Chronicle 24 10 2015

GUYANA

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

Local gov't polls set for early March No. 104351

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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– as GECOM declares readiness P.3

Sam Hinds Jr jailed then bailed

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The dry spell being experienced accompanied by the daily emission of extreme heat is taking a toll across Guyana. In this photograph taken on Wednesday, the swamplands of the East Demerara Water Conservancy were ignited by the heat (Mike Charles photo)

Make concession to Venezuela – Jagdeo

…floats ceding maritime space P.10

Man chops, stabs woman P 3 who dumped him .

Denise Fredericks and Andre Robinson in happier times

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

PPP joins appeal to rescind declared date for Diwali THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has thrown its support behind the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and is calling on the government to rescind the November 10 date declared for the celebration of Diwali.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha is strongly holding out that Diwali should be celebrated on November 11, and

equally, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, who is guided by the Viraat Sabha, is not budging on the November 10 date set for the national holiday.

According to the Dharmic Sabha, Diwali which occurs annually on Amawasya or the new moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik is the 15th Tithi in the dark half of

Kartik and the darkest night of the year.

And according to the Panchang/ Patra, this occurs on November 11.

“This coincides exactly with the western astronomers’ calculation of the new moon which is listed for Guyana as occurring on November 11 at 13:47 hrs. The new- moon effect will be experienced as darkness falls, the Dharmic Sabha said, adding that performing Maha Lakshmi Puja on November 11 would, therefore, be on new- moon day as prescribed.”

The Viraat Sabhaa is however arguing that what is explicit, as contained in the Kaashi Panchang/Patra – an annual publication on astrology and Hinduism – is that Pradosh Kaal, Nisheet and Mahaa Nischeet Kaal (all

Minister of National Security Khemraj Ramjattan

Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha President Dr Vindhya Persaud

being auspicious times), are present on November 10.

With Amawasya (dark night) ending on 13:47 hrs on

Wednesday, November 11, after which, automatically, a new moon begins, Viraat Sabhaa is arguing that this further confirms November 10 as the official day, since the festival cannot be observed in the new moon, but must be on the darkest night of the year.

The PPP in a statement on Friday said before the beginning of each calendar year the Minister of Home Affairs is provided with a list of holiday dates to be observed throughout the country for the in-coming year.

Long before the May 2015 elections, former Minister of

Home Affairs Clement Rohee had signed off on the dates for the national holidays.

Since the declaration that Diwali will be celebrated on November 10, Minister Ramjattan has been the subject of much criticism, with many calling on him to withdraw the date, but he has remained defiant.

Many have contended that apart from the timing of the festival, the issue is also rooted in the traditions of India. In South India, the festival is celebrated on November 10 and November 11 in North India, from where the majority of immigrants to Guyana originated. The North Indian tradition many have contended, is more relevant to Guyana.

The PPP said it unequivocally supports the call of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha for the festival to be celebrated on November 11, saying that there must be no political interference in religious affairs.

“Further, the party demands the political date given as a national holiday be withdrawn forthwith and that November 11, 2015, be declared the national holiday as agreed and reflected in all calendars issued in the national territory of Guyana,” the release concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

Local gov’t polls set for early March – as GECOM declares readiness

By Rabindra Rooplall

POLITICAL WILL Underscoring that the political will was missing to implement LGE, Minister Bulkan said that “this administration is committed to move forward in a different direction and in this regard, the ministry is actively engaged and is part of the process of building capacity of the councils and to provide institutional strength and to equip and empower them and ensure their revenue base is sufficient to allow for their financial independence and their general economy in the management of their affairs.”

cratic Organs which are now allowed for nine municipalities and 62 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) as well as the composition of the councils and a separate Order identifying the boundaries of the respective democratic organs.”

He continued: “It now paves the way for administrative necessity for which there is a third order naming the date of the elections. In that regard, I am awaiting a definitive response from GECOM to be told what is the earliest date by which those elections could be held, given the fact that these administrative requirements are all in place, but I believe in the new week a date can be named.”

He explained that local government is a vital level of public administration, because it deals with people’s daily lives in their communities. Citizens from local communities depend on their locally elected representatives to ensure towns, municipalities and villages are effectively managed to ensure clean environments, street lights, maintenance of roads, streets, drainage canals and playgrounds. These attributes will contribute to a “Good Life” for residents.

EARLIEST DATE Bulkan noted that the LGE will result in new councils with new energy, new enthusiasm and with the zeal arising from the confidence that would be placed in them by citizens. He also disclosed that orders have been given to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to provide the earliest date which will be announced in the new week.

The Communities Minister explained that “…. two Orders are to identify the participating Local Demo-

TOO LONG Minister Bulkan emphasised that Guyanese citizens have been waiting for too long to elect new councillors to the municipalities and NDCs. Elections are important because they are a democratic and constitutional right. He added that most councils that were democratically elected in 1994 have been replaced by PPP government-appointed members and had become dysfunctional by 2014. The PPP/C administration had shown

AFTER more than two decades of delays, Local Government Elections (LGE) will be held within the first quarter of 2016.

This announcement was made yesterday by Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, who was at the time addressing a workshop for local government organs at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. He explained that this is part and parcel of the administration’s commitment for an effective local government system.

little interest in empowering the people to enable them to exercise greater control over their daily lives.

Meanwhile, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2015 which was passed earlier this year gives financial independence to Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and municipalities across the country, an area that is aggressively being pushed by the new administration.

President David Granger had made it clear that LGE remained a top priority of his government, in the face of growing local and international pressure.

Local government reforms had started back in the late 1990s, following political standoffs as a result of the stormy 1997 General and Regional Elections.

CARICOM had intervened, resulting in what is known as the Herdmanston Accord, which called for a number of reforms including LGE. The last one was held in 1994. Under the reforms, NDCs and municipalities in addition to being empowered to deal with their own revenues will be able to penalise defaulters in the area of drainage.

Bulkan believes that the opposition is fearful of losing control of the NDCs and other local government organs which will become independent. He noted that local government is a partner of central government. It is not an adversary or even subordinate. Its role and authority are defined and protected by the Constitution of Guyana.

FULL OPERATIONAL MODE Meanwhile, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) yesterday con-

voters’ list will be 29-Feb2016.

The electoral body noted that the appointment of the specific date within this period as “Election Day” is still to be made by another Ministerial Order.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan

firmed that the secretariat of the elections body is now in full operational mode for the conduct of Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to GECOM “…given the current work plan of the GECOM Secretariat, Local Government Elections can be held no earlier than Monday March 14,2016 and no later than May 29,2016.”

The electoral body in a press release stated that this change in gear was caused by the issuance of several related Orders by the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan.

These Orders included “Order No. 23 of 2015 on Friday 23-Oct-2015 which identifies nine towns and 62 NDCs where Local Government Elections (LGE) will be held. This Order allows the Elections Commission to extract the voters’ list for the identified areas for Local Government Elections from the current National Register of Registrants (NRR).”

The fully constituted Elections Commission with all members present, sitting at its Statutory Meeting held on Tuesday 22-Sep-2015, had already unanimously decided that the qualifying date to be used for the extraction of the

CLAIMS AND OBJECTIONS PERIOD Following the extraction of the Preliminary Lists of Voters for all local government areas, eligible voters are invited to fully utilise the Claims and Objections (C&O) period to scrutinise, sanitise and update these lists. During this Claims and Objections period, which will now commence on 09-Nov2015, persons who will be 18 years and over as at 29-Feb2016 will be allowed to make claims to have their registration recorded at the address in the constituency where they live, either as new registrants or by transfer. In addition, they will be allowed to make objections to entries in the list on which their names appear, which they know do not represent persons who actually live in their respective constituencies. Other transactions such as corrections to the recorded particulars of eligible voters and change of name, supported by the appropriate source documents, will also be permitted during this period.

To facilitate this C&O exercise, a total of 153 offices will be established across all the local government areas identified for Local Government Elections. Lists will be posted in each electoral division in these areas and in accordance with the relevant constituencies.

The offices will be open for business Monday thru Friday from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm and from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays during the Claims and Objections period.

GECOM urges all eligible voters to make full use of this period to ensure a credible electoral roll is produced.

Eligible voters should look out for frequent GECOM publications in the print, electronic and social media in addition to flyers, posters and banners providing more details and updated information as the time approaches.

TRAINING Scores of persons earlier this month took part in a two-day training exercise coordinated and executed by the GECOM. The exercise was designed to comprehensively train persons identified to work as Returning Officers and other field staff, to effectively and carefully manage the conduct of Local Government Elections.

Over the two days of training, participants were expected to develop an appreciation for and understanding of the organsational structure that will be used to facilitate the conduct of the Local Government Elections processes.

In addition, the participants were given guidelines on how to develop proper strategies to effectively make the necessary preparations for the conduct of Local Government Elections, and to bring closure to the exercise.

Participants were also expected to acquaint themselves with the necessary steps involved in individuals casting ballots, and were also trained in properly dealing with the different types of electors.

Moreover, they were also exposed to the various forms and envelopes used during Local Government Elections, and were taught thoroughly and correctly the accurate methods of completing these forms and envelopes. Training exercises were held at locations in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Man chops, stabs woman who dumped him

By Leroy Smith DENISE Fredericks, 48 years, of 4669 Roxanne Burnham Gardens was early yesterday morning stabbed about her body by her reputed husband and father of her young son after she kicked him out of the home for not contributing to the bills.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, Andre Robinson has been together with Fredericks for some four years and they have a young child. The woman had cause in the past to report the man to the police for his abusive behaviour, particularly when he is intoxicated.

On Wednesday the woman’s children asked the man to leave the home and never return since he was not contributing financially and their mother who is a newspaper vendor had to bear the burden.

The man did not leave without offering them some drama but eventually left. He returned on Thursday for a cutlass which he had in the home and that was handed to him.

However, yesterday the man showed up at the woman’s newspaper stand along Mandela Avenue and asked her why she would continue to put her children above him. The woman refused to answer and he then whipped out a cutlass from his waist and fired a chop at her neck which she barred with her hands. A scuffle ensued and the cutlass fell from his hands and he immediately whipped out a knife from the other side of his waist and began stabbing the woman about her body.

She fell to the ground and apparently figuring that the woman was dead, he turned the knife on himself and inflicted a stab wound to his neck and his abdomen.

Both of them were left lying on the corner of the road until help was summoned by a jogger and they were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The man is said to be in a more critical condition than the woman and was being held at the hospital under police guard. The jogger said that he saw when the man was attacking the woman but could not go to her rescue since he had no weapon to challenge the man who had a knife at his disposal.

This publication was also told by one of the woman’s nephews that the man had been jailed for three months at one time and at another time he was placed on a bond to keep the peace. The woman, however, sought to have the bond removed for the sake of their child and began taking the man to church and had him receiving counseling, but apparently to no avail.

Denise Fredericks and Andre Robinson in happier times

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

43 killed in French bus crash (Reuters) AT least 43 killed in French bus crash, worst in decadesAt least 41 people on a bus carrying elderly day-trippers were killed early on Friday when the bus hit a truck head-on and caught fire, in France’s worst road crash in more than 30 years.

Two people, including a young boy, died in the truck.

A total of eight people were injured.

The bus and the truck collided near a forested bend on a two-lane road cut into a hillside near Puisseguin in the Gironde region, about 60 km (35 miles) east of Bordeaux, the local prefect’s office said in a statement.

ADVERTISING TV footage showed two blackened vehicles, with the bus facing the wood-transporter’s trailer, the truck’s cab skewed to one side, and scorched vegetation around the site, which was sealed off by police.

The bus was carrying about 50 pensioners south to the Bearn region from their homes in the village of Petit

An aerial view of the site where a coach (R) carrying members of an elderly people’s club collided with a truck (L) outside Puisseguin near Bordeaux, western France, October 23, 2015. Reuters/Regis Duvignau

Palais and surrounding hamlets. The crash occurred just a few minutes after the pensioners had boarded the bus.

Among the dead were the driver of the articulated lorry and a young boy who was in the cab, according to the local prefect’s office. News reports said the child was about three years old.

The driver of the bus was among the survivors, who were able to exit through the front door he opened, according to a source close to an inquiry that was under way within hours.

The source said the truck apparently veered onto the wrong side of the road as it came around a bend.

A spokesman for the interior ministry said that, as far as he could tell, all the bus passengers were French and from the region.

President Francois Hollande, speaking on a visit to Athens, said he had been “plunged into sadness by the tragedy”. Prime Minister Manuel Valls went to the scene.

It was the worst road accident in France since 53 people, mostly children, died in a bus crash in Burgundy in July 1982, according to the independent road safety organization Association Prevention Routiere.

Stricter road regulation and lower speed limits followed, and traffic deaths in France have fallen steeply since. According to official statistics, more than 16,000 people were dying on the roads every year in the early 1970s. In recent years the annual death toll has dropped below 4,000.

Category Five hurricane hits Mexico CATEGORY Five Hurricane Patricia, the strongest on record, has made landfall in Jalisco state in western Mexico, meteorologists say.

The storm is seen as “potentially catastrophic” in its impact.

Mexican authorities have already been evacuating thousands of residents along the country’s Pacific coast.

The storm is comparable to Typhoon Haiyan, which killed 6,300 people in the Philippines in 2013, the World Meteorological Organization says.

A state of emergency has been declared in three states in Patricia’s path.

It made landfall in the Cuixmala area of Jalisco

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state, some 85km (55 miles) from the port city of Manzanillo.

The US National Hurricane Centre in Miami said it hit the coast with winds of 265km/h (165mph).

Video filmed in Manzanillo an hour before the hurricane struck shows trees bending in severe wind.

The centre said that Patricia was the strongest storm it had recorded in the eastern Pacific or the Atlantic.

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It has already produced the third lowest barometer reading ever recorded - a pressure of 880 millibars at the centre of the storm - the centre reported.

Some 400,000 people live in vulnerable areas, according to Mexico’s National Disaster Fund.

The hurricane, which will bring torrential rain, could trigger flash floods and mudslides, the US centre said.

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It also warned of potential flooding from the sea and destructive waves.

The hurricane’s winds are strong enough “to get a plane in the air and keep it flying”, World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Claire Nullis said.

The western state of Jalisco is home to the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, which could lie directly in Patricia’s path.

Police patrols in the resort urged people to leave the shorefront for safer areas at least three blocks inland, while loudspeakers ordered hotel residents to evacuate.

The town’s airport, along with two others in the path of the storm, were closed.

