Guyana chronicle 06 09 14

guyana No. 103942 saturday september 6, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Police destroy three acres of marijuana at La Harmonie Page

3 Sugar production set to meet target – Dr. Ramsammy Page

Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

-says GuySuCo Board should be given a chance

Whittaker reports significant 13 progress in Georgetown clean-up campaign Page

Local Government minister Norman Whittaker

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The three acres of marijuana plants on fire on thursday

GECOM will be 9 ready for elections once orders are given Page

– Dr. Surujbally

AFC District Councillor lands in court Page 12 over unauthorised road protest

Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chairman of GECOM

‘CHARGED’: AFC Councillor Naieem Gafoor

Unclaimed $38M jackpot

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GPL catches businessman red-handed stealing electricity

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

––as power company implements ‘name & shame’ campaign

A GPL employee removing the service from the utility pole outside the businessman’s home

By Michel Outridge Businessman Rajendra Mohan being led away by the police yesterday morning (Adrian Narine photo)

The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has embarked on an intense campaign entitled “Name and Shame,” geared towards reducing electricity theft.

A team from GPL, accompanied by the media, a representative from the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) and the police yesterday morning at about 10:20 hours descended on the premises of Ice Factory owner Rajendra Mohan of Lot 129, Courbane Park, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, a businessman who had for some time been under surveillance for electricity theft.

Mohan showed media personnel that he had paid on his estimated electricity bills even as the GPL team arrived outside his residence and he began enquiring about their presence.

He told the media that he has been constantly harassed by GPL officials, who have been taking reports from persons.

Mohan explained that GPL officials visited him on Thursday with the news that they came for an inspection, and they turned off his electricity service, which he said he had paid for and has been paying his bills regularly. He owes GPL $3.6M, and is in a contract with the power company.

An employee of the utility company climbed onto the utility pole and removed the main connection wires that were displayed, thus revealing that the connection had been tampered with by means of a mechanism having been implemented to cheat the GPL of millions of dollars via electricity theft.

Confronted with the evidence in the presence of police, yesterday, the man claimed he was unaware of any tampering, and contended that he is being unnecessarily hassled by GPL as he displayed paid see page 8

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

Police destroy three acres of marijuana at La Harmonie

By Leroy Smith

Police on the West Bank of Demerara on thursday destroyed three acres of marijuana plants by setting fire to same which were being cultivated by so far unknown characters.

The Guyana Chronicle Newspaper was reliably informed that the plot of land which is owned by two very influential persons in Guyana is not usually visited by them nor do they occupy that part of the land on which the illegal plants were discovered.

Information reaching this publication confirmed that the plants which were destroyed were between 4 and 5 feet tall.

The police were informed about the presence of the items after persons who would frequent the area noticed the items and based on its shape and smell became suspicious that the plants were not just overgrowth but well groomed plants.

Contact was made with the police who visited the area and were able to confirm the well groomed plants to be marijuana.

Up to late yesterday efforts were being made to have the owners of the property contacted about the discovery. Persons did not report to the police seeing anyone visiting the property, hence, there were no arrests made in connection with the find.

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The three acres of marijuana plants on fire on thursday

Sugar production set to meet target – Dr. Ramsammy

By Vanessa Narine AGRICULTURE Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday highlighted that despite the adverse weather conditions earlier on in the second sugar crop, the industry is set to meet its 216,000 tonnes target.

“We basically lost a month because of the weather, but we are actively catching up. Now that the weather is better we are making up for the days we lost. I do not envisage any difficulty in meeting the target,” he said.

According to him, all eight estates are working, with some factories already qualifying for extra income for surpassing targets.

He stated too that the Skeldon Factory is also performing well.

Asked about the turnout of the workforce, the minister highlighted that this is in the 50 per cent level.

“It is a constant struggle and will continue to be a struggle. We do not have the workforce level we need, which is why the mechanisation programme is important,” he said.

Additionally, a $6B allocation, in the 2014 National Budget, for GuySuCo was approved by the National Assembly. The $6B is expected to cover expenditures that include mechanisation, through the conversion of 2,500 hectares of land to be suitable for mechanical operations, which will be done at a cost of $1.1B, tillage and replanting of 9,200 hectares, both efforts being consistent with improving cane production and yield, which will be done at a cost $1B, factory upgrading of all sugar estates, including Skeldon, at a cost of $2B and works to field infrastructure to improve field to factory access and purchasing of equipment, excavators, bell loaders, tractors, etc. to account for the remainder of the allocation.

CRITICISM EXPECTED Dr. Ramsammy also addressed the many criticisms of the new Board of Directors of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and contends that this was expected.

“It doesn’t matter who is on the Board, it would have attracted criticism, but we can’t base our work on the fact that people will criticise it and not do it. We have to do what we have to do,” he said.

The Board is headed by former Education Minister, Mr. Shaik Baskh, and the other members include: Mr. Dunstan Barrow, Chairman of Board of Directors for the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN); Dr. Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer (GLDA) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Mr. Keith Burrowes, Executive

-says GuySuCo Board should be given a chance

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest); Badri Persaud, Managing Director for the Guyana Oil (GuyOil); and Geeta Singh-Knight, who also served on the previous board.

The minister stressed that he is confident in the ability of the Board members.

He said: “If you look at Mr. Shaik Baksh, and Mr. Dunstan Barrow, these are two men with vast experience.

“I believe Mr. Baksh is well qualified and demonstrated his ability to manage boards. He has experience in business, public sector and politics and these are all elements he will have to deal with. He has also dealt with unions.

“It is not different for Mr. Barrow. He has been extensively engaged in several areas, including business. In pre-PPP (People’s Progressive Party) days he was also tasked with the management of many public sector entities. Mr. Barrow brings with him a wealth of experience.”

cane harvesting

Dr. Ramsammy said the qualifications of those on the board are what were asked for, in the many public demands for a better Board of Directors.

“We have to move on. There will be talk, but we have to at least given them a chance to function,” he said.

Under new management, GuySuCo is expected to lead accelerated progress to ensure the industry’s turnaround. The sugar industry is projected to record an improvement of 15.6 percent in output to 215,910 tonnes in 2014. .

Dr Ramsammy said: “The Board is working. They have taken time to get an update on the status of the industry and are looking at the strategic plan and possible revisions. I think the plan has all the necessary elements, but may need some tinkering, but I don’t think it will be a major change.”

Among the measures to be undertaken to ensure a turnaround of the industry, which the allocation addresses, are: increased production and lower cost of production; diversified target markets, and expansion of value-added production.

The first crop was successful, surpassing the 75,000 tonnes target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes. The overall target for 2014 has been moved from 216,000 tonnes to 219,000 tonnes. Sugar production came in at a dismal 186,500 tonnes for 2013, but Guyana has been taking steps to turn around the sugar industry and hopes to meet the 300,000 tonnes-target soon, with a projection that the sector will reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Obama says key allies ready to join U.S. action in Iraq (Reuters) - PRESIDENT Barack Obama said key NATO allies stood ready to join the United States in military action to defeat Islamic State militants in Iraq as he vowed to ‘take out’ the leaders of a movement he said was a major threat to the West.

Obama said the Washington would hunt down and dismantle the organisation, which has seized swathes of Iraq and Syria, in the same way it had tackled al Qaeda since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States and was doing to al-Shabaab in Somalia.

“Key NATO allies stand ready to confront this terrorist threat through military, intelligence and law enforcement as well as diplomatic

efforts,” Obama said after ministers of 10 nations met on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Wales to form what Washington called a “core coalition.”

Ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Turkey, Italy, Poland, Denmark and non-NATO Australia attended the talks with the U.S. secretaries of state and defense, John Kerry and Chuck Hagel.

“Already allies have joined us in Iraq where we have stopped ISIL’s advances, we have equipped our Iraqi partners and helped them go on offence,” Obama told a news conference.

The United States hoped a new Iraqi government would be formed next week

(BBC News) THE BLOOD of patients who recover from Ebola should be used to treat others, the World Health Organisation has announced.

West Africa is facing the largest Ebola outbreak in history and more than 2,000 people have died.

A global group of experts have been meeting to assess the experimental therapies that could contain Ebola.

The WHO also announced that Ebola vaccines could be used on the frontline

by November.

Blood medicine People produce antibodies in the blood in an attempt to fight off an Ebola infection.

In theory, those antibodies can be transferred from a survivor into a sick patient to give their immune system a boost.

However, large scale data on the effectiveness of the therapy is lacking.

Studies on the 1995 outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo showed

U .S . P r esident B ar ack Obama answers a question at a news conference at the conclusion of the NATO Summit at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales September 5, 2014 (Credit: Reuters/Larry Downing)

and was confident it would have a coalition for the sustained action required to destroy the militants.

French President Francois Hollande confirmed Paris was willing to join U.S. air strikes if requested by a new Baghdad government as part of a comprehensive international strategy to confront IS. He also raised the possibility of hot pursuit operations in Syria or assisting other rebels fighting IS there.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who failed to win parliamentary backing for military action in Syria last year, was more cautious about participating in armed action, saying: “We are not at that stage yet.”

The British public is deeply wary of foreign military intervention after London joined Washington in the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on false information about weapons of mass destruction. France, which opposed that operation, is more open to overseas action.

DATE: 03/09/2014 D

Use Ebola survivors’ blood - WHO

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Blood from people who had Ebola could be used as a treatment

seven out of eight people survived after being given the therapy.

Dr Marie Paule Kieny, an assistant director general at WHO said: “We agreed that whole blood therapies may be used to treat Ebola virus and all efforts must be invested to help infected countries to use them.

“There is a real opportunity that a blood-derived product can be used now and this can be very effective in terms of treating patients.”

She said that it was the one positive aspect of so many people being infected.

“There are also many people now who have survived and are doing well.

They can provide blood to treat the other people who are sick.”

Vaccines There is no clinically proven drug or vaccine to treat Ebola, but many are in the experimental stage.

Around 150 experts have spent the last two days investigating how to fast-track promising experimental drugs to make them available in West Africa as soon as possible.

Ebola vaccine trials started in the U.S. this week and will be extended to centres in the U.K., Mali and Gambia in the coming weeks.

Unresponsive private plane crashes off Jamaica (BBC News) AN unresponsive private plane has crashed in the sea off Jamaica, officials on the island have said.

Major Basil Jarrett of the Jamaican Defence Force said the plane went down about 14 miles (22 kilometres) north-east of Port Antonio.

Jamaican and U.S. Coast Guard planes and ships are on their way to the scene.

It is not known how many people were on board the plane, a Socata TBM-700, which took off from Rochester, New York at 08:26 (12:26 GMT) The aircraft was due to fly to Naples, Florida, before it went off course.

The U.S. had scrambled two fighter jets to investigate why the plane failed to respond to air traffic control from 10:00 local time (14:00 GMT).

A North American air defence (Norad) spokesman said it was not possible for the jet fighter pilots to see inside the plane before it crashed as the windows were frosted or fogged over.

A tweet from Norad suggested the pilot or pilots could be unresponsive due to “possible

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Two F-15 fighter jets, like these shown, were sent

hypoxia.”

A spokesman said the jets were launched at 11:30 local time (15:30 GMT).

The plane was flying at an altitude of 25,000 feet southbound over the Caribbean Sea, approaching the north east point of Jamaica, when it went off radar.

Earlier, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it has co-operated with Cuba air traffic control in monitoring the plane, despite the countries not having full diplomatic relations for more than half a century.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Brazil Amazon tribe takes Amnesty International: Torture still rife in Mexico direct action against loggers (BBC News) TORTURE is still rife in Mexico and is routinely used to extract confessions, according to a new report by human rights organisation Amnesty International.

The report says that complaints have risen by a staggering 600% over the past 10 years.

The methods used by Mexican police and armed forces include beatings, electric shocks and sexual assaults, it adds.

The government says it has been taking steps to eradicate torture.

The Amnesty report, entitled “Out of Control,” alleges that from 2010 to 2013, Mexico’s National Commission for Human Rights received more than 7,000 complaints.

It adds that the judicial system still accepts confessions obtained under extreme duress, despite the fact that torture is forbidden by law.

After an official visit by United Nations special Envoy on Torture, Juan Mendez, earlier this year, the Mexican authorities said that protecting human rights was

a government priority.

The organisation is demanding an explanation of why, despite the numerous complaints, there have been only seven convictions in cases of torture in recent years.

Much of the violence in Mexico is related to the activities of the powerful cartels, which smuggle cocaine and other drugs from South America into the United States.

The criminal organisations are also involved in extortion, robberies and kidnappings.

OAS seeking to re-engage Cuba IF all goes well, Cuba will be among the participants at the Seventh Summit of the Americas when it comes off in Panama in April 2015.

Word of this development came from Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Ambassador Albert Ramdin, during a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Hilton Hotel, where the OAS, in collaboration with the Government of Barbados, is hosting the 22nd Inter-American Congress Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism.

The ambassador left yesterday afternoon on a flight bound for Ottawa, Canada, where a meeting is to be convened today to discuss how to engage Cuba in the hemisphere. Ramdin said that re-engaging Cuba is a major step for the countries of the Caribbean as well as the regions of North, South and Central America, as it would be the first time since the former Fidel Castro-led country was suspended from the OAS, that it will be welcome at a meeting of that level.

This latest move comes five years after OAS foreign ministers and ambassadors met in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and agreed that the OAS

Assistant Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Ambassador Albert Ramdin (left), alongside Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, during a press conference yesterday at the Hilton Hotel

would lift Cuba’s suspension from the group. “…Cuba, which was suspended from the Organisation, will become a participant again within the Summit of the Americas. They will be invited, we don’t know how they will respond; of course we hope that they will respond positively, but I don’t want to speak for Cuba here. What I want to say is that we need to unite the Hemisphere [and] Cuba is an integral part of that,” Ambassador Ramdin said.

In that vein, the OAS official stated that there is a role for CARICOM to play as efforts are made to re-engage Cuba, as the 15-country grouping has excellent historic friendly relations with

that country.

“CARICOM has the longest relations, as a collectivity of nations with the country. Here you see the progress we have made. We will not have, in my view, wars and open conflicts in the Hemisphere any more. We have excellent instruments to counteract that, but it is important to bring all the countries on board along the same OAS table, and Cuba, as a founding member of the OAS, belongs there. So this is a discussion which is taking place, and here you see again the benefit of the multilateral engagement with CARICOM in a leading role, hopefully next year April,” he added.

(JRT)

(BBC News) A GROUP of indigenous people in Brazil’s Amazon region have detained and expelled loggers working illegally in their ancestral lands.

Leaders of the Ka’apor tribe accused the Brazilian authorities of failing to protect them.

They tied up the loggers and set fire to their trucks and chainsaws, before forcing them out, reported the Reuters news agency.

The logs found at the indigenous territory in the north-eastern state of Maranhao were also destroyed.

The incident happened

on 7 August but has only just been reported by Reuters.

The Brazilian indigenous agency, Funai, says

it has requested tighter security in the Alto Turiacu Indian Territory to prevent violent clashes.

(Newsday) A VIRTUALsuicide watch is being cast over certain inmates at the Golden Grove Prisons in Arouca following the recent deaths of two prisoners by their own hands.

The prisoners targeted for closer monitoring are those who have displayed signs of depression or of being prone to taking their own lives.

The action was revealed Thursday by Prisons Commissioner Conrad Barrow in the aftermath of suicides by 24-year-old murder accused, Kevin Hospedales, on Wednesday and another

inmate, Akeem Gill, three weeks ago who was serving a sentence for robbery.

Both men died by hanging themselves in their cells at the remand facilities of the Golden Grove Prison and the Maximum Security Prison respectively.

The Prisons Commissioner told Newsday there is a system in place to deal with prisoners confessing to depression. He said mental health nurses and counsellors have been paying close attention to those prisoners, but he added that Hospedales and Gill did not indicate they

were depressed nor did they demonstrate that they were suicidal.

Barrow said, “Any death is of concern to the prison authority, but we have a procedure in place that if a prisoner displays depression or tendency to commit suicide, we normally have a procedure that we put them under a suicide watch and we have counsellors and other workers to assist.”

He did not elaborate on whether those prisoners are assigned a specific counsellor or nurse round the clock.

The loggers had their hands tied to their backs before being evicted from the indigenous territory

Suicide watch

Open for business (Barbados Advocate) TOUR operators from around the globe have been sent the message that despite the economic challenges facing Barbados, the island is open for business and as such, is offering a host of exciting programmes for the 20142015 tourism period.

The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) opened its 2014 Connect Barbados Tour Operators Forum at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre yesterday, welcoming over 100 tour operators from the United

Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, the United States of America, Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, the Dominican Republic, Brazil and Argentina.

