Guyana chronicle 02 02 15

GUYANA No. 104088 MONDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2015

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

‘Young Bill Rogers’ makes comeback as Reigning Chutney Monarch Page

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––with ‘Ah looking for a larki’

PRICE: $80

INCLUDING VAT

Remigrant scheme investigations to conclude by end of February 3

––Auditor-General

Page

Stranger beats, rapes teen in cemetery at Best Village Page 2 Alleged rapist Colin Mack to know fate today Page 14

COLIN MACK

Chronicle’s Alex Wayne among TG’s ‘Night of the Stars’ Page 12 awardees Atlantic Ocean mishap ... Page 2

New Chutney Monarch, Roger Hinds in his element Saturday night as he searched high and low “for a larki”

Searches prove futile for missing fisherman

Missing fisherman, Sadeia Santora

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Stranger beats, rapes teen in cemetery at Best Village

A TEENAGE girl was on Friday night beaten and brutally raped by a knife-wielding stranger in the cemetary at Best Village, where he abandoned her among tombs in the dark and eerie environment.

According to reliable information reaching this newspaper, the girl, who lives at Best Village, near the West Demerara Regional Hospital, was walking home from work at around 19:00hrs along the lonely, bushy and unlit Best Road when the incident occurred.

As she walked, she said, she heard the sound of a motorcycle coming behind her, but paid it no mind. After riding past her, the motorcyclist circled back and passed her again. After passing her a third time, he got off the motorcycle a little ahead of her and pretended to be urinating.

Then, just as she was about to pass him, he grabbed her from behind and put her in a vice. He then dragged her into the cemetery, and, at knife-point, threw her to the ground and raped her.

When he was done, he left her, crying and terrified, lying amidst the tombs and rode off into the night on his motorcycle.

Still fearful, she stumbled through the dark graveyard and headed for the first house in the electrified Best Squatting Area, aback the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Breathless, she related her dreadful experience to the compassionate family living there, who lent her an ear. Shocked on learning of the teen’s encounter, they took her in, and assisted in making contact with her family, who came to get her.

Meanwhile, residents have expressed outrage over the fact that for the longest while, despite repeated calls for street lights along the Best Road, and for the dense bushes to be cleared, nothing has been done.

“This continued failure of the Regional Administration to address such an urgent need, and a situation that puts the residents of the community at risk, is shameful and deserves strong condemnation,” residents declared.

While expressing sympathy for the young woman, they are calling once more on the authorities to get their act together and move with all due haste to have the bushes cut and street lights installed.

The place where the rapist carried out his heineous act

Atlantic Ocean mishap ...

Searches prove futile for missing fisherman EFFORTS have been fruitless so far in trying to locate the body of fisherman Sadeia Santora, called ‘Old Dog’, 40, after he reportedly fell off a fishing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean last Wednesday, somewhere in the vicinity of Melanie and Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

On Saturday, a sister of the man, who is a father of four, told the Guyana Chronicle that they have been searching since Wednesday for the man after it was realized that he was missing but there continues to be no sight of him.

Last Thursday this publication first reported that the man of 176 Fifth Street, Montrose Seawall, East Coast Demerara, was missing after his fellow crew members reported that he reportedly fell off the vessel while they were inside the cabin and he was on the ice box.

“I was at work when I Missing fisherman, got a call from my daughter Sadeia Santora saying that my son fall over-

board. She say de boss man call she and tell she dat he fall overboard and dem ain’t finding he,” the man’s mother recounted last Thursday morning during an interview.

The man’s mother said that he has been working at sea all his life and has four children, ages 18, 9, 7 and 5.

The children are not living at their father’s East Coast home since he and their mother have separated.

If it is confirmed that Sadeia Santora has drowned, he will be the second of his mother’s children to have died in the past three years.

In 2012 another one of the woman’s son, Patrick Santora, was killed during what was reported to be a triangular love affair. His Santora’s grieving moth- reputed wife was arrested er speaking with the but was subsequently set Guyana Chronicle free by the court for want of prosecution.

The mother said the new tragedy is very hard for her since the missing son lived all the years with her and was her bread winner.

“Well this is hard for me, I am still grieving for the other one and now this one gone, he was my bread winner. It is very hard and tuff right now, he lived here with me all the time and when he come from sea he does just sit and take a little drink, he don’t trouble nobody,” the woman recalled with tears in her eyes.

The home Santora shared with his mother and other relatives

Male GPH patient with ‘end-stage kidney disease’ dies SIX days after a woman diagnosed with chronic renal failure plunged to her death from the third floor of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), another patient with end-stage kidney disease, accommodated on the floor just below, is no more.

Thirty-eight-year-old Cyril Nurse of Linden, Region 10, passed away quietly on Wednesday night at the Male Ward which accommodates persons with kidney disease.

Nurse, who was admitted to the Ward on the evening of Wednesday, January 21, died on Wednesday January 28, exactly one week after his admission. He died while waiting to be prepared for dialysis.

Nurse, who was walking when admitted to the institution, had become immobile and bedridden a few days later.

Ironically, patients in the Ward claim that on the night that Sheniza Farouk of 61 West Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara jumped off a window sill and plunged to her death, Nurse was also at a window in the Male Ward ‘taking breeze.’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Remigrant scheme investigations to conclude by end of February

––Auditor-General

WITH four people, including publisher of the Kaieteur News, Mohan ‘Glenn’ Lall, already before the courts for an alleged duty-free scam, investigations into Guyana’s remigrant scheme are continuing.

And Auditor-General Deodat Sharma told the Guyana Chronicle that his office expects to wrap up their investigations by the end of February.

Initially, the investigation was expected to have been completed by the latest yesterday. However, Sharma noted that given the scope of work, additional information is needed.

“GRA, because of the fact they have shifted offices, has been somewhat slow in getting the necessary paperwork to us. Remember too that in some cases we have to go as far back as 2010,” he said.

Sharma told this newspaper that more than 20 per-

sons are under review.

To date, Sharma has forwarded two reports to the Board of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), through which the Authority requested an investigation.

FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS While he declined to comment on the findings of the reports, the Auditor General disclosed that two major issues that the reports highlighted were the falsification of documents and whether or not the persons applying for the benefits offered to remigrants, actually qualify as remigrants.

Under the remigrant programme, Guyanese who would have resided overseas for more than five years and are returning home to live are entitled to a number of benefits, among which are import duty-free waivers for vehicles, and tax exemption for household items, once the items at reference were owned for six months or more in the country where the remigrant was living.

Computer technician on $75,000 bail for impersonation ––to return to court Thursday

THIRTY-nine-year-old computer programmer Damien Bailey of Lot 336 Craig, East Bank Demerara appeared Friday before Georgetown Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with allegedly trying to obtain a Samsung S5 cellphone by falsely pretending that he had been sent for same by Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali. This offence was allegedly committed on January 29 last when, with intent to commit a felony, Bailey went to the A&M Electronics Store in Georgetown, and falsely pretended to Celia Mars that he had been sent by Minister Ali to obtain one Samsung S5 cellphone, knowing same

to be false.

Bailey pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by the magistrate, but, given opportunity to respond, he tired to change his plea, citing that should he enter the guilty plea, there is a strong likelihood that he would not be sent on remand.

He pointed out that it was all an allegation, citing that he was once convicted for an offence of a similar nature and he had served 13 years in prison.

“Being in Camp Street prison, my Worship, I have learnt my lesson. I am guilty of this because being in remand is a hard thing,” Bailey told the court.

The defendant, who could

barely stand, told the court that he is currently suffering from “sickle cell”, and that his illness is currently being treated at the hospital.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant, however, said the facts of the case are as stated in the charge. He objected to bail being granted the defendant on ground that the defendant had been charged for a similar offence; and if granted bail, he opined, a strong possibility exists that the defendant would commit the offence again.

Bailey was nevertheless placed on $75,000 bail, and will have to return to court on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Relative to the duty-free concession, the Guyana Chronicle is told that this is awarded on condition that “the motor vehicle cannot be leased or transferred within three years of registration, and providing that the registration licence, fitness and registration and insurance are submitted for inspection at the GRA every six months.”

“There are a few other contentions that the report addressed, but the details of those I cannot disclose,” Sharma added.

He did, however, indicate that the findings of his reports will be addressed in his yearend report as Auditor General, which is usually submitted to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and subsequently made public.

Asked about the move forward after all his reports have been completed and sent to GRA’s Board, Sharma explained that from there it would be for the Authority to take the requisite action.

“We should expect movement on the matter soon,” the Auditor-General said. (Vanessa Narine)

Hit-and-run driver kills two pedestrians on Essequibo Coast A SPEEDING car driven by a suspected drunken driver killed two pedestrians who were walking along the Richmond Public Road at around 3:00am yesterday morning.

Reports said that the 29-year-old driver, who is a goldsmith of Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast was speeding along the public road and trying to overtake another speeding car in a northern direction to Charity when he hit the two men, 23-yearold Adrian Osborne and 20-year-old Colin John, both of Henrietta village.

Both young men who were friends suffered severe injuries. One of them was reportedly thrown into a nearby trench on impact while both men had their hands and feet broken.

According to reports the two men were walking along the public road to get

something to eat from a shop at Richmond Village when tragedy struck. They were said to be at a night club at Anna Regina during the early part of the night.

Sister of Osborne, Sheena Chase said she got a telephone call that her brother was involved in an accident on the Richmond public road and she rushed out there.

According to Sheena her brother was in a terrible state and all over his body seemed broken. She said he was very quiet and was a carpenter.

Meanwhile, John’s grandmother said she was shocked on hearing about the sudden death of her grandson.

The driver who drove away after hitting down the two young men was subsequently arrested by police who arrived promptly on the scene. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Obama targets foreign profits with tax proposal, Republicans skeptical

By Jeff Mason and Kevin Drawbaugh WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s fiscal 2016 budget will seek new taxes on trillions of dollars in profits accumulated overseas by U.S. companies, and a new approach to taxing foreign profits in the future, but Republicans were skeptical of the plan yesterday.

Reviving a long-running debate about corporate tax avoidance, Obama will target a loophole that lets companies pay no tax on earnings held abroad, the White House said. But his proposal was certain to encounter stiff resistance from Republicans.

In his budget plan to be unveiled today, Obama will call for a one-time, 14 percent tax on an estimated $2.1 trillion in profits piled up abroad over the years by multinationals such as General Electric (GE.N), Microsoft (MSFT.O), Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and Apple Inc (AAPL.O).