Schools have been closed in Jalisco, Colima and Guerrero states. (BBC News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

3 held in Tobago double murders (Trinidad Guardian) HOMICIDE detectives have held three people, among them a woman, in connection with the killing of British lawyer Richard Wheeler and his Trinidadian wife Grace. The suspects are in their 20s.

The announcement was made by Assistant Commissioner of Police Homicide Vincel Edwards who was selected by acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams to head a special investigative team to probe the double tragedy.

He was speaking at a special police news conference at the Scarborough Police Station yesterday.

The female suspect and one of the male suspects are from Tobago while the other male detainee is from St Vincent.

Edwards said: “We have done tremendous work in this investigation at this point. We have had a number of leads and this has caused us to have at least

Richard Wheeler and his Trinidadian wife Grace detained three persons who are persons of interest that can assist us in our investigations.

“The investigation is ongoing and as we speak there are persons out there on the field doing a number of different things.”

He said the trio were held in the south western part of Tobago on Wednesday, but

was hesitant to say if they were connected to the Wheelers in anyway, or if they were linked to any of the murders involving foreigners on the island.

He also refused to reveal if a murder weapon was found.

He noted the Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard would determine the way forward in the matter.

Police commissioner summoned to Parliament over high crime rate (Jamaica Observer) CHAIRMAN of the House of Representatives’ Internal and External Affairs Committee (IEAC), Derrick Smith, says that he expects Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams and his team to meet with the committee at Gordon House on Tuesday, November 10.

“I expect if we ask the commissioner to come to our meeting on November 10, that he needs to come on November 10. This is a parliamentary committee,” Smith, who is also leader of Opposition business in the House and Opposition spokesman on national security, told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday.

This follows the decision of the committee at their meeting

at Gordon House on Tuesday morning, at which members agreed with a proposal from Smith to summon the commissioner and his team to discuss the current murder figures.

“He needs to tell us what is going on, what are the challenges the police are facing,” Smith told the Observer.

“We are only in October and the murder rate has already passed the 2014 figure,” Smith said, noting that while 1,005 murders occurred in 2014, the latest figure for 2015 is 1,007.

He said that murders were spiralling out of control and, as chairman of the IEAC, he felt that it was necessary for the committee to ask Dr Williams and other members of the

high command to inform the members of the challenges and efforts to stem the criminality now engulfing the country.

Smith said it was disheartening to note that, while the country observed National Heritage Week last week, some 36 Jamaicans were murdered, “leaving their families and communities crippled by intolerable crime and violence”.

“There seems to be no letting up in the current wave of mayhem and murder in our society,” he stated.

He said that the latest murder figure represents a 26 per cent increase, or 211 more murders than the figure for the corresponding period last year.

Responding to questions posed to him about reports of a serial killer perpetrating the acts against foreigners living in Tobago, Edwards said the Police Service was doing its just due.

“We are still conducting investigations. We have not yet completed this investigation, so it’s exceedingly difficult to say whether or not they are serial killers but the investigation is ongoing and if such information has come to hand we will make it public,” he said.

Negative tourism advisories have already been updated

about Tobago as a tourism destination. Cautioning tourists to be vigilant when visiting the island for the fear of them being under attack by locals.

Edwards said the Police Service was doing all in its power to make the island safe.

He also said no foreign assistance was sought to investigate the Wheelers’ murder and the Police Service was working assiduously to bring the case to a successful conclusion.

Tobagonians have chided the police for the resources being pumped into cases, and

the attention given when foreigners are killed, opposed to when a local was murdered.

“The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is doing its best to make every place in Trinidad and Tobago safe and this includes foreign nationals, locals and even visitors, so there’s no indication relative to that.

“I can assure you whether or not it’s a foreigner or a local or a visitor, we will expend as much resources as practically possible to bring it to a successful conclusion,” Edwards said.

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Guyana

STEM needs to be advanced in Guyana Dear Editor,

EDITORIAL

Respecting rights and freedoms ONE of the greatest hazards that this nation faces is that, from time to time, persons placed in positions of privilege and holding the levers of power operate on gut-feeling, bereft of any knowledge of the laws, time-honoured principles and internationally accepted conventions that attend their positions.

When decisions are being made, or persons are being asked to justify decisions, the response society gets from many is based on “I feel…and I feel”. The guidance of principles, laws and empirical evidence is absent.

Some, moreover, seem content to operate at this level.

Thus when challenged and asked to justify their positions and actions, some become angry and seek to scheme, to demonise and destroy those who ask for the upholding of time-honoured principles and laws.

For instance, this nation has seen the Donald Ramotar and Bharrat Jagdeo regimes impose wage and salary increases on Public Service employees in violation of Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution and Section 23 (1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act. The above-mentioned governments have also denied public sector semi-autonomous agencies the right to collective bargaining, to benefit from wage increase and improved working conditions.

These are issues condemned by politicians then in the opposition, and operatives who supported those politicians.

Today, we expect those same persons to be prepared to lift their voices against similar abuses if they occur. If they do not lift their voices, one would wonder whether such condemnation was grounded in respect for principles and laws, political expediency at the time, or whether persons were just parroting statements that speak to justice and fair play.

The issue of collective bargaining for workers, which forms part of the individual constitutionally-protected fundamental rights and freedoms, cannot be overlooked, as we strive to create a society where justice and fair play are the hallmarks.

The recent wage increase given to public servants by the government mimics in some way the behaviour of the Jagdeo and Ramotar governments. Noted, however, is the acknowledgment of the Minister of State that such violation and transgression will not be repeated by this administration.

This, notwithstanding, should be an across-the-board policy, and other semi-autonomous State agencies need to engage the respective trade unions.

Any attempt by quasi-government boards and state agencies to disregard what ought to be common practice -- given that a matter of this nature was ventilated as recently as the Budget reading in August, and a commitment was given by government -- speaks to contempt for laws and workers by board members.

It should be made clear that no elected official, board member or manager has the authority, power or privilege to disrespect instruments that guide good governance; and every administration must strive for this.

The notion by which persons feel that the means must not

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

THE new regime has been in office for almost six months, but the Minister of Education has not outlined a plan for advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education (STEM) in Guyana.

Instead, he has made promises (Education Minister says more money to be allocated to UG -– Guyana Times, June 18, 2015) but with little action. Nevertheless, his emphasis on the social studies and culture seems pretty definite and obvious.

The minister should carefully note that no nation has advanced solely on cultural and social groundings. STEM is the bedrock of any great nation, be it the Roman Empire (25 BC) or the German and American economies, which were built on the fortitude of their people’s brains. German thinkers such as Albert Einstein, Max Planck, Otto Hahn, Johannes Peter Müller and American trail blazers such as Benjamin Franklin, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Jefferson, just to name a few, all developed and pioneered technologies to transform the economies of their respective countries.

The situation in Guyana is not dead, but a little effort can be expended to unlock a sleeping technological beast.

The University of Guyana has produced minds that are built on hard-core science; graduates who are forced to persevere because of lack of resources and facilities; staff members who had or have to deal with ancient apparatus for many years. Being part of this system, once as a student and then as a lecturer, I can personally attest to the trying conditions with which we are faced. But the irony is that Guyanese still succeed anywhere and in any situation they trek, either in a developed first world or developing country.

Guyanese are “go getters”; we are fierce, and always ask questions when intrigued. Testimony to this fact is the presence of Guyanese scholars and industrial specialists across countries such as the U.S.A, Canada, Belgium, The Netherlands, Trinidad, and England.

The time is now for the minister to take a proactive step towards transforming the STEM faculties and drive a dead economy forward. This will take time, but we have to

start now, or continue to trail behind countries adapting to changing climate, increasing world population growth, and worldwide disease and epidemic control.

The measures that can be taken to offset an avalanche of advances are obvious, if the now minister has spoken with minds who have devoted their lives to Guyana, either teaching at University of Guyana (UG) or countless years of experience in government-based agencies. Government-funded agencies such as the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST – a political gimmick for the past administration) and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) should complement the facilities present at UG. Remove the red tape to accessing these facilities and allow cross-collaboration, let creative minds find space to deliberate.

Secondly, the government needs to lend a hand to UG, either via bringing possible funding partners to the table (more of the University of Guyana Science and Technology Support Project-type initiatives) or creating ad hoc programmes wherein government employ-

ees can be exposed to IT and Science training at institutes across the board. The industries that benefit from the more than 1400 graduates every year need to step up and fund projects, because they preach that their human resources are their greatest strength.

UG can coordinate with struggling industries such as GuySuCo to study the feasibility of deriving other high-value products from their waste stream, products such as chemicals and renewable fuel. Simple access to feedstock, facilities, and expertise can be achieved if bureaucratic red tape is eliminated.

The bottom line is that the science and technology areas in Guyana are dormant because of several reasons, including lack of access to proper facilities, funds, and collaborations. The government can be active in many of these deficiencies and aid the development of STEM in Guyana. The time is now, don’t forget young people believed you would deliver and four years aren’t that far away.

Regards, M.GEORGE

Ministerial salary increases hold out hope for all workers Dear Editor, PLEASE permit me, after days of silence and serious reflection, to express in your letter pages my feelings -- which are supported by my union -- on the financial condition of the members at this moment.

It has been many months since wages and salaries were last imposed on public corporations and in the public sector. The members of NAACIE and I are aware that, like us, others have had to be living with wages imposed since January 1, 2014, while the prices for goods and services continued to escalate. I am sure that some of my union’s members would not have expected this to be the result of their expression of the franchise in May 2015.

In GuySuCo, the union and workers are still awaiting the result of the government’s

decision, after a study of the CoI report, before the corporation is prepared to negotiate. We must remember that one of the promises of this government is the cessation of imposition of wages/ salaries and return of the right to negotiate by unions.

So far, apparently the Public Service has been assisted by a 5% increase until the results of their negotiations of salaries for 2015 are completed, in keeping with that same promise.

Sad, however, that no other set of employees has been so assisted. Some, which include sugar workers, will be allowed to negotiate for increases of salaries when the CoI is completed; and for GPL, when a new board is in place. Of course we have to hope that this arrangement is only for 2015. The recent ministerial wages/salaries increase, though apparently

justify the end, but the end must justify the means marks a return to an era when fundamental rights and the rule of law were not instruments that guide positive human relations in society.

It need not be lost sight of that the instruments that guide these tenets are today used by international institutions in determining development within countries.

In recognition of this, it is expected that leaders come to the realisation that their conduct is inimical not only to development in the country, but is repugnant to international treaties and agreements. For some managers, decision-making is not driven by uni-

monumental, is encouraging, especially when the union considers that Guyana is advertised as a low-income earning country and members of the last government have been courting investment based on this presumption.

This new administration, I hope, is encouraging a different approach.

This unusual increase will give workers and unions an opportunity to advocate for better payment, and all can depend on the government for support.

Mr. Editor, I know that the GPL at one time was in a healthy position, and with the reduction of the price for fuel, is in a far better position to negotiate a better package for workers. I remember the excuse of the cost of fuel causing them not to be in a position to make increases.

Also bauxite, being just

there, according to the Finance Minister, can sustain a reasonable increase. There was a time when rice was doing exceedingly well, but now the industry is in crisis. Should this industry be closed, or would there be a CoI? Gold production, I think, needs a CoI, but not a forensic one as yet, unless we are looking at safety and health standards.

Finally, I would like to see the fear and anxiety emanating from business, banks and families reduced in the sugar sector. My advice for the sugar industry is that this fear and political battle is also a reason (and has been reason for a long time) for the inefficiencies and poor quality of Sugar production and the CoI. KENNETH JOSEPH General Secretary NAACIE

versal principles but by how he or she feels about a particular worker; and woe be unto that worker who chooses to express an opinion that contradicts what is entertained by the manager!

Many today, who condemned what happened in the past and are now given an opportunity to do better, must not prove that they embraced the elements of acceptable standards only because they wished to serve in the position of those who were the abusers.

If placed in the position where the opportunity exists, they must do better, and not put on the cloak of the abusers and prepare to deny citizens what is justly theirs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

Local gov’t bodies meet ahead of LGE

(Second from Left) Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan and Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux with representatives of various municipalities at the workshop for local government bodies.

By Rabindra Rooplall LOCAL government bodies met yesterday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, in a workshop session designed to craft a template of clear guidelines for the development of municipalities.

The workshop under the theme, “Unveiling a Vision for Municipal Development” also discussed their roles in Local Government Elections (LGE).

They also gave consideration to the promotion of economic growth conditions, increasing employment generation and enhancing citizens’ quality of life.

The event was held with the Ministry of Communities Development of Plan of Action for Municipal Development in collaboration with Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED).

The project is being undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada. In attendance were representatives of the six municipal departments, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan, Permanent Secretary Emil Mc Garrell, Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux, and CARILED Coordinator Roger Rogers, among others.

Chairperson of the event, Principal Municipal Service Officer Nandranie Harrichan said the activity focused on receiving input collectively from key players in creating a standardised template for the process and development within the six municipalities.

She said with a clear plan of action, the municipal councils will be able to achieve their vision and ensure effective and efficient service is delivered to citizens.

“It will also advance local economic development and ensure sustainability in communities which will spur job creations and reduce poverty and have a positive impact on society at large,” Harrichan said. “There will also be consultation with NGOs, private sector and chamber of commerce as part of the process.”

Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux in his remarks said Canada’s initiative in local governance in the Caribbean supports constituencies which contribute to economic development.

“Events such as today’s workshop highlight the primary care that the Government of Guyana places on local economic development… I am therefore very pleased to join the workshop to update the municipal development plan of Guyana.”

Underlining that the long-term sustainability of the workshop will depend on the hosting of Local Government Elections, the Canadian envoy said the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) is aimed at sustaining economic growth and development by helping government implement programmes, policies and service that promote enterprise and attract businesses.

The ambassador said the project is implemented across four administrative regions namely Regions 2, 3, 4 and 6. These regions have a spectrum of opportunities and challenges working with municipalities, Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and the Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

“Across the four democratic regions CARILED has provided training in economic development including management, sourcing funds and resources. CARILED has also completed local economic profiles in all four regions,” the diplomat related.

The workshop is expected to generate lessons, approaches and practices which will improve local, national and regional policies that create an environment for local economic development.

He also added that Canada is willing to support Guyana’s development and will be assisting in relevant ways that will benefit society at large.

INCLUSIONARY DEMOCRACY Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said for over two decades the previous administration had displayed a reluctance to implement the type of root and branch that can lead to inclusionary democracy.

He explained that prior to the time of independence, Guyana enjoyed a more effective and meaningful system of local government than probably most Caribbean societies. Many of the Caribbean countries back then probably sent their policy makers to Guyana to learn about local

government.

