Guyana chronicle 02 05 14

GUYANA No. 103815

FRIDAY MAY 2, 2014

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

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Prime Minister tells May Day rally of devastation of average worker

Page 2

…if critical AML/CFT Bill is not enacted Rodney COI resumes today…

Minister Manickchand with teachers on Labour Day Witnesses testify Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

17 to brutality of dictatorial PNC regime Page

Acting President 3 Hinds assents to Appropriations Act Page

15-yr-old shot in mouth by Cadet Officer Page 10

Education Minister Priya Manickchand interacts with teachers at the GTU Hall after yesterday’s FITUG Labour Day rally

- Balram Persaud, Clifton Hicken promise teen’s mother swift justice

ALEX GRIFFITH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Prime Minister tells May Day rally of devastation of average worker

…if critical AML/CFT Bill is not enacted

Acting President, Samuel Hinds, withtrade union leaders in a rendition of one of the union songs

By Vanessa Narine ACTING President, Samuel Hinds, yesterday underscored the fact that the struggle of the workers in Guyana is not over .

At the FITUG rally at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Hinds drew the nexus between the welfare of Guyanese workers and the “looming sword” that is the non-enactment of the critically important Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill looming over the country.

He bemoaned the consequences of the Bill’s non-passage in the National Assembly, and made it clear that the Government’s position on the matter is both reasonable and indicative of its willingness to compromise.

The Acting President was emphatic in pointing out that the actions of the Parliamentary Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), will be “devastation” to the average worker in Guyana.

“The AML/CFT Bill must be above negotiations…IT is not a tool for Opposition brinkmanship,” he said.

Hinds stressed the need for the support of all Guyanese in advancing the call for the passage of the Bill, which will bring the country into compliance with international regulations for operations in the financial sector.

The deadline for Guyana to demonstrate compliance is May 29; and if it passes without the enactment of the AML/CFT Bill, the country can be recommended to the international body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), for review by the International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG). If that recommendation is made, Guyana could face further sanctions, including being internationally blacklisted. Guyana has already been blacklisted regionally by the Caribbean Action Task Force (CFATF) after missing a November 2013 deadline.

other concerns of workers, including the minimum wage.

He contends that with incremental successes recorded in the nation’s economy, as evidenced in the last eight years, the livelihood of the working class is consistently improved.

“There have been rapid changes,” the Acting President said.

He pointed out that additional measures that were to be introduced have been affected to the extent of the $37.4B cut from the $220M national budget by the Parliamentary Opposition.

The 2014 Budget included no new taxes and announcements that: old age pensions would be increased from $12,500

to $13,600 – up from $3,500 in 2006; old age pensioners would receive an annual electricity assistance of $30,000, an increase from $20,000; and a $10,000 allowance for each child in the public education system.

Among other measures announced were the allocation of $3.2B to meet the cost of maintaining the electricity subsidy in Linden and Kwakwani, Region 10; $3.7B to the Guyana Power and Light Company, to support critical capital expenditure and avoid increased tariffs for consumers; $1B for rural enterprise development; $200M for advancement of efforts in other agricultural areas; and an investment of $800M in the tourism industry for the establishment of a Hospitality Institute.

According to him, the 2014 Budget sought to continue the work the Government has been doing which is to build a more modern and prosperous Guyana.

Hinds quoted the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, in his 2014 budget speech when he said, “Every day, each and every single one of us has an opportunity to make Guyana a better place, for ourselves and for our countrymen. Whether we teach a child to read or we repair an engine, treat a patient or saw some timber, pan some gold or cut some cane, paint a fence or sew some trousers, bake some bread or sell an insurance policy, create a job or open a business, build a bridge or carve a sculpture, we are producing and we are earning, and the more of it we do and the more efficiently we do it, the more prosperous we will be and so too our country.”

The Acting President acknowledged that there is more to do, but stressed that every Guyanese worker must recognise that the tasks of improving our own lives and making Guyana a better place are no less in our own hands than in anyone else’s.

NEW APPROACH General-Secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Kenneth Joseph, who also delivered an address during the rally, called for a new approach by workers in their daily struggles and the attempts to “destroy” organised labour in Guyana.

Similar sentiments were expressed by FITUG’s Vice President, Komal Chand, who noted that the struggles that defined the labour revolution that resulted in the observance of May Day, are being replayed in a new context.

See page 3

CONCERNS Aside from the AML/CFT Bill, Hinds acknowledged the

A section of the workers who participated in this year’s May Day parade, which culminated with a rally at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown (Photos by Sonell Nelson)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Acting President Hinds assents to Appropriations Act

By Vanessa Narine THE 2014 Appropriation Act, which was passed in the National Assembly on April 16, was assented to

by Acting President, Samuel Hinds on Tuesday evening.

This was confirmed by Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in an invited comment yesterday. He explained that the Act was signed in the prescribed time.

“The Appropriation Act was assented to by the Prime Minister, performing the functions of the President, within the time prescribed, and sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly,” he said.

The Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, forwarded the Act for approval to the Office of the President only last Friday, April 25.

According to the AG, the current Administration is “still considering” the available options, in terms of movement forward, having regard to the portions of the Budget which were not approved by the Opposition.

IMPACT OF CUTS Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, on Wednesday, at a post cabinet press briefing,

PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT DR. ROGER LUNCHEON noted that moving forward presents a challenge, considering the $37.4B reduction in the National Estimates.

He contends that the cuts “stranglehold” the implementation of many programmes and functioning of many entities, including the Office of the President,

where allocations in some areas have been reduced to zero, especially since the current administration would not be undertaking “necessary interventions” to ensure it can discharge its constitutional mandate.

Under the allocation for the Office of the President, the cuts include $245M for the Presidential Guard services; $95M for the provision of developmental and humanitarian aid, among other initiatives; $10M for the Office of the First Lady; $73.5M for the Guyana Energy Agency; $119M for the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest); $122M for the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST); $17M for the Integrity Commission; and $28.5M for the Office of the Commissioner of Information.

The other cuts include $18.5B for the LCDS initiatives; $450M for loans for University of Guyana students; $725M for the poverty alleviation programme; $7M for the different rights commissions; $795M for the Basic Needs Trust Fund; and $4M for support to non-gov-

Prime Minister tells May Day ...

From page 2 To this end, he made it clear that the working class must continue its fight for fairness, justice and democracy.

According to him, Guyanese workers are not “amused by political gladiators” who stymie development and, by extension, affect the improvement of their livelihood.

President of FITUG, Carvil Duncan, assured of the Union’s support and added that a union that is not guided by the interest of its members has failed.

He referred to false promises of politicians at election time who seemingly forget the people, once elected as representatives, and vote against key development initiatives.

Duncan also bemoaned the fact that there are some factions that have lost their identity at the altar of political advancement.

The FITUG President noted that while much has been done, there is still much more to be done to ensure all workers in Guyana have access to improved livelihood.

In addition to the trade union leaders, General-Secretaries of the People Progressive Party (PPP) and Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), Clement Rohee and Dharamkumar Seeraj, as well as Government Ministers and former Members of Parliament (MPs) were present at yesterday’s rally.

ernmental organisations and the private sector.

Also on the chopping block were: the Specialty Hospital – $910M; upgrading of Regional and District Hospitals, including Port Kaituma, Kwakwani, Linden, Bartica, Eye Surgery Operating Room at Linden etc. -$360M; ambulances, ATVs and Boats – $42M; surgical equipment and instruments – $32M; the Amerindian Development Fund – $1.1B; other Amerindian programmes, such as ATVs, tractors etc. – $40M; the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) modernisation project – $6.6B; Civil Aviation – $50M; and hinterland airstrips – $185M. In total, the allocations’ cuts from the 2014 budget represented nine capital pro-

gramme budgets and one current programme budget.

Luncheon quipped that a ‘For Rent’ sign outside the Office of the President may have to be the way forward, to ensure the resource flow that is needed to ensure the effective discharge of the functions of that office.

In response to questions, the HPS stressed that a move to general elections is not the sole option to address the present challenge facing Government; rather, it is one of several avenues that can be taken.

Dr. Luncheon reiterated that, in the absence of a “negotiated solution”, the definitive answer to the challenge of the budget cuts lies in the hand of the interpreters of the Constitution of Guyana, the Judiciary.

On January 29 this year, Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang had ruled that the National Assembly has no right to cut the National Budget.

In the Preliminary Ruling given in June 2012, the CJ had ruled that the National Assembly has a role to either approve or disapprove of the National Estimate, not to cut them.

A Notice of Appeal of Chief Justice Chang’s decision was filed, in February,

by Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Attorney-at-Law Khemraj Ramjattan, on behalf of Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, who was listed as the appellant in the court.

Last year, the combined Opposition cut the Budget by $31B; and in 2012 by $21B.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Russia stages first Red Square May Day parade since Soviet days

MOSCOW (Reuters) RUSSIA staged a huge May Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square for the first time since the Soviet era on Thursday, with workers holding banners proclaiming support for President Vladimir Putin after the seizure of territory from neighboring Ukraine.

Thousands of trade unionists marched with Russian flags and flags of Putin’s ruling United Russia party onto the giant square beneath the Kremlin walls, past the red granite mausoleum of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin.

Many banners displayed traditional slogans for the annual workers’ holiday,

like: “Peace, Labour, May,” But others were more directly political, alluding to the crisis in neighboring former Soviet republic Ukraine, where Russian troops seized and annexed the Crimea peninsula in March, precipitating the biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War. “I am proud of my country,” read one. “Putin is right,” said another.

Unlike Kremlin leaders in Soviet times, Putin did not personally preside at the parade from atop the mausoleum. But he carried out another Soviet-era tradition by awarding “Hero of Labour” medals to five workers at a ceremony in the Kremlin. He revived the Stalin-era award

People walk through Red Square with flags and banners during a rally in Moscow May 1, 2014. Russians celebrate the coming of Spring since communist times, also Labour Day on the first day of May. The placard reads, “We believe in Putin.” (REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin)

a year ago.

Putin has described the breakup of the Soviet Union as a tragedy and overturned

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decades of post-Cold War diplomacy in March by declaring Russia’s right to intervene in former Soviet

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countries to protect Russian speakers.

Laws have been changed to make it easier for Russia to annex territory from other former Soviet states and for inhabitants of other parts of the old Soviet Union to get Russian citizenship.

Since the annexation of Crimea, pro-Moscow gunmen have seized territory in eastern Ukraine and Putin has massed tens of thousands of troops on the frontier. He denies he is planning an invasion but proclaims the right to launch one if necessary to defend Russian speakers.

May Day, always an important date in the Soviet calendar and still a major holiday for Russians, has

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been marked by rallies in other parts of Moscow since the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991, but until now parades were kept off Red Square.

Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin told Rossiya 24 TV from Red Square that more than 100,000 people had marched through it.

“This is not by chance, because there is a patriotic uplift and a good mood in the country,” he said.

Russian television also showed footage of a May Day parade in Crimea’s capital Simferopol, with Russian flags and banners reading “Crimea is Russia.

Welcome home.”

“We are sure that the current patriotic uplift in Crimea will spill over into the whole Russian Federation,” Interfax news agency quoted Crimea’s pro-Moscow leader Sergei Aksyonov as telling journalists.

Russia seized the peninsula last month after a pro-Russian Ukrainian president was toppled in February. The United States and European Union accuse Moscow of directing the uprising in south-eastern parts of Ukraine and have imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and companies.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Anand must meet with stakeholders (Trinidad Guardian) IN the face of mounting public pressure, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has ordered Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to revisit allegations of collusion involving lawyers engaged in prison litigation.

Persad-Bissessar made the decision yesterday, calling on Ramlogan to meet with acting Solicitor General Carol Hernandez, Commissioner of Prisons Conrad Barrow, Inspector of Prisons Daniel Khan, Minister of Justice Emmanuel George and the Chief State Solicitor Christophe Grant to revisit the matter and to chart the best way forward.

Her statement came even as the Law Association and Association of Law Officers added its voice to the list of those calling for an independent probe into allegations made by former solicitor general Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell, who expressed concern about what she called an “unethical

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan

business” venture in prison litigation matters.

Persad-Bissessar’s decision also came in the face of an ultimatum from Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley that she call a probe and order Ramlogan to step aside, or else he would launch public protests similar to that in the Section 34 matter. In a release yesterday, the PM said the decision to revisit the matter had come after Donaldson-Honeywell reiterated her call for a probe in the matter to continue and the Prison Officers’ Association also called for the same.

Jamaica scraps bank withdrawal tax (BBC News) THE Jamaican government has announced it is scrapping controversial plans for a tax on bank withdrawals.

The measure, which was to have been part of the country’s 2014-15 budget, had prompted widespread criticism because of its perceived unfairness.

