Chronicle 11 23 2015

GUYANA

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...Harmon says agreement struck at Cabinet retreat P.3

Batting for a cleaner Georgetown. This grass-cutter, armed with his machine and pads, has joined many in the ongoing effort to restore Georgetown to a Garden City (Delano Williams photo)

Guyana backs Sir Ron for Commonwealth SG post P.2

Kaieteur jumper was victim of depression P.4

A member of the search party deployed on Sunday to locate Pagwah, who jumped off Kaieteur Falls on Saturday (Gerry Gouveia photo)

Roshinee Pagwah

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 23, 2015

Guyana backs Sir Ron for Commonwealth SG post

By Rabindra Rooplall

GUYANA will be throwing its full support behind Sir Ronald Sanders for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General (SG) when leaders of the 53-member association meet at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta on Friday.

A new Secretary-General will be selected on Friday, the first day of the summit.

The sixth Commonwealth Secretary-General will take office on April 1, 2016.

Sir Ronald Sanders is currently Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

to the United States and the Organisation of American States (OAS) for Antigua and Barbuda.

Before that appointment, he was a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London in the UK and at Massey College, University of Toronto. He also served as an international business consultant and writer.

Current Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma is expected to demit office in April 2016 on the expiration of his second term in office.

Over the past few months, the region has been giving

President David Granger

Baroness Patricia Scotland

Sir Ronald Sanders

informal consideration of several persons in the Region for the top post.

The only Caribbean national to hold the post of Commonwealth Secretary General was former Attorney General and distinguished international public servant Sir Shridath Ramphal. He served from 1975 to 1990.

Though there is not a consensus candidate for the Caribbean Region, the majority seem to be supporting Sir Ron, including President

David Granger.

“I would like to formally state that Guyana has given its support to Sir Ronald Sanders to be Secretary-General. One of the pillars of the Caribbean Community is coordination of foreign policy and we had hoped by now that CARICOM would have agreed on a consensus candidate,” President Granger told the Guyana Chronicle.

While Guyana is rooting for Sir Ron, Barbados and Belize have indicated that

they are supporting Baroness Patricia Scotland whose name was put forward by Dominica.

It appears that Barbados and Belize are holding heads together to facilitate a tradeoff in relation to another key international post.

The Dominica-born Scotland has taken many by surprise as her career has been in London in law and British politics, most recently being Britain’s Attorney General under the Labour Government.

Although well liked as a person, her candidacy has been described as ‘tainted’ by a number or influential regional political and academic figures. This is because she is widely regarded as Britain’s candidate for the role, and damagingly there is also the view that she forfeited the Caribbean’s trust when she supported Britain’s decision to invade Iraq.

It is also said that she

Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba

did not do enough to support the Region as a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister.

BROAD EXPERIENCE Sir Ron has the support of several Caribbean nations. Nominated by Antigua’s Prime Minister Gaston Brown, he has by far the broadest Commonwealth experience and background, having played a key role in Commonwealth affairs over many years, including in the Eminent Persons Group that reported in 2011 on the future direction and reform of the organisation.

He is well known across the Region, because of the sometimes forthright views expressed in his syndicated column. He is also well regarded in both the ‘new’ and the ‘old’ Commonwealth and has published many papers on the future of the organisation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 23, 2015

...Harmon says agreement struck at Cabinet retreat

By Ariana Gordon MINISTER of State Joseph Harmon has dismissed speculation that the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will contest the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE) separately.

Harmon, who is also APNU General Secretary, told the Guyana Chronicle that the coalition which surged to power in the May 11 elections, will be contesting the LGE together.

“We had a Cabinet retreat some time ago and agreed on the matter,” he said.

Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Dr David Hinds in his weekly column ‘Hinds’ Sight’ carried by this publication on Sunday, said despite temptation to the contrary, the governing coalition should contest the LGE together. The WPA is a member of the six-party coalition led by President David Granger.

“The first big hurdle would be whether the governing coalition would con-

test the election together or separately,” he said. Though many may consider it to be a foregone conclusion that the coalition would go into LGE as one, Dr Hinds, a seasoned political activist believes that the AFC may be tempted to compete separately. There has been much speculation as to the path the coalition would take with respect to competing at the LGE. In a Sunday Stabroek News headlined “AFC will keep its identity…”, party co-leader and Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan maintained that the AFC will keep its identity. “We are going to maintain ourselves as AFC,” he said, adding: “I would rather resign as leader of the AFC than have that happen,” Stabroek News quoted him as saying.

AFC General Secretary David Patterson, who is also Minister of Public Infrastructure, told this publication on Sunday that the party will make public his decision shortly on whether it will be contesting the LGE separately or with the APNU. The LGE, Dr Hinds

APNU General Secretary Joseph Harmon

WPA Executive Dr David Hinds

contends is going to be a referendum on the government’s tenure since May 11.

that would be better done if they contest as a united coalition.” The opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has said that it is prepared at any time to contest the LGE. Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan last week announced that the long-delayed Local Government Elections (LGE) will be held on March 18 next year. He said the hosting of LGE represents “an

A REFERENDUM “Ironically, it would be a referendum against its own supporters,” he said, pointing out that the challenge the coalition faces, whether it runs as one or separately, is mobilising its supporters to go to the polls. “My sense is that it would take some serious work

Bakewell supervisor loses finger in robbery

Andre Sukhwa shows his injured hand

POLICE are investigating an attack on a salesman who works at the Bakewell bond, Palmyra, Berbice, Region 6 on Saturday.

According to reports, about 18:30 hrs, two robbers, one armed with a cutlass and the other with a gun, entered the company’s bond and headed towards the supervisor who was about to enter his car.

The Supervisor Andre Sukhwa said he did not notice the men until they got close to him.

The man with the cutlass, he said “fired” several chops in his direction, chopping him on both hands, which he used to fend off the attack. He lost a finger in the assault.

While that was happen-

ing, the attacker with the gun went into his car and took away his wallet which contained $80,000, his personal money.

After the attack, the Bakewell Supervisor telephoned a co-worker who took him to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he received medical attention.

According to reports, the two bandits went into Number Two Village, Canje and were not pursued.

The guard, who was on duty at the time of the incident, told this publication that he opened the gate for Sukhwa to drive out when the bandits struck.

The guard related that he tried calling neighbours for assistance but to no avail.

The robbers reportedly returned several hours after, promising to come again, this time when it is close to Christmas.

The guard has since said that one of the men was recently dismissed by the company.

Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Meanwhile, in another incident, police said investi-

gations are being conducted into an incident in which Devon Sears, 40, of Hadfield Street, Georgetown, was shot and injured to his jaw while driving a motor vehicle along David Street, Kitty, about 18: 50 hrs yesterday.

He has been admitted to hospital for medical attention.

In another incident, on Friday, police have detained and will soon charge a man who was searched at 14 Miles Issano and found with an unlicensed 99mm. Smith and Wesson Pistol.

A statement from the Guyana Police Force said that discovery was made by ranks of a mobile police patrol.

important time in our history,” 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 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 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.

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 citizens’ involvement in their communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Kaieteur jumper was victim of depression –– search for body continues

By Ravin Singh ROSHINEE Pagwah, the 21-year-old Berbician who plunged to her death at the mighty Kaieteur Falls last Saturday had complained on social media that “there is nothing more depressing than having it all and still feeling sad.”

The Reliance Abandon resident who was an only child of her parents leaped over the 741–foot falls at about 11:00 hrs, during an

expedition. Persons who were present at the time of her leap revealed that she appeared very reserved but showed no signs of impending doom.

When the team had concluded their sightseeing and were heading back to the trail, Pagwah made an about turn, sprinted to the ledge of the Kaieteur National Park and flung her body over the rapids.

While there has been no definitive conclusion as

to what may have been the cause of this devastating act by the 21-year old, speculation regarding her social and emotional life continues to mount.

Just recently Pagwah had posted a photo on popular social media Instagram – which bore the caption: “There is nothing more depressing than having it all and still feeling sad.”

According to a source close to the family, who requested anonymity, the young lady did have it all.

In fact, the source told this newspaper that Pagwah was never in need of anything and shared a very close relationship with her mother.

“There was no problem between them. They don’t have problems at home,” the source said.

However, reports reaching this publication on Saturday suggested that the woman might have been suffering emotionally as a result of her ex-boyfriend’s death, five years ago. The young man committed suicide.

ROCKY RELATIONSHIP The two allegedly shared a rocky relationship which she reportedly ended. This was purported to have triggered his action to end his life by consuming a poisonous substance. Pagwah was reportedly the last person he spoke with before committing the dreadful act.

A post on her Facebook page on October 27, 2015 read: “Today is gonna be five years now that ur gone & I swear not a day goes by that I don’t think of u & miss u…u would never know how sorry I am up to this very day.”

When questioned about whether complications in a relationship could have been the cause of her death, the source close to the family could not say anything definitive.

The source also revealed that Pagwah lived with her mother and an aunt in the

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A member of the search party deployed on Sunday to locate Pagwah, who jumped off Kaieteur Falls on Saturday (Gerry Gouveia photo) same house and was a former employee of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). Her mother, ‘Indro’, was a single parent since her father had abandoned them when she was only two months old.

The mother is currently unemployed.

“People can speculate and say what they want to; nobody can stop that. But people who know her know that she was a jolly person and not a fighting person.

She gets everything she wants from her mother,” the source said.

DEEPLY HURT The source also related that the mother is current-

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ly in an unstable state as she cannot come to grips with her daughter’s death.