Petra Roach, Pres ident and CEO of the BTMI, previously known as the Barbados Tourism Authority, explained that the Connect Barbados event is part of the organisation’s strategy to keep Barbados competitive and to show tour operators that tourism industry officials are willing to do some of the work need-

ed to update, enhance and sell the destination’s brand.

“Connect Barbados is actually a gathering of tour operators from all across the globe, where they come together (in) Barbados to meet with the hotel partners, but we also use the opportunity to update them with the developments on Barbados, both in terms of what we are doing as an organisation, as well as the events that we’ve got planned,” Roach told members of the media following the event.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Ethics have vanished from mainstream society Our society has devolved to the extent that those who are creative in the art of deception are the ones who are assumed to be credible and thus can convincingly and successfully appeal to all the justice systems. The really decent and law-abiding citizens are not versed in aggressively pursuing their own causes and thus can rarely achieve the supreme feat of accessing fair and impartial adjudication that would guarantee them their rights enshrined in Guyana’s constitutional framework.

Even the high-priced lawyers often do not provide the services to their clients that they are paid for because they have either greedily taken on more cases than they can handle, or else they are reluctant to tread on someone’s corn.

A case that comes readily to mind is one involv-

ing two businessmen, both very prominent within Guyana’s entrepreneurial framework. One (whom we will call Mr. Smith, who is not an Afro-Guyanese) was born with a silver spoon and then opportunistically clawed and maneuvered his way into hierarchal landscapes, while the other (whom we will call Mr. Ram) worked diligently, untiringly – but always with a great degree of honesty and integrity to establish his business, which started from humble beginnings but, because of his trustworthiness and consequential support from the business world, expanded over the years to become a hugely-successful entity.

Mr. Ram never lost his humility and decency, but continued to contribute to the community in equal measure with his success, while Mr. Smith indulged in orgies and a personal lifestyle that, while one

should concede is no-one’s business but his own, one cannot because it is intrusive and disruptive to the life and the business of his neighbour Mr. Ram. What is even more disgusting is that when Mr. Smith was encountering difficulties of both a personal and financial nature Mr. Ram was very accommodating and supportive until Mr. Smith turned his life around and when the latter had firmly grasped success within his hands he began a campaign to destabilise the business and demolish the credibility, and peace of mind of Mr. Ram. And one wonders where are the administrators of the city who readily demolished the illegal structures of a poor man, but who have no qualms in allowing the worse infringements to the city’s by-laws by a rich, powerful and influential man.

Mr. Smith currently

has a huge generator located in a spot that is not allowed under the city’s bylaws; his very raucous, drunken, and abusive clients often block Mr. Ram’s entrance to his premises without redress to Mr. Ram; while there should be a 4-ft clearance of all structures from Mr. Ram’s fence Mr. Smith instead has his structures overlapping – with a complete overhang of the guttering, into Mr. Ram’s p r o p e r t y ; M r. S m i t h ’s electrical posts are located inside Mr. Ram’s property, to mention a few of the many intrusions a social maverick is allowed to get away with because of his bully-boy tactics.

However, Mr. Ram, being the very nice and accommodating neighbour that he is, says that for the sake of peace he is willing to overlook all the intrusions into his personal space, except for the

disruptive music played at all hours, with speakers strategically-located to amplify the sounds at its loudest in every direction, which denies Mr. Ram his right to a peaceful and quiet life within the sanctuary of his own home; and the effective pursuit of his business ventures.

Mr. Smith is so confident of his power that, instead of adopting a conciliatory approach to Mr. Ram, who has the right of many legal sanctions against the former, attacks his neighbour verbally, through the media, and by way of highly-vituperative letters, leading to the conclusion that the city’s by-laws are only applicable to be enforced against some, while some others have proven themselves to be absolutely untouchable.

This scenario is replicated in so many ways all across the social landscape and many Guyanese, once touted one of the most hospitable nations in the world, seem to have ceased being their neighbours’ keepers, instead devising various ways to impede the upward mobility of their neighbours and friends, even relatives, except in rare instances where the old guard and old order still prevail.

Ethics have generally disappeared from the national landscape and Guyana is poorer for this, despite the acquisition – never experienced in this country before, of material things, which seem to have replaced human consciences and moral compasses.

Transparency Institute and Anand Goolsarran need to congratulate the GoG CONGRATULATIONS to the Guyana Revenue A u t h o r i t y, l e d b y M r.

Khurshid Sattaur, for the recent work being done to stem the abuse of the well-intended duty-free concessions for re-migrants.

In the same vein it is important to condemn the actions of those abusers, namely Mr. Glenn Lall and his wife.

I call on all citizens to speak up and call out individuals like Mr. Lall when they engage in such

behaviour; especially since Mr. Lall professes, through his newspaper, Kaieteur News, to be the advocate for justice, transparency, and accountability for the Guyanese people.

The public needs to note that Mr. Lall is blatantly engaging in the very activities he accuses the Government of, but what is worse is that he is also guilty of threatening the Commissioner General, Mr. Sattaur, in an effort to dissuade him from pursuing the case. Now Mr. Lall

is guilty of not just hypocrisy, but thuggery!

Mr. Lall is the first to make claim of Government corruption, based on hearsay and suspect journalism, yet fails every time to provide evidence of such claims that can withstand the scrutiny of the judicial system.

Also, please permit me to encourage Mr. Anand Goolsarran to use his organisation, Transparency Institute of Guyana, as a platform to commend the GRA and acknowledge the

good work the Government of Guyana is doing to stem corruption. This is an opportune time for the organisation, and indeed Mr. Goolsarran, to demonstrate to the public that he and his organisation are non-partisan.

If the mandate of the institute is “to promote public accountability and transparency, and eradicate corruption in Guyana,” it is important for Mr. Goolsarran and his organisation to acknowledge the effort being made by the Govern-

ment at this time. Though it has been past a week since this story has been unfolding, Mr. Goolsarran and his organisation have been notably silent on the issue. The Transparency Institute and Mr. Goolsarran need to set the tone and rebuke Mr. and Mrs. Lall.

The GRA is now tasked to provide evi dence to the courts that the activities of Mr. and M r s . L a l l a re i n d e e d reflective of intentional fraud. I will not take up column inches to re-

hash the facts already presented about the case via the various news outlets, but would like to call on all right-thinking, fair-minded citizens to speak up and encourage the GRA, and indeed the Government of Guyana, to pursue this case.

There needs to be a clear message to the public, by the public, that such bare-faced abuse, illegal activities and thuggery will not be tolerated!

RICHARD PAUL

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Opposition parties and their members continually impede Amerindian development I READ Sydney Allicock’s letter in the Stabroek News (Fri, Aug 29th, 2014) under the caption ‘Toshaos should make their voices heard.’

However, I refute his contentions on several grounds, inter alia: Sydney Allicock is a PNC/APNU Member of Parliament (MP) who belongs to Surama Village, North Rupununi, Region 9. It is strange that he did not, in his letter, mention that he is “An APNU MP”: But why? Is he ashamed to be associated with the PNC/APNU Political Party, which is totally disrespectful to Guyana’s Amerindian or Indigenous Peoples?

The caption of Allicock’s letter ‘Toshaos should make their voices heard’ is a deception since the voices of our village chiefs and community leaders are always heard and responded to by the Government through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. What the Toshaos must continue to do is to make their voices heard in condemning Allicock and his PNC/APNU party for deliberate budgetary cuts, which affect the development of Amerindian Communities in Guyana in almost every way. Can Allicock remember when he voted with his

PNC/APNU Party in cutting $1.4B for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) in 2014, which affected the implementation of 43 Amerindian Community Development Projects, including Region 9 and the payment of Presidential Grants to the Amerindian Communities of Guyana? And Allicock is very barefaced to speak about Amerindian development and Amerindian rights. Does he know what Amerindian Rights are? As an Amerindian PNC/APNU member, did Allicock consult with Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples and receive their free prior and informed consent (FPIC) before he and his PNC/APNU party voted in Parliament for Budgetary cuts in 2012, 2013 & 2014 that affected negatively the Amerindian Communities of Guyana?

Shame on you Allicock!

The Toshaos are indeed making their voices heard, not only when they make their respective village or community representations at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, but also at the National Toshaos Council (NTV) conference. In my view the NTC has been transformed into an Indigenous People’s Parliament, where

Toshaos raise their concerns, problems and recommendations in a straightforward, sound and business-like manner in the presence of the President, Ministers of the Government, and Government officials for on-thespot problem solving and follow-up actions. It is here where the recommendations of some of the more than 180 Toshaos and Community Leaders are reflected in the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MOAA) Annual Budgetary allocations, which are subjected to cuts by the PNC/APNU and AFC, thus denying the rights of Amerindian communities to their social and economic development. And mind you, this is a violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Allicock as a PNC/ APNU MP is guilty of, since in Parliament he, as well, voted for the budgetary cuts: And now he has the temerity to call on Toshaos to make their voices heard. What hypocrisy and indecency!

Allicock, an APNU MP said in his letter ‘it is time we give another group a chance at the helm of this beautiful country.’ It seems that Alli-

Finding a solution to the Ukraine crisis PLEASE allow us the opportunity to inform your readers of the European Union’s actions towards finding a comprehensive solution to the ongoing crisis affecting our neighbour and partner, Ukraine. The EU has worked relentlessly over the past weeks, at political, diplomatic and technical assistance levels, with an overall goal of achieving a solution to the crisis in Ukraine that respects its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, as well as international law.

The EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, signed on 27 June, strengthens political and economic ties and should eventually bring greater stability and prosperity to the European continent. Furthermore, the EU has undertaken a number of specific measures to assist Ukraine, which includes a series of economic and financial proposals of approximately €11 billion as part of international efforts in support of Ukraine’s economic and political reforms.

The EU has also established a number of measures to support Ukraine’s security

sector, including an EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform and a €10 million assistance package to OSCE programmes in Ukraine. On 12 August the European Commission also announced the provision of a further €2.5 million of humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable people affected by the fighting in eastern Ukraine.

At the same time, the EU has been very clear that actions by the Russian Federation in violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, stability and security are unacceptable and have consequences. The EU has condemned the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia and has adapted trade and investment restrictions.

On 30 August, the European Council condemned the increasing inflows of fighters and weapons from the territory of the Russian Federation into Eastern Ukraine, as well as the aggression by Russian armed forces on Ukrainian soil. It calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw all its military assets and forces from Ukraine.

The EU continues to

call on Russia to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Ukraine instead of isolating itself further diplomatically and economically. Sanctions imposed on Russia are intended to dissuade from further actions against Ukraine’s interests and to help bring about a sustainable political solution. The EU stands ready to take further significant steps in light of the evolution of the situation on the ground.

The EU also remains ready to reverse such measures when Russia starts contributing actively and without ambiguities to finding a solution to the crisis. Europe continues to encourage all possible forms of dialogue with the Russian Federation and others with a view to finding a sustainable political solution.

DEREK LAMBE Chargé d’affaires European Union Delegation in Guyana ANDREW AYRE High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Guyana British High Commission

cock is either venturing into senility or psychosis. Which is this “another group” that must be given a “chance” at the helm of this beautiful country? Allicock did not say, but he definitely could not have meant the PNC/APNU or AFC. It is important for Allicock to be reminded that it was his party, the PNC, when in Government illegally for 28 years destroyed Guyana, both socially and economically when Guyana was ranked second to Haiti in poverty. Allicock must know, as well, that his illegal PNC Government also neglected and discriminated against the Amerindian Peoples of Guyana. So Allicock must know that Amerindians will not give his group, the PNC/ APNU, another chance to be at the helm of our beautiful country and neither the AFC will get a chance. Allicock should therefore stop fooling the Toshaos of Region 9.

The Amerindian Act 2006 was formulated as a result of extensive consultations, with participation of over 111 Amerindian communities. It is therefore an Act which is reflective of the wishes of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. Allicock says the Amerindian Act needs revising,

but did not give reasons. The problem is that Allicock simply does not understand the Amerindian Act and, being in the anti-Government circus, he is just parroting what they say.

Amerindian Heritage Month was the brainchild of late President Cheddi Jagan who, in 1995 designated September of each year as Amerindian Heritage Month so as to highlight, encourage, and preserve the culture of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples. The Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Hon. Pauline Sukhai MP who, at the time was not a Minister, but worked alongside former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Mr. Vibert De Souza, was actively engaged with stakeholders, such as the various Amerindian organisations, for the identification of a day and month for the observation of Amerindian Heritage Month and Heritage Day. Stephen Campbell being the first Amerindian who entered Parliament on 10th September, 1957, was the reason that this date and month were selected for Amerindian Heritage Month and Day: So the month of September of each year was designated Amerindian Heritage month and the

10th of September of each year was declared Amerindian Heritage Day. Amerindian Heritage Month is a part of Guyana’s calendar of national events. In his letter, the point made by Allicock on Amerindian Heritage Month seems convoluted, emanating from a twisted mind-set.

The Former Ministers of Amerindian Affairs all did a great job by ensuring the rights and interests of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples are respected and preserved, causing harmonious togetherness in our beautiful country. The current Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Hon. Pauline Sukhai MP, continues to vigorously blast the trail for continued Indigenous Peoples’ development and empowerment never before seen in the history of Guyana. The problem with Allicock is that he has realised that he is only wasting his time being with the PNC/ APNU and being offensive to his own people by joining to cut Guyana’s national Budgets, which negatively affects Indigenous Peoples so as to keep them in poverty and division.

PETER PERSAUD

iNet has Telecommunications License for Data Networks for the last 14years I WOULD like to clarify some of the issues raised in a sensationalised article (in the Kaieteur News) on Sep 4th regarding the circumstances surrounding iNet Communications Inc. Firstly, I am concerned that in your haste to publish a tabloid headline, you made no effort to confirm any of the ‘facts,’ many of which you inaccurately stated in your article.

Our phone numbers are listed in the telephone directory and our email addresses can easily be found online with a simple search in any of the easily accessible search engines online.

Now to deal with the inaccuracies in your article: 1. Please note that iNet was issued a Telecommunications License for Data Networks over 14 years ago.

The details of iNet, GTT and Digicel’s licenses should be available at NFMU. All three companies operate under NFMU. 2. The Government of Guyana has repeatedly stated

that the licenses that cover the operations of iNet Communications, GTT and Digicel need to be updated to cover all new technologies like Internet, VOIP, IP TV, VPN’s etc. As such, while we all wait on the licensing updates (iNet, GTT and Digicel), everyone is continuing to operate as per normal.

3. What we are doing now is completely legal, and we have been doing it legally for the past 14 years. We pay all of our licensing fees to NFMU. We pay duty on all of our equipment. We pay all of our relevant VAT and other taxes. Most of our board of directors, and staff, are Guyanese. And again, we have been doing this for the past 14 years.

4. The only difference in our current operations is that now, we have the fastest data network in Guyana. We are using satellites to achieve this feat since it is the fastest way to connect businesses operating and residential consumers living off the coastline of Guyana (Berbice River, Maba-

ruma, Kaituma, etc). We are now the only network that has 100% coverage of the country, with maximum 10 Mbps internet download speeds, at affordable prices.

5. For details on our network design, prices, operations, etc, please find attached the relevant document. As you can see, everything is absolutely legal, this network is live and available to all Guyanese today, and the prices are truly attractive to everyone.

I will be grateful if you would exercise the same haste you demonstrated in publishing your article in publishing this letter. I will also happily give you my email address, which I check continuously, and answer within the day that they are sent.

GEORGE MELVILLE, MBA CEO, iNet Communications, Global Technology Group Licensed Telecommunications Provider

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

DPP, police still working on Kirk Davis murder file

By Michel Outridge

LAST Wednesday has been one year since popular biker/ businessman Kirk Davis was cut down in a hail of bullets just outside his home at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, following an argument with a friend.

Following the murder, a city businessman who was said to be a close friend of Davis, Randy Jagdeo, was charged for the crime but after several witnesses failed to show up to give evidence against him in court, he was freed.

Just after the incident, Jagdeo fled the jurisdiction to neighbouring Suriname where he went into hiding for several weeks but returned to Guyana and turned himself in accompanied by a lawyer.

After Jagdeo was freed of the murder charge against him, the Director of Public Dead: Kirk Davis Prosecutions (DPP) indicated that the case will be re-opened and charges will be reinstituted against Jagdeo.

When contacted on Tuesday, DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack was unavailable for a comment on the matter but a spokesperson said that they are not sure if the file was sent to the Guyana

Police Force but they are working collaboratively. witnesses continue to remain absent for the proceedings, That person could not provide an accurate account of the despite being called to testify before the court. progress of the case.

