Guyana chronicle 03 02 15

GUYANA No. 104058 SATURDAY JANUARY 3, 2015

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

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President says…

Clear demonstration of confidence in Amaila Hydro Power Project from partners

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‘We will break new ‘development ground’ in 2015’ – President assures

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Following holiday accidents…

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Police adopt no nonsense campaign against tinted vehicles Page

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GRA satisfied with revenue collected despite challenging $135B target Page

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Agro-processing factory to come on stream in Pomeroon

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‘Las Vegas’ at our own Palm Court

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GECOM commissions new $15M office at Charity Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

President Ramotar and First Lady usher in New Year at Camp Ayanganna

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar ushered in the New Year, witnessing a dazzling display of fireworks that illuminated the sky over the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) base Camp Ayanganna on the stroke of midnight.

The Head of State, and his wife, were joined

by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, his wife Yvonne Hinds, and senior government, military and joint services’ officers who gathered with their spouses, at the Officers’ Mess for the Force’s Old Year’s Night ball. After witnessing the stunning fireworks display from their vantage point at the Officers’ Mess, the First Couple stopped in at the

Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Ball in the same base. That ball was a hive of activity and the president and his wife took the opportunity to show their moves to several popular songs, much to the ranks’ pleasure.

The First Couple was then whisked to the Guyana Police Force’s Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary, where, along with Prime Minister Hinds and his wife, they interacted with senior ranks and danced.

After spending close to an hour at the police headquarters, the president and his wife visited several of the parties being held at popular night spots, enjoying the scene until the wee hours of the morning with other partygoers. (GINA)

President Donald Ramotar, First lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips, Mrs Phillips and Senior Guyana Defence Force Officers dancing on Old Year’s night at Base Camp Ayanganna, Georgetown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

Clear demonstration of confidence in Amaila Hydro Power Project from partners President says…

THE Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project (AFHP) is moving forward and development partners’ continued support is a clear demonstration of confidence in the project’s merits, according to President Donald Ramotar.

“Within months, we (the current administration) expect to achieve financial closure and commence construction, and this project will come into operation during our new term in office,” he disclosed in his New Year’s address to the nation.

The announcement follows last October’s promised transfer of an accumulated US$80M in payments from Norway, US$45M released in 2013 and US$35M released last October, to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which would be used as Guyana’s equity contribution to the Government’s AFHP. These monies, the Head of State announced on Wednesday night, have been transferred and represent a significant accomplishment for Guyana and by extension the Guyanese people.

“The project is once again moving forward… it demonstrates that all partners have strong confidence in Amaila,” he said.

The transfer of the monies to the IDB follows a clear indication of support for the project from the Bank last August, where the organisation made it clear that it was “still on board” for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

Mr. Ramotar stressed that AFHP is high among his administration’s “priorities” of development projects for Guyana. “(It will) ensure the achievement of more affordable and more reliable en-

“(It will) ensure the achievement of more affordable and more reliable energy.

The time for realising this dream is long overdue. Unreliable and unaffordable electricity continues to be the biggest impediment to investment and job creation in Guyana.” – President Donald Ramotar ergy. The time for realising this dream is long overdue.

Unreliable and unaffordable electricity continues to be the biggest impediment to investment and job creation in Guyana,” he said.

The President was emphatic in his assurance that his Government will deliver the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project and its “attendant” benefits to the Guyanese people.

“For too long, Guyanese have looked forward to harnessing our country’s vast hydropower potential,” he said.

CONSISTENT POSITION Mr. Ramotar’s consistent position on the matter is that economies must serve the people, not vice-versa, and with an expected saving of $9B in electricity subsidies, as well as savings on the $40B fuel bill, enormous contributions can be made to the infrastructural development, which is particularly needed in Guyana’s hinterland to aid and accelerate economic progress.

Slated to be this nation’s most ambitious undertaking, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of West Central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong Rivers meet. Electricity produced there would be delivered to Georgetown and Guyana’s second largest town, Linden.

The allocation of $1.3B for the provision of the Amaila access road and related structures was effectively given the green light from the Parliamentary Committee of

Supply, in its review of the Ministry of Public Works 2014 budgetary allocation, in April last year.

When the vote was put the Members of Parliament (MPs), from the Government voted in support of the Ministry’s capital expenditures, which included the Amaila project, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) voted no and the Alliance for Change (AFC) abstained.

It was this abstention that allowed the project to go through.

However, on July 18, 2013, the combined Opposition in Parliament defeated the Hydroelectric Power (Amendment) Bill in the National Assembly, and in August the Government took the legislation back to the House and received the backing of the Alliance For Change (AFC) but A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) voted down the bill and motion.

ENDORSED Additionally, the poten-

tial benefits of a more stable and reliable source of energy through the advancement of hydroelectricity was also targeted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), last December, as an area for continued focus.

The IMF has been joined by several other regional bodies that have underlined the benefits of hydropower in Guyana.

Also, last September the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, at the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) 35th meeting of the Region’s Heads, underscored the renewable energy potential of Guyana.

The President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Warren Smith, at the Bank’s 44th annual meeting in the latter part of May 2014, noted that the possibility of Guyana being able to export surplus hydropower to the Caribbean, as well as the potential benefits for the local economy.

Chairman of the Private

President Donald Ramotar

Sector Commission (PSC), Ramesh Persaud, has also been vocal on the issue and recently called for the development of Guyana’s hydropower capacity, particularly given that cheap energy supply can increase Guyana’s competitiveness in the several emerging sectors, since it is more economical to establish

“energy farms” as compared to paying “significant costs” for fossil fuels.

Other major organisations, including the Organisation of American States (OAS), have publicly stressed the need for a shift in the energy paradigm to initiatives that are more sustainable.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

U.S. slaps more sanctions on North Korea after Sony hack (REUTERS) - NORTH KOREA was hit with more U.S. sanctions on Friday in response to what Washington said was

its role in a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, the White House said on Friday.

The White House said the cyber-attack was an attempt by North Korea to restrict free expression (BBC News photo)

Tangun Trading Corp, are both linked to the North’s weapons program and had been sanctioned previously. [ID:nL1N0U31WV ] The 10 North Koreans named in the new sanctions worked for the two companies. Although Washington said the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the military intelligence service, ran the North’s cyber operations.

The 10 were not part of the North’s top leadership.

Pyongyang has been sanctioned by the United States since the 1950s and those measures have been tightened in the wake of the country’s three nuclear weapons tests.

While sanctions have had a major impact on the economies of Iran and Russia, their effect in North Korea has been limited because of the North’s isolation from the world and the small size of its economy.

Despite sanctions, Pyongyang has pressed ahead with its nuclear program and has repeatedly threatened to retaliate against what it terms provocations by South Korea and the United States.

Search teams battle rough weather in hunt for AirAsia wreck

Oil declines in thin, volatile trading (REUTERS) - GLOBAL benchmark Brent crude oil closed down nearly a dollar a barrel Friday after a day of choppy trading despite expectations of new investments in the new year, as strong mid-day rallies in crude fizzled.

Brent was down 91 cents at $56.42 a barrel.

Earlier, it touched a post-2009 low of $55.48, having averaged around $110 a barrel between 2011 and 2013.

Front-month U.S. crude for February delivery settled down 58 cents a barrel at $52.69, before a steep 50-cent drop post-settlement.

The U.S. dollar index was 0.9 percent stronger on Friday. The combination of the supply glut and the strong dollar has been a “double whammy” for crude oil prices, said Walter Zimmerman, chief technical analyst at United-ICAP. “This is a long-term cyclical downtrend,” Zimmerman said. “It’s going to take a while for prices to fall low enough to cut off that excess production.”

Low trading volume also made the market vulnerable to knee-jerk reactions.

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is suffering from pneumonia and temporarily needed help to breathe through a tube on Friday but the procedure was successful and his condition was now stable, the royal court said.

The sanctions named three entities, including the country’s military intelligence agency, as well as 10 North Korean government officials, among them individuals working in Iran, Syria, China, Russia and Namibia, according to the Treasury Department. here Senior administration officials said after the announcement that the entities and individuals were not directly implicated in the devastating hacking, which led Sony to pull screenings of “The Interview” after top U.S. movie chains refused to show it owing to security concerns.

The movie is a comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco as journalists recruited by the CIA to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The White House said, however, that the Reconnaissance General Bureau, an intelligence arm of the North’s powerful military, was linked to its cyber warfare capacity.

The two companies, Korea Mining Development Trading Corp and Korea

(REUTERS) - SHIPS and aircraft criss-crossed the seas off Borneo on Friday hunting for the wreck of an Indonesia AirAsia passenger jet, but bad weather again hindered the search for the plane and the black box flight recorders that should reveal why it crashed.

An official said 30 bodies had been recovered, along with pieces of the broken-up plane, in the Indonesian-led search for Flight QZ8501 that is concentrated on 1,575 square nautical miles of the northern Java Sea. Strong winds and heavy seas have stopped divers from looking for the fuselage of the Airbus A320-200, which plunged into the water on Sunday while en route from Indonesia’s secondbiggest city Surabaya to Singapore with 162 people

on board.

“Waves were between 3 and 4 meters today, making it difficult to load bodies onto ships and between

ships,” Fransiskus Bambang Soelistyo, head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, told reporters in Jakarta, adding that some vessels would

search through the night. “ To n i g h t w e a r e sending tug boats which should make the (body) transfers easier.”

Some wreckage from the Airbus 320 has been retrieved, but the fuselage is still missing (BBC News photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

Maduro tells Biden United States ‘must respect Venezuela’

Mr. Maduro talked to Mr Biden after a bilateral meeting with Ms Rousseff at Brasilia’s Planalto Palace

Mexican female bullfighter Karla de los Angeles gored (BBC NEWS) MEXICAN bullfighter Karla de los Angeles has been injured in a bullfight in Mexico City.

Ms de los Angeles was going in for the kill during Sunday’s event when the bull tossed her over its head.

The bullfighter continued the fight after being attended to, but during a second attempt to kill the 495kg-animal (1,090lb), it gored her again.

She suffered two cuts of 12cm (4.7 in) and 10cm in length to her thigh and gluteal muscles.

The bull, called Gamusino, also gored assistant Federico Dominguez who tried to help Ms de los Angeles in the world’s biggest

bullring, Plaza Mexico.

A spectator was also injured when the fourth bull of the afternoon jumped the wooden barrier surrounding the bullring.

Bullfighting is a male-dominated sport, but there have been women bullfighters for centuries.

In Spain, women were banned from performing as matadors - those who kill the bull on foot rather than from horseback - for decades under the regime of General Francisco Franco.

The ban was lifted after Gen Franco’s death but to this day there are few professional female bullfighters either in Spain or in Latin America.

Karla de los Angeles was gored twice by the bull Gamusino

(BBC NEWS) VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro has said he demanded respect from the United States during an encounter with Vice-President Joe Biden in Brazil.

Mr Maduro and Mr Biden met briefly after President Dilma Rousseff’s inauguration ceremony in Brasilia.

“I have demanded this time what we had demanded from the US 1,000 times before: a relationship based on respect, nothing else,” said Mr Maduro.

Last month the US imposed sanctions on high-level Venezuelan officials.

There is room for everyone in Latin America, and the Americans must understand that”

The bill targets current and former Venezuelan officials who directed “significant acts of violence or serious human rights abuses against persons associated with the anti-government protests in Venezuela that began on 4 February”.

