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GUYANA

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

LGE for March 18 No. 104379

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015

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Bulkan: ‘the entire local gov't system rotten’

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More crime fighters for border P.9

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Economy gets $3B injection in contracts P.

Haslington man jailed for cocaine trafficking P.

Mashramani 2016 launched Guyanese can be assured that Mashramani 2016 is certainly on, except for the pushing back of the costume and float parade to May, to coincide with the country’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. This was confirmed by Minister Nicolette Henry yesterday during the official launch of Mashramani 2016 under the theme ‘Celebration of Diversity, Unity and Sovereignty’. The launch was done amid a rich cultural programme during which performers entertained the sizeable gathering of persons who braved the inclement weather to attend (See story/photos in our Sunday edition)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

Local gov’t elections…

GECOM to get aggressive with voter education – Minister Bulkan By Svetlana Marshall MINISTER of Communities Ronald Bulkan, has announced March 18, 2016 as the date for holding of the much-anticipated Local Government Elections. He has promised that, in

the coming weeks, GECOM will roll out an aggressive civic and voter education programme in this regard; and the awareness campaign, officially launched approximately two weeks ago, will be intensified. The minister told the press yesterday that GECOM has crafted a workplan which provides for aggressive rollout of a comprehensive vot-

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan addressing the press at his Kingston office

ers’ education programme. This vigorous programme will continue to inform the populace of the new Local Government Elections System, which comprises a mixture of the Constituency and Proportional Representation

‘FLASHBACK’: President David Granger, while Opposition Leader, picketed the Office of the President in October 2014 for the holding of Local Government Elections

models under which political parties as well as individuals and interested groups may contest the elections. Minister Bulkan gave the assurance that sufficient funding for this massive

civic and voters’ education programme is already in place. This was confirmed by Deputy Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud, who responded with a resounding: “Yes!” as he pointed out that in the 2015 National Budget, Local Government Elections were budgeted for as a separate programme under the Elections Commission. In this year’s budget, approximately $2B has been budgeted for GECOM. The Communities Minister predicted that the 2016 Local Government Elections will come at a high cost. He

posited that it may actually cost more than the General and Regional Elections of 2015. The administration is convinced that this level of investment is critical, in keeping with its commitment made to restore local democracy in Guyana. “For General and Regional Elections, we are actually dealing with 10 ballot papers, because they are unique to each region. Given the feature of constituency representation and the fact that there are 585 constituencies within the 71 organs, it means there will be 585 unique ballot Turn to page 11 ►

Saturday, November 21, 2015

LGE for March 18 GUYANA CHRONICLE

Bulkan: ‘…the entire local gov’t system rotten’

By Ariana Gordon THE long delayed Local Government Elections (LGE) will be held on March 18 next year, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan announced yesterday morning at a news conference at his ministry. The hosting of LGE represents “an important time in our history,” he said, stressing that “the entire local government system is currently rotten and must be rehabilitated and made fully functional.” The polls will be held in the nine towns and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). Local government polls have not been held since 1994, although the Constitution stipulates that they are to be held every three years. Bulkan said yesterday that “democratic renewal of local government organs is long overdue.” The Minister of Communities also noted that “the last local government elections were held here in 1994. Since then, there have been several protests against the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) demanding that power be returned to the people to enable them to effectively manage their communities. “A functioning local government system is a fundamental aspect of democratic governance. It is important because it deals with people’s

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan addresses the media following the announcement of Local Government Elections in the presence of Minister within the Ministry of Communities Keith Scott, and other officials from the ministry

lives in their communities. Strong local government is at the heart of national development, because who wields decision-making power at the municipal and neighbourhood levels directly determine and decide where and how your tax dollars will be used to develop individual communities and ultimately, the nation,” he noted. As a result, Bulkan said development at every level is important and depends on a “strong system of good, democratic, effective and efficient local governance.” Citing Article 12 of the Constitution of Guyana which states that local government is an integral part of the democratic organisation of the State, Bulkan said government is committed to upholding the rule of law. ENCOURAGING CITIZEN’S INVOLVEMENT Local governments, he

said, are in place to provide essential services to the people and help to improve living conditions, create jobs, maintain roads, bridges and other infrastructure, garbage collections, and promoting a healthy environment while encouraging citizen’s involvement in their communities. “As Guyanese who have been living without a functioning local government system, we can all attest to the necessity of restoring and repairing the dysfunctional system which currently exists, since we have experienced the results of the collapse of local government systems,” said Bulkan. He gave the assurance that it is government’s intention by virtue of Article 74 of the Constitution of Guyana to empower local democratic organs to carry out their mandates as stated in Articles 74 and 75 of the Constitution “by replacing the heavy fist

of central government interference with the open hand of positive, helpful intervention to assist local bodies to do their work effectively. In other words, the relationship between central and local government must, and will, be altered and corrected in accordance with constitutional provisions.” “When we elect new local leaders on March 18, 2016, we will be making a break with the ways of the past; the new leaders will not just replace the old ones. The new, democratically elected officials will be empowered according to law, and they will be expected to perform their decision-making roles, according to law. They will not be subject to domination and control by central government,” the minister declared. Speaking to the history of the local government system, Bulkan said that local government was embedded in

Harmon says sorry for “no apology comment” AFTER it has been ventilated in the public and registered much public outcry, Minister of State Joseph Harmon yesterday apologised to the Guyanese people for saying that he has “no apologies” to make for increase salaries for Government Ministers and Parliamentarians. Subsequent to the revelation that increases for Government Ministers and Parliamentarians were forthcoming, Harmon had told reporters that he has “no apology” to make for the increases, arguing that they are “justifiable.” “I am not going to make any apology whatsoever for a minister getting an increase in salaries; they deserve it,” he was quoted as saying on October 6. His statement had suc-

ceeded moves by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan to increase the salaries. In keeping with an order gazetted by Jordan, the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo was now receiving an income of $20,580,000 per annum, as opposed to the $18,592,000 which was previously enjoyed. Every Vice President, with the exception of Nagamootoo, was to receive an income of $11,135,065 per annum. This translates to them receiving approximately $927,000 per month. Additionally, Cabinet members would receive $10,439,124 annually or approximately $869,927 monthly; while junior ministers are in line to receive approximately $695,000 monthly, or $8,346,492 per annum. Even Opposition

Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo stood to benefit from the move, with his salary being increased by 50 per cent. These revelations had attracted much public outcry with a protest even organised by Red Thread and civil society groups to express their dissatisfaction with the move. But after saying that the increases were justifiable and that the Government has no apologies to make, Harmon at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday humbly apologised to the Guyanese people, offering that those statements were made under certain circumstances. “I have made the statement and you would recall the circumstances under which it was made and I said I had ‘no apologies’ to make to the PPP. But in the event

that the Guyanese people, if they felt hurt or offended by it, I would say I apologise to them, not to the PPP, because I don’t think that they [PPP] deserve it,” he declared. Earlier this month, the Minister of State donated the increase in his salary for October to the people of Crane village on the West Coast of Demerara, which will be used for the installation of street lights in the village. He even announced his intention to donate the same amount from his November and December salaries to communities in Berbice and Essequibo. The PPP on the other hand, who had initially said through the Opposition Leader that they will not be accepting the increases, announced that they will donate same to the party.

Guyana’s system of political administration since1980. “This system of grassroots democracy was therefore bequeathed to us since 1980, but was, unfortunately, never properly implemented as it was intended to be. Today, we have the opportunity to transform Guyana by following the letter and spirit of the Constitution.” FIVE NEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION As a result, Bulkan said the country’s local government legislation was strengthened following local government reform shortly after the 1997 general elections. Five new pieces of legislation were enacted: The Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Act 2009; Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Act 2013; Fiscal Transfers Act 2013; Local Government Commission Act 2013; and the Local Government (Amendment) Act 2015.

Under the law, the newly elected local leaders will have the power to make decisions that will affect citizens and the way they live within the municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. “It is therefore important that each eligible voter casts a ballot, according to his or her conscience. If you do not vote, other people will choose local government officials without your input,” said Bulkan. INFORM YOURSELVES The Minister of Communities urged all citizens to familiarise themselves with each candidate and what is being offered. “Inform yourselves of what each candidate has to offer – listen to all of them – then cast your ballot based on the issues. Let us put the past behind us and move forward to a better life for all residents within our respective communities.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

Tucber Park robbery…

Accused says was at victim’s house for ‘weed’ payment ONE of the three persons accused of carrying out a brazen robbery attack on New Amsterdam businessman Nicholas Harrinandan, is claiming that he was at the businessman’s Tucber Park home not to rob him, but rather to collect payment for transporting “weed” for him. The revelation was made when the three accused in the break and enter of Harrinandan’s home appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Friday. The trio is accused of robbing Harrinandan and his wife of two cellular phones and cash. The three ac-

ROBBERY ACCUSED: Troyden Trellis

cused - Brian Dhanphat, Troyden Trellis and Kevin Sandy-were not required to plead to the indictable charge which states that on Saturday, November 14 while being armed with dangerous weapons (a gun and cutlass), they robbed Nicholas Harrinandan of one Blackberry cellular phone valued at $50,000 and $250,000 cash and his wife Uwattie Harrinandan of one Samsung Galaxy mini S4 cellular phone valued at $580,000. Police Prosecutor Sergeant Philip Sherriff told the court that Dhanphat was caught in the house and at

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20/11/2015

ROBBERY ACCUSED: Brian Dhanphat

ROBBERY ACCUSED: Kevin Sandy the time had the Blackberry phone in his possession. He said the firearm was also found at Lot 22/23 Nurseville Housing Scheme, Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, where Nicholas Harrinandan lives. Dhanphat, 25, of Smythfield, New Amsterdam, told the court that on the day in question, it was not a robbery. “Is drugs I traffic for the man. About 08:30 hrs, I get a call saying that he have five-pound weed to take to the back track.” According to Dhanphat, when he went to Harrinandan, who is also a pastor, he was given the “weed” and a

20/11/2015

Blackberry cellular phone to use and promised $60,000 on completion of the mission but was paid only $30,000 upon his return. “After I drop it off and go back to him, he only give me $30,000, so I tell he that is $60,000 we agree for an he end up raise up the chair cushion and pull out a gun and tell me that I should not move or go nowhere. After I see he [crank] the gun and put a cartridge inside, I charge he and we had a scuffle and all two ah we get marks of violence.” Dhanphat displayed his 14 chop wounds to his head and face as his marks of violence, as well as both hands and legs wrapped in bandages. He said he later received medical attention at the New Amsterdam Hospital. “Two officers beat me to call the names of the other two accused. Me and this man is not no friend or nothing,” the accused added. He noted that he also has a break and enter charge before the court, which is set for hearing on December 1 in New Amsterdam. Troyden Trellis, 20, a clothes vendor of Timmers Dam in Angoy’s Avenue,

20/11/2015

New Amsterdam, told the court that he was never around the robbery and didn’t know anything about the robbery. According to Trellis, he currently has a simple larceny charge before the court which comes up again on January 8. Kevin Sandy, 20, of Lot 58 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam and Diamond, East Bank Demerara also told the court that he was not around at the time of the robbery. Sandy also had an arrest warrant for not attending court since July on possession of arms and ammunition charges. It is alleged that on March 15, without being the holder of a firearm licence, he had in his possession one .22 Beretta pistol and two matching rounds. He was granted bail in the sum of $300,000 by Justice Ian Chang in the High Court on both charges. Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ordered that Sandy be remanded on both charges and the bail be returned to his mother. That matter will come up again on November 25, along with the Harrinandan robbery case.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

PM, APA agree on need for responsible mining

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has assured leaders of the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) that the Government of Guyana is committed to safe and responsible mining practices in areas close to our indigenous villages. Prime Minister Nagamootoo recently met with the organisation’s President Ms Jean La Rose and Laura George, the Programme Assistant. He noted that the Minister of Governance Raphael Tr o t m a n , t h e s u b j e c t minister with responsibility for mining, was visiting communities such as Jawalla and Isseneru, where reports of the erosion of river banks and pollution of river water have surfaced. The APA leaders said they are heartened at the commitment of the Prime Minister to a policy for safe mining that protects both the environment and the communities. “We do support a holistic approach in trying to reduce impacts and to ensure that there are equitable benefit-sharing in the communities, and for the use of best practices”, said Laura George, the Programme Assistant of APA. T h e A PA h o p e s t o be an Observer at the Fourth Negotiations of the Voluntary Partnership A g r e e m e n t ( V PA ) o f European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (EUFLEGT) between the Government of Guyana and the European Union (EU) scheduled for November

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is flanked by Jean La Rose (right) and Laura George 30 to December 4, 2015. The organisation has been supporting the discussions and plans on highlighting certain crucial concerns of the indigenous peoples. The two-member delegation emphasised the importance of completion of the land-titling process as well as safe mining practices in the lives of the indigenous peoples. The APA has also sent a representative to participate

in this year ’s Climate Change Conference in Paris. “We are prepared to work towards a ‘green economy’ as is being promoted by the Government of Guyana under the principles of good governance,” Ms George assured. Only last week Minister Trotman directed that mining works be immediately ceased by the operator of a water dredge in the area at Isseneru

pending a fact-finding mission to be conducted b y t h e m i n i s t r y. T h e order followed concerns and complaints from the Toshao and representatives of the village of Isseneru, Region 7. The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment had said that it will be fielding a team of relevant authorities and stakeholders to assess the water quality and other issues and concerns related

to pollution and adherence to boundary laws. This will allow for a final decision to be taken in this matter. Vi l l a g e l e a d e r s o f Isseneru have publicly raised a number of concerns on the health and well-being of residents, especially the children, since a number of mining concessions are being operated in close proximity to their village. The government has undertaken the task of addressing the issue of land management and the distribution of lands for various sectors in a holistic manner, with the intention of creating a National Land Use Policy to prevent these occurrences.