During the final stages of the preliminary inquiry (PI), It was reported that Davis was at home when he had a Attorney Robert Yearwood said that the prosecution has not visitor who was outside his house and that person was later been able to present the court with a prima facie case (sufidentified as Randy Jagdeo, a close friend who had arrived in ficient evidence to prosecute Jagdeo). On those grounds the a vehicle and there was a loud row over Jagdeo’s wife after counsel requested that the case against Jagdeo be dismissed. which he was shot and killed.

The Chief Magistrate then granted the counsel’s request During the incident, Jagto dismiss the case for lack of deo’s wife was shot and inevidence on the prosecutor’s jured. She was hospitalised for end. some time.

An autopsy performed on When the incident hapDavis proved he was shot 16 pened Davis was not alone at times. Residents of the area home - there was another perhad recalled seeing a silson who reported to the police ver-coloured Premio car pull what had transpired but recentup in front of Davis’ house. ly he could not be located.

Davis entered the vehicle to On March 21, 2014 busispeak to the occupants. It was nessman Jagdeo, 28, was freed also reported that the suspect from police custody after shot Davis until there were he appeared in the Georgeno bullets in the gun. Davis, town Magistrates’ Courts bewounded and bleeding, was fore Chief Magistrate Priya thrown out of the vehicle and Sewnarine-Beharry. the killer fled in the car. DaAll charges against Jagdeo, vis was then picked up from a Water Street businessman his bridge and rushed to the Kirk and Jagdeo before the incident. of Lot 159 Third Street, AlGeorgetown Public Hospital exander Village, Georgetown, where he died. Davis was were dropped. It was alleged that on September 3, 2013, the reportedly killed because the accused had reasons to believe accused gunned down his well-known friend Kirk Davis out- the deceased and his wife were having an affair. side of his Seventh Street, Eccles, East Bank Demerara home.

He also gave a written statement to the police in Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that he will rely connection with the shooting and made contact with the on the evidence before the court to prosecute the defendant. relatives of the deceased, expressing remorse over what Additionally, Prosecutor Mangru lamented that the two lone transpired.

GPL catches businessman red-handed stealing ... from page 2 light bills.

Mohan said he has been operating his business for the past 15 years, and isn’t aware of any illegal connection. “What’s the problem? I don’t know! I have been paying my bills!” he said.

Operations Manager Sundar Dominic told reporters that the businessman’s service had been disconnected before and he was back-dated for his service, which prompted GPL to conduct a random check of the meter to see why it was not registering.

Dominic explained that there was a short circuit from the main to the residence, which houses a large business, because a mechanism had been placed to disrupt the connection.

Dominic added that a jumper which sends signals to the meter to record the consumption was disrupted. As such, Mohan was found to be stealing electricity by tampering with the service.

He pointed out that the businessman was being charged on an estimated basis for his consumption of electricity since last year, but the GPL had a random inspection done to see what was happen-

ing, since he has cheated the system of millions of dollars over a period of time.

Dominic said Mohan had been caught stealing electricity before, but the GPL was paying him this visit to determine why his meter was not registering the service.

Government Electrical Inspectorate representative Stephen Williams said that a bypass by way of a jumper was seen on the connection to divert signals away from the meter. Therefore, the customer was not paying for the full service received, since that was not fully recorded, he said.

GPL Loss Reduction Manager Loaknauth Singh said the GPL brought the GEI representative along to have a first-hand look at the happenings for verification process, since the GPL has a zero-tolerance policy on electricity theft, which is cheating the company of millions of dollars.

Caught red-handed, Mohan was taken into police custody and placed in the lockups at Vigilance Police Station, pending the outcome of the probe.

Rajendra Mohan being shown the jumper on the service connection by Operations Manager Sundar Dominic yesterday morning

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana…

What could make the Opposition believe such a policy will work this time?(Continued) Old Kai will continue today to briefly look at the alternative cabinet the Opposition is hoping to replace the PPP/C Government with. It is important that we assess exactly who are these individuals and what are their qualities, but more importantly how are they likely to function in the interest of advancing our country.

We need to get as much information as possible which will help to inform our decision in the likelihood of impending elections.

Yesterday, we assed David Granger’s leadership abilities but what was not included is the tremendous division he has created within his own party. Let us also be reminded that no one knows for sure if Granger was legitimately elected to lead the party at its last congress, following widespread allegations of fraud and rigging. A gunman was even brought in to prevent disgruntled members from querying the voters list.

Therefore, we have a de facto Opposition leader who does not even enjoy majority support from his own membership but wants us to believe that the majority of Guyanese will somehow vote to elect him President of Guyana.

Following Granger, is another individual who has failed in his bid to become PNCR leader and also failed miserably, during the time he was appointed Finance Minister where he oversaw our economic ruin in the 1980’s until 1992. That individual is no other than Carl Greenidge, who is hoping Guyanese will ignore his track record in the

past and place him to manage the finances of our nation once again at a time when we are experiencing record economic growth.

But let’s not focus on his past incompetence, including the fact that there were no audited financial statements provided to this nation during his term at the helm of the Finance Ministry. Let us forget that he made absolutely no effort to improve transparency and fight corruption and we still do not know what happened to all the money which vanished from our treasury, while poverty reached historic levels.

We will instead focus on the past three years he has been the shadow Finance Minister for the PNCR=APNU. Mr. Greenidge finds it convenient to tell us now that he is interested in transparency and fighting corruption, yet he was the one that objected to the presence of the media and the Private Sector Commission to observe the proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee reviewing the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Legislation. This was after the PPP/C had objected to the strange delaying tactics employed by Greenidge and Co. as Guyana faced impending economic blacklisting and our business sector already beginning to face increased hardships.

On the corruption front, the Opposition led by Greenidge had over the past few years made a number of

accusations that the PPP/C Government was encouraging the drug trade and money laundering, which was fuelling corruption.

Yet, when the time came for them to support the enactment of the AML/CFT bill which ironically the very PPP/C Government had piloted and which was internationally compliant, the Opposition suddenly became quiet.

The very Greenidge who talked about stamping out corruption from one side of his mouth, was now bobbing and weaving better than Muhammad Ali to deflect concerns about the pro-corruption approach the Opposition was now supporting, by their continuing refusal to pass the bill.

This is the individual who has attacked both foreign and local investment projects over the past three years, refused to support the Amaila Hydro project, the Specialty Hospital, the CBJ airport expansion and the Marriott hotel; has attacked investments by Chinese companies etc., has called for the closure of the sugar industry and yet wants us to believe that he will attract investments were he to become Finance Minister of Guyana once again.

It is such an approach which caused Guyana to become the second poorest country in this part of the world during his time as Finance Minister, therefore, Old Kai is left to wonder what could possibly make Greenidge and the entire Opposition believe that such a policy will work this time around.(to be continued)

GECOM will be ready for elections once orders are given – Dr. Surujbally

By Vanessa Narine CHAIRMAN of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, noted that the Commission’s ongoing work will see it ready for either general or local government elections.

Asked if he has been questioned about the Commission’s readiness by the Head of State, the chairman in an invited comment said: “Three months after he (President Donald Ramotar) has said he would like elections, he will have elections.”

Relative to the hosting of local government elections and the concerns over the poor public relations undertaken by GECOM, Dr. Surujbally stated that he will personally accept blame for the shortcomings in the public relations campaign.

He said: “I will take the blame for the criticism over not educating the public, because while we have things continuously ongoing, we have our skits ready, our films made and everything. I think if we go and put that out now we would have wasted money and wasted time and the people themselves get sick of it. That is my feeling. “…. we have spent a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money preparing for local government elections, but the minister has to say, in collaboration with us of course, that we would like to have elections on such and such a date. Within six months we will give

your local government elections.”

T h e C o m m i s s i o n ’s chairman noted that the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development was advised that GECOM would be ready to host the local government elections in April 2010, but the order did not materialise.

“Local government elections are 71 different mini-elections, as opposed to general elections, which is why we need six months, as opposed to the three months for general elections,” he said.

Dr. Steve Surujbally, The chairman also Chairman of GECOM fielded questions regarding the timeframe for the release of elections result and contends that while unfinished results are released, the issue of releasing preliminary results could be somewhat problematic.

He said: “If it (preliminary results) could be done and done correctly it will be done.

When the results come in it has the signatories of all the officials on it. If a mistake is made it has to go back, the Chief Elections Officer will send it back….it is not that

easy.

“We are testing electronic means, but around the world people are getting very skeptical. I have been hearing from Venezuela and from other countries around the world, serious questions about people breaking into and breaching the electronic systems.”

He noted that in 2006 GECOM took three and a half days to release the result, but by 2011 that timeframe was cut down to two and a half days. “By law we have 14 days to do it,” the Chairman stated.

Dr. Surujbally added that GECOM is doing all it can to improve its operations, an undertaken that has been financially supported in the 2014 Budget.

“I would go berserk if we have chopped. We have the funding we need,” he said.

The budgetary allocation of $3.3B for the Commission’s administration and other related costs was approved by the National Assembly. Of the allocations, $1.7B is set aside for the Commission and $1.6B for elections administration. Both sums cater to employment costs for 337 employees and other expenses, while $126.7M is earmarked for the provision of buildings, a trestle, vehicles, boats, engines, office furniture and equipment. The money is intended to allow for GECOM to exercise general direction and supervision over the registration of electors and the administrative conduct of all elections of members of the National Assembly, the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) and more local authorities in Guyana.

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Complainant convulses in New Amsterdam Court

By Jeune Bailey Vankeric

A WITNESS who had gone to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court to testify against his brother suffered a series of convulsions and became unconscious as other litigants and policemen rushed to his aid.

The court proceedings were temporarily halted as efforts were made to

assist the youth who was unaccompanied.

During the break, Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus expressed concern over the man’s health and enquired whether Police Sergeant Godfrey Playter needed additional time to transport the unconscious man to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

However, shortly afterwards twenty-yearold Immanuel Seenarine, called ‘Dalo’, recovered and was advised to be accompanied by someone

at the next court hearing.

Meanwhile, the construction worker told Guyana Chronicle that he had never lost consciousness before and could not say what may have triggered the attack.

He was attending court as a result of an assault charge instituted by the police against his brother.

However, his brother Dennis Seenarine was absent when the case was called but they are expected to return to court on September 14.

Crab catcher gets bail on wounding charge A DISAGREEMENT between two crab catchers resulted in Sheldon Simon, 23, being charged with inflicting bodily harm before New Amsterdam Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

He was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on August 14, 2014, at Number Two Village, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm upon Devon King, called ‘Gaza’.

He was ordered to post $75,000 bail and was advised not to come within ten feet

of the twenty-one-year-old virtual complainant.

Police Sergeant Godfrey Playter, prosecuting, said the VC and the defendant were both employed to catch crabs.

On the date in question, King and his brother caught a total of eight bags of crabs which were taken to the employer.

But suddenly Simon, who had only caught four bags, made claims that his crabs had been misplaced and was behaving as though King had stolen it.

However, King’s brother

told him that the eight bags indeed belonged to the VC. This enraged Simon and being armed with a bottle and a cutlass, he rushed towards King and fired several chops to the complainant’s hand resulting in injuries.

The bleeding man was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital and doctors subsequently transferred him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remained three days as an inpatient.

The case is fixed for hearing at the New Amsterdam Court on September 15. (Jeune Bailey Vankeric)

Repeat offender gets nine months for stealing $100,000 REPEAT offender Dwayne Anthony James, alias ‘Hyker’ was sentenced to nine months imprisonment after he was found guilty on a charge of larceny from the person by Magistrate Rabidranauth Singh at the Albion Court.

Police Sergeant Phillip Sherrif, prosecuting, related that on September 13, 2012,

Shabanie Narsingh of Palmyra Village left home with $100,000 in her handbag.

The woman, who was accompanied by family members, proceeded to Rose Hall Town where she intended to do shopping. However, after exiting a vehicle in the vicinity of Rose Hall Town Arch Road, she observed James approaching her and

before she knew what was happening, he had picked the money out of her handbag and escaped.

An alarm was raised but James vanished within seconds. A report was then made at the Rose Hall Police Outpost. James was subsequently arrested while he was walking in the New Amsterdam Township.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Major renovations to petting zoo completed

The Master Plan on which the zoo is currently working

By Shivanie Sugrim FOSTERED by the ThreeParks Initiative in order to enhance biodiversity conservation in urban areas for the protection of our ‘green spaces,’ the zoological park (zoo) has completed its major renovations and is currently addressing pending work on its petting zoo.

Ms. Annalise Bayney, the Protected Areas Commission officer that supervises this initiative, in a brief interview underscored that all major works have been completed, leaving only minor works such as the installation of doors, windows and other small issues. However, there is still uncertainty as to when the petting zoo will be completed, since it all depends on the animals’ adjustment to the new arena.

Presently however, the cages have been minimised by the use of new types of mesh to facilitate proper viewing. There has also been a refashioning of the enclosures in order to provide accommodation and safety for both animals and care-takers.

The zoo’s current primary objective is to implement international standards to promote animal welfare.

The purpose of the petting zoo is to modernise the larger zoological park and to provide a different experience, since wild animals are normally viewed from afar, thus there is no contact.

The petting zoo, on the other hand, will foster physical interaction with the animals and the public, particularly youths.

Additionally, although access to the facility will be free, it is expected that the facility will contribute to its own upkeep through rental for children’s birthday parties and reduced food costs from visitors buying to feed the animals. The petting zoo will feature ducks, donkeys, goats, cows and chickens.

The maintenance of these animals will however be less expensive, when compared to the other animals in the larger Zoo. The Zoo’s 45 species of animals are housed in en-

The near- completed petting zoo

closures that are not in line with current best practices and understanding in Zoo husbandry, and are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. Thus, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and the Protected Areas Commission launching of the Three-Parks initiative to modernise the Zoo. However, the Zoo has established a Master Plan that is quite feasible and currently ongoing. This proposal has been viable in its objective to augment prime facilities and regenerate as well as develop road and rail networks in all three parks: The National Park, The Zoological Park and The Joe Vieira Park to offer proper quality overhauls to the municipal.

The rehabilitation of the zoo aims to facilitate visitors that are interested in gaining greater knowledge of animal species experienced in habitats that are representative of Guyana’s eco-systems.

Moreover, it seeks to create new exhibit spaces that are huge enough to accommodate the animals and give them room to roam freely, as in their natural habitats.

According to the Master Plan, five projects are to be completed: the Coastal Wetlands that will cater for the Black Caiman; the Savannah and the Mountain Highlands that will seek to accommodate the jaguars, the Rainforest that will be home to the Harpy Eagle and other bird species and lastly, World Treasures that will hold lions and tigers. Each habitat zone will provide information on Protected Areas associated with that particular ecosys-

tem, such as a Shell Beach information display in the Coastal Wetlands zone, and a Kanuku Mountains display in the Mountain Highlands zone.

Covered climate- controlled structures will provide visitors’ comfort stations where habitat views, small animal exhibits, and interpretive information will be afforded in relative protection from the elements.

The storyline will be conveyed to the visitor through conventional graphics, artifacts, interactive elements, live animals, architecture, and landscape simulation.

Visitors will be immersed into zones which are created to reinforce and illustrate the interpretive themes of animal interactions (predator/ prey), symbiotic plant and animal associations, indigenous peoples and modern human relationships with the natural world.

The Zoological Park came into existence in 1952 and affords locals and tourists alike the chance to experience a diverse animal collection in a safe and accessible environment. It occupies approximately four acres of land and serves as a shelter for abandoned and abused animals. It is beneficial for visitors, since it provides a spectrum for educational and recreational facilities that serve to highlight information and encourage admiration for wildlife in Guyana. Given that much of the Zoo’s infrastructure was designed in the 1950s, it has not since reflected present international standards, hence, the Three-Parks initiative.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Hope Canal construction…

Contractor may miss end of September deadline MINISTER of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, yesterday disclosed that work continues apace on the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief Channel, with about an additional six weeks of work remaining.

The new timeline is expected to push the Hope Canal past the end of September deadline that was set.

“The contractor has met with some challenges,” he said.

Construction on the project began in February 2011, with an estimated 18 months for completion and the deadline for the project was initially set for June 2013, but was subsequently extended to the end of August, and then once again extended to December 31, 2013, then to June 30, 2014.

The EDWC Northern Relief Channel, the Hope Canal, which missed its June 30 deadline for completion, was given a new deadline in the latter part of July, when its completion was raised at the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources and the Environment.

The Agriculture Minister, when he appeared before the Committee, disclosed that the project will be completed in seven weeks, by September.

Yesterday he told the Guyana Chronicle that the ministry is working “very closely” with the contractor.