‘Respect diversity’ Mr Maduro said he met Mr Biden after coming out of a bilateral meeting with Ms Rousseff at the Planalto presidential palace.

He described the meeting as “cordial and respectful”.

“We have a government in Venezuela that complies with international law and is appreciated and supported by the whole continent,” Mr Maduro told journalists.

Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff sworn in for a second term (BBC NEWS) BRAZILIAN President Dilma Rousseff has been sworn in for a second term.

In her inaugural address, Ms Rousseff, 67, vowed to extend social welfare programmes that have lifted millions out of poverty.

She also promised to investigate a major corruption scandal involving state-run oil company Petrobras.

Ms Rousseff, a left-wing

economist who was arrested and tortured under military rule, was re-elected by a narrow margin in a run-off vote.

Thousands of Ms Rousseff ’s supporters turned up for the ceremony in the capital, Brasilia.

Many were wearing the red colour of Ms Rousseff’s Workers’ Party (PT), which has been in power since 2003.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

Guyana Editorial

Easy money, quick death THE proliferation of criminals preying on citizens all across the country can be attributed to an entitlement and dependency syndrome, whereby the predators and their families and spouses are convinced that those who are better off than they are owe them a lifestyle in like manner that their victims enjoy.

This conviction has driven criminal actions that left tragic consequences to families, many of whom never recover from the unspeakable horrors they endured because perpetrators with no intention to work to achieve decided to wrest, by force, the hard-earned money and possessions of their victims.

Related also to criminal activities is the drug trade, through which persons who become addicted to the illicit substances crave their fixes so badly that they end up stealing – anything from anyone, to support their habit.

Recently it was reported in this newspaper that three men were arrested after they attempted to abduct a Diamond, East Bank Demerara woman following a drug deal that went sour.

Based on information received, the three men went to the home of the woman accusing her of squealing on them in relation to a shipment of drugs that was destined for the United Kingdom.

The drugs were reportedly seized by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in Diamond a few months back.

At the home of the woman, the men reportedly discharged a round forcing her to enter a car after which they drove from the scene. The Police were contacted and the car was intercepted at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

During the successful operation, the Police recovered a 9mm pistol and one matching round. The three men and the

woman are in Police custody assisting with the investigation.

The three kidnappers were lucky that none of them was killed or seriously injured when they engaged the police in a gun battle: And their kidnapped victim was saved maybe from a torturous death.

Another report, even though unconfirmed, stated that the brother of notorious criminal Shawn Browne, who was on Police radar for quite a while, was apprehended by Police in Sophia, Greater Georgetown following a high-speed chase.

He, along with an accomplice, was arrested moments after he committed a robbery on Sheriff Street.

After the robbery, Police reportedly responded promptly and gave chase behind the two men who were in a Toyota Raum motor car registered to a Veronica Nobel of Republic Park, East Bank Demerara.

During the high-speed chase, the driver

of the car lost control and crashed into a nearby trench.

There are many persons who never worked a day in their lives who today own luxury vehicles and palatial, well-furnished homes in highly residential areas; and one wonders why, if these persons are proven to be criminals, these possessions are not seized, especially in the case where the vehicles are registered to third parties, whose reward may be a percentage of the spoils of the criminal forays. In any case, investigations should be conducted into the source of the money used to purchase the vehicle and/or properties.

Criminals like Shawn Browne lived by the gun because he coveted what others had earned the hard way, but he never lived to enjoy the fruits of his crimes. Rather he died by the gun.

Others of his ilk are heading for the same fate.

Let the national healing begin!

GUYANA’S evolutionary historical political matrix has produced two political “boxes” – the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) and the Peoples’ National Congress (PNC).

The PPP Box representing the expected norm of Indian Guyanese conduct in matters political and social. Similarly, the PNC Box representing the expected norm of African Guyanese conduct in matters political and social. And into these boxes have our people dutifully marched in accordance with each respective established paradigm. I need not catalog here the resulting sad chronicle of internecine racial conflicts, and their consequences, that have visited our beautiful Guyana because of these two “boxes.”

From the perspective of this writer, neither the PPP nor the PNC are racist political parties per se. But their having established boxes, an unintended consequence inevitably followed – national polarisation along racial lines.

And we have now reached a point in our history where enlightened leaders and supporters in each box realise that the way forward for a prosperous Guyana future lies in the breaking down of the partitions of racial animosity that have separated Guyanese, and the forging of bonds of unity, and mutual respect and appreciation.

But there is a problem for these enlightened men and women in both parties – how to get out the boxes into which they have placed themselves and others? For any enlightened “Lone Ranger” who stands up in one of these boxes and dares to suggest seeking harmony, unity, and a practical working relationship with the occupants of the other box would be immediately shot down by their programmed associates and accused of betrayal – or worse!

It is time for the emergence of a mechanism that provides a safe way out of these boxes for the daring leaders and their supporters who want to bring about a healed and unified Guyana. It is time for

the emergence of a Guyana Integration Movement – not a new political party, but an organic body, a group of catalytic individuals: a movement with a singular objective – the integration of a racially divided Guyana.

Guyana possesses women with the leadership capability and caliber – intellectual and intestinal – necessary to lead this movement of integration and national healing. All mothers in Guyana – African Guyanese and Indian Guyanese – want the same things for their children.

They want them to have a good education; enjoy good health; have opportunities to fulfil and realise their ambitions and potential; live in an environment free from fear and violence. Indeed, “If mothers ran the world, they will not send their sons and daughters into battle.”

And if mothers took political charge in Guyana, they will not send their sons and daughters out to kill and rob people just because they are of another race; they will not engage in spiteful political actions

while Guyana’s development languishes.

In fact, if mothers took political charge in Guyana the tone of our national life and our economic development will be dramatically transformed for the better – for they will put the interests of Guyana’s children first, instead of engaging in juvenile schoolyard political bullyism.

You see, mothers, more than anyone else, know that the future of their children is inextricably bound up with the present and future development of the nation.

All mothers and all women of Guyana, this your challenge: Step forward, take hold of the banner of leadership, shake up the Guyana body politic, and initiate this National Integration Movement.

The feminine energy is now ascendant all across Planet Earth. This is your time.

Take charge! And let the national healing begin!

Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan is your inspiration!

WILBERT M. STEPHENSON

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

Corruption is encouraged by the Opposition parties in their own camps AS a concerned Guyanese I am against corruption in any form or manner. Tons of letters and claims surface everyday about corruption in Government and/or

by Government functionaries and it would certainly be in the national interest if those who claim would filter hard evidence to independent bodies (Diplomatic Missions, the Police, the DPP, Opposition Lawyers, etc.) so that tangible action can be taken

against these evil doers.

Perception and hearsay cannot stop them.

Putting them behind bars may.

But those very persons, including lawyers, who bawl corruption have not ONCE pinpointed the elements which can constitute a charge for these corrupt acts - not Human Rights, not Transparency International, not Rose, not Singh, not Kissoon, not anybody.

Screaming about corruption doesn’t help; do

THE ETHIC OF EMPIRE A WELL-KNOWN adage states that you cannot squeeze blood from a stone.

You cannot squeeze honesty out of dishonest men. That is why Charlie Brown, the child citizen, is always being tricked. He keeps believing, belief beyond belief, that the ball will be there, some day, some time, when he kicks; but it is always pulled away.

He still cannot believe that it is possible that some people are tricksters, not once, twice, fifteen or fifteen thousand times; but every time. In this world of ‘yanked balls’, probability theory does not function. Charlie Brown will never be ever really given a real chance to really kick the ball.

That is one of the reasons why the indigenous populations of the Americas were conquered by the European conquistadors.

They did not understand the concept of the forked tongue. And if they did, they could not quite grasp, how, despite the most earnest entreaties from this forked tongue - despite all the treaties, agreements, promises – the tongue always kept being forked. This is because the tongue was forked. It could not help being forked. Being forked is part of an incipient strategy for survival and conquest, like a Darwinian protuberance.

This practice of pulling back the ball is routinely applied by the Anglo-

American Empire in its dealings with all of its chosen enemies.

A history of its relations with Cuba, Iran and North Korea, for example, quite clearly shows this. Its ‘iron-clad’ dealings with these ‘recalcitrant’ nations are soon undermined by the eddying, scouring underwater sand of betrayal. Whatever its rhetoric, its bargaining position at the table - its ‘every option is on the table’, ‘no option is off the table’ grammar - at the end of the day, in the final analysis, the Empire will betray. Empire will be itself, will be Empire.

Let us look at the single instance of Iran, a nation with whom it is now pursuing goodwill. The Anglo-American Empire imposed monarchic rule in Iran in the 1920’s.

It gave a single family, a dynasty, to rule over the lives of a complex body of diverse social and ethnic groups. From the beginning this Pahlavi Dynasty, the Kingdom of the Shahs, the line of King of Kings, was out of touch, literally and figuratively.

When, in the 1950’s the monarchy was challenged by the democratically elected Mohammed Mossadegh, and the Shah of Iran chose retirement rather than fight, the US tried its best to prod the monarch back to his throne. The Anglo-American Empire, using the CIA, overthrew Mossadegh and re-installed the Shah. Mossadegh was jailed, in a classic

something about it!

And while we are at it, isn’t stealing electricity an act of corruption? Several areas populated by supporters of the main Opposition do not pay for electricity or water. They steal it. And many lives have been lost because of this type of corruption. But that is no big deal. We never hear all the saintly stalwarts against corruption including these brazen acts

within their definition of corruption. GPL and GWI and the nation lose billions through electricity and water theft, but that is okay.

Corruption is good in one camp but not in the other - clearly a case of fish of one and fowl of another. Is there a deafening silence?

act of ‘regime change’.

The Shah became a full-fledged puppet, ever dependent on the US for intelligence, arms, training for his SAVAK, his oppressive secret police. He was given assistance to start his nuclear programme. He relied on the banks of the Empire for vaults to stash gold and billions of dollars.

In the face of popular uprising, the Khomeni Revolution, in the late 1970’s, the Empire tried its best to keep its puppet.

They tried their best to persuade France to keep the future Ayatollah, who had been exiled by the Shah, out of Iran. When they did not get this they tried to get the Iranian army to take power. When they did not get this, they tried their best to incite popular revolt, put another puppet.

When they did not get this they imposed sanctions. When this did not work, they supported a genocidal war by Iraq against the Revolution. The UN Security Council, dominated by the Empire, refused to call on Saddam to end this unprovoked war; and to condemn his use of chemical weapons.

Today the U.S. is engaged in détente, with Iran, Cuba, and they hope, North Korea. Ironically, in the case of Iran, after engineering a fatal collapse of states in the Middle East, and bringing utter ruin and fragmentation, unleashing the Pandora’s Box of ‘terrorism’, ‘fundamentalism’, aspirations to ‘Sharia Rule’, the Empire has now chosen Iran as their bulwark.

Have they given the wink and nod to Iran to enrich uranium?

With the absence of Chavez in

Venezuela, and the decline of Fidel Castro, they hope to neutralise both these states, with goodies from the American basket of capitalism: ‘free market’, consumer products, global banking, liberal trade and ‘democratic’ institutions.

They are also softening up North Korea for the kill. Chick flicks and gadgets.

Why is the ball being offered for these three nations to kick? It is being offered to further larger geo-political objectives. The Empire is securing peace to establish control, dominance and war in the greater Americas, the Middle East and the Pacific, from the Sea of China to South East Asia. In time, these gestures of goodwill will be yanked away.

