” Granger had told reporters at a press conference. “The

slowdown is not a result of May 11th; if you look back at what has taken place in 2014, you’d see that bauxite prices flattened out, gold prices were dropping, sugar production was falling and generally, the more productive sectors, and don’t forget Guyana has not been able to uproot itself from what is called the “six sisters” – rice, sugar, gold, diamond, bauxite and timber,” the President said. Guyana, he said, has been exporting the same things over the past 100 years and many of the products “started to show signs of anaemia in 2014.” Some, he said, were subject to world market prices. According to him, many persons have been leaving the gold industry because of low prices for gold, with a similar situation happening now in the rice industry. Earlier this year the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) had projected a 4.5 per cent growth rate for Guyana, the highest for the Caribbean and the 11th in Latin America. The growth was tied to a buoyant agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. The commission had said too that low fuel prices would continue to benefit the

Dr Gobind Ganga

economy, but weak prices for the country’s mining outputs would have an adverse effect. According to ECLAC, although Guyana is not a tourism-based economy, the sector should see a boost from the opening of the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. The survey also mentioned that the split of the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry into the Tourism Ministry and the Business and Investment Ministry reflected plans to enhance the tourism infrastructure in Guyana in coming years. “Oil reserves, discovered in Guyana’s territorial waters in early 2015, may represent a further opportunity for Guyana to boost its [Gross Domestic Product] GDP and diversify its economy,” ECLAC said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

RK offers $1M reward for info to capture CG robbers CHAIRMAN of RK’s Security Service Roshan Khan, yesterday announced that his company is offering a $1M reward to anyone who can assist with information leading to the arrest of the men who robbed an armed cash transport team in the city last Sunday and shot one of the firm’s managers in the attack. At a press conference at his Charlotte and Light Streets office, Khan said that the security guard who was shot is now out of danger, although his injuries had been life threatening. He stated that the company was transporting under $4M for the Balwant Singh Hospital when the gunmen struck. “RK’s Guyana Security hereby offers a reward of one million dollars for in-

formation leading to the discovery of the bandits who committed this crime and for creating such injury to our security officer,” Khan said in a prepared statement. INSURANCE Meanwhile, the media were told that already the company has engaged the insurance company on the way forward with respect to replacing the stolen cash which was insured. Last Sunday, two bandits riding what were described as CG motorcycles attacked RK’s vehicle. Khan, alluding to the likelihood of an inside job, told the media operatives that the bandits seemed prepared and were ready to overtake the vehicle as if they knew the time and place, spraying bullets on the ranks and injuring a senior manager.

He made it clear that his company is of the strong view that some staff of companies and security forces could be compromised to betray their employers in an effort to aid robbers. According to Khan, during the robbery last Sunday there was very little that the security officers could have done to defend themselves as bullets were being sprayed all over by the bandits on the motorcycles. He said that the manner in which the bandits struck was clearly intended to disable the driver which they managed to do without any consideration for the lives of the security personnel. The robbers even continued to engage them after the car slammed into a nearby shop after coming under fire, Khan added.

Anti-litter team nabs 25 so far – as ‘name and shame’ campaign kicks off AN anti-litter team to address littering and indiscriminate dumping in the city is now in place, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) said yesterday. The officers of the anti-litter team have so far arrested 25 persons caught in the act of littering on some popular thoroughfares, such as South Road, Brickdam, Regent Street, Water Street, Cornhill Street, Robb Street

and Croal Street. According to the M&CC, among the persons arrested in the anti-litter drive are Terrence Clarke, Sherry Murry, Imran Sookram, Jennifer Persaud, David Bidder, Erna Kissoon, Joseph Hatton, Chatnarine Roopnarine, Abigail Giddings, Winston Selman, G. Yusuf and Natia Samuels. As the anti-litter unit

continues to patrol the streets of Georgetown in an effort to curb littering, the City Council is imploring citizens to dispose of refuse in the proper manner – that is in bins not in alleyways, drains and other open spaces. The anti-litter unit, City Hall said, would spare no one and those who are caught would be prosecuted. (Michel Outridge)

Minister Ally calls on Region Nine residents to put differences aside MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally on Saturday, took the message of social cohesion to Region 9 (Upper Takutu – Upper Essequibo) telling those present that the time has come for all Guyanese to work to achieve national unity and togetherness. Even as she shared the message of social cohesion, Minister Ally hinted at several projects, which will be undertaken and supported by her ministry in the coming months, to improve the economic and social landscape of the region. “You are integral to social cohesion in Guyana. This government is interested in national unity, in working together for the development of you, your community and your country. I have great interest in this region. I want to begin my projects in Region 9.

Not because you live in the Rupununi means you must enjoy the things the persons in the coastland enjoy,” the Minister of Social Cohesion said. To this end, she disclosed that one of the projects scheduled to begin in early November, would be implemented in collaboration with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST), which will work with the farmers, producers and manufacturers in the Region 9 area to develop their products, marketing strategies, and proper labeling methods. According to a Ministry of the Presidency release, in addressing a large gathering at Lethem, Minister Ally noted that the purpose of the activity was to involve citizens at the community level in a national conversation on the promotion of

Project Officer, Ministry of Social Cohesion, Sharon Patterson, Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally and Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

togetherness and national unity. This, she explained, was one of the primary mandates of her ministerial post. “Your relationships in the community are important. We want to promote useful and productive relationships

within and among groups at the community level. How you relate to neighbouring communities, regardless of your ethnic background, is also important,” she said. As she outlined her plan for the achievement of cohesiveness

in the country, she reiterated that the work must not be left solely on government, but citizens have a responsibility to support the fulfilment of the mandate set out. “You have the clear responsibility to foster unity

among diverse populations and create a vision for a common future that pivots on the acceptance of differences with a view to harvesting the strengths that are inherent in diverse societies… You can Turn to page 10 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Roshan Khan: Jury hears ‘Jukka’ Criminals testing was pushed to death gov’t resolve Kowlesar murder trial...

By George Barclay

– proposes setting up Foundation for Informants By Leroy Smith RK’s Security founder Roshan Khan is willing to put G$1M towards the establishment of what he calls a National Reward Fund for Informants. The idea behind the proposed venture is to reward those persons who are willing to come forward and share critical information with law enforcement agencies with the hope of helping solve crimes here. Khan made the proposal yesterday while speaking about a recent armed robbery that set his company back by close to G$4M. “More informants need to come forward, and more rewards need to be offered, with the cooperation of the private sector, to this security services appeal to the security services to join forces and construct a fund for such information, and to coordinate their activities,” Khan said, adding: “This could be done via the Private Sector Commission and the Chambers of Commerce, and all law-abiding citizens.” Khan is of the opinion that there are many persons out there who know who the

Roshan Khan

criminals elements are, and where they hang out, but are afraid to come forward and speak, for fear of reprisals. He, however, feels that there’s nothing like a little cash incentive to help loosen those tongues. He is also suggesting that the Commissioner of Police and the Ministry of Public Security come together and take a combined course of action with the aid of other security firms. According to Khan, the crime situation here has reached such a stage, that if the authorities and the powers that be don’t do something about it and quickly, there’s no telling what the

outcome might be. He is also of the view that the local Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit needs to be more proactive, as opposed to being tied up in continuous training as is common practice the world over. Khan lashed out at the fact that the police are sometimes charged for their actions while confronting criminals, and that has been serving as a deterrent for the lawmen not wanting to be engaged in some operations and action. It was pointed out that there needs to be the understanding that within a split moment, a cop can lose his or her life during a confrontation with a criminal. The media was told by Roshan Khan that he is of the view that the Disciplined Forces need to have more and constant patrols around the country. He opined that the Police Force usually becomes complacent whenever they happen to bring crime under control, so they relax their presence around the country. That, however, leaves room for the criminals to flourish; he also called for more campaigns with respect to motorcyclists.