He will also seek to impose a 19 percent tax on U.S. companies’ future foreign earnings, the White House said.

U.S. President Barack Obama At present, those earnings are supposed to be taxed at a 35 percent rate, but many companies avoid that through the loophole that defers taxation on active income that is not brought into the United States, or repatriated.

The $238 billion raised from the one-time tax would fund repairs and improvements to roads, bridges, transit systems and freight networks that would replenish the Highway Trust Fund as part of a $478 billion package, the White House said.

The annual budget proposal is as much a political document as a fiscal roadmap, requiring approval from Congress. Given Washington’s current political division, much of what will be laid out on Monday is

unlikely to become law.

Obama’s budget will set a spending target of $4 trillion for fiscal year 2016, including a $474 billion deficit, which would represent a manageable 2.5 percent of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, The New York Times reported on Sunday. The budget also includes $105 million for “trade adjustment assistance” to help workers who have been affected by free trade pacts, it said.

Obama’s latest tax proposals are part of a broad tax reform package that he says is meant to help middle-income Americans.

‘ENVY ECONOMICS’ On proposed tax increases for the wealthy and large companies that are part of that package, Paul Ryan, the top Republican tax writer in the House of Representatives, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press”: “What I think the president is trying to do here is to, again, exploit envy economics.”

Republicans, who took control of the Senate and boosted their House majority after November’s congressional elections, have said tax reform is one area where they hope to find compromises with Democrats and the White House, although Obama’s proposals have so far received a lukewarm reception.

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On the foreign profits proposal specifically, Ryan aide Brendan Buck said in an emailed reply to questions that tax reform should be about simplifying the code and lowering rates.

“If that’s the approach the administration is willing to take, there may be room to find common ground,” he said.

“There won’t be, however, if the president instead tries to sock American businesses with big tax hikes just to increase spending and add even more complexity to the code.”

Tax reform has eluded Washington for decades.

There has been renewed talk about it this year, but consensus is still far from evident.

Obama has already offered to cut the corporate income tax, but he wants to offset the revenue losses that would result by closing loopholes.

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Republican proposals have varied, while generally seeking deeper cuts in the rate and fewer loophole closings.

The White House said that under the new approach to foreign earnings companies would have to pay a 19 percent tax on all foreign earnings as they earn them, while continuing to get tax credits for foreign taxes paid.

After this payment, foreign earnings could be reinvested in the United States without added tax.

The president’s proposal also includes cracking down on corporations that shift profits to tax havens to avoid paying their fair share or undertake “inversion” deals in which they reincorporate abroad to avoid paying U.S. taxes.

The one-time tax “would mean that companies have to pay U.S. tax right now on the $2 trillion they already have

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overseas, rather than being able to delay paying any U.S. tax indefinitely,” a White House official said.

“Unlike a voluntary repatriation holiday, which the president opposes and which would lose revenue, the president’s proposed transition tax is a one-time, mandatory tax on previously untaxed foreign earnings, regardless of whether the earnings are repatriated.”

Corporations have been pushing for years for a tax holiday that would let them repatriate such earnings at a discounted tax rate.

This was tried in 2004 under former Republican President George W. Bush.

Framed as an economic stimulus, the Bush measure did result in a substantial portion of deferred profits being repatriated, but studies showed it did little for the economy.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

I won’t lie or break the law, says T&T security minister PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — “TAKE one for the team.” That’s the request that was made of Minister of National Security Gary Griffith in Cabinet last Thursday in light of the damning witness tampering allegations levelled against Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

Ramlogan is at the centre of a criminal probe, after attorney David West reported to police that six days before he was appointed director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) he was telephoned by the Attorney General and asked to withdraw a witness statement relating to the failed extradition involving Section 34 applicants Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh in exchange for him being selected for the job.

Ramlogan, who piloted the Miscellaneous Provisions (Administration of Justice) Bill in Parliament to deal with matters such as witness tampering, has since denied the allegations.

But Griffith, who is a key

witness in the investigation, has refused to budge insisting that he was “almost set up” and has an obligation to T&T to do what is right to assist in the matter.

Contacted yesterday on the information reaching the Sunday Express, Griffith said: “Collective responsibility and taking one for the team could never include having to lie and break the law.”

Further Sunday Express investigations have revealed that in a desperate attempt to convince Griffith to change his mind, certain Cabinet ministers have approached Griffith’s wife, Nicole Dyer-Griffith, for help to persuade him. Dyer-Griffith is chairman of the Congress of the People.

Dyer-Griffith reportedly refused to intervene in the matter and rejected what was being asked of her.

Contacted yesterday on whether she had spoken to her husband and was in support of his stance, Dyer-Grif-

fith said: “I continue to impress upon him that he needs to do the right thing regardless of the consequences.

“For far too long in this country we have had to deal with people holding public office and people who we placed our trust and confidence in and the public sentiment is that it is very rare that you can find people whom you can trust.

“When you have people that are willing to stand up for the right thing, then you have no choice but to support them.”

As to whether she is aware that Griffith may have his appointment revoked because of his position in the matter, Dyer-Griffith said: “I will support the right thing being done because it is the right thing to do. I will not expect anything different from him regardless of the consequences. I will expect that he will continue to maintain the stance of doing the right thing.”

The Law Association of T&T yesterday joined mounting calls for Ramlogan to step

down as Attorney General forthwith given that he is being investigated into allegations of an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has described the allegations as “very serious and troubling” and is to make a statement on Monday.

Last Friday, Persad-Bissessar vowed that she will do the right thing in dealing with the scandal involving Ramlogan and Griffith.

Telephone records show that Griffith contacted West on December 19, 2014—the same day West filed his witness statement in the Hall of Justice.

It was during that conversation that Griffith told West that he was asked to find out if he (West) had “pulled back a document.”

Griffith was apparently unaware that the document he was referring to was a witness statement until being told so

by West.

West told Griffith that the document was filed in the High Court and he was not going to withdraw it.

Griffith admitted to West that he did not know what document he was told to ask about, the Sunday Express was told.

Details of the December 19 conversation between Griffith and West as well as telephone records form part of West’s statement that was handed over to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams on Thursday.

Telephone records show that Griffith’s call (December 19) to West took place three days after Ramlogan attempt-

ed to contact him twice on December 16.

Phone logs show that the two telephone calls were not answered by West who was in Tobago at the time.

Sunday Express investigations have also revealed that Ramlogan telephoned West after midday on October 31, 2014.

This call to West was the second telephone call registered on his cellphone, from Ramlogan, on the same day (October 31).

Investigations revealed that Ramlogan had telephoned West earlier on the morning of October 31 informing him that he was tipped to head the PCA following the resignation of then director attorney Gillian Lucky who accepted a judgeship in September last year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

The targeting of Amerindian communities NEARING every elections’ year, Opposition Political Parties target the Amerindian communities, attempting to convince them that the Government is neglecting them.

These communities are perceived to be facilitators to shifting the ‘balance of power’ to a Third Force in the local political arena. So, regardless of the well-documented and highly-visible reality that Government has sustained an unprecedented dynamism in the provision of services and social enhancement interventions in Amerindian communities, Opposition politicians and their allies in the media continually attempt to mislead them into believing that the opposite is true.

They do this by obfuscating the facts and presenting false pictures of caring for their welfare, when, in essence, their manipulations and strategising can only lead to a derailment and/ or an inhibitor of Government’s Hinterland development drive.

As in the current situation, where the APA, along with protagonists such as Janet Bulkan, are using nefarious

arguments and strategies to stymie the momentum of Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which will benefit Amerindians in a very tangible way, because it can impel development in Amerindian communities at a highly-accelerated rate.

The APA and Janet Bulkan are supporters of an Opposition Party which they hope will be the catalyst that will lead to the removal of the PPP/C Government at the next General Elections.

This is the nefarious agenda behind their prognostications, strategising, and ostensible caring of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples.

It is a sad reality in this country, and in many other developing nations, that individuals representing funding agencies arrive in the host countries either with pre-conceived ideas from false information fed them by Opposition lobby forces, or, upon their arrival, they immerse themselves in the socialising circuit and, without doing any comprehensive, non-prejudicial ground assessments, they join with individuals and organisations to direct funding whereby monies meant to help

the disempowered and the vulnerable finds itself into the pockets of a few persons who term themselves administrators of skillfully-concocted ‘programmes.’ Whether the representatives benefit in any way, either in cash or kind, is moot, because they are not doing their work efficiently and effectively.

Their prejudice is glaring in the discrimination shown to the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) which, because of its affiliation to the ruling party is denied assistance from funding agencies on the basis that the organisation is a political one.

But there is no organisation that has helped to empower women, especially in the rural communities, as the WPO has done for decades.

Its formation and history of service to the Guyanese poor has been conceptualised and driven by this ideal.

And the argument of its political affiliation is a nebulous one, because there are several politically-linked organisations that have been receiving massive funding from International Funding Agencies and local bodies on the basis that they are helping to,

among other things, curb violence against women (which is escalating), providing counseling services on HIV/ AIDS, unwanted pregnancies, etc., but in reality little is done except that persons who used to stand at corners to catch minibus and live in rented apartments are now driving in RAV-4s and own near-palaces.

On the same basis of political affiliation funding agencies should look at the agenda of the APA and then determine whether it is representing the rights of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples or pursuing the interests of the political party of which it is an arm.

After much effort the Norwegians have recognised the solid case Guyana has to benefit financially from its rainforests through the Government’s LCDS, and, much to the credit of that country, they have acted upon that recognition. The Opposition has gone into a frenzy to deny the first people and other communities the benefits that would accrue from the Norwegian deal by attempting in various ways to sabotage the deal. Why in the name of God would they want to deny the Guyanese

Digicel makes donations to Parkside Steel Orchestra

--also Queen’s College and National Sports Clinic

DIGICEL Guyana on January 29 made several donations to the Parkside Steel Orchestra, Queen’s College and the Ministry of Health’s National Sports Clinic.

The presentations were done at Digicel Guyana’s Headquarters on Fort and Barrack Streets, Kingston, here in the city.

The Parkside Steel Orchestra benefitted from an annual sponsorship cheque from Digicel in support of Guyana’s Mashramani celebrations.

Digicel is one of the major sponsors of the Parkside Steel Orchestra in Guyana’s Panorama Steel Pan Competition.