Guyana

5% pay hike for GPL workers By Ariana Gordon

EDITORIAL

Relevance of CARICOM to development THE philosophy that led to formation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is grounded in the collective determination of the region’s people and their development. Consequently, a number of attendant institutions were established with the aim of harnessing the cultural, economic, political and social resources of the region for the empowerment of its people. The vision and goals of the Founding Fathers (Forbes Burnham, Errol Barrow, Eric Williams and Michael Manley) were premised on indigenous programme, utlising the resources of the region towards satisfying the needs of the region, and competing internationally. Ideas emerged, such as using the energy resources of Trinidad and bauxite of Jamaica and Guyana to produce aluminium, rather than exporting the raw material to the developed world to be processed. It was also determined that while Caribbean islands concentrate on tourism and Trinidad and Tobago on manufacturing; Guyana, with its vast landmass, would be tasked with the responsibility of producing most of the food. In that regional bodies recently engaged in discussions about the region’s food bill with an aim that includes channelling a focus on indigenous production and re-acculturation to taste, this focus serves as reminder that the vision of the Founding Fathers remains relevant. In addition to the region shouldering a staggering and unsustainable food import bill of more than US$2B, it serves as a reminder of the untapped potential within the region. The need to engage in a sustained indigenous programme has been tried before with measured success. Guyana, for instance, had a self-sustainable development policy that saw the canning of local food and fruits made into preserves for local and foreign consumption. It would be remembered that our dried carambola (five-finger) was exported to the European market, bringing much-needed foreign exchange. This country still has room to create a 21st century manufacturing hub that would advance the nation from a primary product producer to being a value-added one. As a nation that produces sugar in abundance, with the price of sugar falling on the world market, opportunities exist for value added production in confectionery and so forth. Staples such as rice, cassava, plantain, breadfruit and other ground provisions can see value-added in the form of cereals, flour and toiletries, in addition to their also being seen as healthy alternatives

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

THE Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) yesterday signed a new wages agreement with the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) that will see GPL workers receiving a five percent increase in wages and salaries for the 2015 calendar year. The December 2014 basic salary will be used as the base for application of the five percent salary increase. The workers will also receive a performance incentive award. GPL has agreed to pay a one-off lump sum payment of $10,000 per month or $120,000 for the entire year, or prorated as the case maybe for each employee. The power company and the union agreed to increase the meal allowance provided

to workers effective January 1 this year to $1,000. This will be applied in accordance with the stipulations and eligibility regarding the clause as outlined in the substantive agreement between the two entities. PRODUCTIVE NEGOTIATIONS Bal Persaud, Human Resource Director at GPL, said the negotiations leading to the agreement were productive and resulted in only two meetings. This, he said, is a good sign. “Paramount in our minds is the development of GPL as an efficient, high- performing and well functioning state agency. Our customers and our chief stakeholders will look forward to nothing else from us. I am happy to say that I am of the feeling that we are on that road,” said

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle hands over the new wages and salaries agreement to NAACIE General Secretary Kenneth Joseph to wheat. To some extent there has been movement, such as in ethanol from sugar and the re-opening of a cassava mill; but this new era must see new challenges set and boundaries surpassed. While CARICOM countries are signatories to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), nothing prevents the region, individually or collectively, from creating a thriving cottage industry which would not only see opportunities for income generation, but would also generate pride in production. It ought to raise eyebrows that the region is yet to take its competitive place among other nations. This can be easily gleaned in a visit to the market, where plantain chips and herbal teas, for instance -- which can be produced locally -are sold with labels showing they were imported from Central America, USA or Britain. Products made in China are being sold in the region at prices that force local manufacturers out of business --affecting employment and income for locals. At the regional level, bringing the people together in co-opetition, a term that speaks to competitive cooperation at inter-organisational or intra-organisational levels, is deserving of attention. Co-opetition allows for member states to collectively engage in research and development even as they compete for markets. Competition, grounded by strong universal guidelines, allows for the unleashing of potential; sharing of ideas; and looking at who best can produce what, at what cost, and with what resources. Building on the premises that guided regional forerunners

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle presents the new wages and salaries agreement to GPL Human Resource Director Bal Persaud Persaud. The human resource director added that “Come January we will embark on the new negotiations. Waiting until year-end would become a thing of the past as the union and GPL intend to work towards new agreements earlier. “We don’t have to wait until December again when we have to huddle and be under a lot of constraints of time and expectations to arrive at a new agreement. I want to thank the union, its members, I know you are hard negotiators …I am very happy and delighted.” Meanwhile, NAACIE’s General Secretary Kenneth Joseph said he too is pleased that his union and the power company were able to come to an agreement within two weeks. “We only started negotiating a matter of two weeks ago, and it is good that we could end up at this level. I remember when we spoke at the last meeting,

the guys were ready to sign, but we said let’s get back to our members,” said Joseph. He like Persaud said that negotiations between the two entities should begin earlier. “We are hoping now that as soon as the year begins we can start negotiating for 2016 and onwards.” The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle and Consultant to the Department of Labour Francis Carryl. In brief remarks, Ogle said the level of maturity demonstrated by both GPL and NAACIE spoke volumes. He noted that it is because of the maturity of the entities that the Department of Labour did not have to intervene. “Collective bargaining must always be a priority,” he said. He urged both parties to demonstrate maturity in the future and work towards the benefit of workers.

is also useful. There was a time where Guyana bought soap from the Commonwealth of Dominica at a higher price relative to cost outside the region. Such act was guided by the principle underpinning sustainable development, inclusive of opportunities for the region’s people. Trinidad, as the oil producing country, gave credit to member states like Guyana with the aim of ensuring the industries of production in the various regions were operational. Other benefits were employment across the region, and minimisation of large scale migration with potential for creating shocks to social system, contributing to inner city slums, increasing poverty, etc. Possibilities are within reach. The presence of indigenous education, Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), National Agriculture Research Institution (NARI), the Caribbean Agriculture, Research Development Institute (CARDI) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) are institutions providing the needed foundational pillars to unleash, harness and support the region’s intellectual (human) capital. As a new era of development approaches, wherein the world intends to make real the establishment of a Green Economy, it is apposite to note that the dreams and aspirations of CARICOM are still relevant to development today. The region stands on the foundation needed to guide actions that would not only see reduction in its Food Bill, but also ensure food security; putting its people’s to work, and ultimately development for the benefit of all.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

Guyana maintains ‘juridical’ route - in Venezuela border discussions with departing UN team

By Ariana Gordon MINISTER of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge, believes that ongoing discussions hosted by the UN Mission dispatched by the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, will be completed early next year. Greenidge, in an

invited comment, told this publication that “a few more cycles” left before the UN Secretary General chooses “a means of resolution.” The Foreign Affairs Minister’s comments came following the conclusion of meetings held in Guyana over the past two days between the Government of Guyana and the UN

Mission team headed by Susanna Malcorra, Chef de Cabinet. Guyana has maintained that the juridical route is best suited to bring an end to the ongoing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. Venezuela, on the other hand, has called for the restart of the Good Officer’s

Process. The UN Secretary General has, over the past few months, dispatched a UN Mission to both countries aimed at bringing to an end the age old border controversy. The UN Mission which arrived in Guyana on Thursday and are leaving today comprised of Yvette Blanco, David Hutchinson

Govt steps in to diffuse row at Ogle Airport MEMBERS of the National Air Transport Association (NATA) a n d C o r re i a G ro u p have agreed to submit crucial documentations to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) pertaining to the operations at Ogle International Airport (OIA), with the view of reaching an amicable solution to defuse the ongoing dispute between the two parties. The compromise was met when David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI) held discussions w i t h N ATA o n Wednesday, November 18 and Correia Group on November 19, 2015 a t h i s Wi g h t ’s L a n e o ff i c e . “ We n e e d t o come to a practicable solution. The two groups will put forward their necessary documentations and objections. I will review same, and make a submission to His Excellency President David Granger. I am

and Guillermo Kendall. Greenidge anticipates that by early next year the UN Secretary General may be in a better position to make a decision. The UN Mission paid a

Haslington man jailed for cocaine trafficking Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson meeting with members of NATA hopeful it will be something that both parties can work with for the benefit for the aviation sector,” Patterson disclosed to the Ministry’s Public Relations desk. B o t h p a r t i e s a re required by submit the following to Minister Patterson at the earliest opportunity: Articles of Incorporation of all operators at OIA; Copy of the Lease

between Corporative Republic of Guyana and OIA; Aircraft Owners Association Inc. original documentation; Lease Agreement, i.e, copies for all lessees; Cabinet decision issued, which was presented by former Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn; A summation pointing out the difference

Granny murder trial …

Witness denies ‘prop up’ allegation - defence counsel fined $5,000 for turning up late at court By Michel Outridge DEFENCE Counsel Moti Singh yesterday called Susan Weekes to the witness box to testify under oath and there she detailed the events of June 30, 2011, the night Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris was gunned down in her Robb Street home by one of two men. The woman told the court that she received a telephone

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

courtesy call on President David Granger and held meetings with Greenidge a n d o t h e r o ff i c i a l s o f the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Those discussions are intended to inform the Secretary General’s choice to a resolution. The Mission’s visits to Guyana are part of an ongoing effort of the UN Secretary General to assist both Guyana and Venezuela in the search for a solution to the controversy that arose f ro m t h e Ve n e z u e l a n contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899, that established the land boundary between the new countries are null and void, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

call stating that her foster brother Kevin October, who is the number two accused in the murder of the 72-yearold woman, was in police custody at Brickdam Police Station. She was told to take food for him, which she did and she saw him in the lock-ups area where she waved to him and asked if he was alright. He said “yes” and she left after she was told to uplift his

car keys from the Enquiries Office. Weeks further testified that she returned to the same station on July 1, 2011 and October was still in the lockups and again she took a meal for him. Under cross-examination by State Prosecutor Teshanna James-Lake, Weeks said there was no reason to lie because she could vividly recall the day in question when her

in requirements and operational procedures between Ogle Airport Inc. and O I A . A d d i t i o n a l l y, it was requested by Minister Patterson that both parties refrain from making public pronouncements until the issues/differences of the two groups are resolved. (Ministry of Public Infrastructure) relative was at the Brickdam Station in the lock-ups. When questioned, she stated that it was not the first time October was in police custody and she was never asked to give a statement to that effect. Weekes said she was not there to “prop up” for her foster brother, but to tell the truth when the Prosecutor put it to her that she was there in court to fabricate that bit of evidence. Defence Counsel George Thomas also made his submissions in court for the number one accused Orwin Hinds, while Moti Singh also made his closing remarks for the number two accused, Kevin October. Raymond Alli later made his submission for the number three accused Cleon Hinds and Maxwell McKay also closed for the number