Leaving these nations exposed, scourged, violated. This is the ethic of Empire. Sadism. Offer the ball and pull it back, pull it back and offer it. Persuasion, goodwill, demonisation, carrot and stick, gunboat diplomacy.

The planet has enough resources to sustain a Global Village. Good food, health, housing, education, transport, trade, moderation, connectivity. Peace and prosperity. Corporate success and co-operation. But the planet cannot sustain Global Empire. The Empire’s ambition is for overvaulting, overreaching, long-trajectoried control; agglomeration, amassing, grasping and excess; the filching of fortune.

Resource wars. The Empire will always yank back its ball, betray the Village.

VISHAL DASRATH

WAYNE KUBLALSINGH

Jagdeo’s appointment as Head of Commonwealth Observer Team for Sri Lanka Elections I WAS delighted to hear the news that former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has been appointed head of the Commonwealth observer mission for the Sri Lanka’s elections. This is at the invitation of head of the Sri Lanka Elections Commission, Mr. Mahindra Deshapriya.

Dr. Jagdeo has never been given his due for the many developments he brought to this country during his tenure as President. He was instrumental in pushing for the University of Guyana campus at Tain, bridging of the Berbice river, consolidating the many infrastructural developments introduced by the PPP such as roads, water, electricity,

overseeing the building of a stadium at Providence (which meets the criteria for hosting international matches); championing the cause for a cleaner environment through his reduced carbon emission programme for which he has been globally recognised, and many, many more.

His critics are focusing their attention on the limitations of his Government and conveniently ignoring his many stellar achievements. It is quite instructive that Dr. Jagdeo has been recognised and awarded for his achievements by other countries around the world. This speaks volumes of his integrity and capabilities.

It is very unfair and scandalous that Dr. Jagdeo was labelled as an “ideological racist” by a particular media house and one of its controversial columnists, when he (Jagdeo) has reached out to Guyanese of all races, colour, religions, and social and political persuasions. It is indeed an injustice and travesty to accuse such a dynamic and inspirational leader of such a cruel thing. However, Dr. Jagdeo has remained steadfast to his goals and aspirations and he is being recognised by yet another country. Some people in our country may not want to accord

him with the necessary dignity and respect that a former President deserves but he is moving on with charisma and humility. Keep up the good work, Dr. Jagdeo! As my former Principal said to a few of her teachers who were disrespectful to her, “Even if you don’t respect me, at least respect my office.” This was quite instructive to me. Guyanese must respect their leaders, irrespective of who they are. At least, respect the ‘Office of President.’

RAKESH SINGH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

‘We will break new ‘development ground’ in 2015’ – President assures PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar’s said his administration will continue to break new “development ground” with financing aid that has been mobilised in an innovative way, via the widely lauded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The assurance came from the Head of State himself in his New Year’s address to the nation on Wednesday night.

“In order to provide increased social and economic benefits to our citizens, we have taken innovative approaches to mobilising development financing,” he said, referring the fact that Guyana took the pioneering lead in trading carbon credits.

Mr. Ramotar added: “… the earnings (we have received) are being invested for both the social and economic betterment of all Guyanese.”

In 2014, under the LCDS,

25 Amerindian communities received full disbursements for their Community Development Plans totalling $125M. In September, the next phase of this initiative was launched and is supporting development in an additional 161 communities, with an investment of over $1.2B. Also, under the LCDS, resources are also being dedicated to the land titling process so that more Amerindian communities can have title to their lands.

NEW PROJECTS Among the new developments scheduled to be launched in 2015 are initiatives targeted at flood prevention dealing with both coastal community drainage systems and the larger conservancies.

Also on the cards is a move to “catalyse” the ecotourism sector through several interventions, which

will allow more Guyanese to fully take advantage of the country’s natural and cultural assets.

“We will advance work on a Biodiversity Centre that will showcase Guyana’s unique biodiversity to the world and to our school children, some of whom have not had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the interior,” Mr. Ramotar said.

He added that investments in physical infrastructure programmes will continue, particularly considering the potential in this area for the creation of critical jobs and for improving the lives of the Guyanese people.

“With a renewed mandate, my Government pledges to sustain and build on the gains we have already made as a country,” the President stressed.

Guyana is one of the very few countries in the

world that is receiving compensation for the sustainable management of forests under Low Car-

bon Development Strategy and partnership with the Government of Norway.

This year, Guyana received

its fourth payment under this partnership, bringing the total earned so far to US$150 million.

Nation’s cyber security unit boosts capacity – as GPF awaits international accreditation-a prerequisite for DNA testing

By Gary Eleazar Guyana’s National Computer Incident Response Team (NCIRT) continues to boost its capacity in order to shore up the nation’s ability to confront cyber-crimes as the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Forensic Science Laboratory pursues international accreditation in order to undertake DNA testing.

The announcement was made on Wednesday last

by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who lamented the hue and cry by critics, over the current inability of the Forensic Laboratory to do DNA testing.

According to Rohee, the Ministry is currently ensuring that the relevant mechanisms are in place to facilitate ISO Certification and international accreditation.

“These are all pre-conditions to having a facility that conducts DNA testing,” Rohee.explained.

He was at the time addressing the rank and file of the Guyana Police Force as well as members of the diplomatic community at its Officer Training Facility on the sector’s performance over the past year as well as its projections for the coming year.

Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee

“Work is being done to finalise the Quality Control, Safety and Analytic Testing Systems in accordance with International Organisation for Standardisation/International Electro technical Commission 17025 in order to obtain international accreditation,” Rohee said..

The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory was commissioned in July last within the confines of the University of Guyana, and according to Rohee: “It is expected that the testing of evidence will begin early 2015.”

The Home Affairs Minister also used the opportunity to report that the Laboratory has completed its Strategic Plan for the period 2014 to 2018.

“It has been focused on training of staff in the areas of evidence management,

trafficking of illicit firearms and ammunition, data analysis, laboratory safety and practices, detection of counterfeit currency and credit cards and the use of scientific items.”

According to Rohee, the Ministry has recognised the importance of DNA testing to aid the crime solving capabilities of the Guyana Police Force.

He cautioned however that it must be borne in mind that DNA testing at the laboratory was not possible under US$19.8M loan provided under the first Citizen Security Programme.

He said too that it will not be possible under the upcoming $US15M Programme, given the significant cost that is attached to the undertaking.

Cyber Security Meanwhile, Rohee also used the opportunity to report on the Ministry’s fight in relation to cyber-crime, a phenomenon which has been gripping the attention of governments across the world in recent times.

According to Rohee, whose responsibility includes the security sector: “In recognition of the importance of the internet and computer security to the

THE GUYANA FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY

welfare of citizens, national security and economic well-being of the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs implemented a National Computer Incident Response Team (NCIRT).”

That Unit, according to Rohee, is tasked with improving the cyber security preparedness and response of the Government of Guyana through proactive security measures and information sharing mechanisms.

“The CIRT commenced its operation and is tasked with ‘improving the cyber security preparedness and response of the Government of Guyana through proac-

tive security measures and information sharing mechanisms.”

He reported also that the Unit began in 2014 by responding to a major security incident where 10 Guyanese websites, including Government websites, were defaced.

He reported too that in 2014 a one-year Strategic Plan for the Unit together with a 2014 Programme of Work was developed. A similar approach is to be adopted for 2015.

He said too that the Unit was also provided with local and overseas training in the development of capabilities in cyber security incident

handling.

Rohee disclosed that this year the Incident Handling Unit of NCIRT will develop detailed situational analysis of Government Agencies’ and the Business Community’s experiences with cyber incidents and cybercrime by conducting a Government Cyber Security Survey and a Cyber Crimes Against Business Survey. “ T h e o u t p u t s f ro m these surveys will inform GNCIRT’s strategic interventions and allow it to offer proactive services such as targeted alerts, advisories and warnings to constituents.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

APNU, AFC spending too much time plotting to destabilise Guyana’s development AS we transition into this New Year, one wonders whether the two parliamentary Opposition parties, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), can conscientiously declare that they have contributed productively to the development of Guyana? And, if so, by what good national deeds?

For so many times have the nation been made to understand by these two parties, of their undying love for country and welfare of its people, especially at a time when such a verbal affirmation should have been translated into nationally good deeds.

But they have let the nation down,

because of their unpatriotic and purely selfish acts that have been far removed from what are required of responsible Opposition parties. We are all aware of these anti-national acts, so they will not be repeated here.

Both these parties have spent too much time on plotting to destabilise Guyana’s development; of course, with the aim of coming to power via the back door. And what has such devious political tactics inform us? Of two parties that cannot be trusted, and have wasted very precious parliamentary time, pursuing goals that are not in keeping with the

Commentary

By David DeGroot

CLEAR thinking, dispassionate reasoning is the fundamental issue before Guyana if we are together to build the country into a modern nation.

What is so difficult to believe that every living Guyanese share the view of living in peaceful reparation towards economic and social development?

But of all the recent events, the continuous confrontation highlighted by principles devoted to making a united thrust impossible certainly contributes to a feeling of pessimism. However, early in the new year we will be given another opportunity to correct past errors. We have an intelligent electorate capable of turning the untenable realism of a minority parliamentary government.

The will and the determination to overcome all obstacles, which has kept us for far too many years in a state of conflict; it is time to move on permanently, our combined intelligence will point the way forward. We must relentlessly with vigour ensure we leave behind those who are

national interest.

Their entire mindset, have not joined with the specificities of advancing the nation’s development agenda.

It has been, in reality, a mental mind that has been entirely archaic, in keeping with the well- known politics of NO which President Ramotar alluded to, sometime ago.

It is very unfortunate that the nation, particularly its younger segment, has had to experience such an unedifying and unproductive waste of energies, emanating from a collective that comprises of representatives of the people.

O B S E RV E R i s c e r t a i n t h a t

many of this younger generation of Guyanese are questioning the choice of these as Members of Parliament.

Who did they really represent?

Could there have been an altogether new thinking on the part of the parliamentary Opposition towards protecting the national interest?

Very soon the nation is returning to the polls; and one wonders what will they be telling the general electorate in a bid to win their votes. With such a mindset, which has become an indelible mark of the politics of both Opposition parties, just how can they convince even their constituents?

Two killed in separate New Year’s Day incidents in NWD and Mahdia -suspects in police custody

DAVID DEGROOT bent on pursuing mischief. The state of equanimity must prevail. Victory over those with evil intentions must be left behind.

A final question must be asked: Quite dispassionately the reasoning tells me that other side has no sensible plans for the future of this country.

THE suspect in the Aracru, North West District (NWD) murder on Old Year’s Day has been arrested and is assisting the police with the investigation.

The police reported that Augustine Samuels, 52, of Aracru, NWD, was fatally stabbed around 19:30 hrs last Wednesday at Aracru.

The investigation so far has revealed that Augustine Samuels and another man, who is the suspect in this matter, were imbibing at a shop when the suspect became involved in an issue with the owner of the shop.

The owner of the shop managed to escape, whereupon the suspect attacked Augustine Samuels and stabbed him about his body. Samuels

was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mabaruma Hospital.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, investigations are being conducted into the death of miner, Andre Britton, 50, of 111 Miles Mahdia, Potaro, which occurred about 01:30 hrs on January 1, 2015, at Mahdia.