The Parkside Steel Orchestra was formed in 1998 as an after-school activity for students, and has evolved over the years into a full steel orchestra with more than 40 members, including children and adults.

Digicel also made a do-

nation to Queen’s College Secondary School in support of their participation in the Barbados Relay competition to be held from February 10-15th.

This will assist Queen’s

College in sending three student teams to participate in the relay. Each team has five members. QC participated in this competition from 2005-2011, and in 2011 they walked away with silver and

people badly-needed funds to mitigate the effects of climate change that is devastating our agricultural sector and our hinterland communities, in particular, and the Guyanese nation on the whole?

The United Nations has unequivocally supported Guyana’s Amerindian Act on the basis that Guyana has the second best Indigenous Act in the world, so why is the APA so intent on misinforming the Indigenous people that they are being discriminated against?

The APA’s contentions and the contents of Bulkan’s letter, written a while ago under the caption, “The basic data on which the LCDS ideas are founded are still to be placed in the public domain” belie the fact that, apart from nationwide interactions and consultations the media have been saturated with the LCDS on an almost daily basis.

The PPP/C Government has addressed the issue of Amerindian land rights when no-one else cared, with millionaire logging families

grabbing Amerindian lands and mining companies destroying indigenous survival systems, including vital water sources.

While everyone is pursuing agendas inimical to the welfare of the Amerindian peoples, including funding agencies that support these individual and bodies, the Government continues on its path to provide relief to Guyana’s first peoples and to create systems and programmes that continually empower the indigenous peoples who, for decades before the advent of the current administration, were a marginalised, almost forgotten people in this land.

And while the developmental imperatives of this nation would be greatly accelerated if the Government’s LCDS generate additional income for this country, the Amerindian people’s welfare would always be given priority, because their contribution to the national development paradigm is now being given due recognition and respect by successive PPP/C Governments.

Sports Clinic.

This clinic was in operation some years ago and its re-launch is expected to be

in mid-February this year.

Digicel has committed to donate several pieces of equipment to the sports clinic.

bronze medals.

In addition, to supporting the development of young people through arts and sports in Guyana, Digicel also made a commitment to support the re-launch of the National

Mathematics Head of Department, Ms. Lenise Parker receives a cheque from Sponsorship/Events Manager Gavin Hope as some of the student participants look on

Mr Gavin Hope hands over a cheque to Akhilandan Raghunandan, Superintendent of Physiotherapy (ag) at the Ministry of Health

GTT to soon roll out faster bandwidth speed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

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––for landline Internet users

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

GUYANA Telephone and Telegraph Company on Saturday last announced that landline internet users will experience ten times faster bandwidth speed in the near future but mobile users would have to

wait a bit longer.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GT&T, Radha Krishna Sharma, speaking at the media dinner held at Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Resouvennir, East Coast Demerara, said that 2015 will see many new and improved ser-

vices being offered by the company.

IMPROVED INTERNET SERVICE At the top of that list will be an improved internet service which he said will see customers benefiting from ten times the speed they currently

get at a cheaper price.

“This year, we will continue to further revolutionise our services and our customers’ experiences. In the very near future, our customers will experience the best internet service in Guyana”, Sharma said.

However, the CEO explained that “data customers would not be able to experience this service from any other provider in this country.” He said that mobile phone users would be unable to take advantage of 3G or 4G. He related with a heavy heart that the company has been waiting for years on the approval for this service and the Government has not indicated why the approval has not

been granted.

Sharma said while the telecommunications sector is still to be liberalised, the company has found itself competing on every front.

He said they welcome liberalisation but it must also be done in a manner that is in keeping with the broad development of the sector and will feature policy guidelines. “All we ask for is policy certainty, predictable regulations and even handed treatments,” he said.

He expounded on a topic that he explained is very dear to him. On World Telecommunications and Information Society Day 2014, he noted, GT&T had pointed to the social and economic transformation that the use of

the Internet and other communication technologies could bring to countries such as Guyana.

“We have seen economic activities catapult with the introduction of broadband services such as the emergence of a number of Call Centres and other IT-dependent businesses continue to create significant employment for tech-savvy and innovative youth,” he said.

The CEO thanked all the media operatives present for their hard work over the past year and encouraged them to continue to assist the company in all ways possible. “We are here for the long haul and of that you can be sure,” he emphasised.

CEO of GT&T during his remarks (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

Four in cocaine transaction remanded until Thursday ADRIAN David, Carl Roberts, Fabian Gonsalves and Kevin Gordon were all remanded to prison when they appeared Friday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with conspiring with other persons to traffic 11.150 kg of cocaine on January 28 at Sheriff Street in the city.

The court also heard that on the day in question, Kevin Gordon had in his possession 1.0854 kg of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

The men were not required to plead to the offence since they have been charged indictably.

Assistant Superintendent Steven Telford detailed that on the day in question, members of the Customs

Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were on a narcotics operation at the said location when they observed motor car PLL 9581 parked on the western side of the road with its trunk facing the eastern side, while another motor car, PSS 5168, approached and several exchanges were made. Activities were intercepted by the CANU officers, and a yellow container with the suspected cocaine was found.

The men were all arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department, where the substance was weighed in their presence and amounted to 11.150 kg of cocaine.

The quartet will return to court on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry

CEO of GT&T, Radha Krishna Sharma engaging some of the media operatives at the dinner

Man accused of stealing minibus component placed on $75,000 bail THIRTY-year-old Waydock Bagot appeared Friday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, accused of stealing from mini bus # BNN 5929 a computer black box worth $220,000, the property of Natasha Barnwell.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that the act was committed

on January 25 at Duncan Street, Georgetown.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Michael Grant did not object to bail, and Bagot was placed on $75,000 bail. He will make his second court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Thursday.

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GFS unveils five-year Strategic Plan

THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS) on Saturday last presented its Strategic Plan 2015-2019 at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.

Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee in his address at the event said the GFS Strategic Plan has since been approved by Cabinet and it will serve as a guide for the GFS for a five-year period.

He explained that the GFS is tasked with the implementation of the plan and as part of that change they must embrace it with a civilian arm that is the Strategic Management Department.

NAME CHANGE He stated that given the name change from GFS to Guyana Fire and Rescue Service with its theme “Re-invent, Re-energise, Re-position for Change” they will be acquiring a fleet of ambulances to enhance their humanitarian services with trained personnel.

Rohee also congratulated Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle for his leadership of the GFS in light of the many changes that can be observed through its collaborative work with the ministry.

In remarks Chief Fire Officer Gentle said the plan is a road map and it was conceived after three separate retreats and it will take the GFS to new heights.

He added that they are open to change and the plan will be implemented through team work.

VISION FOR 2024 The document provides the blueprint for the realisation of the GFS’s vision for 2024. It sets out the strategic goals that will be pursued over the next five years and the objectives and initiatives that are intended to facilitate their achievement.

It also offers insights into the critical imperatives that are necessary to promote the successful execution of this first phase of strategy implementation.

Rohee added that the plan draws on experiences accumulated over the years and is the vision formulated to be workable.

He pointed out that the plan has the capacity to take the organisation forward and serves as a companion document associated with PUBLIC SAFETY other branches of the Disci- Minister Rohee and Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle Gentle noted that the plined Services. last Saturday during the presentation of the GFS plan will provide better Rohee noted the Gov- Strategic Plan services in public safety ernment is committed to and it is a welcome change modernisation of the security sector, which includes for the organisation. the GFS. Civilian Consultant Leila Parris, who developed the The Home Affairs Minister pointed out that moderni- Strategic Plan, presented it saturday. sation cannot be viewed by the acquisition of buildings, Among officials at the well-attended event were vehicles and increase of ranks in the GPS but making Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home available the resources and the thought process for Affairs, Angela Johnson, senior GFS officers and change and ownership. others.

Police probing three separate weekend armed robbery, shooting incidents A MINER was shot and injured by two gunmen during a robbery on Saturday night while he was chatting with a friend at Thomas Street, Kitty.

Police reported that Andre D’Abreu, 34, of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown, and another miner, Jason Ramjattan, 35, of Laing Avenue, Georgetown, were chatting on the roadway when they were attacked by two gunmen.

It happened at about 22:00 hours when one of the robbers shot D’Abreu to his left side and then they took away an undisclosed sum of money from his motor vehicle and a cell phone from Ramjattan and escaped.

D’Abreu has been admitted to hospital while investigations are in progress.

Meanwhile, a newspaper vendor was shot and injured during an armed robbery early yesterday morning at Robb Street by a lone gunman who relieved him of an undisclosed sum of cash.

Police said at about 07:20 hours on February 1, 2015,

Warren Accra, 47, of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, was in Robb Street, Georgetown, when he was attacked by a man who was armed with a handgun.

The perpetrator shot Warren Accra to his chest and took away an undisclosed sum of cash and escaped.

Accra was admitted to hospital and police investigations are in progress.

And Gladstone George, 30, of Agricola was shot and injured by four men who robbed him of cash and jewellery at Middle Road, McDoom, on Friday night.

Police reported that at about 19:30 hours, George, a miner, was on the roadway at Middle Street, McDoom, when he was attacked by four men.

Shots were discharged at George, hitting him to his body, after which the perpetrators took away his jewellery and $70,000 and escaped.

George was admitted to hospital and police are continuing investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Contractors threaten legal action against M&CC over nonpayment

PURAN Brothers Disposal Inc. has threatened to take legal action against the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) for failing to make the necessary outstanding payments owed to them for some time now.

This was disclosed by Mayor Hamilton Green during a press conference on Friday last in his office at City Hall.

According to Mayor Green, the contractors ought to and must be paid for their work done in the city.

Green said that this matter originated two weeks ago when the contractors threatened to withdraw their services, which in turn involved leaving Groups 7 (Festival City area) and 8 (Alberttown, Queenstown) without any garbage disposal services.

He acknowledged that after the threats were made the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker intervened and promised MAYOR the contractors that they HAMILTON GREEN will be played.

“Following that threat, Sooba stated that we (the M&CC) refused to sign the agreement to make the necessary payments, but at no time did the Acting Town Clerk, Carol Ryan Sooba seek the authority of the M&CC,” he said.

He stated that the letters signed by the law firm states that an arrangement was made between Puran Brothers and the M&CC. “The M&CC were neither informed nor consulted about the purported agreement set up by Sooba to make the necessary payments,” Green said.