“It is unfortunate that today as we are approaching our 50th independence anniversary, we have allowed our system of local governance to degenerate into this extent which has detrimental impacts and effects on our country,” Minister Bulkan lamented.

TOWNSHIP STATUS Meanwhile, the minister noted that township status will be eventually given to Mabaruma in Region 1, Bartica in Region 7 and Lethem in Region 9.

He further noted that local governance bodies play a vital role in supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) through local economic development as a promoter broker of alliances, partner facilitator and advocate.

Bulkan noted that MSMEs contribute up to 90 per cent employment and 70 percent GDP in middle income Caribbean and Latin American countries.

CARILED Coordinator Roger Rogers said the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) is a six-year project that works with Caribbean and Canadian partners. The project helps local governance bodies create a more competitive enabling environment that support new and existing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He explained that CARILED also strengthens the capacity of local authorities to promote job creation and economic results for women and men and an improved governance environment towards local economic growth.

Rogers further said that CARILED promoted and shared good practices in local economic development with 14 Caribbean countries focusing its first phase on the seven countries of Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Permanent Secretary Emil Mc Garrell said the exercise is strategic as local government organs begin to understand their role, adding that “leadership must come from our six municipalities… this process you must own and you must lead.”

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

Police cop Round Da Silva was killed in the furtherance of a robbery One in NA Jury in the Joel murder case told

Town Week debating competition

THE Guyana Police Force emerged the winner of the first round of the inaugural New Amsterdam Town Week Debating competition held at the Town Hall chamber yesterday afternoon.

Opposing the moot “Criminal activity in Guyana has been significantly aided by failed security approaches,” the three-member team of Darrel Ramsay, Satesh Narine and Margo Grovesnor won the hearts and minds of the judges and the observers through their well-researched and articulated responses.

Apart from gaining 234 points, the law-enforcement officers grabbed the Best Speaker Award. Chief Judge Ian ‘Bertie’ Carter observed that the second speaker Satesh Narine was the lone debater to have

utilised his time and also articulated well. Leader of the group Darrel Ramsay was also acknowledged for his speech.

The proposing team from the Guyana Prison Service consisted of S. Holligan, K. Williams and G. Patterson.

However, while this team must be complimented for their efforts, their challenges included the need for clarity, research, and proper subject and verb agreement and punctuation.

The winners, while diminishing the mythological arguments of the proposition, argued the sociological aspect, facts and statistics, along with the analytical revelation on the disparity of the two variables.

In concluding their argument, policeman Ramsay said, “armed robberies, murder, migration, [the]

police taking bribes, they do exist. We agree. Petty criminals make up 90 percent of the prison inmates according to a prison report prepared by then Director of Prison Dale Erskine…but this moot says an important phrase, “significantly aided.”

Meanwhile, round two of the debate is scheduled for Monday, when the New Amsterdam Town Council and the Guyana Fire Service will debate the moot, “Increased penalties for violent crime is the key for restoration of law and order for a developing society like Guyana.”

Thereafter, the winner will battle with the Guyana Police Force for the Ministry of Public Security trophy.

The judges included Poet Stephanie Bowry and Educator Christine Isaacs, while the time-keeper was Michael West.

OMAR Bacchus is the longest-serving remand prisoner at the New Amsterdam penitentiary. He was admitted to the penal institution on September 5, 2008, and has been committed to stand trial for murder at the Berbice Assizes since December 21, 2011.

On several occasions, the 23 year old had indicated in writing his willingness to plead guilty to the offence for which he has been indicted. But although he has so done, the State has been unable to proceed with his case, thus he has been incarcerated for seven years and one month.

Questioned about the status of the case, State Prosecutor Ms. Natasha Backer said the case was referred to the lower court for rectification, but the matter has since seemingly been lost in the

system. However, while the State seeks to find the deposition, the prisoner continues to languish in prison.

Prison sources have said that Bacchus has no relative to look into his interest. Legal practitioners noted that Bacchus has already served a sentence, having spent more than seven years as a remand prisoner. As such, they suggest, the Director of Public Prosecutions should treat Bacchus’s matter as nolle prosequi.

“It’s not his fault that his matter is delayed. It’s the State’s; and as a result, the man should be freed. He has already served over a 10-year prison sentence,” remarked an attorney who spoke to this publication anonymously.

Narvin Sugrim and Ravendranauth Mohanlall, both indicted for murder, have each spent four years as remand prisoners. They have

been committed in 2011 and 2012 respectively. They are still awaiting trials, according to Kevin Pilgrim, Superintendent of Prisons, during a Gaol Delivery at the Berbice Assizes.

The officer in charge noted that Omar Bacchus and Navin Sugrim, along with fellow inmates Roy Lewis and Charles Goodluck, have all submitted voluntary statements supporting their requests to plead.

Apart from those four inmates, 28 male prisoners are requesting early trials during the October criminal sessions of the Berbice Assizes. Of a list of 32 committed prisoners, 27, including four teenagers, are listed to be tried for murder; one has been listed for attempted murder; two for sexual penetration; one for rape, and one for unlawful and malicious wounding.

Remand prisoners plead for cases to be heard

MADAM Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and the jury in the ‘Joel’ murder trial heard Wednesday from the prosecutrix Miss Diana Kaulesar, that the accused -- Joseph Williams, called ‘Joel’ -together with persons unknown, murdered Victor Da Silva on July 8, 2013 in the course or furtherance of a robbery.

The prosecutrix in her opening remarks said the facts are that on July 8, 2013, Cecil Gajadhar left the gas station along with Victor Da Silva, who was his friend.

They were headed to the bank with some money, but when they were within the vicinity

of the koker at Kingston, the vehicle in front of them stopped suddenly, causing Gajadhar to stop his car, and gunshots rang out. Gajadhar was shot, and so was Da Silva, as was confirmed by the post–mortem done on his body on July 10, 2013.

The cause of Da Silva’s death was given as multiple gunshot injuries.

In an interview with the police, the accused Joseph Williams, called ‘Joel,’ admitted that he was part of a plan to rob Gajadhar and Da Silva. He admitted to tracing their vehicle, which he described as a silver-coloured RAV 4.

On the morning of the incident, he and the others acted purposefully. His role was to track the car and the others would “take” the car. This is what he told the police.

He claimed he did not know the names of the three other persons who were part of plans to effect the robbery.

Counsel told the jury: “It would be for you to examine this plan, along with the other evidence in the prosecution’s case, and to determine the scope of that plan, the extent of the accused’s involvement, and his liability for his actions.”

The hearing will continue. (George Barclay)

Booklets on social cohesion for schools next year – short-term recommendations at Social Cohesion forum being implemented

are our objectives and so on and we have begun this but more than this, we still have to continue conversations after these programmes, so that there can be a full understanding of what we do,” Minister Ally noted.

To this end, Minister Ally said that the work will soon begin in Region 6, touching first at the school level before moving to the other sections of society.

Additionally, the stakeholders at the National Roundtable recommended that booklets on the mandate of the ministry should be produced and placed in schools.

Minister Ally disclosed that this is actively being pursued by her ministry.

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally

ALMOST two months since the Ministry of Social Cohesion held its Roundtable on Social Cohesion at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), several short-term recommendations made at the forum are already being implemented.

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally in an invited comment, said that while the report is not yet complete, the ministry has managed to extract some of the shortterm suggestions, which were made by stakeholders at the event.

To this end, she disclosed that programmes and events are being planned to ensure that the recommendations given at the national conversation are acted upon.

“There were 10 working groups and these groups came up with recommendations, which they believe

we should implement. We are putting together the programme and the activities for the achievement of social cohesion for the next five years, but what we have done is to put them in three categories: short, medium and long-term.

We are focusing on the shortterm programmes, which we believe can be achieved between 2015 and 2016,” Minister Ally said.

One of the short-term recommendations coming out of the event was the need for national conversations and engagement and as such, the minister said that a number of events are being planned to engage Guyanese people and develop national buy-in for the ministry’s scope of work.

“Because this is a new ministry, we need to have a lot of conversations to sensitise people on what the ministry is about, what

SEARCH FOR CONSULTANT “We are going to produce booklets for schools beginning with primary schools.

As it is, we are searching for a consultant who can assist with putting it together and so on and we expect that by 2016, this will be in progress.

We believe that starting in schools will help the concept of social cohesion and we are working side by side with the Ministry of Education in this area,” the minister related.

In the meantime, however, the government and the ministry recognise that social cohesion cannot be achieved in the absence of equitable access to education and employment.

“We know that poverty is widespread and not helpful for social cohesion, so we are looking at some small projects like providing Turn to page 9 ►

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

Sam Hinds Jr jailed then bailed CITY Magistrate Annette Singh yesterday granted Samuel Hinds Jr bail in the sum of $50,000 after he submitted an appeal application on a two-month sentence for the unlawful wounding of his sister-in-law Tenza Layne. He was also been fined $10,000 for using threatening language to Ms. Layne.

Hinds Jr, son of former Prime Minister Sam Hinds, had been found guilty by Magistrate Geeta Chan-

Samuel Hinds

dan-Edmond last year for threatening and wounding Tenza Layne causing her actual bodily harm on February 27, 2014 at 83 Duke Street, Kingston.

The prosecution’s case was that the virtual complainant suffered both verbal and physical assaults at the hands of Hinds on the day in question. He accused her of stealing his cellular phone, stamped on her face and dragged her around the house by her hair. He beat her with a

cane then brandished a gun while continuing to threaten to kill her.

The trial was conducted by former Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Hinds was found guilty for the offences.

The case was however delayed because the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) removed the magistrate from the trial the same day she was set to pass sentence.

The matter was then transferred before Mag-

istrate Singh. However, in a statement, the DPP’s Chambers said the decision to recommend a retrial was based on Section 35 of the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act. “This section clearly states that the magistrate who hears the matter shall give the decision. This means that one magistrate cannot hear the matter and another give the decision.

Decisions have been interpreted by the courts in judicial precedents to mean a final adjudication, which includes a verdict and a

sentence.”

On a previous occasion, the matter was taken to the High Court, where Justice Navendra Singh ruled that the magistrate could make a ruling in the matter, which was done today.

However, Magistrate Annette Singh on that occasion told the court that since Hinds has previously been found guilty, a retrial would be tantamount to overturning or appealing the guilty verdict, which she had no authority to so do.

NAREI launches booklet ‘Green Agriculture’ THE National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has launched a booklet titled “Green Agriculture: Benefits and Practices” as part of its open day activities for

Agriculture Month, 2015.

At the launch on Thursday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Oudho Homenauth said the booklet was produced in its entirety by the agency’s staffers.

Those present at the launch included NAREI Board Chairman, Major General (ret’d) Joe Singh and other board members and staff of the agriculture research organisation.

The booklet said in part that the greening of the agriculture sector is intended to generate a range of benefits, including increased profits and incomes for farmers and enabling the sector to adapt to

A section of the gathering at the launch of the booklet ‘Green Agriculture - Benefits and Practices’

Star witness tells jury in Cane Grove murder trial

‘I saw ‘Little’ throw Jutta off the pavilion’

By George Barclay

STAR witness in the Cane Grove murder trial, Budnarine Pertab, called ‘Tappi,’ on Wednesday told the jury: “I saw ‘Little’ lift ‘Jutta’ from the floor of the pavilion and throw him off the building l5 feet below.”

‘Jutta’ suffered injuries and died, allegedly as a result of that throw.

Following police investigations, ‘Little’ was arrested and charged with ‘Jutta’s murder.

Represented by eminent

Attorney-at-Law Mr Sandil Kissoon, ‘Little’ has pleaded not guilty to this charge. His trial is presently ongoing at the Demerara Assizes before Madam Justice Roxane George.

State counsels Orienthia Schmidt and Shonette Austin of the DPP Chambers are prosecuting.

Swaying in the witness box, the witness Tappi told the judge and jury that he was drinking on the night before the incident and on the morning of the 18th, but he denied that he was

intoxicated. He said that on the day in question, he had gone to Dave’s shop at Cane Grove in the morning, where the accused and the deceased had an altercation.

Speaking about an incident at the Cane Grove Pavilion later that day, the witness said he was present when he saw the accused ‘Little’ lift ‘Jutta,’ who was on the floor of the pavilion, and throw him to the ground below. He later explained that the pavilion has a height of about 15 feet.

This trial is continuing.

climate change and the resultant benefits for eco-system services.

The booklet detailed some of the practices involved in greening agriculture, including integrated

pest management, vermicomposting, shaded cultivation, mangrove restoration and solar drying.

Dr Homenauth said that the booklet will be used as a resource for staffers.

NAREI Board Chairman Major-General (ret’d) Joe Singh speaking at the launch of the booklet “Green Agriculture.”

Booklets on social... schoolboats to the children, who cannot afford the costs of going to school. We will now be looking to put out some school buses along the West Coast of Berbice to assist those students there. We found that because of poverty, children were going to school bare feet and we tried to provide some footwear to those students,” she said.

Additionally, the Ministry of Social Cohesion has engaged the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) to work with the farmers, producers and manufacturers in farming areas to

develop their products, marketing strategies, and proper labelling methods to promote opportunities to earn. This is scheduled to begin in early November.

Apart from that, as the country prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence, the ministry will be looking to host a Social Cohesion Fair and Cultural Exposition with the aim of promoting and showing appreciation for each other’s culture and traditions. Additionally, essay competitions, debates and art competitions on social cohesion are also

From page 8

planned for 2016.

While the medium-term and long-term plans have not yet been completely finalised, Minister Ally disclosed that the government was looking at the feasibility of re-introducing Civic Education, as was recommended by Sir Shridath Ramphal, in the school system as well as expanding the booklet production to target the nursery and secondary school populations.

Additionally, legislative changes are likely once the recommendations would have been examined in full.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

Make concession to Venezuela – Jagdeo …floats ceding maritime space

By Ariana Gordon FORMER President Bharrat Jagdeo, now Opposition Leader, on Friday said the idea of negotiating a settlement with Venezuela that would see that country being given “a channel out to the sea” was discussed while he was in power.

Jagdeo was at the time addressing the media at Freedom House, Robb Street, on questions his party has with respect to the present government’s decision to go the juridical route on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

“Well, we gather that there are several other options available to the [UN] Secretary-General. I don’t want to say much about the options, but let me say…I am in a very difficult position but there were other options that involve a negotiated settlement... Negotiated settlement which did not see any land concession that the 1899 award would remain intact, but there was one view that you could probably on the maritime area, give Venezu-

ela a channel out to the sea,” said the former president.