Police said Andre Britton had earlier confronted a man, during which the man was assaulted for throwing squibs into his yard and the man later returned and stabbed him about his body.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mahdia hospital.

The suspect has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

Speeding driver kills sexagenarian, seriously injures another

By Michel Outridge A DRIVER whom eyewitnesses said was either drunk or fell asleep at the wheel on New Year’s morning struck down and killed an elderly man and injured another, who is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The driver was subsequently arrested after fleeing the scene of the accident.

Dead is George Barker,

61, of Lot 41 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown.

At the time he had gone to purchase the daily newspapers as was his wont, when he was killed by the speeding, out-of-control car. The car subsequently ended up in a trench nose first, after hitting two persons including Barker, and shifted a fruit stall by the roadside just outside the St. Pius Church.

He lived alone and every morning before 06:00 hrs, he

would reportedly make his way out to the fruit stall to buy newspapers.

Injured is Brian Devine, 64, also of La Penitence.

He is said to be in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) up to press time nursing broken limbs, a damaged spine, head and neck injuries.

Devine is in an unresponsive condition relatives said yesterday and is bleeding through his eyes also.

He and Barker are friends and every morning the duo would meet at the same fruit stall which also sells newspapers and on New Year’s morning it was no different.

Devine underwent a surgical operation a month ago and was said to be recovering.

An eyewitness, Kurt Mendonca, told this publication that he was at his place of business across the road when he observed a speeding car, PNN 7977, an AT 192,

hit a road hump then toppled and struck down two men and a woman, who were by the fruit stall.

Mendonca stated that one of the two men was pinned under the car, while the other was pitched into the trench and he along with a few others assisted the elderly men and put them in vehicles to be taken to the hospital.

He added that the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.

The young woman had

been tending to customers, for the owner, Ingrid Delph, 53, who went to the market.

She, however, escaped with a few cuts and bruises about the body.

Delph told this newspaper yesterday that were she present on that morning, she would have been dead and is very grateful for her spared life. She however lamented the death of her customer, George Barker.

Delph said, “It could have been me.”

The fruit stall after the accident

The ill-fated car

The car in the trench with newspapers scattered in the water

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

Woman in drug-related kidnapping drops charges against captors

– police to seek legal advice from DPP ROBIN DeFlorimonte, the woman snatched from a Diamond, East Bank Demerara house by four men after they had shot at her, ordered her to get dressed and join them in a car, has decided to drop charges against thm.

This was confirmed by police sources, which have also confirmed that based on reports the attempted kidnapping of the woman was drug-related.

The police are now seeking from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advice on the way forward in this matter.

Meanwhile, one of the men, taxi driver Samuel Adams of Lot 9, Dennis Street, Sophia, has been charged for possession of the 9mm firearm which the police found in the car and has been remanded to prison.

The other three men, whose names have been provided to this publication, are in the business of lumber, selling clothes and house-keeping, and will have their freedom to enjoy as they await the decision of the DPP. The police were forced last week to corner and arrest the men after someone had reported that the woman had been abducted. A police patrol in Georgetown had intercepted the vehicle and the woman confirmed that she had indeed been abducted. A search of the vehicle revealed that the occupants did have a firearm concealed, and at that time the woman did admit that she was being abducted by the men, and begged the police to take her into their custody.

The men were report-

edly working on behalf of a one-time popular night club owner who no longer hosts parties or other activities, since those had been associated with persons in the underworld which had scared patrons off.

One police source said the woman appears to be fearful for her life, hence her decision to drop charges against the men. The woman was abducted because she had been accused of causing a shipment of drugs destined for the United Kingdom to go sour, and the night club owner had accordingly sent for her with the intention of having her pay for the loss. She had reportedly been hiding from the man in the Diamond area for some time prior to her kidnap.

Police investigations continue.

Agro-processing factory to come on stream in Pomeroon

– will process, add value to coffee, citrus and cocoa A NEW multimillion-dollar coffee, citrus and cocoa factory will be put into operation at Jackl o w, U p p e r P o m e ro o n River this month as local entrepreneurship shows confidence in Government’s financial policies, despite the two Opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) determination to stop development in the country.

Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, while on a recent visit to the Pomeroon visited and inspected the factory and commended the group of local entrepreneurs for investing in the project which will create markets for farmers’ coffee, citrus and cocoa grown in the area and at the same time add value to the produce through manufacturing.

Baksh, who was shown

Woman dies five days after giving birth at the GPHC

By Navendra Seoraj THE Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in a recent report has revealed that a patient who delivered a baby on Christmas Day passed away on Tuesday last.

After being discharged from the GPHC on Boxing

Day, the patient whose identity is undisclosed at the moment, became ill and was taken to the Diamond Hospital from where she was referred to the GPHC’s Emergency Room.

The report added that the patient succumbed hours after admission to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the GPHC.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, an official of the GPHC noted that a post-mortem is to be performed to ascertain the cause of death, and the public will be informed as soon as this essential information is available.

The GPHC extended sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

Pensioner dies in inferno on Corentyne

By Michel Outridge THE life of an 80-year-old woman ended tragically on Wednesday (Christmas Eve Day) when she was burnt to death in a fire which engulfed her home.

According to reports, the elderly woman, Norma Moore, resided in a two-storeyed wood and concrete

building at Manchester Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. She shared the premises with one Allison Garrick, 18, who was said to be her care-giver.

Information revealed that around 14:00 hrs, the young woman left the house to visit her parents at Kildonan.

Around 15:20 hrs, residents were alerted to fire ema-

nating from the house and efforts to save the elderly woman proved futile.

A fire tender from the Rose Hall Fire Station responded to the scene but was unable to save the building.

The woman’s remains were subsequently recovered.

Investigations are continuing.

TWO persons homeless following separate New Year’s Day fires

By Michel Outridge CHIEF Fire Officer Marlon Gentle reported that the first of two fires occurred around 02:39 hours in when a dwelling house at # 12 Village, West Coast Berbice, was completely destroyed, displacing two persons.

He stated that person(s) broke into the house located on the No. 12 Village Public Road and set the building alight.

The two occupants were Alicia Andrews and Imran Tullisram.

It was reported that the property is in dispute; as such, the Guyana Police Force has been informed of the suspected arson and a probe is under way.

Meanwhile, major disaster was averted at Lot 1 D’urban and Smyth Streets, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, on New Year’s Day around 08:39 hours

when children, who were left unattended, ignited matches in the bedroom they were in setting the place ablaze.

However, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was summoned and extinguished the flames.

The bedroom was however partially destroyed.

The mattress and walls of the bedroom were also scorched but luckily, no one was injured during the conflagration.

GECOM commissions new $15M office at Charity the operations of the factory by farmer Persaud, was told that the factory is currently under a test -run and will be put into full operation this month, and coffee berries will be purchased from local farmers at a cost of $1,000 per four-gallon buckets.

The farmer also explained to the minister that the factory is a modern one that will process coffee, citrus and cocoa. He said coffee will be processed with the wet-system method. According to the farmer, when the berries are brought into the factory

from the farm, they will be washed before going into the pulpier. The farmer explained that after pulping the berries will then be placed into large cans and left for three days, after which it will be washed again and sent to the dryer which will be operated by electricity. The farmer said the drying process will last for one week.

Baksh said the investment is very important because value will be added to the produce and farmers will benefit.

(Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

The Guyana Elections Commission [GECOM] recently commissioned a new $15M office at Charity on the Essequibo Coast.

Deputy Chief Elections Officer [DCEO] Mr Vishnu Persaud, who declared the facility formally open said GECOM has decentralised its operations countrywide to facilitate continuous registration. The DCEO said he was very pleased with the new facility that will provide services to communities in its demarcated area.

Logistics Manager Mr. Colin April said GECOM took a conscious decision to have its own building. He said the new facility will provide services to residents from Paradise- Charity and the entire Pomeroon area.

Mr. April said GECOM which is now a permanent

body already has its own offices at Mahdia and Lethem and will want to establish an office at Anna Regina and other places around the country.

Senior Registration Officer at Charity, Mr. Doodnauth Singh, said the land on which the office has been constructed was provided by Government through the Region 2 Administration.

According to Singh, the land was very low and swampy and had to be backfilled with sand and earth before construction started.

The officer said construction started in the last quarter of 2013 and was completed in 2014 by contractor Mr. Mohamed Sattaur.

The one-flat concrete and wooden building along with a concrete walkway was done at a cost of some $15M. The project was financed by Government.

Present at the commissioning ceremony was former APNU councillor of the Region 2 RDC, Ms Doreen Duncan. (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

Police investigators surmise …

Cop might have accidentally shot himself with unlicensed gun “D” DIVISION (West Demerara) Police Constable Mohamed Salim, who claimed that he was shot in a “drive-by” on New Year’s Day while he was standing on the Vergenoegen Public Road, EBE might be lying to conceal what could be an even bigger issue; one that could land him in serious trouble.

Salim, who performs patrol duties in his Division, told investigators that shots were fired at him from occupants of a car that passed him by. The young constable was taken to hospital to seek medical attention for a bullet wound to his left foot.

However, his story has not entirely

convinced his colleagues who are investigating the report that he was shot in a drive-by shooting. The Guyana Chronicle was told that Salim might have accidentally shot himself with a weapon he is not licensed to carry, or might have been shot by someone whom he knows and who was standing very close to him at the time.

Police sources have confirmed that Salim was originally scheduled to work on the day he was shot, but was given time-off which he had requested. When his request was granted, his service weapon was lodged and he was in civilian clothing.

Investigators arrived at the

The injured Mohamed Salim on his hospital bed at the GPHC yesterday

conclusion that Salim had accidentally inflicted the gunshot injury on himself, or that someone who was close to him at the time had inflicted the injury on him after they were briefed by doctors on the projection of the bullet wound, which is not consistent with injuries from bullets which were fired ‘across.’

The projection showed that Salim’s wound runs vertically and not horizontally, as is usually consistent with a “drive- by.” Moreover, eyewitnesses have said that Salim had indeed accidentally shot himself and at the time there was no vehicle passing him.

Further, after sustaining the gunshot injury, Salim returned home in a taxi

prior to proceeding to the hospital.

Police sources are contending that if indeed Salim had accidentally shot himself, then his action in returning home after being shot, rather than heading to the hospital, would have been to conceal the weapon, which he has no licence to carry.

Asked if Salim’s fingers had been dusted for gunpowder residue, the police source responded in the negative, stating that it is sometimes difficult for persons, including the police, to have access to patients while they are hospitalised, especially based on their condition.

This matter remains under police investigation. (Leroy Smith)

The left foot of Police Constable Mohamed Salim is in a cast

Post-Mortem finds Good Hope teen -but police investigations died by drowning into his death to continue A GOVERNMENT Pathologist confirmed through a post-mortem on Friday morning that 14-yearold Dhaniram Ramgopaul of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara died by drowning, and that he had sustained to the head a blunt trauma that was consistent with a fall.

But even as the findings of the PM are that the lad died by drowning, and that he had a blunt trauma to the head, relatives are wondering if the lad had fallen and hit his head after he had been drugged, as was reportedly confessed by one of the persons who had initially been held in connection with Dhaniram’s death.

The relative who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle questioned whether the lad might had lost consciousness after he had fallen at the home that he had been

taken to; and because the persons who had taken him there began to fear and panic, he had then been taken to the creek and dumped in his unconscious state and later drowned.

