Guyana chronicle 04 07 14

GUYANA No. 103878

FRIDAY JULY 4, 2014

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

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Education Minister urges parents to invest heavily in their children Page

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- dubs his comments as ‘vexatious, outrageous and sinister’

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AG chastises Williams for trying to undermine 2 integrity of Rodney CoI

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Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand assisting in the distribution of school uniform vouchers

President Ramotar slams US 3 diplomat over Local Gov’t poll remarks Page

President Donald Ramotar

11 Finance Minister 8-yr-old killed attempting to addresses Statements cross road 16 of Excess ‘hysteria’ Page

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Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

AG chastises Williams for trying to undermine integrity of Rodney CoI

- dubs his comments as ‘vexatious, outrageous and sinister’

By Vanessa Narine ATTORNEY-General and Minster of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall, yesterday, rejected the “vexatious, outrageous and sinister” comments made by Shadow Legal Affairs Minister, Mr Basil Williams, in a letter published in Wednesday’s edition of the Stabroek News.

Williams, a Member of Parliament representing the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), sought to question the legality of the extension of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) proceedings.

Nandlall, in a response

yesterday, said Williams’ allegations contained in that letter are not only “vexatious, outrageous and sinister,” but they are “obviously calculated” to undermine the integrity of the CoI.

all of which failed.

“They (also) attacked the procedure employed by the Commission and the quality of evidence adduced thereof. That also failed. These new allegations by Mr. Williams are obviously their next line of attack. This will also fail,” he said.

HOPELESSLY WRONG Nandlall contends that Williams’ assertions are “hopelessly wrong” and the facts to support this

Minster of Legal Affairs Mr Anil Nandlall “This is not surprising.

It has been the agenda of Mr. Williams and his party even before the Commission was established. I can only surmise that they realised that they would not be able to deal with the evidence that was likely to emerge and in fact is emerging from the Commission,” Nandlall said in a statement to the media.

The AG added that from the outset, the APNU attacked the Terms of Reference (TOR), which failed, and saw the party proceeding to challenge the integrity of Commissioners on the CoI,

Mr Basil Williams are clear.

He said, “Two simple points will establish this.

One, on June 23, 2014, before the commencement of the third sitting of the Commission, the President sent a letter to the Chairman extending the life of See page 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

AG chastises Williams for trying to undermine ...

From page 2 the Commission until September 30th, 2014. This notification was published in the Official Gazette in an extra ordinary publication dated June 24th, 2014 which stated that it was effective from June 23rd, 2014. The Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03 by virtue of Section 3 gives the President the power to alter a Commission of Inquiry established under that Act.” Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, Chapter 19:03 provides that: “In case any commissioner shall be or become unable or unwilling to act, or shall die, the President may appoint another commissioner in his place; and any commission issued under this Act may be altered as the President may deem fit by any subsequent commission issued by the President or may be revoked altogether by a notification to that effect published in the Gazette.”

“It was, therefore, well within the power of the President to include in the publication thatthe extension was to be effective from June 23, 2014,” Nandlall said.

The AG also referenced Section 21 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, Chapter 2:01, which gives the President the power to publish subsidiary legislations, such as the notification for extension and for them to have retrospective operation.

“What this means is that they can come into operation before the date of publication in the official Gazette,” he said.

Section 21 (2) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, Chapter 2:01 states that: “Subsidiary Legislation other than those specified in subsection (1) need not be published unless expressly required by the Act conferring power to make them and, whether published or not, such instruments shall come into operation at the time of their making or at such other time as may be specified therein.”

Nandlall said, “The evidence taken by the Commission on June 23rd, 2014, is therefore beyond any legal challenge. A simple reading of the relevant sections of the Commissions of Inquiry Act and the Interpretation and General Clauses Act would have saved Mr. Williams from much embarrassment.”

The AG concluded that Williams’ use of the Stabroek News’ Letters column, rather than to address these matters to the Commission itself, evidences an intent to mislead the general public.

“It is my considered view that the forum used

by Mr. Williams, that is, the Letters column of the newspaper rather than making those very objections before the Commission itself, leads me to the ineluctable conclusion that Mr. Williams not only intends to mislead the public but also to disparage the integrity of the Commission,” he said.

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President Ramotar slams US diplomat over Local Gov’t poll remarks

By Peter Richards (CMC REPORT): Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar, on Wednesday, forthrightly dismissed a statement by the outgoing United States Ambassador, Brent Hardt, who accused the head of state of selectively abiding by the country’s Constitution, even as the country awaits long-overdue local government elections.

Hardt, addressing a function earlier this week, said that President Ramotar’s reason for not assenting to one of the local government bills was because it was unconstitutional, while at the same time was not holding the local government polls in keeping with the dictates of the Constitution.

“He cannot be an inconsistent defender of the Constitution, ignoring the Constitution’s very clear requirement to hold local governPresident Donald Ramotar ment elections and, for that matter, to return bills to parliament no more than 21 days after they are sent to him,” said Hardt.

The American diplomat said none of the “seemingly array of excuses” by President Ramotar and the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for not holding local government elections (LGE) since 1994 were valid.

“By not even setting a date, the Government keeps LGE always off in the elusive distant horizon. This purposeful delay after 20 years without elections is, it bears repeating, contrary to the constitution and laws of Guyana,” Hardt said.

However, President Ramotar, who is in Antigua attending the 35th summit of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Hardt spoke at the function “as if he is the governor in the country and not as an ambassador.

“I think he would have properly done much better in doing his business as an ambassador. However, if he was so concerned about democracy, I think he should probably think about the fact that the United States has been passing laws in their Congress where Guyana nor the rest of the Caribbean doesn’t have a say but we are forced to implement those laws like the financial laws that they recently passed where banks must report American citizens who have their deposits here.”

Ramotar said that “many of the issues raised by the American diplomat are really way out and the ambassador would do very well, instead of getting involved in local politics, to really represent the interest of his country properly.”

President Ramotar said the outburst by the U.S. envoy is not a “one off shot” issue, adding “if you look also at the Wikileaks, this very ambassador, when he was ambassador in other parts of the Caribbean has been sending all kinds of personal things about leaders of the Caribbean.

“So I am not worried about his comU.S. Ambassador ments, I think that if he Brent Hardt was really concerned about democracy, there are many, many places like Egypt where the United States has very close relationship; there they have serious democratic problems, maybe they should go and talk to them.”

An angry Guyanese Head of State also suggested that the diplomat should go to his own country “where you have governors in different states taking decisions…where public servants don’t have collective bargaining. Those are things that are trampling democracy. If he is so mindful he should get involved in that type of politics,” Ramotar told CMC.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Fear, cash shortages hinder fight against Ebola outbreak (Reuters) - West African states lack the resources to battle the world’s worst outbreak of Ebola and deep cultural suspicions about the disease remain a big obstacle to halting its spread, ministers said on Wednesday.

The outbreak has killed 467 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since February, making it the largest and deadliest ever, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

West African health ministers meeting in Ghana to draw up a regional response mixed appeals for cash with warnings of the practices that have allowed the disease to spread across borders and into cities.

Abubakarr Fofanah, deputy health minister for Sierra Leone, a country with one of

Health workers carry the body of an Ebola virus victim in Kenema, Sierra Leone, June 25, 2014. (Credit: Reuters/Umaru Fofana) the world’s weakest health systems, said cash was needed for drugs, basic protective gear and staff pay.

Sierra Leone announced on Wednesday that President Ernest Bai Koroma, his vice president and all cabinet ministers would donate half of their salaries to help fight the outbreak, though the total amount of the donations was not disclosed.

“In Liberia, our biggest challenge is denial, fear and

panic. Our people are very much afraid of the disease,” Bernice Dahn, Liberia’s deputy health minister, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Accra meeting.

“People are afraid but do not believe that the disease exists and because of that people get sick and the community members hide them and bury them, against all the norms we have put in place,” she said.

Authorities are trying to stop relatives of Ebola victims from giving them traditional funerals, which often involve the manual washing of the body, out of fear of spreading the infection. The dead are instead meant to be

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buried by health staff wearing protective gear.

Neighboring Sierra Leone faces many of the same problems, with dozens of those infected evading treatment, complicating efforts to trace cases.

The Red Cross in Guinea said it had been forced to temporarily suspend some operations in the country’s southeast after staff working on Ebola were threatened.

“Locals wielding knives surrounded a marked Red Cross vehicle,” a Red Cross official said, asking not to be named. The official said operations had been halted for safety reasons. The Red Cross later said only international staff were removed.

A Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) center in Guinea was attacked by youths in April after staff were accused of bringing the disease into the country.

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World Cup police cooperation nabs Argentine ‘dirty war’ torturer (Reuters) - ENHANCED international police cooperation during the World Cup has led to the arrest of a fugitive wanted for torture and murder during Argentina’s “dirty war” against leftists four decades ago, Brazilian authorities said on Thursday.

Salvador Siciliano was a leading member of the notorious Triple A anti-communist death squad and is wanted in Argentina for the abduction, torture and murder of three people between 1973 and 1975, Brazilian and Argentine police officers said.

Siciliano, in his mid-seventies, was arrested on Thursday morning in a house in Arujá, a town outside Sao Paulo. Procedures were pending for his extradition to Argentina.

“He entered Brazil illegally and was hiding here,” said Luiz Eduardo Navajas, a Brazilian Federal Police officer. “He was captured thanks to heightened cooperation during the World Cup.” Navajas did not provide details on what kind of cooperation led to the arrest.

But he spoke at the International Police Coordination Center, where police forces from the 32 nations in the

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tournament are exchanging more information than usual to track security threats and criminals that might be in Brazil.

Brazilian police have so far arrested five foreigners wanted on criminal charges, including drug traffickers from Mexico and Argentina, and a Chilean thief.

Earlier on Thursday, police raided an apartment in Barra de Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, and arrested Dennis Alfredo Grell, a German who fled to Brazil two years ago to escape arrest on tax fraud charges in his country.

Information exchange between police forces has led to the arrest and deportation of 40 Argentine soccer fans with records of troublemaking as members of Argentina’s violence-prone “barras bravas” fan clubs, Navajas said.

And it is not over yet.

Police are searching for Pablo Alvarez, leader of the fan club of Argentina’s Independiente soccer club. Alvarez dodged border controls to enter Brazil and has posted photos of himself on Facebook at two Argentina games disguised as a Swiss fan, police said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Flyover collapses in Brazil World Cup host city (BBC News) A FLYOVER has collapsed onto vehicles in the Brazilian World Cup host city of Belo Horizonte, killing two people.

The concrete and steel bridge, which was under construction, fell onto traffic on a busy highway.

The front of a commuter bus was crushed along with two apparently unoccupied construction lorries. A car was also reported crushed.

It is unclear if people remain trapped under the rubble.

The south-eastern city is due to host a World Cup semi-final match next week.

The health department of the state of Minas Gerais, of which Belo Horizonte is the capital, said the bus driver and another person were killed, and 22 more people were also injured.

The construction firm that was building the flyover, Cowan, said it “deeply regrets what happened”.

“At the moment, the priority is to support victims and their families. The com-

pany says it has already sent technical staff to the scene to start investigations,” it said in a statement.

“When I saw the flyover falling down, I feared the

is near the busy district of Lagoa da Pampulha and the Mineirao Stadium, which has played host to several World Cup matches.

The unfinished flyover

Emergency officials say the driver of the bus was killed in the incident worst would happen, that the bridge would turn on top of our bus,” Renata Soares, who said she was sitting at the back of the yellow bus that was crushed, told Brazil’s GloboNews.

Another witness speaking to the channel, Daniel Magalhaes, said that the moment the bridge collapsed felt “like an earthquake. The ground shook violently. I heard a very loud bang”.

The scene of the accident

was part of the World Cup infrastructure plan aimed at improving Belo Horizonte’s public transport system.

A resident of the city, Diego Siqueira, told the BBC that people in Belo Horizonte were “not surprised” by the accident.

“Every World Cup infrastructure construction was delayed until the last year and they started to build it so fast and without quality,” he complained.

Cops to the rescue after mom delivers baby in bathroom (Jamaica Gleaner) JUST after 8 p.m., on Monday , Tanya Jackson was in labour and just minutes away from giving birth.

Instead of the 25-year old being in the safety and assurance of a hospital bed delivering her unborn child with the help of healthcare professionals, she lay on the floor of a public bathroom in Spanish Town bus park, alone.

In a stroke of serendipity, members of the St. Catherine North Street Crime Unit were on foot patrol in the bus park at the same time when they were approached by a member of the public who informed team leader Sergeant Hugh Morgan that Tanya was about to give birth.

Sergeant Morgan took to his radio and quickly alerted the team, who had split up in the bus park, while also requesting an ambulance to be sent to the location to assist.

Hearing this radio call, the rest of the Street Crime Unit converged on the bathroom where there discovered Ms. Jackson supine with a baby close by her.

“I would know that the umbilical cord and the placenta would always be attached to the baby until the doctor cuts the umbilical cord, so it was just on me just to take that baby to the hospital and just ensure the baby reached the hospital safely-

Police personnel from the St Catherine North Street Crime Unit, who assisted a woman who gave birth to a baby boy in the bathroom at the Spanish Town bus park Monday night. - Norman Grindley/ Chief Photographer that was just my thing,” explained Woman Constable Simone Lewis who was the first to pick up the baby from the bathroom floor.

Woman Constable Lewis said that as a woman her maternal instincts automatically kicked in and that the Jamaica Constabulary Force was about more than fighting crime.

“My only intention was to make sure that the baby is safely transported to the hospital, and I have to say thumbs up to the rest of my team members as well, because them being men they don’t really understand certain things”.

Sergeant Morgan, Woman Constable Lewis alongside Constable Francis, Constable Brown and several other team members assisted the new mother and her baby boy inside a waiting service vehicle

where they rushed her to the Spanish Town hospital and left them in the care of the maternity area.

“It will go down in the history books for myself,” Sergeant Morgan told The Gleaner.

“And I know I can speak on the behalf of my other team members, it’s a day that all of us will remember”.

Brazil’s preparations for the World Cup were marred by accidents and missed deadlines. At least seven people were killed working on stadiums prior to the start

of the tournament.

Last month, a worker was killed after a beam fell during construction of a monorail in Brazil’s biggest city, Sao Paulo.

The authorities have denied allegations that corners have been cut to get projects finished on time for the football tournament.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

The mobile capacity of Guyana Police Force IT is an uncontested given, that social infrastructure is the platform upon which every modern State is built. Call it the sin qua non of the latter ’s existence, since it gives defined direction to the growth and development pathway, shaping citizens’ lives in the process.

It explains, therefore, the multi-billion dollars spent by the PPP/C Government in its pivotal programme of building and restoring critical infrastructure that had become obsolete, and obliterated, by the historic date of October, 1992.

Since the safety of a nation’s citizens is paramount

for its advancement, its law enforcement arm has to be well equipped to ensure this most important function.