A MIXED jury trying Morris Kowlesar, called ‘Little,’ for murder at the Demerara Assizes yesterday heard that following an altercation in a rum shop between them, ‘Little’ pushed Ganesh Rattan, called ‘Jukka’, from a pavilion to his death. This is according to prosecutrix Orienthia Schmidt in her opening address to Presiding Judge Madam Roxanne George and a mixed jury. Following police investigations, ‘Little’ was arrested and charged with murder, allegedly committed on March 18, 2012 . Lawyer Austin is assisting in the prosecution, while Attorney-at-Law Sandel Kissoon is defending. The prosecutrix told the jury that murder is defined as the unlawful killing of one human being by another

with the intention to kill, or to cause grievous bodily harm. She said, “Members of the jury, the State has brought this case against the accused, and it is the prosecution that must prove to you, beyond a reasonable doubt, the guilt of the accused. “This simply means the prosecution must prove to you, until you are satisfied to the extent that you are sure, that it was this accused that murdered the deceased, Ganesh Rattan, called ‘Jukka’. “The accused has nothing to prove; he can remain silent throughout the trial, that is his right .” According to her, “This is a case of murder; it is the State’s case that on the 18th of March, 2012, the accused was in an altercation with the deceased at a rum shop. “The accused then went to a pavilion in a ball-field

Health ministry pushing to arrest maternity deaths

– with help of media, public at large

Cabinet clears over $45M in contracts for New GPC THE New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation Inc (New GPC Inc) was among three pharmaceutical companies to which cabinet gave its no objection for the procurement of medical consumables for standard and technical services. This was announced by Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman on Wednesday at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Office of the President. Global Health Services Limited - a contract for $8,072,547; Caribbean Medical supplies – two contracts for $70,483,202 and $20,258,074; New GPC Inc. received two contracts in the sum of $11,122,105 and $34,028,622, and International Pharmaceuti-

cal Association (IPA) received a contract to the value of $33,892,095. Meanwhile, $40,132,130 was approved for GUYNAZ Enterprise to supply and deliver dietary supplements for Dora and Kuru Kuru schools. An $18, 739, 000 contract was awarded to Puran Brothers Disposal Services to provide operational service at the Lusignan Landfill facility located on the East Coast of Demerara, while Federal Management Systems was awarded a contract valued at $55,319,750 for the provision of security services at the Ministry of Communities. All the contracts awarded are expected to be fulfilled by the end of December, 2015.

where the deceased was and pushed the deceased off the pavilion, thereby causing the deceased to fall to his death. “Members of the jury, the State intends to call several witnesses to prove its case; they will tell you what they know about this matter. “You are the sole judges of the facts in this matter; you are therefore expected to listen attentively to all that the witnesses say. “Examine what they say, and how they say it; observe their demeanour or attitude when they are giving their evidence. “And from this, you can decide whether you believe the witnesses evidence or not, or how much of the evidence you believe. “Your role in this trial is simply to decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty.” Further hearing continues on Monday afternoon.

Minister in the Ministry of Public Health Dr Karen Cummings speaking with reporters at the emergency meeting

By Shauna Jemmott FACED with an unprecedented spike in maternity-related deaths of late, the Ministry of Public Health

has decided to tackle the problem head-on by ramping up its public-awareness campaign. According to reports, post-delivery neglect and

the lackadaisical attitude of healthcare workers at various public health institutions have resulted in nine deaths within the maternal and child-health fraternity of the Ministry of Public Health. Minister in the Ministry of Public Health Dr Karen Cummings also told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that reports reaching her ministry are that post-partum haemorrhage is a common cause of maternal deaths, as is the improper management of patients at some health facilities. Dr Cummings, who was at the time attending an emergency meeting with regional health supervisors and other healthcare workers at the Cara Lodge here in the city, said the ministry is in the process of developing a three-pronged approach to

Turn to page 17 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Jawalla residents shocked by court decision over Mazaruni mining – says Chief Justice has ‘taken’ Mazaruni River out of their village

The map, publicised attorney for Jawalla, Nigel Hughes, shows the Mazaruni running through Jawalla Harold Brown displays the plan which shows that the Mazaruni River runs through Jawalla

By Neil Marks THE people of Jawalla, a native Akawaio community in Region 7, say they are prepared to fight a decision by the Supreme Court which bars them from having any say regarding mining operations which threaten their way of life. The mining operations were allowed by way of a special agreement between the miner and the Mines Division of the regulatory body,the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), which is responsible for granting licences. Given that special agreement, the mining company called Timna Mining Incorporated, run by James Krakowsky, did not have a prospecting licence to investigate the area for minerals, which is the usual first step in the process to being given permission to mine. This also means that the company did not have the usual legal permission to undertake small, medium or large-scale mining. Armed with the special mining permit, the company has a

dredge on the Mazaruni River where it is carrying out mining operations. The Jawalla community had moved to the courts to prevent the company from mining along the rivers they depend on, including the Mazaruni, but Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang and Puisne Judge Rishi Persaud ruled that the village does not own, possess or control the river. “It is clear that the Mazaruni River is not part and parcel of the village lands of Jawalla,” the two judges said in their judgement last Friday. “It also appears that the Mazaruni River does not pass through the village lands of Jawalla or lands contiguous with the village lands of Jawalla.” Further, they ruled that the Mazaruni River appears to “pass along” rather than “through” the village. “Every day I am seeing the river running through the village lands,” said Bernidette Hernandez, who was born at Jawalla and spent all of her 30 years of life there. “So for the [Court] to make that kind of ruling is atrocious,” Hernandez told reporters in Georgetown, saying that res-

idents of Jawalla live on both banks of the Mazaruni River. “We understand and know the names of the rivers and [in] what direction they flow; so it is appalling for [them] to have that kind of grounds for his ruling,” she stated. Jawalla received a title to its land from then President Desmond Hoyte on November 8, 1991. Harold Brown, a 67-year-old retired teacher displayed a plan of the village as produced by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, which shows the Mazaruni passing through the village. That plan was dated June 12, 2012. “Mazaruni runs through the whole land; this is nothing at the side. “This is almost in the middle of Jawalla land. “I don’t think anybody looked at the map when making that ruling or maybe they looked at a wrong map,” said Brown. What is even more baffling for Jawalla is the fact that no representative of the village was called before the Chief Justice before he handed down his ruling, the Toshao or village leader Weiton Williams said. Jawalla residents use the river for mainly washing and swimming, but those who live on the banks of the

The dredge on the Mazaruni River

Mazaruni River also use it to cook, since a clean water source – the Kukui River – is a great distance away.

The village council claims that the GGMC granted the company permission to carry out its activities without

their prior consent, which they say is a violation of the Amerindian Act. The village leader said that the mining company operates a “cutter head” dredge, which, apart from building up sand in the river, inhibits the free flow of transportation along the river, and also causes “great damage to the environment and to the river.” Jawalla wants the government to step in and assist in their cause, even as they are prepared to take the matter all the way to the final court of appeal for Guyana – the Caribbean Court of Justice, to have the matter resolved. “To use our lands and waters in a sustainable way has been our way of life for generations; and we call on the State to respect and protect our way of life for our children and for all of Guyana,” the Village Council stated.

Minister Ally calls on Region Nine... From page 8

make a positive change in our country… We recognise that behavioural change is a pillar of reconciliation in this country and we must all contribute to achieving the good life that we all want right here in Guyana,” she said. Minister Ally said that social cohesion is desperately needed for the region and the country to develop and reach its potential. To this end, Minister Ally said that the new administration’s priority and thrust at this time, was to ensure that the lives of all Guyanese, especially those in the hinterland areas, are vastly improved. “It is about you; about your family, your community. You must feel as if you are included. It is not we or them; it is about us as a people. Let us begin to see the development of Guyana as our development. This is what social cohesion is based on and on behalf of the government we want to make this a reality for Guyana,” she said. The Minister of Social cohesion highlighted President David Granger’s 10point plan for the hinterland regions, which her ministry will assist in executing. These will include introducing a Hinterland Education Support Programme, the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service, the development of the highway between Lethem and Linden and also the

development of better roads and ports, the resolution of land title issues through the Hinterland and Indigenous People’s Lands Commission and the Hinterland Language, Cultural and Sport Service. “The ministry will be an active participant in executing these plans. Our inputs will be in the form of project activities; large and small scale. They will be undertaken based on needs of the people and the community. We can undertake projects to train young people; training to improve economic standing, cultural programmes and sport development so that these can be used to establish national bonds. Division must be a thing of the past in Guyana and anything that we can do to crush the walls of separation, we will do,” Minister Ally assured the residents of Region 9. In the meantime, residents welcomed the exercise in the region and pointed out ways in which citizens can become involved in the fulfillment of the social cohesion mandate, even as they raised several concerns, which the minister promised to look into. One resident, in welcoming the move, posited that there was a need for problem- solving training in the regions, since social cohesion cannot be fostered without this. “This is welcome move. This country is