Asked whether he was suggesting that a part of the Essequibo be given to Venezuela, Jagdeo replied, “Not the Essequibo River, Orinoco, just on the border.

Not our Essequibo. I didn’t mean that.”

The PPP leader added that what would have had to happen was that “you make a slight concession in the maritime area, but make sure you do not concede any territory that is land-based, because the maritime boundaries still are yet to be determined.”

SCRUTINY Asked for a comment on the issue, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said, “I feel that the views expressed by the Opposition Leader have to be subjected to scrutiny by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Jagdeo stressed that there were other options that could be employed. “There are several other options. I am not saying the juridical option is bad…I am saying if we decide as a country to go this

route, can we go it alone?

What if Venezuela does not want to go this route? Could Guyana unilaterally go the juridical route or do we have to get Venezuela’s agreement?” he asked.

Five options were explored by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration to settle the border controversy.

Additionally, Jagdeo believes that whatever action is taken by government, the United Nations ought to be involved to the end. “Will it mean us losing the UN because this option is not available in their charter? I am not questioning the juridical route, I am just saying that it is very important [to keep the UN involved in the process],” Jagdeo added.

Notwithstanding his querries, Jagdeo said his party remained in full support of the government on the border issue, but wanted the United Nations to be at the forefront of the settlement, whichever form it might take.

“We support the government of Guyana on our border issue, nowhere should

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

that be questioned. Keep the United Nations involved even if you go the juridical route…keep the UN involved at all costs,” the former president stated.

Jagdeo added that government’s talk of a juridical process to settle the border controversy may have good basis, but “I have not had an opportunity to engage the government on the issue. I have not spoken to them on it and I don’t want to seem divided.”

The Venezuelan government had requested the restart of the UN Good Offices process, but Guyana had said the process was not working to the benefit of the country.

Just prior to the last General

Elections, the PPP government had said the Good Offices Process was exhausted and the time was ripe for the exploration of other options, inclusive of a juridical settlement.

On Thursday, President David Granger in his address to Parliament said the border controversy took first place and Guyana remained resolute in defence of its sovereign territory. The President added, “Venezuela’s fear is that, once a juridical process could prove that its contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was a nullity was proven to be baseless, its 50-year strategy of attrition aimed at gaining territory from Guyana stood in jeopardy of the prospect of collapse.”

BORDER COMMITTEE Meanwhile, the former President called on the Granger-led administration to establish the Border Committee as per prior discussions. He said he has been waiting on government to reach out to his party on the border matters but so far, that has not happened.

Once established, Jagdeo believes that formal discussions on the issue could take place. Asked why he did not initiate steps to have the Border Committee established, he said, “I thought we’d move forward in a structural

way… like the committee to be put in place so lots of those issues can be addressed there.”

He stressed the need to “make the Committee operational. “I am not sure I should initiate something that is primarily in the domain of the government.

Although I believe strongly in solidarity, there is a commitment already… I can’t go and set up the border committee. I do not want anyone to interpret this at home or abroad that this is the questioning of the policy decision we have made.”

SURINAME Referencing the Guyana-Suriname border issue, Jagdeo said that issue was always on the agenda of Suriname’s President Desi Bouterse. “I don’t know if it ever left the agenda. There are times when they would not mention it, but I was in no way under the illusion that it was not on their agenda,” he stated.

“I was under no illusion that the New River Triangle for them was on the back burner,” said Jagdeo.

He agrees with President Granger that the border issue was settled. “This is a settled border issue. The New River Triangle is ours by agreement,” he added.

CARICOM Observer Mission meets Haitian officials ahead of elections THE CARICOM Elections Observation Mission for this Sunday’s Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Haiti has been engaged in various activities since its arrival, including meetings with the Haitian Prime Minister and other State officials.

The mission issued a Preliminary Statement on Friday, as the 5.8 million registered voters prepare to choose from among 53 Presidential candidates and also vote in the second round of the Legislative elections for seats in the Lower House and Senate in Haiti’s 119 constituencies.

Pursuant to the request/ invitation of the Government of Haiti for CARICOM to deploy an Observer Mission to monitor the 2015 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, a team of 10 persons from the CARICOM Member States of Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago assembled in Port au Prince, five days

prior to the 25th October Election Day. The team, headed by Dr Steve Surujbally, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, comprises experienced practitioners of elections management in their respective countries, with tested and proven expertise in Elections Observation Missions. The team includes two members of staff of the CARICOM Secretariat.

From the outset, the team discussed the role and functions of the group, as well as the important foci relative to the performances and behaviour at and around the polling stations to be visited, and other critical elements pertaining to the electoral process.

Meetings are being held with the Haitian Prime Minister, the Head of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) of Haiti, the Minister responsible for Electoral Affairs, the National Council for Election Observation (CNO), the Haitian Council of Non-State Organisations and other Observer Groups

(the latter under the auspices of the European Union).

It may be worth noting that, in spite of requests to meet with leaders of the major political parties, it was claimed that current campaigning efforts precluded their meetings with observer groups - including the CARICOM team. This stance is neither surprising nor unique, since it is the experience of many Observer Missions monitoring elections, intraand extra-regional.

The CARICOM Election Observation Mission has every intention of visiting political rallies, while fine-tuning its methodologies for deploying team members to cover the maximum number of polling stations on Election Day. This latter activity includes precursor visits to the polling stations which the teams intend to monitor.

On Election Day, the team intends to focus on those polling station procedures which represent meaningful tiles in the total mosaic of efficient electoral systems and practices.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

Gov’t taking advantage of the dry weather GOVERNMENT is taking advantage of the dry weather to ensure drainage and irrigation is intact for the weather change-over which meteorologists predicted will be in December.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure National Task Force Commission (NTFC) announced that works had already started to restore proper drainage so that accumulated water from future rainfalls in streets and compounds along the coastal plains could be channelled effectively through the main canals and rivers.

The current priority project could reduce the risk of a major natural disaster which occasionally affects coast-landers and have even

resulted in deaths and the spread of water-borne diseases, especially through mosquitoes which find rapid breeding grounds in stagnant waters.

Project Restore Guyana, the main assignment for the NTFC, the newly formed umbrella body for the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is already executing major works to ensure a secure and healthy environment.

On Friday, the commission instituted for the Cabinet-mandated Project Restore Guyana (PRG), briefed the press on some of the works done since its formation to investigate and make recommendations to govern-

ment in its task of restoring the wrecked segments of the country’s physical infrastructure.

Alex Graham head of the commission’s Public Consultation Stakeholder Committee told the Guyana Chronicle on Friday that as one of its current primary projects it has begun restoration of critical drainage and irrigation infrastructure along the coast and has supported efforts of city authorities within M&CC and NDIA. NDIA head Freddie Flatts who is also Chairman of the drainage and irrigation committee within the taskforce, outlined a number of projects while the M&CC presented what they were doing in the city – creating green spaces

and improving parking development.

Graham had earlier issued a statement which explained that at a second general meeting on Wednesday presented reports were given by stakeholders from the six committees constituting the NTFC, updating it on priority projects and activities in areas mandated as key by Cabinet.

Those areas are: National Drainage and Irrigation; Traffic Management; Solid Waste Management and Derelict Vehicle Removal; Sustainable Countrywide Renewal; and Welfare Management of the Homeless, Mentally Challenged and Addicted; and from the recently-formed Public and

Stakeholders Consultation Committee created to facilitate citizens, informed participation and sustained involvement through countrywide consultations.

According to the statement, committee conveners and other representatives presented several priority projects from the 10 administrative regions and six municipalities expected to be completed during phase one which ends before Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations early next year.

NTFC secretariat headed

by Chairman Major General Joseph Singh (Rtd.) recently visited and consulted with regional and municipal officials from the ten regions and

six municipalities, representatives from private sector and civil society organisations and individuals, on the implementation process for Project Restore Guyana.

The regions and municipalities were tasked with implementing “on the ground activities and projects” to be completed within the pre-Independence deadline.

They were also asked to submit requests for additional resources through the relevant committees within the NTFC for endorsement before formal submission by the minister at Cabinet.

The commission has already begun preparing the preliminary report summarising the projects presented.

Liza could redefine Guyana-Suriname as global deepwater production player WITH ExxonMobil reported to be moving the Liza discovery in deepwater Guyana into preFront-End Engineering Design (FEED) less than five months after confirming the find, the project has the potential to yield significant returns for investors, according to analysts with research and consulting firm GlobalData.

The company’s latest analysis states that a Floating, Production Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) development at the field would return above 19.8%

in a flat-oil-price scenario of US$61.68 per barrel (bbl).

Furthermore, Anna Belova, GlobalData’s Senior Upstream Analyst, explains: “While there is risk around the assumed initial production rates of 20,000 barrels per day (bd) per development well, there is upside in additional cost efficiencies as low oil prices have been accompanied by decreases in FPSO leasing terms and drillship dayrates.

“Additionally, the 201 million barrels (mmbbl) recoverable reserves estimate falls on the lower end of 700 mmbbl of oil reserve

suggestions from Guyana’s minister of governance.

Higher reserve scenarios, recovering upward of 600 mmbbl, have an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) over 35% while capturing the economies of scale realised with FPSO developments.”

While the cost metrics for the Liza scenarios are consistent with other global developments with a leased FPSO production concept, the economic metrics are more favourable than global averages due to the competitiveness of the Guyanese Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) regime.

M a t t h e w J u r e c k y, GlobalData’s Head of Oil & Gas Research and Con-

ExxonMobil at work in the Liz-1 well in the Stabroek Block

sulting, says the project will benefit from the prevailing low-cost environment.

Jurecky comments:

“The Liza project will also be well placed to benefit from any uplift in oil prices post-development. Its

commercial success could redefine the basin as a global deepwater production player.” (PennEnergy)

12

Police raise alarm over forged firearm approvals THE Guyana Police Force has issued an alert, informing citizens of the circulation of a number of forged firearm approvals.

The police in a statement explained that in order to avoid being a victim of this scam, members of the public are advised that no money is required for the processing of firearm applications.

The force also noted that the procedure on the results of applications is via a mail through the post.

Only last Saturday the

police reported that the Firearm Amnesty had netted 186 weapons, including 153 shotguns and one AK-47 assault rifle.

The amnesty ended the previous Wednesday. In a statement, the Police Force listed the small arms handed in as 13 pistols, 10 Air Rifles and nine revolvers.

The Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had said once a gun has been linked to an offence, the police can and would reopen an investigation into the particular matter.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

No objection, Lindener gets bail A TWENTY four-year-old Linden resident was yesterday placed on $20,000

by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for the stabbing of a police officer in 2014.

Sherwin Benjamin of 232 South Amelia’s Ward, Linden, who is the owner of a taxi service, was charged with the offence alleging that on Friday, October 24, 2014 at the McKenzie Market Tarmac, Linden, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Damien McFarlane.

Benjamin had been on an indictable charge, but on application by Police Prosecutor Corporal Deniro Jones, the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied and the defendant pleaded not guilty.

Benjamin’s attorney explained that his client has been wrongfully charged,

since he was not the one who stabbed McFarlane. However according to the police facts narrated by the prosecutor,on the day in question the suspect approached McFarlane, pulled out a sharp object from his pocket and dealt the man a stab to his chest which caused him to receive a punctured lung.

The chief magistrate questioned why Benjamin was being charged almost a year after the crime and the prosecutor explained that the suspect had managed to evade the police on several occasions. Also, the matter had to be sent for legal advice.

The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrates Court for November 17 and Benjamin was granted bail after the prosecutor made no objections.

53 cases listed for October session of Berbice Assizes

– 2006 Demerara Bank $11.2M robbery among them

Justice Navindra Singh inspects the guard of honour at the opening of the October session of the Berbice Assizes

THE Berbice Criminal Assizes had its ceremonial opening of its October sessions in which 53 cases are slated for hearing, including the case of the State versus Chatram Moonsammy who has been indicted on 12 counts of dangerous driving.

After inspecting the guard of honour mounted by ranks drawn from the Central Police Station, outside the High Court building on Tuesday, Justice Navindra Singh told the jury in waiting that another judge, Justice William Ramlal who is expected to preside, is currently on sick leave and should resume duty by November 5.

However, among the accused persons listed for trial this session are Krishna, called ‘John’ and his son Romel Krishna who are facing a second indictment of attempted murder and wounding with intent. The duo had previously faced a first indictment of murder.

They had faced three trials, including two aborted hearings due to improprieties. At the final trial, the jury had

returned a not-guilty verdict.

Another high-profile case listed is that of alleged bank robbers Terrance Azore, Marlon Lepps and Henry Lindie. They are accused of being armed with guns when they robbed the Demerara Bank of $11,200,000.

The incident occurred at Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, on August 11, 2006.

In addition, Jaber Fresco, called ‘Bull,’ is indicted with seven counts of carnal knowledge of a girl under 15 years.

Another case of public interest is the second indictment of Hallman Hunte and Sohan Busjit over robbery under arms committed on Probation Officer Nadine Crawford. Initially, the men had been indicted for murder allegedly committed on fireman Delon Collins. However, the jury acquitted the duo.

The list also includes four accused persons for whom Bench Warrants had been issued since 2003: Newton Hope (murder) along with Dhanraj Kumar and Carlton Haynes who are facing a manslaughter indictment.

Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, October 25, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Monday, October 26, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

Transparency Institute of Guyana meets President Granger THE Director and members of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated, met with the President David Granger, and discussed means of collaboration, to tackle any incidence of corruption, within State agencies.

The team visited the Ministry of the Presidency and met with the President and Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, earlier yesterday.

Those who attended the meeting included the President of the organisation,

Calvin Bernard; Director, Christopher Ram; Ayana Mc Alman, First Vice President; Troy Thomas, member; Aruna Budhram, Second Vice President; and Compton Meerabux, Director.

After the meeting, Christopher Ram in an invited comment, said that while the engagement was intended to be a courtesy call, a number of issues were raised with the President.

“It was a very open and very cordial discussion on a wide range of topics includ-

ing, corruption, of course, and the ranking of Guyana on the Corruption Perception Index,” Ram said.

He added that corruption was raised with the Head of State, since it is something the organisation is very concerned about and it has implications for investment.

“We talked about corruption in the Public Service; we talked about some of the legislation, the Police Complaints Authority. The President expressed his own views on the Public Service College, which he thinks is

President David Granger and President of Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated, Calvin Bernard during their meeting yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency

going to go some way in dealing with the issue of corruption,” the Ministry of the Presidency quoted Ram as saying.