AN Haslington East Coast Demerara man was on Friday jailed for three years and fined $30,000 after being found guilty for cocaine trafficking. Police said in a release that about 11:30h Friday ranks conducted a search on the home of Randolph Moore, 58 years, of Haslington New Scheme, ECD, during which 11 grams of cocaine were found. Moore was He was charged with trafficking in narcotics and appeared before Magistrate Ms. Alicia George at the Vigilance Magistrate Court. He pleaded “guilty” and was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined $30,000. Meanwhile, in another case during Friday police again conducted a search on a house at Middle Walk, Buxton, ECD, during which 355 grams of marijuana were found. A man has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigations. four accused, Roy Jacobs. The trial will continue on Monday morning when the State is expected to make its closing submission before Justice Navindra Singh’s summation and a verdict by the 12-member jury. Orin Hinds, called “Redman” of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara; Kevin October called “Troy” of Second Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Cleon Hinds; and Roy Jacobs called “Chippie” or “Black Boy” of Evans Street, Charlestown, are currently facing Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed 12-member jury for the murder. According to the indictment, the four men murdered Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris pursuant to an arrangement, whereby money was to be passed from one person to

another. On the evening of June 30, 2011, two men went to Fiedtkou-Parris’s Robb Street home asking for “Auntie,” a sobriquet or nickname by which she was called. They were directed up a side step and as Fiedtkou-Parris emerged from her bedroom, one of the men pulled out a gun and shot her several times to the upper part of her body. The men then jumped into a waiting car while the injured woman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. Meanwhile, defence counsel Maxwell McKay was held in contempt of court for arriving late and he was fined $5000 which he will have to pay within seven days or face imprisonment.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

Get on the ‘unity train’ …gov’t urges PPP after unity talks snub By Ravin Singh NATIONAL unity is no longer an option for the Government, but rather a requirement which must be realised in this existing multi-ethnic society, says Minister of State Joseph Harmon. He was at the time speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing held yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency at Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. Responding to questions about whether the government will consider the conditions laid out by the opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for any form of unity talks, Harmon maintained an earlier position that the coalition government remains open to national unity talks with the PPP, even with the possibility of them (government) examining the conditions of the PPP objectively. However, he observed that the preferred route of the PPP is to ventilate their position through the media, but as a responsible party, if the PPP has concerns regarding this

issue, there are appropriate mechanisms through which they can express this. “They can write [to] the government or the Leader of the Opposition himself has access to the President through which those things can be communicated,” he said, adding that this is the way responsible parties operate. “You don’t just get up on a Monday morning and decide that national unity can’t work because of A, B, C and D and release it in the newspaper. If you are serious about national unity, you don’t just get up and change the goal post,” Minister Harmon stated. OPEN TO CONVERSATION But the executive arm will not play around with words and according to Harmon, the government takes seriously their engagements with stakeholders, issues of national importance which are geared towards moving Guyana forward. And for this reason, they remain open to

conversation with the PPP on the issue of national unity. He reflected too on the role of the Ministry of Social Cohesion which he said was not established as a “gimmick,” but to demonstrate the seriousness which the government places on national unity and fostering social cohesion in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. In that light the government is actively pursuing ways to erode the divisive culture of racism and classism which has over the years plagued Guyana’s historical identity. At the May 11 polls the PPP secured 202,000 votes, with most of these votes being recorded in Indo-populated areas. The APNU+AFC coalition on the other hand gleaned a winning 207,000 votes from more diverse communities through a campaign of national unity. Against this setting, the minister told reporters yesterday that it has been recognised at all stages that what is needed in Guyana is a ‘Government of National

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

Unity’ since no party contesting the last General Elections can claim an absolute majority. “We did not believe that any party gaining 51, 52 or 53 per cent of the votes can claim that they have 100 per cent,” he said, noting that in some democracies when some parties are awarded 30 per cent of the votes they celebrate. He cited the case of the

“National unity to us is not an option; national unity to us is a requirement; a prerequisite for us to move this country forward” - Minister of State Joseph Harmon winning party in the recently held elections in Canada which only received thirty-something per cent of the votes because of the electoral structure. As such, he reiterated that with the disparity in voting choices, and the neck-in-neck situation which usually exists at general elections, no party should claim absolute majority, which reinforces the need for a national unity front. NOT WHERE WE SHOULD BE IN 2015 “Unless we are able to engage the energies of all Guyanese, then we would never be able to move this country at the pace which is required for us to catch up with the rest of the world. We are, based on our resources and our geographic space, not where we should be in 2015,” he pointed out. Singapore was used as his

measuring rod to highlight the fact that this country, which had gained independence a year before Guyana, had achieved the rank of a first world country in 2014, while Guyana remains listed as a third world country. But this was achieved by Singapore because there was heavy investment in the human capital of the country, particularly the public service, Harmon said. Following suit, he disclosed that this is what Guyana is currently doing. The move to establish a Public Service Staff College, he noted, is an indication of this effort. He also acknowledged that there is no need to reinvent the wheel in several initiatives in an attempt to move a country forward, since there are successful examples and precedents in the world on how this can be achieved.

Hughes takes aim at cyber bullies …wants law to punish women abusers on social media By Vanessa Braithwaite MINISTER of Tourism, Cathy Hughes has urged that legislation be drafted to punish persons who abuse women holding public office on social media. She made the suggestion at a forum hosted by the Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership on Friday at Parliament Buildings. At the forum, representatives of CIWiL and the UN Women held discussions with female ministers of the Government and Members of Parliament on how they could eradicate gender inequality that is plaguing our nation and other countries in the region. The Institute for Women’s Leadership has been working assiduously with international bodies in the region as they aim to promote gender equality and the inclusion of women in leadership positions. Referring to the recently formed National Assembly in Canada where there is 50% female representatives, the UN Women Deputy Director, Ms. Tonni Brodber is aiming to create such a gender balance in

Participants at yesterday’s forum hosted by the Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership at Parliament Buildings

our political arena and society. A strategic plan was presented to the politicians and MPs as a guide to conduct workshops and seminars with the expectation of a particular output level. This was acknowledged by Clerk of Parliament, Sherlock Isaacs who embraces the vision of CIWiL. “We should not only strive for gender equality in Parliament but in society as a whole,” posited Isaacs. He alluded to the significant increase of 30% in female parliamentary representatives but agrees that this can be improved in an effort to balance the figures. REALITIES According to Ms. Unamay

Gordon, CIWiL Coordinator, their reward for hard work is evident as it is now claimed that “women are taking over while men are being marginalised.” This will not allow her team to become complacent in their effort to fight for gender equality as too many women are still suffering from prejudices and stereotypes. Gordon lamented that the figures of women being abused, raped, confined to the home, marrying very young without their consent and refused educational and employment opportunities are still high within the region. Domestic roles attached to women can be deemed as a barrier to political represen-

tation and women should be cognisant of the modern era in which we live. Unfortunately, we still live in a society where women are allotted low paying jobs compared to men and gender bias roles are still attached to them. Politics and national security making are dominated by males in Guyana, according to Ms. Paulette Henry, Head of the Department of Sociology, University of Guyana. “Gender equality is a prerequisite to sustainable development and women should continue to fight for a voice and fight to represent themselves,” she urged. SUCCESSES The CIWiL has alluded to several successes since its launching. The representatives have completed several training stints with women who were campaigning during election periods to effectively serve their party and their country by representing women and even mentoring those at the grass root level. They have also conducted several researches so as to understand hindrances to gender equality.

Several networking opportunities were established as a means of support and motivation from fellow female leaders. RECOMMENDATIONS It was recommended by the female politicians to the CIWiL representatives that systematic funding be made available to women who wish to advocate or represent a particular cause through public office. Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes, articulated that women may be willing but are unable to materialise their initiative through insufficient funding. “What will CIWiL do to help funding in this situation?” asked Hughes. She said this is a fundamental gap missing in Guyana that needs urgent attention if CIWiL wishes to see improvement. In addition, Minister Hughes recommended that legislation be implemented to prosecute persons who verbally abuse women of public office especially on social media. This, she said, can be deemed as a demotivating factor in women

volunteering to take up public office. A number of countries have taken steps to develop national legislation that reflects the commitments made at the International level to prevent discrimination against women. To address social media’s attack on women, to counter this unfortunate challenge, it was recommended that women highlight themselves in a positive way with their positive contributions to their country. This will decrease the level of sexual objectivity attached to women. In addition, it was recommended that women have their own parliamentary front to deal with their own issues. The CIWiL was conceptualised in 2005 and launched in 2009. It is a non-Governmental, non-political, non-partisan organisation which is funded mainly by the UN Women organisation. Currently CIWiL is conducting a series of consultations within the Caribbean region. Last week they were in Jamaica and next week they will be in St. Kitts and Nevis.

GUYANA CHRONICLE

Saturday, November 21, 2015

More crime fighters for border ...Granger promises security revamp by 2017 By Rabindra Rooplall GUYANA’S security sector will be totally reformed by 2017 to combat the overlapping crimes that are imported onto the coastland from the borders, according to President David Granger. In a U.S. report, it was noted that cocaine flowed across Guyana’s remote, uncontrolled borders and coast, while weapons smuggling and trafficking in persons are also a major issue. In an interview at the Ministry of the Presidency, the Guyanese Head of State noted that “we are aware of the size of the problem; the coastland alone is nearly 450 kilometres, and the borders with Brazil, which is one of the largest producers of small arms, Venezuela and Suriname pose their own risks. What has started to happen and I think some other politicians don’t realise is that there is going to be a much greater deployment of the Defence

Force in the hinterland on borders; secondly, the police are right now moving horses into some hinterland areas so that they can conduct mounted patrols so that gasoline vehicles are not a necessity in those areas.” BRITISH GOV’T SUPPORT He explained that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will be having more effective control over the security systems within the country as the British Government is currently working on an assessment aimed at restarting the Security Sector Reform Programme here. The British Government is supporting the programme, and President Granger has repeatedly spoken of the need to have the programme here. “We need to deal with the public security problem, and I have approached the British Government to restore the Security Sector Reform Plan,”

Granger previously noted. In 2007, the US$4.7B project was implemented but was scrapped in 2009 after the British Government had requested to have oversight of the programme to ensure that there was “value for money.” The former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration had disagreed with the manner in which the British Government had wanted the programme to be run, and had stated that the British sought to intrude upon Guyana’s sovereignty. ON THE BORDERS However, President Granger said “we are aware of the problems and we are taking a very decisive step to give the police and army the assets, so that the crimes that occur on the borders, trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in weapons, trafficking in persons are not imported onto the coastland. The crime starts there, guns don’t drop from the air, the guns come across the bor-

tackling piracy. “So we do have a plan and that calls for giving the police force better assets.” The Commander-in-Chief said that senior officers and policemen who are responsible for interior divisions and locations, are now being placed closer to the areas and regions where they have a hands-on approach to be involved in more aviation, maritime and riverine craft patrols which will be provided as part of an unfolding strategy for security breaches.

President David Granger

der, cocaine comes across the border.” Underscoring the need for more surveillance aircraft because the distances are great along the coastland, the President said air support is needed to suffocate and clamp down on piracy as it would also require better coastal vessels. Over the last six months government has hired civilian aircraft, but the Head of State said this can be very expensive, especially when

GDF gives veterans $1M ARMY Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips yesterday presented cheques worth $1M to President of the Guyana Veterans League (GVL) retired Lieutenant-Colonel George Gomes. The handing over of the cheques was done after the official wreath-laying ceremony to observe Veterans Day at the Veterans’ Monument on the lawns of Base Camp Ayanganna. It was done in the presence of His Excellency President David Granger and other senior past and present members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). In remarks, Brigadier Phillips explained that lots of things have happened for veterans in a short space of time, and the wreath-laying ceremony for the men and women who had served in the army of British Guiana and in the GDF remains a very significant event. He said the event is indeed an acknowledgement of the service given by the former members of the army, who provided service in defence of Guyana and in support of diplomacy to safeguard Guyana’s national interest. The contributions of

tivities of the Guyana Veterans Legion,” Phillips noted, as he wished the veterans a happy Veterans’ Day. The money provided to the veterans is in keeping with the GDF’s mandate to support veterans who had served the army of British Guiana and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and to support the work and programmes of the Guyana Veterans’ Legion. The Veterans Legion comprises servicemen and women who had served in World Wars I and II and ex-service men and women of the British Guiana Volunteer Force and the Guyana Defence Force. There also exist sister ex-GDF

ROLE FOR CITIZENS Meanwhile, he also explained that citizens can also assist through their churches, mosques, mandirs and non-governmental organisations in taking stronger roles in assisting the State with the development of society. “We want to see parents more involved in their children’s lives so that they are not exposed to the type of extremism which would lead them in getting involved in any type of crime.