Therefore, he said, the ACTING TOWN CLERK lawsuit should be directed to Sooba in a CAROL SOOBA personal capacity.

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS “Since the advent of Sooba, there have been multiple problems arising, some of which include trouble in the market areas, canals and the general sanitation situation,” he said.

Green stated that there is abundant evidence to prove and support his statement, some of which were even portrayed to members of the media on multiple occasions.

SOOBA’S TAKE Ms Sooba, in her defence, recently disclosed that since there is currently no chairman for the Finance Committee, as stated by law, “it was required to have two finance councillors of the M&CC to endorse the cheques so that payments to the contractors could be made.”

She further stated that the decision by the finance councillors, particularly Gladstone George, not to sign the cheques was not only absurd, but also lacked logical explanation.

Moreover the councillors also refused to sign vouchers for other important services and expenditures which they have outstanding.

Citizens of the said areas will suffer tremendously in terms of garbage disposal unless the payments to the contractors are made.

Attempts to get in contact with Minister Whittaker for a response proved futile. (Navendra Seoraj)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Union still to respond to call to reduce minibus fares ––Subject Minister likely to intervene

THE Small Businesses Bureau has expressed disappointment at the United Minibus Union (UMU) for not responding to its request for a response on whether or not its members intend to reduce fares following the reduction in fuel prices.

This position was advocated Friday by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Small Business Bureau, Mr Derrick Cummings in an invited comment.

Cummings disclosed, “We are disappointed that, so far, there has been no response from the UMU, even though I personally spoke with the President of the UMU, Eon Andrews,

asking for a response or proposal.”

Cummings said that af-

DERRICK CUMMINGS ter failing to get a response from the UMU president

himself, he contacted other members of that body, but that proved futile.

“If we don’t get any acceptable response within a week, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali, will be encouraged or requested to take the matter further,” he said.

Cummings also stated that when the minibus operators wanted a relief because of the hike in fuel and other costs which affected their bottom line, “we met with them and bent over backwards and fulfilled some of their requests.”

He reiterated that the SBB is disappointed that, after a week following the press release, there has

Motorcyclist in Little Diamond accident to undergo fourth operation TWENTY-six-year-old Jesse Gibbs, a motorcyclist who sustained multiple compound fractures to his left leg in an accident with a car at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara in 2013, was on Wednesday readmitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for the sixth time; on this occasion, to have an external fixator applied to his badly broken leg for the fourth time.

An external fixator is a device which stabilises and supports fractured bones. These devices are used in cases where casts would not provide sufficient support to healing bones.

Gibbs claims that the bone in his leg is not accommodating the weight of his body and this situation is rendering it impossible for him to walk. Initially, the metallic bolts were having an adverse effect on his flesh, and so they had to be removed.

External bone fixation is used as a temporary treatment for fractures, or may be used in cases where internal fixation is not possible.

To fit an external fixator device, holes are first drilled into undamaged bone surrounding the location of the fracture. Metal pins are inserted into the holes, and the external fixation device is then fitted onto the pins and adjusted to provide the necessary support for the fractured bone. Most of the fixation device is located outside the body, with only the metal pins coming into contact with the bone (wiseGEEK).

Gibbs was injured on Easter Sunday 2013 when a car driven by an allegedly drunken driver ploughed into the motor bike he was riding, knocking him and his pillion rider about like ninepins in a bowling alley.

Gibbs was found in a clump of bushes at the roadside, while his pillion rider -- after much searching by persons in the area -- was discovered trapped under the car that had

Jesse Gibbs on the hospital bed knocked them. He was spotted just as the belligerent driver had got back into his vehicle and began revving his engine to move the car off. Gibbs said that as the vehicle was about to drive off, the searching men spotted his pillion rider’s hand beckoning them from under the chassis of the vehicle. They raised an alarm and the driver turned off the engine.

The injured men were both rushed to hospital, and Jesse Gibbs has since been in and out of that institution. Notwithstanding, the motorist went away smiling, having paid one of the victims a paltry sum of $200,000, whilst the other victim received nothing.

not been any response in the spirit in which they are accustomed to doing

EON ANDREWS business.

He declared that in

the interest of consumers and the travelling public, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce would have to take the necessary measures to resolve this matter with the UMU. “I think Minister Ali will make a statement very soon as to how we move forward from here, if the minibus operators or union continues to ignore the request and refuse to pass on the benefit of the fuel reduction to the commuters,” Cummings said.

UMU’S RESPONSE President of the UMU, Mr Eon Andrews, in an interview with this publication yesterday, said: “Yes, he (Cummings)

contacted me personally, and I had promised to respond in a timely manner.”

Andrews said the SBB asked for a response in 24 hours, which he stated was not “humanly possible.”

He also said that he and other executives of the UMU, and other representatives of the other groups, met and arrived at a position which he intends to send to Mr Cummings as soon as possible.

“I don’t want to preempt anything, seeing that he asked for it and because it’s also from the Ministry. So it would be unfair for me to say what was that decision until I relay it to him first,” Andrews said.

Essequibo commuters call on Gov’t for ease in fares ––following reduction in fuel cost

RESIDENTS of Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are complaining that they are not benefiting from the reduction in the cost for gasoline and diesel in terms of travelling cost, and are calling on Government to intervene.

Residents said although Government has announced the reduction in the cost of gasoline and diesel some weeks ago, transportation cost in the region still remains the same.

According to one resident the cost to travel from Supenaam to Anna Regina is still $700 and from Charity to Supenaam the fare remains at $2,000. He added that the short drop fare is still $100.

Another resident who travelled via the Supenaam-Parika speed boat service said he asked a captain why the fare is still $1,300 when the Government has announced a drop in the cost of gasoline and diesel. He said the boat captain became annoyed over his question and pointed to a gas station at Supenaam saying, “When da bass over deh drop he price den we gon drop.”

Meanwhile, residents are calling on the relevant authorities to take action to introduce measures so that drivers and operators of minibuses, hire cars and speed boats will comply and reduce their fares so residents can benefit.

In the Pomeroon the cost for trav-

elling with private speed boats is still very expensive despite the reduction in the cost for gasoline. Residents are also calling for a reduction in the fare.

Last week Region 2 Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud, who wants the fare to be lowered, said he had planned to meet with the executive members of the minibus and hire cars association to discuss the reduction in fares. According to the Chairman he waited for the members to turn up at the meeting on Friday but they never came. The Chairman said he rescheduled the meeting for Saturday morning in his office and still the executive members did not turn up for the meeting to discuss the reduction in fares.

BIG-BUS SERVICE Some residents said they are very happy with Government’s announcement that it will reintroduce the big bus service on the road. They said further that the Government must be commended for working in the interest of all Guyanese. Essequibians are also very thankful to the Government for reducing the cost for gasoline, diesel and kerosene. And they are also happy that Government through GPL is seeking to reduce the cost for electricity. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

FFTP donates solar panels to 150 East Bank Berbice households

Region 6 Chairman David Armogan (in white shirt-jac) assists in the distribution by calling out the names of recipients

RESIDENTS of East Bank Berbice who are not recipients of electricity were on Thursday elated after receiving solar panels through the collaborative efforts of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. (FFTP) and the Regional Democratic Council.

The Rural Solar Electrification Project saw the distribution of 150 household solar panel kits to families who lack access to the national electricity grid.

The villages which would benefit are Mara, Plegtanker, Highbury, and Lightown on the East Bank of Berbice and New Forest Village, East Canje.

Fifty-four-year-old Benomie Kesney of Lightown, welcomed the initiative since he cannot afford a lighting plant like some of his neighbours.

“I used a lamp [kerosene]; I worked at the Estate and would do some farming to supplement my income in order to support my wife and two children. I am so thankful for this solar panel,” he mused.

However, Mara resident Ramnauth Ragubar, aged 57, was disappointed as he was unable to grab the opportunity to have lights in his house.

According to him, he was unable to make a donation like his fellow villagers and had gone to borrow the required sum, but on his return the distribution had been completed and he was left without, although his name was listed.

“Mam, me want light. Is a long time. See what you can do,” he reiterated.

In the meantime, Regional Chairman Mr. David Armogan noted that when the President of the St. Francis Community Developers [SFCD], Mr. Alex Foster approached him to discuss the project in relation to Lightown, he along with the Vice-Chaiman Bhopaul Jagroo, sought to have it extended to include the other villages.

He told the gathering at Yonette George’s residence in Lightown, where the distribution began, that while the solar panels could not solve all the problems, it allows lights into homes, visibility for students to study and mobile phones could be charged.

In addition to light, the residents were updated on the status of the East Bank Berbice road project, the development of the drainage and irrigation system and applications for lands.

Project Coordinator, Ms. Andrea Benjamin, who apologised for the absence of her superiors, said since the solar project came on stream in 2011, over 320 families have benefited. The recipients include Bara Cara, an agriculture-based community up the Canje River, also in Berbice. This community, she said, received 200 kits.

However, Benjamin noted that the regional administration played a critical role in providing transportation for the panels which were conveyed from Georgetown to the villages where they were distributed.

In addition to the panels, residents of Lightown were promised a water pump and agricultural tools, so that the community could reach its full potential.

However, SFCD President, Mr. Alex Foster, in issuing a stern warning to the villagers, said the entire village will be blamed, if any one person sells the panel.

“Any other assistance coming to these communities is dependent on how you treat today’s support,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, the 12-volt, three-bulb solar panel lighting sets would have a life span of five years if the user adheres to the instructions. A warning was issued against its use for television and other electrical appliances.

In addition, the solar unit should not be installed on the roof, as holes through the coverings may create leaks.

New Regional Health Committee formed in Region 2 ––to help improve health services to residents

THE Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) administration recently formed a new health committee to better the delivery of health services to residents across the region.

Region 2 Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud, who launched the committee after announcing the names of the members, said he is looking forward for the committee to function efficiently so the delivery of health services can be improved.

The Chairman said the sector performed well last year although there were some minor problems. He commended the Cuban medical brigade at the Suddie Hospital for their hard work and the excellent job they are doing.

The Chairman of the new health committee is Mr. Farouk Khan who is a former MP and Councillor of the Region 2 Democratic Council.

Other members are Chairman of the Annandale- Riverstown NDC, Mr.

Bash Narine, Representatives of Food for the Poor and Lions club, medical superintendent, matron of Suddie Hospital, RDC Councillor Shanta Springer, Nadia Seeram, Sammy Rampersaud, the administrator of the hospital, representatives of the Suddie funeral parlour, the police, trade union, and the Environmental Department, pharmacist of the hospital and Ms. V. Marks.

