Guyana chronicle 10 05 14

GUYANA No. 103823

SATURDAY MAY 10, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $60

INCLUDING VAT

Lawrence Williams lived a purposeful & dedicated life Page

3

- President Ramotar says on passing of former BOG Governor President Donald Ramotar signing the Book of Condolence for former Bank of Guyana Governor Lawrence Williams, yesterday

33 GEA employees on the breadline

Page

Alleged teen 5 bandit shot dead - during armed robbery on Main Street Page

4

- as a result of Opposition’s non-approval of GEA’s budgetary subvention

GUYSUCO SURPASSES TARGET

Page 7

–President lauds management, workers and other stakeholders

Plans afoot to kick start…

Page 2

REUSABLE BAG INITIATIVE GPOC reports receiving broached mail from U.S.

Page

17

‘SHOT DEAD’: The body of alleged teen bandit Lloyd Hazel (inset) lying on Main Street, Georgetown yesterday afternoon

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

Plans afoot to kick start‌

REUSABLE BAG INITIATIVE Clean & Green Guyana and Supermarkets team-up to promote the project

PLANS are afoot to kick start a three-month pilot project for a reusable/biodegradable bag initiative in supermarkets throughout Guyana under the Clean and Green Guyana Initiative (C&GG) being administered by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.

The bag initiative is part of a larger effort by the C&GG to create behavioural change in the wanton and improper disposal of waste in Guyana. The objective of this initiative is to reduce the use of plastic bags by Guyanese consumers and businesses.

Plastic bags are a major environmental threat in Guyana and around the world as they end up as unsightly litter on the landscape. If plastic bags are buried in landfills, they may take up to 1,000 years to break down; and in the process, they separate into smaller toxic particles

that contaminate soil and water.

There is hope, however, if Guyanese consumers use reusable shopping bags that are made of materials that do not need to be discarded after each use and are made of more environmentally-friendly materials than plastic, such as cloth.

HOW THE REUSABLE BAG INITIATIVE WORKS Under the initiative, C&GG will provide selected supermarkets with reusable bags for distribution to customers and, along with these supermarkets, will use several ways to encourage customers to use these reusable bags. These include in-store messages reminding customers to return with the bags the next time they shop and personal messages which will see

cashiers and store attendants encouraging customers to use reusable bags instead of plastic bags that are environmentally unfriendly.

Additionally, C&GG will interact with customers through social media on behalf of supermarkets in order to encourage the use of the reusable bags.

If the initiative proves successful, it could also provide a sustainable mechanism to expand these supermarkets’ social media engagement with their customers.

Guyanese consumers are urged to play their part in reducing the environmental damage that plastic bags cause and supporting the reusable bag initiative by refusing plastic bags when paying for items and using a reusable bag instead.

Images display reusable bags to be used in supermarkets

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

Lawrence Williams lived a purposeful & dedicated life - President Ramotar says on passing of former BOG Governor

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds signing the Book of Condolence for former Bank of Guyana Governor Lawrence Williams

President Donald Ramotar and members of the Williams’ family at the signing the Book of Condolence for former Bank of Guyana Governor Lawrence Williams In 1979, just after successfully completing the Bachelors of Social Sciences Degree (Management), Lawrence Williams joined the staff of the Bank as an Assistant Principal in the Exchange Control Department. In November 2004, Williams was appointed Governor (ag.) by the President of Guyana. On June 8, 2005,

President Donald Ramotar and Valerie Williams, widow of former Bank of Guyana Governor Lawrence Williams THE passing of Bank of Guyana Governor, Lawrence Williams, has been described as a major loss to Guyana and the local financial sector by President Donald Ramotar.

The Head of State, who signed the Book of Condolence yesterday at the Bank, located on Avenue of the Republic in downtown Georgetown, said he grew to know the financial expert during his ascension to office and had several interactions with him. “I have found him to be completely pro-

fessional and dedicated,” the President said.

President Ramotar stated that Lawrence gave invaluable service to Guyana and possessed a great knowledge of financial affairs, “which was of a very high calibre” for which he will always be remembered.

He added that Guyanese can be consoled by the fact that “he lived a useful, purposeful and dedicated life” and emphasised that there was no better life than when it is done in service of their country.”

he was sworn in as Governor, Bank of Guyana, by then President Bharrat Jagdeo.

As the Chief Executive Officer, he was responsible for the overall management of the Bank.

As Governor he was also Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Earlier in his career Williams was a mem-

ber of the Guyana Gold Board and the Guyana Rice Export Board. He also attended a number of professional training programmes as well as numerous seminars, conferences and meetings including CARICOM. Williams passed away on May 7, after succumbing to cancer.

(GINA)

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

33 GEA employees on the breadline - as a result of Opposition’s non-approval of GEA’s budgetary subvention

THE combined Parliamentary Opposition, on Tuesday April 15, 2014, did not approve the budget allocations for Office of the President Administrative Services line item. The said line includes the budget allocation for the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and other subvention Agencies.

The non-approved allocation for GEA was for G$73.5 million as subsidies/contribution from Central Government.

An additional G$10 million which was requested for capital expenditure towards the cost of extending the building to create additional office space for GEA’s employees, was included in the Office of the President’s Capital allocation which was also not approved.

GEA’s recurrent budgeted expenditure for 2014 is 119.101 million dollars (excluding the 10 million capital expenditure for the extension of the current Office space).

Of the aforementioned amount, the Agency only needed G$73.5 million as the remaining G$44.546 will be generated from revenue received for Agency and licensing fees. Of the G$119.101 million budgeted expenditure of the Agency, G$76.264 million is allocated to employment cost. Hence, the G$73.5 million dollars subvention that was requested was towards employment cost for 33 employees.

This non-approval by the Opposition has tremendous ramifications. With no finances to pay salaries the future of the staff is bleak and uncertain; many have children, and other dependents who rely on them for financial support. Additionally, they have mortgage, rent, water and electricity bills, loan repayment and financial obligations to Ministry of Housing and other Banking institutions. All of this pales in comparison to the reality that without their salaries individuals will not be able to provide food which is needed for basic survival.

Upon hearing of this unfortunate turn of events the atmo-

sphere of the Agency became a solemn one. Reactions varied from outright disbelief to tears of frustration and uncertainty. ..“I am a single parent with three children, I recently acquired a piece of land from the Ministry of Housing…and I have the other half left to pay them, how am I going to provide for them and pay Housing?” said one employee. While yet another dismally proclaimed that “I am the sole bread winner of my home, plus I recently took a loan to further my studies…. how am I going to survive without a salary? Jobs are hard to get…I really think that the Opposition should rethink their decision….this has put people’s lives in severe jeopardy.”

The preceding were the sentiments echoed, in varying forms, among staff throughout the organisation. Though expressed in different ways, the core theme expressed by the staff was “How am I going to survive and meet my different financial obligations?”

Mandated under the provisions of the Guyana Energy Agency Act 1997, with subsequent amendments in 2004 and 2005, and the Petroleum and Petroleum Products Regulations 2004; the Agency carries out many core functions that lend significantly to the country’s development.