“Whole day she crying and holding the album and watching pictures of them.”

The young lady who was a former student of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School had told her aunt on the day of her demise that she was travelling to Georgetown to assist a friend in clearing a barrel. According to a report, the aunt said she did not know who the friend was.

Subsequently, Pagwah made her way to Roraima Airways office in Bel Air where she boarded the bus.

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The tragic episode of her leaping to her death occurred about 11:00 hrs, even as her aunt was anticipating her return by midday as she had promised.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said police in their search yesterday found no sign of the body.

This incident comes just two months after a Durban Backlands woman, Gyaneshwarie Sivanand, ended her life in similar fashion, reportedly due to relationship issues. Six years earlier, another woman had done the same. These incidents have led to calls for fencing of the area.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Guyana

Lack of enforcement drives up road accidents

Editorial Local Government Elections FINALLY, the date has been set for our first Local Government Election in 22 years. This announcement must be seen as a breakthrough. The coalition government has kept its promise. This is no small matter; the previous government had failed Guyana in this regard. It kept postponing these elections as part of its grand design to have total control of the levers of power at all levels. For that government, local government was not about empowerment of ordinary people in their places of residence, but about the cynical monopolisation of power.

This new government has made it clear that it wants to take the country in an opposite direction. Very early in its tenure it passed the necessary reform legislation which was held up by President Ramotar’s veto. These pieces of legislation have gone a long way towards democratising the local government system and crucially the relationship between local government councils and central government. The latter was non-negotiable for the PPP which preferred the central government tyranny over local government. That such an arrangement defeats the purpose of local empowerment did not move the PPP. Now that we are headed in another direction, the country must rise to the occasion. Elections are only effective when electors participate in them. It has always been a challenge to get electorates to vote in local elections at the same level as they do in national elections.

Given the extent to which the councils which came into being in 1994 have been broken and compromised, it is important that these elections throw up a representative system of local government that responds to the dire need for self-representation by the masses of Guyanese people.

Our Westminster system of governance tends to be too centralised, power is concentrated at the top among politicians representing one party. Such a system limits access to government and denies citizens a more direct say in what happens in their local communities. In the end democracy is compromised as those who are affected by decisions do not actually participate in making those decisions. Our own Caribbean thinker, Arthur Lewis, gave us this seminal definition of democracy in his advocacy of power-sharing at the national level.

Local government is essentially power-sharing—the sharing of governance by the leaders at the top and the people at the bottom. This vertical power-sharing allows for a sharing of the burdens of governance that if effectively used can open up needed space for mass participation in the political process. It also allows for more accountability, as both levels of government become a watchdog of the other.

The upcoming elections will be conducted under a reformed system. This necessitates a fair bit of education among the populace both as voters and candidates.

GECOM has its work cut out. But other NGOs have a role to play in this regard. Critically, the media must also play a role. Perhaps the media entities should consider donating space and time for Public Service Announcements aimed at such education and consciousness-raising about the importance of local government.

No doubt, the political parties would be using the elections to test their respective strengths and to go after each other. The governing coalition would

Dear Editor GUYANA has, over the last decade or so, undoubtedly descended into a state of perpetual lawlessness, as is evident by the decadence we see daily in the family, at schools, in public and private offices; and, more glaringly, on our roadways.

In every society, the adherence to the rule of law is guided by leadership that in itself embraces good ethical practices, which are not only enforced upon those at the lower levels, but are practised by the hierarchy of the system. It stands to reason that deviant behaviour is learned; and, as such, any progressive, law-abiding society must first be founded on leaders who were nurtured in a system that cultivated uprightness and decency.

Whether we want to be truthful or not, Guyana has not been a country known to have produced accountable, honest, decent leadership in key national institutions.

What has resulted is a degradation of the moral compass of our country to the point where many citizens feel that they can do as they please, because they have observed leaders showing scant regard for our established laws

while they face no consequences for their actions.

The maxim “do as I say but not as I do” seems to hold true.

Many law-abiding citizens have been clamouring for more laws, but my considered view is that we have a serious problem with enforcement of our existing laws. This leads to the genesis of my concern -- lawlessness on our roads.

Without appearing sententious, I wish to highlight some of the problems that have plagued us with regard to the use of our roadways.

For 2015, we have seen evidence of severe recklessness on our thoroughfares, which is evident by the statistics produced by the Guyana Police Force from January to September 2015. Here are some troubling statistics for 2015: Some 43,071 cases were made out for various traffic offences, of which 626 resulted in accidents; 78 were for fatalities; 17,582 were for speeding; 1,666 were for driving under the influence (a very troubling number, even though many go undetected); 789 were for using cell phones while driving; 736 were for breaching the traffic lights; 489 were for driving

without licences; 1,156 were for driving without a seat belt; 439 were for dangerous driving. If these statistics don’t spell utter and complete lawlessness on the roads, I don’t know what will.

These numbers indicate clearly why we have seen so many deaths and accidents on our roadways --a culture of lawlessness exists.

I pass the Regent/Camp Street junction at least twice daily, and what is taking place there is a microcosm of the problems we have with enforcement of our current traffic laws.

The junction is the busiest one in our country, yet it is one of the places where the most lawlessness is displayed. At great expense to the people of this country, government, through the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, has installed a number of no parking/no stopping signs along the first 100 feet of Camp Street, and north and south of Camp Street to deter motorists from parking there.

This prevents congestion, and allows the free flow of traffic by way of the traffic lights.

However, due to our extremely lax approach to the rule of law, cars -- especially taxis -- can be seen parked smack in the middle of the

two signs, clearly in breach of the law. Sadly, the Traffic Department seems reluctant to strictly and uncompromisingly enforce the law, which only emboldens the defaulters and says to the public that no one will be held accountable. How is it even possible for the busiest intersection in the country to not have a consistent police presence?

I guarantee you that once the Traffic Department begins to tow a few vehicles from that intersection (especially west of the City Mall), slackers will get the message.

I have been told that there is only one working tow truck in the police’s possession.

If that’s the case, it is utterly unacceptable in this day and age.

To curb the lawlessness on the roads, there must be the will and the determination by the Guyana Police Force to strictly and consistently enforce ALL the existing laws on the book.

The cry for more traffic laws is not founded on common sense. The problem we have is a lack of enforcement.

REGARDS JEUMAYNE DUMMETT

Respecting the GoG/GTU agreement Dear Editor, IN A march from Buxton to Kitty, organised by the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) in 1987, the current Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, made a stirring speech on behalf of the workers.

For those who are not aware, the PCD was an opposition coalition made up of the relevant opposition forces to the then PNC government (PPP, WPA, DLM and so on). It was similar to the APNU+AFC coalition that was in opposition before May 2015.

Dr. Roopnaraine said at that 1987 rally: “The workers need more than G$19.40 a day, since it was an insult”. He further stated, “The TUC should get off its knees and stop begging, stand up and demand a decent living wage.” Revolutionary words from a revolutionary in 1987!

Where is that revolutionary today?

Reading the newspapers

in November 2015, one must acknowledge that the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is on record, calling on the Granger administration to show it has the best interest of teachers at heart by respecting agreements made for their benefit under the previous Jagdeo/ Ramotar administrations. Good call from the GTU. As one reflects on the issue, one can be guided by history. History must be considered because, in the current coalition government, there are a few revolutionaries in office at the highest levels, who served in the trenches for decades fighting for the workers’ cause.

The Hon. Prime Minister, Cde Nagamootoo, comes to mind easily (50 plus years in the struggle); Dr Roopnaraine and Dr. Thomas (over 35 years in the struggle) and so on. So the GTU has friends in high places, so its members should be getting a fair deal, unlike the deal they got from

be under the microscope by both the PPP and its own supporters. Ethnicity will emerge as it inevitably does at election time. But in the end we hope that the country gains from the exercise and our democratic credentials are enhanced. The next four months would once again test our mettle as a nation.

the anti-working class Jagdeo/Ramotar administrations.

The teachers can also count among their alumni powerful people like Minister Amna Ally.

So why are we here, in November 2015, with such a quantum of unresolved issues in favour of the teachers? This kind of lethargic behaviour was expected from the Jagdeo/ Ramotar administrations; not Dr. Roopnaraine’s. For years, the Jagdeo/ Ramotar PPP cabal made all sorts of promises to the teachers, but in the end, the most they got was 5 percent and a carrot on a stick tied to their heads.

If one were to study what happened, one would discover poor levels of militancy on the issues from the GTU leadership. Teachers have in their hands the most important assets of the nation, yet the GTU leadership allowed the Jagdeo Team to fool them on every occasion. Are they ready to be fooled again?

For how long more will the leadership of the GTU allow itself to me misled and mistreated, and by extension actively contribute to the migration of our brightest and best teachers out of Guyana?

The bottom line is that those teachers deserve a liv-

ing wage. When do they deserve it? NOW! There is no justifiable explanation to support that they should wait until 2016 and 2017. The GTU has to use its tools, or else it would be rendered another paper union, like Anson Sancho’s paper union called the Association of Masters and Mistresses, which literally served no purpose, at all but as a poodle to a process.

Is the leadership of the GTU satisfied with continuing to play the role of the donkey with the carrot tied to its head? Teachers’ remuneration (including the de-bunching agreement) and promotion need immediate attention, and no sweet words from the Minister should be acceptable. It is straight talk now. Can he do, it or can he not? If he can, then do should it and stop waddling around on the issue. If he cannot, then it is time for teachers to use the power in their hands. I hope, now that we have a government committed to offering the good life, they will quickly resolve these issues for the Teachers of Guyana. It is time for action.