The Regional Chairman, Vice Chairman or REO can step in any time at any meeting of the committee.

Newly appointed Chairman of the committee, Mr. Farouk Khan said he is happy to be part of the board. According to Khan he served for several years on previous health committees and is not afraid to speak out.

The former MP said he will be working in the interest of the health sector in Region 2 to better the delivery of health care to residents.

(Rajendra Prabhulall)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

UG students hold vigil for ‘dying university’

WHILE many seem comfortable with the prevailing physical conditions at the University of Guyana (UG), a bulk of students, led by the UG Student’s Society (UGSS), on Friday evening held a candle-light vigil for what they say is a “dying University.”

The prevailing conditions at the university ignited the flames within the hearts of roughly 200 students who on Monday stood in solidarity with the UGSS to demand respect for their education, from the university’s current administration.

Simultaneously, staff of the institution on the same day embarked upon a “sitin” whereby they refused to work following what they described as “victimisation” by the university’s administration.

The staff members’ reaction came in response to an imposed workload policy by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Jacob Opadeyi, a refusal to improve their salaries by 68 per cent and refusal to recognise the UG Senior Staff Association

(UGSSA) as a body.

As a result, the decision was taken by the unions, the UGSSA and the UG Workers Union (UGWU) to enforce their demands through this form of industrial action.

At the same time, the UGSS had expressed con-

cerns regarding the delay in commencement of the new academic term. The UGSS body also seized the opportunity to make their demands known by standing in solidarity with the staff and demanding that the council and administration “respect

their education.”

Monday saw just over 100 students dressed in black, led by UGSS President Joshua Griffith, covering a ‘University of Guyana’ billboard with a black cloth which bore the words: “Respect our education #UG

asked to leave because of the idea that a “conflict of interest” would have arisen, the few hundred united students lit their candles and assembled in front the ELT. Singing and chanting echoed through the atmosphere as the students, supported by some of the staff, bowed their heads in disappointment at the conditions which made them conclude that the university is dying.

CJ grants 10 petitioners $3.45M bail

–pending determination of their cases

Students and staff who assembled in front of the ELT with their candles to mourn “ dying university.” (Photo compliments of Splash)

Hand-in-Hand donates food, cleaning and school supplies

––to Children’s Home on Soesdyke/Linden Highway THE Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited, on Thursday, lent a helping hand to “A Sanctuary for Children’s Home” by donating food and cleaning supplies along with school bags packed with stationery.

This is in keeping with various activities planned to commemorate the Insurance giant’s 150th anniversary of providing excellent insurance services to the nation.

The Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire, said it is pleased to give back to the communities, particularly the youths, underprivileged and differently abled.

“A Sanctuary for Children’s Home” is located on the Soesdyke, Linden Highway and operated by

Revolution.”

The student body then made a collective decision to write the VC demanding a meeting of the council by Friday last. This request was respected and as was promised by the VC, the meeting was held subsequent to a protest by the staff outside the Education Lecture Theatre (ELT).

During the highly controversial meeting however, where council members were

ACTING Chief Justice Mr Ian Chang, SC, on Friday granted 10 petitioners bail in the sum of $3.45M, pending determination of their respective cases.

Particulars are as follows: For possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, Barbona Jacobs was placed on $200,000 bail; Klien Delima was placed on $300,000 bail; John Dorridge, $350,000 bail; Jermaine Bristol, $150,000 bail; Larry Holder $200,000 bail; Sessmal Thomas, $500,000 bail; and Misford David, $800,000 bail.

For robbery under arms, Kester Gilkes was placed on $700,000 bail.

For simple larceny, Randolph Ramnarace was placed on $150,000 bail.

And for attempting to commit a felony, Albert De Freitas was placed on $100,000 bail.

Nunber One witness in Hope robbery/ murder freed ––Number Two to know fate today Hand-In-Hand Marketing Representatives pose with Mr. Smith, Mr. Barakaat Wilson and the children of A Sanctuary for Children’s Home Mr. & Mrs. Smith along with a staff. The home came into existence since 2005.

They currently have seven children resident.

At the presentation was a

former resident of the home, Mr. Barakaat Wilson, who is now a 24-year-old University of Guyana student.

Mr. Wilson started living at the home since

he was 14 years old and through the generosity of the Smiths he is now in his final year reading for a Diploma in Computer Science.

SHAWN Anthony Thom, the Number One accused in the Lakeram Bishundial murder, which was said to have been committed at Hope, East Coast Demerara on August 21, 2010, has been freed of the charge laid against him.

Number Two accused, Orin David, called ‘Plait Hair’, will know his fate today when Justice James Bovell-Drakes will sum up for the jury the evidence in relation to David.

Misses Backer and Goodings are prosecuting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Chronicle’s Alex Wayne among TG’s ‘Night of the Stars’ awardees

AFTER a two-year hiatus, the Theatre Guild returned with a bang to host its much-anticipated 2015 ‘Night of Stars Awards’ ceremony with much pomp and fanfare.

And of the over 50 nominees, Chronicle’s Alex Wayne was named among the winners, carting off the Spotlight Award for Consistent Coverage of the Arts for the past five years.

Other media personalities who were awarded at the ceremony were Stabroek News’

Jairo Rodrigues; NCN News Network; Al Creighton; Michelle Gonsalves; Barrington Braithwaite; Petamber Persaud; Hits and Jams Entertainment; and MBCTV. As hosts Russell Lancaster and veteran actress Nirmala Narine set an electric atmosphere, the sizeable audience sat down to a refreshing evening of glitz and glamour.

The talented Keon Heywood opened the show in fine style with a melodious rendition of John Legend’s

‘Are You Out There’.

First up was the Lifetime Awards for persons who have contributed to the welfare of the Theatre Guild for over fifteen years and taking honours in that category were Ian Mc Donald, Bert Carter, and Patricia Liverpool.

In the Memory of Service Awards section (Posthumous Awards given to the families of Guild members who have passed on and were never awarded), were Ulita Anthony and Rosamund Addo.

Hector Stout and the Nitrageet Dance Troupe were named as the Icon of the Arts winners, followed by Gerry Gittens, the Yoruba Singers Band and the legendary Dave Martins.

When the winners were announced for the Starlight Award for Best Non-Guild Mystical Production Staged at the Theatre, the Clemsville Orchestra, CARICOM Secretariat, US Embassy, Embassy of Argentina and the Rotary Club of Stabroek received the accolades.

The battle was raging in the section where groups battled for the Starlight Award for Best Non-Guild Dance Production.

Named in this category were the Crystallite Dance School and National Dance Company’s Vivvienne Daniels.

For Best Children’s Production staged at the Theatre Guild it was the Allied Arts, The American School, and Purple Hearts Production which took top honours.

There were awards also in the category for Most Dramatic Production staged at the facility, and in winners’ row were Drama Queens Productions and Horizon Arts.

For Best Child Production in the past two years it was Dereck Walcott’s ‘Pantomine’ and Mosa Telford’s ‘Sauda’ with the honours.

Chronicle’s Alex Wayne with one of his Entertainment Bombshell fans shortly after winning his award ished the competition as Malcolm Defrietas (A MidBest Female Guild Persummer’s Night Dream) and former. In the male corner Nksoi Layne took the highest Mark Luke Edwards, Sean scores for Best Guild DirecThompson and Keon Yeartor in the past two years. wood took the top three For Best Guild Producavailable spots. er in the past two years, it The event was further was Tashandra Inniss takaccentuated with spectacing the top spot. Costume ular performances by the Designer Neilson Nurse Crystallite Dance Compaand Clinton Duncan were ny, The National School awarded honours for Best of Dance, Nitrageet Dance Guild Designer in the past Troupe, and song diva, Katwo years. tusa Tusi Fraser, accompaKimberly Fernandez nied by the talented Mark and Sonia Yarde demolHall on piano.

Some of the other awardees at the Theatre Guild’s ‘Night of Stars Awards’ ceremony

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

‘Young Bill Rogers’ makes comeback as Reigning Chutney --with ‘Ah Monarch looking for a larki’

Five-time Chutney King, Haresh Singh in action

Bunty Singh on fire with “Facebook larki”

By Rajendra Prabhulall ROGER Hinds of Region 3 has won the National Chutney Competition which was staged Saturday night on the Anna Regina Community Centre ground on the Essequibo Coast with his song, “Ah looking for a larki”.

He first took the chutney crown in the 2013 competition, and reclaimed it this year with a dynamic and entertaining performance that captivated the audience and the eight judges.

The singer was backed by several beautiful girls dancing to the hot chutney music provided by the Shakti’s String orchestra. As he performed on stage, he had some persons in the large crowd dancing and shouting for more.

The new Chutney King of Guyana has won the top prize of $600,000 and a trophy.

In second place is fivetime Chutney Monarch, Haresh Singh with his song “Me best friend getting married and the dulahin ran away on the maticore night”. The former monarch had the large crowd screaming as he made his way on stage to represent Region 2.

Haresh’s performance was well received by the colourful crowd with dancing, clapping and screaming. As first runner-up, he has won himself $400,000 and a trophy.

The third place prize of $250,000 and a trophy went to Bunty Singh of Bath Settlement, Berbice for his en-

tertaining performance of “A Facebook larki”. The young singer, who was the final contestant in this year’s National Chutney Competition, had the crowd screaming and dancing with him as he sang on stage.

He was backed by several beautiful young girls dancing to the rich chutney music.

BEST NEWCOMER The Best Newcomer prize of $115,000 was won

by Halima Khan, also known as “Princess Halima”. Her performance on stage was dazzling, as she wore a white

bridal outfit. Singing “Dulaha dulahin” the singer quickly had the large crowd dancing and rocking behind her with the rich chutney music and hot lyrics.

Appearing first on stage was Harvey Gobin with “Chutney Music”, followed by Wanita Willie with “But Why”.

Harseh Singh appeared third on stage with “ Dulahin ran away”, followed by Sonia Narine with “Guyana Gold”.

The new Chutney King, Roger Hinds appeared as the Number Five contestant, followed by Ravi D Mohan with

Princess Halima Khan in full flow Saturday night “Free Again”. At Number my country”.