Some of the core functions of the Agency under the preceding are: to advise and to make recommendations to the Minister regarding any measures necessary to secure the efficient management of energy and the source of energy in the public interest and to develop and encourage the development and utilisation of sources of energy other than sources presently in use; to carry out research into all sources of energy including those sources presently used in Guyana for the generation of energy, and securing more efficient utilisation of energy and sources of energy; to monitor the performance of the energy sector in Guyana, including the production, importation, distribution and utilisation of petroleum and petroleum products; to disseminate information relating to energy management, including energy conservation and the development and utilisation of alternative sources of energy; to grant and issue licences relating to petroleum and petroleum products, including import, wholesale, importing wholesale, retail, bulk transportation carrier, storage and consumer installation licences among others.

Liscensing plays a critical role in helping to combat fuel smuggling which has a negative effect on revenue collection from petroleum importation. In fact, because of poor sales of diesel and gasoline compared to usage, numerous reports of fuel smuggling, coupled with local companies complaining of unfair competition with fuel smugglers it was necessary for some form of intervention to be employed to combat these problems. The 2004 amendment to the Guyana Energy Agency Act 1997 was therefore implemented to provide specifically for licensing of the different classes of fuel dealers and for the marking of all legitimately imported fuel in an effort to combat the aforementioned issues.

The following activities will be affected: ** In 2013, GEA facilitated the importation of 95 shipments of fuel from Venezuela and Trinidad. The Agency intended to continue to consolidate nominations, interact with the refineries, and work towards ensuring the timely delivery and availability of imported fuels in 2014. Options for sourcing extra-regional supplies were also intended to be explored due to the supply shortfalls experienced in the previous year. ** Hydropower monitoring and oversight were to be continued along with exploration of the options for run-ofthe-river micro hydropower potential. A feasibility study was also to be conducted on the Kumu Falls in Region 9 to establish the hydropower potential and costs for development. ** GEA planned to continue to encourage the use of renewable energy where suitable and to explore financing options for a 10kW Grid Feed-in system and a 20kW biomass-based power generator at suitable locations. A review of the grid feed-in mechanisms was also planned to determine applicability to Guyana. ** Continue to review, assess and monitor wind speeds to identify promising sites for wind energy applications. ** Energy efficient cook stoves and bio-digesters installed in 2012 and 2013 were to be reviewed to determine the level of acceptance by the various communities. The Agency also intended to work with communities to determine whether improvements would be required and steps needed to encourage greater utilisation across the country. Building on work completed in 2013 with support from The Energy Research Institute (TERI) of India, other energy efficient wood stoves were to be piloted in 2014 and the use of bio-digesters encouraged where suitable. ** Having completed 40 energy assessments in the last

(Please see page 6)

DATE: 03/05/2014 H 08 18 20 27 19 24 16 DATE: 07/05/2014 J

01 19 13 15 02 24 26

06/05/2014

18

10

04

09

21

06/05/2014

09

24

01

7

07 20 13 16 04 03 01

17

6

06/05/2014

03

7

07/05/2014

07/05/2014

20

21

15

06

0

7

07/05/2014

20 16 21 01 09 03 10

08/05/2014

02

5

08/05/2014

02

16

04

17

4

09 14 08 13 18 16 17

09/05/2014

2

08/05/2014

11

4

09/05/2014

7

3

8

09/05/2014

20 10 17 14 18 05 06

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Alleged teen bandit shot dead

5

- during armed robbery on Main Street

By Michel Outridge N I N E T E E N - y e a r- o l d Lloyd Hazel of Lot 86 Hill Street, Lodge, Georgetown was shot and killed yesterday afternoon on Main Street, just opposite New Thriving Restaurant.

Circumstances of the shooting are still being investigated, but according to the Police Crime Chief, investigations have revealed

was manning the business when he received a telephone call saying that his son had been shot and killed.

He said he journeyed to the scene in a taxi, where he saw a pool of blood on the roadway and was told that his son had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in what was described as “some robbery”.

Lloyd Hazel Snr., said: “I don’t understand what hap-

Lloyd Hazel’s body being placed in the police vehicle yesterday.

A crowd gathered at the scene on Main Street yesterday after the shooting. (Sonell nelson photos)

The police picking up spent shells at the crime scene yesterday.

The spot where Lloyd Hazel was shot and killed.

Lloyd Hazel’s mother was inconsolable last night.

that the late Hazel and an accomplice were on a motorcycle when they ‘held up’, on Main Street, a taxi transporting a Black and Decker Fixit Hardware Store employee who was on his way to a city bank to make a deposit of more than halfa-million-dollars and other valuables.

However, one of the persons who allegedly witnessed the robbery was an employee of a private security firm, who opened fire on the robbers, killing Hazel and wounding his accomplice, who escaped apprehension. Reports are that the Black and Decker bag containing the money had been recovered at the scene yesterday, together with a firearm and a motorcycle.

Police at the scene quickly cordoned off the area and hastened to take away the teen’s body along with the retrieved items in quick succession, even as witnesses to the incident refused to speak to the media but shared a photograph of the teen’s lifeless body sprawled on the roadway.

FAMILY GRIEF The teen’s father, a deeply grieving Lloyd Hazel Snr, said his son left home at about 15:30 hrs for the Stabroek Market to purchase cigarettes for the shop they operate at home. He left home via minibus, leaving his Premio motorcar parked at home because it has a leaking oil problem.

The senior Hazel said he

pened! My son don’t thief, and I cannot believe that he is dead! And I want to know what happened!”

The dead teen’s mother, Karen Hazel, was inconsolable. She wailed that her son had asked her to prepare cook-up rice, and as she was in the process of doing so, she received a telephone call stating that he had been shot and killed.

Prostrating herself on the ground in front of their home, which houses Karen’s Pool and Beverage Shop, a food and beverage establishment, Mrs Hazel wailed, “This is what you do to me for Mother’s Day?! It’s not true! He is not dead!” She said she cannot believe that her son is dead.

The devastated woman clutched her son’s photograph last night before a gathering crowd of mostly

relatives and friends, absolute shock imprinted on their faces at the fatal shooting.

Chaos erupted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as relatives of the slain Hazel thronged the institution, seeking answers amidst a strong police presence.

Porters escaped with the body through the back doorway to the morgue, but that did not deter the hordes of relatives, some of whom broke down and wailed openly, from entering the compound to the morgue.

They rocked the tightly locked morgue door but it did not budge, and eventually they exited the hospital compound to go to Hazel’s

residence, where they dashed themselves on the roadway and wherever they could find space, wailing forlornly in deep mourning for their loved one.

The late Lloyd Hazel Jnr is survived by four sisters and two brothers, his parents and scores of relatives.

Chaos erupted yesterday following the shooting.

6

GUYANA

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Former President Jagdeo witnesses signing of GGGI Establishment Agreement in Costa Rica FORMER President of Guyana and current President of the Assembly of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, spent May 5 in Costa Rica at the invitation of the Costa Rican Government.

During a series of engagements, he met with key Ministers, the Vice-President and President to discuss Costa Rica’s low carbon development, and to share views on ongoing international efforts to agree a global climate deal in 2015.

The former President also discussed how Costa Rica, Mexico, Guyana, Ethiopia and Indonesia were working together within

EDITORIAL Contributing to the delinquency of a minor A young mother took her teething and irritable baby to the corner of her street to look at the traffic, hoping that the sight and sounds of the traffic flow would distract him from his misery and lull him into a peaceful sleep.