The Guyana Chronicle has been informed that the late Dhaniram had earlier been seen jumping from a bridge into a creek where he was found dead.

His mother said last week that when Dhaniram’s body was discovered, it appeared to be fresh, and that he also appeared to have been murdered, as she spoke of a wound to his lip and throat.

However, a police source who spoke with this newspaper said it was difficult to make a determination of murder.

That source also pointed out that what appeared to be marks of violence on

Dhaniram’s body were actually fish bites.

Over the weekend, persons familiar with the late Dhaniram, his father and the persons who had been taken into custody described to the Guyana Chronicle another scenario that might have been responsible for Dhaniram’s death. They said that Dhaniram’s father and the three lads who had been taken into custody immediately after his disappearance had had a running feud because of their habit of using their mobile music carts in the vicinity of the Mon Repos Market, where the senior Ramgopaul is said to be a senior officer.

Information received is that the man would usually chase the lads from the area because of the loud ‘noise’ of the music carts, and that practice would anger

the young men from time to time.

D h a n i r a m ’s re l a t i v e s a re convinced that the lads who had been held might have vented their spite on him. The police have already released from custody the lads and the woman, after it was determined that there was not sufficient evidence to hold them in relation to the matter.

Now that the findings of the PM have been released, the police would be looking to investigate reports that the arrested lads had an issue with Dhaniram’s father and pursue investigations to determine the nature of the misunderstanding between the lads and Dhaniram’s father in order to conclude whether that could have been a factor in Dhaniram’s death. (Leroy Smith)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

GRA satisfied with revenue collected despite challenging $135B target …upgraded TRIPS system for 2015 roll out, record tax returns filed-Sattaur

WITH a significantly higher target of $126.8B, which is over the 2013 figure, Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Khurshid Sattaur, has reported that while the 2014 target of $135.3B has been challenging, the agency was satisfied with its performance.

By way of a public statement dispatched yesterday, Sattaur provided an update of the GRA’s 2014 performance and said the GRA had a remarkable year (2014), “though fraught with obstacles…

“GRA is satisfied that it has done exceedingly well in terms of its main goal of revenue collection for 2014 and looks forward to a new year (in which) the citizenry honour their tax obligations more voluntarily.”

He used the opportunity to point out that the organisation continues to prove its fortitude amidst much skepticism and negative publicity.

“Speculation in the public domain had suggested that revenue collection for 2014 was waning, but we are satisfied with our achievement for 2014,” the Commissioner-General said, noting that the GRA continues to fulfil its mandate in collecting Government revenues, in keeping with the estimate approved in the National Assembly.

Sattaur also reported that, complementing its

achievements in revenue collection, the GRA has also seen improvement in the number of taxpayers who have been honouring their obligation to file returns.

“There was a record 20,270 tax returns submitted at tax sites set up across the country for the April 30, 2014 deadline for (submission of) Income Tax Returns,” Sattaur said.

TRIPS UPGRADE It has also been reported that, in keeping with its Information Communication Technology (ICT) Modernisation plan, upgrades to its Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) are being conducted for the GRA to facilitate web-based transactions.

“As such, TRIPS II is expected to (be) rolled out by mid-2015,” Sattaur announced.

In recent months, the TRIPS system had come in for significant flack in some sections of the media over the use of at least two of its modules. According to Sattaur, 2015 is expected to be a year of technological change and advances for staff and taxpayers, as the GRA eagerly looks forward to providing electronic services, including in the filing of Tax Returns.

“During 2015, further enhancements are also expected to be made to the new plastic driver’s licence as the agency moves

into phase II of the rollout, to allow for information sharing with relevant stakeholders, among other things,” he announced.

In 2014, motor vehicle licences were upgraded to a plastic card. According to Sattaur, the material is difficult to reproduce and includes some sophisticated features that could not have been included on the “red book” licence.

This year also marks 15 years since the GRA has been functioning as a semi-autonomous body with a mandate to promote compliance with the coun-

try’s tax, trade and border laws and regulations.

E-TRANSACTIONS It was reported that, during 2014, efficiency and integrity remained at the heart of GRA’s operations, prompting the introduction of the Random Selection of Commercial imports for Inspection, which solicits the public’s involvement in the selection and examination process.

“Other areas of achievement included the commissioning of a state-of-theart Chinese-manufactured mobile container scanner

with a capacity to electronically scan a maximum of 20 containers in one hour, using the latest technology in X-ray imaging,” Sattaur explained.

He also reported that, in 2014, GRA achieved significant success in collaborating with financial institutions and service providers in rolling out its Internet, tele-banking and other payment options’ programme to provide taxpayers with a modern and secure alternative for paying taxes.

In March 2014, commercial banks and corpo-

rate entities were added as collecting agents for various tax types and licence fees. The entities on board with the initiative are Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), Bill Express, Demerara Bank, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Limited, Republic Bank and t h e B a n k o f B a ro d a .

The initiative allowed taxpayers the option of paying various tax types via their computers or phones from any location, or at a convenient overthe-counter Bill Express location. (Gary Eleazar)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

Tourism Minister reveals plans to develop futuristic city along Linden Highway THE development of Silica City is the Guyana Government’s vision of creating a new, sustainable city which would be located in the Hilly Sands area along the Soesdyke Highway, the main artery connecting Brazil and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Guyana’s principal airport.

As with any other city, Silica City will offer a consortium of land uses through which services and amenities and many investment opportunities can be provided.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali explained that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is tasked with developing Silica City and to have investors presented with the opportunity to be part of this development. “(The Hilly Sandy area is) the best area for development in the future; and in our (Government’s) opinion, taking all the planning models into consideration, we believe that the development of Silica City is perhaps the greatest opportu-

Silica City site, a view from the Soesdyke/Linden Highway nity for Guyana moving forward”, Minister Ali stressed.

Silica City is a multi-billion-dollar project that will be developed in phases and will accommodate some 40,000 residential households. Areas will also be set aside for retail, commerce, industry, tourism, and social and recreational facilities.

Silica City would be located approximately 30 miles

from Georgetown, 11 miles from the Soesdyke/Linden Highway junction, and some 33 miles from the mining town of Linden. It would take up some 5,270 acres of land and would encompass portions of Yarrowkabra and the Kuru Kuru Co-op College.

“In our opinion, it is strategically located, where you are 30 miles from the major capital city, Georgetown, but

Local Government Ministry, IDB urge shoppers to switch from using plastic bags --sturdy, attractive shopping bags being provided through Clean Green Guyana Campaign GUYANESE shoppers can now make a significant and positive impact on improving their environment when they shop. Under the Clean Green Guyana Campaign, being administered by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, shoppers at major supermarkets may receive an attractive and sturdy re-usable bag in which to place their purchases, instead of the plastic bags that harm our environment.

The Ministry of LocaL Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) has said in a release that research has shown that a significant proportion of waste generated in Guyana’s Region 4 is comprised of non-reusable, single-use products, including plastic bags, plastic bottles, and Styrofoam containers.

Such non-reusable waste constitutes approximately 10% of the waste generated

by Guyanese households, and is the largest proportion

of waste after biodegradable or organic waste that makes up about 50% of household waste. These non-reusable plastic items are devastating to the environment and are stressful to the solid waste management system both because of their volume and the fact that they photodegrade, breaking down into smaller, more toxic petro-polymers, which eventually contaminate soils and waterways.

Disposable plastic bags are especially visible and dangerous threats to the environment. They frequently appear in the litter of many Region 4 communities. Supermarkets and other enterprises distribute these freely to customers, who have come to expect being provided with plastic bags when they shop. However, by using a re-usable bag such as the ones being distributed under this initiative, shoppers may help mitigate the serious environmental threat that plastic bags pose.

In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates

that using a reusable bag can save the use of six plastic bags a week, or 288 such bags a year.

The re-usable bags are currently being distributed at all branches of Bounty, DSL and Survival supermarkets. Shoppers receiving a bag are encouraged to bring this bag with them whenever they shop, rather than seek to place their shopped items in plastic bags. Besides making a very important contribution towards a clean and green Guyana, shoppers also earn a chance to win a hamper in January of next year every time they use their re-usable bag.

The Ministry of Local Government, through the Clean Green Guyana Campaign encourages all Guyanese to play their part in making our environment clean and green by using a re-usable bag instead of plastic ones when shopping.

Supermarkets that would like to be part of this initiative are welcome to engage in discussion with Guyenterprise Advertising Agency.

you are also 33 miles away from the main mining town, Linden”, Ali said.

Speaking about the roads and drainage networks of the city, the Housing Minister noted that, overall, the area is deemed a ‘recharge zone’ for aquifers whose ground water is used to supply coastal areas

with potable water.

The existing road network in this surrounding planning area, he noted, consists of one primary road, the Soesdyke-Linden Highway; and a number of secondary roads.

“With the prospect of mining expansion and development that is occurring in

Linden, the industrialisation that is being talked about, and the connection with Linden and Brazil (through the) Guyana road link, this community would become one of the most important developments in the future”, Ali related.

He emphasised that the Silica project “would become in one the hallmarks in futuristic planning. It has the capacity to address issues of livelihood options, (and) there is also great potential for the development of a tourism product. There is great development for commercial activities, industrial activities, agricultural activities, culture and, of course, housing!”

The approach is based on acknowledged international best practice regarding the development of new settlements. Silica City would illustrate the benefits of employing good planning and development principles so as to achieve sustainable and good urban development. (Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

Machine-readable Guyana Passports upgraded FOLLOWING the 2014 inking of a contract with the Canadian Bank Note Company Limited, Government has been able to upgrade the security features of the Guyana Machine-readable Passports in an effort to safeguard the integrity of the document.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, at that Ministry’s annual end-of-year press conference on Tuesday last, said that, in 2013, efforts were underway to upgrade the Machine-readable Passport Issuing and Border Control System, which was launched in July 2007.

He said: “This upgrade was facilitated during 2014 by the Canadian Bank Note Company with the decommissioning of the old system and installation of new hardware and software components.

This process is almost complete, and the new, re-designed passports will come into being in 2015, while the old passports will be gradually phased out.”

Expansion of passport

“To safeguard integrity of the document,” says Minister Rohee.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. issuance Apart from upgrading of the passports and border control systems, 2014 also saw decentralization of passport issuance to Divisions B, E, F and G, thus bringing some measure of relief to citizens, some of whom had to expend significant sums of money to travel to the Central Passport and Immigration office in Georgetown to obtain their passports, Minister Rohee said.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ annual endof-year press conference in 2014, subject Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett disclosed that she was urging

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee Guyanese citizens to apply for their new Machine-readable Passports.

She noted that she was surprised and impressed at the response of the public after hearing about the initiative. “In 2013,” she said, “13,562 persons applied for their new passports, which shows that Guyanese are paying interest to what is being done across the country.”

Minister Birkett said she expects more persons to take interest in this initiative and get their new machine-readable passports as early as possible.

(Navendra Seoraj)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

Beres Hammond & Virgo to ‘turn up de heat’ in Guyana tonight

Romain THE master of Lovers’ Rock Beres Hammond will be teaming up with upcoming Jamaican Reggae Legend, Romain Virgo tonight at the National Stadium as McNeil Enterprise and Hits and Jams Entertainment stage the much anticipated ‘More Beres-Concert of Love’.