Noting his satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, Ram said the President has committed to facilitating another

meeting with the Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman and the Minister of Legal Affairs. This meeting Ram explained will allow the President and his team to peruse the points raised by his organisation, with the aim of addressing the issues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, October 24, 2015

House Speaker, Clerk to attend CPA confab in Bermuda

SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland and Clerk Sherlock Isaacs are among the delegates who will attend the 17th Biennial Conference of Presiding Officers and Clerks of the Caribbean, the Americas and the North Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

The conference is being hosted at the Coco Reef Resort in Paget, Bermuda from October 25 – 29, 2015, the Parliament Office said in a release.

Other delegates are from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis Island, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

This year’s theme is “The

Relevance of Parliament in Today’s Society” and includes plenary discussions on whether adversarial politics is sustainable in small islands, the implementation of successful strategies in managing contentious House debates and the importance of fostering relationships and cooperation with each other.

Additionally, delegates will discuss whether social media has a place both inside and outside the Chamber.

Bermuda’s Speaker of the House of Assembly and the CPA Bermuda Branch Joint Chairman, Randolph Horton, is expected to welcome the delegates at the opening ceremony which will be held at Bermuda’s Parliament Chamber on Monday morning at 10:00 hrs.

Other esteemed speakers are the Premier Michael Dunkley, JP, M.P.; Opposition Leader Marc Bean, JP, M.P. and Gover-

House Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland

nor George Fergusson. At the conference, Dr. Scotland will present a paper on “Building the Professional Capacity of Parliamentarians: Strengthening and Enhancing the Basic Fundamentals of Parliamentary Procedure”.

CAL supports charitable health organisation CARIBBEAN Airlines (CAL) said it is delighted to support the Organisation for Social Health Advancement for Guyana (OSHAG). The regional airline provided air transport and cargo support for a group of doctors travelling to Guyana to perform medical procedures.

Caribbean Airlines in a release said it has a clearly defined corporate social responsibility commitment which provides a guiding vision and ensures that its activities are in close alignment to its vision.

Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Airlines, Michael

DiLollo stated, “Guyana is an important destination for Caribbean Airlines. We enjoy a long standing relationship with the people of Guyana, having provided consistent and reliable service for many years.”

He continued: “Caribbean Airlines recognises its key role as a socio-economic contributor to the Caribbean. It is a role we take seriously and it is reflected in our engagement with all our stakeholders. We are happy to support the Organisation for Social Health Advancement in Guyana (OSHAG) as they provide needed medical services to the people

of Guyana.”

Carol Bagot CEO of OSHAG commented: “Caribbean Airlines has always supported OSHAG and we are happy they continue to provide complimentary air transport to the doctors and nurses. The airline has been a caring, consistent and committed partner to the people of Guyana. Caribbean Airlines has been the airline with the staying power and has served Guyana effectively and due to their consistent support, OSHAG is able to carry out their mission yearly.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

Masked bandits brutalise WBD family A weapon used on the occupants of the home during the attack

Some of the items left behind by the bandits

By Leroy Smith A WEST Bank Demerara family of four is calling on the authorities to quickly bring to justice a 10-man gang who surrounded their home and brutalised and robbed them for almost two hours on Thursday evening.

It was just after 20.30 hrs on Thursday when the family secured themselves in the upper flat of their home and were having supper when the back door was wrenched open and masked men wielding cutlasses and at least one of them with a gun, barged into the home and began their reign of terror.

The men demanded cash, gold jewellery and other valuables and when they realised that they were just a poor family trying to survive on an honest living, they began loading household appliances, clothing, utensils and other personal effects of the family into garbage bags and haversacks. The items were then reportedly loaded into approximately two waiting vehicles outside of the home.

The affected family members according to a police press release which was issued yesterday, included 54-year-old Andy Sukhram, head of the home, his wife 47-year-old Esardai Sukhram and their 18-year-old son Andrew Sukhram, all of 82 Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday afternoon at his Lot 82 Samaroo Dam, West Bank Demerara home, Andy Sukhram said that it was shortly after they had completed watering their plants in the yard that the bandits struck. He is of the view that had the area been receiving electricity from the Guyana Power and Light Inc. the incident might not have taken place.

“We do not have lights at the back here we really, really need lights at the back here; they walk they come in they can do what they wanna do, the people them need lights at the back here we really need it; they are saying that we have to pay for the capital works four hundred and something thousand dollar and the CEO thieving how much million dollars and putting it in their bank accounts and all kind of things and I go to places where they have no houses and the network run right through. We

are the ones paying rates and taxes here and the other people around the place squatting and they have lights?” he querried.

The men took away wares, table spoons, televisions, generators, clothing, matches, gas bottles, gold rings, one weeding machine, kitchen knives and other small household appliances, as if they were getting ready to furnish a home. There were also mobile phones which were taken away from the home, the relatives stated.

Sukhram said that what hurts the family is that contrary to what the bandits might have thought, they are a poor family who had been saving for months before they could purchase certain household items.

He stated that the size of their house came about from a loan the credit union and the bank combined and approved for them to facilitate an expansion. The man works as a maintenance supervisor at Demerara Distillers Limited.

During the robbery, the men ordered the family on the floor and demanded cash and jewellery and when they were handed all the valuables that the family had, they started to beat and terrorise them, even threatening to kill family members and kidnapping the young son of Sukhram if he and his wife did not hand over the rest of the valuables which, according to the family, they clearly did not have.

The family members were tied up kicked, slapped, stomped, and also received cuffs and had sharp objects placed to their necks as a means by the bandits to have to produce what they did not have.

The younger Sukhram remarked that at one point the life of his mother was threatened, if he did not tell the men where they could find the remaining valuables.

“You see you, if you doan tell me where the rest of gold is

youngster, I will take this same razorblade and slit your mother neck in front of you and show you what I can do and I will be the first in Guyana can do it.”

“And then I see he went over to my mother neck and then I don’t know what else happen, because I jus blank out when I hear that” the 18 year old recounted. A gun was also placed to the head of the young man.

The police visited the home on the night of the incident and took an occurrence of what had transpired and promised to return the following day.

However, up to the time this publication visited the scene the ranks had not returned to uplift any fingerprints from the scene and the occupants of the home were unable to tidy up the fully ransacked home.

The family members said that while they were able to see only five men in the upper flat of the home, there were others who were downstairs and around the yard as they could hear them communicating with each other in codes. The men apparently cut a hole through the mesh fence to assist them in gaining access to the premises from the rear.

The occupants told the Guyana Chronicle that they were not able to be alerted to the presence of trespassers in the yard, since their dog was poisoned two days before the incident.

The family is lamenting the refusal of the power company to install electricity in the area, even though al other infrastructural works have been done at the location where they reside. They have been living in the area for about 18 years, this publication was told. GPL is reportedly asking the family and other persons in the area to stand the cost for the capital expenditure before they can provide electricity to the area, it was related.

When this publication vis-

The home the men invaded on Thursday evening

ited, the family was being visited by other relatives and friends.

They said that after the ordeal the wife of Sukhram was the first to free herself and then freed her husband then son before going to secure help.

When people to the front of the village were told of the incident, they reportedly confirmed seeing a strange white vehicle in the area that was heavily tinted, but had no idea that the car was facilitating a robbery deeper in the village.

A gas stove minus its gas cylinder which was stolen

One of the rooms which was ransacked by the bandits

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

New water-production fa benefit 20,500 customer

GOVERNMENT is investing G$2.581 billion to improve the water sector infrastructure across all the administrative regions of Guyana; but Region 6 customers of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will benefit from construction of a state-of-the-art water treatment facility at Sheet Anchor, East Canje, which will serve customers from #19 Village to Fort Ordnance and Goed Bananen Land in East Canje, Berbice.

Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles, met with Region 6 Chairman David Armogan and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dr. Veerasammy Ramayya on Wednesday to discuss the current developmental plan for the water sector in Region 6.

“With such a densely populated region, GWI’s aim is to ensure consistent and quality service with minimum

disruptions,” Dr. Van-West-Charles said in his remarks to the Regional Chairman and the REO. “With the recent investment in the region’s water-service infrastructure, GWI will ensure that all works are executed to a high standard, with the improvement of the standard of living being the ultimate goal,” he expanded.

Construction of the new facility forms part of the Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme (WSSIIP) funded by the Government of Guyana, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Investment Facility (CIF) of the European Union (EU).

In excess of 20,500 persons, or more than 5,300 households, will have enhanced levels of service and improved quality of water upon completion of the facility, construction of which will commence in January 2016. To encourage wa-

ter conservation by customers, the programme will include installation of water meters within the project area; and to foster improved public health, the programme will include a component for installation of septic tanks within the community of Sheet Anchor, East Berbice.

“Enhancing public health through the provision of safe, potable water and the improvement of the sanitation system are the main thrusts of the water service improvement programme for Region 6,’ the GWI Chief Executive has said. “We are partnering with the regional administration,

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

acility to rs -- in Region Six

NDCs and all community-oriented bodies to ensure that GWI customers of Region 6 benefit from an improved quality of life.”

Dr. Van-West Charles has indicated that the services of the GWI would be available to the regional administration for 24 hours each day, and that GWI Divisional Manager for East Berbice, Mr Jawaharlal Ramjug, will be instituting an ‘after-hours’ emergency team to respond to service disruptions, leaks and other emergencies.

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Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc., Dr. Richard Van-West-Charles (right)

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Saturday October 24, 2015

Young girls must be protected, urges First Lady

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger has issued a call for those responsible for statutory rape to be pursued and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Addressing the gathering at the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association’s (GRPA) Fundraising Dinner on Thursday evening at the Pegasus Hotel, Mrs Granger pointed out that in Guyana, teenagers are giving birth while the perpetrators are walking away without facing

First Lady Sandra Granger any consequences for their irresponsible behaviour.

To this end, the First

Lady said that there must be no excuses in finding the culprits and having them prosecuted.

“This is where the might and majesty of the law must come into play. Sexual intercourse with a child under 16 is statutory rape and all loopholes must be closed. I do not want to hear any excuses… like he didn’t know the girl was under-aged. Yes we do have adolescent school boys fathering children, but in many cases girlchildren

are forced to have sex with older men or forced by family members to become sex workers,” Mrs Granger said.

Often, she said, the victims of these situations lack the critical information on sexual reproductive health (SRH) including contraception and STIs and as such, become vulnerable and this must be rectified.

The First Lady called for improved and equitable access to sexual and reproductive health services for

young girls and boys, in an effort to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Guyana. Mrs Granger praised the work of the organisation in reaching out to teenagers with sexual and reproductive health and family planning education.

“The GRPA has done and continues to perform a valuable service to Guyana by providing a service such as this… The importance of these services cannot be over-emphasised. By informing our young people, we are protecting and keeping them safe,” First Lady, Sandra Granger said.

Describing the challenge in the Region, the First Lady said, “Guyana with Belize and Jamaica records the highest number of adolescent pregnancies in the Caribbean Community. There is a lack of information of sexual reproductive health and responsible parenthood, especially for our young teenaged

girls. There is a lack of ante-natal classes which, if provided, would significantly improve the health outcomes for baby and mother. We must have education on SRH and family planning before any child becomes sexually active.”

She noted that with education on sexual and reproductive health and family planning, young girls and women are more informed and able to make choices which will not only assist them in their personal growth, but will also save the country valuable resources.

“Responsible parenthood and family planning have many benefits. These are in the areas of employment opportunities, financial security, stability, more decision-making power, and opportunities to join social and civic organisations, earning power and independence among others,” she said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

LIAT lowers fares between Trinidad and Guyana REGIONAL carrier LIAT has announced reduced fares between Trinidad and Guyana, along with relaunching its Santo Domingo service.

Passengers travelling between Trinidad and Guyana can benefit from a 10 per cent discount on return fares ranging from the basic to fully flexible.

The discount applies on flight LI 309 from Trinidad and LI 306 from Guyana. Customers can also benefit from fares as low as US$199 return on these flights.

In order to benefit from these great fares, tickets must be booked between October 20 and November 30 2015 for travel during the same period.

Seats are subject to availability and promotional terms and conditions apply.

LIAT’s flights to Guyana operate to and from the Ogle International Airport, which is located on the outskirts of Georgetown.

LIAT will also reintroduce services between Antigua and Santo Domingo in The Dominican Republic, effective 15 December 2015, offering three flights a week, every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with fares from as low as US$299 inclusive of all taxes.

Commenting on the new service, David Evans, CEO of LIAT, said: “We are pleased to be flying back into Santo Domingo. There has been much demand for this service, and we have listened to our customers. We are delighted to be able to reintroduce the service in mid-December, which allows our customers to make plans to travel home for Christmas.”

LIAT has appointed General Air Services as its general sales agent for The Dominican Republic.

Gustavo de Hostos, General Air Services President and CEO commented: “We are extremely happy that LIAT has decided to operate into Santo Domingo once again. There are many people who want to travel around the Caribbean and this provides them with the opportunity to do so with the wide range of connections that LIAT offers from its hub in Antigua.”

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GUYANA October 24, 2015 GUYANA CHRONICLE CHRONICLE, Saturday SATURDAY OCTOBER 24, 2015

NOTICE 1ST PUBLICATION 

            In the matter of the Title of Land (Prescription and Limitation) Act, Chapter 60:02 of the Laws of Guyana.- and - In the matter of Petition by   of Lot 12 Vauxhall, Canal No.1, West Bank Demerara, Guyana   of Lot 12 Vauxhall, Canal No.1 West Bank Demerara, Guyana has presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described in the Schedule hereto.  person intending to oppose the said Petition must within one (1) month after the date of First Publication of the Notice file in the Registry of the High Court in the City of Georgetown, Notice of Opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support thereof, and serve a copy of the Notice and any Aff i d a v i t u p o n t h e s a i d Frank James. The Petition is accompanied by a Plan of the property which may be inspected at the said Registry during office hours Mr Saphier Husain Attorney-at-Law for the P e t i t i o n e r.