“Work continues on the

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

outer sluice, but slowly. We are working with the contractor to finish. We are about 85 per cent complete. Also, as of now the eight doors for the sluice are available,” he said.

According to him, the contractor organised the remaining work into a weekly schedule to ensure greater efficiency in the completion of the project.

The project has four components: the more than 10-kilometre channel, the head regulator; the eight-gate sluice at the canal’s Atlantic end; and the EDWC Northern Relief Channel Public Road Bridge.

The latter was completed and commissioned in February.

Ramsammy told this newspaper that the head regulator has been completed and minor works have been completed on the more than 10-kilometre channel.

Additionally, the actual

testing of the functionality of the channel will have to await the availability of an adequate fill volume of the channel.

Indications were that the US $15M Hope Canal project, which is expected to be the answer to flooding experienced in the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary (MMA) areas during rainy periods, would have been operational as the rainy season sets in. Residents in the MMA area over the years have lost crops and cattle in floods, during periods of heavy rainfall. As seen in the past, when the Maduni sluice has to be opened to drain the East Demerara Water Conservancy, residents in the MMA area have had to battle a rise in the Mahaica Creek – making the completion of the Hope Canal something that is much needed. (Vanessa Narine)

Winners in ‘Money Switch Up,’ ‘Drive Your Dreams’ promotions collect prizes TWO of ANSA McAL’s grand winners received their prizes of a Mazda Axela Car and $1M respectively, in a presentation held yesterday at the company’s head office, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Ms. Esther Allison, of Smythfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was ecstatic upon receiving the keys to her dream car, which she won from the LUCOZADE ‘Drive Your Dreams’ promotion that concluded in July, 2014.

Ms. Allison was however out of the country, as such,

she was unable to uplift her prize before, noting that she could not return soon enough to collect her car.

On the other hand, Ms. Rosaline Tillack of Charlestown, Georgetown, was the grand winner in the Tropical Rhythms “Money Switch Up” promotion, winning herself $1M. She said that she was more than eager to uplift her winnings. The Tropical Rhythms promotion concluded in August, 2014.

The participants in the promotions were required to enter Lucozade and Tropical

Rhythms corks (in respective promotions) with their names, addresses and telephone numbers. Drawings for these promotions were held on a fortnightly basis, giving persons a chance to win great consolation prizes.

Photos saved in a file in Graphics as Lucozade and Money up.

Lucozade – Esther Allison collects her new car, compliments of Lucozade Money up – Rosaline Tillack receives her cheque of $1M from Brand Manager, Anjeta Hinds. (Michel Outridge)

Hugo Chavez Centre to be operational by mid-September THE Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Re-integration, at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, which was commissioned on August 10, last year, is expected to be occupied by mid-September.

This was according to Mr. Wentworth Tanner, Director of Social Services, who added that “almost” everything is in place for the centre to begin serving the less fortunate persons it was built to accommodate.

The centre was expected to begin accommodating homeless persons by the end of August, 2013, and was expected to cater for the accommodation of 100 males and 80 females.

At the opening ceremony,

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Patrick Findlay, explained that a careful selection process is at present being undertaken that will involve a close examination of the mental states of the occupants that are to be housed at the facility, Also in February this year, the Human Services and Social Security Minister, Jenifer Webster, said some 80 homeless persons have already been identified and evaluated by the ministry to take up residence at the facility.

The Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Re-integration constructed with US$2M funding from

Venezuela comes with recreational, medical, kitchen, conference room, training and dining facilities. Also, a section of the land space is dedicated to meaningful occupation of residents in agricultural practices.

Construction of the facility started in January 2010 and was billed for commissioning in May during the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic, ElíasJaua Milano, but was postponed because of unforeseen circumstances.

The commissioning came five months after the death of Venezuela’s much respected President Hugo Chavez, after whom the facility was named. (Vanessa Narine)

‘E’ Division police donate football gear to Linden youth group

By Asif Hakim The police in ‘E’ Division recently donated a quantity of football gear to the Victory Valley youth group.

The donation was made after the conclusion of a successful fun day hosted by Commander of the Division, Calvin Brutus, with the assistance of Officer-in-Charge of Wismar Police Station, Inspector Oswald Pitt.

The gear had been donated to the police by popular football organiser, Aubrey “Shangai” Major.

The donation was collected by the two community leaders Mr. Anthony Roberts and Mr. John Waldron, coordinators of various sporting events in Linden.

Speaking with the Chronicle, Brutus said that he is happy with the situation in his Division since he assumed responsibility there over two months ago.

He added that though the people of Linden may have their ups and downs, they nevertheless live as a family.

Brutus said that he would try his best to help other youth groups, but in order for them to receive help they

have to show that they are committed to various sports and in keeping their groups together.

“As I always say, children are the ones who will lead the future, they need to be trained and brought up the right way in order for good to happen for them. I will work my best to help any child because when I see a child I could watch at them and know what is happening to them, I will also like to thank Aubrey “Shanghai” Major for his donations and hope he continues to support us,” the Commander said.

The community leaders as they receive some of the gear from Commander Brutus, who was assisted by Inspector Pitt

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

AFC District Councillor lands in court over unauthorised road protest

By Geeta Rampersaud

Alliance For Change (AFC) District Councillor for Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni), Naieem Mohammed Gafoor on Wednesday made his appearance before Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer a charge related to the protest in Mahdia early in August over deplorable roads.

The 48-year-old defendant of Mahdia pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on Monday, August 4 at 111 Miles Mahdia, Potaro, he held a protest without first obtaining permission in writing from the police along the Mahdia compound and the Mahdia airstrip roads.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, who is also the

leader of the AFC party. Ramjattan told the court that his client owns a spare parts shop in Mahdia and is married with four children.

He explained that Gafoor was heading a procession for better roads for Mahdia and gave the police a notification which is in the file. However, the police were not looking for a notice but instead a permit and the defence will contest that.

Defence counsel noted that his client has no prior convictions and was only doing what he felt was constitutional.

Counsel said that Gafoor was placed on $18,000 station bail because there is no Magistrate’s Court in Mahdia, so he came to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer the charge.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not oppose bail and Gafoor was released on his own recognisance. How-

‘CHARGED’: AFC Councillor Naieem Gafoor

ever, he will make his next court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday.

Unclaimed $38M jackpot Guyana Lottery Company Limited (GLCL) yesterday announced that the G$38M that was won on the 4th June 2014 was not claimed by the winner to this date.

The GLCL would like to remind the public that the policy governing the presentation of the winning tickets by players allows them 90 days from the date of draw to redeem the ticket. If not redeemed in time the ticket would be an “expired ticket” and subsequently “invalid”.

GLCL wishes to inform the public that on 2ns September 2014, the jackpot ticket sold for the draw on 4th June 2014 had expired.

They further stated that it is their interest that they fulfill their obligations of honoring all the winning tickets, and steps were taken to properly inform the public that there was a winner of the jackpot on the 4th June 2014.

Announcements were made and there were newspaper advertisements appealing to players to check their tickets.

The GLCL also disclosed that their contract with the Government indicates the following where such situation arises: i.e. unclaimed prizes- “any amounts of unclaimed prizes will be used by CBN for special promotion of the games, such as additional prizes awarded for separate seasonal draws.

Finally the GLCLC stated that a promotion will be announced in due course and also wishes to remind players of the importance of writing their name and address at the back of the lottery tickets after purchase , and also to keep the tickets in a safe place Because prizes cannot be redeemed unless a valid ticket is presented to any authorized GLCL agent or the GLCL Regional Sales Offices.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

Whittaker reports significant progress in Georgetown clean-up campaign

By Savitri Laikram

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker has reported that there has been significant progress with regards to the major Georgetown Clean-up projects but there is more to be done.

At a press conference yesterday at the Ministry’s boardroom at Kingston, Georgetown, the minister pointed out that among the many activities of this initiative, the Ministry has placed tremendous focus on desilting the seven main canals of the city.

He posited that “substantial progress has been made in this regard,” noting that the Princes street canal has had a lot of work done, while the Sussex Street canal is about 70 percent completed.

He noted that there is a massive hindrance of illegal structures on the Government reserve, which houses persons who are illegally vending.

He added that the ministry has been working with these people to have them relocated as they are impeding the movement of the machines doing work there.

Whittaker said that concerns for the safety of the occupants have also been raised, and is urging them to cooperate with the ministry.

He stated that the City Council has been tasked with the responsibility to ensure persons have been removed and relocated so Local Government work can speed up at the minister Norman Whittaker location.

The minister pointed out that the Princes Street canal has had some complaints after the debris pulled from the trench is not being carried away.

He noted that it is stated on the contract that contractors must be able to remove the debris within 24 hours, but he understands that because of difficulties such as rain, the stuff may be wet and as such could take a little longer to dispose of.

Whittaker added that a significant amount of work has been done at the Church Street, Young Street, Downer Street and Lamaha canals.

He said that the ministry will ensure that the nation is fully updated on the happenings on the project.

He disclosed that works on the internal drains at the Le Repentir Cemetery is approximately 80 percent complete, noting that the Guyana Prison Service has been actively involved and has commenced work as a part of its rehabilitation.

He mentioned that the bee keepers also play an integral role in the rehabilitation of the cemetery, while staff has been keeping a close watch and monitoring the progress so as to ensure proper and adequate delivery of work.

Whittaker reported that the community clean-up is ongoing at areas such as Albouystown and others.

He added that works at Lamaha Park was set to begin on September 4 as well as to East La Penitence, noting that consultations are ongoing to bring more communities on board.

He further stated that garbage removal from market areas have been ongoing and there were discussions about other things that are needed for the markets such as proper roofing, security, solid waste storage, among others.

He said that it was agreed that additional bins will be placed around the areas, but is urging the City Council, stallholders and stall owners to maintain the aesthetics after areas have been fully improved.

Whittaker added that sections of the Saffon Street pavement will be concreted as it has deteriorated as a result of people dumping garbage there.

He posited that the City Council will be assisted to repair broken machinery and fix the garbage trucks.

Meanwhile, he is urging the public to maintain a clean environment and report those who don’t abide by the laws.

The Local Government Minister indicated that metal bins will be placed in various areas of the city, additionally, com-

pactors and approximately 1,000 barrels will be provided for proper garbage disposal, among other items such as plastic bags.

He acknowledged the collaborative effort of the private sector in this initiative as they have been hand in hand assisting the ministry to provide an environment that is healthy and conducive.

Regional Clean up Whittaker said that this exercise will not be restricted only to Georgetown but will be extended to other regions as well starting with Region 6(East Berbice/Corentyne).

He said that the Government will spend a significant sum to aid in the collection of solid waste, where regions will be assisted with the capacity to move it to landfill sites.

He informed that money will be spent to ensure the rehabilitation of access roads to landfill sites, and tractors and trailers will be purchased to assist in this regard while hinterland areas will be given five excavators, which will be used primarily for work within Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC’s) and Municipalities.

He said Cabinet has already approved and works will soon begin as part of the ministry’s programme.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

Agriculture Minister assures there is no paddy bug outbreak

challenges, which is why the rice farmer who in his field paying attention will do well. Advisories like the one for the paddy bug will help people keep on top of the issue,” he said.

By Vanessa Narine THERE have been concerns over an outbreak of paddy bug in rice fields, following the issuance of an advisory from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) detailing control methods

“What we are doing is working to ensure that if there is a problem we are prepared and can see it early. It can arise, we have to be prepared.”

–Dr Ramsammy for the pest.

However, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy was emphatic that there is no outbreak of the paddy bug pest; rather the advisory issued is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to ensure that

Paddy bugs found by a farmer in a rice field (Photo

by Vanessa Narine) farmers are prepared in the event of an increase in the paddy bug population.

“We have an ongoing programme to address paddy bug. What we are doing is increasing awareness. We do not have a paddy bug outbreak,” he said.

Dr. Ramsammy added that the current efforts are aimed at ensuring greater levels of preparedness among rice farmers.

“What we are doing is working to ensure that if there is a problem we are prepared and can see it early. It can arise, we have to be prepared,” he said.

The minister noted too that caterpillars in rice fields are another problem.

“As the weather gets drier we will have this issue. These are always

HARVESTING Asked about harvesting of the second rice crop, Dr. Ramsammy stated that some farmers who started the crop early are already harvesting, however, he said that as per the norm the majority of the harvesting will be done during October and November.

“There are also some farmers who planted late and they will harvest in December,” he said.

According to him, the second rice crop is expected to be as large as or even surpass the production of the first crop, which brought in a record 314,000 tonnes.

“We will pass the 600,000 tonnes production target for the year. Our target was 550,000 tonnes, but given the kind of production we are having we will surpass 600,000 tonnes easily,” he said.

On the question of outstanding payments to farmers, the minister stated that only one per cent of farmers remain to be paid in full and all efforts are being made to ensure that this is done before harvesting of the second crop starts.

Dr. Ramsammy highlighted too that Guyana has already exported 300,000 tonnes of rice and the sector is expected to surpass the 450,000 tonnes export target.

“With the contracts signed and shipments to be made, we will pass the 450,000-tonne export target. We are likely to meet 475,000 tonnes or even 500,000 tonnes export,” he said, adding: “We are currently working above world market prices and those are the markets we are in.”

Last year’s Guyana exports came in at 398,000 tonnes. The production for 2013 was 535,212 tonnes, which was far above the original target of 413,000 tonnes, and reflected a 27 per cent increase over the production in 2012. The average production per hectare is five tonnes.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

GECOM interviews for new ACEO begins next week

By Vanessa Narine

APPLICATIONS for a new Assistant Chief Elections Officer/Assistant Commissioner, National Registration (ACEO/ACNR) have been submitted and interviews are expected to start next week.

This is according to Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, who added that the new ACEO, the current Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mr. Keith Lowenfield, and the Deputy CEO, Mr. Vishnu Persaud, will be the team to carry Guyana into the next elections.

“That threesome will be the ones that, that team will carry us into elections and I have the greatness of confidence in the two of them and let’s see who will be the ACEO,” he said.

Under the control and supervision of the Deputy Chief Election Officer, the Assistant Chief Elections Officer is responsible for the smooth functioning of all Divisions/ Sections/Units/Offices within the ambit of the Operations Department.

The primary duties of the ACEO’s office include: * Ensuring that all field activities confirm to the relevant laws, regulations, GECOM policy directives and guidelines; * Coordinating, directing and ensuring the implementation of all operational plans; Dr. Steve Surujbally, * Reviewing operational Chairman of GECOM plans relative to the effective

availability and timely movement of all resources necessary to facilitate the registration of eligible persons and the conduct of all elections; * Conducting regular monitoring/evaluation of the performance of the various Divisions/Sections/Units/Offices within the Operations Department; * Coordinating the provision/distribution of all relevant materials, equipment, supplies, transport and other requisite resources that are pertinent to the registration and electoral processes; and * Ensuring the precise numbering of Polling Stations and accurate allocation of electors to the respective Polling Stations, in conformity with the legal provisions and policy guidelines of the Commission; among others.

Additionally, Dr. Surujbally took the opportunity to also dismiss questions surrounding the suitability of Persaud as DCEO. “Persaud is all accredited.

He passed all his equivalency tests with higher than what was needed. Besides I can say unequivocally that he is one bright young man, who deserves to move ahead…that combination we have now, Mr. Lowenfield and Mr. Persaud, is a good one,” the GECOM Chairman exhorted.

With the Alliance for Change’s (AFC) no-confidence motion before the Chief Elections Officer National Assembly, Guyana (CEO), Mr. Keith Lowen- could be facing an early genfield

eral election if the motion is passed in the House with a twothirds majority.

The first page of the Motion reads: “Be it resolved that this National Assembly has no confidence in the Government.”

As stated in Section 106 (6) of the Constitution: “The Cabinet and President shall resign, if the Government is defeated by the vote of the majority of all Members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

This is made even clearer in Section 106 (7), which states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall, by resolution, supported by no less than two-thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly, and shall resign after a new President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Noteworthy is the fact that before the no-confidence motion is debated, the Head of State could call snap elections.

However, President Donald Ramotar during a prior news conference, rather than commit himself to a definitive answer, simply stated that any decision related to the no-confidence motion, including the possibility of calling snap elections, will be made “at the appropriate time.”

The last time general Deputy CEO, elections were held in GuyMr. Vishnu Persaud ana was in November 2011.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

North West couple remanded on joint charges of drug trafficking, unlawful ammo

By Geeta Rampersaud

A NORTH West District farmer and his wife were on Thursday remanded to prison on joint charges of trafficking in narcotics and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Convict Franklin Valanzuela also known as Franklin Anthony

Franklin Valanzuela, 47, also known as Franklin Anthony, and his wife Claris Huston, 65, of Hobodeia Village, in the North West District both pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Particulars of the offences said that on September 2 at Hobodeia Village, they had in their possession 1,117 grammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

The second joint charge said that on the same day at Hobodeia Village, they had in their possession three 16 gauge cartridge casings without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The couple was unrepresented and told the court that they have two children from their common-law union.