REGARDS, SASE SINGH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Alana Binning: one of Linden’s finest couturiers

By Vanessa Braithwaite

LINDEN may be described by some as dismal and gloomy, but no one can deny that what it may lack in terms of ambience, it more than makes up for in the calibre of personalities it has managed to produce over the years.

One such person is up-and-coming fashion designer, Alana Binning, who, to her fellow Lindeners, is already a force to be reckoned with on the international fashion scene.

Well known in her home-town as a perfectionist where fashion is concerned, it’s a reputation that Alana strives to maintain not only here in Guyana, but also at the regional and international levels.

No stranger to promoters of fashion shows and pageants in Guyana, as she has been participating in such events for almost a decade now, she fondly remembers landing her first big job back in 2006 with the Linden edition of the Miss Talented Teen Pageant.

Not only was she privileged to have been tasked with designing and producing both swim and casual wear for all the delegates, but she was also commissioned to do the evening gowns as well for quite a few of the girls. And the rest, as they say, is history, as she has not looked back since.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS Hailing from the mining town of Linden, Alana comes from very humble beginnings, and will always remain humble, in spite of her many successes in her cho-

sen field as a designer and fashion expert.

The fourth of seven children, Alana recalls beginning to show an interest in fashion and designing from the tender age of 11. She vividly remembers those days she would sit for hours and watch as her mother, who was a seamstress by profession, sewed for her clients.

As any curious child would, Alana began to use the opportunity when her mother was not at home to sew her own little clothing with whatever scraps she could lay her little hands on. As is the old saying, ‘When the cat’s away, the mice will surely play’. And play Alana certainly did, as she used these opportunities to even sew her own school uniform.

Not that her mother was a happy camper.

“My mom would quarrel with me when she came home and noticed I used her stuff, but then she stopped,” Alana revealed.

Then, at the age of 13, Alana began helping her mom full-time with her sewing, as money was tight back in those days with her father gone. It was not as if he’d just upped and left her mother; he died.

But as time went by and her work became noticeable, she was invited to participate in the annual fashion week event which was being held in Georgetown.

Her most memorable fashion week designs, she recalled, were named after her eldest daughter, Tavina. She was also invited to participate in such events as GuyExpo and pageants of all descrip[tions. But unfortunately, she was unable

to attend international fashion events because of being pregnant each time she was invited. This, however, did not deter her

Models in clothing designed by Alana Binning from fulfilling her dream of owning her

own factory and boutiques both locally and internationally.

GOING SOLO Despite being a mother of three, this determined Sagitarrian recently hosted her very own fashion show for the first time, in which several of her designs and work were showcased and modelled.

These included swimsuits, cocktail dresses, evening gowns and fashion wear. She is planning her second show to be held next month in Linden.

“What gets me excited about my work is materialising a new idea,” Alana said.

She draws her inspiration from the expression of awe on the faces of those who wear her pieces. “To see that my clients are satisfied, and that they are astonished by my work brings me great joy,” she said, the emotion evident in her voice.

Alana is also an expert in fabric painting, and even though time does not permit her to paint very often, she still tries to do it occasionally. “I actually am a free-hand fabric painter, and most people are not aware of that,” she said quite modestly.

Alana Binning thanks her parents for supporting her throughout this career path, and regards them as her biggest role models.

In the fashion industry, she admires the work of Olympia Small and Sonia Noel, and hopes to one day reach their level of achievement.

Her advice to aspiring designers is to never give up and to stay focused in order to become better.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 23, 2015

CHAIRMAN of the Board of Directors, Dr Yesu Persaud on Saturday at the opening of a new branch of Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) called for an upliftment in performance so that Guyana can realise its true potential and become respected globally.

With his experience in the world of business as well as his travels, Dr Persaud said Guyana takes a back seat and this is a situation that must be rectified by the six-month-old APNU+AFC-led government.

“Performance is what we need….People have not been performing to their best. And if we can get this to be the

the board, whether in the area of deposits, advances, dividends, investments and taxes, the bank has been able to maintain its standard.

Guyana must work harder to realise potential – says Dr Yesu Persaud order of the day, there is no need for this country to be poor. We’re a country rich in resources. But resources don’t develop themselves.

They need people and technology,” said Dr Persaud.

With change, the chairman said, Guyana will be respected. “I would like to see that change, by [Guyana] gaining the respect of the world at large, especially the financial world, because without the financial world nothing happens.”

“All the government ministers must be doing their best and nothing but their best, in terms of performance,” he stressed. “Performance is what we need in a

country like Guyana.”

Dr Persaud also made a pitch for efforts to be made to attract persons with expertise back to Guyana. Guyana has experienced significant ‘brain drain’ as many qualified persons have left in search of ‘greener pastures’.

“Ask them to come in as immigrants. Every country in the world does that. If we do the right things, this place can be booming again within five years,” he said, making specific reference to Chile.

That country experienced tough times under the Pinochet rule, but has since made significant transformation using resources available to it.

Demerara Bank Limited Chairman, Dr Yesu Persaud

“We can do it, we must do it. We are supposed to have a country well endowed. Otherwise future generations will look down at us. Third World countries are moving up into being first world countries. We can learn from them.”

Meanwhile, Demerara Bank Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pravinchandra Dave said the bank has been performing exceptionally over the years.

He explained that across

ENERGY EFFICIENCY He explained that the new facility located at 214 Camp Street has been designed to give comfort to corporate customers and has been designed to conserve energy at all levels.

Dave said too that the glass used in the construction of the 25,000 square feet building is low-energy consumption glass which should save approximately 30 per cent of the energy cost, and the building is equipped with solar panel systems that will reduce significantly the cost of electricity.

Additionally, the CEO said, it is the intention of the Board of Directors to expand the bank’s reach to communities that do not have banking services available.

Finance Minister Win-

Monday, November 23, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Tuesday, November 24, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

ston Jordan in brief remarks commended the bank for its efforts in adopting “the modern approach to energy conservation through the employ of energy-efficient devices that no doubt will translate into reduced electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint”.

He said too that over the past 21 years the bank has been in existence, it has “emerged as a prominent institution on the local commercial banking landscape in the country”.

ABOVE INDUSTRY’S AVERAGE “Not only has the bank grown through physical expansion, but a perusal of its financial performance over the five-year period 20112015 has shown that gross assets have increased by 46 per cent- from $32 billion to $49 billion-- while deposits have risen sharply by 51 per cent-- from $40 billion in 2011 to $58 billion at the end of September 2015.”

The bank’s profits at the end of September 2015 have increased by 57 per cent.

“The performances of these critical banking indicators are well above the industry’s average,” the Finance Minister said.

Though the bank has been performing well over the years, the Finance Minister cautioned that, “the journey has only just begun”.

He stressed the need for improved and increased access to financial institutions by youth and women, especially female heads of households, the differently-abled, the urban and rural poor and those in the hinterland areas.

“The large dependence of the poor on non-traditional sources of access to credit cannot be overcome without improved access of the poor to financial intermediation. Banks generally, and Demerara Bank Limited in particular, must put themselves in a position to supply these services, wherever they are needed.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 23, 2015

NA Technical Institute’s 43rd convocation…

143 equipped with skills for development

A section of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute graduating class 2015

MINISTER within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry has urged the New Amsterdam Technical Institute 2015 graduating class to “continue to recognise the true value of knowledge”.

She issued the charge at the school’s 43rd convoca-

tion last Thursday. Some 143 students graduated in various skills areas including agricultural machinery, electrical installation, internal combustion engines, mechanical fitting, metal machining, motor vehicle electrical systems, motor vehicle work, radio and electronics servicing,

welding, bricklaying and concreting and carpentry.

Others secured certificates in plumbing and diplomas in administrative principles and practices, commerce, and computer science.

“I want to ask of you to invest your time and energy to expand your knowledge

Reckless driver scampers from crash scene

The Toyota Allion which was quickly abandoned by its young driver and other occupants after a high speed crash near the Shell gas station on the McDoom Public Road yesterday

Just after 05:00 hrs yesterday, the quiet of an early Sunday morning at Mc Doom Public Road, East Bank Demerara was shattered by the foreboding sound of a vehicle spinning out of control.

It was a white Toyota Allion that crashed just past the Shell Gas Station along the eastern carriageway.

A youth, who was pointed out as the driver, wasted little time in fleeing the scene after the car came to a stop across the roadway, blocking the north to east flow of traffic. However, there appeared to be no casualties at the scene.

The driver, who was annoyed at persons taking pictures with their cell phones, was verbally abusive.

Eyewitnesses said the driver who looked as if he and his friends in the vehicle had been partying “all nite long” was ‘flying’ when he lost control of the car on the straightway. A traffic department source said the car was travelling at about 100 mph. The licence plate number was given as PNN

8969.

The car uprooted the huge Shell V-Power signage from its concrete moorings, slammed into a set of heavy duty con-

crete drain covers that also serve as a pedestrian walkway and barely veered off from entering a nearby yard before spinning around. Car parts from the vehicle’s front and rear were ripped off and strewn about as the vehicle ‘slammed’ and ‘banged’ uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, residents who were roused from their beds by the crash expressed strong condemnation of reckless driving as they recalled a similar crash last Sunday night just a few meters south of yesterday’s incident.

That car had uprooted the sidewalk concrete slabs that would usually require a Hymac to set them in place.

base and intellectual capitals… do not be afraid to take risks…. No nation can develop without vocational and technical education,” she said.