indeed divided and we cannot put our heads in the sand and say it is not. The fact that there is such a ministry says that there is hope that each and every one of us can come together. However, we must have regular meetings in our communities and mediation programmes to tackle this. It seems that we don’t know how to discuss. If our ideas are not in line with others, we take it personally. It should not be. We should be leaders and create a balance and everyone’s view is taken into consideration and respected,” she said. She too encouraged the gathering to cast aside the campaigning and to ensure that the government of the day is respected and given its due. “Social cohesion is not only about race. This is also about politics. We should respect the government, whether we like it or not. Let us put our political affiliations aside and work for a better Guyana,” the woman said. Also present at the meeting were Vice President and Minister of the Indigenous People’s’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock ; Ministerial Adviser at the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mervyn Williams ; Project Officer, Ministry of Social Cohesion, Sharon Patterson; and other regional representatives.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Gov’t says 50% pay hike fair … not numb to concerns of the masses GOVERNMENT yesterday asked that the nation continue to place “trust” in it, even as it explains the conditions under which ministers were given a 50% pay hike recently. Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman pleaded with the country to trust the government. “We say to the people of Guyana to trust us. You have trusted us with government on May 11 and we ask you to continue to trust and believe in us. I think that if you were to do a comparative study of all of the salaries of government and judicial officers across the Region, you will find that these are not way above the norm,” said Trotman. He told the media that the decision to increase salaries of ministers was “inevitable.” Last week Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the administration considered that it was important that members of the government are well paid. “It is justifiable, we cannot have a situation like the PPP where they were prepared to accept low salaries because they were thieving money all over the place…we cannot have that,” the Minister of State told the media. He stressed that government ministers have an obligation to ensure that citizens get the best out of them and so being well paid ought to be an expectation.

REJECTED HIGHER SALARY PROPOSALS Cabinet, Trotman said, gave its unanimous approval for the decision to increase the salaries. He noted, however, that government had received two proposals from independent sources that were rejected. The rejected proposals suggested higher salaries than agreed by the APNU+AFC government. An increase in salaries for government members is not usually accepted by the masses in other territories, Trotman observed, so the reaction by Guyanese is not novel. “We hear the concerns… we are not numb to the concerns of the people but we ask that the people continue to trust us, so that we can bring that better life to them.” The Minister of Governance explained that, “A judge of the high court on the commencement on the most junior level receives a salary in excess of a million dollars; there are three branches to government, Judiciary, Legislature and Executive, it is expected that there would be some parity between the three.” According to Trotman, an increase in salaries for politicians and judges globally are never favoured by the masses. “Recent studies have shown that in Latin America and the Caribbean we are at an all-time low in terms of public opinion of elected officials. It is not a

popular decision to take. In some countries it has led to riots…,” he said, adding that the increase “is necessary.” Asked whether he feels it was the right time to effect the increase in salaries for government officials, Trotman responded, “Of course 20/20 vision tells you that perhaps the timing was wrong or right… in a matter like this there is no such thing as the right time, because other events overtake you, other circumstances change and there is no such time perhaps as the present.” NOT HIDING The Minister of Governance made it clear that the government had no intention of hiding the increase. “There is no desire for us to run and hide, so we stand before you giving our reasons why what we did was done… I think if we are to do a comparison study of the salaries of government and judicial officers throughout the Regions we’d find that these are in no way above or far from what is the norm,” he stated. “I don’t believe it was hidden any place because once you gazette these you are making it open and no attempt to hide anything.” CHANGE OF PLAN Recently, Trotman at a post-Cabinet press briefing had said that increases in salaries for government ministers would have happened next year but yesterday Trot-

Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman

man said he was unsure whether he did say next year and sought to provide clarity. “I did make a pronouncement as directed by Cabinet that there were some proposals on the table. Cabinet then was of the mood that time would be taken to study them, perhaps I ventured a little too far by saying not this year. But I did say the differentiation will come, has to come and that Cabinet was studying two proposals. “Cabinet, however, took

the view that based on what was before it, it was okay to proceed notwithstanding the commission and that both the budget and the treasury could sustain the increases and therefore in September Cabinet formed the opinion unanimously, it should go ahead.” Asked whether he considers the increase to government ministers to be “astronomical,” Trotman said, “Fifty per cent is not astronomical… one hundred per cent is astronomical… I think 50 per cent is fair.” Meanwhile, Trotman noted that adjustments would be made to the salaries of public servants following recommendations to be submitted by the current Public Service Commission of Inquiry. Over the past week, many have attacked the government over its decision to increase salaries of government ministers. The trades union body as well as many civil society groups chided the government for what is believed to be the government catering to itself before catering to the needs of the masses.

In an Extraordinary Official Gazette of September 25, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo received a 10 per cent increase that will now see him being paid $20,580,000 per annum. Vice presidents will receive $11,135,064 per annum while senior government ministers are to receive $10,439,124 per annum. Junior ministers will receive just over $8,346,492 per annum. The attorney general will receive the same salary as the Chancellor of the Judiciary; Speaker of the National Assembly is to receive $10,439,124 per annum. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition will also receive $10,439,124 while Parliamentary Secretaries will receive $3,753, 984 per annum. The Deputy speaker will receive $2,702, 880 and the chief whip will receive $2, 682, 360 per annum. Every other member of the National Assembly will receive $2, 402, 532 per annum. Earlier this year, government announced a 5 per cent salary increase for public servants.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

JSC to advertise posts of Registrar, Deputy THE Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to advertise for applicants to the posts of Registrar and Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court Registry as mandated by law. Commissioner Justice Prem Persaud told the Guyana Chronicle that members of the JSC met yesterday morning at the Court of Appeal, High Street, Kingston and decided to advertise for suitable applicants. “The position has to be advertised. We will advertise the position for Registrar and Dep-

uty Registrar,” said Justice Persaud. He said that those applying for the posts of registrar and deputy registrar must be “experienced.” “Those persons desirous of applying for the positions must be experienced…we are looking for very experienced persons. They have to be dedicated to the job,” Justice Persaud stated. On Monday, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams visited the Supreme Court Registry and chided the former administration

for allowing the court to be run without a Registrar and deputy. “The registry seems to be headless …we don’t have a registrar. Mr. Mohamed’s contract just expired a day or so ago and there is no deputy registrar, no assistant registrar for the Supreme Court Registry and our new government must be concerned about this situation,” Williams told the media. The JSC is the body empowered to appoint the Registrar and Deputy Registrar by virtue of the Constitution

of Guyana. Those appointed are required to be attorneys-at-law with experience. Justice Persaud said too that the persons applying for the post must demonstrate a love for the job. “It is a tremendous responsibility to keep the court running… it is not a regular eight to four job…One has to be dedicated to the job,” he said. Rashid Mohamed, former Registrar (ag.) for the Supreme Court had acted in the position for the past three years,but his contract expired last week. Mohamed was responsible for manag-

ing the affairs of the Registry for those three years. The Registrar and the Deputy Registrar are deemed ex-officio sworn clerks by law. The High Court Act states that,” A person who is an attorney-at-law and who within a period of five years prior to his qualifying as such had at least one year’s experience as an assistant sworn clerk in the registry; or is an attorney-at-law of not less than one year’s standing, may be appointed a sworn clerk for such time as he may hold a public office in the registry.”

Based on the law, Mohamed was holding the post of Acting Registrar illegally, as he is not an attorney-at-law, neither does the law make provision for anyone else but the Registrar and Deputy Registrar to carry out the functions he did. He was appointed by contract. Minister Williams said he is unsure why the Supreme Court was allowed to run without a Registrar and Deputy Registrar, and moreover to have someone who does not have the requisite qualifications to hold the post.

Sanjay’s owner gets bail

– after appealing causing-death conviction

Sanjay Persaud

BISHNARINE Persaud, proprietor of Sanjay’s Jewellery in the city, who

was convicted last Friday and jailed for 58 months on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, was granted bail in the sum of $500,000 yesterday morning in the High Court by Justice Bishnarine Roy. Persaud, 44, was yesterday represented by Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman and he was expected to be released from the Camp Street jail by nightfall. Last Friday Persaud was jailed after the sentence was handed down by Magistrate Judy Latchman, who refused the defendant’s bail application pending an ap-

peal. Latchman in her ruling said she was convinced there was compelling evidence that Persaud was guilty of the offence. Leon Hunte, 55, of Stone Avenue, Blygezight, who was a municipal handyman, was struck and killed by a sports car driven by the businessman. Particulars of the charge are that on September 10, 2014 at Lamaha Street, Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown, Persaud allegedly drove motor car PKK 5501 in a manner that was dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Hunte.