Hutson explained that she is suffering from a heart problem and diabetes. According to Anthony, the

- husband admits cultivating marijuana plants ammunition was found in a carton with some old clothes which does not belong to him.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant opposed bail on the grounds that no

Defendant Claris Hutson special reason was raised by the duo.

For those two charges they were both remanded to prison and will make their next court appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya

Sewnarine-Beharry on Monday.

Anthony was also facing a separate charge of cultivating prohibited plants. He pleaded guilty to the offence that said on September 2 at Hobodeia, he cultivated marijuana.

According to the prosecution’s facts, acting on information received police went to the village where both defendants were contacted.

Subsequently, Anthony took the police to the backland where he pointed out a farm and told the ranks that it belongs to him.

The police then made checks on the farm and observed 16 marijuana plants. He admitted that he was planting, watering, molding and tending the plants on a daily basis.

He was told of the offence committed and arrested and charged.

Magistrate Latchman took into consideration that Anthony is a firsttime offender with no prior convictions or pending charges.

The defendant stated that he nurtured the prohibited plants to purchase a chain saw. For this offence he was fined $6,000 together with three years imprisonment.

Gold miner remanded on murder charge A 24-year-old gold miner of Hotoquai Creek in the North West District was, on Thursday, remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman on a murder charge.

Desmond James was not required to plead to the indictable charge that said on September 1 at 4 Miles Arakaka Backdam, in the North West District, he murdered Glendon Cox. Police prosecutor Michael Grant did not disclose the prosecution’s facts to the court and the matter will be called again on Monday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Accused Desmond James

Lodge Housing Scheme man charged for electricity theft Fifty-six-year old Ray’s Security officer was, on Thursday, placed on $10,000 bail by Magistrate Judy Latchman for allegedly stealing electricity.

Malcolm McLean of Lot 229 Lodge Housing Scheme pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on July 19 at D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, he fraudulently abstracted an electricity supply from Guyana Power and Light

Inc. (GPL) to his home.

The father of four was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Fung-aFat. He requested bail in a reasonable sum and further informed the court that the house was given to his client by his mother.

McLean with no prior or pending matter will make his next court appearance on Monday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

One mistake can mean a life - Seelall on suicide hotline

The gathering at the workshop on Thursday

By Leroy Smith

Saturday, September 06, 2014 - 14:30 hrs Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 14:30 hrs Monday, September 08, 2014 - 14:30 hrs

HEAD of the Guyana Police Force, Mr Seelall Persaud on Thursday told reporters that the Force is working diligently with various stakeholders to launch a suicide hotline, and diligence will be exercised to ensure that it will be effective.

The Top Cop said that already counsellors both from the police force and other agencies are on board and the

programme seems ready, but there is still some training to be done.

Then there will be discussions with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company to make the lines available.

Seelall, addressing a gathering yesterday at the launch of the Guyana Police Force Community Service Chaplaincy Training- Level 1, told the faith-based representatives and junior and senior ranks of the Force that the hotline will be in place to accommodate depressed persons.

Those taking the calls are not all expected to be police officers, but also persons who are trained and know how to deal with depressed persons.

Once the calls are received and the area the call comes from is determined, the police will be informed and will move to the location with a counsellor and try to contact the caller.

At the Guyana Police Force’s Officers Conference earlier this year, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud had announced the establishment of a suicide hotline.

Meanwhile contacted yesterday afternoon, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Telephone Company RK

Police Commissioner (ag.) Seelall Persaud addressing the gathering on the issue of suicide

Sharma said that it was only Wednesday that the telephone company personnel met with police representatives on the matter of making lines available.

It is not likely that the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company will deny the police the lines for such a use, even as the Commissioner said that they were looking to have an arrangement that will not impact the budget of the Force.

The Commissioner how-

ever said that if it comes down to the point where a cost is involved, the Police will have to pay up.

GT&T has in the past thrown its support behind very huge projects aimed at meeting the needs of members of the public, largely as part of its cooperate responsibility.

The phone company has especially spent millions to promote tourism, youth development and sports, among other programmes.

Guyana has the capacity to produce GM foods –Commission on Science and Technology will soon be addressing the issue

By Clifford Stanley’ WITH the Commissioning of two high tech agricultural laboratories at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara earlier this week, Guyana now has the capacity to produce Genetically Modified (GM) foods.

But should Guyana be embarking on this largely controversial method of

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food production also known as GMO? The question was raised

by Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during the commissioning ceremony earlier this week.

Generally opponents of GM food production worldwide have consistently warned that these foods are not safe for human consumption.

Recently seen in a anti-GMO publication was a child with an anti -GMO poster saying: ”I am not a scientific experiment.”

Anti-GMO activists say that shopping organic is one of the best steps consumers can take towards ensuring that their family eats the healthiest foods possible.

But as of 2013 the United States leads a list of multiple countries in the production of GM crops, and 25 GM crops had received regulatory approval to be grown commercially, Dr Ramsammy pointed out.

“As of 2013, roughly 85% of corn, 91% of soybeans, and 88% of cotton

produced in the United States were genetically modified,” he said.

Dr Ramsammy told the gathering that all those who have used corn oil, or canola oil or soya products or cotton products from the US have been using GMOs. He added: “We now even have in countries like the US, GM squash GM papaw GM alfalfa.One hundred and sixty five million acres of land in the US are under cultivation with GM products and around the world 366 million acres of land are dedicated to GM food products.

Noting that the establishment of the Tissue Culture and Bio Control laboratories means that Guyana can now manipulate DNA and develop GM foods, he asked: “Will we or will we not get into GMOs? Remain organic?

Or will we just go with the flow?”

He said that the time has come for Guyana and developing countries generally to make a decision on GMOs, one way or the

other.

CARICOM in particular, he said, should complete its policy on GMOs because:” without a policy we will be dragged in a certain direction.”

He said that in the meantime another noteworthy thing about the two new laboratories was that they would enable staffers to identify GMOs..

He said: “For example we are expanding corn now and soya. With these labs we can now examine seeds to see whether they are in fact hybrid corn, hybrid soya or GM corn or GM soya. This is a practical example of what these laboratories and what we in Guyana can now do.”

He said that the Commission on Science and Technology which is chaired by President Donald Ramotar will soon be addressing the issue of GMOs and how Guyana will deal with the issue within the framework of a larger national policy on application of of bio-technology in food production.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

Guyana has highest suicide PPP Region 2 councillor calls for removal of rate in the Caribbean – WHO THE Government of Guyana says it has developed a “strategic partnership” with the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) to heighten awareness on the need to prevent suicides in the country. it said that Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran met with the IAC who presented its organisation’s

Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran initiative and explored the possibility of a meaningful collaboration.

Dr. Ramsaran said the Ministry of Health has been involved in several plans aimed at curbing suicides, including the training of persons in counseling depressed persons.

Ramsaran said there was a need for all stakeholders to be involved in the fight against suicides, reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to working with organisations that have expressed an interest in dealing with social issues.

The IAC in the past had demonstrated its willingness to lead and support any intervention regarding this issue, and based on the magnitude of incidents, called for suicide to be declared a national priority. Further, the organisation pointed out that due to the high rate of suicide, a major international news network visited Guyana and produced a story highlighting this distressing trend.

The IAC believes that much more can be done and had called for meaningful collaboration among the various government ministries “to derive a plan of action which will lead to the provision of education through awareness and related counseling, with the aim of reducing, and hopefully, eliminating incidents of suicide.”

Earlier this year, the government said a multi-sectoral approach was needed to deal with the number of suicides in the country. So far this year, the World Health Organisation said Guyana has by far the highest suicide rate among countries in the Caribbean. It has also been listed in the top 10 most suicidal countries worldwide.

So far this year more than 30 Guyanese have committed suicide, while several others are recovering from failed attempts.

The IAC said it will stage a walk on September 14 to highlight the issue and was urging all nationals, religious and non-government organisations to support the initiative “to heighten awareness about the need to prevent suicide.” (Asif Hakim)

‘abusive’ AFC councillor

-also had his naked picture on front page of a daily newspaper

By Rajendra Prabhulall PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)Councillor in the Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Democratic Council, Ms. Juliet Coonjah is calling for the removal of Alliance For Change [AFC] Councillor, Mr. Naithram as a member of the RDC because of his abusive behaviour towards her during a protest of rice farmers on the Reliance Public Road on the afternoon of July 4th.

Ms Coonjah told the RDC meeting that the councillor cursed and verbally abused her after she went to render assistance to a pregnant woman in a car that was blocked by scores of angry protestors on the Reliance Public Road. She said the woman’s husband who is a rice miller was also roughed up by the protestors who tried to overturn his car into a nearby drain.

The councillor asked members of the RDC “how can we have a councillor that has behaved so disgracefully and abusive in public and have his naked picture published in a Saturday daily newspaper front page sit in this RDC.” At that point Regional Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud intervened and said he saw a naked picture of the AFC councillor printed on the front page of Kaiteur newspaper on Saturday July 5th which was very embarrassing for him as Chairman

of the RDC and every other member of the council. He said “I can’t understand how a person in such high position as a councillor of the highest decision-making forum of the Region can have his naked picture published on the front page of a daily newspaper.”

The Chairman said he will seek

RDC Councillor Juliet Coonjah legal advice on the constitution of Guyana that governs the Regional Democratic Council on how to deal with the matter as he cannot dislodge the councillor just like that.

Another PPP/C Councillor, Mr. Brian Persaud said the constitution must be used to discipline the councillor. According to Persaud every councillor of the RDC must respect each other.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

GCCI donates $1.4M worth of breathalysers to GPF

Top Cop, Seelall Persaud in a handshake with GCCI President, Lance Hinds, flanked by members of the private sector and senior officers of the GPF (Cullen Bess-Nelson photos)

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) was on Tuesday gifted five (5) breathalysers valued at $1.4M by several members of the corporate community to enhance their traffic law enforcement capability.

A handing-over ceremony took place at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Conference Room which was witnessed by the top brass of the Force headed by Commissioner of Police(ag) Seelall Persaud.

Making the presentation on behalf of the private sector was President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lance Hinds.

Hinds said, “I am certain I do not need to tell anyone in this room about the often deadly consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol. The media is [sic] awash with images of mangled vehicles and sometimes

Acting Traffic Chief, Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram as he accepted the breathalyser kit from GCCI President, Lance Hinds

bodies on a regular basis.”

He stated that the GCCI believe that as national stakeholders they should be con-

cerned about these kinds of challenges and where it is at all possible, support or be part of a positive and con-

structive contribution.

The GCCI President said, “The genesis of where we are today. Based on our call for assistance, the following companies came forward to provide financial support for the acquisition of breathalyser equipment, namely: BEV Processors, Digicel Guyana, John Fernandes Limited, John Lewis Styles, Republic Bank Guyana Limited and Trans Pacific Motor Spares.”

He noted that the effort is part and parcel of the Chamber’s commitment to corporate and social responsibility.

Hinds said, “We hope therefore that the breathalyzers and supporting equipment will be used by the Guyana Police Force to even further engage in operations to reduce the instances of drunk driving and deal promptly and severely with those who continue to do so.

Let me assure the Commissioner and [the] Guyana Police Force that the Cham-

ber of Commerce is always ready to support efforts such as these that increase the safety and comfort of our citizens.”

In response, the Top Cop, Seelall Persaud said that he is heartened by the gift and will intensify their collaboration with stakeholders such as the private sector in the way forward on many issues as it relates to security and crime.

He pointed out that they have had a healthy relationship with the GCCI in many instances and they were able to partner in major activities and have had their inputs in planning ahead of the Christmas policing in the city.

Persaud said that they have had initiatives, but this one yesterday morning came as a surprise, but he is nevertheless grateful for the donation and it will significantly assist in enhancing the capacity of the GPF. The Commissioner(ag) added that they are always

willing to partner with the corporate community and the donation will go a far way, noting that the road fatality figures this year are slightly higher than those of last year in comparison.

Persaud told the gathering yesterday morning that, that sort of engagement will continue because they have a mandate to fulfil, while the GCCI have a common interest in crime control among other interests.

Delivering brief remarks also was Acting Traffic Chief, Superintendent Ravindradat Budhram, who expressed his gratitude for the gift, which he noted came at a time when there is a need, recognising the number of road accidents which have resulted in deaths on our roads.

He said that the GPF Traffic Department will, however, continue to enforce the traffic laws and the breathalysers will be used as intended.

Murder accused gets one year for setting prison mattress alight MURDER accused Marlon Fordyce, who is awaiting trial at the Berbice Assizes, was sentenced to one year imprisonment after confessing to setting fire to a mattress in the New Amsterdam Prison on April 15, 2014.

The defendant, formerly of D’Andrade Street, Newtown, Kitty, had initially denied the charge but had a change of heart and confessed to the crime.

He told New Amsterdam Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus that the fire stemmed

from an unattended lighted cigarette.

“I am sorry. I was smoking a cigarette and I fell asleep.”

Meanwhile, Police Sergeant Godfrey Playter, prosecuting, said that the defendant, a remanded prisoner,

was housed in a cell which has various accommodations, such as a mattress and other items approved by the prison authorities.

During the said day, while the defendant was in his cell, other inmates drew to the attention of the prison

authorities that fire was emanating from the cell in which Fordyce was accommodated.

Prison officials responded and observed that a singlesize mattress was on fire.

They then formed a bucket brigade to extinguish the flames.

When the prisoner was questioned, he said that he was smoking a cigarette and dozed off, when the lighted cigarette came into contact with the foam mattress, resulting in the flames. (Jeune Bailey Vankeric)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Nerierd Yacht Rally set for Hurakabra River Resort

From left are: “A” Division Officer Dion Moore, Senior Superintendent Lyndon Alex, Owner of Hurakabra River Resort, Gem Nascimento, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism. Daneshwar Deonarine, and former THAG president Kit Nascimento” (Adrian Narine photo)

By Savitri Laikram THE Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Hurakabra River Resort is set to host the Guyana leg of the Nerierd Yacht Rally 2014.

At a press briefing on Thursday at the Ministry of Tourism located at South Road Georgetown, former president of THAG, Mr. Kit Nascimento pointed out that this year the success of the first initiative is marked with the expected participation of 10 yachts inclusive of a

spectacular 72-foot yacht named the Whistler. The yachts will come from Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana then move to Suriname and French Guyana.

The first yacht was expected to arrive yesterday while the last will tentatively arrive on September 10.The yachts will go through customs and immigration upon arrival and docking at Bartica, and will then proceed to the Hurakabra River Resort located on the West Bank of the Essequibo River.

Nascimento highlighted that the intention of the rally is to “recognise Guyana as a yachting destination” and promote Guyana as a full

yachting destination in about three years’ time.

He reiterated that last year’s rally saw five yachts and in just a year, the number of boats coming here has doubled.

He added that the aim is to use this event to catapult the yacht industry in Guyana and to harness the influx of yachts to develop the necessary infrastructure to further support the industry.

Nascimento noted that Guyana is perfect for yachting on account of the fact that it’s geographic location is away from the hurricane weather.

In addition, the Ministry of Natural Resources and

the Environment together with the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has promised funds from the “Clean-up my country” programme and the mobilisation of equipment to clean up the entire waterfront of Bartica in anticipation of the Yacht Rally to be hosted there next week.

He posited that this was a major concern and was discussed with the Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud who has given his full support for the initiative.

Nascimento outlined that the organiser of this event is Mr. Davide Matelicani and partners for the rally include the Coast Guard,

the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Tourism, THAG and GTA. Co- owner of the Hurakabra Resort Mrs. Gem Nascimento highlighted a host of exciting activities planned for the rally. A welcome reception, co-hosted with the (GTA) at the resort will begin the activities. Mrs. Nascimento emphasised that the main event will be a first time “beach party” that promises “fun in the sun”, and the opportunity of a lifetime to board the yachts. Being part of the events requires patrons to purchase tickets and dress

comfortably.

The all-inclusive $15,000 ticket provides the holder with transportation from Georgetown to the resort and back, lunch and a local drink. The less expensive “river jam” $12,000 ticket provides Georgetown to Hurakabra and return transportation.

Those who are arranging their own transportation, like large groups hiring river taxis and boats from Bartica or Parika to the resort, the general admission of $7,000 per ticket would be best suitable for them.