Dated at Georgetown, Demerara. This 15th day of September, 2015  Sub-Lot 12A being portion of Lot 12 in the East half Pln Vauxhall situate on the southern bank of Canal No.1 on the West Bank of the Demerara River in the County of Demerara in the Co-operative Republic of Guyana the said Sub Lot 12A containing an area 0.4697 (nought decimal four six nine seven) of an acre and being shown and defined on a plan surveyed and paaled off on a Plan by Sworn L a n d S u r v e y o r L i n d o n F. McGregor dated 10thAugust 2015 and recorded in the Lands and Surveys Commission as Plan No. 62389 on 27th August, 2015, without the building and erections thereon, property of the Transportee     for service for the Petitioner is at the Chambers of Mr Saphier Husain, Attorney-atLaw of First Federation Building, Croal & Manget Place, Georgetown, Guyana. Mr Saphier Husain Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner.                  In the matter of the Title of Land (Prescription and Limitation) Act, Chapter 60:02 of the Laws of Guyana - and In the matter of Petition by                          of Lot 4 Perth Village, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Guyana have presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described in the Schedule hereto.  person

NOTICE intending to oppose the said Petition must within one (1) month after the date of First Publication of the Notice file in the Registry of the High Court in the City of Georgetown, Notice of Opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support thereof, and serve a copy of the Notice and any A ff i d a v i t u p o n t h e s a i d              The Petition is accompanied by a Plan of the property which may be inspected at the said Registry during working hours Mr Saphier Husain Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner.

Dated at Georgetown, Demerara.

T h i s 1 6 t h d a y o f S e p t e m b e r, 2015.          Plot Lettered 'AB' of Sub lot Lettered 'A' of Lot Numbered 4 (four) South of Perth, Middle Walk and North of Public Road Perth Village, Mahaicony ,East Coast Demerara within the Woodlands Farm Neighbourhood Democratic Council situate on the left bank Mahaicony Creek, Guyana the said Plot containing an area of 0.1647 (nought decimal one six four seven) of an acre with right of way along the western boundary as shown and defined on a Plan by Sworn Land Surveyor Keith A. Chapman dated 7th February, 2002, and recorded in the Department of Lands and Surveys on the 27th day of February, 2002 as Plan No. 32185 and deposited at the Deeds Registry, Georgetown on the 1st day of March, 2005.   The address for service for the Petitioner is at the Chambers of Mr Saphier Husain, Attorneyat-Law of First Federation Building, Croal & Manget Place, Georgetown, and Guyana. Mr Saphier Husain Attorney-at-Law f o r t h e P e t i t i o n e r. D a t e d a t Georgetown, Demerara. This day of September, 2015.                                 In the matter of the Title of Land (Prescription and Limitation) Act, Chapter 60:02 of the Laws of Guyana.- and - In the matter of Petition by                              of Lot 15 Huntley, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Guyana have presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by Prescription of the property described in the Schedule hereto.  person intending to oppose the said Petition must within one (1) month after the date of First Publication of the Notice file in the Registry of the High Court in the City of Georgetown, Notice of Opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support thereof, and serve a copy of the Notice and any Affidavit upon the said   The Petition is accompanied by a Plan of the property which may be inspected at the said Registry during office hours Mr. Saphier Husain Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner. Dated at Georgetown, Demerara. This 15th day of August, 2015.  'EW' comprising Sublot "X" of Lot 14 and Sublot "Y" of Lot 15 all being portions of the East half of Pln. Huntley or Lot No. 6 situate on the East Coast of Demerara,

NOTICE County of Demerara Guyana, the said 'Sublot "X" and Sublot 'Y' containing areas 0.0055 (zero decimal zero zero five five ) of an acre and 0.1089 (zero decimal one zero eight nine) respectively and being shown and defined on a plan Sworn by Land Surveyor    dated 2013.04.25 and recorded on 2013 04 26 in the Lands and Surveys Commission and numbered as Plan No. 55754 .            THE address for service for the Petitioner is at the Chambers of Mr Saphier Husain, Attorney-atLaw of First Federation Building, Croal & Manget Place, Georgetown, and Guyana. Mr Saphier Husain Attorney-atLaw for the Petitioner. Dated at Georgetown, Demerara. This 15th day of August, 2015.             In the matter of all those pieces or parcel of land known and described as sub-lot 'B' being a portion of the East Half of Lot 19 John and Norton Streets situate in Newbury in the Werk-in-Rust District in the City of Georgetown, County of Demerara, Guyana, as shown and described on a plan dated the 12th day of July, 2013 by Hugh A. Howard, Sworn Land Surveyor and deposited in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 25th day of July, 2013 as Plan numbered 56517 -and- In the matter of the Title to Land (Prescription and Limitation) Act Chapter 60:02 Laws of Guyana as amended and- In the matter of the Petition of              of Lot 169 Century Palm Gardens, D'Urban Backlands, Georgetown, Demerara, Guyana has presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by Prescription to the property described in the Schedule hereto. ANY person intending to oppose the said Petition must within one month after the date of the first publication of this Notice, file in the Registry of the High Court of the City of Georgetown Notice of his/ her Opposition and an affidavit upon the said     The said Petition is accompanied by a copy of a plan of the property which may be inspected at the said Registry during office hours. Dated the 28th day of September, 2015.       Attorney-at-Law for the Petitioner.  Sub-lot 'B' being a portion of the East Half of Lot 19 John and Norton Streets situate in Newbury in the Werk-in-Rust District in the City of Georgetown, County of Demerara, Guyana, as shown and described on a Plan dated the 12th day July, 2013 by Hugh A. Howard, Sworn Land Surveyor and deposited in the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 25th day of July, 2013 as Plan numbered 56517. 

NOTICE  The address for service of the Petitioner is at the Office of his Attorney-at-Law Lot 78 Hadfield & Breda Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, Demerara.                of Lot 1 No. 4 Village, West Coast Berbice has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription to the property on the Schedule hereto.  person intending to oppose the said Petition must within 1 (one) month from the date of the first publication of this Notice file in the Registry of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana at New Amsterdam, Berbice, a Notice of his/her opposition and Affidavit in Support on the Petitioner. The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours. Kumar Doraisami Attorney-at-Law for Petitioner. New Amsterdam, Berbice. Dated this 8th day of September, 2015.        In the matter of Plots 'U', 'V', 'W', 'X', 'Y' and 'Z' containing 0.5107 (nought decimal five one nought one), 2.7767 (two decimal seven seven six seven), 1.1726 one decimal one seven two six), 1.9225 (one decimal nine two two five), 2.3944 (two decimal three nine four four) and 3.0629 (three decimal nought six two nine) acres respectfully being portions of Lot 26, Plantation Mon Choisi or Lot No. 3 situate on the West Coast Berbice, in the County of Berbice, Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the said Tract being shown and defined on a plan by R.T. John, Sworn Land Surveyor dated 17th day of August, 2015 a copy of which said plan was duly recorded at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 20th day of August, 2015 as Plan No. 62334".  The Petitioner's address for service and place of business is at the Chambers of Mr Kumar Doraisami, Attorney-at-Law, of Lot 4 Strand New Amsterdam, Berbice.              of Lot 16 Rising Sun, West Coast Berbice, has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription to the property on the Schedule hereto.  person intending to oppose the said Petition must within 1 (one) month from the date of the first publication of this Notice file in the Registry of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana at New Amsterdam, Berbice, a Notice of his/her opposition and Affidavit in Support on the Petitioner. The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours. Kumar Doraisami Attorney-at-Law for Petitioner. New Amsterdam,

NOTICE Berbice. Dated this 28th day of August, 2015.  In the matter of Sublot 'A' containing 0.1416 (nought decimal one four one six) of an acre being portion of Lot 16 (North of the Public Road) Plantation Rising Sun, situate on the West Sea Coast of Berbice, in the County of Berbice, Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the said Sub-lot "A" being shown and defined on a Plan by R.T. John, Sworn Land Surveyor dated 8th day of July, 2013 a copy of which said Plan was duly recorded at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 12th day of July, 2013 as Plan No. 56409".   The Petitioner's address for service and place of business is at the Chambers of Mr Kumar Doraisami, Attorney-at-Law, of Lot 4 St r a n d N e w A m s t e r d a m , Berbice.                                 of Lot 1 No. 4 Village, West Coast Berbice has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescription to the property on the Schedule hereto.  person intending to oppose the said Petition must within 1 (one) month from the date of the first publication of this Notice file in the Registry of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana at New Amsterdam, Berbice, a Notice of his/her opposition and Affidavit in Support on the Petitioner. The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours. Kumar Doraisami Attorney-at-Law for Petitioner.

New Amsterdam, Berbice. Dated this 8th day of September, 2015.  In the matter of Plots 'W', 'X', 'Y' and 'Z' containing 0.155 (nought one five five), 1.393 (one decimal three nine three), 2.044 (two decimal nought four four) 0.858 (nought decimal eight five eight) acres respectfully being portions of sub 'E' of Lot 1, Plantation Zee Zight or Lot No. 2 situate on the West Coast Berbice, in the County of Berbice, Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the said tract being shown and defined on a Plan by R.T. John, Sworn Land Surveyor dated 21st day of August, 2015 a copy of which said plan was duly recorded at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 27th day of August, 2015 as Plan No. 62374".  The Petitioner's address for service and place of business is at the Chambers of Mr Kumar Doraisami, Attorney-at-Law, of Lot 4 Strand New Amsterdam, Berbice.                                                     represented herein by her duly constituted att o r n e y             of Lot 22 Palmyra, East Canje, Berbice have presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by way of Prescription to the property described in the Schedule hereto.

NOTICE  person intending to oppose the said Petition must within 1 (one) month of the first Publication of this Notice file in the Registry, Notice of his/ her opposition and serve a copy of such affidavit forthwith on the Petitioner after filing same.

The said Petition is accompanied by a copy of the plan of the area which may be inspected at the Registry at High Court of the Supreme Court, High Street, Georgetown during office hours. Attorney-atLaw for Petitioners. Dated this 3rd day of September, 2015, New A m s t e r d a m , B e r b i c e .  In the matter of Firstly:- Tract 'A' being portion of Sub-lot of Lot 6 and Sub-lot 'a' of Lot 7, Secondly:- Sub-lots 'b', 'c' and 'd' of Lot 6 all being portions of Pln. Recess situate on the East Sea Coast of Demerara and Cooperative Republic of Guyana the said sublots being laid down and defined on a plan by D. A Weeks, Sworn Land Surveyor d a t e d t h e 1 4 t h d a y o f M a y, 2015 and recorded at the Department of Lands and Surveys Commission on the 12th day June, 2015 as Plan No. 61867.  The Petitioners' place of business and address for service is at the Chambers of Mr Michael Somersall, Attorney-at-Law of Lot 69 Louisa Row, Freeburg, Georgetown, Demerara.                of Lot 1 No. 4 Village, West Coast Berbice has presented a Petition for Declaration of Title by Prescript i o n t o the property on the Schedule hereto. ANY person intending to oppose the said Petition must within 1 (one) month from the date of the first publication of this Notice file in the Registry of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana at New Amsterdam, Berbice, a Notice of his/her opposition and Affidavit in Support on the Petitioner. The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the said property which may be inspected at the Registry during office hours. Kumar Doraisami Attorney-at-Law for Petitioner.

New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Dated this 8th day of September, 2015. SCHEDULE: In the matter of Tract 'FA' containing 0.1284 (nought decimal one two eight four) of an acre being portion of Lot 1 Plantation Edderton or Lot No. 4 situate on the West Coast Berbice, in the County of Berbice, Co-operative Republic of Guyana the said Tract being shown and defined on a Plan by R.T. John, Sworn Land Surveyor dated 13th day of August, 2015 a copy of which said Plan was duly recorded at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission on the 20th day of August, 2015 as Plan No. 62338".         The Petitioner's address for service and place of business is at the Chambers of Mr Kumar Doraisami, Attorney-at-Law, of Lot 4 Strand New Amsterdam, Berbice.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 24, 2015

Atwell confident of lifting CABF super ...

From back page Gonsalves.

Apart from the Atwell versus Gonsalves affair, the night will also see

debutant Imran Khan in his professional debut against David Thomas.

Khan boasts a very impressive amateur record of 102 victories and 22 losses from his 124 fights, while Thomas, who to date has fought only four professional fights, has lost all of them, so this will be a bruising affair.

The opening bout on the night’s card brings together Terrence Adams against Keeve Allicock in a four-round

featherweight contest.

Adams will be making his debut as a professional after winning 30 amateur bouts and losing four. Allicock, on the other hand, fought one professional fight and lost it.

Anson Green with two wins and three losses in his professional career will face Quincy Gomes, who has fought five professional fights, winning three of them and losing two in a six-round junior welterweight affair.

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Newbury 08:20 hrs Alyssa 08:50 hrs Crazy Horse 09:25 hrs Moderah 10:00 hrs Examiner 10:35 hrs Alamode 11:10 hrs Nawkhatha 11:45 hrs Tempting 12:20 hrs Grams And Ounces

09:55 hrs Zannda 10:30 hrs Black Sea 11:05 hrs Jaqen H’Ghar 11:40 hrs Snakes And Ladders 17:15 hrs Whatsforu wontgobyu

DONCASTER 09:00 hrs Dhahmaan 09:35 hrs Demora 10:10 hrs Argus 10:45 hrs Foundation 11:20 hrs Felix Leiter 11:55 hrs Scrutineer 12:30 hrs Salateen CHELTENHAM 09:10 hrs Dunraven Storm 09:45 hrs Hargam 10:20 hrs Roalco De Farges 10:55 hrs Miss Serious 11:30 hrs Azorian 12:05 hrs Dancing Meadows 12:40 hrs High Bridge IRISH RACING TIPS Leopardstown 08:45 hrs Even Song 09:20 hrs Stellar Mass

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Kenilworth 08:30 hrs Fl;ying Ice 09;10 hrs Marinaresco 09:45 hrs Baritone 10:20 hrs Arezzo 10:55 hrs Heartland TURFFONTEIN 08:53 hrs Cape Marigold 09:25 hrs Regal Force 10:00 hrs Sharp Princess 10:38 hrs Colmant AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race 1 Tiz a Chance Race 2 Get Jets Race 3 Palace Race 4 Le Verdad Race 5 Saratoga Snacks Race 6 Bea Bea Race 7 Kharafa Race 8 Full Tap Race 9 She’s All Ready Race10 Hot Stones

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 24, 2015

Root defiant after Pakistan make early inroads

By Matt Smith

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) - Joe Root’s unbeaten half-century helped stuttering England reach 182 for three at the close on the second day of the second Test yesterday after Pakistan’s seam and spin attack ran through the tourists’ top order.

Pakistan, playing in their adopted UAE home, were bowled out for 378 before lunch, some erratic slogging causing the hosts’ last five wickets to fall for 44 runs.

Pakistan pacemen Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan were given the new ball and captain Misbah-ul-Haq packed the slip cordon.