State Asset Recovery Agency…

Govt seeks to give agency teeth through amendment of financial Bill Government has tabled the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2015 which will be seeking to amend section 63 of the Act to permit disclosure of customer information by a financial institution to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), where a law so requires or where the Revenue Authority makes a lawful request or demand for the information. The Bill will be read for the first time next Thursday when the National Assembly comes out of recess. Once the Bill receives the blessings of the House and assented to by the President, the unit will be renamed the State Asset Recovery Agency and it will be granted with more powers. This amendment seeks to

give teeth to the State Asset Recovery Unit that will look into the issue of State assets that have been siphoned off, both locally and abroad, by various people and bodies. Government plans to work with international agencies in order to establish international best practices. Minister Harmon had noted that the Unit will be a multi-agency one, independent and free from political intervention. He alluded to the fact that eminent economist, Professor Clive Thomas, roughly calculated that some $300 billion were siphoned off per year, a figure that was upped to $500 billion by a major external financial body. Meanwhile in preparation, a Superintendent of Police was sent to Rome for

training on state assets recovery. He received training on certain mechanisms on how the illicit economy works and how to go about recovering assets. Since taking office after victory at the May 11, 2015 general and regional elections, the new government has been making a lot of heavy weather about corruption by the previous People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration but no one has been prosecuted so far. The new A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition administration has been receiving reports of certain government employees acquiring inexplicable wealth compared to their actual salaries.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Muslims celebrate Islamic New Year o

THE annual cultural programme to mark the commencement of the Islamic New Year is billed for Saturday at the Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC), at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. The grand programme, which is now a premiere activity on the Muslim calendar of events here, will be held at the Latifan Khan Civic Center for Peace & Goodwill. Special invitees this year

are Ustad Zaid Hosein and Imam Inshan Hoosenay, two renowned Muslim personalities from Trinidad and Tobago. Hosein has been singing Qaseedas, Ghazals, Naats, etc. for the past 15 years at various programmes in Trinidad and Tobago. In his repertoire, he has mastered local and classical songs, authentic Indian classical songs, film songs, Gazals, Qawaalis and Islamic

songs. He was awarded the “Best Qaseeda Album” at the 2004 Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago. Over the years, he has concentrated only on Islamic songs, and is much sought after by the Muslim community for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc. He was trained in Trinidad by Bansraj Ramkissoon and Pardeep Shankar of India. Hosein will be

accompanied for his first live performance here by his team of professional musicians. Hoosaney, meanwhile, is the Imam of the Masjid Ullaah, Knowles Street Masjid located in Curepe, Trinidad and Tobago which has about 300 members. He is well known for his simplicity, humility and his wisdom. He is one of the most respected Muslim clerics in the twin-island republic, and has been singing Qaseedas at all major occa-

sions of the Islamic calendar. This dynamic Imam will also be delivering the Khutbat (Friday Sermon) at the Queenstown Jama Masjid this Friday. The visit of Hosein and Hoosaney at this event was arranged by Shazard Ali, Director of Islamic Programming of WIN TV/Radio in Trinidad and Tobago and Public Relations Officer of the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association (ASJA Inc.),

Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest and largest Islamic organisation. Shazard will himself be hosting this grand concert which will be held at the recently commissioned Latifin Khan Civic Center for Peace & Goodwill, ACIC. Religious and civic leaders as well as members of mosques throughout Guyana have been invited to attend this programme. The lunar Islamic cal-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

on Saturday endar began its calculation after the migration of Prophet Muhammad to Medina. The first month of the calendar is Muharram, in which the 10th day (called Ashura) is significant not only to Muslims, but humanity. It is reported that the entire universe was created on this day, the first drop of rain fell on this day, the first human, Prophet Adam was created on this day, Prophet Jesus ascended to the heavens on this day, Prophet

Ayube (Jacob) regained his eyesight on this day, Prophet Moses saved the Children of Israel from Pharaohâ€™s army by the opening of the Red Sea on this day and Prophet Muhammadâ€™s grandsons, Imam Hussain and Hassan, were martyred. The 10th day of Muharram (Ashura) therefore is very auspicious to Muslims and is observed with fasting, prayers and special programmes at the various mosques.

The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

- accomplices still on the run

Saturday and was placed into police custody. Thom pleaded with the magistrate to be released on bail since it was his birthday yesterday but all he got was a “Happy Birthday” greeting from the magistrate and was whisked away to the Georgetown prison. According to reports, policeman Narine was escorting his family from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport when he noticed a suspicious hire car trailing

Shot airport robbery suspect remanded

SHAWN Thom, 37-yearold taxi driver of 138 Third Street, Alberttown was yesterday arraigned before City Magistrate Ann McLennan for discharging a loaded firearm and being in possession of a gun and ammunition. He was suspected to be part of a crew that was trailing travellers from the airport into the city and was shot after they were confronted by police. Thom was shot to his

right foot and while using a crutch yesterday he had to be assisted into Court Two of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. According to the charge Thom, on October 07 at Kitty, discharged a loaded firearm at off-duty police officer Prim Narine. It is also alleged that he was found with a .32 revolver with three live matching rounds. Thom denied all the charges and stated that he was only released from the hospital last

Wounded airport robbery suspect being assisted by police after his court appearance.

him and alerted ranks at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Then as Narine, a Kitty resident, pulled into his driveway he saw the suspect’s car park a short distance away in a dark corner. The CID ranks and Narine were approaching the hire car when Thom opened fire at the lawmen who returned the favour, wounding the suspect in his right foot and then they disarmed him but his accomplice managed to

Hadfield St. mason stole $130,000 smartphone, court hears

AFABAYO Yakhana, 26, of 3 Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, is charged for stealing a Samsung Galaxy S5 Smartphone valued $130,000, property of Brandon MacDonald on August 18 at Wortmanville The fate of the Hadfield Street mason is to be determined by the decision of Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday. According to reports MacDonald had parked his motorcycle outside a shop and left his cellphone and other items on his bike and went inside to make a quick purchase but upon returning his phone was discovered missing. Yakhana was the only other person who was observed around the shop at that time. On his first court appearance on August 21 Yakhana pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on $75,000 bail. Yakhana yesterday led his defence and was called into the witness box to give his sworn testimony. According to him on the day in question he had just disembarked a Route 40 bus

and was standing in front of a shop in Kitty with his grocery bag from the market. He said that because of the load he left the bag in the shop and went to a nearby taxi base to hire a taxi and returned with the car and went home. “When I went back to the shop next morning they said I thief some Samsung phone and then the police arrest and search me but they aint find no phone,” Yakhana said. He said further that he was taken to the police station and charged. According to him he would normally do odd jobs for the shop owner and that was the reason why he was there. The mason then called the taxi driver Dexter Millington who drove him home as a witness. According to Millington he was approached by the accused on August 18 for the hire of his services but requested that he be dropped by the shop to pick up his bag before heading to his destination. The taxi driver said that it took Yakhana about 6-7 minutes to retrieve the bag.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

Health ministry pushing to... address the problem, with the help of the media and the public at large. She said that while measures are being put in place to ensure young doctors are properly monitored, the improvement in delivery of service and a public education media campaign to address specifically maternal health is in the making, whereby pregnant mothers are now being asked to attend maternal health clinics as soon as they discover they are pregnant. And in light of the rising incidence of maternal deaths, health workers were summoned to an emergency meeting aimed at apprising “the regional supervisors of the current maternal mortality situation, identifying areas of weakness in the system that are contributory to the increase in maternal deaths, and reiterating the pillars of safe motherhood and standards of care for pregnant women.” In a review of maternal deaths for 2015, Dr. Shivon Lewis explained, with the aid of an audio-visual presentation, “Why the system failed” women who were still in maternal care, resulting in nine maternal deaths which could have possibly been prevented. She pointed out that the refusal of health workers to follow protocol resulted in the death of a 27-year-old mother who had an uneventful delivery of her baby at a public hospital on July 9, but died a week after she was discharged. As the doctor explained, the woman had complained to her husband of lower abdominal pains, but was reluctant to visit the health institution nearby, because she thought what she was experiencing was normal for a woman who had just given birth. Unfortunately, she collapsed and died in their bathroom. The doctor said their findings in that case revealed that the hospital in question needed to be more health-friendly, in terms of making their patients comfortable. She said that had the staff been more welcoming, the discharged