Nache”, while at Number Seven was Merissa Deodat Contestant Number 11 was 16 was Damar Singh with [AKS Sexy Merissa] from Anant Hansraj of Florida, USA, “Essequibo massive”. ComNew York,USA with “Ah with “D ring”. Steve Ramphal ing out of New York, USA Pleaser”. Princess Hali- was next in line, singing “Play was Chris Ken with “No ma Khan was the Number days”. Another contestant from Stress” at Number 18, and at Eight contestant with “Du- the USA, J. Lall, was the 13th 19 was Bunty Singh of Bath laha Dulahin”. Dennis That- contestant with “When I was a Settlement who rendered “A paul appeared on stage at little boy”, followed by I Bow Facebook Larki”.

Number Nine with “Niomi Tie of Canada with “Sarah The competition was gal”, followed by the de- darling”. declared open by Region 2 fending chutney champion, Savithri Li was the Number Chairman, Mr Parmanand Pooran Seeraj with “I love 15th contestant with “Bangra Persaud.

Contestants on stage at the National Chutney finals on Saturday night at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground (Photos by Rajendra Prabhulall)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

No-case submission frees Linden murder accused JUSTIN Felix, called Justin Percival, who had been on trial for the murder of Paul Austin, called ‘Coolie’, allegedly committed on July 13, 2008 at Kara Kara, Linden, has been freed on no-case submissions.

The prosecution’s case was allegedly based on an oral confession made by the accused to the police; but at the close of the prosecution’s case, Defence Counsel Mr. Glenn Hanoman, in

association with Attorney-at-law Miss Tanicia Daniels, elected to make a nocase submission, which was accepted by presiding judge, Justice Mr Franklyn Holder.

State Counsel Mrs. Teshana Lake, in association with Mrs. Orinthia Schmitz, had appeared for the prosecution.

Following the jury’s verdict, as directed by the judge, Justice Holder discharged the accused.

Alleged rapist Colin Mack to know fate today DEFENCE Counsel Mr. Peter Hugh, representing Colin Mack, and Prosecutrix Miss Mercedes Thompson both addressed the mixed jury Friday before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara Assizes.

The defence attorney requested the jury to return a verdict of not guilty in favour of his client, while the prosecution exhorted the jury to return a verdict in accordance with the evidence given and the oath they had taken.

According to the prosecution, the ac-

cused took the girl to his home at North Ruimveldt on 10th April, 2009, where he sexually assaulted her against her will; but Defence Counsel Mr. Peter Hugh urged the jury to find that the accused and the girl had been friends for some time, and on the day in question, he had taken her to his home in keeping with an agreement between them.

Justice Singh will sum up the evidence to the jury this morning, following which he would hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.

Bagotstown businessman robbed, injured in Agricola

Monday, February 02, 2015 –– 14:30 hrs Tuesday, February 03, 2015 –– 05:00 hrs Wednesday, February 04, 2015 –– 05:00 hrs

A 35-year-old shopkeeper of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) on Friday night, nursing three bullet wounds, reportedly sustained when three armed men attacked him as he was passing through Agricola, EBD. The father of three was relieved of his wallet containing $60,000, a cellular phone, two gold chains, and two gold rings.

The shots the bandits discharged struck him to the chest, face and shoulder, and he was rushed to the GPHC, where he was treated and admitted for the night.

The matter was subsequently reported to the police, who visited him at the hospital, and took a statement. However, he had apparently taken his own discharge by mid-afternoon on Saturday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Shabazz hails Normalisation Committee as positive development BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Guyana head coach Jamaal Shabazz has hailed

the work of FIFA’s Normalisation Committee, and believes the national team set-up has been impacted positively as a result.

The committee was formed last October by FIFA and continental governing body, CONCACAF and was charged with running the affairs of football in Guyana, following bitter infighting among the Guyana Football Federation, which left the game in turmoil.

Shabazz said yesterday’s friendly international against Barbados at the National Stadium here had been due to the excellent work of the committee so far.

“This is a big moment for Guyana’s football because this is the first friendly international we will be playing in two years,” Shabazz said.

“We’re hopeful. Where we lack is in fitness because there was no football going on in Guyana but we will make up in enthusiasm and commitment.

“We had an eight-day camp and that is the only time we had with the team but the enthusiasm is high with what the Normalisation Committee has brought to Guyana’s football so far, in terms of how they deal with the players, how they deal with the staff and the pathway they are setting forward.”

He added: “I think we can only look at the positives and be very anxious to play this game and put our best foot forward.”

The Normalisation Committee is headed by chairman Clinton Urling and comprises Dr Karen Pilgrim, Tariq Williams, Stuart May and Rabindranauth Chandrapaul.

Guyana impressed two years ago in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign when they played with fervour to reach the final 12 in CONCACAF. However, up against the Central American and Caribbean nations, they ran out of steam and finished bottom of their group, missing out on the final round.

They were disappointing in Caribbean Cup qualifying last year, failing to get out of the first round.

Shabazz said yesterday’s international would provide a great gauge for the side and allow him to properly assess where they’re at.

“We’re not too worried because friendly internationals will tell the truth about where we are right now and we want to go to the highest we can go,” he explained.

“But before we can go anywhere, we want to know where we are and the result from the scoreline will tell us exactly where Guyana is at the moment and this is the truth we want at this stage.”

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Djokovic reigns supreme at Australian Open

By Greg Stutchbury MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic may have garnered a reputation as the crown prince of pranksters in tennis but yesterday he firmly established him as the king of Melbourne’s blue hard courts with his fifth Australian Open title.

The 27-year-old Serb, limping from two slips on court, breathing heavily and battling a “physical crisis”, overcame a fired-up Andy Murray 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0 to clinch his fourth Australian title in the past five years.

It was his eighth grand slam title overall.

He also overcame a slight shift in momentum in the second set when security staff had to remove a group of people, two of whom managed to jump on court but did not get near the players, protesting Australia’s policy on refugees.

“We both, of course, went through some tough moments physically,” Djokovic said. “I went through the physical crisis in the matter of 20 minutes ... end of the second, beginning of the third.

“Just felt very exhausted

and I needed some time to regroup and recharge and get back on track. That’s what I did.”

Since Djokovic won his first grand slam title in 2008 he has compiled a 47-3 record in Melbourne. His reign means he has the record for most Australian Open titles in the Open era, one behind Australia’s Roy Emerson who dominated in the 1960s.

“This tournament by far has been my most successful tournament in my life, in my career. I enjoy playing here, enjoy coming back,” he said.

“Being mentioned in the elite group of legends in our sport is a huge privilege and honour.”

SLIGHT FAVOURITE Despite Murray’s poor record against the Serb - he had lost seven of their past eight encounters - he had arguably entered the final as the slight favourite.

Djokovic had struggled in his semi-final against defending champion Stan Wawrinka, while Murray played superbly to beat seventh seed Tomas Berdych in a tempestuous clash.

Murray’s celebrations in the

victory over Berdych highlighted the raging competitiveness that exists inside the 27-yearold boxing fan as he repeatedly mimicked punching an imaginary opponent into the ground.

Fittingly, Murray and Djokovic were involved in a tense boxing match yesterday, examining each other for any weakness, landing a body blow, taking one themselves, or counter punching as they scrambled around trying to stay alive.

Several times Murray had Djokovic wobbling and down on one knee, ready to be finished off and he knew it.

But the knockout blow never came and Murray felt afterwards Djokovic’s problems on court may have had an element of gamesmanship, lulling him into a false sense of anticipation that he could be on the verge of his third grand slam title.

That gave the Serb the chances he needed, which accounted for Murray’s yawps of anguished pain and lengthy monologues consisting mostly of the Anglo-Saxon vernacular his fiancée Kim Sears uttered during the Berdych semi-final, the video of which went viral on social media.

By the end of the third

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates victory with the trophy. set, after Djokovic had found himself 2-0 down and then won six of the next seven games, Murray’s frustrations boiled over as he slammed his racquet into the ground, causing the crowd to turn on him.

“If someone’s cramping in the final of a slam, with such a long way to go, you’re feeling pretty good

about yourself,” Murray said of Djokovic’s limping at 3-3 in the third set.

“Yeah, maybe, I dropped off for 10, 15 minutes there, and he got back into it.”

The fight appeared gone from Murray and when Djokovic jumped to a 3-0 lead in the fourth, he buried his head beneath a towel, and

while he appeared to metaphorically throw it in, he insisted the top seed had simply thrown caution to the wind.

“He played fantastically well after the first few games of the fourth set. He was going for everything and hitting the lines (and) there’s not much you can do in that situation.”

Gulf in class as Arsenal hit hapless Villa for five

By Tom Hayward LONDON, England (Reuters) - Arsenal climbed above rivals Tottenham Hotspur into fifth in the Premier League and inflicted more misery on a goal-shy Aston Villa with an emphatic 5-0 victory yesterday that fuelled their top-four hopes.

Goals from Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Hector Bellerin helped Arsenal move level on points with fourth-placed Southampton and a step closer to a Champions League qualification spot.

The day got better for Arsene Wenger’s side when a stunning Jonjo Shelvey strike gave Swansea City a surprise 1-0 away win at Southampton who had defender Ryan Bertrand sent off late on.

France forward Giroud opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium in the eighth minute after he was sent clear

by Ozil’s delightful flick before the German added a second with a low finish.

Walcott added a third after a razor-sharp counter attack, Cazorla scored a fourth from the penalty spot after substitute Chuba Akpom was felled by Brad Guzan and Bellerin completed the rout with a wonderfully-placed fifth.

“You could see that mentally for Aston Villa the second goal was a big blow to

them and from then on it became easier,” Wenger told Sky Sports. “They are in a difficult position and certainly they saw at 2-0 it would be difficult for them to come back.

“Overall we needed to be a bit patient because Aston Villa tried to stop us going forward by blocking us very early. You

Theo Walcott could see with time going on we had the chance to go forward and play through their lines. That made the difference.

“We were more direct because they blocked us very high, but when we passed through we always looked dangerous.”

Arsenal have 42 points from 23 games, two clear of Spurs, and trail third-placed Manchester United by a point.

Villa, 16th and without a win since December 7, have not scored a Premier League goal since December 20, a run of six games, and are three points above the relegation zone.

SAINTS LOSE After Manchester Unit-

ed leapfrogged them into third with victory on Saturday, Southampton knew a win against out-of-form Swansea would restore them to the top three.

But the hosts failed to make possession count as they dominated the first half but could not fashion a breakthrough.