She also promised other happenings to look forward for at the event including novelty games, karaoke, and tours of the resort, darts, table tennis, swimming and a volley ball competition.

Participants can look forward to exciting prizes and certificates. She assured that a well-stocked open bar will be provided at the venue as visitors will not be allowed to take their own alcohol to the event.

Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Guyana Tourism Authority- Exhibition Centre, Sophia, the Ministry of Tourism – South Road, The Ministry of HousingBrickdam, Old Fort Tours – Parika, S. Persaud, Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region 7 Office – Bartica, Oasis Café and National Cultural Centre – Georgetown.

Female prison protestor has brain disorder -according to psychiatrist

By Jeune Bailey Vankeric REMANDED prisoner Vanessa Schroeder, 39, on Tuesday staged a protest just below the roof of the lone female penitentiary in Berbice, where she highlighted her accusations about acts of harassment and injustice that were meted out to her by named prison officers.

Withstanding the blazing mid-afternoon heat and armed with a Coca-Cola bottle filled with water, the prisoner drew the attention of media personnel and passersby after mounting on the metal trestle just outside the building which housed the female prison. She then alerted persons about what she

wanted the world to know.

According to her, during her thirteen years of imprisonment, she was ill-treated by named officers who were in the habit of harassing her.

“First they get me in a cell. I am not supposed to be there. I supposed to be in the dormitory… They want to kill me, they always locking me up. Officer [name stated] showing me signs how she would cut off my neck. I fed up…They putting me in the cell and only loosing for an hour or so,” she ranted, before being urged by officials and the media to descend and return through the window which led into the female block.

Apparently satisfied that her voice was heard by the

relevant personnel, she then complied.

In the meantime, efforts to contact prison officials on this matter proved futile.

During a telephone conversation with the defendant’s father, Ewart Cameron, of Lot 1646 Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, this reporter was told that Vanessa Schroeder, a mother of five, had been convicted on two charges stemming from the deaths of a brother and her sixteen-day-old baby. The prison sentence totalled 13 years.

The sixty-eight-year-old pensioner recalled that after his daughter completed her sentence in August 2013, she visited him and he gave her $200,000 to assist herself. A further $200,000 was given in January 2014 for her to

invest in business, and an additional $50,000 was given to her during the Linden Town Week.

“I have done all I could for Vanessa. I will not allow any child to ruin my life. She served sentences for double murder, her brother and the three-week-old baby…now she is in prison on damage to property charge. She pelted a minibus in Georgetown and damaged the windscreen.

She will have to stay there.

I have no more money to spend on her. She did nothing with what I gave her,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, according to court reports, Schroeder was initially charged with the murder of her then sixteenday-old baby but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter before Justice

Remand prisoner Vanessa Schroeder mounts protests on New Amsterdam Prison roof

Yonette Cummings-Edwards, who had imposed a ten-year imprisonment.

However, prior to handing down the sentence, a psychiatric report by Dr. Bhairo Harry had revealed that Schroeder was suffering

from a treatable organic brain disorder.

He had stated that she would need life-long medical treatment for the brain damage which could have occurred in her mother’s womb or later in her life.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday september 6, 2014

NRSC appeals for more responsible use of roadways

By Shirley Thomas With the re-opening of schools for the Christmas term last Monday, and the attendant daily increase in traffic on the na-

tion’s roadways, the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is once again making a special appeal to all road users to be more responsible while using the roads, and

A Police Traffic rank presents a manual to a road safety patrol

moreso, to be on the lookout for children at all times.

Motorists, in particular, are asked to look out for school-children.

Teachers and parents are reminded to enforce

the Road Safety education and School Safety Patrols in schools.

Students are reminded of the CURB DRILL:- LOOK R I G H T, L O O K L E F T, LOOK

Co-ordinator of the NRSC, Mrs. Ramona Doorgen, presents a copy of the Schools Traffic Safety Team Manual to a school safety patrol rank

RIGHT AGAIN; WHEN THE ROAD IS CLEAR, WALK BRISKLY ACROSS. Noting that accidents have resulted in major loss of lives and serious disability to

persons, the NRSC is urging motorists to be ever mindful of the five Cs of Road Safety: Care, Courtesy, Consideration, Caution and Commonsense when using the roadways.

Mrs. Correia, a NRSC Official presents a road safety paddle to a school safety patrol M o r e o v e r, t h e Council has observed that blatant disregard for traffic laws and traffic advisories are the major contributing factors to road accidents, which responsible Guyanese are desperately trying to reduce substantially.

Also, serious accidents have significantly disturbed the social welfare, the NRSC said, of all the affected families.

But while motorists play a major role in the cause of road accidents, the NRSC has taken note that pedestrians and cyclists are also to be blamed for the demonstration of careless and reckless attitudes which have resulted in accidents. The Council condemned such behaviour, noting that they result in only “needless road crashes and deaths.”

Concerned that all categories of accidents continue to impact the national economy financially, while distressing all parties involved - emotionally and physically- the NRSC is calling on all concerned, to up the ante and put an end to the road carnage and needless maiming and crippling of road users.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

MYCS conducts successful ...

(From Backpage) Caribbean RADO board meeting, which is expected to be held here today, at the Princess Hotel, and the Ministry requested that the developmental seminar be held, where one of the key areas was on increasing anti-doping awareness along with the importance of ensuring that athletes are not doping.

“Guyana has had some positive test that has

been made public, and one test is one too many, and our effort is really to spread that measure far and wide so that we have a level playing field and all Guyanese athletes are playing fairly.” Chaderton-Shaw said.

Chaderton-Shaw was one of several persons who spoke at the five-hour-long seminar, which was attended by some 47 officials from the various sporting federations in Guyana. At the completion of the event, she noted her satisfaction with both the attendance and the training features at the event.

“The whole purpose of today was really to give managers, coaches, the athletes’ entourage a better understanding of what doping is and what it isn’t.

“We would’ve looked at the role of the Caribbean RADO, the services it provides to the region and more specifically to Guyana … We had a very comprehensive five-hour training seminar that was very well attended and I leave here very satisfied today,” she said.

Doping, in sports, refers to an athlete’s use of drugs that are considered to affect how an athlete performs in a sporting event, in most cases giving them an unfair advantage over the other competitors. Athletes found to test positive for such drugs receive sanctions of varying proportions depending on the severity of the case.

The RADO is an affiliate of the global anti-doping body, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and has a responsibility to “provide education on the use of drugs and doping methods in sport”, as well as to promote and coordinate the fight against doping in sport among the countries of the Caribbean.

It currently has fifteen member countries, with a board member from each member country.

Guyana’s board member is MCYS Permanent Secretary Alfred King.

Over the years the need for the development in anti-doping awareness has grown increasingly necessary as athletes and the federations are left to bear the stigma when athletes test positive. The anti-doping tests are conducted

by Doping Control Officers, of which Guyana has four. Guyana’s officers are Charles Corbin, Dr Karen Pilgrim, Dr Clive Bowman and more recently Dr Navin Rambarran.

“The doping control officers in Guyana have done a phenomenal job; they have been testing athletes over the year.” Chaderton-Shaw commented.

Chaderton-Shaw noted that as it pertains to hurdles in anti-doping Guyana doesn’t face any that isn’t a common issue in Caribbean nations all across the board.

“I think one of the first challenges is consistent anti-doping education being delivered across all sport federations, doing it consistently; it takes time.

“Anti-doping is an area of sport development that people tend to frown on, and ignore because there is a certain intrusion of privacy. We have to make sure that the urine is leaving their body so a chaperone, of the same gender, must accompany (the athlete), but we are trying

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to change that stigma, and ensure that it is something that is embraced and seen as a pivotal component of sport development.

“The other area of concern is testing, doing more testing both in and out of competition across all disciplines.

“With the assistance of the board members, and the doping control officers, in collaboration with the national sporting federations, this can be achieved.

But it is something that we have to keep chipping away at, in all of our fifteen member countries.

So the challenges faced by Guyana are quite similar across the board,” Chaderton- Shaw stated.

The seminar featured a practical session conducted by the local Doping Control Officers, while opening remarks were made by Minister Dr Frank Anthony. King and the president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K. A. Juman-Yassin were present.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Federer pulls off great escape to reach U.S. Open semi-finals

By Steve Keating NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - Roger Federer pulled off a great escape by fighting off two match points to beat Frenchman Gael Monfils and reach the semi-finals of the U.S. Open on Thursday, keeping his bid for an 18th grand slam on track.

The stirring 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 comeback win marks the ninth time in his career Federer has rallied from two sets down to snatch victory, setting up a final-four meeting with 14th seed Marin Cilic.

Sixth seeded Tomas Berdych had no chance of conjuring a similar escape and lost 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(4) to big-serving Croat Cilic, who is making his return to Flushing Meadows after missing last year’s grand slam due to a doping suspension.

Federer, a near perfect 25-1 playing under the floodlights of Arthur Ashe Stadium court, must have

Roger Federer

wondered which Monfils would show up on Thursday.

Labelled one of the game’s great natural talents, Monfils can be wildly entertaining or maddening, depending on his mood and the near capacity crowd saw both sides of the 28-year-old Frenchman during a riveting three-hour, 20-minute encounter.

Monfils added several highlight shots to his collection in winning the first

two sets, and after Federer won the third he carved out two match points in the fourth.

But with Federer on the ropes the 20th seeded Frenchman could not deliver the knockout punch.

“When I was down two match points, I wasn’t feeling so great ... I thought ‘this is it, this is the last point, man,” said Federer. “Just go down fighting, don’t miss an easy shot and let him have it.”

Misfiring most of the night, Federer slowly began to find his mark and seized his chance when it arrived, holding serve for 5-5 to close out the fourth set and then breaking Monfils in the first game of the fifth.

“It was one of those moments where you got the back against the wall and hope to get a bit lucky and you hope to play exactly the right shots that you need or that he completely just messes it up,” said the 33-year-old Swiss.

“Either way works as long as you get out of it.

“It’s just unbelievable to win matches like this at slams.

“I’m not sure I have ever saved match point before in a slam. If that hasn’t happened, I’m unbelievably happy that it was today.”

DIFFICULT PERIOD Cilic, who pounded out 19 aces, had Berdych under pressure right from the start, breaking the Czech at the first opportunity in the first two sets to grab a 2-0 lead.

Berdych turned the tables on Cilic in the third and raced out to a 3-0 lead but the Croatian, relying on his booming serve, broke back and forced a tiebreak before clinching the match with a thundering ace and forehand winner on the final two points.

It has been a turbulent few years since Cilic’s last grand slam semi-final at the 2010 Australian Open.

His problems came to a head last year when he was handed a nine-month drug suspension for taking a banned stimulant which was later reduced to four months but he was still unable to compete at last year’s U.S. Open.

“I mean, it was a difficult period. I didn’t know when I’m going to start back,” said Cilic, who becomes the first Croatian to reach the U.S. Open semi-finals since his coach Goran Ivanisevic in 1996.

“But it was also a good period for me. I matured a bit more and I was work-

ing day after day. “Of course it was a huge motivation for me when I came back.”

Certainly since his return last October the 14th seed has been firing on all cylinders, winning events in Zagreb and Delray Beach while reaching the final in Rotterdam.

His 45 match wins this season are second only to world number three Roger Federer (54) and his run to the Flushing Meadows semis has included wins over 26th seed Gilles Simon and 18th seed Kevin Anderson.

“Even though I had great success beginning of the year, I felt that I started to play really well somewhere from French Open,” said Cilic. “Since then I think the things are in good place for me and moving really, really good with everything.”

“When I came back to the tennis court I erased it from my memory. I just used the positive parts.”

GFSCA tournament continues tomorrow with 10 matches

THE much anticipated Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) tournament bounced off last night at the DCC ground and will continue tomorrow with 10 matches at the GCC ground, Bourda and DCC ground.

The white softball balls will be used and rules of the game pertaining to all “Guyana Softball Cups”

will be in effect. The tournament will be called Ramchand Auto Spares/Rohan Auto Spares Softball Tournament. It is a preparation for players who will be participating in the GFSCA annual International Softball Tournament “Guyana Softball Cup 4” which will be held on October 31, and November 1 and 2, 2014.

This Ramchand Auto Spares of Sheriff Street/

Rohan Auto Spares of Mahaica Softball Tournament will be held in three categories: Male Open, Female Open, and Male 40 Years and Over (born 1974 and before). All teams wishing to participate should contact Wayne Jones at 650-1790.

Entrance fee is $10 000 for males, females are free. Winning prize in both male categories is $100

000 plus trophy, while the runners-up receive $25 000 plus trophy. The winning female team will receive $50 000 plus trophy and runners-up get $25 000 plus trophy.

This tournament is also sponsored by Mike’s Pharmacy and Nauth Motor Spares of Sheriff Street, Ariel Enterprise of Regent Street, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market/City Mall,

Romeo’s Oil Seal of Barr Street, Motor Trend of Enmore, and Bel Air RUBiS of Bel Air.

Masters, 12:30hrs - Trophy Stall Angels vs 4R Lioness, 14:00hrs - Wolf Warriors vs Regal.

Fixtures for tomorrow at DCC ground: Pitch 1: 09:30hrs - Frontliners vs Floodlights, 12:30hrs - Blue Divas vs Wellwoman, 14:00hrs Wellman vs Slingers Pitch 2: 09:30hrs - Industry Super Kings vs Regal

Enterprise ground: Pitch 1: 09:30hrs - Trophy Stall vs Challengers, 12:30hrs - Enmore vs Enterprise Legends.

Pitch 2: 09:30hrs Farm vs Uprisers, 12:30hrs - Bel Air RUBiS vs Fishermen Masters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Root spares England’s blushes in consolation victory

(REUTERS) - Joe Root’s fine century saved England from the ignominy of a series whitewash on home soil as they beat India by 41 runs in the fifth and final one-dayer at Headingley yesterday.

After taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead following a thumping nine-wicket victory in the last match, world champions India struggled to adapt to the conditions and allowed England to score more than 230 runs for the first time in the series.

Root’s well-judged 113 from 108 balls on his home ground, his highest ODI score, lifted England to 294 for seven off their 50 overs.

Captain Alastair Cook chipped in with 46 and Jos Buttler fell for a breezy 49 after being run-out by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Ravindra Jadeja played well to score a valiant 87 as India stuttered and stumbled during their run chase and

… India win series 3-1

were eventually all out for 253 with eight balls remaining.

“Joe Root played fantastically well. He went on and a couple of other guys supported him. That’s what we’ve been trying to do.

We’ve got a lot of 20s and 30s in this series and when one of our guys went on and scored a century, we showed we’ve got a bowling attack to defend it,” Cook said at the presentation ceremony.

Man-of-the-match Root, who smashed 10 fours and three sixes, put on 108 runs with Buttler before Dhoni knocked off the bails to break the fifth-wicket partnership after Buttler set off for a non-existent run.

Mohammed Shami ended Root’s entertaining innings in the 46th over when the right-hander flicked the ball

straight to Ravichandran Ashwin.

India’s hopes of completing a 4-0 rout got off to a rocky start when they lost Edgbaston centurion Ajinkya Rahane for a duck after he nonchalantly sliced a James Anderson delivery into the hands of Eoin Morgan in the first over.

SOFT DISMISSALS From then on the visitors struggled to build momentum and they lost wickets at regular intervals, leaving all-rounder Jadeja frustrated as his swashbuckling knock of 87 off 68 balls turned out to be in vain.

The left-hander was last man out, clean-bowled by Steven Finn in the penultimate over as he tried to score runs quickly in a bid to reach three figures in an

international for the first time.

“We gave away too many wickets. There were quite a few soft dismissals and we were not able to score the number of runs we were supposed to. We are capable of getting 90-100 in the last 10 overs, but soft dismissals let us down,” Dhoni said.

Despite the defeat, India will be buoyed by their 50-overs performances in England as they look to fine-tune their game before beginning the defence of their World Cup title in February.

England, however, face an uphill task if they are to get their hands on the 50-overs World Cup, a trophy they have never won.

They have won only one series against another Test-playing nation since

The Indian players were all smiles with the series trophy after the fifth and final ODI at Headingley, Leeds.

Joe Root’s second ODI ton helped England to a consolatory win in the final one-dayer against India at Headingley.

2012 and have lost their last do and it’s been really frusfour at home. trating for the last few games Their consolation victothat we’ve not been able ry has done little to paper to do it. One good game in over the cracks that run four isn’t good enough,” deep in England’s approach Cook, who many pundits to the limited-overs format believe should step down as which some former players ODI captain because he is have labelled as old-fashill-equipped to prosper as a ioned and out of date. batsman in the limited-overs “We know what we can game, told the BBC.