At the community level I would like to see a new thrust towards community policing,” he declared. He explained that community policing doesn’t mean giving people handcuffs, batons and blue t-shirts, but it’s a form of relationship between the community and the police. “I would like to see in the weeks and months to come that the Community Policing Group (CPG) system would be transformed into one in which the police commanders and citizens can sit down and decide how those communities are protected,” he said. He observed that in some instances, citizens feel they are deprived of the protection of the police. “Now I see a community policing system in which the police are aware of these vulnerabilities and take preventative action…In schools we must inculcate the values of respect for each other…a lot can be done but it’s not the responsibility of the State alone.”

organisations in other parts of the world, including in North America. Some members of those organisations were present at yesterday’s wreath-laying ceremony. Responding, President of the Guyana Veterans’ Legion, Lieutenant-Colonel (ret’d) George Gomes, said yesterday’s occasion makes the former servicemen and women feel as though they have returned home. Gomes pointed out that young people enlisting in the Guyana Defence Force are actually giving the country of their birth the highest level of service that anyone can give, since they are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of laying down their lives for the country. “It is for this reason that the government of the day has an obligation to ensure

that (its) soldiers are properly looked after,” Gomes said. He reminded the gathering that every single soldier will one day become a veteran, and he said some soldiers would soon join the Guyana Veterans’ Legion. He said the organisation is not an old people’s organisation, but is one that exists to ensure promotion and maintenance of harmony and camaraderie among veterans in Guyana’s past and present military organisations; to establish and maintain an effective network of communication, linking the veterans; to provide welfare support to veterans who become aged, disabled, and/or indigent; and to maintain a close relationship with the Guyana Defence Force.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger lays a wreath at the Veterans’ Monument on the lawns of Base Camp Ayanganna

the former servicemen and women have advanced the development and protection of democracy in Guyana, he said, and the serving members of the GDF will forever be grateful in that regard. He acknowledged the recent move by President David Granger, a retired head of the GDF, to establish a National Veterans Commission in keeping with resolution 60 passed by the National Assembly in No-

vember 2013. He reminded the gathering that the commission would investigate and accordingly recommend actions to be taken to improve the circumstances of military veterans. “We in the Force, as we observe our anniversary, we all remain committed to the welfare and well-being of our military veterans, and we continue to support the operations of the National Veterans Home and the ac-

Army Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips presenting cheques worth $1M to President of the Guyana Veterans League (GVL), retired Lieutenant-Colonel George Gomes

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

Chinese doctors put Economy gets $3B five ‘under the knife’ injection in contracts – at Suddie By Navendra Seoraj

WITHIN hours of their commencing operations at the Suddie Hospital in Essequibo yesterday, a 14-member team of doctors from the 11th Chinese Medical Brigade to Guyana had a number of Essequibo residents benefiting immensely from their work, as they successfully completed five surgeries -- one being a plastic surgery -- along with several screening exercises and check-ups. Under leadership of Dr. Wang Yongxiang, this efficient team of medical professionals has left many Essequibians in awe and wonderment at the fantastic job they performed yesterday. Speaking with the Chronicle, Dr. Yongxiang said: “Every medical team from China to Guyana has been tasked with completing two of these

outreach programmes during their tenure. However, with the response and the correspondence we got from these patients here, we have been motivated and are willing to carry out more (operations), once called upon.” The team comprised a General Surgeon, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon, Radiologist, Pathologist, Internal Medical Specialist, General Medical Officers and a Gynaecologist. Quite a number of patients were attended to for various illnesses which fell under the specialty of the Chinese doctors. They were either treated on the spot, underwent surgeries, or were recommended for specific medication. The highlight of the day was, however, the successful completion of five surgeries in a matter of hours. One particular patient, whose face was disfigured, got her dream surgery, as the lone plastic surgeon on the team success-

fully completed her surgery. Patients told this publication of their great delight to have been attended to by these Chinese professionals, whom they said were both effective and efficient. Some patients even said they had been ill for quite some time, but were constrained to travel to Georgetown for proper examination and treatment. They deemed this initiative by the medical brigade as ideal, because it gave them the opportunity to be properly examined. The medical brigade also donated to the hospital a quantity of supplies ranging from surgical instruments to a nebulizer and protective gloves. Management of the hospital thanked the brigade for its great work and contribution of medical supplies, and urged them to return sometime in the future to visit the Suddie Hospital.

The Chinese Medical Team yesterday at the hospital

Dr. Yongxiang hands over equipment to the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Asraha Khan, in the presence of the hospital management and other members of the brigade (Samuel Maughn photos)

By Rabindra Rooplall GOVERNMENT has approved $2.9 billion worth in infrastructure development contracts while contractors are advised to secure employment in those communities that works are being executed. At a post-Cabinet press briefing Friday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Minister of State Joseph Harmon said the billions in contracts which was given the ‘green light’ by Cabinet will give the economy an injection and stimulus of cash that will ensure work is available. Harmon said he is satisfied at the pace at which the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is handling matters up to the contract stage. “It is our hope that once these contracts are awarded that works will commence before the end of 2015 so that all of these communities can see steps taken by the Government to make sure the government

has a better life,” Harmon noted. He said lights will also be installed in all the communities that are being provided with infrastructural development. Harmon said, too, that the roads will be asphalted and the Public Works Ministry will have an inspectorate division that will be executing quality control tests. “I would like to also encourage residents in these areas to be the watch dog over the work that is being done in communities by contractors. It makes no sense that a contractor is being paid the money and the work is not done to the specification and then the community complains afterwards,” Harmon advised citizens “Hold these contractors to a stand, check the work they are doing, when inspectors come around, you can report to them to the NDCs, RDCs, and ultimately report to the Public Infrastructure Ministry.” The contracts are as follow:

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

Critical areas of Guyana still to be mapped – Education Minister By Shauna Jemmott

MINISTER of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, has urged the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) community to use GIS Day as an example in guiding politicians into reconciliation and mutual co-operation, just as they serve government in mapping critical areas of our country. The minister was addressing an audience of students, educators and various professionals at a ceremony to commemorate internationally acclaimed GIS Day under the theme: ‘Past accomplishments by Guyanese, present developments in Guyana’ at the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT) of the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen campus on Wednesday. A geographic information system is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, and present all types of spatial or geographical data and is critical for democratic participation, assisting central government

in crafting appropriate national plans for communities. “Just as I expect the GIS community to serve government, both the Executive and Legislature, in mapping the unexplored and undocumented areas of our country, perhaps you can also use today as an example in guiding some of our political actors into the largely unexplored territory of reconciliation and mutual cooperation,” Minister Roopnaraine voiced. The event, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (SEES), University of Guyana, and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), featured presentations by various organisations and institutions on the use of the GIS applications to better manage resources. Government, in its campaigns and manifesto, has outlined plans for Guyana’s development and in order to fulfil its policy mandate, GIS has an important role to play in information-gathering and structure.

Guyana is relatively small with a significant section of its population dwelling in remote areas which are partially documented, though rich in human and natural resources. Accurate mapping of these areas is not only “metaphorical or abstract priority, but also a very literal one”, the Education Minister posited. GIS capacity development is becoming “increasingly critical” in assisting government in moving Guyana towards a guaranteed good life for all its citizens, and in democratic integration, “developmental decision-making has to be decentralised” through processes beginning with local government elections. Over the years he said, while the education system has expanded, there was a decline in the overall quality of education since the ministry was challenged with adequately crafting programmes which accurately reflected the priorities of some communities. “Even as we deal with a streamlined core curriculum, the reality of public

education provision is far more complex. As education has expanded over the years, we have not been able to adequately craft programmes that accurately reflect the priorities of the various communities we are obligated to and the result contributed to a decline in the overall quality of education as well as great disparity in results,” he told the gathering. As Education Minister, he understands the need for “drastic education reform to correct those disparities” and his ministry is working assiduously to ensure that is accomplished, taking advantage of the GIS. The remarkable range of GIS applications includes disaster management, epidemiology, telecommunication, resource management, and political planning. GIS Day provided an international forum for users of GIS technology to demonstrate real-world applications that are making a difference in our society. Meanwhile, companies that made presentations on the various uses of GIS were Conservation Inter-

Department of Natural Resources and the environment employee Haimwant Persaud making a presentation on the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in building an enterprise

national on the use of GIS to identify priority areas for biodiversity; the Central Housing and Planning Authority on its use for residential settlement development; the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) on its use for 3D location analysis

GECOM to get...

Minister of Education Dr Rupert Roopnaraine among the audience at the GIS Day ceremony Wednesday

2016 pension book distribution begins Monday THE Ministry of Social Protection will begin the distribution of booklets to senior citizens who qualify for pension in 2016. The distribution begins on Monday, November 23, 2015 at various locations across the country. The Ministry is advising eligible senior citizens to check the Sunday newspapers for details on the

centre nearest to them and the date and time for distribution at that centre. Only pensioners can uplift their booklets. If the pensioner is unable to personally uplift his or her 2016 pension booklet due to medical reasons, kindly contact the Ministry on the following telephone numbers: 2256212, 223-6027, 225-6545 & 225-6202 or the number listed for the District Office for the book to be delivered to their home.

papers for each of those constituencies,” Minister Bulkan explained. And in response to criticisms that the APNU+AFC coalition government has been pressured into setting a date for Local Government Elections, Minister Bulkan said it is the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that should hang its head in shame for failing to fulfil the promise made to the people of Guyana. “In fact, it was the PPP who, prior to the 2011 elections, made a solemn pledge and a promise to hold Local Government Elections within one year,” if they were elected, the minister said. Despite this commitment, during the life of the 10th Parliament, the PPP refused to make good on its promise. “When the Local Government Elections Amendment Bill was brought to the National Assembly in February 2014, which provided for the holding of Local Government Elections by December, 2014, it was the APNU

of high-risk areas; Guyana Power and Light (GPL) for its use in spatial data collection for electric utilities; Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (DNRE) on its use for building an enterprise, and SEES UG on its use for an urban fire-risk assessment.

From page 2

that brought an amendment requiring that those elections be held by the 1st August 2014,” Minister Bulkan recalled. While in Opposition during the 10th Parliament, APNU and AFC had used their combined majority to pass the amendment to the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2014, setting August 1, 2014 as the date by which Local Government Elections should have been held. The Bill was initially put before the House in January by then Local Government and Regional Development Minister Ganga Persaud, before he stepped down from office. In February, when it was presented for the second time by the then Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, it was the intention of the PPP Government to postpone the long awaited elections for the 17th time; and though the then Opposition was successful in passing the Amendment, the then President, Donald Ramotar, never

signed it into law. “It was then Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger, who wrote to President Donald Ramotar requesting, or possibly demanding, that he (should) name a date for the holding of Local Government Elections, which was met with an unsuccessful response,” the Communities Minister further recalled. Subsequently, President Granger, in the capacity as Leader of the Opposition, made an address to the nation in September, announcing the importance of having Local Government Elections. This announcement was followed by a series of picketing exercises in front of the then Office of the President. “The PPP, or the former administration, were the ones who showed marked reluctance for the holding of Local Government Elections. It was the APNU, when it was in opposition, who was demanding that these elections be held,” Minister Bulhan recalled.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

Remittances down, as global economy contracts Finance Minister:

IN a gradually contracting global economy where commodity-producing countries continue to record a crippling growth rate, the seven pillars of Guyana’s economy: sugar, rice, bauxite, gold, diamonds, timber and remittances have all suffered major setbacks for the first time in recent memory. This revelation was made by Minister of Finance Winston Jordan on Wednesday, during his address to participants at the opening of the 47th edition of the Annual Monetary Studies Conference hosted by the Bank of Guyana. These major setbacks, the minister said, are a result of Guyana not being spared the backlash of weakening global economic performance. In 2014, commodity-producing economies recorded a weak growth rate of 2.5 per cent, which was a reduction from the 3.2 per cent achieved in 2013, partly due to the drastic drop in commodity prices in the latter part of 2014. The Caribbean Region’s average performance in external accounts deteriorated, with the average deficit on the current account increas-

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

ing from 8.6 per cent of GDP to 9.2 per cent between 2013 and 2014. Only Trinidad and Tobago, it was noted, had recorded a surplus of 4.8 percent of GDP in 2014. But even in this case, the performance had deteriorated from a surplus of 7 per cent of GDP in 2013. Additionally, in all other countries, deficits were recorded in 2014. The tourism-based economies of Jamaica, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), however, were able to reduce their deficits relative to 2013. But despite this, the In-

ternational Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the Region will grow by approximately 2.2 per cent in 2015, and improving to 2.4 per cent in 2016. And according to Minister Jordan, this marginal improvement is unlikely to be reflected in commodity-producing countries, the outlook of which is for generally slower growth relative to service-based economies. However, as it is presently, with the existing conditions of the regional and global financial sectors, Minister Jordan revealed that for the first time in recent memory, the seven pillars that have been the foundation of the economy’s upbringing continue to suffer. Remittances, which are considered the seventh pillar and account for more than 25 per cent of the country’s GDP, have also recorded a decline. “Remittances are critically important for poverty reduction across the Region and every effort must be made to ensure that the Region continues to have access to that flow,” he noted. Remittances to Guyana amounted to US$415 million ($86,506,748,733) in 2013 – a $54 million decline from