Finance Minister Peter Phillips told parliament the levy would be replaced by other proposed duties.

Jamaica is currently implementing a debt restructuring programme backed by the International Monetary Fund.

On Tuesday, the World Bank approved a $510m (£301.5m) loan package to help Jamaica carry out wide-ranging economic reforms, seen as essential to reversing decades of low growth and high debt.

The Jamaican economy was already struggling before the global financial crisis, which has exacerbated the country’s problems.

According to the World Bank, poverty levels rose

Manchester murders strengthen calls for domestic violence intervention (Jamaica Gleaner) A DAY after the slaying of a mother and her two sons in Porus, the Manchester Parish Management Committee of the Jamaica Labour Party has condemned the killings and has urged the relevant authorities to step up their domestic violence solution initiatives.

According to chairman, Dr St Aubyn Bartlett, “This Manchester family killing is worrisome, as Manchester has had alarming numbers of domestic violence cases in the past, with 2013 figures from the Manchester Police Division reflecting that there were 2,000 reported cases of domestic abuse in the parish.”

Bartlett yesterday made a plea for the Dispute Resolution Foundation and other agencies to step up their efforts in the parish and for families to make use of these agencies.

Family members and residents were left dumbstruck and saddened Tuesday morning after the gruesome find of a mother and her two sons, whose throats had been slashed and had several stab wounds to their bodies.

Dead is Nadine Carridice, 42, her sons Joven Thomas, 16, and Roshane Ellis, 11.

According to police reports, the bodies were discovered in and around their dwelling about 7:30 a.m.

The body of the younger son was found several feet away from the gateway, and

his brother’s a few feet away from the house, as if they were trying to escape the blows of their killer.

With not even a month spent in the house Carridice and her two boys moved to recently, family members, with uncontrollable outbursts of tears, found it hard to comment.

Bauxite mining is one of the mainstays of Jamaica’s economy

from 10% to 17% between 2007 and 2010, while unemployment has reached 15%.

Mr Phillips said on

Wednesday that instead of taxing money withdrawn from banks, the government would impose a 15% withholding tax on some

insurance premiums and extend its consumption tax to imported services, closing a loophole in the system.

Two-year-old child stabbed by 10-year-old boy (Jamaica Gleaner) A TWO-YEAR-OLD St Thomas child spent the night at a Kingston hospital battling for life after receiving several stab wounds.

A 10-year-old old boy has been taken into police

custody in connection with the stabbing.

It is reported that about 3 o’clock yesterday, the child with several stab wounds, was seen by a man lying on the ground on a play field in Port Morant.

He was rushed to the Princess Margaret Hospital and then to a Kingston hospital.

Residents say the 10-year-old boy is known to have had a history of violence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Half of first rice crop harvested …El Nino /La Nina forecast for 2014

By Vanessa Narine

Two heroes of the working class MAY Day is the worker’s day, set aside internationally to commemorate centuries of struggle for equal rights and justice, especially in working environments.

The world over, labour not only celebrates, but assesses its gains and victories, its setbacks and failures, and lays the basis for the future.

In 1919, the first trade union movement in Guyana was formed by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the British Guiana Labour Union. Critchlow subsequently became known as the Father of Trade Unionism in Guyana.

Born in 1884, Critchlow evolved as a dynamic force to reckon with in fighting for workers’ rights, and eventually decided to form a trade union to allow workers to have a say in improving their working conditions, increasing their pay, having proper homes and medical attention, after he observed that workers were not receiving enough money for themselves and their families to enable survival without starvation, much less upward mobility.

Many of them worked long hours and lived in cramped houses, and others in a few rooms called logies, which were inherited from the former slaves and indentured servants who were brought to then British Guiana to work on the sugar cane plantations. Most of them were very poor.

In the yard of the Parliament Buildings stands a statue of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, a monument erected

by Dr. Cheddi Jagan to honour the great fighter of all workers in Guyana.

In 1946, at age 29, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, moved by the horrifying conditions which existed at plantation Port Mourant and beyond, decided to struggle toward the alleviation of the poor and suffering. He joined the M.P.C.A., then the sole bargaining agent in the sugar industry, and rose to the position as its treasurer. Dr. Jagan soon resigned as he was against company unionism. In 1947, he joined Dr. J.P. Latchmansingh’s G.I.W.U. with the intention of providing genuine representation to the workforce in general, and the oppressed in the sugar industry in particular.

On June 16, 1948, tragedy struck. Police shot and killed five striking sugar workers and wounded 14 others. The five are referred to as the Enmore Martyrs. The Enmore shooting led Dr. Jagan to pledge his entire life to the cause of the struggle of the Guyanese people against bondage and exploitation. The union, which continued to champion the workers’ interest, was later renamed GAWU. Mr. Ashton Chase, former Labour Minister, wrote “By May Day, 1951, the powerful influence for unity cast by the PPP forged a united parade in Georgetown.” From 1951, the Trades Union Congress began sponsoring the May Day marches, and in 1958, the PPP Government declared May 1, a public holiday, replacing Empire Day, May 24th. History was recorded.

While the Trade Union Movement has made some important strides, the movement and the workers as a whole still face many barriers to progress. Labour leaders

HEAD of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (RPA), Mr Dharamkumar Seeraj, told the Guyana Chronicle that half of the first rice crop for 2014 has already been harvested.

He explained that in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), some four per cent is to be harvested; in Region 3 (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), 12 per cent of the crop is to be harvested; in Region 4(Demerara/Mahaica), harvesting is still to be completed in a few “scattered” acres; in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), 20 per cent of the crop is to be harvested; and in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) 15 per cent is to be harvested.

“Both the yield and quality are a little better than the last crop,” Seeraj said. “This crop, we have an average of 5.2 tonnes per hectare, which is about 35 bags per acre.”

He said the prevailing good weather conditions have contributed to the yield and quality. “We hope the weather holds, so at least by the end of the next two weeks we can complete our harvesting,” the RPA Head said.

Asked about challenges during the harvesting, Seeraj explained that there was a problem with the functioning of a bulldozer in Numbers 63 and 65 Villages in Region 6, and that affected works to improve the conditions of access dams to the rice fields.

However, he assured that this problem was being addressed.

The current crop is expected to end in mid-May, and the production targeted is some 260,000 tonnes. From that amount, the Venezuelan market will be serviced. The 2014 rice deal with the neighbouring country stipulates a shipment of 150,000 tonnes of paddy and 50,000 tonnes of rice, a total of 200,000 tonnes.

Last year, Venezuela took more rice than paddy, with a shipment of 80,000 tonnes of paddy and 120,000 tonnes of rice.

Seeraj said that between the first and second crops, the quota for Venezuela will be met, based on the shipping

schedules.

NEXT CROP TROUBLE The RPA Head also stated that land preparation for the next crop has been completed to an “advanced stage” in the areas where harvesting has been completed.

“After harvesting, the soil is more easily ploughed, so the farmers are looking at ensuring their land preparations are completed,” Seeraj said.

However, he cited the recent advisories over the possibility of El Nino and La Nina conditions, which, if not prepared for, can have devastating impacts on the rice sector.

He said advisories have been issued to farmers, urging efficient management of water resources.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has warned countries that the possibility of a severe El Nino phenomenon must be heeded.

Climatologists and weather forecasters are predicting an El Nino for the Americas, starting in July and intensifying towards October and December. The prediction speaks of the onset of a serious El Nino phenomenon, with severe droughts in many parts of the Americas.

Guyana has been, and continues to be, a victim of climate change, but has taken steps to adapt and to mitigate the phenomenon.

La Nina is above-average rainfall in an area for a particular period of time; is generally associated with drier places, and follows a period of El Nino.

Seeraj said works are also ongoing to ensure the effectiveness of the sector’s drainage and irrigation system during the next crop.

Some 40,000 people depend directly on the rice industry for their livelihood, and the industry provides employment for at least 20,000; while rice has also helped to secure Guyana’s status as a food-secure country.

Some $500M was allocated to the rice sector in the 2014 Budget.

The rice industry contributed about five percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2013, and accounted for more than US$240M in export earnings.

GT&T has some reservations with Telecoms Bill

By Leroy Smith CHIEF Executive Officer of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), R.K. Sharma on Wednesday reiterated that his company welcomes the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, and is confident this will come about very soon. failed their membership specifically, and the movement generally, during the era of PNC dictatorship, although GAWU, under the leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, determinedly remained militant, undergoing much oppression in the process.

Division in the labour movement is counter-productive; rather than working towards creating one united workers’ organisation capable of defending the interests of all working people, labour leaders have compromised their integrity for opportunism, encouraging their members to destroy the productive systems to support their political leaders. In the process everyone loses, and everyone suffers – the workers of Guyana most of all.

Sharma, asked by reporters about the process and the fact that the issue will again come up in the National Assembly before the parliament goes into recess, stated that the company is looking forward to the return of the Telecoms Bill to the parliament.

The telephone company CEO, however, pointed out that GT&T had some concerns with aspects of the bill and that was communicated to the Select Committee. Sharma said that because of the nature of the work of the Select Committee, the company would not want to release any details with respect to the concerns raised by the company.

Sharma told reporters that he had debated in his mind whether he should pronounce on the concerns raised at the level of the Select Committee and came to the conclusion that it was a bad idea. However, he would be speaking on these concerns as soon as the committee makes its presentation to the National Assembly.

He did, however, acknowledge that in any country where there is ground breaking legislation relating to the liberalisation of a sector, there are several processes of revision and consultations which must follow.

In the meantime, Sharma reiterated that GT&T is confident that Guyana will have liberalisation of the telecommunications sector very soon.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...

My heart melted when Ruben Gilbert spoke of his persecution under the PNC dictatorship OLD KAI has met Ruben Gilbert on more than one occasion; the last time was when we had together attended a function at Red House in memory of the late Hugo Chavez and I offered him a lift home. He is a quiet, unassuming man, but possesses a reservoir of knowledge, and made firm by his experiences.

His life is one of silent struggle; he has endured much and I was so pleased that he finally had the opportunity to relate his experiences to the world. No doubt he might still get a sneer or maybe even a verbal tongue lashing from the odd PNC die-hard who still dots the landscape after his testimony before the ongoing Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry; but Ruben’s mindset was forged from harsher circumstances. He will not be fazed.

As far as I am aware, Ruben, at 79, is not a member of the PPP, contrary to what PNC apologist Basil Williams tried in vain to contend in a shameful effort to discredit the suffering of this Guyanese patriot. Ruben has a progressive mindset; anyone who speaks to him will find that out almost instantly. He will support anything which directly benefits the empowerment of his fellow Guyanese; and I am sure, he will readily lend a helping hand to those who once persecuted him. He is that type of individual.

When I listened to his presentation before the COI, I got a greater insight into the life of an individual I consider

a friend. People like Ruben deserve a National Award; it is the least we could do to give back to someone who had so much taken away from him by a brutal dictatorship.

His testimony gave a more detailed insight in how paramountcy of the PNC over our State was executed.

For simply writing an article in the then opposition Mirror newspaper, which was not even critical of the PNC Government, Ruben was banned from gaining employment in any state agency, even though he was qualified. They even destroyed the man’s documents certifying his qualifications which he had handed in as part of efforts to secure a job.

Gilbert went on to reveal that after he was successful in meeting Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, the first question posed to him by the PNC dictator was, “What is your politics comrade?” He was then asked why he did not put his article in the PNC’s New Nation rather than the PPP’s Mirror.

Several decades later, the dictatorship mentality apparently still flows in the veins of the PNC, as rather than addressing Ruben’s contentions of victimization; PNC and APNU Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, continued where Burnham left off by enquiring why he would write for the Mirror in such a ‘politically charged, fearful and adversarial atmosphere.’

Williams was obsessed with trying to paint Ruben as possibly a PPP supporter in his line of questioning, which

makes one wonder if, in the eyes of the remnants of the PNC dictatorship, being a PPP member is justification for the abuse and discrimination Mr. Gilbert had to endure?

In so doing, the lead member of the PNC legal team participating in the COI has inadvertently admitted to the brutal conditions and blatant acts of discrimination which were perpetuated by his party during their period in Government. He accepts this much by not challenging the contentions of Mr. Gilbert along this line; and exposes to the world that he is apparently supportive of this treatment of our citizens. Old Kai has not heard any condemnation coming from Mr. Williams, so it tells us that he and the current PNC leadership have no problem with the way our citizens were brutalised when they were in Government.

If they were remorseful and serious about A Partnership for National Unity, they would have issued an apology to those affected and those who were killed during their brutal reign of terror spanning 28 years, before the commencement of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry.

None came; and it appears that none will be forthcoming, which confirms my earlier position that they are unmoved by these stories of anguish from our people.