As an example, the total sum of $73.1B has been allocated to the security sector for the period 2010 – 2014.

This, and prior sums since 1993, has resulted in a wholesale re-equipment to provide the Police Force with the resources to enable its ranks to better serve and protect the nation, as spelt out by its motto.

It explains why new police stations and outposts have been built in areas that were in dire need of the presence of law enforcement personnel; existing police

stations refurbished; and outposts built.

These new precincts, especially, now have interviewing rooms, and specific facilities to deal with the social nightmare of domestic violence reports.

Given the organised nature of crime and for law enforcement to be abreast, the Guyana Police Force now has installed the Integrated Crime Information System.

It enables police stations to process data very quickly as it relates to suspects and persons who are detained for criminal investigation.

A central feature of this continuous re-tooling of the Guyana Police Force has

been its mobile capacity, as again exemplified by a recent media report of 50 new vehicles procured from the 2013 Budget allocation. This should place the number of vehicles received by the Police Force over the past decade to well over 600.

There is no doubt that more than at any other time in its history, the Guyana Police Force enjoys greater mobility in being able to get to critical areas, in addition to answering citizens’ calls for assistance. But there is a constant report from affected persons, inclusive of crime victims, that their emergency calls when answered are often met with the response of

“no vehicle available”. This is indeed very surprising, given the continuous allocation of vehicles to the Force; and it was the case in Kitty a few months ago, when bandits attacked and robbed a wake house.

We do posit that each police station in Guyana should have at least two vehicles at the ready for any contingency, as would be expected.

And since these vehicles have been procured at great expense to taxpayers, it is expected that these must be ready for use as designated.

On many occasions, police vehicles are seen in places where they ought not to be, even involved in functions that are not part of their remit.

Let it be reminded, that the element of prompt and speed is a critical essential in apprehending criminals/suspects, and this is reflected in how quickly lawmen arrive at the scene of a crime. This is what citizens expect, apart from the fact that these vehicles must be driven with due care.

Police Force responds to Stabroek News article THE Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in the Stabroek News (Tuesday July 2, 2014) under the caption ‘Amputee constable accuses Police Force of abandonment’.

The Guyana Police Force categorically refutes the allegations of ‘abandonment and neglect’ being made against the organisation and wishes to state that, on the contrary, the Police Force has responded very positively in the matter involving Constable 20859 Samuel Elvis, which is in keeping with the Force’s policy of utmost concern for the welfare of its members.

Constable Samuel Elvis was shot and injured by another police rank while on duty on March 20, 2014. He was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but subsequently removed to the Woodlands Hospital after concerns were raised about the quality of treatment. He was discharged from Woodlands Hospital on April 20, 2014.

The Guyana Police Force understands that due to the

fact that he did not follow medical advice, the wound to his leg became infected and Constable Elvis had to be readmitted to the Woodlands Hospital on May 19, 2014.

He was later discharged on June 6, 2014.

The Guyana Police Force has paid all the bills for Constable Samuel Elvis’ medical treatment and other related expenses from the date of his injury unto present, while cognisant that a percentage will be refunded through the National Insurance Scheme.

During the periods of his hospitalization, ranks of the Police Welfare Department, including the Force Welfare Officer, visited Constable Elvis on a daily basis and whatever needs he required, outside of the medical treatment, were met through the Police Force. In addition, a number of other police ranks, including senior officers of the Force Administration, visited Constable Samuel Elvis while in hospital.

While out of hospital Constable Samuel Elvis was, and still is, required to visit the out-patient clinic of the Woodlands Hospital on a

regular basis and on these occasions the police have assisted with transportation and staff of the Police Welfare Department would accompany him. Incidentally, he (was) expected to visit the clinic on Wednesday July 2, 2014, and ranks of the Police Welfare Department (were) there to provide the same level of support to him, as they have been consistently doing.

After being discharged from hospital on April 20, 2014, Constable Samuel Elvis, accompanied by his parents, met with the Commissioner of Police (ag) Mr. Seelall Persaud, DSM, and the Assistant Commissioner (Administration) Mr. Balram Persaud, on separate occasions.

During those meetings they were assured that Constable 20859 Samuel Elvis will remain a member of the Police Force and that he can return to work as soon as he is recovered and able to do so. In fact, Constable Elvis continues to receive his full salary from the Police Force.

They were also assured that the Guyana Police Force

will make efforts to acquire a prosthetic leg for Constable Samuel Elvis after his foot has healed.

They were also given assurances that the investigations into the matter, which had been stymied for a while because of a statement from him, would be completed and legal advice sought. The investigations have since been completed and legal advice is being sought in the matter presently.

It should be noted that during the discussions, some requests were made for mon-

ies which the Guyana Police Force cannot lawfully meet and it was also stated that there was some negotiation for compensation with the rank, who had discharged the round that caused Constable Samuel Elvis’ injury.

Given the significant role the Police Welfare Department has played and is continuing to play in the matter concerning Constable Samuel Elvis, the Guyana Police Force takes with a pinch of salt the allegation that, when the Stabroek News contacted the Police Welfare Office,

they were told that the matter was not being handled by the office.

The Police Force is also reminding media operatives that the persons authorised to interact with the media on police related matters are the Commissioner of Police, the Head, CID (Crime Chief), the Traffic Officer and the Public Relations and Press Officer.

IVELAW WHITTAKER Police Public Relations and Press Officer

‘The Big One’ at this Ministry ceased working there since 2013 REFERENCE is made to an article published in the Kaieteur News of July 01, 2014 under the caption: ‘Senior Government Official Charged with Indecent Exposure.’

THE Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to inform the general public that the person in question ‘Mr. Narine Chattergoon, aka ‘Ken’, who claimed -- as reported in the article -- to be “a big one with the Ministry of Home Affairs,” is no longer employed by this Ministry.

Mr. Chattergoon’s contract was terminated with effect from August 1, 2013, and he does not have any other affiliation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

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The crying needs of Good Hope Cemetery on the East Coast I READ the piece in the Daily Chronicle about the Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown being cleaned up, trees being cut down, and the drainage being cleared; so I wish to ask you to give much-needed publicity to the neglect of the cemetery at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.

The internal and surrounding drainage are either filled up or blocked causing it to be impassable and even impossible for mourners and friends

of the deceased to negotiate, even during the dry season, much less through the rainy times, to reach the burial site without taking off their shoes and rolling up their clothes.

Tall bushes and overgrown trees have caused the cemetery to be an unkempt mini-forest. The walking passageways are blocked by tall trees, bushes and shrubs, or are too soggy to walk on.

Local businessmen/ women have encroached also on the burial lands des-

ignated for the cemetery;and whenever there is rainfall, the land is flooded.

Drug addicts and animals usually frequent the place and sleep on the tombs, many of which are broken into by this neglect.

What needs to be done is, firstly, the NDC at Lusignan should cut down all the tall trees and overgrown grasses, and also clear the internal and outer drainage, as they are either blocked by greedy business people or are fully ignored

by the NDC here, as silt builds up and causes blockages.

Also there should be a continuous, ongoing year-round maintenance of this cemetery.

And, finally, the business people are to be stopped from, or persecuted for, encroaching on the cemetery lands.

Moreover, do not forget to stop the drug addicts from breaking into the tombs of our loved ones.

ROOPLALL DUDHNATH

PPP differences with the WPA were purely tactical THERE is a three-card trick line of questioning in the Rodney Inquiry by the PNC to take us into the realm of fantasy to show that the differences the PPP had with the WPA were more than disagreements on the basis of tactics and strategy. The PNC has been perennially trying to deflect its culpability in the assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney. This is just another Gobellian attempt at it again.

To illustrate the point, in 1980 at the University of Guyana campus there existed two Opposition student groups which were the Progressive Youth Organisation (UGPYO) and the Committee of Concerned Students (CCS) that were affiliated to the PPP

and WPA respectively.

The 1980 UG students’ election was on the card and Forbes Burnham had just handsomely rigged the 1979 Referendum by giving himself over seventy-five percent of the votes. We in the UGPYO engaged the CCS in talks to form a coalition student group in order to fight the elections on campus. The basis of the coalition was on the premise that the UGPYO was strong in the Faculties of Technology and Natural Science and the CCS had an overwhelming presence in the Faculty of Arts. This would have resulted in the coalition winning three of the five faculties, hence the majority. The major differ-

ence in the student election versus the national election was that each faculty vote was counted right after the close of polls in front of all the representatives.

In contrast, it is well documented as to the PNC mischief to the national ballot boxes after the end of polling. Winning the elections at the highest institution of learning would fly in the face of the farcical results of the Referendum.

We actually reached an agreement with the CCS and a coalition grouping named the Student for a Democratic University (SDU) was formed to jointly fight the elections. At the last moment, CCS withdrew from the coalition with the

A suggestion to end pageant controversies in Guyana KAIETEUR News carried an article that the Miss Guyana World Pageant 2014 was an epic failure, and Frank Fyffe had his contribution published in the Stabroek News last Saturday, June 28, 2014, ‘The Behaviour at the Miss Guyana World Pageant reflects what we live today’.

In all fairness to the organising committee of the event, perhaps a press briefing/forum might be an ideal avenue that should be considered.

This is very important, because failing to address these pressing issues could see less support for this event from all angles, come 2015.

Many might say that it is not important, and we don’t owe anyone an explanation; but, at the end of the day, it makes it much tougher to market Guyana to the globe from a tourism perspective.

A thought came to mind after reading all the reports, and it could possibly end all pageant controversies in Guyana (the serious pageants).

Why not have both Miss Guyana Universe and Miss Guyana World Pageants for 2015 with delegates only of Afro-Guyanese nationals; and for 2016, only Indo-Guyanese nationals; and keep that pattern onwards. In that case, I believe Guyana will witness better behaved supporters and a balance of ethnicity to the Misses Universe and World pageants.

T. PEMBERTON

statement that its parent body, the WPA, had a principled position against elections under the Burnham dictatorship. Now! There is no amount of reasoning that you can argue with logic of that nature. This was the kind of differences we had with the WPA; purely tactical.

Incidentally, we won the two Faculties and lost narrowly in the Faculty of Arts. The PNC introduced the famous Special Student clause that saw their supporters in the ministries being registered on the day of the elections with voting rights. We never saw them again after that day.

REGGIE BHAGWANDIN

Instigating heckling at a Diplomatic event is not in keeping with my character and professional conduct IN the June 3rd report on Minister Priya Manickchand’s remarks at a reception held at the residence of outgoing U.S. Ambassador, Dr. Brent Hardt, the Guyana Chronicle named me as the instigator of the audience’s heckling at the minister’s remarks. The article read, “Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand, despite being heckled at the instigation of local PR man, Alex Graham…”

The fact remains that I was in no way instrumental in instigating what seemed to me to be a spontaneous popular reaction to the Honourable Minister’s presentation by a large number of the persons present.

In fact, having arrived late, I stood next to Chronicle’s Editor Mark Ramotar throughout the event, and in the vicinity of Chronicle’s General Manager Michael Gordon who arrived after and Chronicle Reporter Vanessa Narine who was covering the event. We were at the back of the venue, near to the entrance/exit and just in front of a very loud speaker. That speaker, being as loud as it was, would have made it impossible for persons around the venue to even hear me.

I therefore condemn in the strongest possible terms the Guyana Chronicle’s attempt to besmirch my character and good name.

I also take offence to this gross, malicious and hurtful untruth.

Specifically, I wish to state that I have worked with government ministries and embassies since 1986 and officials and diplomats at the highest levels can vouch for my character and conduct in these circumstances. Also, as PR practitioner, I have enjoyed a very close professional relationship with the Guyanese media for many years and editors and reporters alike ought to be able to make equal judgments about my conduct.

I would urge the Editor Mark Ramotar to see to it that this travesty is corrected and a retraction printed in the shortest possible time. If a retraction is not printed, I will initiate legal action against the Guyana Chronicle.

Specifically, I wish to state that given the nature of my business, this report has caused serious and grave harm to my reputation both as an individual and a professional public relations practitioner and to the reputation of my firm Tagman Media.

ALEX GRAHAM EDITOR’S NOTE: It is never the intention of the Chronicle to besmirch the character and good name of Mr Alex Graham.

In fact, the Editor of this newspaper and Mr. Graham enjoy a close professional relationship for a number of years – and hopefully still do. However, the Chronicle stands by its assertion that Mr. Graham was a vociferous heckler during the minister’s remarks. We do, however, apologise for using the word ‘instigator’, even though our Chief Reporter at the event insists that she overheard Mr. Graham declaring, almost triumphantly, to the Ambassador and other guests that: “I led the charge”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Dominica moves to sever ties with Privy Council …

AG Nandlall underscores CCJ’s indispensable role to regional integration

By Vanessa Narine

DOMINICA, yesterday, noted that it intends severing ties with the London Privy Council “this week” after the Parliament there approved of legislation allowing for it to adopt the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its final court.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, according to the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), stated that the island would move swiftly in adopting the CCJ, established in 2001 by regional Governments.

G u y a n a ’s A t t o r ney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in an invited comment, noted that this decision is a welcomed one.

“Guyana, as one of the first to embrace the Attorney General CCJ as our final appellate Anil Nandlall Court, most naturally is pleased to note Dominica’s acceptance of the Court as their final court of appeal, thereby severing their century old connection with Her Majesty’s Privy Council,” he said.

N a n d l a l l r e f e renced the inaugural address to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads

by President Donald Ramotar in 2012, where the Guyanese Head of State issued a call for all CARICOM member states to accept the CCJ as their Final appellate court.

The AG said, “The Government and people of Dominica should therefore be congratulated Mr Gaston Browne, Prime for this monumental Minister of Antigua and step. It is hoped that Barbuda other member states of CARICOM would emulate and do so quickly.

“As a Caribbean people seeking to forge an integrated community and a single market and economy, the quicker we accept that the CCJ is not only an indispensable factor in the equation but an inevitability, it would be better for us and the integration process we strive so strenu-

ously to build.”

REPEATED CALL Dominica’s move follows the repeated call for the replacement of the Privy Council with the CCJ, by the newly-elected Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, in his first address at the ongoing CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government.

He stressed that the Region can “never be truly independent” while its final appellate court is the court of its “former colonial masters” – the United Kingdom’s (UK) Privy Council.

“The decisions of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), thus far, can only bolster our confidence in the quality of the jurisprudence that emanates from the Court,” said Prime Minister Browne, who took over the reins of Chairmanship of CARICOM at Tuesday’s opening of the 35th meeting of the Region’s Heads.

He stated that Antigua and Barbuda will lead the way on this issue and “will not loiter” in demonstrating confidence in the CCJ. “(We) will take steps, in conjunction with our OECS sister states, to join the appellate jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice,” Prime Minister Browne said.

According to him, the CCJ as the Court of Final Appeal replacing the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council is a must.