2012 when the figure stood at over $97.8 billion, the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group had said. The figure also represents close to 17 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). “Remittance flows to Latin America and the Caribbean remain an important source of income for millions of poor and vulnerable families,” said MIF General Manager Nancy Lee. “Remittance recipients need more access to financial tools that will help them use remittances to save and make investments for their future in areas like education, housing, and starting and growing businesses.” In 2014, remittances amounted to US$438M. But with 35 years of experience in the financial sector, Minister Jordan suggested that one of the most intractable problems which Guyana faces is the weakness of the country’s external accounts. Offering what he described as the obvious solution to this mostly deteriorated performance in the Region, the minister expressed

that persistent and sustained growth of the Region’s economies, while steadily reducing or managing macro-economic and financial vulnerabilities, is the key to addressing this issue. An important area for action, Jordan opines, is the strengthening of the fiscal accounts which is key to rebalancing the external accounts. He reasoned that service-based economies should use lower commodity prices, in particular the very low fuel prices, to accelerate the fiscal-consolidation process with a view to improving debt sustainability. And while commodity producers may have lower debt burdens, he says that lower commodity prices require a disciplined policy framework to shore up revenues and prevent similar sustainability issues from developing. “The fiscal consolidation that this implies in some cases requires increasing the efficiency of government expenditure programmes to weed out waste, without compromising the level of services provided to citizens and businesses,” Minister Jordan said. In other cases, howev-

er, it requires significant adjustment of expenditure priorities and enhanced revenue collection so as to increase the fiscal space for undertaking growth-inducing projects. Additionally, stronger macro-prudential frameworks are necessary to remove the major drag on growth implied by high levels of non-performing loans, he noted. But while the Finance Minister sees these policies as necessary, he suggested that it is not sufficient for the resumption of strong sustainable growth. He noted that it also requires an improvement in competitiveness which implies a range of actions in connected areas, including the improvement of the business environment, increasing labour productivity and improving the quality of public infrastructure. Finally, he opined that the legal and regulatory framework for financial risk assessment and mitigation, to deal with any financial vulnerability which can threaten the resumption of sustained growth in the Caribbean, must be strengthened. (Ravin Singh)

Cops rushed to Mibicuri …to battle, suicide, domestic violence MORE policemen will be deployed to the community of Mibicuri at Black Bush Polder on the Corentyne Coast from Monday and the Police station there will get a vehicle by the end of the year. The announcement was made Wednesday by Commander of ‘B’ Division Christopher Griffith, who was part of a high level Police team which met residents at the community’s Primary school. The residents greeted the news with loud applause. Residents in the area complained of being fed up

at times, and being told that a Policeman cannot respond to their call for help because there is only one officer on duty. In other cases, even if Policemen are available, residents are usually told the Police are without a vehicle to respond. Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud, performing the functions of Police Commissioner, said the provision of the vehicle to the Mibicuri Police Station was part of the initiative to provide every station with vehicles. The initiative is being funded through a US$5 million grant

The Mibicuri meeting

from the Chinese government, Persaud said. Sharing statistics with residents, Balram said there has been a 13% reduction in crimes for Mibicuri for the year thus far, in comparison to the same period last year. Mr Persaud reiterated earlier the claim by Police that crime is not spiralling out of control, and said that that impression comes from sensational media reporting of crime. Of recent, the Police have faced the embarrassing case of its Assistant Commission-

er and former Crime Chief Leslie James being robbed and of renowned historian Tota Mangar being attacked and his vehicle hijacked in the city. Mibicuri and Black Bush Polder in general has borne the unwanted reputation of being the suicide capital of Guyana, but statistics show that tag could soon be removed, with only one reported case for the year so far – an exact comparison for the same period last year. For the entire Berbice region, 29 cases of suicide were reported, Balram stated. The worrying problem for Mibicuri and the wider Berbice region is domestic violence, the Assistant Commissioner said. The Berbice region has so far reported 582 cases for the year, but only 17 cases reached the stage were perpetrators were convicted. The reports for Mibicuri though were different. Of the 15 cases of domestic violence, there was conviction in seven of those cases.

Assistant Commissioner Persaud reminded Mibicuri residents of the Police’s zero tolerance stance on domestic violence. The main reason for suicides and domestic violence in the region is seen as alcohol abuse. And so the Police has added Mibicuri to the communities it will be working intimately with to stamp out these social ills. The Police took in a team of psychiatrists to the area Monday, led by Dr Bhiro Harry, the head of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Psychiatric Unit to talk to parents and children. Dr Harry urged parents to love their children and for them to express that love towards them, both verbally and by their actions. He urged the parents to deal with their children “properly” at times when they make mistakes, reassuring them. Dr Harry urged parents to seek help from the community’s religious leaders, or from family and friends, if they

Berbice Divisional Commander, Christopher Griffith

are unsure about how to deal with situations at home. He said that oftentimes parents react angrily to certain behaviour patterns in children, ignorant of the fact that they could be suffering from a mental illness. A Police team is expected to return to Mibicuri to work with residents in developing appropriate programmes to help correct the social ills facing the community.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

North Ruimveldt Multi gets first ‘Smart School’ classroom By Rabindra Rooplall

THE Ministry of Education in partnership with S a m s u n g E l e c t ro n i c s , launched Guyana’s first ‘Smart School’ classroom on Wednesday, at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School on Mandela Avenue. The pilot project is an integrated platform that helps teachers to develop an interactive learning environment with its students. Samsung has enabled a special classroom for the programme which includes the latest electronic devices and solutions at no cost, offering a brand new e-learning experience to students and connecting them to infinite learning possibilities. The project is estimated to cost over US$40,000. Deputy Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson said the fact that Samsung has joined the efforts of education delivery is commendable. Over the years, several large international studies have documented that there is a successful integration of ICT in schools. “ICT facilitates the acquisition of high-order thinking skills by providing cognitive scaffolding for students, as they make sense of information gathered, allowing experts, teachers and students to communicate

thoughts and interest in subject matters as it relates to real-life situations and problems for students as they explore the connections between concepts and ideas,” Hutson said. Head of the Management Information Systems Unit (MISU) Indar Singh, said technology has transformed all sectors and this all happened within the last 30 years. “In the learning environment, technology has also transformed the way we learn and from where we learn. We can be in this country and doing online courses from anywhere in the world, you can even have someone tutor you across vast distances and teachers can set assignments using one of the many apps at their disposal,” he explained. “The Ministry of Education has the task of ensuring today’s generation of students can be prepared for the world of work and for the world of new and lifelong learning,” Singh said. He also noted that in the education sector there are two areas of focus which includes learning of technology and learning with technology, and the technology will be used to guide students for their development and learning to groom them for adulthood. Lauding and thanking

Samsung for the pilot project, Singh said the Samsung ‘Smart School’ initiative at North Ruimveldt Secondary fits into a larger strategy of using ICT for student’s education.

“The birth of Samsung ‘Smart School’ has also given life to new relationships amongst students within our school, along with an atmosphere where interactive

At extreme right is Corporate Citizenship Manager of Samsung Electronics, Latin American, Nicole Orillac, along with Education Ministry officials testing out the Samsung tablet which students will be using Head Teacher (acting) of North Ruimveldt Secondary Kirwin Mars, expressed his gratitude for the ‘Smart School’ initiative, noting that the 35 Samsung Galaxy tablets, two laptops, one server and a 75” Smart TV are now serving 63 students at the Grade six and seven levels. NEW RELATIONSHIPS

and creative learning is encouraged…our vision is about raising young men and women in school, who will

be well rounded individuals, who will be well equipped for the world of work, society and the birth of the ‘Smart School’ gives North Ruimveldt the opportunity to provide such.” Meanwhile, Evelyn Hamilton, Chief Planning Officer of the Ministry of Education, said technology has its value in the development and competitiveness of a society and the Education Ministry wants it to be a natural part of how teachers teach. “I want to wish that this start today is successful and we learn from it and that North Ruimveldt moves from strength to strength along with the education system.” Corporate Citizenship Manager of Samsung Electronics, Latin American, Nicole Orillac said the ‘Smart School’ initiative that Samsung developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Non-Profit Organisation Glasswing, is a project that provides students and faculty the technological tools to share content in a more interactive way through

educational software. Underscoring that the project includes teachertraining, performance monitoring, installation and maintenance of digital classrooms in participating schools and the use of reading comprehension software, the Samsung official said “we are very pleased to support schools in need with the innovative resources for e-learning. Since 2014, more than 34 schools and more than 20,000 students benefited from Samsung ‘Smart School’ in 12 countries in Central America,the Caribbean, Ecuador and Venezuela. We strongly believe that technology can create new learning possibilities for students, helping them along their way towards life-long learning and whole-person development, in order to acquire the knowledge and skills needed in society today.” She said further that the Samsung ‘Smart School’ programme has benefited a total of 120 students and See page 17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

Govt pumps $38M into Business Expo

…250 exhibitors already booked By Svetlana Marshall Approximately $38M is being pumped into the hosting of the 2015 Business Exposition, with 250 exhibitors already registered, Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin told a news conference on Friday. It is anticipated that more than 300 local businesses will participate in this inaugural event which will be held from November 2729 at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Held at the National Exhibition Centre, Gaskin told the news conference that preparations are moving a pace. In addition to transforming the landscape of the exhibition centre to create that business environment, Minister Gaskin said meetings have been held with key stakeholders including the Mayor and City Council, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Water Incorporated. In explaining the difference between the upcoming Business Exposition and GuyExpo, which was a calendar event under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), the subject minister explained that this new initiative has “a more business focus and has less of an entertainment-crowd pleasing type of focus.” However, he made it clear that the Ministry will not “do away” with GuyExpo. It was also pointed out that the fundament objective of the event is to put small

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin addressing the press

businesses in the spot light. Guyana Agro-processors Association, Guyana Aquaculture Association, Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association, Guyana Beekeepers Association, Guyana Marketing Corporation suppliers, fashion designers, tourism operators, and grant recipients from the EELP Project are among the small and medium size businesses and organizations that will participate in the exposition. While regional and international businesses will participate in the exposition, they will not exhibit but rather operate as buyers and investors. Minister Gaskin told reporters that the benefit of this exposition may not be immediately felt. “The effectiveness of something like a business expo is really felt years down the line when it becomes a standard event in our national calendar, and in the calendar of businesses

within the region. A part from the immediate benefit of having small businesses showcase their products giving them some exposure … the real long term benefits are not going to be felt until we have five, six, seven successful events.” Meanwhile, the Small Business Bureau Training and Development Officer Audrey Gomes told reporters that innovators within the commercial zone will be able to make a Business Pitch on Saturday November 28 during the expo. The purpose of the Business Pitch is to identify the most innovative and sustainable business ideas. “The 3-5 minute Pitch is open to all micro, small and medium sized businesses whose entrepreneurs have a business idea and are confident that he or she can convince the panel of judges of the soundness of their idea.” Gomes further explained that participants will be judged by a panel of judges who are well experienced in the field of business, noting too that winners will be awarded monetary and non-monetary prizes. Pitches will be judged based on the freshness of the idea, practicality, and sustainability. Meanwhile, in the area of safety and security, the Safety and Security Manager Johnny Mortley disclosed that the committee includes the Guyana Police Force, Private Security Companies, Guyana Fire Service, Public Health Ministry, Guyana Water Incorporated, Mayor and City Council and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL.). Mortley noted that patron safety, internal controls including traffic flow and parking arrangements, external traffic arrangements allowing for effective venue ingress and egress, and solid and liquid waste management are among of the target areas being looked at the Safety and Security Committee. It was pointed out that CCTV cameras are currently being installed to assist in the area of security. These cameras will complement the security forces that will be manning the area during the three day event. Business Expo 2015 is being sponsored by Republic Bank, Digicel Guyana, Toolsie Persaud Ltd, BK International Inc, Poomeroon Oil Mill and Trinidad Cement Limited.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

50 students to begin conserving energy

Some of the students who participated in the event

By Rabindra Rooplall AS one of the activities to commemorate Energy Week 2015, an “Express your Energy” event was hosted at the Transport and Harbours Sports Club, Thomas Lands, where students expressed much exuberance and enthusiasm about learning about energy through discussion and quiz. Fifty primary school students participated in the recent Guyana Energy Agency’s (GEA) activity, in which students between the ages of nine and 11 from grades four and six at Graham’s Hall Primary, North Georgetown Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary, St Agnes and St