These very people will be coming around to your villages begging you to vote them into Government once again.

Police to clamp down on Orange Walk lawlessness

By Leroy Smith THE lawlessness along Orange Walk and its environs will soon come to an end with respect to the traffic congestion, and the many other activities which can be determined a breach of the law.

This was disclosed by Officer-in-Charge of the Police ‘A’ Division, Sub Division 1, Superintendent of Police Robert Tyndall, who was addressing members of the business community within his division at the Brickdam Police Station on Wednesday afternoon.

The business community had gathered there on the invitation of ‘A’ Division Commander, Clifton Hicken, who along with his high command interacted with them on the way forward regarding the new security posture in the main commercial areas of Georgetown.

When the issue of traffic congestion, robberies, abuse and other unacceptable practices were raised by a resident of Charlotte Street, the Sub-Division Officer made it clear that

the police will be acting on the information immediately, since it had not been brought to his attention before.

CENTRE OF PROBLEM The senior police officer remarked that the enterprises at the centre of the problem may soon have to be renamed ‘Sour Point,’ rather than ‘Sweet Point,’as the police intend to deal with certain activities in the Orange Walk

area that affect residents.

Residents often find difficulty driving onto their own driveways or parking at their gap and when concerns are raised they are often met with abuse.

One man complained about the widespread habit of patrons urinating in public or causing damage to vehicles, noting that these problems make residents feel as if they have nowhere to turn.

Meanwhile, the identical concerns raised about

the Orange Walk area are being echoed by many oth-

ers living along Station Street where Seeta’s Bar,

another drinking spot, is located.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

In new security posture…

Hicken urges businesses to strengthen infrastructure, install security cameras

By Leroy Smith

tational manner, unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

BUSINESSES in Greater Georgetown should take steps to strengthen their physical infrastructure, including the mounting of high definition Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security cameras, says ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken.

The Senior Superintendent made the call Wednesday when he, along with his high command, met with the business community at ‘A’ Division Headquarters, Brickdam Police Station, Georgetown.

Among the senior police officers at the meeting were the deputy commander, traffic officer, crime officer, impact programme commander, impact programme coordinator and the sub-divisional officer 1.

In Hicken’s explanation, in layman’s terms, he told the businessmen and women that it made absolutely no sense for them to have a business place, generate profits, and after completing their operations for the day, someone could just show up and break into the premises without a challenge.

In highlighting the importance of strengthening the infrastructure at business places, the commander pointed out that if someone is to attempt a break-in at a building, the strong infrastructure will delay them, making it more likely that the perpetrators could be caught in the act, particularly if timely information reaches the police.

Hicken told the business community that with the modernisation programme, the police are working to engage the community in a more meaningful and effective way. He said further that the Guyana Police Force is not in the business of dealing with crime in a confron-

INTER-AGENCY APPROACH He explained too that the fight against crime has to be one which adopts an inter-agency approach and that is the direction in which the police force is moving.

According to the commander, the new security posture with the Police ‘A’ Division will be ineffective if they are unaware of the measures being taken by the business community to curb crime.

According to Hicken, the two areas which should be of importance to the business community regarding a new security posture are the strengthening of their infrastructure and the mounting of high definition Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.

He said that in relation to the CCTV cameras, the business community can determine if they would prefer the monitors to be placed at ‘A’ Division headquarters, Brickdam, Force Headquarters, Eve Leary, or some other place agreed upon by them.

The commander noted that the installation of CCTV cameras that are of high quality will serve to deter persons with criminal intentions. Hicken was, however, firm on the ever present issue of CCTV cameras which provide footage that are of little use in trying to identify perpetrators because of poor video resolution.

He also emphasised that persons should not walk around with large sums of cash without adequate security provision. He also reminded that all businessmen and women need to do is inform the police of their intention to transport large sums of cash or to be engaged in such transactions at

Turn-around of sugar industry depends on workers and managers THE President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Komal Chand, told hundreds of workers yesterday during FITUG’s annual May Day rally, that the turn-around of the sugar industry is dependent on the workers and management.

He also underscored the optimism with which GAWU is viewing the future of the industry.

The GAWU Head made it clear that the Union does not see “eye-to-eye” with those who propose a closing down of the sector or a scaling back of operations, in favour of other activities, like aquaculture and ethanol.

“The sector will return to financial viability,” he said, adding that this process will be supported with the needed input of a “satisfied” workforce, financial resources, and management.

On that note, Chand restated his call for the ap-

pointment of a new Board of Directors at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The life of the current Board was extended by six months to June 30 and the new Board’s appointment is not scheduled to come on stream until July 1.

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in a prior statement explained that President Donald Ramotar is looking at a number of recommendations for “radical” changes.

He added that the Head of State is engaged in talking to people who have been recommended and assured that the focus is on persons who will bring experience to the industry, business and marketing, agronomy, mechanisation, because these are the issues the industry is battling.

“The President is discussing all of the options at hand….I believe the new Board will find favour with both sides of this House…

we are trying to put together a professional board, and I do believe that GuySuCo needs and should have a professional board,” Ramsammy said.

The sugar industry is projected to record an improvement of 15.6 percent in output to 215,910 tonnes in 2014 and a whopping $6B has been allocated to the sector in the 2014 Budget, given the industry’s important role in national development.

Among the measures to be undertaken to ensure a turnaround of the industry, which the allocation addresses, are an increase in production and lower cost of production, diversified target markets, and expansion of value-added production in order to survive.

In 2013, sugar exports accounted for 8.3 percent of total exports valued at US$112.2M and the industry contributed 3.9 percent of the country’s GDP. (Vanessa Narine)

Two Chinese nationals shot during robbery bid TWO Chinese nationals were shot during an attempted robbery yesterday at about 19:45hrs just after they had finished their daily sales in front of their business place on Robb Street.

The duo identified as Shai Zing, 44, and Lin Tang, 29, were relaxing along with their other colleagues when the two men approached them but they did not pay any heed.

However, after it seemed that the men were being ignored by the business owners, one of them who was armed with a gun discharged a round which struck Zing on his buttocks, while another round hit Tang to his right foot. The other colleagues who were with the business owners then put up a resistance, and the bandits fled in a waiting motor vehicle.

Zing and Tang were then admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical attention. (Asif Hakim)

their business place.

Hicken said that with the new security posture which is being adopted across the board by the police divisions, it is expected that within a certain time frame the police would be able to bring the instances of crime down by twenty percent in each area. However, it is the firm belief among the management of the Police ‘A’ Division that the new approach would only be effective with the involvement of the business community.

However, Hicken pointed out that the police are in no way dictating the way persons should conduct their businesses but merely advising on the way forward regarding better practices to prevent losses through crime.

He also called on the business operators not to get into conflicts with junior police ranks but if there is ever an issue which is not being handled by the rank at the time, the matter should be immediately reported.

TARGETTED AREAS In the meantime, the police are aiming to target the areas along South Road, Croal Street, Regent Street, North Road, Robb Street, Church Street and Camp Street as part of the new security posture. And the mobile numbers of the ‘A’ Division senior officers were also shared with members of the business community.

The business community was told also that the initiative to meet with them was just the first of a series of meetings to be held with other stakeholders, including the faith-based organisations, community policing groups, station management committees and security companies, among others.

15-year-old cyclist killed by minibus at Yarrowkabra - was allegedly riding on wrong side of the road, without lights

By Asif Hakim A SOESDYKE lad died on the spot Wednesday at about 18:45hrs, while allegedly riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road without any lights, after he was struck by a speeding Georgetown/Timehri minibus at Yarrowkabra, Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

Fifteen-year-old Robin Hernandez of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara who was hit by the route 42 minibus was pitched a few feet away from point of impact, landing in the corner. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), according to the police.

A Yarrowkabra resident told the Guyana Chronicle that all she heard was “something mash a hard brakes and the glass start bruck up.” She said when she went out to see what was happening, she learnt that someone had been killed.

“I went and I see is Robin, I start feeling weak, I was trying to help but he did already dead. He always use to help when you ask him to do something. His family was also on the scene and cannot believe what happen, all they were saying is that they sent him to the shop,” the woman said.

The driver of the minibus is in police custody assisting with the ongoing investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

At May Day rally…

Workers told Region 2 is prospering

By Rajendra Prabhulall REGION 2 Chairman, Parmannad Persaud, yesterday told workers at the May Day rally at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast that the region is prospering in terms of development.

And this is because of massive investments by the Government in education, health, agriculture, housing, water and infrastructural development.

Region 2 Chairman, Parmanand Persaud addresses the rally Speaking on behalf of the Regional Administration, Persaud said the region is doing well, and pointed to education as one of the areas in which the Government is investing billions of dollars every year, so as to ensure that every child has access to free education. Mr Persaud said students and teachers have responded by producing excellent results at examinations that have propelled the region to the top of the education ladder nationally. The Chairman said because of the Government’s commitment to ensuring quality education for every child, the region has recently topped the country nationally and internationally at the CXC examinations, and

also produced the student who wrote more than 20 subjects at Amhad called on workers not to allow the present unity in CXC, with excellent grades and distinctions. According to the the country to be undermined. He called for working people Chairman, the region also produced top students nationally at to stand united. the Grade Six assessment examination, and recently copped Workers were given greetings from GAWU, the Guyana the top position as the best region at the Science, Mathemat- Teachers Union, the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications ics and Technology fair.

Workers Union and from an NGO, the Guyana Agricultural Persaud reminded workers that every year the Govern- Producers Association. ment invests hundreds of millions of dollars in the agriculture The representative of the GTU said teachers of Region sector to give rice farmers and other crop farmers better 2 are working very hard and called for an increase in salaservices in the drainage and irrigation sector, and access to their fields and farms. The chairman said today workers have better working conditions, with paved streets to their homes, reliable potable water and electricity supply. He said because of the Government’s prudent management of the economy, the private sector has invested heavily in supermarkets, new gas stations, malls and a wide range of new businesses which point to development and better social services for workers and their families.

The chairman said May Day is designated for workers across the world to celebrate hard work and labour. He called on all workers to pay tribute to those who fought Workers at the Anna Regina rally and struggled for better working conditions and wages. The chairman also called for resolutions that are made at rallies ries. The Rally started off with a march from La Belle Allito be carefully looked at, and he pointed to duty free conces- ance, near the Damon Cross and proceeded along the public sions for vehicles as one area of concern. He said no country road to the Anna Regina community centre ground. can be built without taxes.

Present at the rally were former MP, Mr Isahack Basir, A representative of GAWU, Mohamed Amhad, said the RDC Councillors, Basil Brian Persaud, Omesh Oditt, Shanta union has a proud and principled record. He told workers Springer, and Juliet Coonjah. that the sugar industry is very close to the union, in which The rally was held under the theme-‘‘Uniting around thousands of workers are represented. In his presentation, issues for Labour and National development.”

GAWU head stresses call for Local Gov’t elections THE President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and First Vice President of the Federation of Independent

Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Komal Chand, yesterday again called for the hosting of local government elections.

Chand pointed out

that the elections are long overdue and are important to the nation’s democracy.

He was speaking at FITUG’s annual May Day rally, which culminated at

GAWU President Komal Chand addresses the rally at the National Park

the National Park, Georgetown.

According to him, local democracy represents a major decision-making process, especially in matters affecting the daily lives of the people.

“For too long, local government elections have been withheld,” Chand said.

Guyana is expected to host these elections on or before August 1, 2014, following a vote in the National Assembly, after

rigorous debates over the importance of local government elections to the democracy.

The National Assembly passed the Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill 2013, which states that elections must be held on or before August 1, 2014.The August date was made via an amendment to the Bill, proposed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Both the APNU and

the ruling party, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), have indicated their readiness to go to the polls.

Local Government elections have not been held in Guyana since 1994. Prior to that, these elections were last held in 1970. Subsequent to 1994, the elections could not be conducted because of the coincidence with the general and regional elections of 1997.

(Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

15-year-old shot in mouth by Cadet Officer

By Leroy Smith and Asif Hakim

CRIMINAL charges are expected to be laid shortly against a police cadet officer from ‘C’ Division who reportedly shot a lad

Hospital nursing a gunshot wound to his mouth while the cadet officer is under close arrest.

The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that the teen was shot by the police officer who was taking

- Balram Persaud, Clifton Hicken promise teen’s mother swift justice forming the duties of Commissioner of Police, and ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken yesterday visited the mother of the 15- year-old

‘A’ Division Commander, Clifton Hicken at extreme left and Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud meets with the relatives of the 15 year old in East La Penitence in the mouth, following allegations that the teen had robbed the cop’s sister.

This was confirmed by the Police High Command who visited the mother of the injured teenager yesterday afternoon to offer the force’s deepest regrets at the unfortunate incident.