He said, “It is my Government’s intention to hold the referendum required by the Constitution to make this possible as soon as practicable…we can never be truly independent in the region while our final appellate court is the court of our former colonial masters.”

INTEGRAL TO REGIONAL GOVERNANCE The CARICOM Chair added that the CCJ

is an important aspect of CARICOM’s regional governance, as well as will aid in supporting the establishment of our judicial independence.

He said, “I am not so dewy-eyed and naïve not to appreciate the challenges that Governments face in balancing competing interests in all their societies. I congratulate my colleagues who, notwithstanding the obstacles, have kept the faith in

“As a Caribbean people seeking to forge an integrated community and a single market and economy, the quicker we accept that the CCJ is not only an indispensable factor in the equation but an inevitability, it would be better for us and the integration process we strive so strenuously to build” – Attorney General Anil Nandlall advancing our Caribbean Community.

“Let us all commit ourselves to the removal of all barriers to free movement and to accelerate the strengthening of the CARICOM Secretariat to perfect and advance the Single Market and Economy.”

Browne stressed that advancing the integration movement cannot be achieved by waiting for the most reluctant of countries in the Region Mr Roosevelt Skerrit, to act.

“If we are seri- Prime Minister of Dominica ous about CARICOM as an instrument for the development of our countries and of the region, we should focus on a priority action plan that is strategically linked to achieving the core objectives of the single market and economy,” he said.

The CARICOM Chair maintained that CARICOM Member States must re-commit to accelerate the integration process.

The CCJ, which has both an original and appellate jurisdiction, also acts as an international tribunal interpreting the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement, CARICOM.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

IS THIS GUY FOR REAL! - Are we to believe that Mayor Hamilton Green drives around the City using up in excess of $130,000 worth of fuel for his vehicle within a period of 12 days?

IS Mayor Hamilton Green driving a gas-guzzling Hummer vehicle? Old Kai does not think so. Therefore, it perplexes the mind that Mayor Green would reportedly expend well over $130,000 on fuel for his vehicle within a period of 12 days.

If these figures are accurate, we can have a fair idea of what his fuel consumption is causing tax payers of the City per month. This situation was brought to light by Town Clerk Carol Sooba, who revealed in a Guyana Chronicle article of April 29, 2014 that the Mayor had recently requested a refund for gasoline to the tune of $100,000 which he claimed he paid for, after being provided in excess of 30 gallons of gasoline a mere 12 days prior to his request for refund.

Georgetown is a very small city, and even if the Mayor travelled out of town on a few occasions, it still does not explain the consumption of approximately 130 gallons of gasoline in the space of 12 days.

Did the Mayor drive to Lethem or neighbouring Suriname twice during this period, to justify this type of consumption? So as to get a better idea, a drum or barrel would contain roughly 50 to 55 gallons of fuel; therefore Mayor Green’s consumption pattern would have seen him using in excess of two drums of fuel for his vehicle in 12 days.

Old Kai is not familiar with the methods employed by the City Council in the management of fuel consumption, but I would suggest the hurried implementation of a system that is similar to that of Government Ministries, whereby a reading of the odometer is taken before the vehicle is

fuelled up, and then compared at the next period to ensure the fuel inputted corresponds with the distance recorded by the vehicle. Accurate record logs must also be maintained by the driver entrusted with the municipality’s property.

There is no way this significant expenditure in fuel by Mayor Green could be justified at a time when the M&CC is struggling with its finances; and, in turn, we are told that this is the reason why the City Council cannot provide better services to the taxpayers of Georgetown.

It is no other than the Mayor himself who has made this point on numerous occasions, and Old Kai recalls a media report appearing in the Kaieteur News in January 2009 in Mayor Hamilton which he was quoted as saying Green that the situation had reached such an alarming extent that the municipality “cannot repair one foot of road, including those around City Hall, which are filled with a number of disgraceful potholes.”

The municipal situation, he was reported as saying, is compounded by its inability to pay its utility bills, and it is

Massa Day done!

THE occasion of the observance of another anniversary milestone of the Independence of the United States of America, held at the residence of outgoing Ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Brent Hardt, is very revealing.

Immediately after the address by acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms. Priya Manickchand, she was booed by elements within the gathering that comprised diplomatic representatives, and those from other notable NGOs. This particular action could be described as very interesting, since some of its purveyors were noted anti-government critics.

The occasion can be described as the ‘high noon’ in the forays of the ambassador’s many pronouncements on matters pertaining to Guyana’s internal affairs.

Since the nation has been au fait with Ambassador Hardt’s statements, details will not be repeated, except to say that they have clearly been undiplomatic, and uncharacteristic of the best norms of diplomatic protocol and practices.

Not even colleague Heads/States/Governments are known to do such an unethical thing. But this is the United States’ style and brand of international diplomacy, which is clearly the result of their perceived mission as the self-ascribed guardian of democracy, and has been known for its public judgment of matters pertaining to other sovereign States’ affairs. OBSERVER wonders where is the legitimacy for such rights.

As an aside, and also a stark contradiction of what this

Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Priya Manickchand during the delivery of her scorching commentary that seared outgoing U.S. Ambassador Brent Hardt self-righteous nation has portrayed itself to be – it has refused to recognise the International Criminal Court (ICC) that brings to justice those who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, as having any jurisdiction as it relates to the conduct of Americans. Then there is the contrast of its controversial Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FACTA), a federal law that makes it incumbent for all foreign financial institutions to report on their (United States) clients to the Inland Revenue Services. Of course, there are

indebted to the Guyana Power and Light as well as the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company.

Then we are told that even things as simple as acquiring a photocopier is beyond the municipality’s financial reach, according to the City Mayor, who pointed out that all of the small matters that exist at the municipality amount to the microcosm of what the municipality actually faces.

Yes, I agree with the Mayor. But how is expending such a huge sum of finance on fuel for his vehicle helping the situation at City Hall? This brings me back to the Chronicle report earlier this year, which had also quoted Town Clerk Sooba as expressing frustration that the absurd behaviour of the Mayor has led to the conclusion that the Council has to take care of him and all his needs.

“Anything wrong with the Mayor, or anything he needs, the Council has to provide that for him,” she was quoted as saying.

This is rather revealing, and all taxpayers should take note of this development, as while I am not against the legitimate entitlements of the Mayor and other officials of the Council, we must guard against the abuse of the Council’s limited resources, particularly since the council has an infamous history of financial mismanagement.

In the meantime, Old Kai is still waiting on Mayor Green to explain how he used over $130,000 in fuel over 12 days, when he had admitted in the past that the council did not have the resources to even patch up a pothole in the City. severe penalties for those institutions that fail to comply.

The first instance of the ICC, with its refusal to accede to the Treaty, virtually bestows on American troops the right to behave with impunity in any theatre of conflict, without fear of being indicted before the Tribunal.

The FACTA stipulation is simply an arrangement that is imposed on states within the international system to reveal the accounts of US account holders. It is compulsory, lest those institutions are prepared to face punitive sanctions. One wonders whether China, for example, can enact such legislation, demanding similar reciprocity from the US, as far as Chinese account holders are concerned.

Ambassador Hardt’s conduct has been very unfortunate, and totally unexpected, given his background as a seasoned career diplomat.

He would have known that there are the proper diplomatic channels via which such issues about a host country are to be discussed. But to be lecturing a Head of State on his actions with regard a particular issue of a State that is sovereign, is clearly passing the red line, in addition to being intolerable.

In another jurisdiction, Hardt would have been asked to leave! The fact is that Guyana has been very charitable in its patience and accommodating when it ought not to be.

As for the heckling, it revealed the shameful double standards of those who have sought to lecture the government on democracy. Is it not hypocritical for those persons present, some of the well-known ‘mouthers,’ to have descended to the shocking level of booing after the Minister spoke, when her only fault was to have represented the government and people of her country.

She should be commended for her forthright position. She is a patriot. Therefore, those misplaced Guyanese ought to be reminded of the immortal words of the French philosopher, Voltaire: “I do not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”

Had they been aware of this statement, a well-known Opposition politician would not have allegedly been caught trying to disrupt/prevent Minister Manickchand from speaking, by attempting to unplug the transmission system’s wire.

How low can some of our so-called Guyanese be! They should be reminded that Massa Day done!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

PPP congratulates Pomeroon farmers form association in Dr Jagdeo on bid to attract international markets latest international achievement THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) would once again like to congratulate our former President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on his recent election as Chairman of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s 22nd Session of the Committee on Forestry for the period 2014-2016.

“Our Party believes that this most recent bestowing of another international accolade on the former President is a result not only of his selfless hard work over the years, but also of his undisputed and continually rising international stature,” the PPP said in a statement yesterday.

“His election to Chair this prestigious and very important international organisation is both a vindication and recognition of his undoubtedly astute leadership qualities which were crucial in propelling Guyana’s modernisation during his tenure as Head of State.

Our Party is infused with an incredible sense of pride at Dr. Jagdeo’s achievements and clearly for such qualities to be recognised internationalFormer President ly, must be of Dr Bharrat Jagdeo tremendous pride to him,” the PPP stated.

His rise which was achieved through selfless dedication from humble beginnings to an international leader, continues to be a source of inspiration to all Guyanese here and abroad, and has contributed to enhancing Guyana’s international image over the years. His work has not only precipitated pride for our nation and its people, but has ensured that a small country like Guyana can provide a meaningful voice to positively impact leadership on international issues.

Over the last few years there has been a constant bestowal of international commendation on this former President, including five Honorary Doctorates. Those from Trent University of Canada, the University of Central Lancashire and from TERI University of India, were in recognition of his global advocacy and leadership on the environment and climate change.

His dedication to efforts to help save the planet resulted in him being the recipient of the United Nations ‘Champion of the Earth Award’ and being asked to serve on the UN Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Group on Climate Finance. This followed him being named a ‘Hero of the Environment’ by the TIME Magazine.

“Our Party has no doubt that given the inspiring leadership he provided to Guyana as a former Finance Minister and President, Dr. Jagdeo would successfully discharge his duties as the Chairman of the FAO’s Committee on Forestry, thereby setting new standards for our country,” the ruling party said.

The PPP also extended best wishes to him as he embarks on his new endeavour “despite calculated efforts by his detractors to besmirch his character.”

COCONUT farmers and non-traditional agricultural commodities (cash crops) farmers in the Pomeroon area of Essequibo have joined together to form the ‘Pomeroon Farmers – Coconut and Other Crops Association’ in a deliberate attempt to improve production, attract funding and overseas markets.

The association which was formed this week was born out of a need to improve farming conditions in the area and to expand production.

* introduction of more profitable crops that will increase the revenue earned by local farmers * work with the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs to lobby overseas based organisations for assistance to develop the agriculture section in the Pomeroon area.

Initially the group plans to bring in two excavators to urgently improve drainage in the area. Drainage has been identified as a key factor that has to be upgraded in order to improve the quality and size of coconuts produced in

Members of the newly formed association following their first meeting earlier this week Chairman of the newly elected group, Mr. Michael Griffith, has indicated that the Association’s main purpose will be to assist farmers in the Pomeroon region to develop their farms through the acquisition of funding and skilled personnel to: * improve existing drainage and institute new draining systems in farms where necessary * better access to affordable planting materials and fertilisers * mechanise farms, to move away from labour intensive based farming and harvesting * promoting the sale of all crops grown in the Pomeroon through marketing, etc.

the area. Pomeroon Oil Mill Inc., the leading purchaser of coconuts in the area has also indicated their willingness to work with the farmers to ensure that the association becomes self-sufficient and viable since a vibrant association will lead to greater production. To this end, Pomeroon Oil Mill Inc. has pledged $250,000 to the organisation, the company will also look into the acquisition of other technologies that can be distributed to farmers to help increase their productivity.

The following office bearers were elected: Michael Griffith (Chairman), Brian Ally (Vice Chairman), Vilma Da Silva (Secretary), Eric Gomes (Treasurer) and Yeridin Cameron (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer).

Robbery at city pharmacy ...

Three males arrested, woman put on bail ––Police seeking DPP’s advice on way forward

By Leroy Smith

POLICE yesterday confirmed that three men are in custody as investigations continue into Monday’s daring daylight robbery, at gunpoint, at a popular city pharmacy.

Reports are that while the three are being held for questioning, they may very well not have had anything to do with the robbery. One of the three men is reportedly the brother of one of the suspects being sought by the police for the crime.

Meanwhile, the woman who was being held since Monday on suspicion of being an accomplice in the felony was released yesterday. However, she is not yet home free, since the police are seeking the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution on the way forward; and once the directive is that she should be charged, she will be rearrested.

According to information received, the police were forced to seek the advice of the DPP’s Chambers given the evidence available to them, and certain utterances made by the woman.

The Guyana Chronicle has learnt that since she was arrested on Monday, she has not been saying much to the police, and was extremely tight-lipped about her association with the two men alleged to have committed the robbery and later parked the getaway motorcycle in her business premises on D’Urban Street.

While she is claiming to have had no association with the men on the motorcycle, she admitted to being familiar with the driver of the motorcar that whisked the felons away to safety from her D’Urban Street premises where they had parked the motorcycle, having emptied the victim’s handbag of the money it contained and dumping it in the nearest rubbish bin, which so happened to be hers.

On Monday, Andy Mohamed, the victim’s companion, told the Chronicle that his curiosity was first aroused when the men pulled up at the pharmacy and one entered the store. He said he exited his vehicle and made for the store since he had a sneaky suspicion that the two were up to no good. But by the time he gained entry into the store, the bandit had already robbed the woman and was leaving.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Finance Minister addresses Statements of Excess ‘hysteria’

By Vanessa Narine

FINANCE Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday decried what he termed “hysteria” over the use of the Statement of Excess, the most recent of which was tabled in the National Assembly at the last sitting of the House on June 19.

“The legitimacy of the expenditure is unquestioned,” he said.

Citing Section 218 (3) of the Constitution, he made it pellucid that the resort to a Statement of Excess was done within clearly set out legal parameters.

The Section states that: “If in respect of any financial year it is found: (a) that the amount appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act; “Or (b) that any moneys have been expended

“The Statement of Excess is not a new instrument; it has been exercised before. This is not a new road; it is well trodden; it is tested and tried,” he said.

Dr. Singh questioned the motives behind the sensational statements seen in sections of the media over the last few weeks, with ‘screaming’ headlines that conveyed all manner of misconceptions, including that he should be made to face criminal charges for some kind of wrongdoing.

“It is this same Opposition that is talking about wanting to make a report to the police, that same

VALUE IN SCRUTINY Dr. Singh also dismissed the notion that his use of the Statement of Excess invalidates the role of the Opposition, since items included on the fourth Statement of Excess includes allocations in the 2014 Budget that were disapproved by the combined Opposition.

“The role and power of the Parliament are clearly defined in the Constitution…the Parliament is not a rubber stamp,” the Minster stressed.