patient might have returned to seek medical attention. She also revealed that instructions are given in a Ministry of Public Health manual to health workers to visit maternal patients within a week of discharge, but this patient received no visit. Had they visited, she said, health workers might have been alerted to her condition and acted accordingly. In another case, she said because the ante-natal scan was poor, and doctors failed to observe early the patient’s blood pressure had elevated, complications developed which resulted in her death. “It was not until the third reading that a doctor discovered that the patient had elevated blood pressure,” she said, and that the readings were “excessively high”. By that time, it was too late to save the poor woman. In the case of the 29-yearold who joined maternal clinic at a local health facility, and even confessed that she was a cocaine user, Dr Lewis said the woman was kept a patient at that clinic when, in such instance, she should have been transferred to a special maternal clinic for high-risk pregnancies at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but was attended to at that

ante-natal clinic on at least seven occasions. She said that on the patient’s last visit, she was already overdue with a gestational age of 41 weeks, but was given a further date to return to the institution instead of a referral to the GPHC. The doctor further pointed out that the patient had met the criteria for an urgent ultrasound. The doctor said the patient admitted she was a cocaine user and seemed mentally unstable. Although healthcare providers are aware that they must make contact with family of such patients, no one followed procedure. Until the woman’s pregnancy was 43 weeks old, she visited GPHC while experiencing severe shortness of breath. She died of adult lung distress and severe brain oedema. Another woman, a 21-year-old, had just terminated a 15-week pregnancy but was diagnosed with jaundice several times during her pregnancy at the same hospital. Although the hospital was equipped with doctors, the patient was never referred to one. She said the woman was not managed well, and when she sought medical attention at the GPHC,

Thursday, October 15, 2015 - 05:00 hrs Friday, October 16, 2015 - 05:00 hrs Saturday, October 17, 2015 - 05:30 hrs

the medication that possibly could have saved her life was ordered too late. A 32-year-old died of severe haemorrhage because of a placenta percreta after completing a disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). She was admitted for elective caesarian (LSCS) at a gestation age of 38 weeks. During this procedure she suffered massive blood loss and eventually died.

From page 9

The final presentation was of a 37 year old who had tried for years to become pregnant. She was unaware that she was pregnant earlier this year, and visited a hospital complaining of severe lower abdominal pains and vomiting. She was admitted to the hospital and treated for the pains and vomiting, while she was experiencing a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. “Nobody recognised she

had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, and there was no history-taking by any of the five doctors who had seen her.” After the shift had changed and the other doctors began work, there was no proper documentation to indicate the state of the patient. “She was seen by junior doctors who misdiagnosed and mismanaged her,” Dr. Lewis stated.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

City Council demolishes Kingston ‘eyesore’ - to target four others soon

FOLLOWING its pursuit of the “Green City” initiative, the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) yesterday demolished a derelict building in Kingston, Georgetown. The building which had been abandoned for over seven years had become a haven for criminal elements and trespassers. City Hall Public Relations Officer (ag.) Debra Lewis explained that this eyesore was recently identified following a continuous assessment of derelict buildings in Georgetown. This assessment follows the launch of the “Green City” initiative, the M&CC’s

move to remove derelict vehicles and equipment from parapets, and a number of other efforts that are intended to restore Georgetown to its former glory. In the coming weeks, four other derelict structures situated in Albouystown, Cummingsburg and Kitty are to be demolished as the Council moves to restore Georgetown as the Garden City. “The M&CC will have to take the necessary action to safeguard neighbours and other surrounding buildings and even passersby from the dangers of these eyesores resting in the city,” Lewis

stated. The demolished structure in Kingston had been on the verge of collapse over the past year and even forced neighbours to relocate elsewhere. “It is dangerous for us, because it is falling and can harm my family. I am glad that the council has taken this step,” said one neighbour, Zondra Gomes who has been living alongside the ramshackle building for eight years. Another neighbour, who identified himself as “Andy,” said the state of the building had forced him and his family to relocate elsewhere.

The derelict building that was set for demolition in the early hours of yesterday “We have been out of our home for two weeks now because the building has been collapsing for a while and now it’s worse,” pointed out Andy. The demolition of derelict buildings forms part of the M&CC’s plans to transform the city to an eco-friendly one. The M&CC has already demolished the ramshackle Bedford school building once nestled in the heart of the Bourda Market area where it became a haven for criminal elements and a threat to the lives of vendors.

The interior of the dilapidated building

City Hall mulls having parking meters, bus sheds

THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) at its statutory meeting on Monday decided to revisit plans to install parking meters and to build bus sheds in Georgetown. Councillor Junior Garrett in presenting his arguments noted that the ideas should be further discussed and implemented. He pointed out that bus sheds would beautify the city and provide shelter and support to the elderly, children and physically challenged. Garrett noted also that parking meters would boost the revenue base of the coun-

cil, while regulating parking in the city. Parking meters can be used as a tool to regulate parking. Meanwhile, Town Clerk Royston King noted that

the council needs to improve its revenue base to meet the growing expectations of the citizenry, and that both ideas are implementable and feasible.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, October 15, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday October 15, 2015

Richardson leads dominant Pele FC to 3-0 win PELE Football Club’s dream run in the STAG Elite League continued last evening when they overcame Monedderlust 3-0 at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground. It was a one-sided affair throughout the 90 minutes, with Pele FC dominating the game. Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant handed the league’s leading club the perfect start when he netted just 45 seconds into the game, scoring from point blank range. The Berbicians immediately got defensive while Pele continued to attack after sensing the inferior defence placed by coach Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite. The focus for the team from the Ancient County was placed on Pele and the league’s leading goalscorer Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’

Richardson who played the role of a facilitator in an effort to get his teammates involved in the match. However, Richardson tested Monedderlust goalkeeper when he latched onto a pass from Grant but the Berbice club custodian made a great save to deny the striker. Not to be denied, poor defending by Monedderlust in the 31st minute saw Richardson unmarked just outside the 18 yards area and the forward buried his right-footed volley

flat and hard to the goalkeeper’s far right. Attacking the North Road goal, Monedderlust found it difficult to get around Pele’s sturdy defence and the half ended with the club trailing 2-0. In the second stanza, Pele continued their hunt for more goals and despite their near-chances, the club found one in the 81st minute when Darren Harris connected from just inside the penalty area. It was another ‘vin-

Johnson’s XI ...

From Backpage

in reply to Johnson XI’s 344. Only Barbadian Javon Searles with 28 supported the West Indies U-19 batsman down the order as the lower order crumbled quite quickly after Searles departed. Hetmyer’s XI resumed the day on 140-6 with Boodie overnight on 41. Johnson’s XI began their second innings with a 72-run lead and piled on 125-3 in 42 overs as the day wrapped up with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (14) and the centurion Vishaul Singh (4) overnight

South Africa Racing Tips Turffontein 08:45 hrs Mooghamir 09:30 hrs Shawi 09:55 hrs Silver Class 10:30 hrs Thrust 11:05 hrs Mac De Lago 11:35 hrs Notorious

in the middle. Tagenarine Chanderpaul (2) and Johnson (21) were removed cheaply at the top of the order but Assad Fudadin piled on the pressure with an impressive 82 before he carelessly threw away his wicket. Fudadin took 24 off Steven Sankar in the 34th over with clean wind-assisted shots then challenged Johnson at long off in the 36th over but failed with six overs left in the day which brought Singh to the middle. The final day is scheduled to bowl off at 09:00hrs.

tage’ Gregory Richardson performance who pushed his goal tally in the league to six from as many matches; the most by any player in the STAG Elite League. Alpha United’s Delon Lanferman is behind with five goals. Pele FC’s 13 goals are the most scored by a team in

the league; Alpha United’s are second with nine goals. Up next for Pele is a clash against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Sunday at the GDF’s Base Camp Ayanganna ground. Meanwhile, up to press time, the score was nil between Fruta Conquerors and GFC.

Innovative Mining, Tony’s Auto Spares onboard

THE highly anticipated Parsun Inter-county softball cricket championship, which is billed for October 24, has received corporate support from two companies, namely Innovative Mining and Tony’s Auto Spares. This was announced by the organisers yesterday, with Parmanand Persaud being on hand at both locations to accept the entities’ donation. Persaud said the organising body is extremely appreciative of the support put forward by the businesses, noting that Innovative Mining of Garnett Street, Campbellville has agreed to become the team and title sponsor of Essequibo A. Tony’s Auto Spares is onboard as a partner in the initiative. The tournament will involve eight teams - two from each of the counties (Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo) and one each from Linden and Bartica. The winners will receive $500 000 and a trophy, compliments of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market. The runners-up will take home a trophy and $300 000 and the losing semi-finalists $100 000 each. The other participating teams will receive $25 000. The teams will play each other twice with the top four going through to the semi-finals. The last day of action will be October 25, and patrons are asked to come out in their numbers, as admission to the venue is free and there would be lots of giveaways.