Fifteen-year-old Alex Griffith of East La Penitence was accused by the sister of the cadet officer of robbing her while she was walking through the area. The incident occurred just after 21.00 hrs on Wednesday evening.

Griffith is at present at the Georgetown Public

ranks to the location where the suspects in the robbery might have been hiding.

The female who was robbed reportedly had something sprayed in her face by her attackers before they pounced on her.

The cadet officer who visited the home of the teen informed the child’s mother that he had come to interview Griffith in connection with a robbery which he had witnessed. Griffith, however, informed the police that he knew nothing of the robbery, except that it occurred.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Balram Persaud, who is per-

and publicly expressed the disapproval of the Guyana Police Force regarding the shooting incident.

Persaud told the media that the matter is already engaging the Criminal Investigations Department and the Office of Professional Responsibility of the force.

Asked about the presence of the cadet officer in the ‘A’ Division when he is at present assigned to ‘C’ Division, Persaud said this has to be investigated.

He was, however, quick to point out that the police force has a policy which states that no officer should get involved in a police mat-

Commissioner Balram Persaud listen to the details from Marcel Griffith, in white cap, and the teen’s sister

ter which concerns their relatives. He also told reporters that based on initial checks; there was nothing to prove that the cadet officer who is at the centre of the shooting had any business in ‘A’ Division.

The senior police officer, who is performing the duties of the Top Cop, explained that the Guyana Police Force is at present working very hard to reduce conflicts in the communities and to foster a better relationship, especially with young people, and actions such as this would do nothing to help the situation.

Meanwhile, Commander Hicken told the parents of the young teen that the errant rank is under close arrest and as early as Tuesday the matter would be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice.

Meanwhile, the mother of the child, Marcel Griffith, in recalling to the police top brass what transpired stated that her son was kicked, stamped, and beaten about his body before being shot by the cadet officer. She said that the cadet officer threatened the teenager even as he was being cautioned by other ranks on the patrol that the teenager should be released into their custody.

She said that the police “cruel her son” although several persons told them that they were abusing the wrong man since at the time of the robbery, her son was in another resident’s house watching television.

As the female screamed for help, the 15-year-old was in the resident’s house watching television after visiting the house to purchase chips which the woman sells.

The injured 15-year-old Alex Griffith at the Georgetown Public Hospital Meanwhile, the homeowner in whose yard the police had beaten the teen before taking him into custody related what transpired. She said that while watching television, her daughter called out to her to say someone was screaming on the road. The woman said that her first impression was that it was some domestic issue. However when they looked out they saw the female running into the next door yard and the neighbour was washing something out of her eyes.

The female then went over to the other house asking whether anyone had seen where the

men went.

The woman and her daughter responded in the negative and the female’s response was, “Oh yall aint know where they gone, they gone dead tonight.”

The woman said that shortly after she saw a jeep load of police in the area and they went directly to Griffith’s home. They then brought him into her yard and started to abuse him.

The teen’s mother said that she can positively identify the cadet officer as well as the other police ranks who abused her son.

Balram Persaud and Clifton Hicken talk to the resident in whose home Griffith was while the female was being robbed (Photos by Leroy Smith and Asif Hakim)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Trade Unions are no ‘one-man show’- FITUG President

By Vanessa Narine

THE President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), Carvil Duncan, yesterday made it clear that trade union movements are no “one-man” show and flayed General-Secretary of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, for not acting in the interests of the workers.

He also called on Lewis to name the four GTUC representatives to hold positions on the Board of the Critchlow Labour College (CLC).

He was speaking at FITUG’s annual May Day rally, at the National Park, Georgetown.

The National Assembly has unanimously approved a motion that the Government’s annual subvention to the Critchlow Labour College, withheld since 2007, be restored. The motion was passed in late February this year, after the mover, Alliance For Change MP, Trevor Williams, had made an amendment that was acceptable to both sides of the House.

The original motion had merely called for the Government to restore the subvention, but the amendment was introduced and included a precondition that the labour component of the Board of Directors of the CLC must include four representatives of the FITUG, placing representatives of FITUG on the Board of the CLC for the first time, and four representatives from GTUC. It was this amendment which secured the approval of the Government Members of Parliament.

According to the FITUG President, his Union is

ready to name its four representatives.

Duncan stressed that the bottom line of the issue at hand is the availability of opportunities to the children of workers who need it.

“I am putting Lincoln Lewis on notice,” he said, adding that where the functioning of trade unions is based on the decisions of one person, that person must be voted out of the leadership post.

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REJECTED However, Lewis, within 24 hours of the restoration of the subvention, rejected the National Assembly’s unanimously approved motion for broader trade union representation on the Board of the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) in return for the restoration of the badly needed state subvention.

He said, “For the National Assembly to arbitrarily See page 13

FITUG President Carvil Duncan addresses the rally at the National Park

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

UG moves to 21st Century

By Derwayne Wills

VICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, amidst the university’s 50th Anniversary, has outlined areas of advancement which the university will be undertaking during the course of this year.

Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and the University of Guyana, the VC observed that the University of Guyana is a “national institution,” which is not controlled by any political party.

The VC was keen to point out that the MoU will bring to fruition the establishment of Virtual

Classrooms for which some 200 students, being enrolled as a first batch, would not have to come to Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) to access a tertiary education, but would instead be able to achieve a high-levelled tertiary education regardless of residency in Lethem or Sand Creek in Region 9 (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo).

He noted that the commission of Virtual Classrooms will see the reduction of the operational costs at the University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown.

Comments by the Vice-Chancellor were made in regard to the GT&T provision of support to the technological thrusts of the institution in keeping with the ad-

vancements of the age of technology. The MoU will see the refurbishing of the Centre for Information Technology (CIT), for the first time, after sizeable donations were made to its construction in 2004 by GT&T. Refurbishing works on the CIT structure will commence immediately, according to the Vice-Chancellor, which will see the Centre being commissioned by the new academic year 2014/2015.

He was adamant that the failure of the University of Guyana would ultimately result in the failure of Guyana, and charged Guyanese to be cognizant of the fact that the university is a national symbol owned by the Guyanese citizens.

He further commented that such an institution should reflect the growth and prosperity of the nation and its citizens, and insisted that citizens should question what possibilities exist for the development of the university instead of hankering on short-comings, which is counterproductive.

According to him,

the role of the university is to assist the country to become competitive; he further expressed dismay in the enrolment at the university being at some 7,000 students.

The VC declared that the enrolment at the university should be some 10,000 or even 25,000.

Nigerian-born Professor Jacob Opad-

eyi was appointed by the University of Guyana Council as Vice-Chancellor to the University of Guyana in June, 2013, immediately succeeding Professor Lawrence Carrington. He previously served at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

From left: Chief Financial Officer of GT&T, Justin Nedd; Chief Executive Officer of GT&T, R.K. Sharma; Vice-Chancellor of UG, Prof. Jacob Opadeyi; Registrar of UG, Vincent Alexander

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Trade Unions are no ‘one-man show’....

From page 11 take a decision to impose a new management structure on the college is a usurpation of the by-laws of these institutions, and a matter no law-abiding citizen should countenance, much less be voting on in the National Assembly.”

Following his statements, former Labour Minister and Member of Parliament (MP), Manzoor Nadir, spoke out against criticisms levelled at the unanimous vote by the MPs to restore the subvention.

He noted that for the past six years there have been calls from many quarters, especially the political opposition and anti-government public figures, to restore the subvention, which the Government had suspended, citing that there must be accountability and democratic governance within the Critchlow Labour College.

He said, “The rejection by the GTUC of the National Assembly’s unanimous motion is a clear indication that all the hullabaloo they made about the restoration of the subvention had nothing to do with money and the students, but was merely about politics.

“The GTUC leadership has stood steadfast that it would prefer to “rule over ruin”- a sick philosophy of many in the People’s National Congress, rather than come to a consensus that would be in the interest of all stakeholders of the college, and the national labour movement as a whole.”

He made it clear that the National Assembly’s vote ensured that the “collective voice” of the organised labour movement is represented on the Board of the CLC. The former Labour Minister said, “The swift and complete rejection by the GTUC is not only a slap in the face of the Alliance For Change, which brought the motion and the amendment, but it also reflects on the labour aristocracy which has hijacked the CLC. “A dictatorship that is not intent on managing the CLC for the development of our youth and the unity of the labour movement, but to achieve the objective of making the PPP/C government look bad. It is this dictatorship that is hurting the Critchlow Labour College and preventing the unification of the labour movement.”

Current Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopual, in his contribution to the 2014 Budget debates, had stated that it is “inconceivable that one of the smallest unions” in the country, with under 200 members out of an organised labour population of 50,000, could hold the presidency and general secretary positions of the GTUC for so long.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), in all of its conventions and policy statements, speaks to the State and stakeholders consulting with the ‘the most representative organisations of labour.’ The GTUC and the composition of the Board of the CLC does not pass this requirement of the ILO.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19 You’re irresistible, and that is lots of fun -- but it’s not always easy. You might have to juggle a few people who are helpless in the face of your magnetic charms. It doesn’t help that your personal energy is turning up the volume -- way, way up -- on your already high levels of charisma. All this attention is kind of fabulous, and you’re loving it more and more with every moment.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Don’t overload yourself, especially if someone close is trying to talk you into making a long-term commitment you’re really just not too sure about.

Listen to your feelings -- if they tell you to hold off, there’s almost certainly a good reason for it. Most importantly, don’t try to just be nice and say ‘yes’ to everything that everyone asks from you -- that road leads only to disaster. Hold off for a while before asking for more.

Gemini May 21 - June 21 Your social and work calendars are filling up fast, but let’s face it -- you love all the activity and wouldn’t have it any other way. Occasionally, though, something or someone might have to take a hit as one event or another takes precedence. As long as you warn people in advance, you shouldn’t cause any serious problems. Just revel in your exciting schedule, and make sure not to overextend yourself while you’re at it.

Cancer June 22 - July 22 A major effort is needed from you today, and you might be the go-to person for organising others as well. If a leadership role doesn’t feel quite right now, get ready for all that to change. You have more resources, inside and out, than anyone realises, including yourself. Don’t worry that you’re not up to the challenge -- just say ‘yes’ and see what happens next. When your need is great, the universe moves to meet you.

Leo July 23 - August 22 It’s funny how sometimes people say they believe one thing and then turn around and do the exact opposite. Try not to call them hypocrites today, however. Nobody’s perfect, and expecting either yourself or your loved ones to adhere to some impossible ideal just ensures that you end up deeply disappointed in someone sooner or later. Why not just cut them (and, you guessed it, yourself) the tiniest bit of slack?

Virgo August 23 - September 22 You know that life isn’t a battle, but a game, and you don’t let anyone tell you differently. The only trick is knowing the rules of the game, and if you do, you can turn any circumstance into victory. Today’s rules are pretty straightforward, actually, and you’ve seen them coming. First, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Second, keep the faith. Finally, remember that what you get out of this life is what you put into it. Pretty simple, right?

Libra September 23 - October 22 Continuing to do things in a certain way because it’s the way they’ve always been done may feel safe and comfortable to you, but it’s not doing much to help you achieve your real goals. Make a serious effort to bust out of your comfort zone. Take a look at what you could be doing to get where you really want to go -- even if it entails shaking up to your life and habits in a serious way. Be brave and take that first step.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 The best thing about the wheel of fortune is that it always turns the right way sooner or later -- so if you’ve just lost big, that means a big win is on the way.

Luck is most definitely turning in your direction, so make sure you’ve got your heart’s desire well within your sights. Don’t act hastily or greedily, though. If you try to make too much of this streak, you’re sure to end it before its time.

Savour your impending victory, but wait a day or two before making your move.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Someone new might look simply irresistible, but you need to reserve your judgment until you know just a little bit more. Whether the situation is work- or romance-related, now is not the perfect time to dive headfirst until you have a greater sense of their character. Once the shiny wrapping and gold foil comes off, they might not be who you thought they were. Be cautious and move slowly.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 You know deep in your bones that the only way to real success is through practice, practice and more practice. You can see that you need to shape up a bit more today, too. You might ask a perfectly straightforward question only to get a weird non sequitur in reply. Look beneath the surface and draw on your experience to find some very good advice.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 Love, romance, laughter -- you’ve got all the right elements put together, but it might all feel like a house of cards. Make sure you’ve cleared everything with that special someone in your life, or it all could blow over in a strong wind.

Communication is the key to ensuring that these grand plans come off in grand style. You should never assume that someone else knows what you’re thinking anyway -- but that goes double right now.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 Once again, your dreams are trying to tell you something -- both the night and day variety. Listen up! Some big clues to your latest puzzles lie in the realm of your subconscious, so don’t summarily just dismiss them out of hand, even if they seem extra crazy. Start tracking your reoccurring dreams if you can. Many answers are well within your reach, so inquire within.