‘I don’t know if they are now confessing that they were sleeping; I don’t know if they are Rip Van Winkle, but this very Parliament is familiar with the concept of a Statement of Excess’ – Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh

‘It is this same Opposition that is talking about wanting to make a report to the police, that same Opposition is not saying that they themselves, in the Parliament controlled by them, have approved Statements of Excess before’ – Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act, a supplementary estimate or, as the case may be, a statement of excess showing the sums required or spent shall be laid before the Assembly by the Prime Minister or any other Minister designated by the President.”

He also referenced the Parliamentary Standing Order 78 (1), which deals with supplementary estimates of expenditure and statements of excess.

The Order states that: “If in respect of any financial year it is found:- [a] that the amount appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is in sufficient or that a need has arisen for Expenditure for a purpose for which amount has been appropriated by that Act; “Or [b] that any moneys have been expended for any purpose in excess of the amount appropriated for that purpose by the Appropriation Act or for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act; “Or [c] that advances have been made from the Contingencies Fund for Expenditure for which no other provision exists, a Minister may present a Paper with the Supplementary Estimate or, as the case may be, the Statement of Excess showing the sums required or spent and that Paper shall be ordered to be printed and shall stand referred to the Committee of Supply without question put and shall be appointed to be considered on a day to be named by the Minister presenting the Paper but not earlier than one (1) day after that on which the Paper was presented.”

NOT NOVEL Dr Singh further stated that the use of Statements of Excess is not a novel move in the National Assembly, particularly since the House approved three other such statements without the “hullabaloo” being peddled in some quarters.

to access public funds.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh Opposition is not saying that they themselves, in the Parliament controlled by them, have approved Statements of Excess before,” the Minister said.

He stated that in the 10th Parliament, three Statements of Excess that were tabled saw approval of $3B in spending, three years without a “whimper” about its use.

According to him, the approvals included a lengthy list of areas where public funds were used to advance national interests.

“I don’t know if they are now confessing that they were sleeping; I don’t know if they are Rip Van Winkle, but this very Parliament is familiar with the concept of a Statement of Excess,” he said.

He rejected the notion made public in sections of the media that any approvals given were done with a heavy heart.

The Finance Minister, in responding to questions that a majority of the allocations in the previous Statements of Excess were subventions for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company, made it clear that regardless if it was one or many areas of spending, the fact of the matter is that the use of the Statement of Excess is not something new, which is not the picture being painted with the prevailing uproar over the issue.

“Even if it is only one item, my argument is that the Parliament endorsed Article 218 (3), and endorsed the validity of the use of the instrument of the Statement of Excess,” Dr. Singh stressed.

He threw out also the assertion that the laws addressing the use of a Statement of Excess constitute a legal “loophole” that could be used

He highlighted that it was the Opposition itself that justified its disapproval of budgetary allocations by calling for the return of said items to the National Assembly.

“The Opposition has said the items (budgetary allocations) were bunched even though we did not change it (the format of the listing of allocations). It is the same Opposition that said bring back the items and we will approve them. Well, let us put them to the test and hold them to their word,” Dr. Singh said.

The Finance Minister made it clear that scrutiny by the National Assembly is not only done during Budget debates, but at several other levels, including the standing sectoral committees.

He was firm in his positing that at all times the Government has subject itself to any level of scrutiny called for at the many levels of the National Assembly.

“We welcome scrutiny,” Dr. Singh said, adding that in the items included on the fourth Statement of Excess can withstand any level of scrutiny as the National Assembly so demands.

He reiterated too that each area of spending complied with the Constitution and the Parliamentary Standing Orders, as well as the January 2014 ruling by the Chief Justice (ag.) Ian Chang.

“The Chief Justice said, it is not for this court to substitute itself for the Minister of Finance. It is he, who must make the pre-requisite finding under Article 218 (3) and he who must be satisfied under the provisions of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act…the Chief Justice was quite clear,” he said.

Asked if the “spirit of the laws” were violated, Dr. Singh posited that Guyana’s laws are “written in plain English” and there is no need for interpretation, particularly as it relates to public spending guidelines, as the law is clear.

“We can argue about the spirit of the Constitution…and one can only speak of the spirit of the Constitution, where there is a lack of clarity, but in this instance there is no deficiency in the language of the constitution. The Constitution is crystal clear…there is no lack of clarity,” he said.

The Finance Minister concluded that on the matter of Statement of Excesses being used, the Parliament has acted “deliberately” before in this regard and to “pretend” otherwise is nothing short of a move to mislead the Guyanese people for the sake of political advantage.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Fewer buildings destroyed in fires this year - as GFS makes more timely responses

– Marlon Gentle

By Michel Outridge CHIEF Fire Officer Marlon Gentle says that 113 private buildings and four Government buildings were involved in fires so far this year but the good news is that fewer buildings were destroyed, while more were just slightly

damaged which would mean that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has been more timely in their response.

In disclosing the statistics yesterday, the Fire Chief said that from January to June 2014 there has been a 15% decrease in the number of calls received by the GFS, which numbered 746 compared to 878 for

the same period last year.

He stated that in 2013 there were a total of 96 private buildings involved in fires and eight Government properties.

MARKED DROP So far for 2014 the GFS has seen a marked drop in property fires and a drop in motor vehicle fires. In 2013, they

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle recorded that 26 vehicles were destroyed by fire with most being in malicious circumstances but in 2014 there has been only 22 vehicles destroyed by fire.

Gentle told this publication that there is also a

decrease in fire calls and a slight drop in electrical fires, but an increase in outdoor fires because people have not been heeding warnings.

He observed that people are deliberately setting fires and leaving them unattended, as well as burning garbage in open land space.

However, there is a drop in cases of children playing with matches and a slight decrease in arson fires.

Gentle said so far the fire statistics are not too bad as compared to last year.

And referring to the causes of dwelling house fires, Gentle said people have been taking too many chances overloading circuits and engaging in unsafe practices. However, he noted that there have been some amount of malicious-

ness involved since people are settling scores and there are also domestic and property dispute issues.

He reiterated that the GFS is here to stay and while they are doing their job to meet the demands of the public, at the same time people must adhere to fire safety practices.

NO PRANK CALLS Gentle said with schools being closed soon for the vacation period, parents and guardians should find educational activities to occupy children rather than leave them unattended. In addition, he advised that children should be taught about fire safety practices in the home and cautioned against the use of phones to make prank calls to the GFS.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

AFC disassociate itself from Manickchand’s statements at U.S. Embassy function - says minister does not speak for majority of Guyanese THE Alliance For Change (AFC) said it has listened to and subsequently read with increasing horror the language of the acting Foreign Affairs Minister Ms Priya Manickchand on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of America’s Independence at the Ambassador’s residence on the evening of July 2, 2014.

“No doubt inspired by the old Guyanese folk song ‘Oh Satira’, the minister displayed behaviour that even the most socially challenged citizens would be hard pressed to admit let alone defend,” the AFC said in a statement yesterday.

It said, “not only was the Republic embarrassed by the tone and sentiments expressed by the minister but also the occasion and circumstances in which they were delivered were unforgivable.”

The AFC said it wishes, “in the strongest possible terms” to disassociate itself from the statements made by the Honourable Minister “as they clearly do not reflect the sentiments of the people of Guyana” who have continuously expressed their support and gratitude for Ambassador Hardt in his unfailing and persistent efforts to advance the quality and way of life of all Guyanese.

“We view the tenure of Ambassador Hardt’s posting to Guyana as extremely positive and beneficial to the national good,” the AFC stated.

“We take this opportunity to express our thanks to him and wish him the very best in his continued professional progress,” the parliamentary political party stated.

Granger condemns Manickchand ‘vulgar’ remarks LEADER of the Opposition Mr David Granger has expressed “distress” at the reported statement made by Ms. Priya Manickchand, Minister of Foreign Affairs (ag) at a reception which was held at the Ambassador’s residence on Wednesday evening, July 2, 2014, to mark the US’s Independence Anniversary.

“APNU regards her remarks as vulgar and worst than useless.

APNU calls on President Donald Ramotar to disassociate his Administration from these worthless remarks and issue an unconditional apology to H.E. AmOpposition Leader bassador D. Brent Hardt David Granger and the people of the United States of America,” Granger said in a statement.

He said APNU is astonished that such remarks could be used by a Government Official in light of the cordial relationship existing between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the United States of America.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

GPL explains shutdown of Demerara/Berbice Interconnected System yesterday

THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), in a press statement, yesterday, said that the Demerara/Berbice Interconnected System experienced a total shutdown yesterday morning.

This occurred at approximately 06:40hrs when the differential relay protecting one of two 35 MVA transformers at the Kingston Substation was activated.

As a result, 11 of 16.5 MW being contributed to the grid by the Kingston One Generation Station became immediately unavailable. The sudden loss in capacity resulted in a drop in frequency, the tripping

of other units at both Kingston Plants and a total system shutdown, GPL said.

The power company added that a malfunctioning component in the transformer protective circuit has been temporarily disconnected and the unit returned to service. The repaired component was expected to be reactivated yesterday afternoon but this exercise will not affect the power supply.

GPL stated that restoration of power started at 07:07 hrs. Complete restoration, however, was adversely affected by mechanical problems experienced with the Nos. 2 and 4 units at the Kingston No.

2 Plant, and some areas in South Georgetown and along the East Coast Demerara were not repowered until 10:47 hrs when the No. 4 was returned to service. Repairs to the No. 2 Unit were scheduled to be completed by 15:00 hrs yesterday.

Meanwhile, GPL offered sincerest apologies for the inconvenience caused.(Michel Outridge)

Gilgeous murder trial continues today via Skype THE hearing of the Shoala Gilgeous murder trial which began at the Demerara Assizes on Wednesday before Justice Diana Insanally and a mixed jury will continue today via Skype.

Through Skype, one of the most popular video call services, the local court will be able to communicate with witnesses overseas.

On trial for murder at the Demerara Assizes is Paul Antony Lohing who is alleged to have strangled his girlfriend, Shoala Gilgeous on August 26, 2012.

Lohing has pleaded not guilty and is being represented by Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Huckumchand and Ms. Natasha Backer is the prosecutrix.

The trial is continuing.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Six jury challenges made in Collymore murder trial

SIX jury challenges were made yesterday between the prosecution and the defence during the selection of 12 jurors to try Tony Collymore for the alleged murder of Jermain Simon.

Twelve jurors were eventually empanelled.

Presiding at the trial at the Demerara Assizes is Justice Franklyn Holder.

Collymore is accused of the murder of Jermain Simon on 2nd of August, 2012, in the county of

Demerara.

He pleaded not guilty to the capital offence and is being represented

by Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Euclin Gomes.

Attorney-at-law, Miss Diana Kaulesar of the DPP Chambers is con-

ducting the case for the prosecution.

This morning Miss

Kaulesar will deliver her opening address to the jury on behalf of the

prosecution.

The trial is expected to last over five days.

8-yr-old killed attempting to cross road AN eight-year-old was killed in a road accident yesterday morning at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, when she reportedly attempted to cross the road.

Police reported that at about 07:40 hrs, yesterday, a fatal accident occurred at the Land of Canaan Public Road, EBD, which resulted in the death of pedestrian

Gabriella Davidson of Land of Canaan.

Investigations have revealed that the child attempted to cross the road and was struck down by a motor vehicle. She died while receiving treatment at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, EBD. The driver of the motor vehicle is in police custody assisting with investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Police in Anniversary Route March tomorrow

AS part of the activities in observance of its 175th Anniversary, the Guyana Police Force will be conducting a Route March around the streets of Georgetown tomorrow, commencing at 06:30 hrs from the Tactical Services Unit Square, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

The parade will comprise 31 units and will be under the command of Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph, who will be assisted by Senior Super-

th 175

intendent Whitney Bacchus.

The route for the 175th Anniversary Route March will be as follows: East into Young Street, south into Parade Street, east into Lamaha Street, south into Waterloo Street, east into Regent Street, south into Camp Street, west into Brickdam, north into Avenue of Republic (western carriageway), east into Church Street, north into Cummings Street, west into Lamaha, north into Camp Street

(western carriageway), west into Young Street and into the Tactical Services Unit Compound.

Salutes will be taken by the Minister of Home Affairs outside his Ministry in Brickdam, and the Commissioner of Police (ag) outside Police Headquarters in Young Street, Georgetown.

Other activities are: *A Medical Outreach in Albouystown on Saturday, July 12, 2014, commencing at 10:00hrs. *The Wreath Laying

Ceremony, in honour of ranks killed in the line of duty, at the Monument in the Police Officers’ Mess Compound on Sunday, July 13, 2014, at 08:00hrs. *The Anniversary Award and Incentives Ceremony on Wednes-

day, July 16, 2014, commencing at 09:30hrs at the TSU Square, Police Headquarters. *An Officers’ Family Fun Day on Sunday, July 20, 2014, commencing at 11:00hrs at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve

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Leary. *The Annual Athletics Championship between July 22 and 25, 2014, at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary, commencing at 10:00hrs daily.

The finals will be on July 25, 2014. (Michel Outridge)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

GTT post-paid customers can now access telephone bills online

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally G U YA N A Te l e p h o n e & Telegraph Company (GT&T) post-paid customers can now access their telephone bills online using any internet enabled device, signaling the launch of its E-Billing service.

“Post-paid customers

can now experience the convenience and ease of accessing their telephone bills online using any internet enabled device including smartphones, iPads, tablets, and laptops” said Mr Radha Krishna Sharma, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GT&T during a press briefing yesterday at Cara Lodge,

Quamina Street.

Sharma said that only recently the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in collaboration with GT&T’s Mobile Money released formalities advising the general public that Mobile Money can be used as a medium for payment of various taxes.

“Today’s (yesterday’s)

launch of E-Billing can be seen as in the context of continuing development as we seek to broaden the scope of the commerce society,” the CEO said as he explained that this is another addition to the already existing features that allow customers to pay all major bills such

as water and light through Mobile Money transactions.

Sharma noted that with the implementation of the E-Billing, he does not foresee any problems with the Guyana Post office since they would have been using the postal services to distribute printed bills to

CEO of the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company R.K. Sharma signing up for E-Billing.

customers.

Sharma said further that this month the public will be able to benefit from other new features that will be implemented to assist in time-saving and can be deemed environmentally-friendly.

He noted that Mobile Money is now finalising a merchant- integrated service “which means we will be able to use our cellphones to make payments at various merchants, since the country is now moving towards a cashless society and a more electronic payment methodology.”

In addition, Sharma related that, “Mobile Money is in an advance stage of discussions with a commercial bank and it is hoped that we will be able to bring to fusion an integration of a cellular phone and a banking network.”

See page 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches celebrates 50th Jubilee Anniversary

THE Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches will, over the next few days, be hosting several major activities as part of its 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebrations.

GTT post-paid customers can now access ...

From page 18 He explained that this simply means that persons with a savings account at a specific bank would be able to use their phones to have access to their banking information.