Instead, she was distracted by and had to flee from some teenagers whose language and behaviour were of the ‘gutter’ variety, with every intimate part of the human anatomy and their various functions (and subversions of those functions) were described in the most graphic descriptive phraseology in extremely lurid language, which, in the society of yesteryear would have earned their mouths a washing with carbolic soap by any elder within hearing, as well as a whipping from parents/guardians if they only dared to complain.

What was shocking to the well-brought-up young woman was the fact that a couple of adults were also engaged with the young people in that ‘conversation’.

Parents fight in the presence of their children, consume alcohol and engage in lewd, licentious behaviour in the presence of their children, commit dishonest and even criminal acts in the presence of their children, and they still expect that their children would automatically be inculcated with decent behaviourial patterns – a case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’.

They do this without considering that the characters of children are formulated during their early years, and emulating the behaviour and speech of the adults is what moulds their mental growth and moral character.

Many parents encourage their children to secretively appropriate the belongings of others, and collect the proceeds of crime sprees when the child subsequently devolve into hardcore criminality; yet they wail about police brutality and proclaim the innocence of their child, even if they are caught red-handed committing crimes of a very serious nature, such as armed robbery; and especially when they turn their weapons on police ranks who seek to accost them and get injured or killed in the process.

There is truism in the adage that it takes a community to raise a child; but that was a reality of yesteryear. Today no-one seems to care because the modern generation of children are often surly and disrespectful, unheeding of mannerly conduct and moral rectitude; so those whom may make a difference in an aberrant, abhorrent person shy away from the attitudinal responses that engender disgust and fear, instead of caring and support.

There is a tattoo artist in the City Mall who tattoos weird images in the skins of schoolchildren without the presence or approval of a parent. This is an unlawful act that contributes to the delinquency of minors; but he continues because no parent has ever chastised him in any way at any time. The mere fact that he loves money so much that he would leave indelible marks on the skin of the children of unsuspecting parents, sometimes in places where the tattoo is not easily visible, is an indication that he has no qualms

Former President of Guyana Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Costa Rican President, Her Excellency Laura Chinchilla shake hands, as Minister Rene Castro looks on From left, Former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister Rene Castro, Korean Ambassador to Costa Rica, and Her Excellency President Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica

GGGI on issues relating to avoiding deforestation.

During former President Jagdeo’s visit, Costa Rican President, Her Excellency Laura Chinchilla, signed into law the GGGI Establishment Agreement - which formalises Costa Rica’s long-standing involvement in the 23-member international organisation. She was joined at the signing ceremony by former President Jagdeo and the Costa Rican Minister of Environment and Energy, Rene Castro.

Speaking after the ceremony, President Jagdeo said: “Costa Rica has long been a global pioneer in sustainable

development and what we now call green growth. Because of their ambition to become a carbon neutral economy by 2021, coupled with their innovative public policies - to deliver economic development from clean energy, sustainable land use, responsible stewardship of forests, and clean transportation - the people of Costa Rica are providing the world with practical proof of how the new global economy can be created. Costa Rica’s membership of GGGI, now formalised through this law, enriches GGGI tremendously. Along with other countries in GGGI, Costa Rica is showing how international leadership on green growth is coming from today’s developing world. If this leadership is matched by others, especially in the developed world, the inter-linked challenges of climate change, resource insecurity, and ensuring inclusive economic growth can be overcome.”

33 GEA employees on the ...

(From page 4)

two years and based on the estimation that simple lighting change-out costing about G$272,000 per school can result in energy savings of over G$500,000 annually; GEA intended to continue its energy assessments of another 20 buildings in 2014, this time with a focus on schools. ** With support from the Ministry of Public Works, 920 defective photosensors on street lights were replaced as part of GEA’s efforts to conserve energy by ensuring street lights are turned off during daylight hours. The efforts in 2013 translated into annual energy savings of about G$56 million. As part of a demonstration project in 2014, GEA intended to install 40 LED street lamps to replace existing 250Watt high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps with 60 Watt LED lamps. This would have resulted in estimated annual savings of about G$1.7 million. ** Continuous reviews of the licensing process were to be conducted to ensure that all sites were properly inspected and licensed to ensure full compliance with the legislation. ** Continue information dissemination efforts through the use of promotional spots, sensitisation ads in the media, brochures (three of which were to be printed in 2014), presentations, seminars and workshops so as to educate in the way he earns his money and would even risk their lives by re-using needles, with all the inherent dangers to their lives by way of transmission of killer diseases that have no cure.

Even in schools, aberrant behaviour is tolerated and justified, making the perpetrator feel empowered to continue with various forms of anti-social behaviour.

Government has instituted many mechanisms for the education and development of young people; but if their moral fabric is not nurtured in tandem with their other growth poles, then every effort would be at best a compromise.

consumers on the use of energy and opportunities for energy conservation. These efforts were also planned to target commercial entities, industry and secondary school students.

Energy is integral to a country’s economic growth and development. It supports diverse economic activities such as transportation, agriculture and manufacturing, all of which undoubtedly are key sectors of development. Global warming, increasing prices for fossil fuels, environmental concerns, energy supply constraints, low carbon growth trajectories and sustainable development initiatives provide the impetus and importance for energy efficiency and to develop and encourage the development and utilisation of sources of energy other than sources presently in use.

The Agency had planned several activities for 2014 toward ensuring the vision of providing reliable energy that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable, for all in Guyana.

As the body mandated to carry out all of the above functions the Guyana Energy Agency plays a significant role in the development of Guyana through various activities such as the importation and sale of petroleum and petroleum related products, regulation of the liscencing process, providing advice, give recommendation and give approval on energy related matters. Additionally, through school presentations, dissemination of information, research and implementation of various energy efficient activities and initiatives, the Agency has made a significantly positive impact on the Nation’s economy and sustainable energy initiatives.

The non-approval of the Agency’s subvention request has therefore lent a tremendous blow not only to the staff of GEA but also to Guyana and Guyanese as a whole.

(The above statement was issued yesterday by the GEA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

7

GUYSUCO SURPASSES TARGET –President lauds management, workers and other stakeholders

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has lauded the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for successfully surpassing its first crop target.

The President congratulated the management, staff and other stakeholders of the sugar company on surpassing its first crop target of 74,842 tonnes of sugar.

The President noted that such achievement was not without major challenges, many of which hampered efforts to make the corporation viable and sustainable. Nevertheless, President Ramotar expressed admiration for the persistence and hard work of the GuySuCo community of stakeholders, who made the achievement possible.

He encouraged the management, staff and other stake-

holders to use this opportunity to further motivate themselves to greater accomplishments.

President Ramotar also expressed his confidence that the corporation will regain its prominent position in the social and economic strata in the Guyanese society. He noted that determination and hard work are the key points to achieving desired targets.

Climate has been one of the main issues affecting the production of sugar in Guyana. This is the first time in about six to ten crops that climate has not caused GuySuCo to prematurely end a crop, thus being unable to meet its targets.

President Donald Ramotar

PPP welcomes suspension -says implementation was a of LEAD project departure from protocol

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP), yesterday, welcomed suspension of the $300M United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project.