09:10 hrs Triple Eight 09:40 hrs Don’tdropmein 10:15 hrs Relic Rock 10:50 hrs Shantou Village 11:25 hrs By The Boardwalk 12:00 hrs Cooper’s Friend 12:30 hrs Kalondra

Irish Racing Tips Punchestown English Racing Tips 09:15 hrs Mighty Concorde Uttoxeter 09:45 hrs Whatever It Takes 08:50 hrs Tennessee 10:20 hrs Jarob 09:20 hrs Duke Of Sonning 10:55 hrs The Game Chang09:55 hrs Board Of Trade er 10:30 hrs Alta Rock 11:30 hrs Don Cossack 11:05 hrs Rye House 12:05 hrs Beat Value 11:40 hrs Simply The West 12:15 hrs Gunnery Sergeant 12:10 hrs Wild Desert American Racing Tips Brighton 09:00 hrs Jan Steen Belmont 09:30 hrs Zebs Lad Race 1 Spearhead 10:05 hrs Albe Back Race 2 Comet Sixty Two 10:40 hrs Roly Tricks Race 3 Mordi’s Miracle 11:15 hrs Bunker Hill Lass Race 4 Anna Creek 11:50 hrs Multistar Race 5 Lieutenant Dale 12:20 hrs Port Lairge Race 6 Hyper 12:50 hrs Dark Profit Race 7 Comes the Dream Race 8 Dowse’s Beach Carlisle Race 9 Late Night Mark

Suresh Singh (right) of Tony’s Auto Spares presents his company’s contribution to Parmanand Persaud.

Bolt’s seven ... From Backpage French rugby team), Lionel Messi and Thibaut Pinot (cyclist). Bolt, for whom a good day on the track involves finishing a race in under 10 seconds, predictably accumulated the least time. At the other extreme is the FDJ cyclist and victor in the final stage of the Tour de France on Alpe d’Huez. Pinot has completed some 74

races over 73 days of competition, making for a total of 16 837 minutes. Riner, for the most part, spends less than an hour on the mat (52 minutes), significantly less than the competitive minutes racked up by Dusautoir (2 270), James (3 337) and Messi (6 457). The research, however, did not take into account the amount of time spent in training for the various sports. (Sportsmax.com)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 15, 2015

England survive after Malik falls on 245

ABU DHABI, (Reuters) Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali negotiated the rest of the final session as England closed the second day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on 56-0, after Shoaib Malik’s mammoth knock had inspired Pakistan to 523-8 declared. Captain Cook finished on 39 not out, with Moeen unbeaten on 15, as the pair showed good application to see out the final hour and a bit. Earlier, the 33-year-old Malik made the third-highest score ever by a Pakistan batsman against England before falling to Ben Stokes while attempting to drag the bowler from outside off stump through midwicket. His shot found the hands of Ian Bell, who dropped two catches on the first day but managed to hold on to the chance above his head. Soon after, Pakistan declared their innings, which

Shoaib Malik celebrates his maiden Test double-century against England on the second day in Abu Dhabi.

had at its heart Malik but also contained significant contributions from Mohammed Hafeez (98) on day one and Asad Shafiq, who fell leg-before to the third ball after tea for 107. T h e l a t t e r ’s e x i t brought the end of a 248run stand with Malik, the highest fifth-wicket partnership for Pakistan against England. Stokes ultimately ended with figures of four for 57, taking three wickets in the first 45 minutes after the tea break, with Sarfraz Ahmed (two) and Zulfiqar Babar (zero) falling tamely. Prior to that drama at the start of the final session, it looked as though Malik and Shafiq would bat indefinitely as England struggled to generate anything close to a chance on a pitch that had offered the bowlers no support. Adil Rashid ended with figures of 0-163 after 34 overs, the worst-ever fig-

ures for a debutant in Tests. Moeen, who also bowled 30 overs of spin without reward in Pakistan’s innings, nearly had to contemplate a second failure -- this time with the bat. Opening for the first time in first-class cricket, Moeen was on four when he survived a review of a delivery by Rahat Ali on “umpire’s call”, with everything else indicating out. Cook also had a hairy

PAKISTAN 1st innings (overnight: 286-4) M. Hafeez lbw b Stokes 98 S. Masood b Anderson 2 S. Malik c Bell b Stokes 245 Y. Khan c Cook b Broad 38 Misbah-ul-Haq c Buttler b Anderson 3 A. Shafiq lbw b Wood 107 S. Ahmed c Bell b Stokes 2 W. Riaz not out 2 Z. Babar c Anderson b Stokes 0 Extras: (b-4, lb-21, nb-1) 26

moment on the second ball of the innings, chasing a wider one from Rahat, but succeeding only in chopping the ball back towards his stumps. He stuck a hand out but resisted the temptation to catch it as he watched the ball fall a few inches behind the wicket. Such patience will be needed today as England look to chip away at Pakistan’s imposing total.

Total: (for 8 wickets decl’d, 151.1 overs) 523 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-173, 3-247, 4-251, 5-499, 6-514, 7-521, 8-523. Bowling: J. Anderson 22-7-42-2, S. Broad 21-8-44-1 (nb-1), B. Stokes 17.1-3-57-4, M. Wood 22-5-58-1, A. Rashid 34-0-163-0, M. Ali 30-2121-0, J. Root 5-1-13-0. ENGLAND 1st innings A. Cook not out 39 M. Ali not out 15 Extras: (nb-1, w-1) 2 Total: (for no loss, 21 overs) 56 Fall of wickets: Nil Bowling: R. Ali 4-0-12-0, I. Khan 5-0-16-0, Z. Babar 7-1-16-0, W. Riaz 4-1-10-0 (nb-1, w-1), A. Shafiq 1-0-2-0.

Chris Cairns perjury trial …

‘Fleming confronted me for being dirty’ - Vincent LOU Vincent, the first witness to be called to give evidence in the Chris Cairns perjury trial at Southwark Crown Court, has told the court how Stephen Fleming, his former New Zealand captain, confronted him in a bar and accused him of being “dirty”. Vi n c e n t , w h o w a s last year banned from all cricket after admitting to match-fixing, was giving evidence for the third day running, after Mr Justice Sweeney, the presiding judge, adjourned Tuesday’s hearing early due to Vincent’s visible distress in the witness box. Under cross-examination from Orlando Pownall, QC, who is representing Cairns, Vincent was asked to recall the details of a confrontation

Former New Zealand cricketer Lou Vincent

with Fleming during the Champions League tournament in South Africa in 2012. Fleming, whom Pownall described as having a reputation for being “incorruptible”, was then coach of the IPL franchise,

Chennai Super Kings, while Vincent was playing for Auckland. “He said, ‘I know you’re dirty, I know Chris is dirty’,” Vincent told the court. “It was quite harrowing for a respected figure to corner you in a bar. It didn’t make me feel good. I just wanted to run and hide.” Vincent, who admitted on Tuesday to fixing “three or four” matches for Chandigarh Lions during the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in March and April 2008, was asked by Mr Pownall whether he had continued to fix matches following Cairns’ suspension from the competition in October, when Vincent’s scores in his next four matches were 14, 0, 33 and 1. “Did you fix any matches in those games

or not?” Pownall asked. “I clearly don’t remember,” Vincent replied. Rumours continued to circulate around Chandigarh Lions following Cairns’s suspension, but Mr Pownall put it to Vincent that he had continued to be “supportive” of his former captain even after his departure from the competition. “At that point of time, I was mates with Cairns, so of course,” Vincent replied. The ICL folded soon afterwards, leaving Vincent out of pocket to the tune of US$750 000, according to Mr Pownall. It was replaced by the Indian Premier League (IPL), a tournament officially recognised by the ICC, and run by Lalit Modi, the man whom Cairns successfully

sued at the High Court in London in 2012, following his tweet in 2010 stating that Cairns was a match-fixer. An email chain produced by the defence showed that Vincent had been in contact with Modi in 2010, asking whether it was his intention to go “head-to-head” with Cairns in court. An offer was also made for the pair to meet for coffee, but Vincent claimed that he had never taken it up. Vincent told the court that he had been “disgusted at reading the lies from Chris Cairns” during the libel case but, when pressed by the defence on why he had not given evidence against his former captain, he claimed his allegiance was still to Cairns, and that he feared

he would not be paid if he testified against him. Instead Cairns, who denies two counts of perjury and perverting the course of justice, is accused of persuading Vincent to give a false witness statement on his behalf in the libel case. “Did you think Chris Cairns was completely mad to ask you to give evidence?” asked Mr Pownall. Vincent replied: “No, because I was working for him and he needed me to help him.” Mr Pownall responded: “The reason why he asked was because there was no corrupt activity between the two of you and you could give a truthful account.” The case continues. (ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday October 15, 2015