Explaining further about the E-Billing, Director of Customer Services GT&T Pamela Briggs related that firstly, “this service is free and allows customers to view all their telephone details including their current telephone charges, previous bills, and payment history, account balances, due dates or call details.”

She noted that customers will be required to register with their email address at Myaccount.gtt.co.gy to enjoy the benefits of this service. The registration process is very simple, secure and password protected as well as very user-friendly.

Customers will require their telephone number, telephone account number and an invoice number from a telephone bill within the last three months.

Upon successful registration, a notification will be highlighted, and a temporary password will be sent to the email address of the applicant. After entering this temporary password, the applicant will receive a prompt to change the password. The applicant will then login with this new password to access their account. For customers who prefer to have a physical copy of the bill for record keeping, there is the option to download, save and print bills from MyAccount.

Briggs reiterated that the service is available for all GT&T postpaid customers with landline, mobile and DSL accounts and another feature that can be accessed is the live chat that is available from 6am to 10pm daily to afford customers the opportunity to clarify or verify any aspect of the system. She also related that the service is the first phase in GT&T’s move to offer a complete electronic Telephone Account Management platform for customers, as the company moves to introduce new technology and improve its customer service.

E-COMMERCE E-commerce is gaining momentum in Guyana as is evident by various sectors moving to conduct business online. GT&T sees this service as very convenient not only for their residential customers but also corporate customers who will be better able to integrate and manage their telephone accounts with ease and convenience.

The celebratory activities begin tomorrow (Saturday July 5) at 06:00 hrs with a ‘torch run’ from Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara to Georgetown.

This will be followed by a ‘March of Witness’ at 14:30 hrs from Parade Ground to the tarmac of the National Cultural Centre where there will be a short rally.

The events continue on Sunday July 6 at 09:00 hrs with a National Thanksgiving and Celebration Service at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. During the celebration service on Sunday, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds is expected to launch two commemorative

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stamps, which have been specially commissioned for this occasion.

The activities continue on July 7 and 8 with a conference at the National Cultural Centre. The morning sessions are from 09:00 hrs - 12:30 hrs while the evening sessions are from 18:00 hrs - 21:00 hrs.

The Full Gospel Fellowship of Churches was founded by the late Philip Mohabir and others in April 1964. Today, the body consists of about 120 churches located all across the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana, making it the largest Christian denomination indigenous to Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Region 9 residents make useful contributions ––during consultations on Hinterland Education Improvement Programmme

IN light of the many achievements in the access to education and teacher training in the Hinterland, the Ministry of Education came to realise that more emphasis needed to be placed on the quality of education delivered in the Hinterland as a whole, with specific attention being paid to learning outcomes.

As such, the Hinterland Education Improvement Programme (HEIP) was formulated to determine the gaps that exist in providing quality education and good learning outcomes.

The Ministry of Education is currently in the conceptualisation and preparation phase, which sees the involvement of all schools across all levels in the Hinterland and Riverine communities.

The MoE is of the view that consulting Consultations at Macushi with the key stakeholdPrimary School ers at all levels is an important and integral step in the planning process of this programme. As such, the Ministry commenced a number of consultations, with a grand launch of the HEIP in Lethem on Monday, June 9, 2014.

In Lethem, villagers generally welcomed the Hinterland Education Improvement Programme, noting their appreciation that HEIP will provide the necessary resources, teachers required to be more effective in the classroom, and that teacher capacity will improve

through the training programmes they will be exposed to.

Residents also used the opportunity to communicate some concerns they have about the provision and delivery of education there, such as the need to design and implement parental education programmes, which can be done through home visits and public meetings.

Another concern of theirs was that the Learning Channel is not accessible in St. Ignatius, but only in Lethem. Other issues raised included the need for more materials to support teachers training programmes; the need for additional space at various schools to accommodate the growing population; the need for adequate electricity to be able to effectively implement the IRI Programme; and the fact that teachers are not utilising materials in the way they were intended.

Residents also exDuring consultations pressed concern about the at St. Ignatius current curricula not catering for the local context. For example, in social studies, cattle rearing was one of the main economic activity of this region, it is not the case today. Gold mining is the main economic activity.

In addition to this, residents also made a list of recommendations to the Ministry, ones that they perceive would be of more benefit to them and their children.

Health Minister accords new Peace Corps volunteers a warm Guyanese welcome

HEALTH Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran has charged the GUY 26 batch of Peace Corps Volunteers to remain resolute in the discharge of their duties of resolving the many challenges associated with developing nations.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of the 26th batch of Peace Corps Volunteers to Guyana since 1995, Dr Ramsarran said the history and many contributions of the volunteer body to Guyana goes back to 1966, when it all started, up until 1971, when there was a hiatus which lasted all of 24 years.

He called on the new batch of volunteers to reaffirm their commitment to the progress Health Minister of developing nations through Dr. Bheri Ramsarran community development in health and education as their predecessors would have done during the hostility of the Caribbean region in the 1960s.

As a gesture of good faith, Dr Ramsarran presented the US Ambassador with the Guyana Health Strategy 2020, in recog-

nition that it is only through a comprehensive understanding of the details of the sectors in Guyana that health and education initiatives could be conducted successfully.

Health Strategy 2020 targets the vision that the people of Guyana are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and the Americas. It is underpinned by the values of human rights, equity and solidarity in health, as well as principles and approaches that emphasise individual empowerment, social participation, evidence-based planning, primary health care, and sustainable development.

The strategy embraces the World Health Organisation’s definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Commenting on the long and steadfast relations between Guyana and the United States, Minister Ramsarran observed that such relations are reflective of “how we can overcome differences, and how we can strengthen likenesses, [and] commonalities” in order to move forward. Similarly, he said, fostering good relations will promote the coming into being of “sustainable post-2015 Health Agenda.”

Also addressing the Volunteers was outgoing US Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Brent Hardt, who gave a summation of the history of the Peace Corps in Guyana; a history which he noted was aimed at providing attention to communities with the greatest development challenges while using the fewest resources.

“This group of volunteers will find its work to be challenging

Among the recommendations were specific strategies to address the curriculum. It was suggested that Hinterland teachers be part of the curriculum revision/review process; they should also be included in the marking of NGSA and other national assessments. Another recommendation was that the curriculum should be aligned with examinations/assessment taking into consideration local context of the various hinterland communities.

They also called on the Ministry of Education (MOE) to institutionalise Adult Education programmes in Region 9, and expressed the need for more supervision; parental support; Guidance & Counselling programmes.

Residents requested the introduction of Portuguese at the Primary Level in the Region, and the implementation of programme for teenage girls on teenage pregnancy and its imSt. Ignatius-Benab (Photos courtesy of the pact on their reproductive Ministry of Education) health.

The Hinterland Education Improvement Project (HEIP) consists of five components, namely: Improving the quality of Teacher Education in the Hinterland; Aligning Teaching-Learning Resources to Improve Students’ Outcomes; Improving Physical Facilities; Fostering Community Alliances; and Strengthening Management and Supervision in the Hinterland as well as rewarding,” the Ambassador said, adding that Guyana is a developing country that has faced many developmentl challenges of its own.

This being the case, he said, “the US has a strong interest in working in partnership with Guyana to support national efforts to meet these diverse challenges.”

To date, some 664 volunteers have been trained in Guyana since the establishment of Peace Corps Guyana, according to Ambassador Hardt, with the current graduating batch of 34 adding to the many that have helped in reducing illiteracy, promoting better health practices, and engaging in cross-culture exchange.

Deputy Chief Education Officer of the Ministry of Education, Ms. Donna Chapman, in her address to the graduates, lauded the exceptional contributions of volunteers to the educational thrust of Guyana over the years.

“The Ministry of Education applauds the members of the Peace Corps for their sterling and sustained contributions towards the development of health and education in Guyana,” she said, adding that the Ministry of Education welcomes the collaborative efforts between the Government of Guyana and the US Embassy in the thrust for a better quality of education in Guyana.

She too called called on the volunteers to recognise their role in the eradication of illiteracy, and urged that they commit themselves to the literacy drive in Guyana, while functioning as role models in the teaching fraternity.

The Peace Corps was established by U.S President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Since it’s commissioning, the organisation has been invited to over 100 countries around the world. Peace Corps volunteers reside with local families as part of their cross-culture training.

Country Director of the Peace Corps, Ms. Linda D. Arbogast outlined that the work of the volunteers has now begun. After eight weeks of training in community health or education, the graduates will spend two years living in communities in Region 1 (Barima-Waini), Region 2 (Pomeroon Supenaam), Region 3 (Essequibo Islands West Demerara), Region 4 (Demerara- Mahaica), Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice), Region 6 (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Education Minister urges parents to invest heavily in their children ––as uniform assistance drive gets underway

WHILE the Ministry of Education continues to provide the necessary infrastructure and materials needed for the country’s children to receive the quality of education needed for their development, parents have a key role to play to ensure their children excel academically.

This was expressed by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand who visited and interacted with parents and teachers of the Diamond/Grove Primary School Wednesday, when she consulted with the parents on the procedure for the distribution of the $10,000 cash grant which is scheduled to be distributed in September.

The Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd, her advisor Melcita Bovell and other education officials.

“We need you to be fully involved in your children’s education, we need you to know what we are teaching, we need you to know what level your children are at,” Minister Manickchand told the large gathering.

There have been concerns raised about the private schools topping the country at National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). Minister Manickchand explained that what is lacking in the public system is parent/teacher partnership, and this issue must be addressed immediately.

“The one common factor running through the child who did well at NGSA and CXC is that fact they had supportive parents,” Minister Manickchand said, while urging the parents to collaborate with the teachers.

The Education Minister

highlighted the enormous investments in the education sector over the past two decades, which have resulted in Guyana being at the best place it has ever been in education, not only at Diamond/Grove, but across the country.

Nursery education is not compulsory in Guyana; however, 85% of the country’s nursery age children are attending school, which is the highest percentage in the Caribbean. Additionally, with the new readers published by the ministry which will be introduced in the school system by September, Grade 4 children will be more literate.

“We are putting out the readers and we have trained every teacher…what we don’t see is the involvement of parents and we want you to reinforce what we are teaching at home; you don’t have to know to read and write to be good parents, you just need to know how your children are doing in school,”

she stated.

Guyana, 20 years from now, depends on how a parent supports his or her children’s education, she posited.

When asked about the distribution of the cash grant, the parents told the minister that they prefer the money to be disbursed through the bank. Minister Manickchand told the parents that the ministry is still to consult with the banks to see if an arrangement can be worked out.

This initiative was introduced this year by Government, which will see the sum of $10,000 being allocated to every child in the public system. The initiative is expected to benefit 188,406 families of the students of nursery, primary, and secondary schools, and will cost a total of $2 B. During Wednesday’s event, the annual uniform voucher was also distributed to parents to be used to make purchases at accredited

Minister Priya Manickchand being welcomed by students of the Diamond/Grove Primary School

A section of those gathered at the Diamond/Grove Primary School Minister of Education Priya Manickchand addresses the parents and teachers at the Diamond/Grove Primary School.

Parents gathered to uplift their uniform vouchers

stores. Minister Manickchand also warned that the Ministry will not accept the hike in uniform prices. She said that the Ministry will not hesitate to withdraw its credit from any store which condones such action.

Parents also had the opportunity to raise concerns, among which were students loitering during school hours, plumbing issues at the school, weeding of the compound and the deteriorating road leading to the school.

Minister Manickchand promised that a Welfare Officer will visit the area more often, and as it relates to the other issues, the ministry will make representation to the Local Government Ministry which is responsible for them.

A parent raising a concern One parent raised a concern about her child not being accepted in the Diamond Nursery school which was recently constructed with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the Basic Needs Trust Fund

(BNTF).

Minister Manickchand explained that one of the agreements with the bank is to not have more than 120 students attending the school, therefore students in a certain catchment area will be enrolled.

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Well, to ensure all the deserving activities receive a spot here, we are omitting the hilarious gossip column this week. But don’t sweat it my fans... Next week the gossip will make you double over with laughter. But don’t sweat it, fans.... You won’t be missing much, since we have worked up four pages of appetising entertainment for your eyes only. Do enjoy this and the next three pages, and brace yourselves next week for a wild ride to the very center of the Bombshell Entertainment Galaxy.

Who will take home the ‘Little Miss Region Three’ crown?

A PAGEANT with a difference has landed on the local shores, and has embedded its entertainment tentacles on the Aracari Resort (160 Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara).

Come Monday, July 07, 2014, Promoter Antonio Paul will stage the first ever ‘Miss Little Miss Region Three’ pageant at the resort, and ten dreamy little lasses will vie for the coveted crown as they each showcase and represent a CariCom member state.

Promoters described the pageant as being fun-filled, family-oriented and educative; and are urging families

to come out in large numbers to witness this spectacular event.

This event is also a jump-off from the many events planned by the newly formed ‘Realise Every Dream (RED) Model Agency, all of which will be staged at the resort. The model agency caters for girls aged between 13 and 21, and all are welcome to try out their runway talents.

Contestants will be competing in Talent and National Wear, among other segments, and sponsors for the event include the CariCom Secretariat (Guyana); Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region 3;

Educational Department (Region 3); Vreed-en-Hoop Speedboat Association; Mr. Ezekiel Thomas; and the entire business community on the Westside.

There is still room for additional sponsorship to make the event a success, and public-spirited prospective donors are asked to contact the Pageant Coordinator on phone number 671-7740.

Those competing in the pageant are Alana Lucky, Kimbia Coates, Jamacy St. Kitts, Tiana Richardson, Serena Johnson, Bianca Joseph, Alia Lashley, Elizabeth Emanuel, Alika Miller, and Juanna Franklin.

While admission fee for adults is set at $1000, children are required to pay only $500 as entrance fee.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Telephone: 616-0301 or 227-5216

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

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LOVE IS AS STRONG AS DEATH (Song of Solomon ch. 8 vs. 6)

The very happy Mr. and Mrs. Rondell David THERE’s nothing more tered a ‘countryside wonderrefreshing than a cottage land’. We were in the Kuru wedding in the countryside. Kururu Village and oh, my Some persons run away goodness! That place is abwith the idea that the best solutely divine! weddings are those lavishly The bridal party filed out expensive affairs hosted from various vehicles, and at the most elite locations; there were the bridesmaids but sorry folks, I beg to in shimmering blue attire, differ…. their eyes dancing with exI have no problem with citement. I marvelled as they posh and glitzy weddings; smiled coyly with faces all but simple cottage weddings, made up, some of them atespecially those hosted in the tending a wedding for the sandy dunes of the country- first time. Those country gals side, are the best thing that were really out to play! can happen to anyone.

And oh, the groomsmen Besides, such weddings were equally elated; staring are endearingly affordable. protectively and so affectionately at the dazzling lasses The dream unfurled…. hanging on their arms.