Wahab had Moeen Ali (1) caught brilliantly by Shan Masood at short-leg.

Skipper Alastair Cook was joined at the crease by Ian Bell (4) and the veteran No. 3 was again found wanting, feathering a full Khan delivery to the slips as England slumped to 14 for two.

Root and Cook -- Test cricket’s top two run-scorers

in 2015 -- repelled Pakistan’s ferocious onslaught to reach 105-2 at tea, although England’s skipper was fortunate on 27.

Hundreds more Pakistan fans appeared after Friday prayers, the field masked in late-afternoon shadow at Dubai International Stadium

Joe Root makes a typically positive start to his innings.

Attempting to sweep Zulfiqar Babar, the ball struck pad and skidded onto the stumps but miraculously the bails stayed on.

as a crowd of about 4 000 looked on, England’s support being a mix of expatriate residents and the travelling Barmy Army.

Misbah brought Yasir Shah to the fore as the light faded.

The leg-spinner, the fastest man to 50 Test wickets for Pakistan, missed the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi with injury and initially did little, England’s batsmen scoring freely until Pakistan’s skipper positioned a leg-slip.

Cook tried to guide a Yasir (1-59) delivery round the corner but found only the hands of the newly-stationed fielder.

England skipper walked for 65, his partnership with Root worth 113, as the tourists stumbled to 130 for three.

Root was unbowed, however, claiming a 15th Test half-century with a single through short-leg.

He will resume on 76 with Jonny Bairstow on 27 not out.

MISBAH DISMISSED Pakistan had begun the day on 282 for four, Misbah and Asad Shafiq resuming their partnership of 104.

Mark Wood (3-39) partnered Stuart Broad as captain Cook opted for an all-seam

attack, the quicks better able to sustain hostility in the relative cool of the morning.

Broad’s impact was immediate, trapping Misbah (102) lbw with the day’s fifth ball.

The skipper had anticipated a bouncer after a barrage of short deliveries and was deceived by Broad’s fuller ball which thumped into the 41-year-old’s front pad.

Shafiq brought up his 12th Test half-century with a four through the slips, as he and Safraz Ahmed put on 52.

Safraz (32) was caught at mid-on and Yasir, on 16 from 17 balls, miscued another attempted big hit to slip.

Zulfiqar (3) did not move as Wood’s inswinging Yorker caught him lbw, the ousted batsmen holding his head in shame.

Shafiq (83), who required prolonged treatment after Wood’s full toss thundered into his knee, was last out, caught at short midwicket.

Sharjah will stage the concluding Test from November 1.

SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN 1st innings (o/n 282-4) M. Hafeez c Bairstow b Ali 19 S. Masood c Buttler b Anderson 54 S. Malik c Bairstow b Stokes 2 Y. Khan c Buttler b Wood 56 Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Broad 102 A. Shafiq c Root b Wood 83 S. Ahmed c Anderson b Ali 32 W. Riaz c Anderson b Ali 6 Y. Shah c Stokes b Rashid 16 Z. Babar lbw b Wood 3 I. Khan not out 0 Extras: (lb-4, w-1) 5 Total: (all out, 118.5 overs) 378 Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-58, 3-85, 4-178, 5-282, 6-334, 7-342, 8-370,

9-377.

Bowling: J. Anderson 20-5-40-1, S. Broad 17-4-48-1, M. Ali 25-3108-3, M. Wood 19.5-7-39-3, B. Stokes 17-3-55-1 (w-1), A. Rashid 20-1-84-1.

ENGLAND 1st innings A. Cook c sub b Shah 65 M. Ali c Masood b Riaz 1 I. Bell c S. Ahmed b I. Khan 4 J. Root not out 76 J. Bairstow not out 27 Extras: (lb-1, nb-3, w-5) 9 Total: (for 3 wickets, 51 overs) 182 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-14, 3-127.

Bowling: I. Khan 10-4-26-1, W. Riaz 10-0-51-1 (nb-3, w-1), Z. Babar 10-2-35-0, Y. Shah 17-2-591, S. Malik 4-1-10-0.

ECCB/Elizabeth WJ Enterprise recommits to Styles competition another year of sponsorship continues tomorrow THE East Coast Demerara Cricket Association (ECDCA)/Elizabeth Styles competition continues tomorrow. Several matches will be played in the 40-overs competition.

The Club-of-the-Tournament will take away $350 000 while there will be prizes and trophies for the second-placed team and the Player-ofthe-Final.

Fixtures for tomorrow are: Golden Grove Cricket Club vs Mon Repos A vs at Buxton Community Centre and Better Hope Sports Club A vs Buxton ‘Carl Hooper’ Sports Club at Better Hope Community Centre Please note that all matches will be played strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ECCB (ECDCA) regarding the preparation and availability of the host facilities. For further information kindly call the chairman of the Competitions Committee Mr Raymond Barton on 626-0223 or president of the East Coast Umpires Association Mr Davteerth Anandjit on 617-8502.

Meanwhile, all clubs/teams are asked to make contact with the Competitions Committee of the East Coast Cricket Board, regarding the launching of the ECCB-sponsored ($200 000) 20/20 tournament.

WJ ENTERPRISE on Wednesday renewed its support for the fifth edition of the Guyana Softball Cup by presenting its sponsorship cheque to the organisers at its Regent Street location.

WJ Enterprise, the sole importer and distributor of Croxley Copy Paper, confirmed its support for the mega softball event by coming onboard as a partner for the second year in succession.

Supervisor of the Regent Street business establishment, Teresa Naraine, said the company is overwhelmed to be offered once again the opportunity to be part of the country’s premier softball cricket tournament.

Naraine said the entity has been impressed with the success of the previous four Guyana Softball Cups, and it was an easy decision to recommit its support for another year. She wished the organisers and the local and visiting teams well, and urged softball fans to

Supervisor of WJ Enterprise, Teresa Naraine (centre), presents the sponsorship to GFSCA member Petamber Maharaj in the presence of secretary of the association, Lalta Gainda. turn out in their numbers to witness the games.

The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) is the organising body of the tournament, and secretary of the organisation, Lalta Gainda, was pleased to once again welcome WJ Enterprise as an official partner of the three-day event.

Gainda added that such

support is critical to the successful hosting of the competition, noting that an event of such magnitude attracts a hefty budget of approximately $9M. GFSCA member Petamber Maharaj also used the opportunity to announce that one of New York’s most successful softball teams, Mercenaries, confirmed their participation at the October 30 to November 1

competition. Maharaj also stated that preparations are moving apace, and another successful venture is in the making.

This year’s tournament has attracted 24 teams, spread across the two categories - Open and Masters.

Wolf’s Warriors are the defending champions of the Open division, while Floodlights won the Masters category in 2014.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 24, 2015

South Africa take on New Zealand in first World Cup rugby semi-final

NEW Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has told his players South Africa will want to “rip our heads off” in today’s World Cup rugby semi-final at Twickenham.

The All Blacks go into the game, which kicks off at 16:00 BST, having won 47 and lost three of their past 52 Tests.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer says the defending champions are “the best team to have played the game”.

“He’s just about killed us with compliments,” said Hansen. “He’s a cunning wee devil is Heyneke.”

Both sides have won the World Cup twice, with New Zealand aiming to become the first country to win suc-

cessive tournaments.

“Just look at their record in the last four years,” said Meyer.

“Usually after the World Cup there’s a decline in performance but they just got better, which just doesn’t happen in world rugby.”

Meyer added his team need to produce their “best performance ever” if they want to win.

He said: “For South Africa it’s probably the biggest test ever, playing the All Blacks at their best.”

New Zealand scored nine tries as they hammered France 62-13 in the quarter-finals.

But Hansen said his side will not be paying too much attention to Meyer’s com-

pliment.

“He has been praising us all week and, whilst I know he means some of

“We need to be in that same state. If we get caught up in all that and lapping up all the praise we won’t be

Bryan Habana scores a try for South Africa against Argentina. it, I know they are getting ready to rip our heads off,” he said.

in the right mental state to play.”

Despite their thumping

Fifth Brusches Basketball Classic bounces off tonight

By Joe Chapman INTENSE rivalry from the start is predicted, as the 5th Brusches Classic eightteam knockout basketball championship bounces off tonight at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court with the top four Linden clubs - red hot Half Mile Bulls, Victory Valley Royals, Retrieve Raiders and Amelia’s Ward Jets - colliding for a place in the semifinals.

A decision to have two guest players aided by some blockbuster transfers have created highly anticipated matchups, beginning with the first game when Victory Valley Royals face Half Mile Bulls.

Knowing the recent showing of the Bulls, where they reached the Forbes Burnham Memorial nationwide final, it is expected that

they will prevail against the Royals.

The Bulls will have their young junior national, but inexperienced marksman Terron Welch, currently one of the most dangerous shooting guards, stacking up against the destructive sniping of another shooting guard in the Royals, Chris Williams.

Apart from Welch, there are junior nationals Dennis Niles, Travin Dryden, if available, with the ever-improving Michael Turner and inside-man Shane Lewis to boost their chances of coming out on top.

But the Royals are a force still with Williams leading their offence and two dominant all-round players Harold Adams and Orlando Glasgow. These matchups will be key to the outcome as both sides seek a place in the semifinals.

The second game will see

two teams which have at their disposal some experienced players in their lineup. Notably the Raiders have drafted former national players Marvin Hartman and Abdulla Hamid to join forces with their power forward Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts and shooting forward Neil Marks in what appears to be a formidable lineup.

This side also offers the likes of Yannick Primo, Dwight McKinnon and Geoffrey La Rose in their squad of players.

On the other hand, the Jets have sought the services of shooting guard Orrin Rose and Omally Sampson, who, like Hartman and Hamid, are transferred from the Kings.

They will add to the already strong Jets lineup which is spearheaded by Emmanuel Archibald, the Webster brothers Allister, Joel and domain, the experienced Neil Simon

and young Akini Wilson.

This showdown involves the best players in Linden and should be a crowd-pleaser.

With LABA recently passing the FIBA Recommended Misconduct of a Player sanctioned into its own internal rules and regulations, the games should be keenly contested with few administrative hiccups.

The winners tonight will advance to the semifinals next Friday and the next set of matches will involve teams from the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association on Tuesday in Georgetown. In these matches defending champions Ravens will face Plaisance Guardians and in the other Volts battle Pacesetters.

The top prize is $200 000. Trophies and replicas, along with other incentive prizes, are at stake.

New rules have made slogging difficult - Dhoni

ONE-day cricket in India appears to have been given a makeover, according to MS Dhoni. A total less than 300 could still be match-winning, and the back end of an innings might actually end up as one of the lowest phases of run-scoring.

Dhoni’s reasons: the ball goes soft, so it does not come on to the bat, and therefore stroke-play becomes hard.

Also, dry pitches and outfields ensure the ball gets scuffed up and offers reverse swing.

And finally, the option of having an additional fielder

on the boundary - five instead of the earlier four - means big shots will not necessarily fetch big runs.

“Now as we are seeing in the 40th to 50th (overs), it’s not easy just to go in and slam the big shots and get 80-90 runs. You’ll see most of the sides saying, ‘Last 10, if you are chasing, you shouldn’t have more than 65 runs or 70 runs’. That also you have to have a good day,” Dhoni explained.

For context, in the last 10 overs in Chennai, India made 69 and lost five wickets.

South Africa hit 64 and lost three. A similar break-up happened in Rajkot as well: India 67 for 4, and South Africa 60 for 3. Only once has a team

scored over 100 runs in this period, with AB de Villiers at the helm in Kanpur.

“But it may change, depending on the wicket, the amount of reverse swing that the bowlers are getting (here) if it’s not there then maybe they will score a bit more. Or if the bowlers don’t execute well.

But on a good day, when they are bowling well, it will be very difficult to get something like 80 or 90 in 10 overs. That used to be the case with the previous rules.”

Dhoni believes slow pitches will allow bowlers a lot more margin for error in the slog overs. He feels more teams will stop drilling their bowlers to deliver inch-spe-

cific yorkers and will follow a “new strategy” of bowling length and back-of-a-length deliveries to curb the batsmen. Having extra protection in the deep has also helped in that regard.

“And more than the short deliveries, the length deliveries are more difficult to hit because with the reverse swing, the bowlers can actually cramp you. Even the ones that are short, they are short enough but they don’t get to the same height (as the batsman is expecting) which means you have to take that risk of playing the big shot. So it’s like the new strategy that has been put by a lot of sides.

win over the French, Hansen believes there is more to come from his side.

“I don’t think we have played our best rugby,” he said. “If we don’t turn up with our ‘A’ game, we’re not going to have a chance.

We need our ‘A’ game and a little bit more.”

New Zealand are looking to win a record 13th consecutive match at the World Cup. History is not entirely on their side today, however, as South Africa are - along with Australia - one of only two sides to hold a winning World Cup record against them.

In total, New Zealand have a winning percentage of 58% against the Springboks - though such is their long-term excellence, that

is their lowest success rate against any side.

By comparison it is 68% against Australia, 77% versus France and 80% against England.

Jonah Lomu was rugby’s first global superstar and still holds a share of two World Cup try-scoring records - but both could be broken today.

South Africa winger Bryan Habana is tied with the All Blacks legend on 15 tournament tries and will claim the record on his own if he scores today.

New Zealand powerhouse Julian Savea, meanwhile, is chasing the try-scoring record for a tournament.

He has eight this year level with the mark set by Lomu in 1999 and Habana in 2007. (BBC Sport)

Kohli ton helps India set up South Africa ODI decider (REUTERS) - Virat Kohli struck his first oneday international century since the World Cup in February to lead India to a series-levelling 35-run victory over South Africa in Chennai on Thursday.

Kohli made a fluent 138, his third-highest knock in 165 ODIs, to steer the hosts to an imposing 299 for eight, in the fourth match of the five-game series.

South Africa replied with 264 for nine, AB de Villiers top-scoring with 112 off 107 balls, as India tied the series at 2-2 ahead of the deciding fifth match in Mumbai tomorrow.

Kohli’s 138 came off 140 deliveries and featured six fours and five sixes including one off Aaron Phangiso to bring up his 23rd ODI hundred and his first against the Proteas.

The Indian batsman shared two century-partnerships, the first with Ajinkya Rahane (45) and the second with Suresh Raina (53), who bounced back to form after making ducks in his two previous matches.

Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada were the pick of the South African bowlers, taking three wickets each.

“It always feels good when you get a century and the team wins,” Kohli said. “I told (de Villiers) in the dressing room my heart was in my mouth when he was batting.