Virgo, who is already in Guyana, exclaimed his delight to be here on his first visit, noting that it’s certainly a wonderful manner in which to start the new year. While he could barely contain his excitement about his intended ‘wildfire performance’, he assured that he would give to Guyana their ‘money’s worth’ and would try to execute one of his better performances.

Citing that his music is rich and impressive, he noted that he loves the reggae music genre; explaining that it was adored by his mom and other relatives, thus fuelling his love to that sound.

He said reggae is definitely the sound that makes positive changes, emphasising that it’s a dream come true to be performing on the stage with veteran reggae legend Beres Hammond.

Virgo is thankful for the support of his many Guyanese fans.

Promoters have promised that Beres Hammond and

Virgo Virgo will definitely ‘turn up de heat’ at the stadium and give Guyanese a show to remember.

HJTV’s Rawle Ferguson noted that the concert is ‘a gift of love’ to the Guyanese people and would be used as a forum of loving and sharing. He added that its certainly a wonderful way to commence the year 2015, and urged fans to come out in their numbers since the event is geared at satisfying the musical whims of both

young and old.

The concert intends to blend the mature sounds of Hammond with contemporary style of Virgo who hails from the Parish of St Ann’s and rose to prominence after winning the Digicel Rising Stars competition in 2007.

Virgo recorded his first hit record ‘Mi Caan Sleep’ on the Penthouse label and several hits followed, including ‘Wanna Go Home’, ‘Live Mi Life’, and ‘Alton’s Medley’. In June 2010, VP Records released his debut album, self-titled Romain Virgo.

While, Virgo would be making his first appearance in Guyana, Hammond is a household name here in the Caribbean, North America and Europe and has wide crossover appeal. Hammond’s hit list stretches for miles and includes `I feel Good’ , `Putting Up Resistance’ , `Rock Away’, `No Disturb Sign’ and many more.

Appearing along the Jamaican duo are local artistes, Mingle Sound Machine, local reggae star, ‘Mystic’ the dancehall diva Jackie Hanover and the

Super Ray One Man Band.

Over the past two years McNeil Enterprise and Hits and Jams have collaborated to promote some of the best concerts held in Guyana, bringing such artiste as R. Kelly and John Legend.

Tickets have been priced at $3000 (Regular) and $16,000 (Stage Front)

Beres Hammond

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR GUYANESE STYLE Photos by Sonell Nelson

One of the many stunning lasses at 704

Diva dressed to the nines at 704’s old year’s night party

Breaking the New Year with friends and lots of smiles

All smiles for the camera as these 704 party goers usher in 2015

Divas in vogue at Palm Court

Meadowbrook was a definite hotspot for these folks on New Year’s Day

Party at Meadowbrook

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Following holiday accidents…

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday January 3, 2015

Police adopt no nonsense campaign against tinted vehicles

By Leroy Smith

MEMBERS of the joint services will not be spared in the renewed approach to the zero tolerance campaign by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) against those vehicles bearing tinted windows particularly in “A” Division.

This was assured by the Traffic Officer Ramesh Ashram and Commander Clifton Hicken of “A” Division.

-no one will be spared

According to the senior officers many of the accidents which occurred in the Division involved vehicles which were either heavily tinted or was fitted with some level of tint without having the required permit.

The police are of the view that tint on vehicles

does impair the vision of drivers especially when they encounter junctions and cross streets at nights and fail to roll their windows down to afford clearer vision of oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

It was pointed out that when vehicles bear tint it

becomes hard for the driver to see oncoming traffic with their headlamps on, much less a motor cycle which has a lower head lamp than a four-wheel vehicle and it even gets worse to encounter pedestrians or pedal cycles without lights.

According to Ashram,

the campaign would also be meted out to those serving members of the joint services especially constables who believe that they have the right to traverse in vehicles with tinted windows because they are part of the armed forces.

“We will stop you and once you have a tint on the vehicle you will be made to strip it off if you do not have the permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs and this is not for civilians alone, it’s also for police officers especially junior ranks and constables” The Traffic Officer also pointed out that they are prepared for those persons who will attempt to use their privileges and links to make calls to persons higher than a police who may stop them and order them to strip the tint, in those cases, the drivers will be asked to proceed to the nearest police station within the Division and the certificate of fitness would be revoked until the tint is removed.

If the driver is ever stopped again or observed using the vehicle during the period that the certification has been revoked he or she will be charged with driving an uncertified vehicle.

Meanwhile, Commander Hicken explained that the decision was arrived to ensure

that there was no letting up of the campaign because of the many lives which continue to be lost on the roads and also said that the campaign also forms part of the general anti-crime strategy since there are times when persons of questionable characters used tinted vehicle to traverse the city and other parts of the country undetected as lawmen are unable to see their identity through the dark-window vehicles.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the tinting of windows of vehicles also makes it harder for the driver of other vehicles to predict the actions of the driver in front of him or her as was common practice decades ago before the fuss and obsession of tints of vehicles.

Hicken said that the police will not be harassing persons during the campaign and pointed out that when drivers with dark windows are stopped and they do not have the permit they would not be detained at stations but rather escorted there just to facilitate the removing of the tint and sent away.

In cases where they fail to comply then the Traffic Department would revoke the fitness of the said vehicle until the conformity by the driver.

For Saturday January 3rd, 2015: 14:30hrs For Sunday January 4th, 2015: 14:30hrs For Monday January 5th, 2015: 14:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, January 3, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE January Saturday 3, 2015

‘Jackie Chan’ ...

From page 27 Richardson moved from scorer to facilitator and capped his night of brilliant performances when he unselfishly founded Dwight Peters with a beautiful pass and the forward made no mistakes in putting the icing on the cake for Alpha United in the 87th minute.

Club president and owner Odinga Lumumba stressed on his side’s dominance on the local playing circuit while stating that they are aiming to play in the CONCACAF Champions League this year.

Alpha United took home the bulk of the individual awards.

Daniel Wilson was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament and joint top goalscorer with Dwain Jacobs (10 goals) and custodian Ronson Williams was the competition’s best goalkeeper.

GUYANA CHRONICLE January Saturday 3, 2015

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‘Jackie Chan’ stars as Alpha United cop GFA Banks Beer Cup … Pele stop Western Tigers for 3rd place

By Rawle Toney THOUSANDS gathered at the Guyana National Stadium on New Year’s Day to witness the Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson show, as the striker single-handedly dismantled the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on his way to leading Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United to their second Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup title.

Richardson netted a double in Alpha’s 3-1 win over the GDF in front of a crowd, eager to see Guyana’s number one Club fall to the Army.

With the win, Alpha United walked away with the tournament’s $3M firstplace prize while $1.5M was given to the GDF for their effort.

In the third place playoff

game, Pele emerged 1-0 winners over Western Tigers, thanks to Deon Alfred’s 57th minute goal. They walked away with $1M and the Tigers settled for $500 000.

After the ceremonial kick off

by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the two sides who were the most dominant in the preliminary stages of the tournament, wasted little time in showing how eager they were to cash in on top prize.

The GDF came out playing their usual rough-house football while Alpha United, loaded with some of Guyana’s premier players in their respective positions were tactical and passed the ball around fluently.

The tournament’s joint top goalscorers Daniel Wilson and Dwain Jacobs, along with Richardson, were an obvious troublesome attack put up by coach

Wayne Dover, since it caused the Army to play four defenders at the back at all times.

Alpha United certainly controlled the pace of the game, causing the military men to retreat on several occasions, but, nonetheless coach Denzil Thompson’s men were able to hold the might of their opposition to a goalless first half.

After an uneventful first half, whatever was said to Richardson in the dressing room certainly brought out his hunger for goals - the same which had landed him in the Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Colorado Rapids in the year 2009.

Playing down the left wing, Richardson in the 63rd minute sweetly maneouvred his way between several GDF defenders and skilfully rocketed a flat and

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English Racing Tips

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08:20 hrs Monein

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08:50 hrs Classic Colori

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09:25 hrs Leonard Thomas

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10:35 hrs Boom The Groom

Race 7 Be Bullish

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08:10 hrs Arabian Revolution

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Turffontein 08:00 hrs Pine Princess 08:40 hrs The Captain’s Tune 09:15 hrs Withbatedbreath 09:50 hrs Mr Whatever 10:25 hrs Sarve

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08:35 hrs Valyssa 09:10 hrs Squouateur

09:15 hrs Until Winning

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hard shot to the left corner of the goal then sent the GDF custodian sprawling to no avail.

Richardson’s ‘Cristiano Ronaldo-like’ move was certainly appreciated even by the opposing team’s supporters and all stood and applauded the goal.

But he (Richardson) wasn’t

done yet.

Four minutes later, playing down the same wing, scored his second of the night when he replicated his previous play but this time, he placed it on the right side of the keeper.

Patrons were once again brought to their feet; forcefully, some even bowed

in admiration of the classy goal scored by Richardson.

Already dumfounded by Richardson’s brilliance, the Army men now were placed in a position they have never been in the tournament; 2-0 down, against a team that seemed destined to insult them on the grandest stage.

Turn to page 26

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GUYANA CHRONICLE January Saturday 3, 2015

Liverpool captain Gerrard to move overseas at end of season LONDON, (Reuters) Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will leave the club he has played for throughout his career and move to a foreign team at the end of the season, the English Premier League club said yesterday.

Gerrard, 34, has made 695 appearances and scored 180 goals for Liverpool after joining the club as an eight-year-old schoolboy.

“I’m going to carry on playing,” Gerrard said in a statement on the club website.

“Although I can’t confirm at this stage where that will be, I can say it will be somewhere that means I won’t be playing for a competing club and will not therefore be lining up against Liverpool - that is something I could never contemplate,” he added.

Gerrard is out of contract at the end of the season and the English media speculated that he could move to North America to play in the Major League

Soccer (MLS).

He has been at the heart of the Liverpool team for the past decade and showed his enduring value to the club with two penalties in a 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Thursday.

His greatest moment in a Liverpool shirt was when he helped to inspire their dramatic comeback win over AC Milan in the Champions League final in 2005.

However, he suffered disappointment last May when Liverpool missed out on the Premier League title. They faltered late in the campaign when they appeared poised to become English champions for the first time since 1990.

“My decision is completely based on my wish to experience something different in my career and life and I also want to make sure that I have no regrets when my playing career is eventually over,” added Gerrard.

Liverpool manager

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to his captain’s contribution to the club.

“It is almost an impossible task to find the words to appropriately sum up Steven Gerrard and his

importance to Liverpool,” Rodgers said.

“This is an era where the word ‘legend’ is vastly overused, but in his case it actually doesn’t do him justice.”

Gerrard played 114 times for England before retiring after captaining the team at last year’s World Cup in Brazil where they were knocked out at the group stage.

NOTABLE DATES LENNOX Beckles defeated Kid Banga (Rupert Reid) of Jamaica on January 3, 1965. The slick Beckles, 23 years old at the time, won the 10-round fight via points.

The fight was the first of the year for the Guyanese who was defeated by Johnny DePeiza in his previous.

Beckles had six fights in 1965, winning five and losing one. The defeat came against Bunny Grant, another Jamaican. Grant knocked out Beckles in the fifth round of a scheduled 10-rounder.

In 1967 Beckles engaged Grant for a second time.

The 10-round fight ended in a draw.

Beckles made his professional debut on September 26, 1960 and his first fight ended in a draw. He reached 10 fights without being defeated.

However, his first loss came on May 16, 1964. While challenging Percy Hayles at the National Stadium in Jamaica Beckles was defeated via a unanimous decision.