RHT Gizmos and Gadgets advance to Tenelec Inc. semi-finals ROSE Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets have set up a mouthwatering clash with Young Warriors Cricket Club in the only semifinal of the Bobby Deonarine and Tom Gruntzel-sponsored Tenelec Inc. 2015 50 Overs round-robin First Division cricket competition. The RHT side beat Police by four wickets in a low-scoring encounter during the final playoff game. The match which was fixed for the Edinburgh ground was switched to the Area ‘H’ ground at the last minute due to a sudden downpour in the East Bank, Berbice area, with the agreement of both teams and umpires. Police won the toss and decided to take first strike in a game that was reduced to 36 overs a side and mustered 101

mos & Gadgets, pacer Keon Sinclair picked up 3 for 13 off 7 overs, Collis Butts 3 for 30 off 6.5 overs with Berbice senior pacer Clinton Pestano and Troy Mathieson each supporting with two wickets apiece. Needing to score 102 from 36 overs on a tricky pitch due to late preparation, Rose Hall Town suffered an early setback with the sudden loss of Assad Fudadin caught at first slip off the first ball bowled by former Berbice pacer Michael Newland for no score.

Jason Sinclair all out in 26.5 overs. Essequibo senior opener Norwayne Fredericks provided resistance with 27. Bowling for the RHT Giz-

SA soccer official Kika gets FIFA six-year ban

ZURICH, Switzerland (Reuters) - FIFA’s Ethics Committee banned former South African Football Association official Lindile Kika from soccer activities for six years yesterday, adding to a string of suspensions at the sport’s governing body. Zurich-based FIFA has been in turmoil since May over corruption allegations. But its ethics investigators are believed to regard match-fixing as the biggest threat to the sport as well as the toughest to combat. Kika is a former head of referees and ex-member of the executive committee of the football association in South Africa, which hosted the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The Ethics Committee said in a statement that the decision to ban him for six years was related to FIFA regulations on conduct, loyalty, duty of disclosure and other issues. It said the ban takes effect immediately. A spokesman was not authorised to discuss details. “The proceedings against Lindile Kika were opened in November 2014 in relation to several international friendly matches played in South Africa in 2010. The investigation was led by the chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, Dr Cornel Borbely, in collaboration with the FIFA Security Division,” the statement read. The security division, created in 2012, is responsible for “matters related to the integrity and protection of the game itself along with matters concerning match manipulation,” according to FIFA’s website. A previous FIFA investigation had looked into South Africa’s pre-World Cup matches against Thailand, Bulgaria, Colombia and Guatemala. In 2012, FIFA handed SAFA a 500-page report that documented the activities of convicted Singapore-based match-fixer Wilson Perumal and his Football 4U organisation. In May, 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives were indicted in the United States in a criminal investigation into the allocation of media, marketing and sponsorship rights for soccer tournaments. The scandal has spread throughout FIFA, which last Thursday handed president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini 90-day suspensions pending a formal investigation.

However, Jason Sinclair then joined Vidal Crandon and together they put on 47 for the 2nd wicket before Crandon was trapped lbw by Kwesi Mickle for 15. Sinclair also went by the same route for a well-played 35. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets lost Renwick Batson (0) and Clinton Pestano (5) in quick succession to be shakily placed at 70 for 5 in the 19th over. They were saved by level-headed batting by the experienced Rajiv Ivan (15) and

Eon Hooper 12 who took the score to 93 before Hooper was bowled by Mickle. Ivan was unfortunately then struck in the eye from a sweep shot and retired hurt for 15. Skipper Shawn Pereira 5 not out and Troy Mathieson 1 not out saw their team to victory and into the semifinals, fixed for Saturday October 17 at the Area ‘H’ ground. Bowling for Police, off-spinners Andel Doris claimed 3 for 14 and Kwesi Mickle 2 for 26. Rose Hall Town Youth &

Sports Club selectors have named a strong 15-man squad for the semifinals. The squad would be led by Shawn Pereira with Clinton Pestano as his deputy. Collis Butts is the coach. Full squad: Shawn Pereira (captain), Assad Fudadin, Vidal Crandon, Royston Crandon, Jason Sinclair, Rajiv Ivan, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Renwick Batson, Troy Mathieson, Collis Butts, Keon Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson and Junior Sinclair. The winner of the semifinal will take on the invincible Albion on Sunday, October 27, 2015 (tentative) at a venue to be named.

Dhoni inspires India to series-levelling win INDORE, India (Reuters) - India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hammered 92 not out and skilfully marshalled his bowlers to secure a series-levelling 22-run win against South Africa in the second one-day international yesterday. With India reeling at 124-6, Dhoni’s decision to bat first appeared to have backfired, but the 34-yearold produced an 86-ball blitz, hitting his fourth sixth off the final ball of the innings to help the hosts to a competitive 247-9. Dhoni then returned to neatly stump Amla, take three catches and cleverly rotate his bowlers as South Africa were all out for 225 in the 44th over. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel claimed career-best figures of 3-39, while paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar

MS Dhoni whacks four sixes in his 92.

also got three wickets as the hosts fiercely defended a modest total, aided by some smart catching. “A lot of people wait with open sword, they want you to commit a few mistakes and have fun with it,” said Dhoni, who has been under tremendous pressure with questions raging about his role

in the squad. “Overall I would not say a very good or a complete game, definitively we can play better, but it’s good to win games,” said the India captain after collecting the man-of-thematch award. The Proteas had made public their plans to dismiss India’s in-form batsman Rohit Sharma early and paceman Kagiso Rabada executed it in the second over of the day. Ajinkya Rahane (51) hit his second successive fifty but India lost the top half of their batting order soon after crossing the 100-mark. With his team in dire straits and his own reputation at stake, Dhoni let his bat do the talking as he went after the South African bowlers, helping India score 82 runs off the

last 10 overs. The visitors began their chase well but the Indians struck regularly to keep the Proteas in check at Indore’s Holkar Cricket Stadium. Patel wrecked the tourists’ top order and Virat Kohli made amends for his batting failure by taking three catches, two of them sent back South Africa’s top-scorer Faf du Plessis (51) and the dangerous AB de Villiers. “We had a good start upfront ... there is enough experience among myself, (Farhaan) Behardien and (David) Miller to pull it through but unfortunately we got out soft ways tonight,” said de Villiers. Rajkot hosts the third ODI of the five-match series on Sunday.

WICB in no position to criticise Simmons, claims Richards WEST Indies legend Viv Richards has blasted the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), hinting that the regional sport’s governing body has been hypocritical in its dealings with coach Phil Simmons. Simmons was suspended two weeks ago after he claimed that the selection process for the team was subject to outside interference. While stating that the coach had simply pointed out what was already well known, Richards point-

West Indies legend Vivian Richards

ed to instances where the board had ignored calls for reform. “That same establishment itself would have had various enquiries into the moving forward of West Indies cricket, in terms of its managing and governance of the game itself in the region. We haven’t seen all these things being put in place,” Richards said. “We have also seen things of the recommendation of PJ Patterson and all

those other members of that particular panel. We have not seen much implementation of those particular things that were suggested, in terms of the moving forward, which means we have seen a lot of flaws coming on behalf of the board, who is now making decisions about a member that they would have employed, in the coach, because of certain things said. “So who is going to judge the judges?” he asked.(Sportsmax.com)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday October 15, 2015

Karunaratne ton lays foundation for big Sri Lanka total

(REUTERS) - Opener Dimuth Karunaratne frustrated West Indies with a patient unbeaten century to help Sri Lanka reach 250-2 on the opening day and stay on course for a big first-innings total in the first Test at Galle yesterday. With the pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers and West Indies making it worse for themselves by spilling a couple of catches, the 27-year-old southpaw showed immaculate discipline and application to reach the close not out on 135. Karunaratne hit 10 boundaries and a six in his sedate knock and was

Dimuth Karunaratne raises the bat after making a century in Galle on the first day.

ably supported by Dinesh Chandimal (72), the duo accumulating 149 runs for the unbroken third wicket. West Indies stuck to

their plans to use their pacers in short bursts but Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva (17) still gave Sri Lanka their first 50-plus opening stand this year

after home skipper Angelo Mathews opted to bat first. The West Indian bowlers harassed the openers with short-pitched bowling but it was a fuller-length delivery from Kemar Roach that earned them the breakthrough when Silva edged to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin. Lahiru Thirimanne (16) had a reprieve after lunch when Darren Bravo dropped him at slip off Jerome Taylor but the batsman could not capitalise on it. Thirimanne stepped out against leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo but the shot had neither the

power nor the elevation and the left-hander was caught at short mid-wicket. Batting on 11, Chandimal also benefited from the visitors’ lax fielding when Taylor spilled a skier after the batsman had fluffed his pull shot off Bishoo. It proved a costly mistake as Chandimal registered his third successive 50-plus score at the venue and consolidated Sri Lanka’s position in the match. “We will get good rest tonight, come back tomorrow and work hard for wickets,” Roach told broadcasters TEN Sports. Asked whether op-

erating in short spells worked for his team, the 27-year-old paceman said, “I understand what the skipper is doing. It’s a very hot place to play cricket and I think he wanted to keep the boys fresh all the time.”