The ruling party, in a statement, said it is strongly of the view that the action taken by the United States Ambassador, Mr Brent Hardt, is a clear departure from protocols and conventions governing inter-state relations, and therefore deserves the full condemnation of the Guyanese people and their elected leaders. “…it is the hope of the PPP that the good and friendly relations between Guyana and the United States will continue to grow and deepen within the parameters of mutual respect and cooperation, notwithstanding the lack of consensus on some elements of the LEAD Project and its implementation mode,” the PPP stated.

It said the decision to suspend the project will provide the parties involved with enough space to revisit the project and find common ground on how best it could advance the stated objectives of leadership and democracy to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. “…in this regard, the Party is pleased with the decision taken by the parties involved to put the project on hold, and commends the PPP/C administration for the resolute manner in which it represented the issue, and for the successful halt to the project until a mutual resolution could be found,” the PPP said.

The announcement to suspend the project was made during a news conference held at the Office of the President on Thursday, at which the Government of Guyana and the United States Embassy issued a joint statement.

The statement read: “The Governments of Guyana and the United States of America have agreed that the implementation of the activities of the USAID LEAD project would be put on hold temporarily, during the re-engagement on the design of that project (which) the two sides have agreed would commence immediately.”

2009 REFERENCE The PPP also blasted Ambassador Hardt for misrepresenting the facts when he said that the project was approved by the Guyana Government.

The statement said, “The PPP has also noted with disgust the repeated attempts made by Ambassador Hardt to refer to the provisions of the 2009 Government of Guyana/USAID agreement in justification of the stance taken by the US Government to go ahead with the project.

“The fact of the matter, as pointed out by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Luncheon, is that at no time was the project the subject of any agreement between the Government and USAID. “In fact, the Government has always insisted that the project was conceived, designed and implemented without the concurrence, approval or any input whatsoever from the administration.”

At Thursday’s news conference, Ambassador Hardt maintained his contention that moving ahead with the project despite the Guyana Government’s objections was done based on an agreement reached in 2009, although he did acknowledge that it was not on the LEAD project itself.

He said, “Everything that has been developed was fixed within the framework agreed in 2009. This is not to say that this is an agreement we have come to on LEAD, but a framework of assistance on governance and democracy that we agreed to and signed off on in 2009.

“I think we always felt comfortable that the programmes we have developed have been part of illustrated activities in the 2009 agreement…. It never seemed to me we were operating outside of our traditional framework.”

The Government of Guyana and USAID, through the U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, signed an agreement titled ‘Governing Justly and Democratically’. This was done in September 2009, and Ambassador Hardt contends that the LEAD project’s features are captured in that agreement.

That contention has been refuted by senior Government officials, including Dr. Luncheon and Presidential Advisor on Governance, Ms. Gail Teixeira.

UNFORTUNATE MOVE The ruling party also addressed the revocation of the visa and work permit of International Republican Institute (IRI) resident Country Director Glenn Bradbury, noting that it was “unfortunate” that Government had to resort to that measure.

Nevertheless, Government pointed out that such a decision must be seen in the context of USAID’s non-adherence to, and violation of, the country’s immigration laws and regulations.

The statement said, “The PPP is hopeful that the lessons of this episode will serve to safeguard against any future recurrence, and that the preferred and tested method of consultation, concurrence and reason will form the basis of any future engagement.

“The Party has taken note of attempts by some Opposition elements to blow the issue out of proportion in an attempt to score cheap political points.”

Bradbury was responsible for implementation of the controversial LEAD project, and although his privileges were revoked just over two weeks ago, he remains in Guyana.

Whether or not he is still working has to be clarified, despite the fact that the revocation was intended to be immediately effective.

INSULTING The ruling party concluded that the “unwelcome intrusion” by USAID in pursuing the LEAD programme despite strong objections by the Guyana Government was both unnecessary and unwarranted.

It said, “It represented not only an insult to the people of Guyana, but a clear case of violation of the country’s sovereign rights to determine its own affairs, which is a fundamental right of all nations as enshrined in the United

Nations Charter.”

The project was, however, not approved by Cabinet, and that was formally indicated to the relevant authorities on October 26, 2013.

The first component of the programme seeks to encourage consensus building in the National Assembly, and facilitate more effective interaction between the Assembly and citizens.

The second aims to strengthen the effectiveness of the National Assembly and boost citizen engagement with Parliament.

The third aspect of LEAD seeks to motivate and better equip Guyanese youths to constructively engage in political and civic processes; and the fourth component involves civic and voter education relating to elections and local government reform.

Government’s main contention with the project was the way it was being implemented. Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, noted that the decision to move to re-engagement, not under duress, was essentially what was being sought from the U.S. Embassy in Guyana.

“Beyond the content of the LEAD project, the process is what the Government objected to. We continue to insist that the Government has not been a party to the design and the activities of the project…. It is that which is fundamentally the bone of contention,” Dr. Luncheon stressed. “…what essentially we have had to deal with, which I believe has been resolved, is the process of re-engagement not under duress. This is essentially what we sought…. Indeed, we have achieved what we have sought -- to have the implementation halted while we engage,” he added.

At the end of yesterday’s meeting, Dr. Luncheon and US Ambassador Hardt agreed to continue discussions next week, with a view to charting a way forward for the benefit of the people of Guyana.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Following non-performance of contractors…

State moves to court to ‘cash in’ on performance bond guarantees

THE Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has moved to the Commercial Division of the High Court to file three actions on behalf of the State, seeking to enforce performance bond guarantees and advanced performance guarantees put up by three companies in different infrastructural contracts with Government.

The AG is claiming a total of $186M from Citizens Bank Guyana Inc., CARICOM General Insurance Company Inc., and North American Fire and General Insurance Company.

According to a statement from the AG’s Office, the bonds and guarantees were put up by the companies to assure and guarantee sat-

isfactory performance of the contractors in executing various contracts.

Government’s contention is that the contractors have failed to discharge their contractual obligations, and through the court case, the State is seeking to “cash in” on the bonds and guarantees.

DEFAULTED The statement pointed out that, on August 18, 2005, Citizens Bank Guyana Limited executed a performance bond/guarantee in favour of the Government of Guyana at the request of Golden Star Contracting Services Company Ltd., following the inking of a contract between the Government and the company for rehabilitation of the access road to Parika Stelling. On January

11, 2008, the Government terminated the said contract because of the company’s repeated failure to correct defects within the time frame specified by the engineer.

The statement added that, on April 23, 2008, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, wrote to Citizens Bank making a first demand on the performance bond in the amount of $38.4M, but despite the claim, Citizens Bank has, to date, failed, refused and neglected to effect payment of the monies.

The second company, CARICOM General Insurance Company Inc., on September 19, 2011, executed a performance bond and advance guarantee in fa-

vour of the Government of Guyana at the request of Maurice Balgobin, in accordance with a contract between Maurice Balgobin

ATTORNEY GENERAL ANIL NANDLALL

and the Government of Guyana for the rehabilitation and re-construction of Kaburi Village Road, in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

On September 24, 2012, the Government terminated the said contract because the contractor failed to substan-

tially complete the works, even after an extension of 260 days had been granted.

On December 6, 2012, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, wrote to CARICOM General Insurance, making a first demand on the performance bond and advance guarantee in the amounts of G$4.9M and G$1.8M respectively, but no payments have been made.

The North American Fire and General Insurance Company faced a similar situation, in that the company, on May 7, 2012, executed performance bonds in favour of the Government of Guyana at the request of Bovell Construction Services, following a contract between that company and the Government of Guyana for the Amaila Falls Road and Transmission Line Clearing Project, Section

Six: Issano Junction to Kuribong River.