Friday May 2, 2014 - 05:00 Saturday May 3, 2014 - 05:30 Sunday May 4, 2014 - 05:30 Monday May 5, 2014 - 08:30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Labour Day in the City Photos by Adrian Narine and Sonell Nelson

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Utilisation of Commissions of Inquiry can contribute to a nation’s democracy

– HPS Luncheon

By Vanessa Narine

THE utilization of Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) can contribute to a nation’s democracy, according to Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary.

“Once utilized appropriately, it can be a tremendous contribution to the democracy that we all seek to put in place in our country,” he said at his weekly press conference, held Wednesday at Office of the President (OP).

Luncheon added that the ongoing Commission of Inquiry into the death of renowned Guyanese Dr. Walter Rodney was “discussed at length” during Cabinet’s meeting on Tuesday.

The HPS stressed that the resort to the use of the Commission of Inquiry specific to the death of Dr. Walter Rodney will bring closure to the family members, friends and other interested parties.

“Our resort to the use of that instrument (the Commission

of Inquiry) must be appreciated because of what it does,” he said.

The HPS maintained that regardless the time-frame, be it one or 30 years after an incident, the use of the Commission of Inquiry is of indisputable usefulness.

Dr Walter Rodney was killed when a bomb exploded in the car in which he was sitting. He was 38 years old at the time.

Nine years ago, Parliament unanimously approved a motion to establish a commission to enquire into the circumstances surrounding his death.

President Donald Ramotar had agreed, in June 2013, to establish the CoI following a request from the Rodney family, after a previous inquiry ordered by former President Desmond Hoyte in 1988 found that the historian/politician’s demise was caused by an ‘accident or misadventure’; which finding was met with grave disbelief.

Additionally, the establishment of a CoI was supported by a parliamentary motion that spawned the decision to establish the Commission of Inquiry: “On the 13th June, 1980, Dr. Walter Rodney, a distinguished Guyanese scholar, was assassinated by an explosion which occurred in his car

at John and Hadfield streets, Georgetown. Dr. Rodney was, at the time of his death, an eminent political leader engaged in democracy and social justice in a struggle against authoritarian rule. There have been calls for a full investigation into the assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney, which has received broad support.

“The National Assembly, in paying tribute to the memory of this illustrious son of Guyana, and on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his untimely and tragic death, supports an enquiry being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Rodney.”

On April 15, Members of Parliament (MPs) were unanimous in their approval of $112M to fund the work of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, an allocation that was listed under the Office of the President’s $2.2B current expenditure estimates in the 2014 Budget.

Dr Rodney received several honours posthumously, among them the Government of Dr. Cheddi Jagan conferred on him, in 1993, the country’s highest National Award, the Order of Excellence (OE).

The Walter Rodney Chair in History was also created at the University of Guyana.

Rodney COI resumes today….

Witnesses testify Burrowes denies attacking PSC to brutality of dictatorial PNC regime

By Derwayne Wills

THE Commission of Inquiry into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney continues today at the Supreme Court in Georgetown.

The COI began sitting on Monday and since then witnesses have testified to the dictatorial People’s National Congress regime which former Working People’s Alliance member, Karen DeSouza said was responsible for Dr. Rodney’s death.

At later sittings, other persons testified to the brutalising of persons whose politics were not PNC-oriented.

Reverend Reuben Gilbert told the COI that he was physically brutalised because of his politics, and that former President Forbes Burnham had seen to it that he was not employed at any state agency in the country.

Earlier, Karen deSouza testified that on hearing that Dr. Rodney had been killed, her initial reaction was that he had finally been killed by the PNC. And the eldest Rodney sibling, Lawrence Rodney, 73, told the COI that members of the House of Israel were used by the PNC to break up WPA and PPP meetings, while the police just stood by and looked on, never lifting a finger to stop this outrage. The House of Israel acolytes would beat up WPA and PPP supporters, throw bricks at the speakers and cut wires.

Dr. Rodney was assassinated in the city in a car on Friday, June 13, 1980, when a device held in his lap exploded.

CHAIRMAN and Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Keith Burrowes, in response to an article in the Kaieteur News dated May 1, 2014, headed “GO-Invest CEO attacks PSC”, has noted that the tone of the statements made in the interview were not to be interpreted as an attack on the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

According to the CEO, the article misrepresented the intention of the statements made in the interview with KN. Firstly, Burrowes, commenting in capacities of CEO and Chairman of GO-Invest, pointed out that his appointment to both posts was merely a temporary one and was based on the conditionality of the non-existence of a Board of Governors for the agency.

He said it was very clear that there were a few dissenting voices from the PSC, who criticised the operations of the government agency, which has provided advice and concessions to investors looking to enter the business market in Guyana, similarly, operating as an avenue for enabling entrepreneurs from the international market to access the wealth of trade and investment opportunities available in the country.

Burrowes identified that there were, in fact, legitimate concerns in regard to the delay time of five days for the applications of prospective investors. He observed that there have been a few cases in the past where businessmen were reluctant to provide requisite documentation to ensure parity of the system.

The CEO further accorded this to some amount of frustration arising from potential investors who have bemoaned the lengthy documentation processes.

Burrowes, however, indicated that he is willing to work in a more strategic manner with the PSC as a means of improving the relationship between the two entities, and has reaffirmed his commitment by indicating that he will be meeting during the course of the week with members of the media to set forward the route of modernisation and improvement of standard of GO-Invest.

According to the GO-Invest CEO, the criticisms lodged against the operations of the agency were subjective in nature, evident by contrast, to

Chairman and CEO of GO-Invest, Keith Burrowes the successfully conducted client surveys by independent consultants which reflected an astounding 90% efficiency and accuracy performance, further adding that these surveys were conducted independently from GO-Invest and reflects a transparent evaluation.

Regardless of shortcomings in resources, brought on by the disapproval in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly during the 2014 budget debates, of some $119M for Go-Invest, the CEO stated that there is a narrow possibility of improvement since the lack of resources ultimately affects the efficiency of the agency.

The Chief Executive Officer, however, reaffirmed his commitment to the provision of quality service to the Private Sector, and urges that within a period of one year; there will be visibly increased modernisation of the operations of GO-Invest, which will see the continued provision of efficient and productive services to the business sector.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Well folks, didn’t I tell you just how special you are to me? If I didn’t I am terribly ashamed of myself, and I humbly apologise. I truely appreciate all my adorable fans, and that is why, each week, I make an extra effort to appease their reading desires. This week, of course with you all in mind, I bring you a rich Caribbean flavour... You know just how the Bombshell likes to tickle your taste buds and allow you to indulge in your entertainment fantasies.

Every race and creed , gender and ‘age range’ deserves a spot here, and that is why we focus so much on variety. So do enjoy this and the next three pages, as the Bombshell continues to pleasure you, the loyal fans.

Telephone Contact # 227 5216 or 616 0301

Would you represent Guyana at two prestigious Bikini Pageants?

THE HUNT IS ON for two talented, beautiful and

charming young ladies between the ages of 18 and 26 to represent Guyana in the Czech Republic and China at the Miss Princess of the World Pageant and the Miss World Bikini Model International Contest respectively.

Auditions commence in two weeks’ time, and interested young ladies are asked to grab this opportunity, which guarantees one lucky girl the experience of a lifetime. Contestants must be single, childless, and have a minimum height of 170 centimetres (five feet, eight inches).

Interested persons can contact franchise holder Esan Griffith on 644-1416.

The Princess of the World Pageant 2014 and the World Bikini Model International 2014 offer the unique opportunities for intelligent Guyanese beauties to win fantastic prizes and capture a wealth of memories.

With fantastic prizes up for grabs and the enviable landscape of the culture-rich Czech Republic as its venue, the Miss Princess of the World Pageant is known for attracting intelligent, talented beauties who are effective communicators from around the world.

In 2012, Soyini Fraser blazed a trail and won Best Talent and Best National Costume prizes, and went to the finals.

It’s time for another Guyanese gem to strut proudly under the Guyana flag and bring international acclaim once again to our country.

The World Bikini Model International Pageant showcases the beauty and fashion of each delegate, who also highlights

the culture of their respective country.

The selected candidate would travel to China and experi-

Ravi and Neesha B to perform at Club Next ON MAY 10, Trinidad’s Ravi B and

Nisha B are expected to perform live at Club Next for the first time.

The two are known for their versatility, and are popular for hyping a crowd.

Patrons can enjoy a series of styles, ranging from chutney, soca, dancehall; and for the ladies, a little R&B. The show is expected to be off the hook; and, thanks to the brother and sister combination, Club Next is expected to draw a bigger audience come that weekend.

Management of the club is making all arrangements so the night can be as memorable as possible.

Tickets are on sale at Club Next and Princess Hotel Front desk.

d n a B a Karm

ence, among other things, the picturesque beauty and charm of its ancient cities while showcasing her wit, poise and physique.

Bulletin!!! Bulletin!!! Bulletin!!!

Miss Guyana India representative selected T

HROUGH a special selection campaign, the 2014 representative to the Miss India Worldwide Pageant has been selected over the last weekend.

In a brief ‘chit-chat’ with local franchise holder Chandini Rambalack recently, Bombshell learnt that the new queen was selected from a dazzling lineup of some other beauties, based on her readiness for training and adaptable charisma amongst other qualities.

This year’s representative will be officially sashed and crowned at a very special ceremony which organisers have dubbed ‘strictly invitational.’ It is to be hosted next week. The reigning Miss Guyana India Queen, Katherina Roshana, will sash and crown her successor at this ceremony.

The reigning Miss India Guyana Queen, Katherina Roshana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Let’s meet the Junior Mother & Daughter Pageant hopefuls A

REN’T THEY pretty and adorable? I am sure you will concur with my opinion, folks.

Yes, they are indeed the very essence of morning lilies and fresh honeysuckle. And they have every right to be, because they are actually the hopefuls competing in the Junior Category of this year’s Mother and Daughter Pageant The Mother and Daughter Pageant will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at the National Cultural Centre, and eight dazzling moms and their equally delightful daughters will battle for the coveted crown and title when the curtains are lifted to reveal their enthralling presence.

The Junior Category is being sponsored by Igloo Ice Cream and Sterling Products Limited.

The Mother and Daughter Pageant is in its 23rd year, and is hosted by Supa Stylistics Productions and produced by Dr. Sulan Fung and her mom, Mrs. Ingrid Fung.

Ianna-Byron

-and-Iriana

Charisma-Mearn

s-and-Natifah

Bombshell’s Hottest Dudes…

The ladies soliciting corner…

Renatha

Exeter an

d Azalyah

Tessa-Pratt-a

nd-Ariana

MANY of the men appear-

Mia-R

itchie

-and-

Brean

na

Tresha-Renee

-and-Talitha

Anora-Bro

wn-and-S

Kwasi Edmondson has it to give abundantly

haquann

a

Jennel-Lynch

-Davis and S

ade

ing in this column either brag about their manhood or rave about their macho qualities. They often rattle on and on about their erotic prowess and sensual powers.

But our dude this week is quite down-to-earth, and believes in having such qualities discovered naturally by the deserving females, rather than to brag about them.

The somewhat tagiturn but quite attractive Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson maintained in his interview that he is not here to fool the ladies, but to instead let them know that he has ‘real love to give’ to those who deserve it.

Well ladies, (not girlies, mind you) I know you would agree that Kwasi is quite a catch, and has already made a substantial name for himself in Guyana’s music industry. For those who do not know, Kwasi is the reigning Carib Soca Monarch, and has also placed second in the same contest in the prior year it was held.

So you see, my ladies, this guy is headed for the stars…

And come on, divas, don’t be bashful… Which one of you would not want to be hanging on the arm of this attractive and talented Caribbean stud?

But don’t think such a feat would be easy. Hell no, ladies!!! This time you will have to work real hard for what you really want and desire. Sadly, Kwasi did not leave a contact number, but I know you will run into him around town.

When you do, be bold enough

to march right up to him and pour your heart out. Do so only if you mean business!!!

If you are hoping to satisfy some erotic desire only, then look elsewhere, girlies. If, on the other hand, you are quite sure you can make this man happy, then take the plunge and be engulfed in a whirlpool of intoxicating love for a lifetime.

Good luck ladies, while your try you best to gain his affections.

Kwasi Edmondson has a bundle of love to share

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Bombshell’s Most Provocative Babes…

This refreshing Berbician beauty is Shinelly Kendall.

Shinelly Kendall: the Ancient County’s brightest nugget

I THINK it’s time that persons divest themselves of the belief that the Ancient County of Berbice is popular only for cattle, poultry and great agricultural opportunities.