ENGLAND innings A. Cook c Dhoni b Raina 46 A. Hales c Rahane b Yadav 4 M. Ali c Yadav b B. Kumar 9 J. Root c Ashwin b Shami 113 E. Morgan stp. Dhoni b Ashwin

14 J. Buttler run-out (Dhoni) 49 B. Stokes not out 33 C. Woakes b Shami 9 J. Tredwell not out 8 Extras:: (b-1, lb-3, w-5) 9 Total: (for 7 wickets, 50 overs) 294 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-39, 3-91, 4-117, 5-225, 6-249, 7-265.

Bowling: B. Kumar 8-0-45-1 (w-1), U. Yadav 6-0-46-1 (w-3), M. Shami 10-0-52-2, R. Ashwin 10-2-49-1 (w-1), S. Raina 7-0-32-1, R. Jadeja 9-0-66-0.

INDIA innings

A. Rahane c Morgan b Anderson

0 S. Dhawan b Ali 31 V. Kohli c Cook b Anderson 13 A. Rayudu c Cook b Stokes 53 S. c Buttler b Ali 18 M. Dhoni c Stokes b Finn 29 R. Jadeja b Finn 87 R. Ashwin c Finn b Stokes 16 B. Kumar run-out (Finn, Stokes) 1 M. Shami c Hales b Stokes 0 U. Yadav not out 0 Extras: (w-5) 5 Total: (all out, 48.4 overs) 253 Fall of wickets: 1-0 A., 2-25, 3-49, 4-91, 5-132, 6-173, 7-203, 8-208, 9-209.

Bowling: J. Anderson 10-0-39-2 (w-1), C. Woakes 10-1-61-0, M. Ali 8-0-34-2, S. Finn 8.4-1-37-2 (w-2), J. Tredwell 5-0-35-0, B. Stokes 7-047-3 (w-2).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Lack of IPL hurting England in shorter formats, says Akram

MUMBAI, India (Reuters) - Not playing the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the reason behind England’s struggles in the shorter formats, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram said, a day after England great Ian Botham called for the rich Twenty20 competition to be scrapped.

England were thumped 4-1 in Australia in their oneday international series at the beginning of the year and also lost recent series

at home against Sri Lanka and India.

Critics have flayed England’s strategy and selections for the shorter formats, with some suggesting that the team does not care about anything other than Test cricket.

“England may pretend as much as they can, but they do get affected by losses in ODI cricket,” the 48-yearold Akram, one of the alltime best pace bowlers of the world, wrote in a column published in yesterday’s

Morkel, Duminy in doubt for ODI series final (REUTERS) - South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel and all-rounder JP Duminy will undergo late fitness tests ahead of today’s triangular series final against Australia in Harare.

South Africa, who have already lost all-rounder Ryan McLaren to injury in the series, will give the players until just before the start of play to prove their fitness.

“MRI Scans were done on Morne’s right shoulder and JP’s left knee earlier this week. Morne’s scan confirmed an aggravation of a pre-existing rotator cuff tear which has worsened due to a high workload in Zimbabwe, while JP’s scan confirmed a patella tendinopathy diagnosis,” Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement.

“Both players have been managed through the last few games by physiotherapist Brandon Jackson but due

Morne Morkel to the worsening nature of their injuries recently, their availability for tomorrow’s final will be subject to a late fitness test in the morning.

“The side may feel the loss of Duminy more as he performs not just as a top six batsman, but also provides a spin option on the Harare Sports Club wickets that have turned prodigiously in recent matches.

Wasim Akram Times of India newspaper.

“They just pretend to be not interested in the 50-over format. The only reason they are not good in

one-day cricket right now is because they have a limited talent pool for the format.”

England are currently ranked fifth in the world in ODIs and few would wager on them in next year’s 50over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, a trophy the country has never won.

While former England all-rounder Botham believes the franchise-based IPL has become too powerful and could be fuelling corruption in the game, Akram thinks not playing in the tournament is hurting England.

While India, Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka - the teams ranked

above England in the ODI ranking - all play the IPL in full, Kevin Pietersen, who was sacked by the country’s cricket board, was the only England international in the tournament earlier this year.

Some English players made themselves unavailable to prepare for the summer’s Test matches but others went unsold, being unable to commit for the full duration of the April-May tournament due to the clash with the county season.

Former England captain Pietersen recently said that 50-over world champions India had benefited

from the tournament as their younger players were given the opportunity to play with and against the world’s best.

Akram, one of Pakistan’s main architects during their World Cup triumph in 1992, agreed.

“Australia, India and South Africa play all year around in the shorter formats. Also all these players play IPL,” Akram added.

“That has helped their cause.

“England used to have a few players in IPL, but even that has stopped. That is the reason why they are struggling big time in the shorter formats.”

One Day Cup …

Warwickshire ease past Kent to reach Lord’s final WA R W I C K S H I R E kept their nerve to ease through to the One-Day Cup final with a six-wicket victory over Kent on Wednesday.

Despite a late burst from Sam Billings, who made an unbeaten 40, Kent’s 2158 never looked enough at Edgbaston.

England paceman Boyd Rankin again bowled very menacingly to finish with man-of-the-match figures of 3-34.

Half-centuries by Jonathan Trott (58), Varun Chopra (50) and Tim Ambrose (51 not out) then all helped the hosts home on 219-4, with 21 balls to spare.

The Bears’ victory keeps alive their hopes of doing

Warwickshire’s batsman Jonathan Trott reverse-sweeps the ball on the way to his half-century against Kent. tember 20. the treble - 20 years on from than a fortnight ago, Dougie But they remain outEdgbaston’s class of 1994 Brown’s Bears will now face siders in the County doing the same. the winners of Saturday’s Championship, 33 points Having won the T20 Blast Durham-Nottinghamshire adrift of leaders Yorkshire on their own ground less semi-final at Lord’s on Sep- with two games left.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Serena coach says she is only human

By Larry Fine NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - Even the best players have their ups and downs, and crises of confidence, says tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who believes Serena Williams has now regained her way in pursuit of a third U.S. Open title in a row.

Williams who failed to reach the quarter-finals in the first three majors of 2014, has reached the semi-finals of the U.S. Open, closing in on an 18th grand slam singles crown that would tie her with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for fourth place on the all-time list.

The French coach, who has also been linked romantically to world number one Williams, said hard work and some soul-searching helped the 32-year-old American.

“The first six months of the season were really tough. She kind of lost her way, in a way,” Mourato-

Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Serena Williams glou told Reuters. “This is ally well. She worked even tennis. You cannot perform harder,” the Frenchman said. all the time. You have ups “She entered in a smaller tournament when she was and downs.”

Williams failed in the not playing well and she fourth round at the Aus- fought, and in a way got her tralian Open, was ousted confidence back by winning in the second round of the Stanford.

“And she’s playing betFrench and in the third ter and better. I think she’s round at Wimbledon. back to her level.”

The American has reWilliams has reached the gained momentum since turning her focus on the hard last four at Flushing Meadows without losing a set. court season.

“She did her job, she “I think she reacted re-

Lower Corentyne U19s beat Rest of Berbice in 75th anniv, T20 match THE Berbice Cricket Board Golden Jubilee Celebration continued last Sunday with a specially arranged T20 cricket match between the Rest of Berbice Under-19 team vs Lower Corentyne Under-19 team at the Albion Community Centre ground.

Lower Corentyne, led by national Under-19 player Askay Homraj defeated the Rest of Berbice by seven wickets.

Playing in front of a fair-size crowd Lower Corentyne won the toss and invited their counterparts to take first strike. The Rest of Berbice XI reached 87 for 9 in the allotted 20 overs with skipper Hakeem Hinds top-scoring with 31. He received support from Arif Chan 13 and A. Miller 12. Bowling for Lower Corentyne, Dimentri Cameron and Daniel Lewis both took 2 for 12 from four overs. West Indies Under-19 player Shimron Hetmeyer disappointed his fans when he threw his wicket away for 6 off the bowling of Sylus Tyndall.

In reply, Lower Corentyne struggled to get the ball off the square until the national Under-19 duo of Balchan Baldeo and Askay Homraj joined forces at 9 for 2 in the 5th over.

Baldeo top-scored with 34, while Homraj was his usual aggressive self with 30. Homraj was dismissed by national Under-19 pacer at 77 for 3 but David Latchaya 3 not out saw his team home with the solid Balchan. Bowling for the Rest of Berbice Under-19 team, off spinner Leon Andrew took 1 for 9 from 4 overs and Smith 2 for 19 from 4 overs.

Balchan was named Player-of-the-Match and Best Batsman while Daniel Lewis and Cameron were named Best Bowlers. All three players received special Diamond Jubilee Souvenirs while the winning team received a trophy, compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall.

Chairman of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee, Hilbert Foster, at the presentation stated that the main aim of the match was to showcase the rich pool of cricket talent that Berbice has at the youth level and also to honour Mr Bobby Deonarine of Washington DC, USA for his outstanding contribution to the development of Berbice Cricket.

The month of celebrations would be used to educate all Berbicians of the achievements over the years and to make sure that all of the county’s heroes and stalwarts are recognised and honoured.

was focused, she worked hard, she fought hard. Now it’s time to step up the level because the matches will be tougher and she has to play at a better level. That’s what we have to do now,” the coach said.

Mouratoglou, whose pupils included Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, a 2006 Australian Open finalist, said Williams was not alone in the struggle to maintain a competitive edge.

“I think the line between confidence and doubt ... it is the same for every player,” he remarked. “If you look at Roger (Federer) he had the same thing for two years, he didn’t play with the same confidence.

“And Rafa is the same.

Rafa needs to win a lot of matches to come back to his best. We have seen Rafa first week at Roland Garros

several times playing really bad, winning by fighting but playing really bad and being able to raise his level.

“It is the same for every player. Of course, maybe the top ones they know the way to get their confidence back but it takes time and it takes wins for everyone.”

Serena told reporters that she began her turnaround by looking at the big picture of her career, all she had already achieved, and that relaxed her.

“Serena has had a lot of pressure all her career and there is always someone to put a bit more with another record to beat,” said Mouratoglou.

“It’s tough for all the really, really top ones like Roger or her or maybe Rafa or Novak (Djokovic) but they know how to deal with it. They don’t always find a

way because they are humans but most of the time, they do.”

Mouratoglou, who has worked with Williams for two years, was asked about her approach to getting herself in the right place, psychologically.

“She’s right, looking at the big picture,” he replied.

“But I don’t know. It’s something really personal.

She does her own thing to find her way.

“What I do as a coach, I will have her focus on what she needs to do on the court, rather than the win or what she wants to complete.

“Every day you put one foot in front of the other one. We’re on a tennis court, there is one match to win, and one match to win is one point to win, and then another one.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Botham ‘should get his facts correct’ - BCCI secretary

THE BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel has criticised former England captain Ian Botham for his comments on the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying the latter should have got his facts right during his speech at the annual MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s on September 3.

Botham had said that the IPL was “too powerful” for the good of cricket and believed it should not exist.

He said that the tournament provided the “perfect opportunity for betting and therefore fixing” and, on the subject of corruption, also called on the ICC to do more to expose the “big names” involved.

“Let him get his facts correct first. He has asked how the other boards have allowed IPL to happen.

The BCCI has distributed over US$10 million as compensation to the other cricket boards for allowing their players to play in the IPL,” Patel told PTI. Patel also brought up Botham’s association with Texas financier Allen Stanford, who had plans for an

discuss the possibility of Shastri being appointed director of the Indian team for the 2015 World Cup, after his recent success in England, where the ODI team dominated the series. Shastri had been team director for the one-day series after India’s 1-3 loss in the Test series in England. “ I t ’s p re m a t u re t o talk about this. Let this ODI series be over first,” Patel said. “He was very gracious to accede to the BCCI’s request when we approached him after the Test series. He said he was always there for India and Indian cricket and accepted it without any preconditions. We will certainly compensate him for what-

Sanjay Patel said that Ian Botham had got his facts regarding the IPL wrong during the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture.

IPL-style T20 league before he was arrested for financial fraud.

“I can still visualise the photo of Botham sitting in the front when Stanford went to England. And he has the temerity to talk

about IPL. We don’t want his advice. We have enough top players like Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Kapil Dev and Rahul Dravid to advise us,” Patel said.

The BCCI secretary said that it was “premature” to

ever he has lost by way of not fulfilling his contract as a TV commentator and media columnist.”

Patel also addressed the issues relating to the Goa Cricket Association (GCA), which has been threatened with de-recognition by the state government due to the fall-out of a fake ticket scam in 2001.

The state government has asked incumbent president Vinod Phadke to step down due to his alleged involvement in the scam and has warned the association that it could be de-recognised for failing to implement the recommendation of the Justice Pendse Commission, which was investigating the issue

of bogus tickets during the 2001 ODI between India and Australia at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.

“The GCA does not get any financial support from the state government,” Patel said when asked about this controversy.

Phadke has defiantly claimed that he has the backing of the BCCI and will stick to his post.

“There is no question of me stepping down,” Phadke told PTI on Thursday.

“I have informed the BCCI about the show-cause notice issued by the state government. The BCCI is firmly behind me. I will be meeting the board officials within a week over the issue.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

Pakistan’s Shehzad to face disciplinary action KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Opening batsman Ahmed Shehzad faces disciplinary action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for making religious comments to Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan after their one-day international in Dambulla.

As the players walked off the pitch following Saturday’s third ODI, footage showed Shehzad telling Dilshan: “If you are a non-Muslim and you turn Muslim, no matter whatever you do in your life, straight to heaven.”

Following Dilshan’s reply, which was inaudible, Shehzad was further heard

Ahmed Shehzad saying: “Then be ready for the fire.”

PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said Shehzad had violated clauses of his central contract.

“There is a clause which states clearly players should not indulge in talk of religious or political nature in public while representing Pakistan,” Khan told re-

porters yesterday.

“Shehzad has violated this clause on evidence of what we have seen in the video footage of the incident.”

Shehzad, who has played five Tests and 48 ODIs, has had disciplinary problems since making his debut for the national Under-19 team.

He was reported as a junior player for curfew violations and has had counselling sessions organised by the board.

Khan said the Sri Lankan board had not complained about the incident.

Shehzad, 22, has said it was just banter with Dilshan and he meant nothing by it.

White Ferns depart for West Indies tour AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The White Ferns have departed for the Caribbean to face the West Indies Women in four One Day Internationals and three Twenty20s.

The two sides’ first encounter will be on September 12 when they square off at Warner Park in St Kitts. That match and the two following fixtures will be the White Ferns’ first experience of the new ICC Women’s Championship, a system where teams are able to gain automatic qualification for the World Cup in 2017.

The White Ferns hosted the West Indies in February-March and were dom-

New Zealand captain Suzie Bates inant, going undefeated in both formats. They did not fare so well in their most recent away series last October though, losing the ODI series and missing out on the Final of the Twenty20 Tri-series against the West Indies and England.

Captain Suzie Bates said the team had a lot to prove.

“We were disappointed with the results from our last trip over there and that’s made the team incredibly driven to turn that around this time,” says Bates.

“We played really well against them here in the summer, but we know that facing them in the Caribbean is a completely different ball game.

“They’ll be up for it and we’re incredibly excited about the challenge that awaits us. We’re ready to meet them head-on.”

The tour will also be the White Ferns first series under new coach Hamish Barton.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Justin Gatlin powers to men’s 100m title

OLYMPIC gold medallist Justin Gatlin recorded the fastest time in the world this year to claim the men’s 100m Diamond League title in Brussels, yesterday.

The 32-year-old sped away from a strong field that included fellow American Tyson Gay and Jamaican Asafa Powell to win in a time of 9.77 seconds.

That saw him usurp compatriot Michael Rodgers, who came second in the race in 9.93secs, at the top of the standings.

American Allyson Felix won the women’s 200m race to take the overall title.

The 28-year-old, who won gold in the event at London 2012, led Blessing Okagbare by two points coming into yesterday’s meeting but produced a 2014 world-leading run of 22.02 to beat her Nigerian rival, who finished the race in a disappointing sixth.

Dafne Schippers, who won the sprint double at the

Justin Gatlin celebrates after he recorded the fastest time in the world this men’s 100m, the controver- Essa Barshim of Qatar and European Championships sial American, who has pre- Ukraine’s Bohdan Bondain Zurich in August, was viously served a four-year renko both attempted a new third in yesterday’s race ban for doping, came back world-record height of 2.46m and also took third place in an hour later to produce as the battle between the two the overall standings. another dominant perfor- for the Diamond went right The story of the night was mance in the 200m, winning down to the wire.

Gatlin, though.

Both narrowly failed but in a superb time of 19.71.