Meanwhile, in her report, acting Principal of the school Ms Maxine Thompson disclosed that 170 students wrote the Guyana Technical Education Examination and the institution achieved an 85 per cent success, with 22 students or 13 per cent being referred , and four students or 2 per cent being unsuccessful.

The results reflect a 23 per cent overall improvement in performance for the year in review.

However, the Principal noted that the building department continues to perform exceedingly well, as they amassed an overall pass rate of 94 per cent which is a five per cent increase, when compared with the 2014 analysis.

The Engineer Department yielded an 84 per cent success rate, representing an per cent improvement in performance, while the Business Department gained a 78 per cent

pass rate, which is a remarkable improvement, compared to the 2014 performance of 38 per cent.

Generally, of the 15 per cent of candidates who failed this year’s examination, seven per cent were from the Engineering Department, 39 per cent from the Business Department, and four per cent from the Building Department.

There was a two per cent improvement in the Engineering Department, while in the Building Department there was an 18 per cent reduction in the failure rate.

Calculus and science proved to be the problematic areas for candidates in the Engineering and Building Departments.

Mathematics, programming, human relations and management and economics posed difficulties for candidates in the Business Department.

Two students, Dominic Mingo and Mark Cyril, received national awards for their outstanding performance. Mingo was adjudged the most outstanding stu-

dent in computer science and Cyril, the New Amsterdam Technical Institute’s valedictorian was adjudged the most outstanding student in the Craft Certificate in Electrical Installation.

Valedictorian Cyril, who previously attended the JC Chandisingh Secondary School, had secured eleven subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Describing his tenure at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, he said “It was worth it,” especially after learning that he had received a distinction and was the National Awardee in his field of study.

Along with the charge to the 2015 graduates which was delivered by President of the St. Francis Community Developers, Mr Alex Foster, the programme was enlivened with cultural presentations by current students. Also attending the three-hour ceremony was General Manager of the Guyana National Newspaper Limited, Mr Michael Gordon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 23, 2015

Mahdia still in line for township

By Svetlana Marshall

THE A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government is still in the process of working out the key geographical logistics for Mahdia to become a town.

Mahdia, located in Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni), was among four areas identified by the David Granger Administration for township status. In an Official Gazette (Extraordinary) dated October 21, 2015, Bartica in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Lethem, in Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and Mabaruma, in Region 1 (Barima-Waini) have been named towns.

These new townships now complement Georgetown, the capital and the other towns New Amsterdam, Corriverton and Rosehall in Region 6 (East Berbi-

ce-Corentyne); Anna Regina, in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam); and Linden, in Region 10 ((Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to work out the arrangements to allow for Mahdia to be named as a township, principally because of the issues relating to the constituency boundaries within the intended township or municipality,” Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan told the Guyana Chronicle Friday.

In an attempt to work out the geographical logistics involved in the process, the government has commenced consultation with residents in the targeted areas in the hope of drafting a timetable that will outline critical projects necessary for the transformation of these communities into townships. This general plan of action is expected to be completed by 2016. Trans-

manner. This, unfortunately, is a sad feature of the management of many of our communities throughout the country. It has to do with adequate provision of continuous and reliable energy or electricity, and the focus now is for the provision of ‘green’ energy; renewable and alternative energy,” he explained.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan

formational projects will be executed between 2016 and 2020, when the towns are expected to be fully transformed.

Minister Bulkan said key areas will be addressed within the four-year period. “It has to do with solid-waste management in an effective and environmentally-friendly

BRAZILIAN ASSISTANCE Already, Brazil has offered to assist Lethem in its transformational plans, according to Region 9 Chairman, Bryan Allicock.

According to Allicock, two Brazilian companies have offered to assist in the development and construction of a drainage network, and the re-designing of roads in the community.

“At the moment, we have no drainage network in place... Our Brazilian counterparts have volunteered to work with us; they build roads, and do landscaping,” Allicock said.

But for this partnership to bear fruit, he said, it has to be done through a govern-

ment-to-government arrangement through the Foreign Affairs Ministries.

As part of infrastructural development, Allicock said, there is an urgent need for a fire station.

“We have a fire tender, but no servicemen; just volunteers. No fire department; just volunteers who drive.

So we have spoken to the Minister of Communities, so we can have trained people; paid people; people to be on standby, because, recently, we had about six fires and by the time they got there, it was too late,” Allicock said.

Meanwhile, another area for development, which has been placed on the table by the regional authorities, is the improvement of the water supply system in the community. It was explained that though the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is in control of several drilled wells in the community and across Region 9, much more can be done to improve the quality of water being supplied to residents.

Currently, there are 55 wells across the district, with more than 90 per cent being

photovoltaic (PV) system wells, while the remaining 10 per cent include hand-dug windmill wells, and hand-dug shallow wells with Mark II hand pumps.

Over in Bartica, residents are eagerly awaiting the status of township, saying that it is long overdue. “It is a known fact that Bartica is a beautiful land with beautiful people.

“It is undoubtedly one of South America’s major tourist attractions, and the gateway to some of the world’s most valuable natural resources: gold and diamonds.

“So, it’s our belief that our township status will benefit Guyana; economically, politically and socially,” Gifford Marshall, one of the regional councillors, had said during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

President Granger, during his visit to Bartica in June, had announced that the mining community would gain township status

by April 23, 2016, in keeping with an ordinance made by the British Government some 178 years ago.

Guyana backs Sir Ron...

Academic, politician and former Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs under the People’s Partnership Government, Dr Bhoe Tewarie was nominated by then Prime Minister Kamla- Persad-Bissessar.

But his candidacy was withdrawn after Dr Keith Rowley swept to power in that country’s recent election.

Whoever becomes Commonwealth Secretary-General in 2015, will be taking over at a time when the global strategic order is changing.

There is a growing belief that with the right leadership and vision, the shared values that bind the Commonwealth will again become of global significance.

For this reason, when the Caribbean comes to decide, it would do well to select a candidate who is in touch with regional sentiment, can engage with the details, has a known world view, is able to relate to all of the nations of the Commonwealth, large and small, and is prepared to redefine its role as a stronger, more resilient and progressive organisation.

According to President Granger, based on the reputation Sir Ron has built himself over the last three decades, it is well known that he has a great concern for small states, which comprise the majority of the Commonwealth.

“We regard him as a friend of the Commonwealth and Guyana. Small states expect to see the Secretary General coming out in even greater support of small state security, climate change in small states and the economy of trade and commerce.”

With Guyana being faced with a number of challenges, President Granger said the border controversy with Venezuela and the vulnerability of fluctuation and variations in the economic environment will be among the pressing issues the new Secretary General will have to address.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Rashleigh Jackson has commended President Granger for supporting Sir Ron, and believes that the “majority of the Commonwealth will be supporting him”.

CONCERN While the majority in the Region seem to be behind Sir Ron, retired Guyanese diplomat Dr Odeen Ishmael is concerned that the Region has not decided on a single candidate.

This, he said can signal to the other Commonwealth nations that there is division in CARICOM, which can influence them to give their support to Botswana’s candidate Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba.

From page 2

Masire-Mwamba perhaps leads the field, as the ‘safe’ candidate. With considerable experience in business (including as Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Export Development and Investment Authority), she served two terms as a Deputy Secretary-General under Kamalesh Sharma, with responsibility for many of the secretariat’s activities.

According to one opinion writer, as the insider candidate, she starts with the advantage of wide contacts within the Commonwealth.

As a woman, she would be an appropriate choice for an organisation that has long stressed the empowerment of women as key to development and the building of stable democracies.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister of St Kitts-Nevis, Dr Timothy Harris has called on the leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to move the programme forward with respect to deciding on a single candidate.

This is important, he said to avoid setting a dangerous precedent “where any island, any member of CARICOM could go on its own personal agenda which makes it ever so difficult whenever we need to leverage the collective strength of the Region”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 23, 2015

Cuban Medical Brigade ‘saves’ over 4,000 lives

SOL Guyana launches ‘Licence 2 Win’ promotion

– during first half of 2015

By Svetlana Marshall THE Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana has been credited with ‘saving’ 4,143 lives during the first six months of 2015 under the Cuban Comprehensive Health Project which is being rolled out simultaneously with the Operation Miracle Project at the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Centre.

This is according to head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, Midalys Otero Hernandez who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle during an exclusive interview.

“During the first six months of this current year our Cuban Medical Brigade has treated an amount of 208,596 patients by different specialists, and surgeons have treated 6,605 patients, being 4,143 lives saved,” Hernandez said.

She said the Cuban Brigade, which is made up of 85 doctors and 33 nurses, has been working hand-in-hand with Guyanese doctors and nurses in seven regions.

“We work together with the Ministry of Public Health of Guyana promoting the international dates of the health system; we organise

health activities and guide Guyanese people towards the education and prevention of health affectations.

“We take part together with the Guyanese medical staff in outreaches in distant places, this task our collaborators do with happiness; motivated, they are not afraid of tiredness.”

According to Hernandez, “they only do that to increase and support Guyana’s people health indicators.”

On the international stage, 325,710 collaborators are offering their service in 158 countries while 50,281 Cuban health professionals are operating in 68 nations.

The Cuban Medical School annually graduates more than 68,000 foreign students from 157 countries GUYANA’S SOLIDARITY AND COURAGE Cuba remembers the act of solidarity and courage shown by Guyana and three other independent countries in 1972. It has consistently forged and strengthened its relations with Guyana through cooperation agreements in the areas of health, education, culture, sport and agriculture, among others.