On December 27, 2012, the Government terminated the contract because the contractor had removed equipment from the site, which resulted in a stoppage of work, constituting a fundamental breach of contract in accordance with the general conditions of the contracts.

On January 4, 2013, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, wrote to North America Fire and General Insurance Co. Ltd., making a first demand on the performance bonds in the amounts of $56.3M and $84.5M, which have not been paid.

The actions are scheduled to be heard on June 18, 2014, in the Commercial Division of the High Court.(Vanessa Narine)

LEAD Project discussions begin on positive note HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, and United States Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt, have begun discussions on the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID), Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project.

Dr. Luncheon and Ambassador Hardt met on Thursday and held positive and constructive discussions on the LEAD project. Both sides have agreed to continue discussions next week with a view to charting the way forward.

The project was put on hold as discussions were agreed on between the Governments of Guyana and the United States (U.S.) with a view to commencing re-engagement of the project at a later date.

During a special press briefing on Thursday, shared between the two representatives, a joint statement was issued, stating thus, “The Governments of Guyana and the United States of America have agreed that the implementation of the activities of the USAID, LEAD project would be put on hold temporarily during the re-engagement on the design of that project the two sides have agreed would commence immediately.”

No time frame has yet been set for the completion of the re-engagement, but both sides welcomed the opportunity to re-engage on the project with the expectation of a mutually beneficial outcome. “I welcome the opportunity for us to move on in a structured way with regards to the USAID LEAD project and I want to believe that there are considerable expectations about a mutually beneficial outcome,” Dr. Luncheon said.

Echoing similar sentiments, the U.S. Ambassador said that his country welcomed the willingness of the Government to Guyana to re-engage in discussion on democracy and governance and in particular the LEAD project.

In July, 2013, the US launched the LEAD project without the formal sanction of the Guyana Government. The project’s non-approval was formally indicated to the relevant authorities on October 26, 2013. In spite of this, the USAID continued to implement the project, even as Government maintained that Guyana was committed to re-engaging the discussion process, but not when the activities under the LEAD project were still being implemented.

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana ...

Granger’s words have come back to haunt him - in APNU’s ‘jook fuh jook’ foreign policy OLD Kai had warned the former PNC implant into the GDF, David Granger that his words may come back to haunt him. When the mask of the PNC = APNU is forced to have Joseph Harmon (the man who makes sandpaper seem smooth) to articulate their foreign policy, you know they are in serious trouble. I would not be surprised if it was he who advised Granger to make the now infamous ‘jook fuh jook’ remark in describing what they understand of the word ‘diplomacy.’

He is quoted in the media as asking rhetorically: “How can our support (for the LEAD project) infringe national security and be against sovereignty?” Well if being crafted and awarded in the U.S. without the input of the Guyana government and then despite its rejection, the U.S. Ambassador attempts to still implement the project and APNU does not recognise this as an act of disregarding our sovereignty while all the time egging on the US, only serves to confirm the obvious.

Even our primary school students are capable of behaving more mature than the current political Opposition and it speaks directly to a leadership crisis. No one will buy their dramatic behaviour. In fact, since the PPP/C Government has been successful in having this project halted, the APNU’s stature has further dwindled before the public, as they were ready and eager for the implementation of the project despite the obvious concerns and now even the U.S. Government has recognised those concerns and quite rightly have put the project on hold for a review.

APNU and AFC were so willing to sell out the integrity of our nation in return for financial favours from the LEAD project; one simply cannot get lower than that. That is another example of the ‘Judas’ mentality they have become synonymous with. These people do not care about our country, they are not concerned about the average Guyanese and his/her plight, they are concerned about keeping their positions in tact and fighting desperately for political power so they can simply have the ability to implement their ‘jook fuh jook’ policy. They will use anyone to hold on to their support base

Can anyone still believe a word coming out from the mouth of David Granger or his minions in APNU after this damning exposure of deception and hypocrisy? and just as someone drowning, they will clutch at anything to keep them afloat. Hence, don’t be surprised that they will soon begin another scheme which brings up the ‘race card’ politics again. It is the only way they know of keeping their supporters in check.

However, by now APNU and AFC supporters would know that their leadership had no care for them and how they will be affected when they voted to cut the budget for three successive years, when they tried to force GPL to increase electricity rates on consumers by 22% by cutting their subvention provided by the Government, when they refused to support the Amalia Hydro project which would bring cheaper and reliable electricity to Guyanese, when they cut funding for Amerindian Development and said Amerindians were not capable of making responsible decisions for their future, when they told workers who were being laid off as a result of their budget cuts that they were simply ‘collateral damage’, when they refused to support the Specialty Hospital which would make complex surgeries possible in Guyana, when they have consistently refused to support the Anti-Money Laundering bill and pushes Guyana closer to being blacklisted, and the list goes on. The devious machinations by the Opposition know no bounds and it is our people who ultimately have to suffer because of their actions.

I conclude by quoting David Granger only a few months ago in reference to the very U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Brent Hardt whom he now speaks so glowing of and whom he and his party are still contending is not interested in pursuing any imperialist policy through their LEAD project: “He is a diplomat, represents a state (U.S.), and I can understand that it is in his interest to advance the business of that state he represents…”

Can anyone still believe a word coming out from the mouth of David Granger or his minions in APNU after this damning exposure of deception and hypocrisy?

Wide cross-section of gov’t agencies, frontline service providers participating in 10th M & E workshop MINISTER of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, opened the tenth session of the mini-International Programme for Development Evaluation training workshop (IPDET) as part of Government’s continued effort to ensure value for money.

The five-day workshop which commenced yesterday at the Guyana International Conference Centre will conclude on May 15.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Singh expressed his appreciation to be a part of the event and lauded the participants for being present.

“You are a part of an ongoing effort on the part of the government, to build strong monitoring and evaluation capacity.

I am pleased that a wide cross-section of agencies is represented, including not only government ministries and departments, but also frontline service providers.”

The Finance Minister noted that the range of participants reflects the fact that the task of monitoring and evaluation are tasks that literally permeate every

level of activity.

“If you think about it really, monitoring and evaluation is happening at every level of operation, from the highest level of policy making to the most frontline level of operation …and if you think about it too, a sound and strong monitoring and evaluation system redounds to the benefit of all of us.”

The Finance Minister reiterated his point by noting that people live in a world where resources are necessarily scarce and where constant competing choices have to be made and decisions pondered on how best to deploy the scarce resources in order to most effectively achieve the outcomes that are desired.

“This is a challenge that confronts us at the level of front line delivery as it does on the level of micro.”

Likewise, Dr. Singh said resources allocated to the Ministry of Finance must be carefully monitored and evaluated to ensure a multitude of economic, and social objectives are achieved.

“We want a country that is going to continue

to grow, and we want a country where every social indicator will continue to improve in every sector, we want the infrastructure of our country expanding all

“You are part of a grand enterprise that the government has embarked upon, it’s not about getting a certificate, this is about an endeavour by this govern-

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh during his opening remarks to the participants of the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation workshop, yesterday within an ideally measurable framework.”