I have often heard this irritation being proclaimed by so-called knowledgeables at many forums, and as a born Berbician, I beg to differ.

You see folks, what you may not be aware of is that some of the prettiest and most charming damsels Guyana has produced actually originated from Berbice. And I mean pretty damsels minus all the war paint that can make a girl look like a modern day Jezebel, if not administered correctly.

That is why, with great pride, I present to you fans the pretty and desirable Shinelly Kendall who, a few years ago, sealed a lot of hating lips when she won the Guyana’s Top Model Search alongside her male counterpart, Michael Younge.

The then somewhat skinny model has blossomed into quite a vivacious woman with sultry Berbice curves and contours that create havoc amongst the males wherever she goes. This truly desirable Berbician woman is fond of dancing, modelling, travelling, reading and interacting.

She smiled demurely when asked if she was looking for ‘Mr. Right’, but did not give a ready answer or phone number. So guys, if you desperately want to be smothered with her refreshing ‘countryside presence and beauty’, I guess you will have to travel all the way to New Amsterdam, Berbice and search for all you are worth until you find her.

Good luck in your raving pursuits of ‘Shinelly’, the Queen of the Ancient County’

What do you think of this exquisite Heavenly creation, dudes?

Luela Figueira crowned Miss Linden Town Week 2014 THE RAVISHING Luela Figueira was crowned Miss Linden Town Week 2014 on Saturday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden.

Figueira copped the top prizes, which include a plot of land and a motorcycle.

She also won the prize for “Best Smile”, which was a digital camera, in addition to being “Miss Congeniality”, which ensured she took home US$100 as a prize.

The third runner-up spot went to Keyana De Souza, who represented Block 22; while Chelsea Venture, who represented Amelia’s Ward, copped the second runner-up position.

The first runner-up went to Manouska Vyphuis, who represented Nottinghamshire.

In the final question segment, Figueira was asked what advice she would give to girls who post semi-nude photos on social network site Facebook, and to share her views on the issue. She responded by saying that she could not believe that

Miss Linden Town Week 2014, Luela Figueira

young people should do such a thing.

“My advice is know your worth! Self-worth is the first worth you need if you need others to respect you.

So respect yourself before you expect others to respect you,” she responded.

Nrityageet 35 is about “Expressing Traditions; Exploring Diverse Futuristic Fusions” THE dance theatre presentation this year, Nrityageet 35, features fusion dances with Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Folk and Popular, Chutney, Soca and Guyanese roots-based influences, which are all part of the repertoire for this year’s spectacular.

The Nrityageet Dancers

Small wonder that the show promises to wow and educate at the same time.

This year, Nrityageet 35 is being held at the National Cultural Centre on the 3rd and 4th of May at 8pm. A children’s matinee show is scheduled for May 2nd at 1pm.

“New dancers are joining all the time, learning and exploring the world of dance; learning from the greatest, while adding their flair for the modern and different,” said the Director of the troupe, Dr. Seeta Shah Roath. “Nadira Shah Berry, Suzanne Shah Nilsson, and Rewattie Datt DaCosta are also currently training new dancers in traditional and modern, even as they explore new trends and create new experiences.

“We are exploring futuristic dance

theatre, with ballet and modern dancers blending with influences of traditional styles, with the best dancers in Guyana exploring new frontiers in the art form.”

Thirty-five years ago, the Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troupe first started celebrating the arrival of the first batch of East Indians to the then British Guiana with Nrityageet.

Nrityageet’s presentations showcase multiple dance styles, reflecting the diversity of Guyanese roots and contemporary lifestyles.

Although with an Indian classical, semi-classical and folk dance base, Nrityageet dance theatre explores modern ballet; Caribbean and fusion pieces with spectacular costuming; sets and multimedia settings that set the standards for dance, and indeed, theatre arts presentations in Guyana.

As the month of May blossoms, many cultural organisations are feverishly preparing for marking the month that carries that special day, the significance for which is dedicated to remembering our ancestral heritage – Arrival Day -- observed on the 5th of May every year.

Nrityageet presentations have been recognised internationally for their high standards in dance theatre in Europe, United States, with the prestigious Madame Iffel Award of Barbados being offered for the “Best Traditional Dance”.

The Guyana Theatre Arts Awards recognized this troupe for its “Exceptional Diligence in the Pursuit of Excellence,” for “Best Dance Production” in 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, and 1998; “Best Costumes” in 2003, 2002, 2000, and 1997; “Best Sets” in 2004, 2003….

Most significantly, the Nadira and Indranie Shah Dance Troupe M.S. received the National Award – the Medal of Service – for “Sustained and Outstanding Contribution to the Cultural Mosaic of Guyana”; and the New York Folk Festival Award for “Long and Sustained Dance Productions of Excellence.”

The troupe has performed for national and international programmes such as the Inter-Guiana Cultural Festival, CARIFESTA, World Expo, and many other programmes around the world.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Sonu Nigam returns to Guyana on May 4 FOLLOWING his magnificent sold-out performance at the Guyana National Stadium in 2012, renowned Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam returns to Guyana on Sunday, May 4, for another fabulous concert organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.

The concert is the Guyana leg of his 2014 world concert tour, titled “Klose to My Soul”, and proceeds of the concert will go to the Sabha’s Bal Nivas home for vulnerable children.

A 25-member troupe from Mumbai, including a large selection of Bollywood’s best musicians, will be in Guyana for the concert.

Also performing will be upcoming Bollywood playback singer Jonita Gandhi.

Following the success of the title track of “Chennai Express”, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, and a series of concerts with Sonu worldwide, Jonita has been making waves in the Bollywood music scene. She has done vocals for the upcoming film “Highway”, starring Alia Bhatt of “Student of the Year”, with the Os-

car-winning AR Rehman as musical director calling the shots.

The concert is also being held to commemorate the 176th Anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana, as well as the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s 40th anniversary.

Tickets cost $1500 (standing); $2500 (general seating); $6000 (VIP Reserved Seating) and $25,000 (all-inclusive VVIP). Stadium parking costs $1000.

Tickets are available at the

Dharmic Kendra in Prashad Nagar; Red Mango at Robb Street; Bhagwan’s in Water Street; Harinarain & Sons on Regent Street; E-Networks (all locations); M&M Snackette, East Bank Demerara; Murti Shop, West Coast Demerara; and Spready’s Snackette in Berbice.

For more information and ticket inquiries, please call 227-6181, 219-1900 or 641-4270. As usual, there will be a strict no-alcohol policy.

‘First Born’ returns with a bang!!!

WHILE Guyana’s premium music ambassadors, ‘First Born’, may have been dormant for a while, their management fraternity, ‘Vizion Sound Records’, wishes to announce that they are now back with a bang!!!

Formerly a five-member group that invaded the music scene some years ago, management wishes to announce that this body has now been reduced to three sizzling members in the likes of Rawlston Richmond, Troy Azore and Trayon Garette, who have been creating quite a stir since they joined forces recently with Vizion Sound Records.

With a pulsating new release, ‘Good Today’, already on the charts, these studs are also expected to release a fifteen-track album in the near future.

Always keeping things at the highest standards, these musicians continue to grow in status. Just last month, their performance was the best at the DJ Face Birth Night celebration.

The First Born group continues, as customary, to reach out to their many fans, always serving up positivity and prosperity through their music. To date, they have already produced three new singles and, of course, a throbbing new music video, “Fell Asleep”, with local song diva Celeste David.

Their performances at the just concluded football tournament between Jamaica’s ‘Boystown Football team and local Guya-

First Born Group nese elites added extra lustre to the event. It was promoted by Vizion Sound Records.

The group is poised to unleash a musical inferno again, and fans are asked to be prepared for its intensity.

The group continues to uphold the motto “Forever teaching souls, teaching brotherhood, obedience, and righteousness, naturally…”, as they focus on taking Guyanese music to the next level.

LET’S TELL IT LIKE IT IS….

Wan ah dem security ah prappa ‘secure’ de company assets….

Well, Ah doan know when all de corruption and ‘skullduggery’ in a certain security service gon stap; but what Ah do know fuh sure is dat dem ranks dis service sending to secure the assets of a certain company are a downright shame and disgrace tuh society!

Well, years ago, Ah used to wuk wid dis service, and frum then to now, things just gaan frum bad to wussa! But if de bassman do ah prappah screen ah de people he emplayin, den things would be bettah fuh all concerned.

Imagine, a few months ago, two security women frum dis service attached to a popular media house almost kill wan anadda ovah a man story. If yuh de see how dem de deh rumblin and tumblin

beween dem big rubbish bins, yuh wouldah think wuz two Amzonian buffaloes locked in a death tangle.

Dem security ranks dis company gat are a real shame to dee wuk place, and de male ranks always begging de media staff fuh money; and dis just really angering de staff membahs.

But wha really get meh vex is dat wan ah de male security ranks come in fuh ah interview fuh guh in de newspaper, and dis man is such a big time thief he nah even gat a soul or a heart.

Yuh see, folks, dis very man who trying fuh get in de newspaper does thief rope, soap and iron frum de same company. He commin to wuk every day wid a bicycle wid a large tray attached suh he

could fetch home de people dem things. He commin wid an empty ‘bicycle tray’, and when he leffin at night it full wid ‘Gawd knows what’, and it well covered wid old clothes.

Well, de media people dem didn’t have de slightest idea what wuz going ahn, until he an a female colleague ‘get wrang’, and she decide fuh squeal pon he.

If management only check de bicycle tray, deh would realise dat dis man, ‘Sarge Mites’, had bottles upon bottles of distilled water which he would steal daily from de dispensers de company gat about de place, and he would store dem in several bottles.

Shame on you, boss! And imagDe company woudda also ine, you profess to be a security discovered dat toilet soap dat guard

disappearing mysteriously and all de toilet tissue dat suddenly vanishing shartly after de people put dem dere in de toilets fuh de staff membahs tuh use.

I mean, come on folks!

Who goes into a toilet to defecate or urinate with a huge shoulder bag? Oh me mama whoy!!!

This very man has removed all the hinges from the doors to the rear of the building, and he would pounce on practically any item he sees lying around the company when the staff members are busy with other business at hand.

Well, not so long ago, items began to go missing from within the offices and other departments, and I

am sure this horrible man is behind it all.

He fingers sticky like hell, man!!!

I fear greatly for the future of this company, since it may soon lose the very walls of the building to the crafty hands of this intolerable man.

But why dis man gat tuh thief suh much!? Ah hear he living alone and he drawing a reasonable salary. Why he gat tuh be going ahn suh!?

Well, dem seh dat moon does run till day ketch am! Ah do hope he ready fuh face de penalty when de company do a sudden search and find all dem missing items in he house or wherever he does hide dem.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014 Racing Tips English Chepstow 08:45 hrs Modem 09:15 hrs Calm Attitude 09:50 hrs Melrose Abbey 10:25 hrs Dark Lane 10:55 hrs Hedge End 11:30 hrs La Npoule 12:00 hrs Princesse Fleur

Lingfield 09:05 hrs Indian Violet 09:35 hrs Dylan’s Centenary 10:10 hrs Maison Brillet 10:45 hrs Etaab 11:15 hrs Desert Strike 11:45 hrs Gregori 12:20 hrs Coipperwood

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:35 hrs Rosey Peg 09:10 hrs Travel Up Front 09:45 hrs New Spring 10:25 hrs Chill Factor 11:00 hrs No Questions

Irish Racing Tips Punchestown 10:40 hrs Rohan’s Pride 11:20 hrs The Romford Pele 11:55 hrs Tempest River 13:05 hrs Vautor 13:40 hrs Artic Fire 14:10 hrs Queen Alphabet 14:45 hrs On The Fringe

American Racing Tips Churchill Downs Race 4 Play It Loud Race 5 Unlimited Budget Race 6 Sum of the Parts Race 7 Southern Honey Race 8 She’s a Tiger Race 9 Candy Kitty Race10 Will take Charge Race11 Untapable

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Senna remembered on 20th anniversary of his death

By Hanna Rantala IMOLA, Italy (Reuters) Thousands of fans joined Formula One drivers, past and present, yesterday in marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna at the Italian circuit where the triple champion crashed 20 years ago.

They thronged the track to observe a minute’s silence at the Tamburello corner at 14.17hrs., the moment the Brazilian’s Williams ploughed into the wall while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Many carried flags and some pointed to the sky, as Senna did when he won, in remembrance before breaking into applause when the minute ended.

Austrian rookie Roland Ratzenberger had died the day before Senna, when he crashed during qualifying, and the two remain the last driverfatalities during a grand prix weekend.

The circuit near Bologna was opened to the public with tribute events scheduled in Imola, including a memorial football match and the naming of a square, over the next four days. According to organisers,

Kimi Raikkonen joins thousands of fans at Imola for the Ayrton Senna tribute event. (BBC Sport)

some 20 000 people attended yesterday.