So here we were in buses But the picture of perfecand vans, heading up the tion was the smiling couple Soesdyke/Linden Highway, -- Rondell and Crystal David ‘cracking jokes’ and marvel- – their faces aglow with hapling at the beautiful hills and piness as they gazed into each valleys as they flew by. Then other’s eyes, love evidently we turned off the highway overflowing their rapturous and bumped along a sandy souls. road before we slowly enThis wedding celebrated

years of happy courtship; and now they stood as blessed man and happy wife, faces radiant in anticipation of the erotic joys they would share as soon as the guests departed the wedding house.

The tents were erected quite nicely, and the cake was done in lovely tropical shades, in keeping with our colourful heritage. And talk about excitement!!! It was filling the skies as in-laws of the groom stood around tittering and silently mouthing, “Oh, they look absolutely marvellous!”

Lilly white plastic chairs were everywhere, as was the mouth watering aroma of fried rice, chowmein, pouri, and stews of all kinds emanating from the kitchen as young girls fussed about filling and decorating food boxes.

The pretty bride was beaming, as she had every reason to be…

The hands of fate The couple met under very strange circumstances more than five years ago. Actually, Crystal (the bride) had accidently dialled Rondell’s cellular phone, and quickly apologised when she realised it was the wrong number. But something happened at that very moment, and Rondell divulged that the sound of her voice was like tropical honey, the way it played havoc with various organs in his body.

He said his pulse points all began throbbing at the same time, and his knees became weak with sweet romance, causing him almost to buckle to the floor.He immediately called her back, a conversation was started, and the rest is history.

The cheerful bride, and her happy little angels For her part, Crystal was feeling the connection also.

She said the sound of his voice sent the blood to her brain, and immediately her body felt consumed by sensual fire. She said that as they talked, the soothing drumming of his voice caressed her sensually, and as she lay prone on her bed, she could almost feel his presence with a prying as if he was looking deep into her soul.

Thereafter, they talked almost every day, and the bond became stronger and stronger. When he visited her two weeks after that initial encounter, he stood as if rooted to the ground: She was all he had ever dreamed of in a woman, and she was even more than he had hoped for in his wildest dreams!!

He certainly did not mind travelling to Kuru Kururu, all the way from Calcutta Village (almost seventy miles

distant), just to see her. Truth be told, he was ready to travel to the moon, if need be, just to set eyes on the object of his affection.

Then she migrated to study in the Caribbean, and this rent his soul apart. But whilst she was away, she kept in constant contact with him.

Crystal said her love for Rondell impelled her to strengthen her efforts, causing her to excel in her exploits.

When it was time for her to return to romantic Guyana, the country boy was ecstatic with happiness, and greeted his soon-to-be wife with all the love a man can possibly offer. Despite negativity from some relatives of the groom, the couple consummated their joy last Sunday amidst loud exclamations of support from a myriad of well-wishers under lush coconut palms, and refreshingly pure country

breeze, as colourful butterflies and pond flies darted above, seemingly echoing their approval.

The speeches were bountiful, and many cried with joy as the couple sealed their love with the exchange of rings and a sizzling kiss that seemed to have seismic effects for miles around.

I was more than pleased to be the MC at this wedding celebration, and I had to employ my very best efforts to stop my tears from flowing.

Oh, by the way, if you are getting married and want the perfect MC, do not hesitate to call me on phone number 616-0301 (Alex Wayne). It’s my specialty….

Bombshell applauds the bride and groom for their wedding bliss, and can hardly wait for those bouncing baby boys and girls to begin prancing about in the sandy hills of Kuru Kururu.

Photo of the Week

Towering sexiness, giant machine MANY people are of the view that the sandy dunes and majestic hills of Mahdia, (Region Eight, Potaro/ Siparuni) are enjoyed only by pork-knockers seeking fortunes in the area.

On visiting the region not so long ago, I was elated to find that a bevy of adventurous beauties had invaded the location with every intention of having the most exotic photos in mesmerising fashion.

As the fiery ladies pranced and ran about, one daring lass who represented the mining town of Linden truly unfurled her sultry side and took some of the most enthralling photos on top of an excavator.

Whoever said such machines were only for dredging and digging was truly living a lie.

So we urge everybody to set aside their inhibitions and let the adventure get to their souls. You just may be ‘exhaling’ when the Bombshell cameras happen to come around. You, too, can be our next featured hottie in this corner.

There’s nothing as exciting as watching a sexy woman almost straddle a gigantic machine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

E-Networks Emerging Voices Semi-Finals on TV this weekend THREE talented ladies f ro m B e r b i c e - - A r t i e Sookhai, Gail Ann Singh a n d Vi s h a l i e S u k r a m -- made it past the Semi Final round of the E-Networks Emerging Voices competition last Friday, and will now compete in the Grand Finale which airs on television on Friday, July 11, from 7pm.

Competition among these three talented ladies has thus far been intense, with each delivering outstanding performances throughout the competition.

The tough decision as to who will be the emerging voice of 2014 rests with celebrity judges Jeffrey Iqbal, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and Purnash Durgaprasad.

In the semi-final round, Artie Sookhai emerged best performer of the episode for her emotionally charged rendering of “Lambi Judai”.

Artie and Vishalie also received enormous praise from the judges for their spirited performance of the Bollywood classic ‘Dola re Dola’, earning them the titles of Madhuri and Aishwarya and Kavita and Shreya.

But the judges have praised Gail Ann Singh for delivering consistently strong performances throughout the season.

This weekend’s episode traces the journey of the show from its audition stage to the present. It will feature interviews with the judges as well as the three

finalists. Viewers will also have opportunity to see some of the rehearsals and training sessions that the contestants had with Jeffrey and Purnash. The most outstanding performances of the competition will also be featured.

The show airs on Friday on E-Networks Cable Channel 1 and LRTV in Berbice at 7pm, and is rebroadcast on NTN on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm; and MTV on Wednesday at 6pm. There The talented songstresses: Artie Sookhai, Vishalie Sukram and Gail are several reruns daily on Ann Singh. graceful dance performances exposure and training.

E-Networks Channel 1.

E-Networks has been Emerging Voices also has intense thus far, with the ar- on the Naya Zamana stage.

It is noted that, in addisupported in this venture a wide overseas viewership tistes pulling out all the stops

by Torginol Paints, Sujata to present their best perfor- tion to the prizes announced, via Youtube.

Curry Powder, NTN TeleWith a first prize of one mances. The show is being the top two contestants vision, and King’s Jewelmillion dollars up for grabs, competently hosted by Zah- would have opportunity to lery World. the competition has been rah Alli, who is known for visit India for some musical

‘Queen of Queens’ Maypole Showdown set for Mahaicony centre tomorrow

Bombshell’s Most Provocative Babes…

Leandra Mc Donald: Berbician sapodilla bursting with erotic flava

I

AM a true believer of the old saying that ‘good things always come from the ancient counties’. And to attest to this fact is the ‘bootilicious’, spirited and tantalizing Leandra Mc Donald, a resident of Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice.

This hottie best describes herself as a Berbician brown sapodilla bursting with heady, almost intoxicatingly erotic juices. She raves that in her dashing smiles lie the mysteries of the ancient land, which can only be discovered with a smack from her soft, cherry lips.

A strange light dances in her flashing eyes, beckoning

Leandra Mc Donald is the Ancient County you to come discover the infectious affections of the tropics. Her stunning figure tells the story of the romantic magic you can find, if only you develop the habit of travelling and exploring the beautiful land of Guyana and what it has to offer.

Leandra enjoys dancing, modelling, interacting, and travelling. A hometown lass with sights set on the finer things of life, her ideal guy would certainly have to be ambitious, wealthy, and love the glitz and glamour

THE air is sizzling with static electricity in the countryside, and this amazing atmospheric disturbance is created by the constant buzz of the ‘Queen of Queens’ Maypole Showdown, carded for the Mahaicony Community Centre Ground tomorrow!

Hosted by Julius Joe & Abiloa Entertainment Promotions, this event will see some of Guyana’s hottest Maypole dancers coming together for steamy clashes to best determine who would be adjudged the regal Maypole Queen of all queens.

Teams slated to perform are representing villages like Buxton; Beterverwagting; Enmore; Belladrum; Mahaicony; Ann’s Grove; and, of course, the Conductor Browne Group!

Special prizes would be given for Best Maypole Queen, Best Dance Group, Best Plaiting, and for Best Uniformed Group. Gates will be open from 17:00 hrs (5 pm), and music will be supplied by Stereo Sonic Sounds.

a rare sapodilla from of modern limelight.

If YOU out there reading this think you possess such qualities, then do not hesitate to call her on phone number 232-9114.

Mind you, though, this very choosy girl believes that a man should work out regularly and take great pains to look his best always. So make sure your physique is intact before you call and have to endure the horrid taste of rejection.

Good luck, guys!

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

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RAAGAS N RHYTM 2 musical concert

set to sizzle at Theatre Guild tomorrow INDUS Voices presents RAAGAS N RHYTHM 2 on Saturday 5th July, 2014 from 7pm at the Theatre Guild, Georgetown. This is an annual musical concert, produced and directed by Amar Ramessar and Rena Ramessar.

Indus Voices, led by Amar Ramessar, is a group of musicians who are interested in the classical traditions of Indian

music and in maintaining those traditions in contemporary music in Guyana.

RAAGAS N RHYTHM 2 will feature a range of music which includes the Sufi expressions of Amir Khusrau, various forms of Indian folk music, and experimental fusion performances which pay tribute to the universal experience of music.

The group will be joined

by Francis Bailey, saxophonist; Hubert Norville -singer and musician. Nigel Lynch, djembe drummer, and the Shakti Stings Orchestra.

Indus Voices will also bring to life the words of indentured labourer Lal Bihari Sharma who published a pamphlet of songs ‘Damra Phag Bahar’ in 1916. (The original production is at

SCENES OF RAAGAS N RHYTHM LAST YEAR

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=mhCQA7AYwbc ) Since the first production of Raagas and Rhythms in March 2013, the group performed in a music festival in Saint-Laurentdu-Maroni, French Guiana and in several local productions.

Admission is $1,000 and tickets are available at Theatre Guild and at Anjee’s. Persons can also contact Amar Ramessar at telephone # 6103109.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19 When it comes to making up your mind about something, you usually go with your gut, and it never takes you long to hear the sound of its voice. At the moment, however, you’ve spent a good amount of time mulling something over -- trying to decide whether to zig or to zag. Well, maybe it’s about time to call in a little backup. Sit down and talk this over with the one person you trust most in the world.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 If anyone knows how tough it is to keep the balance when it comes to maintaining a happy relationship, whether it’s of a business, personal or platonic nature, it’s you. So now that you’ve been faced with just that, it’s easy to see how you’ll be willing to go all out to make it happen. Fortunately, the universe has turned every possible traffic light a brilliant shade of green, so you really don’t have to worry about how you’ll make your way. Just go!

Gemini May 21 - June 21 The universe is in an especially benevolent mood and frame of mind, and as a result, so is everyone else. What this means to you is that one and all will be in the same outgoing, positive frame of mind you’re almost always in. Sure, it’s nice, but it’s also convenient. You need to make a decision now -- but with so many things in your favour, it’ll actually be almost impossible for you to make the wrong one. Lucky you.

Cancer June 22 - July 22 You’ll have an enviable problem to deal with today: The need to divide your time among the adoring attention of your sweetheart, your family and your friends.

Sure, it’s going to be tough, and yes, you’ll need lots of TLC to get through it -- but don’t feel too bad about it if your dear ones aren’t quite as sympathetic as you’d hoped they’d be. After all, there really are worse problems than having too many people who care about you.

Leo July 23 - August 22 You’ve been trying to taper your innate charm, but it certainly hasn’t been easy.

As with all else you do, however, once you get started, you’re only steps away from being an expert. Now that you’ve learned, you might actually be so good at it, and you’ll start passing out advice to others. Lend your expertise first to the young ones.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 You don’t mind numbers, details or poring over books. What you do mind, however, is wasting your time on any person or activity that’s definitely not worth it.

So now, when your loved ones are doing their best to coerce you into going out, you won’t bite -- and why should you? Once you get your homework done, it’s entirely up to you what you do with your leisure hours.

Libra September 23 - October 22 You know exactly how to make any tough situation turn out well, even before the details have been presented to you. So now, when a loved one comes to you with a problem they’re absolutely sure is impossible to solve, you’ll turn to them with a smile -- and a solution they can not only live with, but learn to love. It’s not that you’re magically gifted. Not really. You’re just doing what comes most naturally, which is restoring balance to tough situations.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 After anguishing over what to do for far too long, you’ve finally realised that just letting the situation out into the open might be the best first step you could possibly think of. If you’re game, do it now. You’ll feel better once it’s all out -- and you’ll also be able to stop worrying when that next anxiety attack might kick in. And isn’t that in itself enough of a reason to celebrate?

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Your friends are going to play a major role in the story of your life now -- and probably not because you’ve all got something wonderful planned. Of course, that might be it, but chances are good that you’ll be focused on them because one of them needs a favour. A big one. Since your specialty is more, much and many, the bigger the favour, the more dedicated you are toward solving it. Lucky for them ....

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Just this once, you’ll need to step out of your own way and stop arguing with the universe when it insists on putting you in the spotlight -- and only because you’ve earned it. A recent deed has garnered you some extremely flattering attention, and if you don’t accept it, you’ll be insulting the very same person or group you went out of your way to help -- which wouldn’t make much sense, now would it?

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 Movement isn’t just something you enjoy. It’s something your restless sign absolutely craves. And since you insist on it, why would you want to argue when the universe provides it? Get on the plane, hop on the train or climb into the car.

Regardless of which it happens to be, you’ve got someplace to be, someone to take you there and someone to welcome you once you arrive. This hardly seems like a problem.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 At the moment, you need to be more meticulous about your financial health, especially if you’ve been too wrapped up in other things. Don’t ignore your finances any longer, and don’t leave the matter to your own devices. Call a friend or adviser and ask for the wisdom they’ve offered a thousand times -- you need it in the worst way possible.

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Psychology not an issue for Brazil, as Cup remains in sight FORTALEZA, Brazil (Reuters) - Brazil are coping well with the pressure of competing on home turf, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said yesterday, playing down concerns some players

were too distressed after a nerve-racking win over Chile.

Several of Brazil’s team were clearly on edge as Saturday’s match went to penalties, which they won 3-2, with keeper Julio

Cesar and captain Thiago Silva crying in front of millions of TV viewers and raising concerns about their emotional state.

As news surfaced on Tuesday that a psychologist went to visit the squad at

their training ground, those worries grew in local media ahead of today’s quarterfinal against Colombia.

“You’re wrong in these interpretations. For God’s sake, please stop thinking that so and so goes there

only for specific reasons.

That’s all wrong,” Scolari told a news conference at the Castelao arena, cutting off the reporter asking the question.