“He plays unbelievable shots. He’s a very modest man, too, never praises himself; so I’ll do that for him. The credit goes to him. He fought it out.”

Quinton de Kock got South Africa’s reply off to a flying start when he blasted 43 off 35 balls but his departure left de Villiers to fight a lone hand.

Like Kohli, the South African captain brought up his ton with a six, off Amit Mishral.

It was his 22nd ODI hundred, a record for a South African, but was not enough to get his team over the line after he fell to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who scooped up the last three wickets to finish with three for 68.

“We had a great opportunity to clinch the series,” de Villiers said. “It was a hard-fought game and I loved the way the boys fought till the end.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 24, 2015

Sri Lanka extend lead after Windies bowled out for 163

DHAMMIKA Prasad and the rest of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack wrested back control of the second Test from the West Indies as the hosts built up a three-figure lead in Colombo.

The tourists began the second day with 17 on the board and only one man down, as they looked to surpass Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 200, yet they lost six wickets for 86 runs in the second session to be dismissed for 163.

And it was Prasad, rather than first-Test hero Rangana Herath, who did most of the damage with four for 34, before some patient batting from Kaushal Silva ensured Sri Lanka closed 113 runs ahead with eight wickets in hand.

Prasad had claimed Sri Lanka’s sole wicket on the first day and he was back to remove n nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo for

13 with the first ball of the 11th over which the nightwatchman nicked to wicketkeeper Kusal Perera.

Darren Bravo, who had shown little rhythm in mak-

ath but departed for 13 and was unable to negotiate his way through to lunch alongside Kraigg Brathwaite, as Angelo Mathews snaffled a first-slip chance off the bowl-

Dhammika Prasad struck in his first over of the day to leave West Indies struggling. ing two, played on, to succumb to Prasad to leave the Windies 37 for three.

Marlon Samuels survived an early lbw shout from Her-

ing of Milinda Siriwardana.

Having taken lunch at 77 for four, the visitors capitulated in the afternoon session, a collapse that was brought

about once Brathwaite, three shy of 50, was given out for an edge behind, off Siriwardana that the West Indies opener unsuccessfully reviewed.

Perera took another catch off Prasad’s bowling to remove Jermaine Blackwood for 16 and Herath struck Denesh Ramdin’s stumps to claim his only victim of the innings for 14, two balls after unsuccessfully reviewing an lbw shout when Ramdin had offered no shot.

Dilruwan Perera then finished off the tail with the wickets of Jason Holder, who weighed in with 21, and Jerome Taylor and Jomel Warrican, who both contributed one.

Sri Lanka’s second innings started in inauspicious fashion, Dimuth Karunaratne chipping the first delivery faced from Taylor that was straying down leg, behind square to a diving Bishoo.

But Silva, himself a golden-duck victim first time around, showed more staying power this time and put on 55 with Kusal Mendis before he perished to a catch behind off Warrican 11 shy of a half-century.

Dinesh Chandimal could have been run-out at the non-striker’s end after being sent back attempting a

second when on one, while he experienced more fortune when the West Indies reviewed an lbw shout from Warrican which went with the umpire’s on-field call of not out.

He had moved to five by stumps and Silva had accrued a 90-ball 31 and was yet to find the rope.

(PA Sport)

SCOREBOARD SRI Lanka 1st innings 200 all out WEST INDIES 1st innings (o/n 17/1) K. Brathwaite c K Perera b Siriwardana 47 S. Hope lbw Prasad 4 D. Bishoo c K. Perera b Prasad 13 D. Bravo b Prasad 2 M. Samuels c Mathews b Siriwardana 13 J. Blackwood c K. Perera b Prasad 16 D. Ramdin b Herath 14 J. Holder c Mathews b D. Perera 21 K. Roach not out 17 J. Taylor lbw D. Perera 1 J. Warrican c & b D. Perera 1 Extras: (b-9, lb-3, w-1, nb-1) 14 Total: (all out 64.2 overs) 163

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-33, 3-37, 4-76, 5-89, 6-105, 7-137, 8-149, 9-151.

Bowling: D. Prasad 12-3-34-4, N. Pradeep 11-3-24-0, R. Herath 20-5-39-1, D. Perera 11.2-3-28-3, M. Siriwardana 10-2-26-2.

SRI LANKA 2nd innings (lead 37) D. Karunaratne c Bishoo b Taylor 0 K. Silva not out 31 K. Mendis c Ramdin b Warrican 39 D. Chandimal not out 5 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total: (for 2 wickets, off 31 overs) 76 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-55.

Bowling: J. Taylor 4-1-15-1, K. Roach 4-1-10-0, J. Holder 5-1-9-0, J. Warrican 11-1-21-1, D. Bishoo 7-1-20-0.

NOTABLE DATES Champagne intends to stand for FIFA presidency GUYANESE welterweight Mark Harris lost by unanimous decision on October 23, 1982. Harris was defeated by American Bobby Joe Young in a 10-round contest held at the Lancaster Host Resort in Pennsylvania.

Judges Ozzie Sadler and Paul Battle scored the bout 47-39 and 49-38 respectively while referee Adalaide Tyndale saw the fight 49-43. The Guyanese was 30 years old at the time of the event while his opponent was seven years younger.

Born on June 16, 1952, Harris was two months short of being 25 when he made his pro debut in 1977.

He won the six-rounder against Eddie Campbell at the Westchester County Centre, in White Plains, New York. Harris engaged in two fights with Brian Muller. He lost the first held in August 1979 but gained revenge in the return bout staged on Boxing Day of 1980.

On March 3, 1981, the dapper fighter was unsuccessful in a bid for the Commonwealth welterweight title after being TKOed in the ninth round. Referee John Coyle was forced to halt the fight, held in London England, against Colin Jones.

Harris died in February 2008 and left a record of eight victories and six defeats.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday October 24, 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:

Rangana Herath & Nuwan Pradeep Dinesh Ramdin (WI); Kusal Perera (SL)

Today’s Quiz:

Who is the only player dismissed ‘run out’ in the first Test of the current WI/SL series?

How many sixes were struck in the first Test of the current WI/SL Test series?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

SEPP Blatter’s former adviser Jerome Champagne says he intends to run for the FIFA presidency.

Champagne tried to run against Blatter at the last election in May, but failed to gain enough support to be nominated.

The suspensions of Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini pending an inquiry into a £1.35M payment have persuaded Champagne to have

another go.

He has pledged to publish the salaries and benefits of executives at world football’s governing body.

Champagne said: “At a time when FIFA needs more than ever an open debate about its future, its reform and the reform of football, we are witnessing the first months of the electoral campaign being dominated by controversy and deals made

behind closed doors.”

His announcement comes before Monday’s deadline for the February 26 vote.

Champagne joins Platini (subject to his suspension being lifted prior to February’s vote), Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, former Trinidad and Tobago player David Nakhid and Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa in standing. (BBC Sport)

Jerome Champane, former adviser to Sepp Blatter

COURTS Pee Wee U-11 Schools knockout stage begins today

THE COURTS Pee Wee Under-11 Schools Football Tournament heightens with the Round of 16, knockout stage, scheduled to commence today with eight matches at the Banks DIH ground, Thirst Park.

Last week the Petra-organised event wrapped up the preliminary stage and only the sixteen teams who advanced out of 24 are billed to compete today, Proceedings get under way at 10:00hrs with two simultaneously-played matches.

South Ruimveldt will face Smith Memorial while Enterprise go head-to-head with St Ambrose.

At 11:00hrs the action rolls on with St Margaret’s tackling Winfer Gardens and St Angela’s taking on St Stephen’s.

At noon the 2014 finalists step on to the stage. Defending champs Stella Maris will engage a dangerous St Agnes side, led by Keyon Douglas, who recorded nine goals over the past two weeks. The 2014 runners-up St Pius will be challenged by Comenius Primary.

The final two engagements kick off at 13:00hrs between Tucville and F.E. Pollard, and West Ruimveldt and North Georgetown.

Part of last week’s action in the fourth annual COURTS Pee Wee Under-11 Schools football tournament

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 24, 2015

Transport and Harbours, Republic Bank and Ministry of Public Security win on opening night THE Banks Beer Inter-Corporation Futsal tournament kicked off on Thursday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with five entertaining matches.

In the opening game played after a brief ceremony, Transport and Harbours defeated the Ministry of Agriculture 4-3.

Lloyd Prince (5th minute), Ulric Bourne (8th), Rondel Henry (11th) and

Joel Singh (13th) netted for the winners while Romain Lindo scored a hat-trick for the losers.

Akeem Morris scored a hat-trick to lead Republic Bank to a 5-3 win over National Insurance Scheme (NIS) while the Ministry of Public Security walked away 4-3 winners Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC).

In the penultimate match of the night, Bank of Guyana

Sir Garry supports Day/Night Tests COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC) – Cricket icon Sir Garfield Sobers has come out in full support of day-night Test matches, contending it can bring back spectators to the game in the Caribbean.

The West Indies legend, considered the greatest all-rounder of all-time, was speaking to members of the media here, where he noted that spectator numbers had dwindled in the Caribbean.

He pointed out that afternoon starts and conclusion under lights would breathe new life into the five-day format.

“I think day/night cricket will bring back the fans to Test cricket. Actually, I think one of the first places for it to be played would be in the West Indies. I think it would really work in the West Indies,” Sir Garry said. “ I re m e m b e r t h e days when the grounds in the West Indies were filled to capacity with spectators. Nowadays the attendances have dropped off. But the fans like the matches which are played at night (mostly T20 format) so I believe day/ night Tests would work Sir Garry Sobers played 93 well (in the West In- Test matches between 1954 and 1974, and scored 8 032 dies).”

Day/night Tests are runs, taking 235 wickets about to be trialled for the and 109 catches. first time with Australia and New Zealand on the verge of playing the first-ever game in Adelaide next month.

The West Indies Cricket Board had introduced day/ night first-class four-day matches back in 2009 with mixed reviews, and trials were subsequently discontinued.

However, Sir Garry said such an innovation would add a new dimension to Test cricket.

“It is a good move to have Test cricket played day and night. I am all in favour of that,” the 79-year-old Barbadian said.

“It could also create a family atmosphere with parents bringing their children out to the games and that could help build a new fan for cricket.”

Sir Garry arrived here earlier this week for the second Test match of the Sobers/Tissera Series between West Indies and Sri Lanka.

The two-match rubber is named in honour of Sir Garry and Michael Tissera, the former Sri Lanka player and manager. The two led their respective sides when West Indies played a three-day unofficial ‘Test’ against then Ceylon back in 1967.

and Ministry of Tourism played to a 2-2 draw. The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) versus Ministry of Forestry game also ended in a 2-2 draw.

The 32-team tournament will continue on Monday when ten more matches will be played.

Part of the opening night’s action in the Banks Beer Inter-Corporation Futsal tournament. (Samuel Maughn photo)

Sport CHRONICLE

COURTS Pee Wee U-11 Schools knockout stage begins today

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

See story on page 30

Slingerz FC eyeing another win against Monedderlust ... Minnows GFC and Buxton United to clash MONEDDERLUST’S perfect home record is in jeopardy of being broken, when they come up against a ‘no-nonsense’ Slingerz FC tonight, as the STAG Elite League returns to the #5 ground, West Coast Berbice with another double-header.

In the opening game from 19:00hrs, the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) will look to snap their three-game losing streaks as they face Buxton United.

However, all eyes will be fixed on the night’s second encounter between Monedderlust and Slingerz FC. When the two teams met earlier in the tournament, Slingerz FC walked away 3-0 winners over the Berbice club, but with Monedderlust now playing at home, things could be different.

Berbice by far has had the biggest crowds in the league so far and it’s clear that the usually animated fans play a huge role in Monedderlust’s success to date.

In their first game at the West Coast Berbice facility, Monedderlust came from behind to defeat the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 3-2 and in similar fashion, the side downed GFC 2-1.

In their most recent game at the famed venue, Alpha United were held 1-1, and the way the fans celebrated, one would have thought the side had won.

Clearly, Slingerz FC, despite their woes

DEXTER GONSALVES

CLIVE ‘The Punisher’ Atwell is very confident of lifting the Central American Boxing Federation’s (CABF) super lightweight title when he squares off with Dexter Gonsalves in the feature bout of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control/Guyana Boxing Association Pro-Am Card this evening, at the Giftland OficeMax Mall, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

of not being able to use their foreign imports, are still one of the strongest teams in the competition.

Julian Wade, the team’s striker from Dominica, has had his way with defenders and has scored in two of the three games he played so far. Vurlon Mills, Dwain Jacobs, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and Colin Nelson are also pivotal players in the team’s success in the league.

Coach Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior ’ Braithwaite’s men are not the best defensive team in the league, having conceded 14 goals while only scoring seven.

Braithwaite will turn to forward Kevin Cottoy, Travis Henry and emerging defender Kevin Layne Jr as the Berbicians seek to create another upset in the STAG Elite League.

Meanwhile the GFC/Buxton United game could be an ‘eye candy’.

Buxton United, winning two of their previous three games, are on nine points and in sixth position in the league, while GFC are in the cellar with five points; winning one game, losing five and drawing two.

A win for Buxton United will push them to 12 points and ahead of GDF and Fruta Conquerors (both clubs on 11 points). When one considers GFC’s performance in their previous matches, victory for the East Coast team should be a foregone conclusion.

Slingerz FC’s Dwayne St Kitts, Julian Wade (#24) and Dexroy Adams (#25) after another goal celebration during their 5-0 win over GFC on Wednesday at the GDF ground (Samuel Maughn photo)

Points standing after the completion of eight rounds

Atwell confident of lifting CABF super lightweight title tonight Atwell, who is based in Dominica, but who benefited from a training stint in New York recently told Chronicle Sport that he is confident of defeating Gonsalves who, according to Atwell, has been involved in the sport longer than he.

Atwell is replacing Trinidad-based Guyanese Iwan Azore on the card in the main 12-round title bout.

Atwell’s professional record stands at

13 wins, two losses and one draw from 16 professional fights while Gonsalves’ record is seven wins, one loss and two draws from 10 bouts.

“When I come, I come in full strength, whether at short notice or no notice, because I feel this is what I do and I’ve learnt to put myself in shape,” Atwell disclosed to Chronicle Sport.

He said his stint in the United States

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CLIVE ‘THE PUNISHER’ ATWELL

was a tough one, but the lessons learnt there were invaluable and come tonight, it’s going to be “just another day at the office.”

He said he came into the sport and met Gonsalves, but the level he (Atwell) is at right now far exceeds the level of See page 27 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015