A mass, attended by Ratzenberger’s parents, was held on Wednesday night.

“It’s so emotional for us because it’s a long time and still the love from the people is very alive,” Senna’s niece Paula, representing the family, told Reuters Television.

“It seems like Ayrton is living inside people’s hearts, so it’s beautiful.”

Current Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, as well as Senna’s friend and former McLaren team mate Gerhard Berger, were among those present at the track named after the late Enzo Ferrari and son Dino.

“For me he was an idol. I was a kid who rode karts, and back then I watched the news and saw that it was always he winning with his yellow

helmet on,” said double world champion Alonso, who was 12 when Senna died. “That was what hit me the most.

“I had his poster on my wardrobe and it’s a shame that I never got to know him or race against him, but the number of people here at Imola is a testament to his impact. He will always be immortal.”

Senna’s favourite Sao Paulo soccer team Corinthians donned replicas of his distinctive yellow, green and black helmet before the start of a Cup match against Nacional in Manaus on Wednesday.

Social media was flooded with tributes, recollections and an outpouring of affection for a driver held up as one of the greatest of champions, if not the greatest.

“He was the best and most charismatic race driver F1 has

ever had,” said Austria’s triple champion, Niki Lauda, now non-executive chairman of the Mercedes team. “He had personality, he was fast and he had charisma. No wonder that he won everything.”

Italian MotoGP great Valentino Rossi spoke on Twitter of Senna as “an inspiration, and even if 20 years have passed his spirit lives on in all racing riders and drivers.”

Jean Todt, the president of the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA), said in an address delivered on his behalf that the fight to improve safety would never cease and there could be no complacency.

“No matter how secure we may feel that injuries and fatalities are a thing of the past, the battle for completely safe racing is never won,” he said.

“The untimely deaths of these two superb sportsmen served as a wake-up call for all of us,” added the Frenchman.

“Perhaps the greatest legacy of Ayrton and Roland is that in the wake of that dark weekend in 1994, the pursuit of safer motor sport, in all its forms, received greater impetus than ever before.”

GCA Hadi’s World, Noble House Seafoods matches this weekend THE Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) has announced fixtures for the Hadi’s World Incorporated first division two-day and Noble House Seafoods second division competitions to be

played tomorrow and Sunday.

In the Hadi’s World only one match will be played. Starting at 09.30hrs Police Sports Club take on Georgetown Cricket Club at the Eve Leary ground.

Meanwhile, the Noble

House Seafoods two-day competition will also be played off tomorrow and Sunday.

The fixtures read: Everest CC vs St Stanislaus College at Turkeyen

Sophia CC vs GDF at Camp Ayanganna Malteenoes SC vs GYO at GYO GNIC vs MYO at MYO Starting-time for these matches is 11:00hrs.

Gooch removed as England’s batting coach LONDON, England (Reuters) Graham Gooch has been sacked as England’s batting coach with immediate effect, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said yesterday, as the fallout from the Ashes drubbing continued.

The former England captain joined the team as a consultant batting coach in late 2009 before taking up a fulltime role in early 2012.

His departure was announced two weeks after Peter Moores returned as England coach in place of Andy Flower, who resigned following the whitewash Down Under in January.

“After discussions with

(captain) Alastair Cook, he informed me that he was in favour of change,” Gooch, 60, said in an ECB statement.

“Although this was sad news, I respect his, and new coach Peter Moores’ right to implement this change of direction.”

A veteran of 118 Tests in which he scored 8 900 runs, Gooch said Cook was still the best man to lead England despite presiding over the 5-0 Ashes rout.

“In my opinion Alastair is the right man to captain England, he commands respect and will always put his body on the line for his country,” Gooch said.

“He will face many challenges and have many more tough

Graham Gooch is a veteran of 118 Tests in which he scored 8 900 runs.

decisions to make before his journey ends.

“Over the last decade or so

he has been the ultimate professional to work with and it has been an honour to see him develop.”

ECB managing director Paul Downton thanked Gooch for being an “outstanding coach”.

“Graham’s record as a player speaks for itself and as a coach his ability to mentor and develop players has helped England achieve a huge amount in recent years,” he said.

“I have no doubt that we will continue to see his influence on this current generation of England players and future generations can learn a lot from his passion and dedication to the game.”

Howard Eastman emerges as favourite VETERAN Guyanese boxer Howard Eastman has emerged as the favourite to win the 2014 Wray & Nephew Contender series.

The 43-year-old Eastman took over the favourite tag after he knocked out Jamaican Derrick ‘Guts’ Spencer in round two of their scheduled six-round bout last night.

The bout took place at the Chinese Benevolent Association auditorium.

The knockout came at one minute 50 seconds inside the second round and earned Eastman his 48th

win from 60 professional fights.

The bout was the penultimate fight in the preliminary round.

Eastman has now joined Jamaicans Donovan ‘Police’ Campbell, Ramel Lewis, Sakima Mullings Richard Holmes and Tsetsi Davis along with Barbadian Christopher ‘Shacka’ Henry in the quarter-finals.

The boxers are fighting for a top prize of $2M, with the runner-up earning $500 000, third place $250 000 and fourth $200 000. (Jamaica Gleaner)

From back page

Kumar charges GSCL He wished all the teams best of luck in the threeday tournament, while in response to a request made

by John during his welcome remarks, in which he asked for the game to be introduced in the schools, Kumar said he will ask the personnel to have such implemented, while saying they can share their synergies.

He reminded the GSCL Inc. of his unflinching support towards their developmental plans, even as he expressed a positive attitude towards the hosting of the Independence Cup tournament in 2016, adding that he is sure of sponsors coming on board to give of their support as well.

Meanwhile, the drawing was made after the launching, which saw Trophy Stall, Farm XI, Smith XI and Regal XI being placed in Group A, while Speed Boat, Wolf Warriors, Karibee Boys and Memorex will do battle out of Group B for a place in the final where they will do battle for the first prize of $500 000 in the T20 competition.

In the female category which will be a 10/10 affair, Karibee Girls, Trophy Stall Angels and 4R Lioness will meet in Group A, even as Regal Champs, Lady Jags and Mike’s Wellwoman battle out of Group B, for a place in the final, for which a first prize of $50 000 is up for grabs.

Six teams namely Parika Defenders, Frontline Masters, Regal Masters, Enterprise Legends, Floodlight Masters and Industry Super Kings will be doing battle in the Masters Over-40 Category, which

like the Male Open will be a T20 affair, with the first three teams being placed in Group A while the other three will compete out of Group B. For the drawing, in the Male Open category, Regal XI will oppose Smith XI even as Trophy Stall battle with Farm XI in the first round out of Group A, with Karibee Boys taking on Memorex and Speed Boat meeting Wolf Warriors in the Group B first round fixture.

In the Masters category, Regal Masters and Parika Defenders will meet in the first game, with the winners taking a break while the losers face Frontline Masters in the second game, followed

by Frontline Masters and the winners of the first game meeting in the third game for Group A. In Group B, Floodlight Masters will take on Industry Super Kings in the first game, with the losers and winners meeting Enterprise Legends in that team’s next two games.

Apart from the first- and second-placed prizes, up for grabs also will be two threepiece living room suites for the Man-of-the-Series in the Male Open and Masters categories while the Female Player-of-the-Series will walk away with a trophy.

Male Open and Masters matches will be played at the St Stanislaus and Everest grounds respectively, while the females will be doing battle at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) ground, with all preliminary round matches being played tomorrow and Sunday, leading to the three finals on Monday.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club honours sponsors and staff at first-ever awards ceremony

Caretaker Elroy Johnson accepts his award from Justice Claudette Singh.

THE Kennard’s Turf Club, situated at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, last Sunday honoured four outstanding sponsors and three of its dedicated employees at a simple but historic ceremony which was held at the club’s Bush Lot Corentyne facility.

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) was recognised as being the leading sponsor, since the company has been associated with the Kennard’s Turf Club for the past 40 years and has

committed to continue their sponsorship for years to come.

Torginol Paints Inc. was recognised for their association with the club for the past 25 years.

The P&P Insurance Brokers was honoured for their support of the Berbice racing facility for the past 20 years, while Metro Stationery and Office Supplies which has been supporting horse racing at the Kennard’s Turf Club from the club’s inception.

Its principals hail from the

Corentyne area and over the past five years has been providing the first-place trophy and $1M for the club’s Boxing Day meet.

The three employees that were honoured for the dedication and service to the club were the club’s secretary Nikita Ross, caretaker Elroy Johnson and Ovid Hawke who is the longest-serving employee of the club.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the club’s honorary president and former Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Cecil Kennard gave a brief history of the race track which was named in honour of his father who passed away years ago.

Justice Kennard said the race track started in the late 1930s and that apart from the Port Mourant race track, the Kennard’s race track is the oldest surviving race track in Guyana.

He said that his grandfather – now deceased - who was an Englishman by the name of Charles Percy Kennard came to Guyana and worked at the

Port Mourant hospital and other medical institutions and subsequently bought the Bush Lot Farm Estate for his (Justice Cecil Kennard) father in the 1930s.

He said his father donated the land for cricket.

The race track he said was situated at a different location on the estate before finally moving to its current spot.

Justice Kennard said the Kennard family has also donated and assisted a number of entities with lands.

According to Kennard, although the club was formed before the 1960s, the real development of the track started in 1962 but became dormant for a few years due to some teething problems but was resuscitated in 1978.

He lauded the contributions of former club presidents Mangarran Singh, Deo Kharag and current president Roopnarine Matadial.

The first one-mile race held at the club’s facility was in 1962 and it was won by Fair

Longest-serving employee Ovid Hawke receives his award from Mrs Ahilia Panday,

Wind which was ridden by Edmond Sunich.

Among some of the horses Justice Kennard’s grandfather owned were Philo, Eco and Bato which were all brought from England.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Director of Sport Neil Kumar, who lauded the KMTC for the outstanding work they have been doing.

Kumar said that the KMTC

has to be doing something good because sponsors are always willing to be associated with the club.

He also called on the KMTC to have its history documented.

Giving the response on behalf of the recipients, ManagingDirector of P&P Insurance Brokers, Bish Panday, thanked the KMTC for the initiative and congratulated the club for the way in which it is being run.

BANKS DIH/LINDEN GUINNESS ‘GREATEST OF DE STREETS’

Silver Bullets shoot down High Stars seven times DEFENDING champions Silver Bullets sent an early message to all their opponents who are looking to win the Banks DIH/ Linden Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal football competition, last Wednesday night, following a 7-0 drubbing over High Stars at the Mackenzie Bus Park.

Competing in the fifth game of the night, Silver Bullets who shot down Assassins

in last year’s tournament to walk away with the big prize and one-year bragging rights got a hat-trick of goals from Colwin Drakes who found the back of the net in the 4th, 8th and 17th minutes of play.

He received support from Robin Adams who scored his brace in the 2nd and 5th minutes, along with another brace from Jermaine Samuels in the 9th and 15th minutes to hand the defending champions a convincing win

in their opening match.

In the first game of the night, Speightland defeated Rough and Rugged 2-1, with Allen Creighton (4th) and Michael Rondell (16th) being the goalscorers for the victors, while Lee Ross pulled one back for Rough and Rugged in the 8th minute, nullifying Creighton’s opening goal.

Eagles scored a 2-0 win over Trainline Warriors in the 3rd and 14th minutes, even as Star Boyz blanked Street

Vibes 6-0, with Ron Fiedtkou hitting a hat-trick in the 3rd, 8th and 14th minutes, backed by solitary strikes from Jermaine Grandison 4th, Dexter Garraway 9th and Delon Duke 16th.

Attackers won from Hardknocks 2-1 on penalty kicks, even as Ituni defeated Silent Assassins 3-2 also on penalty kicks, before Bloomerdale Russians through goals from Shawn Daniels (8th) and Carlos Grant in the 17th minute,

Chanderpaul suffers rare failure as Derbyshire lose LONDON, England (CMC) – Veteran lefthander Shiv Chanderpaul failed for the first time this season as his Derbyshire crashed to an innings and 64-run defeat to Worcestershire in the County Championship on Wednesday.

Behind by 213 on first innings, Derbyshire folded

for a paltry 149 all out in their second innings at New Road, with the West Indies stalwart managing just four.

In his previous innings, Chanderpaul had scored 91, 75 not out, 52, 82 and 32.

This time, however, he failed to bolster Derbyshire and was one of two early wickets to fall to 21-yearold seamer Charles Morris

(2-25), as the visitors slipped to 29 for three.

Only captain Wayne Madsen with 56 offered any real resistance as Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal ripped through the middle order with four for 40.