Ambrose Primary were introduced to conservation tips. Students were encouraged at different stations to convey their interpretation and knowledge of energy sources, sustainability, energy conservation and energy efficiency, through artwork/ pictorial illustrations and word searches. TEACHERS JOINED FUN Planned as a relay activity this year, the students wasted no time in completing energy-based activities at their respective stations before jumping, bunny hopping, running and walking to the next station as their fellow team members loudly showed support. The teachers

Saturday, November 21, 2015 - 13:00 hrs Sunday, November 22, 2015 - 14:00 hrs Monday, November 23, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

joined in the fun, coaching the students as they offered energy-efficient tips and illustrated energy sources. The activity was non-competitive. Therefore, students were not judged or ranked on the basis of their illustrations. Rather, each school (and student) was awarded a Certificate of Participation, while each student along with his/her teacher was awarded a token of appreciation as an honorary “Energy Champion.” Students and teachers were also treated to ener-

gy-conservation videos as they interacted in a lively discussion and quiz on what they had learned from the activity. Amidst the enthusiasm through the cheering and delight in participation, the children clearly demonstrated a sound understanding of energy efficiency and conservation, by their accuracy in answering questions and explaining their illustrations. Under the theme, ‘Empowering our Sustainable Development,’ the GEA in the exercise of its mandate, continues to promote energy

efficiency, energy conservation and the development and utilisation of alternative sources of energy. Energy Week is consistent with Guyana’s energy thrust and Low Carbon Development Strategy. It serves as an annual feature that provides an additional platform which enables the GEA to fulfil part of its mandate by disseminating information essential to improving public awareness on sustainable energy, conservation and overall efficiency.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

Granger wants peace, love and charity this Christmas

PRESIDENT David Granger last evening called on Guyanese to ensure that their Christmas activities include peace, love and acts of charity. The President was at the time speaking at the traditional ceremony in the middle of the road leading up to switching on the lights on the Rahaman’s Park Christmas tree on the East Bank of Demerara. “This is a time of charity; charity is at the heart of God’s greatest gift to mankind, his son Jesus, this represents a gift and it presents us with the opportunity to give gifts even out of the little that we have.” VERY SYMBOLIC The father of the nation, as he was called by a young man who introduced him to the c ro w d , s a i d t h a t t h e celebration yesterday was very important and has now become a public ritual and is very symbolic. He explained that the Christmas tree has to do with faith and reminds us of the unchanging faith as we approach a season that

reminds us of God’s love for mankind, and which is manifested in the Holy Book, where God promises to send a redeemer. Mr Granger explained that faith is something that runs through all faiths and which speaks of good overcoming evil, light triumphing over darkness and peace will also triumph. “So let us take time out to remember the destitute, the homeless, the dispossessed, the lonely and the depressed. These persons are our brothers and sisters and they must hold a special place for us this Christmas. Let us remember the unfortunate, so that we can help them to overcome their trials and tribulations and share in this most joyous festival,” President Granger said. He went on to note that “Christmas brings joy to children of whom there are so many in our country, who do not have enough to have a happy Christmas.” Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes in her remarks reminded the gathering that Christmas is a time when most are willing to put aside problems and let love reign, and it is time for

our people to work towards making each Christmas even better. She expressed gratitude to the business community which has been supporting the venture of the Christmas

Tree light-up over the years, and the staffers of the ministry who have also put in a lot of work to ensure its success. T h e R a h a m a n Tr e e light-up began in 2005

and has been receiving support from the Ministry of Tourism over the years. The tree which was started at an initial height of 15 feet, now stands at 60 feet and with 3,000 lights as against 200

lights back in 2005. One of the young Rahaman daughters made a commitment to ensure that the tradition continues in the years to come. (Leroy Smith)

President David Granger was among scores of persons who attended last evening’s annual lighting up of the Christmas tree at Rahaman’s Park. In photo, President Granger is seen surrounded by several eager and elated children, shortly after he switched on the lights to bright up the Christmas tree

Guyana puts trade on table with New Zealand

NEW Zealand Non-Resident High Commissioner to Guyana Mrs Jan Henderson, on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo during which they exchanged views on a wide range of issues of mutual interest to the two countries. Prime Minister Nagamootoo raised the importance of a need for the increase in trade between both countries, and their knowledge transfer of New Zealand’s successful efforts at renewable energy, green economy and their tourism product, the Office of the Prime Minister said in a release. On her third visit to Guyana, High Commissioner Henderson expressed

admiration for Guyana’s natural beauty and showed interest in the development of Guyana’s tourism potential. “We are linked together by much more than cricket and the Commonwealth,” she assured the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Henderson also met with President David Granger. Following the meeting, which was held at the Ministry of the Presidency, Ms Henderson, in an invited comment, said the discussions were centred on ways in which the long-standing relations between the two countries could be strengthened. “Particularly, we were looking at engagements around the green economy.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo in discussion with New Zealand Non-Resident High Commissioner to Guyana Mrs Jan Henderson

President David Granger takes a photo opportunity with New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Her Excellency Jan Henderson and Ms Rachael Pringle, Second Secretary, during their engagement at the Ministry of the Presidency New Zealand is very passionate about who is based in Barbados, said it is her the environment and conservation and opinion that New Zealand’s approach is also about agriculture and how we really very consistent with Guyana’s approach. make our way in the world by utilising the High Commissioner Henderson before her land, but being very conscious about its current posting was High Commissioner sustainability,” Henderson said. Against to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and this backdrop, the High Commissioner, Ambassador to Nepal.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

IPED backs 30 for Business Expo THE Institute of Private Enterprise Development Limited (IPED) will be providing assistance to 30 micro and small businesses to participate in the Business Expo 2015 being held on November 27-29, 2015

at the Sophia Exhibition Complex. The assistance provided will cover the cost of booth rental along with a cash contribution to cover part of the out-of-pocket expenses being incurred by the business

Credit Manager of IPED Mr Yogieraj Das hands over a cheque representing payment for the 18 booths to Ms Jewel McKend, Manager of the Business Exposition Secretariat at the Sophia Complex

North Ruimveldt Multi gets first Smart ... From page 13

six teachers from the North Ruimveldt (Multilateral) Secondary School. Furthermore, the programme also includes a volunteering component to encourage students to participate in extra-curricular activities such as recreational events – theatre, music and other initiatives – that would help to accelerate the development of multiple skills. The Samsung School solution includes features to help teachers manage their classrooms and increase student participation, such as screen monitoring to track students’ academic progress, provision of private tutoring programmes according to each student’s comprehension level, and a lesson toolbar that allows teachers to effectively apply various, interesting educational applications through the Samsung School interactive lesson functionalities. For students, the Samsung School solution allows them to participate in discussion and group projects in a collaborative manner, using tools such as separable canvas, group discussion, and

Students of North Ruimveldt Multilateral School during an interactive session in a newly refurbished Samsung ‘Smart Classroom’ group reports. It also helps students retain focus with tools such as screen-sharing to share lesson content on student devices, while quizzes and polls help teachers to quickly assess how well students comprehend lessons and provide immediate feedback with a diverse range of engaging questions. Samsung ‘Smart Schools’ use advanced technology to create better learning environments and aid in the development of smarter and more creative individuals. With over 380 ‘Smart Schools’ around the world, Samsung is diligently working to find high-level solutions that meet specific local educational needs. ‘Smart School’ is part of Samsung’s vision: “Inspire the World, Create the Future”. The project currently takes place in Aruba, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

owner to participate in the exhibition, IPED said in a release. The businesses being supported will be drawn from IPED’s existing customer

database and must be up to date with their loan payments and have a business that contributes to job-creation, be innovative and have growth potential. All of the business-

es supported will be within one block in the Annex at the exhibition complex, and IPED is urging visitors to support these micro and small entrepreneurs. IPED is a not-for -rofit entity that has been serving micro and small business entrepreneurs for 30 years.

IPED is helping people to help themselves. IPED is currently financing and supporting over 4,000 businesses countrywide from its 13 service points/branches with a loan portfolio of $2.6B. These businesses provide employment to over 10,000 persons.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, November 21, 2015

M&CC must develop green economy – ticketing system, parking meters mooted By Navendra Seoraj THE Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU) has called on the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to establish a “vibrant and innovative” environmental goods and service sector. During a press conference at City Hall earlier this

week, President of the GLGOU Dale Beresford urged that the proposed sector include “providers of waste management and recycling techniques and services, producers of environmental technologies, providers of energy efficiency and renewable energy techniques and supplies of environmental monitoring services.”

Beresford alluded to the fact that the role of the government in solving climate crisis was also fundamental, given that the corporations have demonstrated that they are part of the problem, unable to deliver solutions the world needs given that the market does not respond to the general interest. Further, highlighting

solutions to the climate challenge would require a substantive transformation of the current social/ economic development paradigm, including industrial change. “This is not about some technical changes to energy production or transport systems; it is not just about adapting diesel engines to pollute less or transitioning

from fossil to renewable energy. What is required is a re-definition of the predominant model of production and consumption,” said Beresford. A green economy requires both a healthy, educated and informed workforce with green jobs, skills and consumers with awareness of sustainable consumption, asserted the GLGOU president while adding that “A green economy must also invest in people and social capital.” These can be accomplished through healthcare, education services and access to social safety nets. He mentioned the fact that emphasis on investing in people helps to safeguard respect for human rights, including rights of children, women and employees. And he noted that investments in people should help empower individuals and groups to become agents of positive societal change,while employees and managers should explore opportunities to collaborate in building workplaces that are greener, safer and more decent. GREEN JOBS The green economy, he further urged, will create job opportunities (green jobs) in some sectors, while shedding jobs in others and the formulation of any green economic policies, programmes and projects should identify new goods and services as well as transitional arrangements that can accommodate the shifting of jobs within and across sectors. However, the effort will require inter-agency and inter-ministerial collaboration and coordination, so as to ensure that the predicted net positive benefits in job-creation becomes a reality. Some of the proper economic opportunities, he noted, will be found in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, water, waste management and sanitation services, where green economic interventions can enhance livelihoods. “An investment in natural capital is also an investment in human capital

GLGOU’s President Dale Beresford

- through enhancing food and nutrition security - particularly in low-income and environmentally vulnerable areas, while it can also support social entrepreneurship and small business development, but entrepreneurs and informal businesses in poor communities desperately need public institutions that facilitate their access to markets and green business opportunities,” said the GLGOU President. NEW MOTIVES As such, in order to embark on new initiatives which will enhance the M&CC’s service capacity, they will have to acquire more funds which can go towards these initiatives. Some ofwhich will serve as a pilot, and example for other businesses. The GLGOU, he noted, had written to the Ministry of Communities to use a ticketing system or parking meters, which would prove fruitful, given the influx of vehicles that the country has seen over the past few years. Apart from that, the regularisation of the public minibus park is another plan which they proposed to the ministry. This will come in the sense that minibus operators will pay a fee, after which they will acquire a card which will allow them to park at the bus park. He suggested that in order to have a positive impact, the M&CC “cannot continue to operate in an 18-19th century environment and must seek to mordernise and include a new scope of services, which will help to promote a green economy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

Australian Jones named England’s first foreign rugby coach By Mitch Phillips LONDON, (Reuters)-Australian Eddie Jones has been appointed as the first foreign coach of the England rugby team on a contract taking him through the 2019 World Cup, the Rugby Football Union said yesterday. The 55-year-old former Australia and Japan coach replaces Stuart Lancaster, who stepped down in the wake of the hosts’ pool-stage exit

from the World Cup. South Africa’s Western Province had earlier paved the way for the announcement by releasing Jones from a three-year contract he had just signed to take over as coach of the Cape Town-based Stormers Super Rugby side. “The opportunity to take the reins in possibly the world’s most high-profile international rugby job doesn’t come along every day... and I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity,” Jones said in a news release. “I’m now looking forward to working with the RFU and the players to move beyond the disappointment England suffered at the World Cup and hope to build a new team that will reflect the level of talent that exists within the English game. “I believe the future is bright for England.” Jones’s stock rose to unprecedented levels after he led traditional lightweights Japan to a stunning upset of former world champions South Africa at the recent Rugby World Cup. He had previously coached Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup and been an advisor to the South Africa team that won the 2007 edition. “We are confident Eddie can build on the strong foundations already laid, with this talented group of players largely remaining together through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and beyond,” RFU chief executive Ian Ritche said. Jones told reporters last week he was committed to the Stormers despite media speculation linking him

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with the England job, but admitted he found the lure of London too great after only three weeks in his new role. “When I was appointed at Western Province there was no vacancy within the RFU and I never envisaged

Steve Borthwick, who was Jones’s forwards coach for Japan, has just started a new assistant coach role with English club Bristol but will probably be approached. On the pitch there are likely to be changes too,

New England head coach Eddie Jones poses at Twickenham Action Images via Reuters / Henry BrowneLivepic this opportunity to come forward,” he said. “So while I am excited about the opportunity to coach England I’m very disappointed to be leaving the Stormers.” Jones will hold a news conference at Twickenham later on Friday when he will questioned about the future of Lancaster’s three remaining assistants -- Graham Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt. It is expected that all three will follow Lancaster out of the door as Jones brings in his own team. Former England captain

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with captain Chris Robshaw highly likely to be axed. Writing a column ahead of England’s World Cup defeat by Australia, Jones described Robshaw as “an outstanding club player but at international level he just doesn’t have that point of difference. He carries OK, he tackles OK, but he’s not outstandingly good in any area.” Jones’ first game in charge will be against Scotland in Edinburgh on Feb. 6, as England seek to end a run of four successive second-place finishes in the Six Nations championship.