Hence Dr. Singh added that the task before everyone who manages government resources is to see how best they are allocated in order to achieve an optimal mix of outcome.

ment, to ensure that we get a better government it does not mean the 65 people in the parliament by that I mean better policing and better teaching, better delivery of social services, stronger public health care service, and better and more

effective discharge of every single public sector responsibility.”

The Minister further charged the participants to make the best of the training, and to return to their respective sectors with the knowledge to establish a better monitoring and evaluation system.

“I hope you will go back enriched with what you would have discovered and imbued with a curiosity to establishing a monitoring and evaluation system, and ensuring that having set up that system you will work to ensure that resources are deployed in the most effective way and that we achieve the optimum results.”

Meanwhile the main presenter for the workshop, Ray Rist in his comments to the participants said he hopes the five days will be enlightening for them.

“What I am giving you is a graduate seminar, it’s what we offer at the Carlton University in Canada, you can earn half of a graduate diploma, this is a graduate level, it’s not a vacation, it’s going to intellectual work, challenging, when

you leave here you will be equipped to ask questions and think differently.”

Rist added that emphasis would be placed on moving monitoring and evaluation from feelings and intuition. “…For example why are we doing this project and what data we have to support evidence based decision making. Feeling an intuition is not how you govern a nation, we have to have data and evidence and we will be talking about how to use evidence in your work.”

Rist is a renowned world authority on developing monitoring and evaluation systems and co-founder of the IPDET, an executive training programme that aims to provide managers and practitioners with the generic tools required to evaluate development policies, programmes, and projects at the local, national, regional, and global levels.

The programme features in-depth workshops, taught by renowned international faculty members drawn from southern and northern organisations.

(GINA)

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

Role of private sector spotlighted at COTED meeting

By Vanessa Narine

THE 38th Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was declared open yesterday at the Pegasus Hotel

by CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

And he underscored the “critical role” of the private sector to the success of local economies and that of the Caribbean region.

“The critical role of the

Ambassador Irwin LaRocque underscores the critically important role of the private sector at yesterday’s opening of the COTED meeting in Georgetown

private sector in the regional economy has been a matter of discussion in various fora in CARICOM for some time now.

We have long recognised that the full involvement of the private sector was necessary in order to achieve our economic

goals,” LaRocque said.

Trade Ministers of CARICOM States are expected to hold discussions with the region’s private sector today (May 10).

According to Ambassador LaRocque, that meeting will afford participants an ideal opportunity to make their contribution as COTED begins to implement one of the key decisions taken at its Special Session on its Strategic Direction.

tation, including port infrastructure and customs procedures; energy affordability and efficiency; the application of information and communications technology (ICT); and human resource development.

He said, “These issues are closely linked to the work of the Commission on the Economy, the Regional Transportation Commission, as well as to the Regional Digital

Ambassador LaRocque also noted that negotiations for a CARICOM-Canada Trade and Development Agreement are at a critical stage “as we work towards concluding (it) by June 2014.”

He said, “Good progress has been made, since the beginning of this year, in our negotiations; and both sides are pleased that we have been able to conclude text negotiations and referendum on

CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, shares a light moment with regional officials yesterday He said the Council will today begin the process of “seeking to re-engage one of the key stakeholders in our Community, the private sector…The task is to create a structure that will give the private sector a meaningful role in assisting to set the policy objectives.”

He said this type of involvement would certainly increase the likelihood of creating the environment conducive to conducting business and attracting investment, both of which are critical to providing employment and a platform for economic growth.

KEY ISSUES The CARICOM Secretary-General called on the participants of yesterday’s meeting to address the “key issues” that merit attention relative to, among other things, ease of doing business in the CSME; harmonisation of standards and procedures, including sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures; public/private partnerships; transpor-

Development Strategy. In all of these, the interests of the private sector must be taken into account, as within that group lies the greatest possibility for advancing those various initiatives.

“An efficient and productive private sector, operating in a favourable business environment, will be well placed to take advantage of the opportunities (that lie) both within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and in the trade agreements which the Community is party to.”

LaRocque added that CARICOM has just concluded a review of its performance under the bilateral free trade agreements with some of its partners, and that review has confirmed that Member States are not taking full advantage of market opportunities.

“A number of recommendations have been advanced; which, if implemented, should contribute towards an improved export performance over the medium to long-term,” he said.

matters such as technical barriers to trade, trade facilitation, customs procedures, and transparency in government procurement.”

LaRocque disclosed that the 38th COTED Session is expected to undertake a thorough assessment of where CARICOM is in the negotiations, and the flexibilities required to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement.

“This Agreement must take full account of CARICOM’s development interests, given the differences in size and levels of development between CARICOM and Canada,” he said.

LaRocque also stated that the Caribbean Community is on the “cusp of completing” a draft of the Community’s first ever Five-Year Strategic Plan, which seeks to identify the strategic priorities, and will be presented to CARICOM Heads in July.

That Plan, he said, has benefited from widespread consultation throughout See page 13

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

MACORP launches new D2 series excavators in Guyana

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally M A C H I N E RY C o r p o ration of Guyana Limited (MACORP) has launched its new D2 series of hydraulic excavators in Georgetown on Thursday.

Prime Minister Samuel

Hinds, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn and Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, Francisco Olguin were among persons in the gathering for the ceremony at the company’s Ruimveldt location.

They were given a

demonstration of what the machines are capable of doing, by the agency’s engineers.

Speaking on the occasion, MACORP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jorge Medina said: “Let’s build Guyana together was

my vision and that is why I became Guyanese. After 20 years of assisting Guyana, we see today’s operations require dependable machines that can produce more with less and this is the essence behind the new D2 series.

From left, Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Francisco Olguin; Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, CEO of Macorp Mr Jorge Medina and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the launch of the new D2 series hydraulic excavators at the company’s Providence, East Bank Demerara head office (Adrian Narine photos)

Macorp Engineers demonstrating the different uses for the machines

“These machines are exceptionally reliable and highly productive, built to lower operating costs through reduced fuel consumption and simplified routine maintenance,” he assured.

11

WORLDWIDE INTRODUCTION He added that the excavators were manufactured with the voice of their customers echoing in the

Some of the features and benefits of these excavators include a mechanically controlled engine that handles less than standard fuel in a better way and lowers fuel consumption, a powerful hydraulic system, a developed operator station, the largest bucket in its class, and a robust design which is built to provide years of reliable service.

MACORP Product Support Manager Guillermo Escarraga explained some of the features and benefits of the excavators, including their mechanically controlled engines that handle less than standard fuel in a better way.

He said the powerful hydraulic systems, developed operator stations, the largest buckets in that class and robust design are to provide years of reliable service.

Escarraga said MACORP is confident that the new machines will meet and exceed customers’ expectations for superior performance and lower operating costs through durability.

background and, since the worldwide introduction last September, success stories are being told and now can be related in Guyana.

For 20 years, being the only authorised Caterpillar dealer in this country, MACORP has been leading Guyana’s development and fuelling the success of stakeholders by directly providing integral equipment and product support solutions, Escarraga claimed.

He said they have been rewarded for their outstanding performance and contribution to the development of Guyana and the professional training of their employees.

Launch of the D2 Series hydraulic excavators

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Ramesh Persaud is new PSC Chairman - following Ron Webster’s death

By Ravin Singh

VICE-CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Mr. Ramesh Persaud has been identified to be the new Chairman, following the death of former Chairman Mr. Ronald Webster.