The game opened up after the interval, as the visitors started to show some attacking intent against the league’s meanest defence with Shelvey driving forward from midfield and striking a powerful drive against the post.

The former Liverpool midfielder then struck from 25 metres past a despairing stretch from keeper Fraser Forster with seven minutes left.

Sadio Mane nearly equalised for the hosts when he rounded keeper Lukas Fabianski but he saw his effort headed off the line by Swansea captain Ashley Williams and then the rebound cleared by the defender again to secure the first league win since December 26 for the Welsh club.

“We knew we would not have the lion’s share of possession but we had a plan to hold our shape and then break when we could.

Tactically we got it spot on and the boys thoroughly deserved the three points,” Swansea manager Garry Monk said.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Maxwell, Johnson star as Australia win ODI tri-series … Maxwell hits 95, takes 4 wickets

Australia are all smiles after claiming the tri-series trophy in Perth.

(REUTERS) - Glenn Maxwell produced a stellar all-round performance and

Mitchell Johnson returned to terrorise England as Australia clinched the one-

day tri-series with an emphatic 112-run victory over their Ashes rivals

yesterday.

Barely two weeks before the World Cup, the hosts proved their batting depth to recover from 60-4 and post 278-8 with Maxwell (95) and Mitchell Marsh (60) rebuilding the innings before James Faulkner’s late assault.

A rejuvenated Johnson, rested in the group games, then mowed down England top order on a bouncy WACA track, dismissing James Taylor, Moeen Ali and captain Eoin Morgan who left a ball and watched in horror as it pegged back his off-stump.

Maxwell followed up his batting heroics with bowling figures of 4-46 to go with the sharp catch he took to send back Taylor as England collapsed for 166 in 39.1 overs.

Ravi Bopara topscored for the visitors, but his 33 runs were of little significance in an abject batting collapse.

Put in to bat, Australia

Bony shines as Ivory Coast reach last four

By Ed Dove MALABO, (Reuters) - Ivory Coast won the battle of the African Nations Cup favourites, eliminating Algeria to advance to their fourth semifinal in the last six tournaments following a Wilfried Bony-inspired 3-1 win yesterday.

The Manchester City striker scored two fine headers to decide the contest, first meeting a Max Gradel cross in the 26th minute, then powering a Yaya Toure free kick beyond Rais Mbolhi on 68 minutes.

Gervinho added a late third to seal the triumph, which dumps much-fancied Algeria out of the competition and sends Herve Renard’s side through to a semifinal with Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both defences appeared nervy in the early stages, with the Ivory Coast defence failing to deal with an Algerian cross and Gervinho and Serge Aurier going close at

Ivory Coast’s Wilfried Bony celebrates his second goal during their quarter-final soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations against Algeria in Malabo, yesterday.

(Credit: Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh) the other end.

As both sides settled, the Ivorians took the initiative, while Algeria struggled to find a cutting edge to match their superior passing.

The deadlock was broken after a quarter of an hour when Bony, ineffectual in the Nations Cup

until now, met an excellent Gradel cross at the back post to send a bullet header past Mbolhi.

Algerian appeals for offside fell on deaf ears and replays proved that Bony had been comfortably onside, with experienced skipper Madjid Bougherra, for

whom defeat signals the end of his international career, responsible for losing track of his man.

Algeria started the second half brightly and drew level on 51 minutes. Ivory Coast’s defence, belying their improved maturity under Renard, struggled with a Riyad Mahrez cross and El Arabi Soudani hammered the ball home.

Soudani had another fine chance on 66 minutes but forced an excellent save from Sylvain Gbohouo.

But it was Ivory Coast who once again stole the lead, with Bony leaping superbly for his second.

Renard’s side clung on, despite several late scares, before Gervinho’s late third.

The West Africans will now face DR Congo, who beat rivals Congo 4-2 in a pulsating clash on Saturday, in the first semifinal in Bata on Wednesday.

Ghana face hosts Equatorial Guinea in Thursday’s second semi.

were reeling at 60 for four in the 18th over but Maxwell found an able ally in Marsh and the duo added 141 runs in 23.2 overs to prop up the innings.

The hosts lost opener Aaron Finch even before they could open their account and David Warner became James Anderson’s second victim in the seventh over.

In-form Steve Smith, however, batted confidently until off-spinner Ali exhibited his newly-developed habit of claiming crucial breakthroughs.

Smith returned having contributed 40 of Australia’s 60 runs at that stage but the Maxwell-Marsh partnership allayed the fears of a batting capitulation with some aggressive

AUSTRALIA innings A. Finch c Root b Anderson 0 D. Warner c Taylor b Anderson

12 S. Smith stp. Buttler b Ali 40 G. Bailey c Taylor b Broad 2 G. Maxwell c Buttler b Broad

95 M. Marsh run-out (Anderson, Buttler) 60 B. Haddin c Taylor b Broad 9 J. Faulkner not out 50 M. Johnson c Morgan b Finn

3 M. Starc not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-3, w-3) 7 Total: (for 8 wickets, 50 overs) 278 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-33, 3-46, 4-60, 5-201, 6-217, 7-224, 8-269.

Bowling: J. Anderson 10-2-38-2, C. Woakes 10-0-89-0 (w-1), S. Broad 10-1-55-3 (w-1), S. Finn 10-0-53-1 (w-1), M. Ali 10-0-39-1.

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cricket.

Maxwell displayed his wide array of shots -- both conventional and cheeky - in a belligerent knock, bringing up his ninth fifty with a reverse paddle that raced to the boundary.

The right-hander hit four boundaries in a Chris Woakes over before falling to Stuart Broad in the next, while Marsh was run-out soon after, paying the price for a late decision to go for a second run.

That was the third time Maxwell had fallen in the 90s but Faulkner continued the assault on the English bowlers by smashing four sixes, three in the same Woakes over and the other from the final delivery to bring up his fifty in just 24 balls.

ENGLAND innings M. Ali c Finch b Johnson 26 I. Bell c Haddin b Hazlewood 8 J. Taylor c Maxwell b Johnson 4 J. Root lbw b Faulkner 25 E. Morgan b Johnson 0 R. Bopara c Bailey b Maxwell

33 J. Buttler c sub. b Maxwell 17 C. Woakes c & b Maxwell 0 S. Broad c sub b Maxwell 24 S. Finn b Hazlewood 6 J. Anderson not out 5 Extras: (lb-8, w-10) 18 Total: (all out, 39.1 overs) 166 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-35, 3-46, 4-46, 5-71, 6-98, 7-98, 8-130, 9-160.

Bowling: M. Starc 7-0-40-0 (w-3), J. Hazlewood 6.1-2-13-2, M. Johnson 7-2-27-3 (w-1), M. Marsh 7-0-18-0 (w-2), G. Maxwell 9-0-46-4 (w-4), J. Faulkner 2.3-1-11-1, A. Finch 0.3-0-3-0.

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22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

GOA placing emphasis on Pan Am and Commonwealth Youth Games this year

By Michael DaSilva THE Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) will this year be placing much emphasis on the 2015 Pan American Games set for Toronto, Canada in July, as well as the Commonwealth Youth Games billed for Samoa, in the Pacific, during the month of September.

In an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport, GOA president K. Juman-Yassin disclosed that his association will be working collaboratively with the associations that participate in Olympic sports in order to get their athletes `fine-tuned’ for the two upcoming Games.

The former Chief Magistrate said the Guy-

GOA president K. Juman-Yassin

ana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) will benefit tremendously from financial and other assistance.

He said it is important that the local ruggers get full support leading up to the Pan American Games and it is his hope that they do well in order to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Juman-Yassin made a call for the Government of the day to throw their weight behind the GRFU which has done outstandingly over the past few years, winning at the regional and international levels.

According to Juman-Yassin, the GRFU submitted several proposals to the GOA and his associ-

ation has agreed to fund the housing and meals for the Union’s Technical Director as well as pay him a stipend.

The GOA will also be facilitating the team’s preparation in Guyana and also for them to go to Canada to have training and play warm-up matches leading up to the Games.

In this regard, Juman-Yassin said the GOA vice-president, former national players and former president of the GRFU, Noel Adonis, will be liaising with the rugby union.

“We are helping tremendously and I hope the Government will assist the Union for them to qualify for the Rio Olympics,” the GOA head stated.

The local ruggers have

been nominated in six of the 14 categories for national sports awards. They are multiple winners of the North America Caribbean Rugby Association’s (NACRA) 7s title and for the first time they won the NACRA 15s title, defeating Mexico in the final recently, in Mexico.

Former GOA long-serving general secretary Ivor O’Brien has been appointed Chef de Mission for the Pan American Games, while Dr Karen Pilgrim will serve as Chef de Mission for the Commonwealth Youth Games.

According to Juman-Yassin, a long list of athletes for the two Games has already been submitted to the relevant authorities.

Grassroots development the way forward, says Webb BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – CONCACAF president Jeff Webb says development will remain the vision of confederation as the region seeks to build a strong football structure for success at the global level.

He pointed out that several major programmes had already been undertaken at the grassroots level to develop the sport throughout the confederation, and said heavy investment could continue in this area.

“We have to continue

to develop. We have invested heavily in human resources within the development division and that development division is of course focused primarily on grassroots,” Webb told CMC Sports in an exclusive interview.

“We had a club licensing seminar in Miami, we had a women’s symposium at the women’s championship (last year), we now have new standards for coaching education – our ‘D’ licence, ‘C’ licence, ‘B’ and ‘A’ licence of course,

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Jeff Webb and elevating the standard of education. The vision for our

confederation is to educate, develop and win.”

Webb noted that though financial assistance was crucial for member associations, just as important was coaching, education and various age group development programmes.

He said this vision had already taken off in the Eastern Caribbean where a number of initiatives were already being played out. “ We a r e i n v e s t i n g along with our member associations. The financial assistance programme

which CONCACAF gives these member associations is really just a first step because then you continue to partner with our national associations – the associations in the Eastern Caribbean – not only on Under-15 tournaments or Under-15 girls tournament,” Webb stressed.

“But when you look across the landscape and you recognise the investment made by CONCACAF, the investment in coaching education programmes, that unfortunately never existed

before but now of course through our commitment to development, we’re very honoured (to have achieved this).

“We believe that the right track is to invest from the grassroots level. Just like how you build a house from the foundation, let’s develop the youth, let’s give them an opportunity to get to their full potential.”