Mr Orlando Boxill addressing the gathering at the launch of SOL Guyana’s ‘Licence 2 Win’ promotion last Thursday (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade Midalys Otero Hernandez

Guyana has been receiving Cuban medical personnel since 1978. The Cubans have provided healthcare and services to Guyanese at home and to those who have travelled to Cuba for specialist treatment at little or no cost. Guyana has the largest contingent of scholarship students from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) studying in Cuba.

The Operation Milagro Programme and the three diagnostic centres in different regions of Guyana perhaps best illustrate the value of the relationship.

SOL Guyana Inc last Thursday launched its “Licence 2 Win” promotion at its Vlissengen Road and Lama Avenue service station, with General Manager, Orlando Boxill announcing fabulous giveaways, including driving free for up to one year.

The launch of the promotion, which runs from November 20, 2015 to January 29, 2016, was witnessed by a

moderate gathering.

Boxill, who is the licensed operator of Shell Service Stations around Guyana, announced that spending $3,000 on Shell V-Power or Diesel will entitle motorists to a coupon, which serves as the gateway to winning fabulous prizes. Here’s how to enter: for the weekly prizes: after receiving a coupon, simply text the coupon number, your licence number, and name to: 66SHELL (6674355).

The weekly prizes include driving [on] free [gas] for up to one year; dinner for two at the Pegasus; flat-screen television sets; Samsung S6 cellular phones; and free fuel for one month.

For the grand prize draw, persons are required to fill out the coupon and drop it into the box at the service station.

The first prize is one year’s supply of free fuel; the second prize is six months’ supply of free fuel; while the third prize is three months’ supply of free fuel.

Also, for the duration of the promotion, until January 29, 2016, Shell custom-

ers spending $5,000 on fuel can have fun ‘Spinning the Wheel’ during weekly Happy Hours, to instantly win up to $50,000 in cash and other V-Power prizes, including water bottles, T-shirts, key chains and bags.

Noting that the promotion was the company’s way of rewarding motorists who are loyal Shell customers, Boxill said: “Our ‘Licence 2 Win’ promotion gives back to customers who are proud to be associated with using Shell’s high-performance fuels.”

Meanwhile, three lucky persons at the launch were given the opportunity to experience how it feels to be a winner. Their numbers were randomly pulled from ticket numbers presented to those witnessing the launch of the promotion.

Winners were: Marcey Parker of the National Communications Network (NCN), who won for herself thousands of dollars, and two employees of Royal Castle who had stopped by to purchase gas. One won $11,000, and the other a T-shirt.

Invitees to the launch of SOL Guyana’s “Licence 2 Win” promotion (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Courts, GEA in energy conservation partnership ––Eccles pensioner receives Samsung inverter fridge

By Rabindra Rooplall

G From left: General Manager of Courts Main Street Branch Sharon Persaud formally hands over the Samsung inverter fridge to pensioner Dolores Daniels in the presence of Head of GEA Energy Statistics Division Shevon Wood.

UYANA Energy Agency (GEA) has launched a pilot project with Courts Guyana Inc to help pensioners cut down on their use of electrical energy.

The first benefactor was 72-yearold Dolores Daniels of Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara who received one Samsung inverter fridge, compliments of Courts.

According to Head of the Energy Statistics Division at GEA, Shevon Wood, when it was brought to the attention of that agency that a pensioner who was having difficulty paying her electricity bill and was seeking assistance to acquire energy–efficient bulbs, the agency readily assisted.

“Mrs Daniels’s since becoming a widow, has found it difficult to pay her utility bills from the Guyana Power Light (GPL). Her monthly electricity expense was approximately $13,500. The pensioner indicated that since her husband’s passing, she has been using her lights more frequently as it provides a sense of additional security,” the statistician noted.

In addition, during the energy assessment conducted by GEA engineers, it was discovered that Mrs Daniels,’ refrigerator consumed a significant percentage of her total energy consumption.

The GEA official said the agency assisted by partnering with Courts in donating an energy–saving inverter type refrigerator that will consume half the amount of energy her current fridge utilises.

She emphasised that it was then decided to use Mrs Daniels’s home as a pilot project, whereby the finding, and data collected will be used to validate a project which has been submitted for funding to an international organisation and will be replicated to benefit pensioners countrywide.

“The partnership with Courts and the donation of the refrigerator will not only lend to assisting Mrs Daniels but also pensioners in similar situations across Guyana. It is partnerships such as these that are needed to facilitate the empowering of Guyana’s sustainable development,” Wood explained.

Mrs Daniels expressed great thanks to the agencies for their assistance as it goes a long way in helping her as a pensioner in her daily life.

Meanwhile, Courts Guyana also plans to further partner with GEA and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in rolling out energy– efficient appliances that are labelled with the savings in Guyana dollars so consumers can understand the merit of purchasing energy–saving appliances.

Digicel launches ‘Mer DIGICEL Guyana has launched its Christmas promotion titled “Merry Mansion Reloaded” aimed at giving its customers more reasons to be merrier this Christmas, with more prizes, more cash, and much more excitement for the festive season.

Digicel’s Merry Mansion, back by popular demand, is a spin-off from the still very popular Christmas promotion of 2009, where lucky customers took home more than $5 million in cash.

This new version dubbed “Reloaded” will give customers a chance to win up to $20 million in cash and prizes.

The promotion will run from November 20 to December 31. Every Digicel customer topping up their phones via scratch cards or electronically with $500 or more will collect letters to spell the word M-A-N-S-I-O-N. Customer topping up with $500 or more electronically will receive a letter sent to their handsets, while customers who purchase the Merry Mansion Reloaded scratch cards of $500 or $1000 will get a letter printed on the card; once all the letters are collected to spell M-AN-S-I-O-N, customers will instantly win $100,000 cash, and will stand the chance to be one of the lucky persons

Digicel Head of Marketing J the launching of Merry Mans

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Bosai Minerals awards CSEC, NGSA ‘Top 10’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

By Vanessa Braithwaite

“EDUCATION gives one the key to release themselves from the chains of ignorance,” was just one of the thought- provoking pieces of advice given to this year’s top 10 achievers at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

It came from none other than Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Upper Berbice), Renis Morian, who encouraged the students to never give up on their dreams, as he too rose from humble beginnings to become who he is today.

Noting that it is they who hold the key to their dreams, and no one else, Morian said: “Intensify your efforts and your fight to make your dreams fulfilled.”

The occasion was the customary presentation, held Saturday in Linden at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Hall, of bursary awards to those who had done well at this year’s CSEC and NGSA examinations by the mining company, Bosai Minerals Incorporated.

But whereas before, the awards were given to just those children from Linden who had excelled at the examinations, this year, Bosai extended the courtesy to the country’s top 10 achievers at both examinations, as well as the top 10 from Region 10.

Included in the mix also were the children of Bosai’s employees who were successful

Bosai, regional and education officials with the top students who were honoured on Saturday at both CSEC and NGSA, as well as those children who participated in the company’s apprenticeship programme.

Headmaster of the Christianburg-Wismar Multilateral School, Cleaveland Thomas used the opportunity as guest speaker to boast of the attainments of his students who earned seven of the top 10 positions at CSEC this year. All seven students were recipients of Bosai awards.

Bosai’s General Manager promised to make the event even bigger and better next year, bearing in mind that 2016 would mark 100 years since the commencement of mining in Linden, and 50 years since Guyana attained its independence from Great Britain.

Besides certificates of achievement and money, awardees were given trophies as well as other little tokens of appreciation.

rry Mansion Reloaded’

Jacqueline James speaks at sion Reloaded at Palm Court

who will search for millions of dollars in cash and prizes in the Digicel Merry Mansion. Customers can collect a combination of letters both electronically and using the scratch cards.

Customers who top up electronically can text win to “1441” to check the letters they have collected. Also customers can call into Customer Care by dialing 100 from their Digicel handsets to verify if they are actual winners.

“We are very excited to have another version of this popular promotion and game show, as we have had numerous customers requesting that we do another one. So in listening to our customers, we have decided to bring back Digicel’s Merry Mansion. This time it’s ‘Reloaded’ where our customers can win more and be merrier this Christmas with Digicel. Last year we were giving away $8 million in cash and prizes in our Gold Hunt Christmas Promotion, this year we will be giving away up to $20 million in cash and prizes!” Digicel Head of Marketing Jacqueline James said Members of the media and invitees were given a sneak peek of the promotion as they participated in a search during the recent launch of the event at Palm Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, November 23, 2015

By Rabindra Rooplall

collaboration in the classroom and beyond, helping them to retain what they learn.

Further emphasising on the benefits, Mohan said teachers are finding it increasingly difficult to give each student their undivided attention, which challenge is becoming a serious concern among educators. As a result, teachers are looking for dynamic new ways to engage students in the learning experience. Educators need to focus on tools that not only motivate students to learn, but also increase collaboration and enthusiasm.

Advances in digital technology have opened new avenues of communication, which are being translated into valuable teaching tools.

Indeed, he concluded that Internet access has substantially changed the nature of education.

The Smart Classroom: transforming curriculum delivery – using advances in technology WITH the recent pilot of the Samsung Smart-School initiative at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary, Guyana is finally catching up with the rest of the Caribbean, and the rest of the world, where interactive learning is concerned.

And with neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago already ahead, having piloted a similar programme in 20 schools last year, it is clear that the technology landscape continues to evolve and bring new opportunities for schools and educators alike says STARR Computers’ Michael Mohan.