Persaud whose identification was ratified on May 6 by the PSC Council, will be officially sworn in before the end of June. However, pres-

ently, he is not Acting Chairman but Chairman awaiting a ceremonial appointment.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he explained that, while he is happy to fill the post, it is vitally important that he prioritises development of the Private Sector.

His much gained experience along with the support of other competent individuals in the PSC will continue to aid him in his quest.

Persaud said he would also be giving priority to building the relationship with agencies to ensure Guyana develops.

Persaud had held the position of PSC Vice-Chairman since June 2013 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institute of Private Enterprise De-

velopment Ltd. (IPED) and the Executive Director of the Guyana Youth Business Trust (GYBT), the capacity in which he has been serving from January 1, 2010.

Before now, he was the Finance Controller of IPED for three and a half years and Group Financial Accountant and Financial/Management

and credit unions representing some 24 member organisations in nine Caribbean countries.

Persaud is, as well, a Council member of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industries (CAGI), present Chairman of the Guyana Book Foundation and Coordinator of the Global Entrepreneurship Week activities in Guyana.

Public invited to an ‘Afternoon of Music’ in the Botanical Gardens THE Guyana Protected Areas Commission, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, is inviting the public to an ‘Afternoon of Music’ at the Botanical Gardens Bandstand on Sunday April 11th , 2014 from 1:00 pm.

The ministry is inviting persons to come out and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the Botanical Gardens as Ras Camo keeps the beat going with his Steel Pans.

“This event also seeks to rekindle the tradition of music in our Urban Parks and to provide the perfect venue to showcase Guyanese talent,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.

The ministry is also inviting any bands, musical groups or talented individuals who wish to play in the Botanical Gardens or National Park to make contact with Annalise Bayney of the Protected Areas Commission on annaliseb.pac@gmail. com or 227-1888 if interested.

It noted that under the Three Parks Initiative, the PAC seeks to restore and improve the facilities of our Urban Parks as part of a commitment by the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Hon. Robert M. Persaud to rehabilitate the National Parks and Botanical Gardens. Minister Persaud has also been calling for more public/private partnerships to accelerate the rehabilitation of facilities within the National Parks and Botanical Gardens.

MR RAMESH PERSAUD

Accountant of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for three years.

He is also the Co-Founder and Director of Cacique Inc, an ACCA Gold Approved Learning Partner since 2006 and has been a Senior Lecturer of the ACCA while being the current Chairman of the Caribbean Microfinance Alliance (CMFA), a regional network of microfinance institutions

NO LITTERING As such, tomorrow’s event will also coincide with a

clean-up exercise within the Botanical Gardens starting at 4:00 pm. Littering is a constant challenge to the environs and our parks; as such the Environmental Protection Agency’s Litter Wardens will be conducting their first official exercise in the Gardens tomorrow. With the passing of the new Litter Regulations under the Environmental Protection Act, littering now carries a $50,000 fine for anyone caught littering.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

Role of private sector spotlighted ...

From page 13

the Community, with Member States, Associate Members, institutions and various stakeholders; and takes into account the critical work being undertaken by the two commissions.

LaRocque pointed out that prioritisation is essential.

He said, “We need to focus our attention on a few strategic priorities which would make a difference to our sustainable growth and development. That is the change that the reform process seeks to bring. “…engagements such as the one you will have (today) signal a transformative phase in regional policy

Acting COTED Chair, St. Lucian Minister Alva Baptise formulation, and fits well into the ongoing efforts to reform the Community.”

CHANGE TAKING ROOT The CARICOM Secretary-General stressed that the change process has begun to take root at the Secretariat, as moves are being made to transform the organisation to make it more effective in meeting the needs of a reformed Community.

“Change is nothing new to our Community. We have progressed from a Free Trade Area to a Common Market, and now to a Single Market and Economy; and we have done fairly well. We have always sought to position ourselves to adapt to, and benefit from, the global environment. We have done so in a deliberate -- yes, sometimes slow -- manner which tries to take into account the interests of all our constituent parts,” he said.

“Through every formulation, our integration arrangements have become stronger. Let us therefore now embrace this reform process at every level, and ensure that our Community emerges even stronger and provides our people with a secure, viable, and prosperous future,” LaRocque added.

To this end, LaRocque made it clear that the role of COTED in providing an economic platform for such a future is indispensable.

“This emphasises the importance of the continued discussion on the strategic role of the COTED…I have no doubt that there will be fruitful deliberations on these and other matters over the next two days, and I look forward to stimulating discussions,” he said.

The COTED Chair, Wilson Laleau of Haiti, was not present for the 38th Meeting because a close relative of his has died. However, the process of change was addressed by St. Lucian Minister Alva Baptise, who acted in capacity of the COTED Chair.

Baptiste said CARICOM has historically changed to respond to global changes, and has managed to do so successfully. “I am extremely pleased that CARICOM - being a veteran, having gone through the turbulence of its own changes - has

done well to navigate a difficult economic situation,” he said.

Minister Baptiste also stated that the Region is now in a different era, and has to recalibrate to continue its advance. “We have to continue in our search for the solutions to the problems that tantalise us as a people,” Baptiste said.

He also called for positive engagements and a confident approach to the challenges that present themselves to the Member States of the Region.

Prior to yesterday’s opening session, regional trade officials began sessions at the CARICOM Secretariat on Tuesday.

The meetings are being chaired for the first time

by Haiti.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

Police following several leads in ‘Champo’ murder - Crime Chief

By Michel Outridge CRIME Chief Leslie James said, yesterday, that Police are following several leads in probing the Orvin Millington shooting murder.

But the Senior Police Superintendent assured that it is just a matter of time before they crack the case.

Millington, nicknamed ‘Champo’, was gunned down in Curtis Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, while playing cards at a friend’s birthday celebration.

Detectives retrieved three 9 mm spent shells at the scene of the killing where Millington was shot once to the head.

The 30-year-old businessman/part-time taxi driver was pronounced dead on

arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) after a lone gunman walked up to

Orvin ‘Champo’ Millington him, asked whether he remembered him and, without waiting for a response, fired three shots before escaping.

Based on eyewitness re-

ports, there were more than a dozen people at the location when the incident occurred but most of them ran for cover.

Millington’s mother and sister told reporters that a few minutes before their loved one was killed, they had telephoned him to enquire when he was returning home and he indicated he would be doing so shortly.

Not long after that conversation, someone called to inform them that he was shot.

Four years ago, Millington’s brother, Vibert Weeks called ‘Vibey’ was murdered in a similar way in front of a Robb Street nightspot, also in the city, as he exited the building.

No one was ever arrested or charged for that crime.

GPL removes danger after schoolboy’s electrocution GUYANA Power and Light (GPL) has removed from the fence, electricity lines that fatally shocked nineyear-old Satyanand Balkarran earlier in the week.

But the removal of the lines at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara has since left the neighbour at the rear without current.

T h e d e a d b o y ’s mother, Debbie Ramash lamented, to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, that GPL acted after her son lost his life but no official of the utility has contacted her.

The grieving woman recalled that, despite numerous previous com-

plaints that the pole supporting the cables was resting atop their zinc fence, GPL took no action but subsequent to

‘ELECTROCUTED’: Satyanand Balkarran

her son’s death, its employees have visited her residence several times.