Not content with blowI n a g r i p p i n g m e n ’s 23-year-old Barshim took ing the field away in the high jump contest, Mutaz

Williams zooms into final of U.S. Open

By Larry Fine

NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - World number one Serena Williams took no chances with the searing heat on Arthur Ashe Stadium court by racing to a 6-1, 6-3 rout of Ekaterina Makarova to reach the U.S. Open women’s final yesterday.

Williams, winner of the last two U.S. Open, came out firing, striking the ball with ferocious force and dazzling accuracy and needed only 60 minutes to advance against the 17th seeded Russian.

The top seed’s opponent in tomorrow’s final will be 10th-seeded former world number one Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, who advanced in abrupt fashion when China’s Peng Shuai was forced to retire due to heat illness trailing 7-6(1), 4-3 after two hours four minutes on the court.

Williams, who failed to reach the quarter-finals in any of the year’s previous three slams, is aiming for her sixth U.S. title and an 18th slam singles crown that would tie her with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for fourth on the all-time list.

“It feels so good. I am so happy, you have no idea,” Williams, 32, told the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd after reaching the final.

Williams won 58 points to 33 for left-hander Makarova, who was playing in her first grand slam singles semi-final and had no answers for the brute power of the winner.

Makarova held her first serve in the opening set and lost the next nine games before holding serve to trail 1-4 in the second set.

With Williams serving for the match at 5-2, the Russian broke serve, but the top seed returned the favour in the next game to clinch victory.

The hard-hitting American blasted 24 winners, including five aces, while Makarova managed six.

“I know she’s such an aggressive player,” Williams

said, “so I was just really focused.

“I’m just so happy to be here in New York, in another final. I’m really excited.”

Williams said she and her friend Wozniacki had hoped for this match-up in the final before the tournament began.

“She obviously wants to win and go for her first grand slam, and I want to win and try to make a little history,” said Williams.

“But regardless, I’m going to be happy with the outcome.

“She’s such a great person and a great girl. We really looked forward to this since the draw came out, so we really hope we can have a lot of fun and enjoy it.”

Britain’s Eilidh Child was third to give her second in the overall standings.

Britain’s European and Commonwealth silver medallist Lynsey Sharp was joint second in the women’s 800m, running the same time as the already crowned Diamond champion, Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya.

It means Sharp finishes third in the overall standings behind winner Sum and American Brenda Martinez, who won yesterday’s race in 1:58.84.

There was also a worldclass performance in the men’s steeplechase, where Jairus Birech of Kenya, already guaranteed the Diamond title, did not ease up and became only the 11th man in history to go under eight minutes with victory in a time of 7 minutes 58.41 seconds to end the season with a massive 28 points.

(BBC Sport)year.

Wozniacki reaches U.S. Open final as injured Peng retires

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark celebrates after winning her semi-final match against Peng Shuai of China after Shuai had to retire due to an injury at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Adam Hunger)

By Steve Keating

Serena Williams of the U.S. shakes hands with Ekaterina Makarova of Russia (R) after defeating her in their semi-final match at the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, yesterday (Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar)

the Diamond title as his height of 2.43m - the second highest of all time - gave him the win on the night and overall victory.

Male pole vaulter Renaud Lavillenie and women’s shot putter Valerie Adams created history, having already secured the Diamond Race title for their respective events.

The Frenchman won with 5.93m and is the only athlete to win five Diamond Race trophies, having won the event each year since its inauguration in 2010, while New Zealander Adams threw a winning 20.59m to become the only athlete to win all seven Diamond League fixtures in any discipline.

Jamaica’s Kaliese Spencer underlined her dominance in this Diamond League season by winning the women’s 400m hurdles in a time of 54.12 to take her to the 30-point mark.

NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) - Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the U.S. Open final in dramatic fashion yesterday when China’s Peng Shuai was forced to retire due to heat illness, putting the Dane one win away from winning an elusive grand slam title.

Wozniacki was leading 7-6(1), 4-3 and closing in on victory when Peng suddenly grabbed her thighs and stumbled to the back wall of Arthur Ashe Stadium court with what appeared to be severe cramping.

In obvious distress, the 28-year-old doubles specialist

was eventually helped off the court.

A valiant Peng, playing in her first career grand slam singles semi-final, refused to throw in the towel, returning 11 minutes later determined to continue.

But after six points Peng was left curled up in agony on the baseline, her mouth open in agony before officials called the match.

A tearful Peng, who was consoled by her opponent, was then lifted into a wheelchair and taken from the court to a standing ovation.

“It was very difficult (to Peng),” said Wozniacki.

“You’re out here and you want to battle, and you want

to finish it off.

“I just feel sorry for Peng because she played really well out there. It was really hot here on court.

“It’s just unfortunate that she fell ill and I hope that she will be ok.”

On another hot and humid day at the U.S. National Tennis Center, the packed stadium had been enjoying a riveting baseline battle with Peng, one of the top servers at Flushing Meadows, going against Wozniacki, one of the game’s top returners.

But the mood suddenly turned from excitement to worry as Peng, without warning was overcome by the heat.

At first Peng appeared to be overcome with cramps, stretching her legs as she stumbled backwards. Soon she was bent over unable to stand.

As trainers came to her aid the Chinese player had to be helped to her feet with one official under each shoulder offering support.

When Peng was taken from the court, there was confusion over whether the match had been stopped before an official medical timeout was announced by the chair umpire.

Peng, who had not dropped a set on her way to the semi-finals, had looked capable of taking one more step to the final as she got the match off to a determined start.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

CULT/EBFA U-17 Final …

Grove Hi Tech and Herstelling Raiders battle for top spot today THE inaugural CULT-sponsored East Bank Football Association Under-17 league is set to come to an exhilarating climax today at the Grove Playfield between the best teams, Grove Hi Tech and party-stoppers, Herstelling Raiders.

Grove, the only team not to have lost a game to date, following round robin play and their semifinal against Kuru Kururu Warriors, will be aiming to take the championship trophy but standing in their way are Herstelling who erased a two-goal deficit to tie the game against Agricola Red Triangle before going on to win via penalty kicks.

Inspirational captain and leading forward Seon Alfred will lead Herstelling’s quest for an upset

Seon Alfred chances of coming out win along with their custovictors. dian, National Under-17 They boast the likes of player Quazim Yusuf. the tournament’s leading Grove are an experienced unit and will fancy their marksman, National Un-

der-17 forward Joel Dick, captain Mervin Squires, Kirk Cummings, Nicholy Matthews and Threvon Pluck among others.

Preceding the final would be the third place game from 12:00hrs between losing semifinalists, Agricola Red Triangle and Kuru Kururu Warriors.

Both teams have improved with every game and while not contesting the final, would still be aiming to finish the tournament on a high.

R e p re s e n t a t i v e s o f the sponsors Continental Group of Companies, agents for CULT Energy Drink, are expected to witness today’s proceedings which will start at 12:00hrs. The presentation of prizes will follow the final.

SVG squad members sustain minor injuries in accident ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Several members of the St Vincent and the Grenadines national team were taken to hospital suffering with minor injuries after the bus in which they were travelling was involved in an accident here yesterday.

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation said the accident took place on Bolans Highway at approximately 15:25hrs while the team were on their way to the stadium where they are contesting Group 5 of the CFU Caribbean Cup qualifiers.

“The incident left senior coach Cornelius Huggins, assistant coach Wesley Charles, goalkeeper coach Kevin Richardson, assistant technical director Alnif Williams and player Jahvin Sutherland with minor leg injuries, but they (were carried) to the hospital as a precautionary measure,” the federation said

Senior coach Cornelius Huggins “The rest of the team are already on another bus and headed to the stadium in preparation for the game.”

SVG were scheduled to play Anguilla last evening in their second game of the tournament.

The Vincentians defeated the Dominican Republic 1-0 in their opening game on Wednesday.

EBFA/Stag Beer Div.1 League

Soesdyke/Agricola clash has added incentive; Mocha to face Timehri

WHEN the Stag Beer-sponsored East Bank Football Association division-one league continues tomorrow at the Grove Playfield, the

feature game between the second- and third-placed teams on the points table, Soesdyke Falcons and Agricola Red Triangle will

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday September 06, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL -Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Test: Dinesh Ramdin; Int’l T20: Darren Sammy (2) 34 Today’s Quiz: (1)Against which nation Bangladesh contested an Int’l T20 game for the first time?

(2) Which WI player has scored most runs in Int’l T20 games? How many?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

have an added incentive at stake.

The winner of this rubber would not only strengthen their position for a top place on the EBFA league but will earn the right to represent the association in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National League Playoffs.

Grove Hi Tech remain in the top draft of the local game, having finished sixth overall in the last competition, thus giving another team the opportunity of joining them in the GFF competition.

There is all to play for between these two sides that will leave no stone unturned to topple their opponent.

Agricola will look to the second highest leading goalscorer Gordon Grant to lead their quest for another win over the Soesdyke boys, having won their first round clash 5-0 when Grant netted a hat-trick.

Travis Welch (left) and Gordon Grant He would be supported first-round loss and have son, Colin Holder, Colin

by Lumumba Hinds, Win- been training hard to reverse McLean, Ulatto Smith and ston Rawlins, Kacy John, that result. Taking on the Javier Greene.

Travis Welch, Linden Pick- responsibility of charting Tomorrow’s opening the way for a win will be game at 13:30hrs brings ett and Sheldon Gurrick.

Soesdyke will, however, Roger Dey, Dwayne Dillon, together Timehri Panthers not be intimidated by the Orin Tasher, Kelsie Ben- and Mocha Champs.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday September 6, 2014

Brathwaite second Test century puts Windies in charge

Kraigg Brathwaite collects runs through the off-side during his enterprising century yesterday. (Photo courtesy WICB Media) KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) – Kraigg Brathwaite’s penchant for heavy run-scoring continued here yesterday as he stroked his second Test century to headline West Indies’ domination of the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh.

The 21-year-old righthander was unbeaten on 123

at the close at Arnos Vale, an innings that helped propel the hosts to 264 for three, after they were sent in on a decent batting strip.

Along the way, the Barbadian added 116 for the first wicket with talismanic left-hander Chris Gayle who struck 64, before posting another 128 for the third wicket with the stylish Darren Bra-

vo who stroked 62.

Debutant left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the best bowler for the visitors, capturing two for 69.

However, it was Brathwaite who made all the headlines, batting the entire day, facing 269 balls and striking eight fours.

As expected, he played the supporting role to Gay-

le early on, as the Jamaican emerged from a slowish start to dominate the Bangladesh bowling. He batted 143 minutes, faced 105 balls and counted ten fours and a six.

The Jamaican needed 13 balls to get off the mark but then slowly got into stride, with two successive boundaries off seamer Rubel Hossain in the day’s fourth over.

He swept off-spinner Mahmudullah for another boundary as he moved into double figures and then counted two successive boundaries off Rubel to cruise into the 30s. He posted his 37th Test half-century in style, finding the ropes at mid-wicket with Taijul before clearing them next ball.

Unbeaten on 61 at lunch, Gayle added just three after the break before departing nearly an hour into the session, lbw to off-spinner Shuvagata Hom after missing a sweep.

He was initially given not out but Bangladesh were successful in their review.

Kirk Edwards followed four overs later for ten as West Indies stumbled slightly. The right-handed Edwards pulled the first ball he faced for four courtesy a long hop from Shuvagata and then cleared the ropes straight overhead a few overs later with the same bowler.

However, two deliveries later, he was snared at silly point off Taijul, getting a leading edge trying to turn an innocuous delivery to leg.

Brathwaite and Bravo quickly dispelled any fears of a collapse, by taking control of the Bangladeshi attack to carry the Windies to tea at 182 for two.

Showing the patience that has come to characterise his persona, Brathwaite hardly put a foot wrong as he safely navigated the Bangladeshi attack.

He looked in great touch from the outset, hammering Mahmudullah through point for four and driving sweetly through mid-off in the same over, to collect his first boundaries of the day.

Brathwaite punched Taijul to the cover boundary to raise the 100-run stand in the final over before lunch, as he went to the break on 40, with the West Indies on 103 without loss.

He brought up his half-century nine overs after lunch by cutting Shuvagata wide of point for four, and then continued steadily to be unbeaten on 89 at tea.

Brathwaite reached three figures seven overs after tea when he punched a full toss

WEST INDIES 1st innings C. Gayle lbw b Shuvagata Hom 64 K. Brathwaite not out 123 K. Edwards c Mominul Haque b Taijul Islam 10 DM Bravo c Mahmudullah b Taijul Islam 62 S. Chanderpaul not out 1 Extras: (b-1, lb-2, nb-1) 4 Total: (3 wkts, 87 overs) 264 Fall of wickets: 1-116, 2-133, 3-261.

Bowling: Al-Amin Hossain 14-7-30-

from Mahmudullah to the cover boundary.

Bravo, meanwhile, faced 126 balls in just over 2-1/2 hours at the crease and struck six fours and a six, and seemed en route to another century before he gifted his wicket late in the day.

His first major scoring shot was a six – straight back overhead off Taijul – and he then grafted his way to 17 not out at tea before upping the ante thereafter.

He twice worked Shuvagata to the mid-wicket boundary in the same over and raised his ninth Test half-century by steering Rubel to third man for a single.

Bravo seemed to be moving into high gear when he smashed the first two deliveries of Taijul’s 25th over through cover for fours late in the day but recklessly attempted another big shot off the third delivery of the over and holed out to Mahmudullah at mid-off.

0, Rubel Hossain 16-0-55-0 (nb-1), Mahmudullah 5-0-31-0, Shuvagata Hom 27-4-76-1, Taijul Islam 256-69-2.

BANGLADESH – Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shamsur Hossain, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Hoque, Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Shuvogato Hom, Taijul Islam, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain.

CFU Caribbean Cup

Golden Jaguars fall 2-0 to St Lucia

GUYANA’S Golden Jaguars suffered their first loss in the 2014 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Caribbean Cup football tournament, following a 2-0 defeat to St Lucia, when the two sides met at Warner Park in St Kitts and Nevis, yesterday.

The Jaguars, coming off a dramatic 0-0 draw against Dominica in their first game of the competition, were optimistic of defeating the men from the Windwards Islands but Burton Emanuel’s header in the 15th minute put coach

Dellroy Fraser

Denzil Thompson’s buoyant thoughts in doubt.

Jamal Joseph then scored on a counterattack in the 84th minute to ensure that St Lucia pick up the win and exact revenge for their 2012 Caribbean Cup loss suffered at the hands of the Guyanese.

According to reports reaching Chronicle Sport, Guyana’s Delroy Fraser was persistent in his attempt to score and equalise the game for the Golden Jaguars but his most potent attempt only found the side of the net.

As the two sides ap-

proached the end of the first half, nothing much had changed in the game with St Lucia looking comfortable while Guyana kept up the pressure.

The Guyanese kept on pressing the St Lucians but really did not trouble the sturdy St Lucian defence, having some difficulty in completing their passes.

A bit of miscommunication with the St Lucia goalkeeper and defender ended up being a chance for Guyana after the defender left the ball for the goalie to collect, but

he left his line late and was beaten to the ball by Fraser whose shot trickled inches wide of the goal and along with it was the Jaguars’ best chance of equalising.

Being down a goal and with regulation time approaching, the Guyanese kept forcing the game; a tactic which left the defence vulnerable and St Lucia took full advantage just six minutes before the end of the game through Jamal Joseph.

The former Thackley F.C (England) striker’s goal was enough to give his country

the much-needed points after drawing their first game of the tournament with St Kitts and Nevis.

A double from Vurlon Mills and a goal from Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson saw Guyana defeat St Lucia 3-0 the last time the two countries met in the 2012 Caribbean Cup tournament.

Guyana will now face St Kitts and Nevis tomorrow to close off their participation in the group and hopefully not the tournament, since only two teams will advance to the next round.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Brathwaite second Test century puts Windies in charge (See Story on page 39)

MYCS conducts successful Anti-Doping Seminar

Say No To Doping! Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony (right) and president of the Guyana Olympic Association at the MCYS Anti-Doping seminar yesterday.

By Tamica Garnett EVEN one positive doping test is one too many, according to Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation, Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, who conducted

a successful Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MYCS) Anti-Doping seminar yesterday at the National Resource Centre.

Chaderton-Shaw and her team are here for the

(See page 31)

Caribbean RADO Executive Director, Tessa Chaderton-Shaw (third from left), poses at yesterday’s Anti-Doping Seminar with the Minister Dr Frank Anthony (right), Permanent Secretary Alfred King, and president of the Guyana Olympic Association K. A. Juman-Yassin (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

Coaches and sporting officials during the Anti-Doping Seminar

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2014