The expectation, Mohan said, is that today’s students should be prepared not only for success in deploying tomorrow’s technological skills, but also for an interactive learning environment.

Samsung is piloting Smart Schools in over 30 countries.

In its Smart-School pilot projects, Samsung has been supplying teachers and some whole classes with their own personal devices.

THE SMART CLASSROOM The Smart Classroom Solution is a complete digital

A Samsung representative during an interactive session at North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary

education package consisting of Samsung tablets, television, a server and software.

Mohan said that as demand for digital education tools grows, device manufacturers and solution providers are realising emerging opportunities in the academic field.

Governments are also beginning to understand the importance of adapting to the

changing needs of tech-savvy students. As a result of this realisation, he said, many are implementing aggressive initiatives, such as digitising public school textbooks, with the primary goal being to make fundamental improvements to education through interactive teaching tools in the classroom and beyond.

Noting the benefits to be

derived by going that route, Mohan said the Samsung Smart-School solution has the capacity to help boost student retention rates by providing an interactive learning environment, whereby they actively participate in the lesson.

Students become more engaged in the subject matter with hands-on experience and

GLOBAL LEARNING CENTRES Recently, the E-Governance Unit has begun rolling out Wi-Fi networks in schools, while hinterland

and remote areas are expected to benefit from Internet access by the end of the first quarter of 2016.

Classrooms are no longer learning islands; they can be global collaborative learning centres. The growth of Internet access and connectivity in schools, coupled with digital content development and learning management systems, has enabled the start of real-time communication between students, teachers and parents. Online course development and instructional design, learning management systems, interactive multimedia-based learning, individualised self-paced learning, and online communities of excellence afford the opportunity for all schools to access the tools and information needed for effective student learning.

The expectation is that today’s students should be prepared not only for success in deploying tomorrow’s technological skills, but for an interactive learning environment.

Water dredge miner restrained from operating in Isseneru AN injunction has been granted in favour of Isseneru to restrain a miner from mining or attempting to mine on any part of its titled land.

Minister of Governance with responsibility for natural resources and the environment Raphael Trotman, had ordered that a water dredge working there cease operations, pending investigations and a fact-finding mission.

The Ministry of the Presidency on Saturday reported that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has been notified that an injunction was granted in favour of Isseneru to restrain the miner.

The court action number 2015-HC-DEM-CIV-W-420 also unsuccessfully sought to restrain the GGMC from issuing any permission to the miner and other defendants named in the action to mine and/ or operate within the boundaries

team comprised representatives of the DNRE, the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency and the GGMC. The residents benefited from a detailed interaction with the team and various concerns on mining along with other issues were raised. Discussions were also held with the owners of the ceased operation and relevant data was collected.

Minister Trotman had met with the toshao and representatives of the village Minister of Governance of Isseneru and the NationRaphael Trotman al Toshaos Council on the of Isseneru’s titled property. issue on November 14 and This matter remains active and had immediately ordered the before the court. operations of the dredge to The Department of Natural halt, pending further invesResources and the Environ- tigation. ment (DNRE), nevertheless, The government has conducted the fact-finding mis- undertaken to address the sion as committed to by Min- issue of land management ister Trotman last Wednesday. and the distribution of A multi-agency team was lands for varying sectors dispatched to Isseneru. The in a holistic manner.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Djokovic ends year on high with victory over Federer

By Martyn Herman LONDON, (Reuters)-Novak Djokovic put the finishing touch to a magnificent season by beating Roger Federer 6-3 6-4 to win the ATP World Tour Finals yesterday for the fifth time in his career.

The Serbian underlined his complete dominance of men’s tennis with an immaculate display to become the first player in the year-ending tournament’s 46-year history to triumph four times in a row.

After Federer brought the tournament to a close

in anti-climactic fashion with a double-fault, Djokovic wrote “And now for vacation” on the camera lens in Serbian.

How he deserves it.

The 28-year-old has stomped through the season to leave his rivals trailing in his wake

on Sunday and Djokovic won with something to spare.

Federer ’s chances were few and far between.

He had the first break point in the second game but fluffed a forehand into the net.

Jaguars tighten grip . .

From back page

after Carter gave the fifth catch opportunity that was capitalised on.

Jaguars ended Pride’s first innings early in the morning session with the visitors being bowled out for 104, Jaguars therby enforcing the follow on . Pride, resuming from their overnight score of 60 – 4 lost their last six wickets for 44 runs as Steven Jacobs and Motie tormented the lower order.

The eventful morning saw Mario Rampersaud (9) and Roston Chase (14) being dismissed in quick succession, both caught by Johnson at first slip off Motie and Jacobs, respectively.

Skipper Kevin Stoute was left unbeaten on 11 as he watched Ashley Nurse (02), Sulieman Benn (00), top scorer Tino Best (19) and Cummins (06) all lost their wickets rapidly.

Motie finished with 3 – 19, Permaul had 3 – 41, Jacobs grabbed 2-18 and Ronsford Beaton claimed 1 – 15.

Today’s play is scheduled to bowl off at 9:30 hrs.

(Kizan Brumell).

SCOREBOARD Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals against Switzerland’s Roger FedererReuters / Suzanne PlunkettLivepic -- securing the year-end world number one ranking weeks before the London finale.

He won three of the year’s four grand slams, beating the evergreen Federer in the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals to take his career haul to 10, and would have celebrated the rarest of ‘calendar year slams’ had it not been for an inspired Stanislas Wawrinka in the French Open final.

Not only that but he won six of the year’s Masters Series crowns and ended the year with an 82-6 win loss record -- half of those defeats coming against Federer, including in the group stages earlier in the week at the O2 Arena.

Federer, whose record 17 grand slams could come under threat from Djokovic, beat the Serb 7-5 6-2 on Tuesday to end his 23-match winning run and also inflict a first indoor loss on Djokovic for three years.

With the stakes raised though the 34-year-old made far too many errors

In the next game a near-identical forehand found the net to give Djokovic the break and from there he never looked back.

The clinical Djokovic teased Federer into a volley error on set point in the ninth game to move ahead.

Federer, bidding for a record-extending seventh title at the year-ender, was staring at the abyss when he trailed 3-4 0-40 in the second set but escaped with five straight points.

Djokovic was unrelenting though and wore the 34-year-old Federer down with one brutal rally two games later, clinching victory on his second match point when Federer’s second serve sailed long.

Djokovic has now levelled his head-to-head record with Federer for the first time in his career, at 22-22.

The previous day he also caught up with Rafael Nadal, beating the Spaniard to even their series at 23-23.

Guyana Jaguars 1 st innings – 337

Barbados Pride 1st innings K Corbin stp Bramble b Permaul 16 K Braithwaite c Bramble b Permaul 11 J Carter c Bramble b Beaton 4 S Brooks c Bramble b Motie 9 R Chase c Johnson b Jacobs 14 M Rampersaud c Johnson b Motie 5 K Stoute not out 11 A Nurse b Jacobs 2 S Benn run out 0 T Best lbw Motie 19 M Cummins c Fudadin b Motie 6 Extras: (nb-2, lb-1) 3

Total: (all out; 50 overs) 104 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-32, 3-36, 4-52, 5-66, 6-66, 7-70, 8-70, 9-96, 10-104 Bowling: Beaton (7-215-1), Reifer (5-2-10-0), Permaul (21-6-41-3), Motie (3-1-19-3), Jacobs (9-418-2)

Barbados Pride 2nd innings K Corbin c Hetymer b Motie 24 K Braithwaite lbw Permaul 15 J Carter c Singh b Johnson 89 S Brooks not out 30 M Cummins not out 0 Extras: (b-4, nb-1, lb-3) 8 Total: (for 3 wickets; 81 overs) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-82, 3-166 Bowling: Beaton (13-5-19-0), Jacobs (24-3-69-0), Permaul (27-11-45-1), Motie (16-3-26-1), Johnson (1-1-0-1)

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Fairview 08:40 hrs Land Of Meadows 09:15 hrs Royal Trip 09:50 hrs King Of The Cast 10:25 hrs Hazel Jay 11:00 hrs Olim Dives

lan 10:55 hrs Battlecat 11:25 hrs Ordensritter 11:55 hrs Tanit River Chelmsford City 10:00 hrs Show Me Again 11:05 hrs Mindurownbusiness 11:35 hrs Secret Missile 12:05 hrs Natural Nine 12:35 hrs Moshe 13:05 hrs Every Instinct

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Kempton 09:05 hrs Air Horse One 09:35 hrs Vaniteux 10:10 hrs Polly Peachum 10:45 hrs The Clock Leary 11:15 hrs Presence Felt 11:45 hrs Presenting Arms LUDLOW 09:20 hrs Baltic Storm 09:50 hrs Policy Breach 10:20 hrs Tornado In Mi-

AMERICAN RACING TIPS Parx Racing Race 1 Special Flyer Race 2 Kovarro Race 3 Poderosa Race 4 Fiery Gizzard Race 5 Haunted Vision Race 6 Sheikinator Race 7 Bowman’s Beast Race 8 Queequeg Race 9 Start Smok’n

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Joseph, Bonner fail to stop Volcanoes ROSEAU, Dominica, (CMC) – Teenaged fast bowler Alzarri Joseph snatched career-best figures and Nkrumah Bonner stroked his third half-century in six innings, but neither effort could prevent Leeward Islands Hurricanes from plummeting to an eight-wicket defeat to Windward Islands Volcanoes inside two days here Saturday.