He last fought in May 1979.

Shastri ‘bullish’ about India’s Test future

INDIA team director Ravi Shastri is “bullish” about the Test side’s future, saying that the key was to develop an attack that could take 20 wickets on a regular basis.

The deciding factor in the ongoing four-Test series,

which Australia won after maintaining their 2-0 lead by drawing the third Test at the MCG, according to Shastri, was the difference between the bowling groups: Australia’s had experience and India’s did not.

“There’s hard work

ahead no doubt,” Shastri said in an interview to Ayaz Memon. “Primarily, we have to get or develop bowlers who can get 20 wickets regularly.

But I am extremely bullish.

The most important thing is we have

India team director Ravi Shastri got an aggressive mindset.

Let’s talk 12-15 months down the road.”

India will be led by Virat Kohli in the final Test in Sydney, following MS Dhoni’s sudden retirement from Test cricket at the end of the third match in Melbourne, a development Shastri said had left the dressing-room “stumped”.

However, he said the change in leadership was unlikely to affect the players’ mindsets.

“In my days, I played under several captains, no

two were alike,” Shastri said. “Captains have their own personalities and the best ones make players adapt to their thinking and methods.”

Kohli has been in the news on this tour not only for the runs he has made, but also for his aggressive behaviour on the field and a confrontational press conference in Melbourne, where he said he did not respect all the Australian players. Shastri backed Kohli, despite the results not falling India’s way.

“That’s his personality,” Shastri said when asked if Kohli’s comments, especially those on Mitchell Johnson, had been unnecessarily provocative.

“He is aggressive, passionate and wears his heart on his sleeve.

But he’s also prepared to walk the talk. Remember also, he’s only 26 and still getting used to captaincy. With a little luck, the score line could well have been different. This is a young team that has acquitted itself very creditably.”

Shastri squashed reports suggesting Dhoni’s

retirement could have been precipitated by the rising influence of Kohli in the dressing room, saying such speculation was “trash”.

“You guys have no idea of the respect Dhoni commands,” Shastri said, “not just from Virat but every member of the squad, support staff and administration.

When asked if he had an inkling of Dhoni’s retirement, Shastri said: “None. It came like a bolt from the blue. Not till after he returned from the postmatch presentation did I come to know when he had a quick word with me, then the players. I understand he had not even spoken to his family about it.

“It was an unexpected decision no doubt, but a courageous one. In my esteem Dhoni has gone up by miles. He hasn’t waited to complete 100 Tests and all such pointless statistical stuff. He didn’t want any farewell fanfare. That shows his character. He’s different and quite remarkable.”

(ESPN Cricinfo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE January Saturday 3, 2015

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Richmond pilots Treacle to top prize … Ross is champion jockey

IMPRESSIVE riding from jockey Randolph Richmond saw his charge Treacle dominate the field to take the top prize in the feature event of the Rising Sun Turf Club-organised New Year’s Day horse race meeting held at the club’s Arima Park, West Coast Berbice track, last Thursday.

Competing in the event for horses classified D and Lower and asked to do so for a distance of 1400 metres, the entrants which also included Princess She’s Not, CP Got Even and Curfew Tower among others, were doing so in the form of a repeat of their Guyana Cup matchup held at the Port Mourant Turf Club early last month.

Princess She’s Not was

quick out of the starter’s gate, with Curfew Tower in hot pursuit as they approached the top turn, with Curfew Tower taking the pole position before Treacle, who is known to pick up speed late in any race, did just that coming down the back stretch on the home turn and took the event from CP Got Even with Kevin Paul in its saddle and the Mahendra Sookhoo-piloted Curfew Tower in third.

Earlier, the day’s event, which saw seven races being contested, started with some amount of controversy in the G3 Maiden, H and Lower event when Paul Delph, who was aboard Send from Above, was relegated from the winner’s position to second place behind She’s So

Dhoni wants Hussey for India coach … believes he has traits to mentor national side Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes former Australia Test batsman Mike Hussey should be India’s next national coach, according to a report in India.

Dhoni, who retired from Mike Hussey Test cricket after India’s drawn third Commonwealth Bank Test with the Australians earlier this week, dropped Hussey’s name to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the report says.

The two played together at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, where Dhoni was said to have been impressed with Hussey’s temperament and leadership skills, traits that would see him as an ideal replacement for former coach Gary Kirsten.

“Dhoni has floated the name of Michael Hussey for the position (current coach Duncan) Fletcher has assumed,” wrote Sai Prasad Mohapatra for the Hindustan Times.

“In a carefully calibrated way, Dhoni’s intent and communication about Hussey has reached the top BCCI boss, and nobody else is privy to this.

“Dhoni sees a brilliant thinker and man manager in Hussey who can bring calmness and camaraderie to the dressing room like Kirsten.

“Besides being a non-confrontational character, Hussey has been the brain behind Murali Vijay’s success in Australia – Vijay apparently overcame the challenges of playing in Australia with Hussey’s help.”

Hussey, who is currently playing with Sydney Thunder in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, has become renowned for his ability to help out young batsmen at both the Thunder and CSK.

Special, with Colin Ross in her saddle.

Delph was well positioned to take the event, but having braced Ross and his charge She’s So Special all the way to the fence along the homestretch, the stewards considered his act unsportsmanlike and duly awarded the top position to Ross, with Delph claiming second and Super Bowl third.

The second race of the day saw horses compete in the J3 and Lower event, for which Speed Vision with Kevin Paul as the jockey, roding a brilliant race to take the top position from Smarty Light and Royal Intentions, after Smarty Light made its move early, but was caught by the eventual winner on the penultimate turn.

The champion jockey Colin Ross proudly displays his trophy, following his impressive showing on the day.

Unsettle took the third race for horses classified E and Lower from Swing Easy and Rosetta, even as Settling Star rode off with the two-

Kohli will probably be an aggressive captain, says Johnson SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Having featured regularly in war of words with new India captain Virat Kohli in the ongoing Test series, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson believes the volatile batsman will probably be more aggressive than previous skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Kohli replaced Dhoni after the wicketkeeper’s sudden retirement from Test cricket after the drawn third match in Melbourne.

“Ever since I’ve seen him

words on the field particularly with Johnson and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

The 26-year-old fuelled that further during the third Test in Melbourne when he said he deliberately set out to provoke the Australians because they could give it, but not take it, on the field.

“I like playing against Australia because it’s really hard for them to stay calm,” he told reporters after he scored a brilliant 169 that included carting Johnson all around the MCG. “I don’t mind an argument

Virat Kohli play cricket, I’ve always seen him pretty fiery,” Johnson told reporters in Sydney ahead of the fourth and final Test match, which starts on January 6.

“So he’ll definitely be an aggressive type of captain I think in the way he sets fields, and I think you’ll see a lot different to what MS did.

“He’s an interesting character.

He is a fierce competitor and he really does like to get involved in it all.”

Kohli, who led India in Dhoni’s absence in the first Test in Adelaide, has been involved in a battle with virtually the entire Australian team this series, exchanging heated

on the field. It really excites me and brings the best out of me, so they don’t seem to be learning the lesson.”

Johnson, however, said the banter between the two sides had not been particularly venomous.

“It’s just harmless stuff, that’s out there,” Johnson said.

“There’s a lot of talk out in the media at the moment as bad sledging and pretty full on stuff but it’s all pretty harmless.

“Virat’s just been telling us how many runs he’s scored and we’ve just been saying we’re two-nil up in the series so that’s pretty much it.

“It’s always been part of the game and always will be.”

year-old Guyana and West Indies-bred event from Loch Song and It’s My Choice in that order.

Race number five was competed by horses classified G and Lower and Appealing Harvest proved to be the best of the lot, coming away with the win from its stable-mate Release the Beast of Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, with Cassie in third position.

Red Jet is a favourite horse in any event. It competes within its weight class, the J and Lower category, and apart from the excitement it brings to the track, the horse is known as the cart horse who springs surprises on its competitors.

Last Thursday was no different, as Red Jet ran a strategic race down the back stretch to come from behind against the early runners in De Gump and Royal Intentions

who opened a blistering pace, to come out victorious, with De Gump second and Royal Cash claiming third.

But in the end, it was Treacle’s win in the feature event, which set tongues wagging on a day of horse racing that started the 2015 season with a blistering pace, even as Ross was unquestionably named champion jockey.

Sponsors, such as beverage manufacturing giant Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and Hadi’s City Mall, Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service, Shariff Business Enterprise and Racing Stable, Poonai’s Pharmacy, Chester Fry of Bush Lot West Coast Berbice, Hablaw Meat Centre and businessman Rohan Oudit, have all contributed to making the event a success.

Big Bash League ...

Paine, Dunk fifties set up Hurricanes win

FIFTIES from Ben Dunk and Tim Paine and key knocks from Alex Hales and George Bailey helped Hobart Hurricanes gun down a 209-run target against Brisbane Heat in Hobart.

Scores: Hobart Hurricanes 4 for 209 (Dunk 67, Paine 55) beat Brisbane Heat 6 for 208 (Forrest 62, Peirson 57) by six wickets.

Dunk and Paine got the side off to a strong start, adding 120 in nine overs. Until the pair were at the crease, Heat managed to concede less than 10 in only one over as Dunk and Paine set a strong platform for Hurricanes.

Both batsmen were dismissed within four overs but Hales kept the score ticking over with his 34 off 23 balls.

Hurricanes needed 30 off 17 when Hales was dismissed but Bailey provided boost at the end, smacking three fours and a six in his 12-ball 28 to take his side to victory with an over to spare.

The Heat openers, Jimmy Peirson and Peter Forrest, had also given their side a solid start, adding 119 inside 13 overs. Peirson and Forrest were dismissed in successive overs after scoring fifties and Heat switched gears slamming 87 off the last seven overs.

Dan Christian scored 34 off nine, hitting two fours and four sixes, and Ben Cutting swung three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 19 off five to help Heat finish at 6 for 208.

NOTABLE DATES TERRENCE Alli started 1987 on the right note when he gained a unanimous decision victory over Roberto Medina.

The fight was held on January 2, 1987 at the Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey and was the 37th for the quick-fisted Guyanese. .

He had a total of six fights that year, winning five. His only demerit came at the hands of Jose Luis Ramirez. In a quest to win the vacant World Boxing Association lightweight title, Alli lost by unanimous decision. He became a frequent feature on the ESPN Channel.

Based in the USA, Alli returned to Guyana in September 1996 to battle rising start Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis. The fight was staged on the 14th of that month at the world-famous GCC ground, and Lewis needed just two rounds to finish the ageing warrior.

Alli would have three more fights before permanently hanging up his gloves. His career spanned 18 years and he boxed a total of 549 rounds for an average of 30 rounds per year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE January Saturday 3, 2015

Windies, South Africa share day one honours Johnson, Ramdin, hit half-centuries CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CMC) – Captain Denesh Ramdin stroked his first half-century in just over a year and rookie Jermaine Blackwood was eyeing his third in five Test outings, as West Indies produced a gallant fightback against World number one South Africa here yesterday.

At the close on the opening day of the third and final Test, West Indies were 276 for six, with Blackwood unbeaten on 45 and Jason Holder not out on five.

Ramdin perished for 53 about half-hour before the close, after putting on 94 for the sixth wicket with Blackwood.