“It’s all scheduled, organised. She will go there again Sunday or Monday.

She has participated in a very cool way,” he added.

“It’s a broad conversation, open, calm, together with the players.”

Scolari is confident about Brazil’s chances of winning the trophy but expects a difficult game against Colombia who are the second-highest scorers in the tournament, trailing one behind the Netherlands who have netted 12 times.

He echoed a comment by technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira, who said before the finals started that Brazil had “one hand on the Cup”.

“We continue (with one hand on the Cup). We’re on our fifth step, there are

seven,” he said.

Brazil won’t switch from their zonal marking system to man-marking against Colombia, despite attacking midfielder James Rodriguez being tournament top scorer with five goals so far.

“We’re not going to do special marking, we’re going to be playing sectors as we’ve always been playing,” Scolari added.

Silva expects Colombia’s approach to offer opportunities to Brazil’s strikers because of their free-flowing playing style.

“For me what’s good is a team that comes to play against us. Technically, the Colombian team has a differential in that sense because they have the skills to play, and in theory that helps our team,” Silva said. “It will be a open match.”

“We have to remember when we’re dominated, we can’t concede goals. We have to strike.”

GFF playing ...

From back page The champion of the 2015 Gold Cup will then participate in a play-in match against the 2013 champion United States for a spot in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. “The senior National team will assemble soon,” said the GFF Technical Director Mark Rodrigues, when asked by Chronicle Sport about the Jaguars’ participation at the Caribbean Cup. Rodrigues at the time was addressing the media at a press conference hosted by the GFF at their Campbellville head office in Georgetown, to give an update about their Under-17 National team.

The GFF apparently has abandoned its senior national team since the sport’s local governing body at no time makes mention of them, even as the CFU Club Championship approaches.

“I can’t say when we will look into them, but right now, our focus is on the youths,” Rodrigues said, adding, “what we’re doing right now is investing in Guyana’s future of the sport and setting a foundation for our real plan.”

“We understand that having a senior national team is

important and I must say that we (GFF) haven’t forgotten about them. That’s what people tune in to see - the seniors. It’s the arm of the GFF which appeals more to businesses, and I understand how people feel about them but at the same time we need to invest in our youths,” Rodrigues said.

Asked about the national players, based overseas, Rodrigues pointed out, “Yes! Of course we will involve them because we would want the best players to represent us, but at this time, I can’t say when we would get together but it’s going to be soon.”

It’s not clear how the learned technical director’s words should be interpreted.

On one hand, he’s stating that he acknowledges the importance of having a senior National team yet being uncertain when the team will get together, while saying that the GFF priority right now is in its U-17 and other youth programmes.

In all fairness, Guyanese deserve to hear exactly what’s happening with the Golden Jaguars instead of the GFF taking its national players on a carousel ride with regard to the existence of the squad.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Bouchard and Kvitova ready to go nuts at Wimbledon

By Pritha Sarkar

LONDON, England (Reuters) - It was “a weird match with a weird ending” but all Eugenie Bouchard cared about was the split-second in which she saw Simona Halep’s lunging service return spin into the net.

It was the moment that confirmed her 7-6(5), 6-2 victory over the Romanian third seed at Wimbledon yesterday.

More importantly, it was the moment that had been 15 years in the making as she became the first Canadian - man or woman to reach a grand slam final.

The fact that she had set a final date with 2011 champion Petra Kvitova in an arena she calls the ‘Temple of Tennis’ should have sparked some joyous celebrations.

But there were no tears, no leaps of joy and no sinking to the knees. She briefly raised her arms, blew some kisses and then strode out with the air of a champion-in-waiting who knew her “job was not done yet”.

“It’s not a surprise for me. I expect good results like this. I totally feel like I belong. But I still have another match so it’s not a full celebration yet,” said the remarkably self-assured 20-year-old.

It was a sentiment shared by Kvitova after she came out on top of a semifinal between two Czechs - and two lefties - by subduing Lucie Safarova 7-6(6), 6-1.

“Still one more to come,; I want to be focused on that now,” said the sixth seed whose career has somewhat plateaued since her breakthrough win here three years ago.

Following the heartpumping and nervejangling excitement of the previous 48 hours, when Rafael Nadal and champion Andy Murray departed after being thumped by the ‘generation-next’ of brazen big hitters, yesterday’s two semi-finals seemed rather anticlimactic.

Neither contest scaled the heights of a Wimbledon blockbuster but that mattered little to Kvitova or Bouchard.

What Kvitova cared about was that she was now two sets away from shedding her one-hit wonder tag.

“These three years was really up and down ... but

Eugenie Bouchard I’m definitely ready for a final and I’m going to try the best,” said the 24-yearold, who went from carefree wannabe to angst-ridden champion.

Since that 2011 triumph, very little has changed in Kvitova’s life.

One of the few luxuries she has allowed herself is to trade in the Skoda she was driving for a BMW. Bouchard, in contrast, has been on the fast lane to success since winning the junior title at Wimbledon in 2012.

In only her second year on the professional tour, she reached the semi-finals of the Australian and French Opens and is now a win away from living up her billing as the “next Maria Sharapova”.

MY OWN PERSON “I see it as a compliment to be compared to someone like Sharapova who has won five slams. She’s a great champion,” said Bouchard, who is seeded 13th this year, just like the Russian was when she captured hearts with her 2004 triumph.

“But I’m my own person. I don’t want to be the next someone else. I want to be the first of me.”

Her steely resilience and powerful baseline game means she has more in common with her onetime idol than just long blonde hair and glamorous looks.

Her ability to put “blinders on” when things go awry was clear for all to see during yesterday’s 94-minute tussle which John McEnroe described as being “a weird match with a weird ending”.

Just four games into the contest, proceedings were interrupted by a medical

timeout taken by Halep to have her left ankle strapped after she stumbled on the grass lunging after a Bouchard winner.

Fears that the injury might force Halep to throw in the towel early proved to be unfounded as the world number three went toe-totoe with the hard-hitting Bouchard right into the tiebreak.

But when Halep went up 3-2 with a mini-break, confusion reigned around Centre Court.

French umpire Kader Nouni suddenly clambered down his chair and ran to the opposite tramlines.

He had spotted that a spectator had fallen ill in the stands and the players were forced to take another timeout as the ailing woman received medical attention before being led away.

Rather than being annoyed by the unscheduled distraction, it sharpened

Petra Kvitova Bouchard’s focus.

“It’s pretty tough to stop in the middle of a tiebreak.

It was intense, and then to just kind of not play tennis for three minutes messes up the rhythm. But I took it as a challenge,” she said.

A lucky netcord allowed the Canadian to draw level at 4-4 and she then finished off the set with a brutal drive volley that left Halep swinging her racquet in vain.

That appeared to take the wind out of Halep, and her bid to become the first Romanian to reach a Wimbledon final since 1970s bad boy Ilie Nastase achieved the feat in ‘76 quickly faltered.

She did, however, save three match points on her serve at 5-1 down, one of them with an ace which Bouchard felt was unfair.

“When Simona tossed I heard someone scream in the crowd. I didn’t feel prepared to return. So

I put my hand up,” said Bouchard.

“The umpire told me he heard it as well, but he just didn’t see my hand go up.

I felt like we should have replayed the point, but he said, no, it was her point.

“I took it as a challenge.”

One game later, it was all over.

“It was a little crazy. I have never ended a match like that. I’m happy I kept my focus...and played well in the last game.”

After such a calm and composed performance, there is only thing that she now craves.

“I’m waiting for a big moment to go nuts,” she said.

As is Kvitova.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Madholall brothers to honour late sibling … Stage set for big memorial softball tournament

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – The Reliance Sports Club ground, Essequibo, will be a hive of activity on Sunday, August 3 when the eagerlyanticipated Shivanandan

Madholall memorial softball tournament takes place.

Four teams, featuring hosts Reliance Sports Club, Wild Oats, and two teams from Georgetown and Essequibo are

expected to square off in a hotly-contested 10-over competition.

In addition, two female sides will show off their wares in an exhibition 10over affair.

The day’s activities have

been organised by brothers Rovendra, still an active softball cricketer in Toronto, and journalist Ravendra who also resides here. Both will be in Guyana for the auspicious occasion.

The late Shivananand, who died last year September following a bout of malaria, represented Guyana at both the Under-15 and Under-19 levels and was also a member of the Essequibo senior Inter-county team.

The day’s activity is a follow-up to a magazine, Cricket Vibes, which was launched in Toronto a few months ago and is intended as a fund-raising effort for the immediate family of the late 30-year-old brother who leaves to mourn his wife and two small children.

Ravendra Madholall, a former Guyana Chronicle and Guyana Times sports journalist, and who was also editor of the magazine, pointed out in the editorial that he had mixed emotions when he started the project as he never envisaged doing something of that nature for one of his brothers. “I was very excited to make a tangible contribution to the game of cricket about which I am

Shivanandan Madholall always passionate.”

Madholall also paid glowing tributes to the advertisers and writers including former Guyana Chronicle Senior Sports journalist and current freelancer Frederick Halley, former Essequibo Intercounty batsman Raul Khan, ardent West Indies cricket fan Roger Sawh, former Essequibo senior Inter-county batsman Elroy Stephney and former player and administrator Roger Persaud.

Among the features is a tribute to Madholall from his former Essequibo Under-19 teammate Clain Williams who was shockingly left out from the Guyana Under-19 side in 1999, the same year

his countryman made his debut in Barbados. Clain, who now resides in New York, represented the USA in several International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.

Williams recalled featuring in an Under-19 trial game with Madholall and smashing 138 while also scoring a few other half-centuries but failed to make the Guyana squad. So impressed was Williams’ partner, he presented his countryman with a bat after the game.

The 28-page glossy magazine also features a message from Guyana’s Honorary Consul General to Toronto, Sattie Sawh, who emphasised that the consulate always encourages diverse and energetic ways of promoting Guyana and all things Guyanese “and this professionally produced magazine will no doubt help to spread the good name of Guyana in its own way.”

According to Sawh, “While his loss is saddening, it is important to shed light on a feature of his life and the lives of so many; that was truly important – the wonderful game of cricket.”

Keen competition anticipated for Saturday ’s 3rd annual Malta Supreme 11-race cycle programme KEEN competition is anticipated on Saturday when national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed stages the 3rd annual Banks Malta Supreme 11-race cycle programme around the inner circuit of the National Park, beginning at 09:00hrs.

The feature 35-lap event is open to schoolboys, novices and invitational cyclists and it is expected to be a scorcher as it should attract the country’s top performers including the likes of Raynauth Jeffrey, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams, Warren McKay, Orville Hinds, Paul DeNobrega and Robin Persaud.

This year will see a new winner as defending champion Alanzo Greaves is currently in the United States of America training and competing for the 20th Commonwealth Games scheduled for Glasgow, Scotland from July 23.

Alanzo Greaves Last year, Greaves won the 35-lap event in one hour 15 minutes 33.34 seconds.

A 10-lap juveniles race is also on the day’s programme and Jahon Crawford who won the event last year in a time of 25 minutes 20 seconds will be out to defend his title, but he will face stiff competition from Michael Anthony and Alfie Sonaram among others.

Junior Niles is the defending

champion of the veterans’ Under-45 five-lap race having clocked 11 minutes 54 seconds for the event last year and is expected to make a successful defence, but he can expect keen competition from former national hockey player Stephen Fernandes who last yearwon the veterans Under-45 category of the Guyana Cycling Federation’s national veterans championship.

The defending champion of the Mountain Bikes five-lap race is Ozia McAullay while Romelo Crawford will be defending his BMX Boys and Girls 12-14 years old three-lap title.

Banks DIH Malta Supreme Brands Manager Slayton McKenzie as well as the company’s Outdoor Manager Mortimer Stewart is expected to assist with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

GSA’s Digicel National championships

Joseph, Yang, Callender, Yong and Thomas advance to second round ANTONIO Joseph, Haopei Yang, Alwyn Callender, Brian Yong and Timothy Thomas all advanced to the second round in their respective categories of the Guyana Squash Association’s (GSA) 2014 National Championships, currently under way at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street.

In the Men’s Open category, Joseph defeated Dustani Barrow 11-9, 3-11, 11-8, 11-9 and Haopel Yang got the better of Jamaal Douglas 11-7, 11-6, 11-1.

In the Veterans Over-50,

Callender beat Mike Atherly 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 and Robin Low 11-4, 11-2, 11-5.

The Veterans 35-49 years old category saw Brian Yong defeat Jerry Mekdeci 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 and Timothy Jonas beat David Fernandes 11-8, 11-6.

Matches continued last evening in the Men’s and Women’s Open and Veterans Over-50 categories where Alyssa Xavier was down to face Tiffany Solomon and Sarah Lewis was pitted against Larisse Wiltshire in the two women’s matches.

In the Men’s category, Oliver Kear-Downes was down to confront Nicholas Narain, Ben Mekdeci to meet Josh Abdool, A. Joseph to compete with Jason Ray Khalil, Regan Pollard to oppose Alec Melville, Ian Mekdeci to challenge Nyron Jopseph and Robert Hiscock to clash with Deje Dias.

Meanwhile, defending champion Alex Arjoon will be fully tested with the inclusion in the draw of overseas-based former Caribbean champion Richard Chin and locals Jason Ray Khalil, Pollard, Joseph

Stephney second half rampage failed to help Guyana … go down 80-69 to Barbados

By Rawle Toney RAVENS point guard Ryan Stephney tried to pull the rabbit out of the hat like a magician but it was too late and not even Harry Houdini could have helped Guyana as they fell 80-69 to Barbados in an entertaining clash.

Both teams were chasing their first win of the tournament after falling to the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands in their opening games, which made yesterday’s game even more intriguing.

Guyana allowed Barbados Keefe Birkett to do as he pleased and the point guard sniper-like-shooting was well on point, hitting six threepointers in the first half on his way to scoring 24 of his game-high 28 points in the half and allowed Barbados to close 53-28.

First quarter, Guyana were outscored 26 to 11 and allowed the ‘Bajans’ to score 27 points in the second quarter while they mustered only 17.

But along came Stephney – the magician – in the second half as the point guard’s allround performance energised

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Warwick 09:10 hrs Mary Mc Phee 09:40 hrs Fine Prince 10:10 hrs Rigoletto 10:45 hrs Don’t Have It Then 11:20 hrs Don Sigfredo 11:55 hrs Eleusis 12:25 hrs Orient Class

the Guyanese unit.

At first, it was captain Rawle Marshall who finished the game with 21 points (5rbs, 5 asst), who was carrying the burden of scoring for Guyana, but then Stephney let loose some of his tricks on the Barbados defence fof which they really had no answer.

Stephney shot 70% from the field; hitting seven of his ten attempts on his way to scoring 14 second-half points.

He dished out three crucial assists in the process.