Right-armer Joseph, 19, picked up seven for 48 as Volcanoes, resuming the first innings on 104 for five, were dismissed for 140 in the low-scoring Regional First Class Championship contest at Windsor Park. yrone Theophile, unbeaten on 54 overnight, scored 62.

Behind by 116 runs on first innings, Hurricanes mustered only 170 in their second innings with Bonner top-scoring with 64, Shane Jeffers getting 30 and Daron Cruickshank, 22.

Alzarri Joseph snatched career-best figures of seven for 48.

Captain and off-spinner Liam Sebastien finished with five for 75 while left-arm spinner Alston Bobb claimed four for 48.

Set a mere 55 for victory, Volcanoes reached their target with little difficulty late in the evening with West Indies limited overs opener Johnson Charles finishing on 21 not out.

Joseph, in his fourth first class game, picked up one of the two wickets to fall to finish with a eight-wicket match haul.

The defeat was the third straight heavy defeat for the luckless Hurricanes, and it ensured their remained bottom of the standings.

Thanks to Joseph, they did well to restrict Volcanoes, claiming the last five wickets for 36 runs with the lively fast bowler taking four of the wickets to tumble.

But they were once again let down by their batting as opener Sherwin Peters fell cheaply for two with the score on 11 in the fifth over of the innings.

Bonner and Trinidadian Cruickshank put on 39 to guide Hurricanes up to 50 for one, a position that represented a decent recovery.

After batting an hour and striking two fours and a six, Cruickshank perished just before lunch when he was lbw to Bobb, leaving the hosts on 54 for two at the break.

Wickets then fell steadily on resumption as the Hurricanes slumped to 94 for five, with Sebastien scything through the middle order.

Jamaican Bonner resisted stoutly, hitting five fours in an innings that spanned 125 balls and a shade over 2-1/4 hours.

He added 39 for the sixth wicket with Rahkeen Cornwall but once the burly right-hander was dismissed for 16 after an hour at the crease, the last five wickets crumbled for 37 runs

Two-goal Kane on target again as Spurs thrash West Ham LONDON, (Reuters)-A double from Harry Kane, who scored in his fifth consecutive club match, inspired Tottenham Hotspur to a 4-1 win over London rivals West Ham United in the Premier League at White Hart Lane yesterday.

England striker Kane continued his searing form, finding the target in his fourth straight league game after 23 minutes to set Spurs on their way to a 12th consecutive league match without defeat, matching the club’s record Premier League run.

After Kane’s blistering left-foot strike on the turn, Toby Alderweireld escaped his marker to head home a second 10 minutes later before Kane struck again straight after the break.

Kyle Walker bent home an elegant fourth in the 83rd minute before a late consolation from West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini.

Tottenham, unbeaten in the league since a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on the

opening day, moved to within four points of surprise leaders Leicester City.

They also jumped three points clear of sixth-placed West Ham, whose best start to a Premier League season was rudely arrested, and lie fifth on 24 points, two behind Arsenal and third-placed Manchester City and three off Manchester United.

Kane, whose barren early-season return had suggested he could be suffering from ‘second season’ syndrome after his magnificent exploits of 2014-15 when he scored 31 goals in all competitions, has mined a new, rich seam of form.

CONFIDENT KANE “As a striker when your confidence is high you feel like you’re going to score every game. Today I could have had a couple more,” Kane told Sky Sports.

His first goal demonstrated his confidence when, after the ball broke fortuitously in the area for him, he rolled defender Carl

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino congratulates Harry Kane after he is substituted Reuters / Toby MelvilleLivepic

Jenkinson with muscular ease and smashed the ball past goalkeeper Adrian.

After Alderweireld’s slick near-post header from a pinpoint Christian Eriksen corner made it two, Kane’s second goal in the 50th minute, a strike which squirmed beneath Adrian, came courtesy of amateurish defending from James Tomkins.

Yet man of the match Kane, who has scored eight goals in his last five matches for Spurs in all competitions, was left cursing that he should have had a hat-trick, horribly miscuing another first-half chance.

“I probably got a bit excited. I’ll be punching myself that I didn’t get the hattrick,” he said.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino told BBC Sport: “It was a high level performance.

It was fantastic.”

Of Kane’s slow start to the season, he added: “When you are a striker, there are always tough periods but I never had doubts about Harry Kane.”

Guptill hits ton during pink-ball preparation

Martin Guptill batted without restraint against the pink ball

NEW Zealand opener Martin Guptill and the touring captain Brendon McCullum opened their shoulders with a pair of percussive innings in their attempt to find some rhythm batting against the pink ball on the second and final day of the practice match against a Western Australia XI at the WACA Ground.

Since his recall to the New Zealand Test side, Guptill has been counselled by the batting coach Craig McMillan to use more of his aggressive instincts at the top of the order, and there were signs of former anxieties less prevalent as he breezed to his hundred in a stay of 109 balls before retiring.

McCullum, meanwhile, seemed to equate the pink ball with its white equivalent as he clattered seven boundaries and two sixes in a 28-ball innings that tallied 49. It had been a more sedate McCullum at the Gabba as he tried to

stave off an opening defeat, but it seems he has some more pugilistic intentions for the pink ball in Adelaide.

Most New Zealand batsman were able to get in at least half an hour of batting against the pink ball under the WACA lights, with last week’s double-centurion Ross Taylor reaching 21 from 30 balls.

Trent Boult was again absent from proceedings, having not bowled on day one of the fixture.

The local bowlers were largely subject to plenty of punishment, though the performance of the young left-armer Joel Paris may be cause for some interest from the national selectors. Considered a paceman of considerable promise, he claimed three wickets despite being treated with plenty of respect by the tourists. Andrew Tye’s four wickets came at somewhat greater cost. (ESPN Cricinfo).

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Director of Sport congratulates Lady Jags THE Ministry of Education Department of Sport/National Sport Commission (NSC) has extended congratulations to Guyana’s Senior National Women’ football team, the Lady Jags on advancing to the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Associations of Football (CONCACAF) Olympic qualifiers recently.

Sport director Christopher Jones in a statement commended theteam for its work, adding that their determination and hard work and has paid off.

Jones noted that the Guyanese people and by extension the Government stand with them as they continue their

Mariam El Masri scored Guyana’s first goal on Friday night

journey to the next level of competition.

The Lady Jags defeated the Jamaica 2-1 on Friday 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.

Their triumph represents the second time the Guyanese women have qualified for a major CONCACAF tournament, leaving the men’s side again in the dust 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.

Tashana Vincent of Jamaica gave her side the early lead just before half time (43rd minute) but the refueled and revitalized jags came back strong just three minutes after the break but a fire cracker from Mariam El Masri.

It was not going to be over there as Persaud hammered home the second to put Guyana in the driver’s seat; a position which they held until full time.

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.

Spurs remain unbeaten at home with win over Grizzlies (The Sports Xchange) GAMES between the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies are usually more grit than gold and the Spurs’ 92-82 victory over the Grizzlies on Saturday was the latest in that vein of battles not recommended for the faint of heart.

Forward Kawhi Leonard scored 19 points and guard Tony Parker had 18, all in the first half, as the San Antonio remained unbeaten at home.

The Spurs (10-3) led just 86-80 in the final minute but got back-to-back running floaters from forward Tim Duncan and a three-point dagger from Leonard with 16 seconds remaining and the shot clock ticking down to clinch their sixth win of the season at the AT&T Center.

The victory snapped

Memphis’ season-best fourgame winning streak.

“Memphis played well in the fourth quarter to bring the lead back to single digits,” Leonard said. “We just kept fighting on the defensive end and made some good plays down the stretch.”

The two teams combined for 35 turnovers, 18 for the Spurs. San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich refused to use the excuse that the Spurs are still trying to figure out their new lineup and rotation for its ragged, if winning, effort.

“No, that was a sign of a team playing poorly,” Popovich deadpanned.

Guard Manu Ginobili, back in the lineup after a two-game absence with a sore hip, added 15 points for San Antonio. Duncan scored 10 points, eight in the fourth quarter, and pulled down 10

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes (22) at the AT&T Center. San Antonio won 92-82. rebounds.

The Grizzlies (7-7) got 16 points from guard Mike Conley. Memphis reserve guard Courtney Lee scored 15 points and reserve forward Matt Barnes had 10 points.

“You have to get what you’re trying to get offensively and right now we are a little scattered,” Grizzlies coach David Joerger said.

“We could be better, and not turn the basketball over. If we are going

France, Brazil to share intelligence ahead of Rio Games in 2016

By Silvio Cascione BRASILIA, (Reuters)-France will share counterterrorism intelligence with Brazil ahead of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the foreign ministers of both countries said in a press conference in Brasilia yesterday.

France’s foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, in Brazil to discuss the upcoming U.N. climate summit in Paris later this month, said French intelligence officials could provide Brazil with information about potential threats.

“Minister Fabius of-

fered a possible exchange of information and experiences, which for the Brazilian government is very welcome,” Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said.

Diplomats in Brasilia last week told Reuters that western governments were worried about the safety of their athletes and tourists at the Rio 2016 Games because they believe many Brazilian authorities are complacent, taking too much comfort in the country’s historical standing as a non-aligned, multicultural nation which is free of enemies.

Fabius said this month’s

killings in Paris could have happened anywhere in the world, which means any strategy to fight terrorism needs to be international.