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Lady Jags book spot ... From back page

Guyana’s defence stood firm against Jamaica’s Vanica Reid and Tashana Vincent. Skipper Ashley Rodrigues made a nice run, cut between two defenders, and her shot which was well placed, beat the Jamaican goalkeeper but came off the goal post. However Vincent, in the 43rd minute, put the Jamaicans up 1 - 0 owing such to a breakdown in communication by the Guyanese defence. But like true Jaguars, in the second half Guyana equalised in the 48th minute, with a beautiful goal from El Masri. Charles had broken away on a counter but the Jamaican defence recovered. Charles made a pass to Savona who found El Masri. Her thunderous right footed shot was hit too hard for the keeper to stand a chance. Guyana kept up the pressure until Persaud scored from point-blank range. It was the game winner by the substitute and it sparked wild celebrations on the sideline and even in the stands since Guyana was by far the crowd favourite. With the win, Guyana will now join USA, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Trinidad, Puerto Rico and Guatemala to see which two countries will represent CONCACAF at the Olympic Games in Rio.

Digicel continues support for National Schools... From back page Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal. Remarking on Digicel’s sponsorship and continued support for the event, which is set to host over 1500 athletes, Fogenay conveyed his gratitude to the company for their longstanding support, and encouraged them to keep up the good work. “I must say thanks to Digicel for this sponsorship. It is wonderful to work with Digicel, and we hope that they continue with us for years to come, and that the relationship can only grow in the future,” Fogenay said. Fogenay also took the opportunity to comment on all the efforts which are going into ensuring that this year’s championships will be an improved one. “We are working hard to ensure that this year’s championships [will be] the best out of all the previous ones,” Fogenay noted. The championships begin next Monday with the swimming competition, the athletics and cycling road races, as well as some of the field events. The field events which include the long jump and shot put will be held at the YMCA ground, Thomas Lands. Students are expected to begin arriving for the championships from tomorrow. The students will be housed at the Games Village which has been established at schools on Woolford Avenue, namely Tutorial High, North Georgetown Primary and Secondary Schools, and Richard Ishmael Secondary.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

Dazzling Buttler, Roy lead England to series win (REUTERS)-JOS Buttler’s record-breaking century and a more routine one from Jason Roy fired England to an 84-run win over Pakistan in a high-scoring final one-day international in Dubai yesterday and a 3-1 victory in the series. England piled up 355

got dropped from that side.” Roy’s innings, if less spectacular, was equally valuable after his opening partner Alex Hales fell for 22. Roy and Joe Root (71) added 140 for the second wicket before falling in successive overs to Yasir Shah and occasional

Jos Buttler leaves the field after his rollicking hundred against Pakistan in Dubai, yesterday. for five thanks to Roy’s maiden ODI hundred and Buttler’s magnificent 116 not out off 52 balls. Pakistan scored quickly in reply but lost wickets steadily and were all out for 271 in the 41st over. Buttler’s extraordinary knock came after being promoted to bat at number four at the end of a year in which he often struggled for runs. His century off 46 deliveries broke his own England record and he hit eight sixes -- another national best -- and 10 fours. It was the joint seventh fastest hundred in one-day international history. “It was really satisfying for me and for us to win the series with this group of guys was fantastic,” man-of-theseries Buttler said at the presentation ceremony. “It was one of those days -- it’s amazing how cricket turns ro u n d . O n l y a f e w weeks ago I had a bad test on this ground and

bowler Azhar Ali. Skipper Eoin Morgan fell victim to opposing captain Ali’s leg spin for 14 but Buttler took over as England plundered 129 off the last 10 overs. Pakistan kept up with

the rate for more than 35 overs but steadily lost wickets. David Willey snapped up the first two, dismissing openers Azhar Ali (44) and Ahmed Shehzad (13) before running out Mohammad Hafeez, dropped by Hales, for 37. Babar Azam (51) was another batsman who scored at a run-aball, but he was caught off Adil Rashid who then had Mohammad Rizwan caught behind for 11. Hales made amends with his second catch, an outstanding one to dismiss the dangerous Shoaib Malik for 52 off 34 balls and England were in control of the game. After Sarfraz had become Rashid’s third victim for 24 and Moeen Ali caught and bowled Wahab Riaz for one, Pakistan’s task became almost impossible and Moeen sealed an emphatic England victory with his third wicket. “The series is a big loss -- we played some bad cricket, we should have done a lot better,” Ali said. “Credit to Buttler, but we could have done a lot better in the last few overs.” The teams now play a three-match Twenty20 series, starting in Dubai on Thursday.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND Innings J. Roy c B. Azam b Shah 102 A. Hales c Malik b Irfan 22 J. Root st S. Ahmed b Az. Ali 71 J. Buttler not out 116 E. Morgan st S. Ahmed b Az. Ali 14 J. Taylor c Shehzad b Irfan 13 M. Ali not out 4 Extras (lb-4 nb-1 w-8) 13 Total (for 5 wickets, 50 overs) 355 Fall of wickets: 1-54 A. Hales,2-194 J. Roy,3-201 J. Root,4-227 E. Morgan,5-306 J. Taylor Did not bat: C. Woakes, A. Rashid, D. Willey, R. Topley Bowling: M. Irfan 10 - 0 - 64 - 2(w-2),An. Ali 9 - 0 - 75 - 0(w-1), W. Riaz 9 - 0 - 70 - 0(nb-1 w-5),Y. Shah 10 - 0 - 57 – 1, S. Malik 7 - 0 - 59 – 0, Az. Ali 5 - 0 - 26 – 2. PAKISTAN Innings Az. Ali c&b Willey 44 A. Shehzad c Ali b Willey 13 M. Hafeez run out (Willey, Buttler) 37 B. Azam c Hales b Rashid 51 S. Malik c Hales b Topley 52 M. Rizwan c Buttler b Rashid 11 S. Ahmed c Willey b Rashid 24 An. Ali c Rashid b Ali 24 W. Riaz c&b Ali 1 Y. Shah c Woakes b Ali 5 M. Irfan not out 0 Extras (lb-2 w-7) 9 Total (all out, 40.4 overs) 271 Fall of wickets: 1-45 A. Shehzad,2-64 Az. Ali,3-129 M. Hafeez,4-176 B. Azam,5-194 M. Rizwan,6-228 S. Malik,7-249 S. Ahmed,8-259 W. Riaz,9-271 Y. Shah,10-271 An. Ali Bowling:D. Willey 6 - 0 - 34 – 2, R. Topley 7 - 0 - 58 - 1(w-4), C. Woakes 8 - 1 - 46 – 0, M. Ali 9.4 - 0 - 53 - 3(w-1), A. Rashid 10 - 0 - 78 - 3(w-2).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

FIFA reform committee concludes work amid secrecy By Brian Homewood

ZURICH,(Reuters)-FIFA’s reform committee avoided giving details on its final proposals for cleaning up football’s scandal-plagued governing body after winding up its third and final meeting yesterday. In a terse 79-word statement, FIFA said only that committee chairman Francois Carrard would put its recommendations to an executive committee meeting on Dec. 2-3, and that they would be publicly presented afterwards. There was no news conference after Friday’s meeting at FIFA’s headquarters in a plush Zurich hilltop suburb. FIFA is facing unprecedented pressure to overhaul its governance and

improve transparency following the May indictment by U.S. authorities of 14

FIFA reform committee chairman Francois Carrard football officials and sports marketing executives on corruption-related charges. The crisis escalated further in October when both

FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini, who had been favourite to succeed him, were banned for 90 days by FIFA’s ethics committee pending a full investigation. Many of those indicted by U.S. authorities had served on FIFA’s executive committee or other FIFA panels. Swiss public prosecutors are also investigating alleged irregularities in decisions to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar, both taken at a vote in Zurich in December 2010. Domenico Scala, who heads FIFA’s audit and compliance and committee, has produced an extensive package of proposed reforms that he has made public and given to FIFA’s executive

Three Miles Primary receives sporting gear

Some of the equipment handed over to the Three Miles Secondary School THE students of Three Miles Secondary Williams. School in Bartica were the recipients of Speaking after the handing over, Jones the Ministry of Education, Department said, “The National Sport Commission is of Sport/National Sport Commission’s always looking to help those areas that do distribution arm, when they received not have access to facilities and equipment several pieces of equipment to aid in their like these students at Three Miles Seconddevelopment. ary in Bartica.” During a visit there recently, Director “We see it as part of our drive to revamp of Sport Christopher Jones responded to a the sport sector and the only way we can do request made earlier for various pieces of this is by ensuring that the relevant persons sporting gear to the institution. have the techniques,” continued Jones. Jones fulfilled the request of basketball He noted that there are many more backboards, basketballs, cricket bats, cricket initiatives that the NSC is working on with balls, lawn tennis racquets, and scrabble the aim to having them completed before boards made by the head teacher Kenneth the end of 2015.

Director of Sport Chris Jones hands over a basketball to one of the students of Three Miles Secondary

committee. They include 12-year term limits for elected FIFA officials from the president down, full disclosure of the financial compensation of the president, general secretary and executive committee members, and more detailed integrity checks on members of committees. The reform committee published a five-page summary of its “preliminary recommendations” on Oct.

20 which suggested an age limit of 74 for all leading officials, but only mentioned term-limits for the president who would be restricted to three mandates. The reform committee has not provided any further details of its work since then. Carrard told Reuters in New York earlier this month that term limits may not be the best course of action for executive committee mem-

bers. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, a leading member of the reform committee, said that up to 40 percent of Scala’s proposals could be rejected. “I think age-limit will achieve the same goals – you will have three or four terms maximum, unless you are young,” he told Reuters in an interview on Nov 2.

RHTYSC Busta Champion of Champions semifinals on today AFTER a highly successful first round of the 2015 edition of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club’s Busta Champion of Champions Tournament, the semifinals will be played today where Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets host West Berbice at the Area ‘H’ Ground in match one. In match two, Arch Rivals Tucber Park tackle host Young Warriors at the Edinburgh cricket ground. Both matches start at 11.00 hrs and will be 40 overs per side. The final of the tournament would be held in early December and the winners set to take home $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars) and the Busta Trophy, while the runner up would receive $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars).