A lot of basketball fans who were following the game both at the arena and via stream were puzzled of coach Mark Agard and his assistant Kevin Joseph’s decision to keep taking Stephney out the game just as he made a run, to insert Colts point guard Shelroy Thomas. It was clear that the stage was bigger than he and was a target for the ‘Bajan’ defenders.

Akeem Kanhai was a nuisance on defence during Guyana’s second-half rampage, picking up four steals and throwing down a thunderous one-handed dunk which brought the crowd to their feet. Kanhai nicknamed

‘The Dream’ also hauled in seven rebounds and handed out three assists.

Guyana did much better in protecting their basket and it showed in the game’s stats sheet where they allowed only 26 points in their ‘key’ while scoring 34 in Barbados’ area.

Andrew Ifill shot well in the first half but was miserable from the second and finished the night with 12 points and seven rebounds.

With 2:36 remaining in the game, Guyana was down by just six points (73-67) and a victory was in sight until turnovers, missed free throws and mismanagement of the game factored in.

Guyana, though outplaying Barbados in the second half, fell just short and seemed out of steam or their secret magic portion, to climb that last hurdle as they finished their group winless.

As a matter of fact, Guyana are the only team at the championship who have so far, failed to secure a victory.

The Guyanese now only have pride to play for when they face St Vincent and the Grenadines today at 16:30 hrs.

15:50 hrs City Line

Doncaster 09:20 hrs Nathir 09:50 hrs Kingswinford 10:25 hrs Flawless Pink 11:00 hrs Outback Traveller 11:35 hrs Reesha 12:05 hrs I’m Harry 12:35 hrs Lady Poppy Irish Racing Tips Bellestown 12:20 hrs Duchess Andorra 12:50 hrs Maal 13:20 hrs Adroit 13:50 hrs Byron Beauty 14:20 hrs Snowmane 14:50 hrs Xsquared 15:20 hrs Indian Icon

South Africa Racing Tips Fairview 08:30 hrs Shakespear’s Lad 09:05 hrs La Salle 09:40 hrs Gianduja 10:15 hrs Lielums 10:50 hrs Call Of The Hunt American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 High Heel Kitten Race 2 Star Grazing Race 3 Hackleton Race 4 Red Wine Race 5 White Crane Race 6 Ghareeb

and Ben Mekdeci.

On the distaff side, Caribbean champion Nicolette Fernandes is unable to defend her crown, so Mary Fung-AFat is tipped to capture her

first senior national title.

She will, however, have keen competition from Ashley De Groot, Victoria Arjoon, Akeila Wiltshire and Kathy Shuffler.

Callender is the number one contender for the Veterans Men’s Over-50 and Jo Jo Mekdeci is the number one seed for the Men’s 35-49 category.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

Oudit clears air on GHRA Budding Jamaican no-confidence motion athlete lands PUMA deal VICKRAM (Vic) Oudit, the duly elected president of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA), in a press release yesterday, cleared the air on issues surrounding his leadership as president of the association and cites a document purportedly signed by the association’s secretary as useless.

In a press release issued yesterday to the Chronicle Sport, Oudit stated that the current GHRA executives were elected at its Annual General Meeting which was held on February 9, 2014, and since then, the GHRA had two executive meetings, with notices and agendas.

The second meeting, he said, which had to be adjourned because of the threatening and abusive behaviour of Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club’s president R. Matadial

VICKRAM Oudit towards him.

Oudit, in his press release, stated that a subsequent inquiry was held under the chairmanship of GHRA’s Legal Adviser Raj Poonai. It was convened to deal with this matter, but had to be rescheduled because of Matadial’s claim that he was given insufficient notice.

According to Oudit, the follow-up meeting was scheduled for June 28, but executives were only notified one day before that scheduled meeting and Poonai advised the secretary to reschedule the meeting for July 12 and to ensure that adequate notice was given.

He said on June 28, a few executives turned up for the meeting along with the secretary who had disregarded his instructions to postpone the meeting at Bush Lot United Turf Club.

The secretary, one Mr Sookdeo Oudit, allegedly hosted those present and confirmed that there was no meeting, with no notice or agenda, but a general discussion among the few executives present.

As such, Oudit said the press release purportedly issued earlier this week and which was published in

Chronicle Sport yesterday through a complicit secretary is a useless document which has no legal standing.

He went on to state in the press release that the accredited representatives of the reputable turf clubs attached to the GHRA, namely Port Mourant Turf Club, Ryan Crawford Turf Club, Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club and the Bush Lot United Turf Club have all expressed their support for his pursuits as the duly elected president and as such, the work of the authority continues.

He stated in his release that Ms Zinzie Goring has been suspended as secretary of the GHRA for gross insubordination and Mr Ramnauth of the Port Mourant Turf Club will act as secretary until further notice.

Gay loses out to Gatlin in comeback after drugs ban … Kirani James sets a personal best of 43.74 seconds in 400 metres

By John Mehaffey LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Former world 100 metres champion Tyson Gay finished second behind fellow American Justin Gatlin on his return to competition yesterday, at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting, after a one-year doping ban,.

Gatlin, the 2004 Athens Olympics gold medallist who was later banned for four years for doping, clocked a season’s best 9.80 seconds while Gay clocked 9.93. American champion Mike Rodgers, who has also served a drugs suspension, was third in 9.98.

Gay was cleared to compete in the Swiss lakeside city after the international federation decided it would not contest the United States AntiDoping Agency’s decision to halve his ban. The 2007 world gold medallist tested positive for a steroid at last

Justin Gatlin year’s U.S. championships.

“I’m happy to be back on the circuit, I didn’t miss a beat,” Gay told reporters.

“I felt very welcome by my fellow athletes, it’s great to make a return with 9.93.

“Lausanne is always a great competition. At this stage I’m not very clear where I will get to compete this season but my goal is to compete as much as I can and to remain healthy.”

On a perfect summer’s evening, Grenada’s Olympic champion Kirani James set a personal best of 43.74 seconds in the

Kirani James men’s 400 metres to join his American rival LaShawn Merritt on equal fifth place in the all-time list. Merritt finished second in 43.92.

“The conditions were perfect, the crowd was brilliant, and I am very happy,” James said.

“I’m very happy to run a national record; it’s always

something to be proud of.

LaShawn was strong and he pushed me.”

Frenchman Pascal Martinot-Lagarde clocked a personal best of 13.06 seconds in the men’s high hurdles, the second fastest time in the world this year, and New Zealand’s Olympic and world champion Valerie Adams extended her winning streak in the women’s shot put to 51 with an opening mark of 10.42 metres.

World record holder Barbora Spotakova of the Czech Republic produced her season’s best with a throw of 66.72 metres in the women’s javelin.

In the final event of the evening, Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondarenko won the latest battle between the world’s elite male high jumpers before failing with three attempts on Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s 21-year-old world record mark of 2.45 metres.

Javon Francis lands a professional contract with PUMA KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) - A budding Jamaican athlete who ran an astonishing relay leg to propel his country from 5th to second at last year’s World Championships in Moscow has landed a professional contract with PUMA. Javon Francis joins PUMA’s global brand ambassador and triple world record holder Usain Bolt as Jamaicans signed to the brand, the German sporting goods manufacturer has announced Jamaican Sprint hurdlers Hansle Parchment and Andrew Riley, along with intermediate hurdler Ristananna Tracey, also hold professional contracts with PUMA. Details of Francis’ contract have not been made public.

“It’s an exciting time,”

said Francis, the IAAF World Championships 4x400m relay silver medallist.

“I am grateful that PUMA recognises my talent and have offered me such support, especially because of the commitment PUMA has for track and field in Jamaica.”

Francis rose to international prominence when he ran an astounding anchor leg at the World Championships, last year in Moscow, Russia.

He took Jamaica from fifth at the final changeover to second, just holding off Russia for the silver medal, a performance which earned him the 2014 Viewers’ Choice Awards at the Sportsman and Sportswoman-of-the-Year ceremony.

“We’ve watched Javon develop through the high school programme in Jamaica, seeing him develop into a fine young athlete with considerable potential,” said Christian Voigt, senior global head of sports marketing at PUMA. “His talent, enthusiasm and character suggest he’s a star in the making, and he’s a wonderful fit for PUMA in our new ‘Forever Faster’ era.”

Francis, who withdrew from last weekend’s National Senior Championships nursing a sore hamstring, has a personal best 45.00 for the 400m.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday July 04, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1)WI vs SL, Shinalese Sports Club, Colombo, 2005 (2) Gary Sobers 8; Viv Richards 7; Darren Sammy 5; Clive Lloyd 3 Today’s Quiz:

(1)

Put these in order beginning with the man who has the highest individual Test score against NZ: Ritchie Richardson; Chris Gayle; Sherwin Campbell; Gordon Greenidge

(2)

Who is the first man to face a ball in a WI/NZ Test? Who delivered it?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday July 4, 2014

MPSL sponsors Cassie George Downes, Squires to battle for Men’s title as GBTI Open to CAC Junior Championships climaxes tonight

MINGS Products and Services Limited (SPSL) is proud to once again be associated with facilitating Cassie George’s attendance to the 20th Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships which will be held in the city of Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, on the facilities of the “Bicentennial Sports Complex” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

According to a release, the venue of the Games is located in the centre of Mexico and is approximately 2 000 feet above sea level where the top athletes of 38 invited Central America and Caribbean countries will be looking for top honoors.

The Lindener who is

just 15 years old has been one of the most successful female junior athletes coming out of Guyana in recent years and is currently the reigning double gold medallist at the 2014 Junior CARIFTA Games for the 1500m and 3 000m and would be taking to the track in the Girls 14-17 years age group at these two distances. She also won her age group gold in the 800m at the recent Hampton Games in Trinidad.

At the handing-over of the sponsorship cheque, Director Colin Ming encouraged her to remain focused and to do her best.

He promised to continue supporting her as long as she maintains her dedication and love for her sport.

… Nicola Ramdyhan, Shawna Gentle contest Ladies’ final

Cassie George receives her cheque from the company’s Human Resources Personnel Alesa Bacchus while her coach Moses Pantlitz, looks on.

Palm Court VIP Party Stand tickets go on sale from 13:00hrs today PALM Court is pleased to announce to the general public that tickets for its VIP Party Stand for the Limacol CPL Tournament in Guyana will be available from 13:00hrs today at its establishment, 35 Main Street, Georgetown.

Palm Court, Guyana’s number one entertainment spot, saw it fit to bring quality entertainment at the National level by acquiring the South East Stand (Orange Stand) – to be branded the Palm Court VIP Party Stand.

Patrons of the Palm Court VIP

Party Stand can experience quality entertainment and exciting 20/20 games in a great party atmosphere.

Ticket-holders for this stand will also be admitted free to a theme party at Palm Court on the evening of the 17th, 19th and 20th 2014.

The Party will be branded the ‘All Out Party’ with international performances from Mr Killa (Rolly Polly man) and Timeka Marshall on Thursday and on Saturday 5 Star Akil and James Bond.

Tickets cost $5 000 per day to enter the Palm Court VIP Party Stand.

CPL Match Schedule for Providence Stadium, Guyana Date: Thursday, July 17, 2014 Time: 19:30hrs Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel (5th CPL T20 Match 2014) Date: Saturday, July 19, 2014 Time: 16:00hrs Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Saint Lucia (7th CPL T20 Match 2014) Date: Sunday, July 20, 2014 Time: 16:00hrs Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs (9th CPL T20 Match 2014)

IN the most exciting tennis tournament of the year, the local tennis greats ensure that they emerge out of the masses towards deserving prominence.

Former champion Phillip Squires will face his nemesis Anthony Downes in the final of the Men’s Open category while Nicola Ramdyhan and Shawna Gentle will battle for the women’s trophy as the GBTI Open Tennis tournament comes to a close this evening at the GBTI tennis facility in Bel Air. Squires was off the tennis scene for two years and he spared no effort to remind spectators that he was the one to watch when he ousted old rival Leyland Leacock in straight sets in their highly tactical game, winning 6-3, 6-3.

Downes, one of Guyana’s leading tennis players and highly regarded for this exploits on the court in the Caribbean, made light work of Jason Glasgow winning at 6-0, 6-0 to set up his match with Daniel Lopes on his way to meet Squires for the third time in a highly anticipated Men’s Final.

In the Men’s Doubles Final the pair of Anthony Downes and Jason Andrews held off the young pair Gavin Lewis and Daniel Lopes 6-1, 7-6 to claim the Men’s Doubles title.

In the Ladies’ Double Final, National coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan

Anthony Downes and her daughter Nicola Ramdyhan upstaged the young sisters Shawna and Afruica Gentle 7-5, 6-3 in a tough battle.

The mother-daughter pair took advantage of what could be deemed sibling rivalry on the opposite side of the court, even though the sisters showed great potential as they played excellent points. Nicola Ramdyhan and Shawna Gentle have also earned themselves a place in the Ladies’ Open Singles Final for the first time.

Meanwhile, following the men’s and women’s finals, expected to serve off at 17:00hrs, the presentation ceremony will be held at the same venue where officials from GBTI and the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) are expected to be present.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

GFF playing games with the Golden Jaguars … TD uncertain about national team’s future

Oudit clears air on GHRA no-confidence motion See story on page 38

Stephney second half rampage failed to help Guyana See story on page 37

… go down 80-69 to Barbados

Guyana’s Dwayne ‘Brown Sugar’ Roberts and Shane Webster battle their Bajan counterparts for a rebound following a Rawle Marshall missed free throw.

Psychology not an issue for Brazil, as Cup remains in sight See story on page 34

FLASH BACK! Guyana’s Dwayne Jacobs battles Mexico’s Javier Hernandez for a loose ball during their 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

By Rawle Toney IT’S been close to two years since Guyana’s senior National team, popularly known as the ‘Golden Jaguars’ have been seen or even heard of.

In fact, Jaguars’ last game was against French Guiana in the 2012 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup, which they won 4-3, thanks to a double from Shawn Beveney and a goal each from Vurlon Mills and Walter Moore.

Since then, stories of the team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIFA Brazil World Cup qualifiers have already gone down in the books of old Guyanese folklore.

However, with the CFU 2014 Caribbean Cup drawing near, the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) actions are casting nothing but doubts in the minds of not

just ordinary Guyanese but the players in particular.

Guyana are drawn to play against hosts St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and St Lucia in Group Six of the CFU Caribbean Cup which begins on September 1.

The Golden Jaguars, according to fixtures published by FIFA and the CFU, will play their first game of the tournament on Wednesday, September 3 against Dominica, followed by a clash with St Lucia on Friday, September 5 and St Kitts and Nevis on Sunday, September 7.

Once again the Caribbean Cup will decide several teams that will qualify for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and, on this occasion, one which will obtain an automatic berth to the Centennial America Cup 2016.

Turn to page 34

Brazil’s national soccer team player Neymar and teammates attend a training session at Estadio Presidente Vargas stadium in Fortaleza, yesterday.

(Credit: Reuters/Yves Herman)

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FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014