The partnership was critical after the tourists, perched on 172 for four at tea, lost veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul without adding to his tea time score of nine, to the first ball after the break.

However, Ramdin struck six fours off 103 balls in 113 minutes at the crease while Blackwood has so far counted five fours off 102 deliveries, as they denied the South African attack any major success in the final session at Newlands.

Debutant off-spinner Colin Harmer has been the best bowler with three for 67 while fast bowler Dale

Steyn has taken two for 59.

Earlier, Leon Johnson struck his second Test halfcentury but Marlon Samuels missed out on one, as West Indies suffered key setbacks during the second session.

The left-handed Johnson, unbeaten on 24 at lunch with West Indies on 80 for two, scored 54 before falling lbw to Harmer about 50 minutes after the resumption.

He faced 84 balls in 109 minutes and struck nine fours, adding 51 with Samuels who made 43 before gifting his wicket, 15 minutes before tea.

Looking at ease against the South African attack, Samuels gave Stiaan van Zyl his first wicket in Tests when he lazily drove the first ball of the part-time medium pacer’s first over to Faf du Plessis at cover.

Samuels faced 70 deliveries in 109 minutes and counted six fours.

Johnson had earlier added 50 for the second wicket with opener Devon Smith who made 47 before falling on the stroke of lunch, bowled by Harmer.

Smith and Kraigg Brathwaite, who made just seven, put on 30 for the first wicket after West Indies won the toss and opted to bat, making good headway against the hosts’ new-ball

Leon Johnson lofts down the ground in his top score of 54 on the opening day in Newlands. attack of Steyn and seamer Vernon Philander.

The left-handed Smith started positively, driving Steyn to the cover boundary and pulling him square for another four, in the fifth over of the morning.

Brathwaite cut Philander to the point boundary in the day’s tenth over but departed four overs later when he edged Steyn to Dean Elgar at gully as he pushed hard

off the back foot.

Smith and Johnson then impressed with an enterprising stand. Johnson got off the mark with a pull for four off Steyn but it was Smith who took centre stage, punching Steyn sweetly past mid-off and following up in the next over from Morkel with another attractive drive to the cover boundary.

He was in sight of his sixth Test half-century when

he attempted to cut one too close to him off the last ball before lunch, and was bowled by Harmer.

Smith hit eight fours off 86 balls in two hours at the crease.

Johnson, who had gathered two boundaries off Harmer’s third over prior to lunch, made good progress after the break in tandem with Samuels.

He pulled Steyn for four and repeated the shot against Philander to move into the 40s. When Harmer was re-introduced, he greeted him with a drive to the cover ropes, to raise his half-century.

Johnson was growing in confidence when he was trapped lbw to Harmer at 131 for three and Samuels added 31 with a sedate Chanderpaul before falling with a halfcentury looming.

When Chanderpaul was stumped down the leg-side off the first ball after tea, West Indies had lost three wickets for 41 runs and in danger of the now familiar collapse.

However, Ramdin and Blackwood repelled the Proteas attack, to haul West Indies back into the game. The righthanded Ramdin got off the mark with a streaky

Scoreboard WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite c Elgar b Steyn 7 D. Smith b Harmer 47 L. Johnson lbw b Harmer 54 M. Samuels c du Plessis b van Zyl 43 S. Chanderpaul stp. de Villiers b Harmer 9 J. Blackwood not out 45 D. Ramdin c & b Steyn 53 J. Holder not out 5 Extras: (lb-3, w-8, nb-2) 13 Total: (6 wkts, 90 overs) 276 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-80, 3-131, 4-162, 5-172, 6-266.

Bowling: Steyn 21-5-59-2, Philander 16-2-54-0, Morkel 18-1-74-0, Harmer 25-5-673, van Zyl 8.1-2-13-1, Elgar 2-0-6-0.

SOUTH AFRICA: D. Elgar, A. Petersen, F. du Plessis, H. Amla, AB de Villiers, T. Bavuma, S. van Zyl, V. Philander, D. Steyn, M. Morkel, S. Harmer.

boundary to third man off Harmer before taking two successive boundaries off Morkel behind square on the off side.

He was unbeaten on 38 at the final drinks break and boundaries off Harmer and Philander took him to 49 before a couple to cover saw him to 12th Test halfcentury.

Disappointingly, he fell four overs later, getting a leading edge back to Steyn off the bowler’s second ball of a new spell.

The 23-year-old Blackwood, on seven at tea, survived a difficult chance to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers off Harmer on 13 in the fifth over after the break, but made the most of the opportunity.

Guyana Jaguars resume training today for NAGICO Super50 Windies poised for challenging … Team to be named next week

FOLLOWING a break for the Christmas season, the Guyana Jaguars, under the supervision of head coach Esaun Crandon and his assistant Rayon Griffith, will resume their preparation for the West Indies Cricket Board/ Professional Cricket League NAGICO Super50 tournament today.

The Jaguars minus Barbados Raymond Reifer who went back home for the holiday season, will be undergoing beep-tests along with several other stretching and cardio exercises at the Guyana National Stadium from 08:00hrs today.

According to Griffith who also holds the portfolio of Chairman of Selectors, the final 14-man team which will wing out for Trinidad and Tobago will be selected sometime next week. Two

Narsingh Deonarine practice matches will be played next Wednesday and Friday at a venue to be named, before the team departs on January 13.

The tournament is being held from January 15 to 24, with the 25th being an alternate day should rain prevent the final from being

played on the appointed day, with matches being played at the Queen’s Park Oval, Shaw Park and National Cricket Centre.

The Guyana Jaguars, who are placed in Zone ‘A’ alongside Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), defending champions Barbados Pride and the Windward Islands Volcanoes, will swing into action on the opening day when they face-off with the Volcanoes before opposing Barbados Pride on January 17 and CCC on January 19.

Zone ‘B’ comprises the Windies Under-19s, Jamaica, Leeward Islands Hurricanes and hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and according to the WICB, their Under-19 team will be using the tournament as part of a longterm build-up for the next International Cricket Council’s Under-19 World Cup in 2016.

The Guyana Jaguars will be contesting all their games at the picturesque Queen’s Park Oval and they may be without Leon Johnson and Narsingh Deonarine, while Kemo Paul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer are all expected to be in the Young West Indies side for this tournament.

total, says Johnson CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Jan 1, CMC – Leon Johnson believes West Indies are well placed to push on for a big score after rallying to make a relatively strong finish to the opening day of the final Test here yesterday West Indies recovered from a dodgy position of 172 for five just after tea, to reach 276 for six at the close at Newlands.

“We always talk about getting between 350, 400 so I think we have set the platform,” said Johnson. “Jermaine (Blackwood) is in there and doing pretty well and Jason (Holder) is very capable. The other batters to come are very capable as well so we’ll be looking to get 400-plus.”

Johnson has so far top-scored with 54, captain Denesh Ramdin made a timely return to form with 53 while opener Devon Smith stroked 47.

Marlon Samuels hit 43 and Blackwood an unbeaten on 45, and was accompanied by Holder on five at stumps.

When West Indies lost three wickets for 41 runs to slump after tea, Blackwood and Ramdin posted 94 for the sixth wicket to revive the innings.

“We showed the kind of fight today that we have been talking about. We’re one or two wickets too many down but we’re very happy with the position that we’re in today,” said the left-handed Johnson.

He added: “We’re not totally happy with guys not carrying on to get the three figure scores but as a team, we have to be happy with getting to 276 for six. It is the first time we have batted 90 overs out in the series so far so we are pretty happy with that.”

Ramdin’s half-century was his first since December, 2013 and Johnson said he was happy for the skipper.

“Denesh is a very good player and he’s been doing well for the last two years in Test cricket and he’s been inspirational to all the fellas so it’s good to see him get runs today as well.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE January Saturday 3, 2015

31

UDFA/GT BEER SUPA 16 CHRISTMAS KO

Hi-Stars pitch but Winners Connection still champions

By Joe Chapman HI STARS courageous goalkeeper Joel Samuels committed the cardinal sin in the 65th minute.

He panicked and shoved Winners Connection midfield player Steve Brewley in the box, thus pitching the hopes of the stars and gifting a penalty that eventually decided the final in the Upper Demerara Football Association/Banks DIH GT Beer Supa 16 Christmas championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground on Thursday night.

Like a lion in a cage, Samuels had kept his team in with a fighting chance as he parried, blocked and deflected several shots that came his way, while his team mustered a few opportunities which did come their way.

Winners Connection seemed on course to go ahead in as early the 14th minute of the first half as a play developed from the left side but Samuels was there.

Then from a corner Samuels cleared the ball from the goal mouth and by the 21st minute, this time from the right flank, Samuels blocked another shot that was heading to goal before Hi stars Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams, coming forward, unleashed a 20-metre drive which forced a clearance from the Winners Connection goalkeeper who advanced to cut the angle.

But Hi Stars’ Samuels was again brought into the picture, this time as the play came through the middle, he blocked another shot in the 33rd minute and it was obvious that Samuels did not favour clutching the ball and was more intent on thwarting it from the goal; as was evidenced in the 39th minute when the ball was sent through the middle.

Just before the halftime whistle came Steve ‘Parrot’ Brewley made a good dribble at the edge of the 18-yard box, as he feigned to his right and with a dribble going left, uncorked a shot that was

barely redirected away

by Samuels, drawing loud cheers from the appreciative and partisan crowd who chanted for HiStars.

After play resumed Hi Stars forward Julian Allicock in a one-two with his teammate failed to get past the Winners Connection goalkeeper and soon after the overworked Samuels was called upon to deflect another ball heading to his goal.

But in the 65th minute on another foray led by schemer Gary Thompson for Winners Connection, Samuels saved another shot but the ball immediately went back in front of the goal mouth.

There an unmarked Brewley made his way towards the loose ball as the stalking Samuels ended up connecting from behind with enough force that saw the Winners Connection player fall to the ground, drawing a foul as instructed by referee Stanley Lancaster.

The resultant penalty taken by striker Rawle ‘Boney’ Gittens was slotted home for a 1-0 advantage by the defending champions, taking his tally to four in the tournament, to be the highest scorer.

This took the wind out of the responsive sail of the Hi Stars and although they maintained the fight, the gusto to score was not evident, and the final whistle came with the defending champions retaining another hold on the championship trophy, $1M and an unbeaten record dating back to their first tournament win one year ago.

Deputy Regional Executive Officer Mrs Maylene Stephens handed over the winner’s trophy to Winners Connection after the game as the replicas and trophies for the secondplaced team Hi Stars were also distributed.

Among those helping with the presentation were Banks DIH Linden Branch Manager Ms Shondell Easton, Errol Nelson, Banks DIH Aqua Mist Manager and Ms Sandra Adams of the

PNC/R, while the official presentation Champions Winners Connection receive their $1M cheque from Ms Shondel of the individual prizes will be done at a Easton. Banks DIH Linden Branch Manager, and Errol Nelson, Banks DIH Aqua Mist Manager, after copping the championships for the second straight year. later date.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Windies, South Africa share day one honours See story on page 30

‘Jackie Chan’ stars as Alpha United cop GFA Banks Beer Cup … Pele stop Western Tigers for 3rd place See story on page 27

Easy does it! Alpha United’s Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson after scoring one of his two goals on the night to lead his side 3-0 past the GDF.

Tournament MVP Daniel Wilson collects his trophy from Banks DIH Public Relations Officer Troy Peters.

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014