Stag / EBFA & A-Side to conclude today …Agricola and Grove A&B teams to collide

THE battle between the villages of Agricola and Grove will intensify a notch higher on the football field today with the conclusion of the STAG-sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) 7 a-side competition at the Grove Playfield. It will be a hectic day of action as the SUNBURST/EBFA Under-17 competition will also see two matches being contested. The first Stag 7 a-side semi-final match which kicks off at 13:30 hrs following an Under-17 match between Herstelling Raiders and Mocha Champs at 12:00 hrs will pit against the B teams of Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi-Tech. Grove B will be led by Travis Jones, Akeem James, Lloyd Matthews, Mervin Squires, Nickolai Matthews, Ceon Simpson in goal, Denzil Crawford, William Lupe and Kevin Dalton. Agricola B will pin their hopes for a place in the final and a chance to challenge for the top prize of $100,000 on the likes of Sheldon Chapman, Collis Samuels, Akeem Pompey, Akeem Rollins, Perry Gomes, Lionel Rover, Bilall Jabar and Brian Price. The loser of this encounter will qualify for the third place playoff. The second semi-final which will commence immediately after will see the A Teams of the two clubs locking horns. These two villages have always served up entertaining showdowns and today’s matches will be no different; they just don’t like losing to each other. Grove A challenge to advance further will be carried by Sherman Doris, Michael Matthews, Orson Francois, Romel Matthews, Joel Dick, Devon Joseph, Colin Lancaster and Kevin Padmore. Leading the charge for Agricola A will be Shemroy Kendall, Winston Rollins, Gordon Grant, Noel Punch, Devon Baptiste, Jermaine Frank and Travis Welch. The winning team will walk away with $100,000 with the second place team collecting $75,000. Third and fourth place attract $50,000 and $25,000 respectively, while the highest goal scorer, best goalkeeper and MVP will all be rewarded with $10,000 each.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

Colours Boutique, Trophy Stall on board with Guinness Futsal football

COLOURS Boutique and Trophy Stall of Bourda Market are partnering with the organisers of the 2015 Guinness Greatest of the Street Futsal Football tournament as sponsors for the Georgetown leg of the national championships. The popular Robb Street boutique will be outfitting the teams with uniforms while Trophy Stall will be the providers of the trophies. Manager of Colours Boutique Rodwell Greaves handed over the gear to Banks DIH Limited representative Shivini Tulshi during a simple ceremony at Thirst Park Thursday. Both Greaves and Trophy Stall Proprietor Ramesh Sunich expressed appreciation for being a

Manager of Colours Boutique Rodwell Greaves is seen handing over the gear to Banks DIH Limited rep. Shivini Tulshi

part of the tournament. The Georgetown leg of the tournament kicked off last Friday and will run until December 12. Eight more first-round matches will be played on Saturday evening at Albouystown tarmac starting at 19:30 hours. The remaining zone playoffs will take place in Berbice, West Demerara, Linden and East Coast Demerara leading up the National championships where Guyana’s representative team will be selected to participate in the Guinness Caribbean Street Football Challenge in June in Catries, St. Lucia. The Guinness Greatest of the Street is organised and sponsored by Banks DIH Limited and Guinness in association with Petra Organisation.

Clarke lashes out at Buchanan, Symonds SYDNEY, (Reuters)-Michael Clarke has hit out at former coach John Buchanan for criticism levelled at him when he retired earlier this year, saying his dog could have led Australia to world domination in the 2000s. Former captain Clarke, who stepped down after the Ashes series in England, also took a shot at his erstwhile team mate Andrew Symonds for questioning his leadership credentials. “Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I’m sorry but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership,” Clarke wrote in his Ashes Diary 2015. “This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It’s pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks.” Symonds was sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup in England in 2009 and had his Cricket Australia contract cancelled for going to a bar without permission. Australia won a

world-record 16 consecutive test matches, won a series in India, three 50-overs World Cups and three Ashes series when Buchanan was in charge from 1999 to 2007.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan The Queenslander, who had a short and undistinguished first class career, clearly provoked Clarke’s ire when he suggested the “baggy green” culture had diminished under his captaincy. “I don’t think John knows a thing about the Baggy Green, having

never worn one,” Clarke wrote. “He’s still living off the fact that he coached a team that anyone, even my dog Jerry, could have coached to world domination.” Shane Warne, a close friend of Clarke and one of a string of all time greats that formed the backbone of the Australia side of the 2000s, has made it clear on many occasions how little credit he feels Buchanan deserves for their success. But Shane Watson, a former Australian test

vice captain who also retired this year, said he thought Clarke’s assessment was “incredibly harsh”. “I sit back and see what John Buchanan did and how he was able to keep those strong very personalities and strong egos ... and kept them moving in the same direction,” the all-rounder, who comes from the same town as Buchanan, told Fox Sports TV. “And looking back now, he’s got an incredible skill to be able to do that.”

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday November 21, 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)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 91 62

Today’s Quiz:

Who was the T20 International debutant in the recent WI/ SL series? How many players were involved in the recent WI/SL three-match ODI series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 21, 2015

Johnson unbeaten on 73 as Jaguars reach 170-2 on rain hit day GUYANA Jaguars reached 170 – 2 at stumps against Barbados Pride on a rain-affected first day of their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day match at the Guyana National Stadium, yesterday. Only 50 overs were bowled in the day which began with a 90-minute delay before the two sides commenced their third-round encounter. Skipper Leon Johnson will resume today on 73 with Vishaul Singh alongside him on 30, and they have so far put together a 60-run third-wicket partnership. Johnson has so far hit nine boundaries and two maximums. He also shared a 79-run second-wicket stand with opener Assad Fudadin (42). Opener Shimron Hetymer spanked 24 playing in his debut match. The young left-hander slammed four boundaries in his innings before off-spinner Ashley

Skipper Leon Johnson closed the day on 73 not out

Nurse, introduced in the tenth over, claimed his wicket with a catch to Sulieman Benn at second slip. Johnson joined Fudadin but the rain soon forced an early lunch, with the Jaguars at 32-1. After the break, the Barbadians floored two catches when Roston Chase and Jonathan Carter dropped Fudadin on 15 and Johnson on 26. The pair continued to press on but Fudadin departed with Jagauars 110 – 2. Johnson reached his 24th half-century from 88 balls in the company of Vishual Singh as they took Jaguars to 145-2 at tea. He has a good platform in which to become a centurion in this 2015/16 season after scoring 30 runs from the first two matches of the season. Singh at the other end has been consistent with the bat coming off a massive 150 in the second match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes. (Kizan Brumell)

Scoreboard

GUYANA JAGUARS 1st innings A. Fudadin c Corbin b Benn 42

Regional leaders jumped the gun claims WICB boss WEST Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron believes regional leaders jumped the gun, so to speak, in response to the recently released report by the Independent Review Panel of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Sub-Committee on Cricket Governance. Following the release of the report, which suggested, among other things, that WICB be disbanded, Grenada’s prime minister Dr Keith Mitchell and other members of the CARICOM Cricket Governance Sub-committee have requested an urgent meeting to discuss the findings. Cameron has revealed that it has not been possible to comply with the request as yet, however, as the member territo-

ries have not been given enough time to discuss the findings. “Unfortunately I’m not

DAVE CAMERON sure how to respond to calls for an urgent meeting when if we sit down and have an urgent meeting I am not

sure what I could say to that grouping, because it is the shareholders who have to decide the way forward,” Cameron said on Digicel SportsMax’s SportsMax Zone on Thursday. The regional cricket head maintains that the body had only been made aware of the findings of the report a day before a press conference was called that made the findings public. Cameron believes the issue could have been handled differently. “If we commissioned a report together then it’s only right that we receive the report and then discuss it to determine whether we are going to implement the findings, then we would make whatever we have agreed to the public,” Cameron said of the situation.(Sportsmax.com)

S. Hetymer c Benn b Nurse 24 L. Johnson not out 73 V. Singh not out 30 Extras: (nb-1) 1 Total: (for two wickets; 50 overs) 170 Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-110 Bowling: Best 8-1-31-0, Cummings 13-3-33-0, Nurse 8-0-54-1, Stoute 8-4-13-0, Benn 9-0-34-1, Chase 4-1-5-0

Guinness Greatest In Da Street …

Shopping Plaza squeezes past South Ruimveldt on third night

THE 2015/2016 Guinness Greatest In Da Street rolled into the third night of competition and it saw the intensity not letting up as another tough day was completed on Thursday at the Burnham Hardcourt. In game one, South Ruimveldt went down 2 – 3 to Shopping Plaza in a closely contested match which saw the victors strike first and followed up quickly to massively shift the weight. Rawle Turnell scored in the 7th minute then Stephen Dolphin (9th & 10th) jumped in and recorded a brisk brace. However, South pulled one back in the 13th minute, compliments of Michael Hussein as the half concluded with them behind by two possessions. Stefon Walters scored in the 20th minute to bring the game within one, but time expired before they could find an equaliser. North Ruimveldt prevailed 3 – 0 over Young Ballers as Nickosie Barker, Colin Daniels and Lenris Carrington all struck once in the first half to make way for the victory. Sparta Boss won a tough 2 – 0 result over Gold Star after playing to a goalless first half; Dennis Edwards (19th) and Sheldon Shepherd (20th) exploited the opposition when their focus was depleted. Leopold Street and Holmes Street Tiger Bay entered the winners’ circle when they needled Island All-Stars and Festival City Warriors. Bent Street held off a stiff challenge from Festival City Street Fighters as the match ended 2 – 2. Street Fighters got off to a shaky start and gave Bent Street the lead with an own goal in the eighth minute. Two minutes later Ryan Hackett struck for Bent Street to firmly put his side ahead at the half. The second half saw Rich and Juslon Deen score in the 17th and 20th minutes to level the match again but neither side was able to go ahead before the regulation whistle sounded. Jamoon Drive squared off against North East La Penitence and played to a stalemate. This also was the same result between Channel-9 Warriors and Globe Yard.

Bolt, Fraser-Pryce, Silva in running for Caribbean athlete of the year

JAMAICA sprint star Usain Bolt will battle with Grenadian Kirani James, while compatriot ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce goes up against Cuban Yarisley Silva for the Caribbean Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards. Overall, 44 nominees have been announced in six categories, including Jamaican triple world record holder Bolt and Fraser-Pryce, the double Olympic champion. Bolt is favourite to claim the male award having retained the 100m, 200m and 4x4100m titles at IAAF World Championships, in Beijing China, in an epic battle with American Justin Gatlin. Fraser-Pryce claimed the women’s 100m equivalent and the 4x100m title, but will have competition

from Silva who claimed the World Championship and

USAIN BOLT Pan American Games pole vault title.

Joining Bolt and James in the men’s category are O’Dayne Richards of Jamaica (Athletics) and Akeem Stewart (Para-Athletics), Machel Cedenio (Athletics) and George Bovell (Swimming) of Trinidad and Tobago. Fraser-Pryce and Silva are among 11 nominees in the female category, which also includes compatriots Stafanie Taylor (Cricket), Ali Atkinson (Swimming) and Danielle Williams (Athletics). The other nominees, all from athletics, Denia Caballero of Cuba; Akela Jones of Barbados; Shaunae Miller of Bahamas, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Michelle Lee Ahye and Cleopatra Borel of Trinidad and Tobago.(Sportsmax. com)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Lady Jags book spot in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier ... beat Reggae Girls 2-1 to advance

Mariam El Masri scored the first goal for Lady Jags

By Rawle Toney in Trinidad and Tobago THE Lady Jags defeated the Reggae Girls 2 -1 last evening to book their spot in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifier next year, thanks to goals from Mariam El Masri and second half substitute Brittany Persuad. It’s the second time the Guyanese women have qualified for the major CONCACAF tournament; something the men are yet to accomplish. After falling to Puerto Rico 1 - 0 on Wednesday at the same venue, Guyana regrouped and rebounded to put on another mesmerising performance at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. Jamaica was beaten by Trinidad (2 -1) in their game, also played on Wednesday. Guyana was dominant

in their 90 minutes of play last night. Head Coach Mark Rodrigues made one change to his starting lineup, brining in Otesha Charles for Brittany Persuad. Chante Sandford (GK), Alison Heydorn, Briana DeSouza, Kayla DeSouza, Justine Rodrigues, Ashley Rodrigues, Ashlee Savona, Olivia Gonsalves, Mariam El Masri and Julia Gonsalves were the other starters. Charles made several promising run on goal and took advantage of Jamaica’s untidy defence. Charles came close to putting Guyana up early when she received a through ball from Ashle Savona but she was given a yellow card after colliding with the advancing keeper (Taylor Grant). The victorious Lady Jags celebrate after defeating Jamaica 2 -1 last evening.

See page 27

Digicel continues support for National Schools Championships

TELECOMMUNICATIONS giant Digicel on Thursday confirmed its continued support as one of the key sponsors of the GTU/MoE National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships, the playoffs of which are set to begin next Monday at varying venues in Region 4. The sponsorship package for the event was handed over by Digicel Sponsorship and Events Manager Luanna Abrams to the Ministry of Education (MoE) Principal Assistant Secretary Glendon Fogenay, at a simple presentation ceremony held at the company’s head office in Kingston. Abrams, during the presentation, noted that

Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager, Luanna Abrams (second from left) hands over the sponsorship package to Ministry of Education’s Glendon Fogenay; looking on are PR and Marketing Officer of the National Schools Championships, Edison Jefford (left) and Second VP of Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), Julian Cambridge.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

this sponsorship was a testament to Digicel’s staunch commitment to the support of youth, and developmental activities such as sports. “We’re passionate over youth and sport development in Guyana and we once again pledge our commitment to the championships,” Abrams stated. This is Digicel’s fifth year backing the esteemed annual event, which will be hosting its 55th edition this year. The five-day Championships will run from November 23 – 27 this year. The championships will be held primarily at the National Stadium, Providence, with swimming set to be held at the National See page 27 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2015