SRI LANKA 1st innings D. Karunaratne not out 135 K. Silva c Ramdin b Roach 17 L. Thirimanne c sub. b Bishoo 16 D. Chandimal not out 72 Extras: (lb-5, nb-5) 10 Total: (for 2 wickets, 90 overs) 250 Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-101. Bowling: J. Taylor 12-2-35-0 (nb-4), K. Roach 13-3-33-1, J. Holder 13-420-0, S. Gabriel 11-2-36-0 (nb-1), M. Samuels 18-4-42-0, D. Bishoo 22-178-1, C. Brathwaite 1-0-1-0.

GCB officials engage Sports Minister on National Secondary Schools Cricket GUYANA Cricket Board (GCB) officials yesterday engaged Sports Minister Nicolette Henry in discussion on the Board’s initiatives and ventures at her office on Main Street. GCB president Drubahadur, secretary Anand Sanasie, Competitions chairman Colin Europe and Territorial Developmental Officer Colin Stuart explained to the minister the structure of their upcoming National Secondary School League. Stuart outlined the aims, expectations and

benefits of the league and Minister Henry noted that it is an interesting and favourable mission her ministry will support. The league will be officially launched in mid-October where over 150 secondary schools across the country will participate within their zones, then the zones will compete against each other, followed by the Intermediate Districts contest and finally the Country Districts will clash to determine an overall winner. The competition also

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday October 15, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

… discuss other developmental initiatives

(L-R) Colin Stuart, Anand Sanasie, Minister Nicolette Henry, Drubahadur and Colin Europe following their meeting yesterday has a champion school pathway that would see the national champions, fully sponsored by the GCB,

participate in the annual Sir Garfield Sobers Secondary Schools cricket competition in Barbados.

Sanasie, who is also a Director of WICB, informed the minister about the matches scheduled for Guyana

next year during the West Indies tri-nation series with Australia and South Africa. The gathering discussed the benefits to both the government and the GCB by hosting the matches. Sanasie presented the minister with a copy of the Economic Impact Assessment from the England Tour of West Indies earlier this year. President Drubahadur thanked Minister Henry for meeting with GCB, adding that the Board has a compact and well structured programme to be rolled out and with the support of her ministry and other relevant authorities, these undertakings would be successful.

West Indies pay tribute to Steve Camacho GALLE, Sri Lanka – West Indies players are wearing black armbands during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium in memory of Steve Cama-

cho, the former West Indies cricketer and administrator. George Stephen Camacho was born on October 15, 1945 and died on October 2, 2015. During his playing

career Camacho was a top order batsman who represented Guyana and West Indies in the 1960s and 70s. He played 11 Test matches. After retirement from

the game he became one of the leading administrators. He was manager of the West Indies team and later the first Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board.

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Curtly Ambrose/Roshan Mahanama Mutiah Muralitharan-5/34 (Antigua, 1997) Today’s Quiz: Which WI has taken most Test wickets against SL to date? How many? Which SL has scored most Test runs against the WI to date? How many? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The West Indies players just before play started on the first day in at Galle International Stadium. (WICB media photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday October 15, 2015

Joint Services Championships

GDF take the lead, as Harlequin and Sampson claim 800m wins By Tamica Garnett THE Army’s Wayne Harlequin and Police’s Jevina Sampson’s exciting wins in the men’s and women’s 800m races, respectively, set the tone for a suspenseful day that saw the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) claim the lead ahead of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the Inter-Service Annual Athletics Championships which continued yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. This year’s battle for supremacy promises to be a close one between the defending champions GDF and the GPF; and so far things are definitely living up to expectations. After the third day of competition in the fourday event, GDF ended with 454 points, after 29 finals. The Army’s tally represents a mere twopoint lead over the Police. Holding on strong for third place with 54 points are the Guyana Fire Service, while the Guyana Prison Service have 41 points and City Constabulary ended with 34 points after the 29 finals. The GDF have been creeping up on the policemen ever since Police etched out a 47-point lead on the events of the opening day of competition last

Sunday. By day two, on Tuesday, GDF had closed the gap to 11.5 points. It was major wins in the men’s 800m and triple jumps that saw GDF shooting to the fore in the points standing, yesterday. The men’s 800m was a true scorcher. Harlequin went out blazing and held the pace throughout the race. Harlequin clocked a time of 1:55.80s Feeling that Harlequin’s teammate Cleveland Forde, was the man to beat the other athletes realised all too late that Harlequin was making his way for the win. Police Winston Dummett made an attempt to pursue Harlequin with 300m to go but it was all too late. Coming down from fourth, with about 100m to go, Forde and GPF’s Trevor Scotland picked up the pace and charged for the finish line but the win was already Harlequin’s. Harlequin clocked 1:55.80m for the win, while Forde took second in 1:56.80m, and Scotland was third in .1:57.90s. Dommett ended in fourth just behind Scotland, clocking 1:57.90s. In the women’s 800m, Sampson also took a comefrom-behind victory over Army’s Andrea Foster, who won the women’s 3 000 on Tuesday. Sampson won the

GDF’s Rupert Perry cruises to win one of the men’s 200m heats.

race in 2:16.70m, while it took Foster 2:27.00s. The men’s triple jump was another enthralling event as GDF’s Doman Williams reached 15.02m in his best leap. Second place also went to GDF after Patrick King covered 14.67m.

On the distaff side, Army were in first and second again. Topping the event was Natreena Hooper with 13.08m while Letitia Myles was second place with 11.24m. Police prevailed in the men’s distance medley, with GDF finishing second.

Meanwhile in the heats of the day, Army’s Rupert Perry and GPF’s Winston George made their way into tomorrow’s 200m after topping their heats. Also through to the finals are Army’s Akeem Stewart and Davin Fraser as well as GPF’s Kevin Abbensetts and Owen

Wilson. The women’s 200m will be between Army’s Natreena Hooper, Aniquah Powley and Olana Grant, along with Police’s Jevina Sampson, Deja Smartt, Tiffany Carto and Constabulary’s Shelby Gladstone and Wanita Barnwell.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

GDF take the lead, as Harlequin and Sampson claim 800m wins

See story on page 27

Richardson leads dominant Pele FC to 3-0 win

See story on page 23

The STAG Elite League’s leading goalscorer Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson is challenged by a Monedderlust defender during his side’s 3-0 win last evening.

Pele FC’s goalscorers Travis Grant (left) and Gregory Richardson during their 3-0 win over Monedderlust last evening at the GFC ground. (Samuel Maughn photos)

Johnson’s XI remain ahead Bolt’s seven minutes worth $20M despite Boodie’s century LEON Johnson’s XI led Hetmyer’s XI by 197 runs going into the final day of the Professional Cricket League’s (PCL) four-day practice match currently being contested at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda. They still have a firm handle on the match despite Kevin Boodie turning in a solid 130 to help his side put up some resistance. His knock which was laced with 13 fours and three sixes was instrumental in the 272 posted See Page 23

WORLD’S fastest man Usain Bolt did all his important work last year in just seven minutes, not bad for a man reported to earn US$20 million a year. A recent list compiled by French sports publication L’Équipe calculated the time which athletes spend competing each year in different sports. The athletes selected for the study were Bolt, Teddy Riner (Olympic and world judo champion), LeBron James, Thierry Dusautoir (captain of the

Kevon Boodie

See Page 23

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Usain Bolt THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015