At Hove, Barbados and England all-rounder Chris Jordan also failed to save Sussex as they went under

by an innings and 11 runs early on the final day Wednesday.

Resuming the day on six with Sussex on 163 for six and needing a further 68 to avoid an innings loss, Jordan added just one before departing at 166 for seven.

Sussex had followed on by 230 runs.

defeated South Stars 2-0.

The final game of the night saw Retrieve Unknowns defeat Ripping Bullets 4-0, with their goalscorers being Darrel George (2nd), Jameel Caesar (6th), Kennard Simon 12th and Travis

Adolph respectively, as all the victorious teams booked a place in last night’s round of 16, even as the quarterfinals and semifinals will be hosted tonight at the Silvercity hard court.

(Calvin Roberts)

CRICKETQUIZ CORNER (Friday May 02, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Chennai Super Kings (2) KKR-222/3 vs RCB (April 18, 2008) Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times Chennai Super Kings have copped the IPL title?

(2) With which IPL team Darren Sammy is currently associated?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 2, 2014

Persaud confident Guyana will deliver at WIFSC NATIONAL rifle shooting captain Mahendra Persaud has expressed confidence that the Guyana’s shooters will deliver top class performance ahead of the team’s departure for the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships (WIFSC) billed to fire off on Monday in Jamaica.

Persaud said that the training over the past two months went fairly well and the local shooters are composed and ready for the task at hand.

“We are ready and are just waiting for the competition, the team is jelling as a unit and once we shoot well we can expect the best result,” Persaud said.

The recent coaching programme the team had with Great Britain’s top shooting coach Ian Shaw earlier this year at the Timehri rifle ranges is now paying off, the captain noted.

The team leaves Sunday morning with 11 shooters and other officials and will be joined by two United States-based shooters in Jamaica.

The local shooters are Persaud (captain), Dylan Fields (vice-captain), Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Leo Romalho, Ryan Sampson, ACP retired Paul Slowe, Lt Col. retired Terrence

National captain Mahendra Persaud (standing) oversees team training at the Timehri ranges last Sunday.

Stuart, Inspector Dane Blair, Peter Persaud and debutant

Sherwin Felicien.

The two US-based shooters

are seasoned campaigners Sigmund Douglas and John Fraser who have represented Guyana previously.

Persaud said the squad had a full run of the short range course shooting at 300, 500 and 600 yards last Sunday at Timehri.

“The wind was very tricky but this is the kind of condition we can expect in Jamaica,” he declared.

The 2014 West Indies Fullbore shooting championships will open on Monday at Twickenham Park ranges in Kingston with three days of individual competition.

Guyanese Lennox Braithwaite won the Grand

Aggregate last year in Barbados to be declared the regional’s top individual shooter for 2013.

The two team matches will take place next Saturday and Sunday with Guyana defending the long range (900, 1 000 yards) title on Saturday while the competing countries will contest for the short range (300, 500 and 600 yards) title now held by the Jamaicans.

The regional championships will attract shooters from Antigua/Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and host Jamaica and a visiting Canadian delegation.

GCB UNDER-19 INTER-COUNTY

Berbice in sight of first-innings points over Rest XI … DEMERARA, ESSEQUIBO LOCKED IN BATTLE

By Calvin Roberts THANKS to a robust and unbeaten 64 from national player Shimron Hetmyer, Berbice were in sight of firstinnings points at the end of the first day of their Guyana Cricket Board-organised and sponsored three-day Intercounty Under-19 fixture at the Enmore Community Centre ground yesterday.

At the Demerara Cricket Club ground in Queenstown, Demerara and Essequibo were locked in battle for firstinnings points, after the home team who lost national opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul off the third ball of the day, rebounded to score 341 to which Essequibo were 23 for 1 in reply at the close.

At Enmore, the Rest XI were asked to take strike by the team from the Ancient County

and were bowled out for 138 off 71.4 overs, with Travis Persaud topscoring with 31 (80 balls, 2x4) and Sunil Singh contributing 24, that also included two fours.

Persaud and Vishwanauth Ramkellawan added 36 for the fourth wicket, after the Rest XI, who lost Singh, Ryan Shun (10) and Avenash Seecharran (16) were reduced to 62 for 3, but when they were both dismissed, the Rest XI never recovered as Berbice skipper Shiraz Ramcharran took 4 for 10 and Arif Chan 2 for 27.

Hetmyer and Balchand Baldeo (8) then added 29 for the first wicket before Baldeo was dismissed, following which Hetmyer added 28 for the second wicket with David Latchaya (6), before he too was dismissed.

However, Hetmyer found a useful ally in Ashok Homraj

with whom he has so far added 40 for their unbroken third-wicket partnership, realising his 50 from 68 balls with eight fours and one six, before progressing to 64 at the close of play, while Homraj is unbeaten on 16 with three fours.

USEFUL Asked to bat first by Essequibo, Demerara saw Chanderpaul, who along with Hetmyer, is a player with first class experience in this competition, get a thick outside edge off the lively Kemo Paul straight into the waiting hands of Akil Wallace at second slip, before he had scored.

Skipper Brian Sattaur, who is known for his pugnacious batting style, did not relent and took the attack to the Essequibians, hitting nine fours and two towering sixes

Brian Sattaur

in his 50 which took him 41 balls to accumulate, as he added 63 for the second wicket with Renaldo Renee 13 (3x4).

Renee was next to go, lbw to Akini Adams, who two balls before was struck by Sattaur over wide long on, while Sattaur himself struck one back to Ricardo Peters just before lunch, after aggregating 62 off 50 balls with nine fours and three sixes.

At lunch, Demerara were 143 for 3, with Rudolph Singh unbeaten on 38 (4x4, 2x6) and Shurfane Rutherford 24 which included two fours and a six off Keanu Harry, following which they took their prelunch time partnership from 57 to 77 after the break, before Singh, who faced 84 balls and struck two sixes and six fours in his 54, was caught at the wicket off Paul.

He was quickly followed by Rutherford 27 (2x4, 1x6) at

163 for 5, which became 181 for 6 when Stephon Brown was dismissed via lbw to Adams.

Some late-order batting from Kemol Savory and Steven Sankar who both made 44, Savory hitting four fours and two sixes and Sankar three fours and two sixes, coupled with Keon Morris’ unbeaten 59 (4x4, 2x6), piloted Demerara to their eventual total before they were dismissed off 85.4 overs.

Paul and Adams took 3 wickets each for 23 and 49 runs respectively, while Peters chipped in with his 2 for 43 for Essequibo, who at the close of play were 23 for 1, still needing 318 more runs for first-innings points, having lost Avenash Persaud who was caught by Rutherford off Kevin Paul for 14 (3x4), with Peters and Shivindra Hemraj unbeaten on 3 and 0 respectively.

Solomon, Bristol and Ifill power GNIC past DCC

By Calvin Roberts THE LAST time defending champions Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) faced Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) in a Georgetown Cricket Association/Ansa McAl Carib Beer first division T20 competition, the former won by 72 runs, thanks to Christopher Barnwell’s robust innings.

Yesterday, the same two teams met in their final round clash of the same competition at the

same Malteenoes Sports Club ground, and it was GNIC who came out victorious, doing so by 43 runs in another exciting encounter.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first in hazy conditions, GNIC rattled up 158 for 5 from their 20 overs, with skipper Dexter Solomon leading the way with his authoritative and unbeaten 53 that was decorated with six fours and two sixes off 30 balls.

Earlier, Marc Nicholson 13 (2x4) and national opener Assad Fudadin 26 (28 balls, 2x4; 1x6)

added 31 for the first wicket in four overs, before Nicholson, who had earlier struck Paul Wintz for a four in the first over, was caught by Denver Greaves off Wintz who ended with 1 for 24.

Fudadin and Ranole Bourne pushed the score to 65, with Bourne, who struck four fours and a six off Totaram Bishun (2 for 18) in his 32-ball 36, seeing Fudadin caught at long on by Dennis Squires when he looked to hit Bishun over that area.

Ejaz Mohammed (12) came

but did not last long, as he was outfoxed by Bishun who saw Greaves complete a lightningquick stumping and from 90 for 2, GNIC slipped to 116 for 5 losing Bourne and Guyana Cricket Board Senior Chairman of Selectors Rayon Griffith (0) to Kevin George (2 for 43) in the 17th over.

In their reply, DCC lost both Jahron Byron and Greaves without scoring to be one for 2, before Barnwell, who struck Ifill into the nearby Tutorial High School for his lone six, and Cleon

McEwan repaired the damage with their 43-run second-wicket partnership.

However, when Barnwell was brilliantly caught by a leaping Royston Simon at deep long-on off Ifill at 44 for 3 for his 19-ball 34 (4x4, 1x6), DCC slipped into dire straits at 82 for 6, losing McEwan (13), Antonell Atwell (7) and Squires who made an entertaining 7--ball 18 (2x6, 1x4).

Wintz 20 (17 balls, 3x6) and Dexter George (1) pushed the score to 107, with Wintz hitting

Leroy Bristol for two sixes in the 15th over, followed by another off West Indies Cricket Board Senior Chairman of Selectors Clyde Butts.

Such efforts were a little too late for DCC, who crawled to 116 for 9 off their 20 overs, as Bristol and Ifill ended with 2 wickets each for 19 and 23 runs respectively for GNIC, who will now face Georgetown Cricket Club in their semifinal matchup while DCC will oppose Police Sports Club on a date to be announced.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Howard Eastman emerges as favourite See page 29

Kumar charges GSCL Inc. to prepare for big Independence Cup in 2016

By Calvin Roberts DIRECTOR of Sport within the National Sports Commission (NSC), Neil Kumar, last Wednesday afternoon challenged the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc., to gear itself for a massive Independence Cup Softball tournament in two years’ time.

Kumar was at the time, delivering brief remarks at the launching of the GSCL Inc. inaugural Independence Cup which is being staged in collaboration with the NSC and bowls off at three different venues tomorrow, with the grand final being held at the Everest Cricket Club ground next Monday.

“I am very pleased to be here with you this afternoon, not because I wish to grace you with my presence, but

because I recognise this tournament, due to the fact that the GSCL Inc. has persons with great integrity.

“I want to tell you that I have already initiated with the diaspora in Canada and the United States of America for us to have an extremely big and popular softball tournament in 2016, which will be a very historic year for all Guyanese,” said Kumar.

He informed his audience, which also included GSCL Inc. vice-president Ian John, that during that year while many would be focusing on the Olympic Games in neighbouring Brazil, Guyana will be observing its 50th Anniversary as an Independent nation.

“As you are aware, Brazil will be hosting the FIFA World Cup finals this year and the Olympic Games

Director of Sport Neil Kumar (3rd from right) shares the head table at the launching along with from left Samuel Kingston, Russell Jadbeer, Telesha Ousman, Ian John, Inderjeet Persaud and Calvin Roberts of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc.

in 2016, but your GSCL Inc. will be hosting an Independence Cup which will be a significant one, coinciding with Guyana celebrating its 50th

Anniversary and as such I have made arrangements for us to have a home and away game with teams from Canada and the USA. “In fact, I wish to challenge

the ladies, to fight for us to take a female team to both Canada and the USA to play the games, for you also have an integral part to play in the development of the game

here in Guyana, for which I am pleased to see the GSCL Inc., inviting female teams to compete in this Independence Cup and doing so freely,” said Kumar.

Turn to page 29

Banks DIH presents Floodlights to MSC ground Banks DIH Limited presented nine complete sets of electric lamps to the Mackenzie Sports Club(MSC) to enhance the lighting at the sports facility in the mining town.

The presentation took place yesterday at the MSC pavilion and was attended by Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon, Banks DIH Limited officials and executives of the MSC and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA).

Banks DIH Limited Communications Manager, Troy Peters said the floodlights were purchased after a request was made by the UDFA during the inaugural GT Beer Football tournament played at the MSC ground late last year.

“Banks DIH has fulfilled its promise as we continue to foster a closer relationship with the executive and members of the Mackenzie Sports Club and the people of Linden,” he added.

President of the MSC, Avery Trim expressed gratitude to Banks DIH for the kind gesture noting that the contribution was made possible through the intervention of the UDFA. “This will go a far way to enhance the lighting at the MSC and all sports disciplines and the Linden community will benefit tremendously from the floodlights, he added.

Banks DIH Linden Branch Manager Shondell Easton made the presentation to Robert Langevine, Secretary of the MSC. Also in attendance were Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart and football officials Collie Hercules, Clyde Brushe and Claude Williams.

Shondell Easton, Banks DIH Linden Branch Manager presents one of the electric lamps to Secretary of the Mackenzie Sports Club, Robert Langevine while Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon, Mortimer Stewart and other officials look on.

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FRIDAY, May 2, 2014