CONCACAF is the continental, governing body for football in North, Central America and the Caribbean.

Dolphin Speed Swim Club AGM set for February 14 THE Annual General Meeting of the Dolphin Speed Swim Club which was postponed has now been scheduled for February 14, at the Colgrain Swimming Pool, Camp Street.

The meeting, initially scheduled to be held last year November, was subsequently suspended. The meeting is expected to see a report of the club’s developments over the past year and look at the club’s plans for this year.

The club saw substantial growth over the last year with many of its swimmers coming in for consideration, and in some cases being

… Swimmers preparing for CARIFTA selected, for national team duties during 2014. At the top of this list was the attendance of members Janmila Sanmoogan and Andrew Fowler at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Doha, Qatar last December.

Prior to that, four of the club’s swimmers participated in the Pan American Olympic Festival in Mexico in September.

Swimmers were also selected to represent Guyana regionally. Last year August

at the Goodwill Swimming Championships held in Suriname members from the club who represented Guyana were Lejuan Munroe, twins Paul and Partice Mahaica who swam in the 8 and under category, Sekhel Tezdeq (910 boys), Kenita Mahaica (11-12 girls), Lindener Nikita Fiedkou (13-14 girls), and Derrick Ramsaroop.

Sanmoogan was also part of the Goodwill team.

The club attained growth at the coaching level as several of its coaches and offi-

cials participated in the FINA Level Two Coaching Clinic.

Coaches Jaime Skeete and Paul Mahaica were part of the Goodwill coaching team as well as the Guyana delegation to the FINA World Swimming Championships. Mahaica was a member of the IGG swim team, while Skeete was a member of the delegation to the Pan American Olympic Festival.

The Club is looking forward to achieve continued development and success in 2015.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 2, 2015

Wet outfield delays Farfan & Mendes Hockey resumption A WET Bourda outfield forced the Guyana Hockey Board to call off play in the resumption of the 2014 Farfan and Mendes first division Men’s Hockey League, yesterday.

Tw o m a t c h e s w e r e scheduled in the league’s second round – the National U-19s against Old Fort and Hikers against GCC. Instead of play, the nationals used the break to train on the artificial turf to the north west of the world famous venue, under coach

Robert Fernandes.

The league, which was started in the middle of last year, as well as the indoor season, has been affected by weather conditions.

President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes, said the board will finalise dates for the resumption of play during the course of this week.

The GHB last week released its calendar of events for this year.

The 2015 season officially begins with the annu-

al Bounty One Day opening tournament at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on February 15.

It will be followed by the John Fernandes Insurance Services Ltd Second Division League on March 2. The board is also hoping to start a women’s league this year.

The indoor season begins with the Brydens Superclassic at the end of May, followed by the Noble House Goals Galore competition, both fixed for the National Under-19 players train on the artificial turf at the GCC National Gymnasium. ground, Bourda.

Warner Park to host all neutral games BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – St Kitts and Nevis has been awarded all six neutral games in the Caribbean Premier League, organisers have announced.

This comes on the heels of the announcement earlier this week that the country would be also given a franchise for the upcoming Twenty20 league.

The latest move comes as a result of a deal struck between CPL and the St Kitts government, and Sports Minister Glenn Philip said he was thrilled with the development.

“CPL delivers huge benefits to the Federation with

US$26 million injected into the economy during last year’s hosting of CPL, and 65 million fans from around the world tuning in to enjoy the exciting matches. There is no doubt that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis were treated to a fantastic week of entertainment both on and off the pitch,” he said.

“As such, we see the hosting of the neutral games, alongside having our new team, as a massive opportunity for St. Kitts and Nevis, and we are delighted to be welcoming all of the CPL teams to the Warner Park Stadium once again.”

in 2013. It was surprisingly handed a number of matches, including the semi-finals and the final.

CPL chief executive Damien O’Donohoe said St Kitts’ massive success as a venue last season had gone towards the latest decision.

“The hospitality shown there has been nothing short of sensational and the St. Kitts and Nevis CPL chief executive Damien O’Donohoe St Kitts’ Warner Park stadium served as a venue for the first time last year, after missing out in the inaugural year of the CPL

No Hawksbills for CPL campaign this year KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – Antigua Hawksbills will not feature as a franchise for this year’s Caribbean Premier League, CPL organisers announced yesterday.

This follows speculation in Caribbean media over the past week that the Hawksbills would not be part of the competition, especially after St Kitts and Nevis were awarded a franchise.

While no reason was given for Hawksbills’ non-participation, a CPL release said organisers hoped to see the return of the St John-based franchise in the future.

“The St Kitts and Nevis team will take over responsibility for the players from the Leeward Islands and has been permitted to retain any player who played for the Antigua Hawksbills during the 2014 season,” the CPL statement said.

“Whilst it is disappointing that the Antigua Hawksbills will not be part of CPL 2015 it is hoped that the team will return for future tournaments.”

Last week, the Antigua Observer newspaper reported that Hawksbills was one of the teams likely to be dropped, in order to accommodate the new St Kitts franchise.

“What we’ve been told really by the CPL (is) that there have been a number of franchises that do not have owners and are being supported by CPL, and so they’re looking to unload one of those franchises,” the Observer quoted St Kitts Sports Minister Glenn Phillips as saying.

Hawksbills had a miserable season last year, winning just one of their nine games to finish bottom of the standings with two points at the end of the preliminary round.

They also struggled in the opening season in 2013, finishing second from bottom on four points after managing just two wins in seven games.

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels was their marquee player.

St Kitts staged a number of CPL games for the first time last year, including the semi-finals and final.

Government have again shown great commitment and faith in the tournament by agreeing to host the neutral games at Warner Park Stadium this year,” he said.

“Their commitment reinforces our drive to make CPL one of the most successful cricket tournaments in the world. The staff of Warner Park Stadium did

an impeccable job in taking care of the grounds last year, ensuring that exceptional cricket was on display – further cementing its position as a premier location to host not only CPL games, but international matches as well.”

No dates have been announced for the CPL this year but the draft is set for this Thursday.

2015 Mayor’s Cup Football

New Amsterdam through on penalty kicks; Cougars also advance THE upsets continued in this year’s Mayor’s Cup football tournament as matches played at the No.5 Ground in Berbice saw New Amsterdam edge their rivals Monedderlust 5-4 on penalty kicks, while Cougars hammered Rosignol United 4-1.

With the win, New Amsterdam will now play Fruta Conquerors while Cougars will tackle the Guyana Defence Force.

Watched by a vociferous crowd at the venue in West Coast Berbice, Monedderlust and New Amsterdam were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time, forcing the game into penalty shootout.

New Amsterdam had taken the lead after converting a penalty in the 43rd minute but Monedderlust equalised when Jamal Joseph found the back of the net in the 65th minute.

Monedderlust’s Kevin Layne Jr was up first but his shot from the spot was denied by smart goal-keeping from the New Amsterdam custodian.

Delroy Ferdinand then netted to give New Amsterdam the advantage and remained in the lead when Adrian Adams scored, though Monedderlust replied through Henry Watts.

Both Jamal Joseph and Samuel Johnson scored for their respective teams, so too did Kelvin Cottoy and Graham Thomas.

Only needing a goal to stay alive in the match, Monedderlust found their goal off the boot of Atlyn Browne but New Amsterdam scored their kick that saw them advance further in the tournament.

In the opening game of the double-header, after a goalless first half between Cougars and Rosignol, Alvin Reynolds got the go-ahead goal for the eventual winners in the 53rd minute.

Cleroy Joseph made it 2-0 in the 65th minute and it became out of reach for Rosignol when Collis Burnette added for Cougars in the 78th minute giving them a 3-0 advantage.

Sherwin Parris gave Cougars their fourth and final goal of the match while Mark Wronge in the closing seconds of the game scored for Rosignol United. (Rawle Toney)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Shabazz hails Normalisation Committee as Page positive 19 development

Guyana head coach Jamaal Shabazz

Holder opens 2015 cycle season with victory in NSC 40-mile road race

Prize winners of the various categories of the annual NSC 40-mile cycle road race strike a pose with race organiser Hassan Mohamed yesterday.

RORAIMA Bikers’ Christopher Holder opened his account of the 2015 cycling season by winning the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) annual 40-mile cycle road race yesterday on the West Demerara.

The event which was organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed

attracted 51 starters including, seniors, juniors, ladies and mountain bikers.

Soon after the start near the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Alanzo Greaves, in company with Hamzah Eastman and Jamal John, established a sizeable lead but they were sucked in by the

chasing group which included Holder, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Mark Harris, Paul DeNobrega, Michael Anthony and Akeem Wilson.

In the end, Holder outlasted the others to claim the top prize ahead of Anthony, Wilkinson, Geaves, DeNobrega and Harris.

Holder returned a winning time of one hour 44 minutes 06 seconds for the event which got under way at 08:05hrs from the Demerara Harbour Bridge and concluded at the place of origin.

The veterans and the only lady, Toshwana Doris turned back at Uitvlugt.

Doris, by being the

sole lady in the event was judged the winner of the Ladies category.

Williams and Eastman each won two of the eight prime prizes that were on offer, while Anthony, John, Holder and Wilkinson won one each.

Jamal John won the Juniors category ahead

of Raphael Leung and Jaheel Jackson respectively, while Junior Niles won the Veterans category ahead of Talim Shaw and Andrew Spencer respectively.

The mountain bike category was won by Teraj Garbarran. Second was Seon Budhan and third was Garfield Lorimer.

Holder, Welshman on target as Guyana and Barbados play to 2 – 2 draw

Emery Welshman

WATCHED by a large crowd at the Barbados National Stadium, the Golden Jaguars and the hosts played to a 2 – 2 draw last evening.

The Golden Jaguars started with Derrick Carter in goal, Captain Christopher Nurse, Kris Camacho, Dwain Jacobs, Jamaal Smith, Colin Nelson, Sheldon Holder, Emery Welshman, Eusi Phillips, Vurlon Mills and Trayon Bobb.

Holder and debutant Welshman netted for Guyana but the Jaguars slipped defensively and allowed

Barbados to score two goals in the span of three minutes to level the scores in the first half.

The second half, though not as entertaining as the first, saw both teams using up their allotted substitutes but it didn’t converted into more goals.

Prior to their departure, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz said that losing was not an option, but, it is not yet known how the Trinidadian will call this game.

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Sheldon Holder MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2015