France remains on a state of emergency following the Nov. 13 attacks that killed 130 people in Paris. The series of shootings and explosions came as the country prepared for the U.N. Climate Change Conference, also dubbed COP21, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

More than 100 world leaders will discuss plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prevent global temperatures rising more than 2 degrees Cel-

sius above pre-industrial levels. None of those heads of state or government has cancelled their presence in the summit, a French source said.

Fabius, wrapping up a world tour that included South Africa and India earlier this week, said Brazil is an essential player in the global climate talks. Brazil pledged to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030, although that will include reductions from past efforts against deforestation.

“The targets put forward by Brazil are ambitious and exemplary.”

to struggle as much as we have offensively this season, we can’t take too many possessions off defensively.

Tonight San Antonio had too many times where they just had a straight line (to the basket) -- walk in, shoot, layup.”

Center Marc Gasol had just eight points and eight rebounds the night after his first triple-double of the season.

“We took tougher shots than we should have, but that’s what San Antonio does to you,” Gasol said.

“They are a team that you can’t beat with one action.

When we have an advantage on a drive or on a pick-and-roll, we need to make the next pass or the right play for the next guy.”

Memphis’ bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 38-28, even with injured forward Zach Randolph out with a knee injury.

The Spurs led 24-19 after the first quarter despite outshooting the Grizzlies 45.5 percent to 35 percent

from the field and outscoring Memphis 14-4 in the paint.

San Antonio turned things up a notch early in the second quarter as guard Patty Mills hit a 3-pointer and Ginobili followed with a three-pointer, a layup off a steal and a free throw to push the Spurs’ advantage to 33-21 with 10:11 left.

Parker punished the Grizzlies with 12 points in the second quarter and 18 points in less than 17 minutes of action in the first half as the Spurs built a 16-point lead on the way to a 53-39 advantage at halftime.

But Memphis responded, getting within 61-55 with 6:22 left in the third quarter on a layup by Barnes, a jumper by Gasol and then a Barnes dunk off a Gasol assist.

San Antonio ran off 13 of the quarter’s final 17 points, with 10 of those points coming from Leonard (six) and Ginobili (four), staking the Spurs to a 74-61 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday November 23, 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:

Robert Karl Nunes (WI vs ENG, Lord’s, 1928) Rohan Kanhai (WI vs ENG, Leeds, 1973)

Today’s Quiz:

Who is the first WI to score a Test match hundred?

Who is the first WI to crack an ODI ton?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday November 23, 2015

Alvarez beats Cotto to win WBC middleweight title (REUTERS)-MEXICO’S Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez beat Miguel Cotto on a unanimous points decision to win the WBC world middleweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Alvarez, the pre-fight favourite, lived up to his billing with a powerful display at the Mandalay Bay Events Center as the 25-year-old improved his career record to 46-1-1 (32 KOs). His only loss was to Floyd Mayweather in 2013.

All three judges agreed Alvarez had won the contest comfortably, awarding him between nine and 11 of the 12 rounds.

“We knew going into this fight that it would be a difficult journey, but I feel that I was the faster and stronger fighter tonight,” Alvarez said.

“I wasn’t hurt by his punches. I was fully prepared for what Cotto was going to do in the ring, whether that was take a defence stance or be the aggressor.”

No sooner was the fight over than talk turned to a possible clash with Kazak

world champion Gennady Golovkin, the unbeaten WBA, IBF and interim WBC champion, nicknamed GGG. “I have respect for him, but if we do fight it’s going to be at my weight class,” Alvarez said. “I’m the champion, I don’t have to do what he wants.”

After a relatively even contest early, Alvarez established his dominance over Cotto with a devastating series of blows in the eighth round.

Cotto, who lost for just the fifth time in 45 career fights, was stripped of the WBC world title earlier in the week after refusing to pay the reported $300,000 sanctioning fee the organisation demanded.

Had the Puerto Rican won on Saturday, the title would have remained vacant.

“I am not disappointed by the WBC’s decision,” Cotto said before Saturday’s fight. “It was all about money. The fee for this fight was absurd to me. And I prefer to keep the money in my account.

Notable Dates GUYANESE born Canadian citizen Egerton Marcus wrapped up his seventh consecutive professional boxing victory with a point win over American Pat Alley on November 23, 1991. The fight was held at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia, USA and carried Marcus’ record to 7-0 with five Knock Outs.

Born in Goed Fortuin on February 2, 1965, Marcus was the third of five children and moved to Canada in 1973. He was raised in Toronto and won a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

Marcus joined the professional ranks in 1989 and rattled off 14 consecutive victories before suffering his first defeat. He was the holder of the NABF light heavyweight belt when he challenged German Henry Maske for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light heavyweight title in February 1995.

The German, who denied Marus a gold medal in Seoul, again prevailed by Unanimous Decision. Marcus, the cousin of Guyana’s first world champion the late Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis, would soon after move up to cruiserweight where he stayed briefly before settling in the heavyweight category.

His challenge for the Canadian heavyweight title in October 2001, was cut short by Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock who won by TKO in the 10th round.

“The organisation wants four champions in every division just to earn a percentage from everybody. And then we have to pay for their mistakes.

“I don’t need their belt. I have enough belts in my house. And with the money I saved, I can buy any belt I want.”

Canelo Alvarez lands a left hook against Miguel Cotto during their WBC middleweight fight on Saturday night in Las Vegas.(Al Bello / Getty Images)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Alvarez beats Cotto to win WBC middleweight title

See story on page 23

‘Nationals’ nicely balanced ahead of today’s start

THE National Schools Athletics, Cycling and Swimming championships gets going today with three different events at three different locations.

The 10k road run will start from 06:00h from the Earth Station, head to the University of Guyana Road before finishing in front of the Children’s Monument in the National Park while swimming will start at 10:00h at the National Aquatic Centre, Lileendaal.

The 40k cycle race will also pedal off today from 10:00h in front of Ocean View before turning at Strathspey on the East Coast of Demerara for the finish in front of Ocean View Hotel.

While an electric buzz is in the air ahead of the event, today will mark the 55th edition of historic championships along with Guyana’s oldest rivalry in North Georgetown (District 11) versus Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10); the two most successful teams in the history of the championships, District 11 with 14 championships and District 10 with 13.

While both squads are ready for their date with history, there are other strong contenders that can sway the outcome of the championships.

East Coast of Demerara (District 4) is considered a strong contender in the championships since they are always in the

2013 champions, North Georgetown (District 11) will hope to repeat after last year’s rained out edition. mix, sporting a history of seven titles as well as New Amsterdam (District with their rich history of talented athletes.

The absence of a title for the latter by no means pegs them as a pushover as they always finds away into the upper brass of the competition.

Another team that seems to have a realistic shot at the championships is South Georgetown (District 13) but whether their athletes can perform on the day is the big question with

a district that has always had great talent but never seems to make an impact on the event.

East Georgetown (District 12) seems to be the dark horse in the event due to their talented team in the athletics division whether they can impact the cycling, swimming and teachers championships is left to be seen.

With all logistics in place for a great event this year, no clear winner can be pegged to take the title from the onset.

Jaguars tighten grip on Barbados Pride going into final day

GUYANA Jaguars was still on course for victory on the penultimate day of their third round 2015/16 WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day match against Barbados Pride which ended at the Guyana National Stadium, yesterday with the Guyanese needing another seven wickets going into the final day.

The Bajans still need to clear off another 67 runs at stumps as they reached 166 – 3 after being made to follow-on. Shamar Brooks will resume on day four on 30 while Miguel Cummins, the night watchman, is yet to l come off the mark.

The visitors lost the crucial wicket of Jonathan Carter for 89 in the last over of the day to make shift leg-spinner Leon Johnson who broke the stubborn 84-run third wicket partnership he shared with Brooks. Carter faced 225 balls, 12 of

which were dispatched graciously to the boundary.

He also survived four dropped chances by the Guyanese but his luck ran out when he found Vishaul Singh on the deep square leg boundary.

Kemar Braithwaite (15) was the first to fall with the score on 20 once again, and again to Permaul, this time leg before wicket. At lunch Pride were 38 – 1. Carter joined Corbin (24) and took the score to 82 before Motie broke the 62-run partnership.

At that point Brooks and Carter led a good fightback taking their side to 112 – 2 at tea. The pair batted confidently as they approached close of play but there was a nine-minute halt in play when wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble left the field, not long

Barbados batsman Jonathan Carter who top scored with 89 plays through the legside in this (Adrian Narine photo)

Beckles here to conduct workshop THE amateur boxing referee/ judges fraternity will benefit from a three- day workshop to be conducted by AIBA Three Star referee/judge James Beckles.

scheduled to start sharing knowledge from 1 pm today at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown.

The workshop will focus on AIBA Technical

See page 20

Top Caribbean referee/judge James Beckles (right) chats with local boxing association president Steve Ninvalle.

The Trinidadian touched down in Guyana Saturday night and is

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Rules with special attention being placed on the recently launched AIBA

Heads Up programme.

There would be a grading of officials just before the workshop concludes on Wednesday.

Over 20 locals and eight referee/judges from the Caribbean are expected to participate in the workshop which is being used to update regional officials on recent AIBA rules ahead of the fourday Caribbean Development Boxing tournament which starts here on Thursday.

The tournament has attracted interest across the Caribbean with 14 countries registered to compete. A number of the countries have also registered referee/judges with the first set listed to arrive tomorrow.

Beckles is one of the top officials in the region and featured prominently at the World Championships held last month in Doha, Qatar. His travel to Guyana was made possible by the Guyana Olympic Association.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2015