The Goed Fortuin Primary School pupil was electrocuted on Wednesday night while having a bath near the zinc fence in a section of the yard where he lived.

Balkarran, apparently, came into contact with exposed live wires and fell to the ground upon being electrocuted. He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

GPL said, yesterday, it is still investigating the circumstances.

(Michel Outridge)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

15

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Probe into cocaine-laced SSS Tonic‌

POST-MORTEM INCONCLUSIVE -further examinations to be done

By Asif Hakim POST-MORTEMS were performed on the bodies of Alex Blair, Simone Pryce, Jahaquel Blair and Natasha George, all of Cocorite Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, who died after ingesting cocaine-laced

SSS Tonic on May 4, 2014.

After Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh had conducted the PMEs yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary, he said the cause(s) of their deaths has/have not been determined, and body samples from each individual

Alex Blair and Simone Pryce (top right), Natasha George (top left) and Jahaquel Blair (bottom left).

have been taken with a view to conducting further examinations.

The cocaine-laced SSS Tonic which they had ingested, had been taken to their house by an acquaintance for onward transmission to New York by a family member, but the latter refused to transport the stuff because she said the USA has many tonics to sell, and she was not going to New York but to Pennsylvania.

The Blair family then decided to consume the tonic not knowing the tonic had been contaminated.

The lone survivor of those who had consumed the tonic is 12-year-old Jamal Waterman. After the tonic had caused him to feel upset, he reportedly had taken some orange juice and vomited. This action had presumably saved his life.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

GPOC reports receiving broached mail from U.S. THE Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) has revealed that, recently, it has been receiving from the United States (U.S.), things that have been “broached.”

A press release said this has been the case on a number of occasions although the mailed items are received in sealed mail bags.

GPOC added that information relating to this recent development has been communicated to the U.S. Postal Administration for it to launch an investigation into these occurrences.

The Guyana Postmaster General wishes to advise that GPOC remains committed to preserving the integrity of the mail and will continue to do everything possible to carry out this mandate.

The release urged the public to be guided by this information and advise their overseas relatives and friends to be cognisant of these happenings when posting mail. (Michel Outridge)

Record number of students sitting CSEC exams GUYANA, through the Ministry of Education, is expected to have 13,721 students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this year.

Twelve thousand, three hundred and sixty-six of them will take the Mathematics test and eleven thousand, four hundred and eightyfour others would be tested in English.

In an invited comment recently, Education Minister Priya Manickchand reiterated that students have been enrolling in more subjects and still continue to do better in them than ever before.

“We should, as a country, celebrate the fact that good Caribbean Examinations Council results are not being centralised in Georgetown but schools across the country have, recently, being shining also,” she said.

According to her, this has been “the Government’s vision for the education system in Guyana and we were able to achieve this significant milestone and growth in this sector because of specific and calculated strategic and very conscious investments being made in this sector.”

The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) is designed to provide certification of the academic, vocational and technical achievement of students in the Caribbean who, having completed a minimum of five years secondary schooling, wish to further their studies.

The Ministry of Education has reported that 795 candidates have enlisted to sit the CAPE this year, with the highest subject entries being 365 for Caribbean Studies and 400 for Communication Studies.

In a release, the Ministry indicated that, for the candidates sitting CSEC 2014, there is yet, again, outstanding entries where one candidate will sit 20 subjects, two taking 19 subjects, four taking 18 subjects, 16 sitting 17 subjects and 18 sitting 16 subjects.

There will be 2,500 candidates sitting between seven and eight CSEC subjects in 2014.

CSEC candidates are examined for certification in general and technical proficiencies, which provide them with the foundation for further studies and entry to the world of work.

The sittings of the two regional exams, CSEC and CAPE, began on May 5, would conclude on June 13.

17

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19

It’s time to think about what’s important to you -- but then, you don’t need to be told that.

It’s probably been next to impossible for you to focus on anything else. If there’s any way to excuse yourself from situations that might require you to act phony, better make arrangements bright and early to be unavailable. Oh, and be prepared to handle some tricky joint financial matters too.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

First thing this morning, you’ll need to decide what to give or do for your sweetheart, your best friend or whoever’s been putting up with you lately, no matter what you’ve dished out. You know it hasn’t been easy, you know what they’d like and you know they deserve it. Go all out. Your feelings are going to be obvious anyway. Might as well be sure there’s a lovely remembrance to go along with the moment.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

When you decide to take a few days off, it’s quite a different experience than the rest of the world. Your friends and family aren’t used to going more than a few hours without either seeing you or talking with you, so your absence raises all kinds of red flags. You’re in the mood to disappear from the world now. Still, be nice. Call when you know they won’t be there to answer, and leave a message.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You’ve often wondered about what might happen to the folks who are dependent on you if you decided to stop taking care of them -- or if you couldn’t take care of them any longer.

Would they sink, swim or find someone else to care for them? In any case, you’d never be able to live with the guilt. It’s time to do yourself and your charge(s) a favour. Give them a few referral numbers and a pep talk, make your exit and see what happens.

Leo July 23 - August 22

If anyone loves a dare, it’s you, no doubt about it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s spoken or just hinted at. So now, when a friend you’ve long admired for their bravery makes you an offer that sounds suspiciously like a friendly (and inspirational) dare, you won’t hesitate for a second. You may, however, need to explain to your sweetheart, especially if they weren’t expecting you to be AWOL because you just couldn’t turn down a challenge.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 Currency G$/US$ G$/GBP$ G$/CAD$ G$/EURO$ G$/BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$

Below rates for May 9, 2014 Buying

Selling

205.98375 348.05074 190.34356 284.33997 101.86969 75.45903 31.67048

208.43594 352.40264 192.53839 287.93341 102.89094 76.21551 31.98798

You’re not mean-spirited -- not one tiny little bit. You can, however, be goaded -- at times -- into behaviour that’s beneath you. That only happens if someone shows anything less than total respect for a worthy cause or someone you love. If you’ve already warned them about this, or if you know they’ve heard about your recent dealings with someone impolite, you won’t hesitate to come out with both guns blazing. And well you should.

Libra September 23 - October 22

The long-distance travel bug hasn’t just landed in your vicinity, it’s set up shop in your imagination, igniting an insatiable urge to get to that place you’ve always wanted to see. So at the moment, getting there is the most important thing in the world to you. Fortunately, you know where and when to go, and exactly the right person to take along with you. Now, pack. And pack lots of red and black.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Your sign is known for its magnetism and the innate ability to tempt anyone into doing just about anything by simply suggesting it in ‘that way.’ So when someone you find absolutely irresistible walks by, you’ll do everything in your power to entice them into spending some time with you. If they’re already yours, so much the better. Still, you won’t work any less hard or any less charmingly, and they’ll be just as infatuated as they were the first time you wooed them. If they’re not yours, well, let’s just say that situation won’t last for very long at all.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

You’ve worked so hard and so long on this particular project that you can’t imagine finishing it -- much like a good book. That’s a good thing, if you happen to be in a hurry to move on to something new -- and when aren’t you? If you’re still trying to get the attention of a certain authority figure for your next project, however, drop some hints. Let them know you’re in the home stretch and you’d like their executive opinion on what’s coming up next.

For Saturday May 10, 2014 -14:00hrs For Sunday May 11, 2014 -14:30hrs

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Believe it or not, you’re an expert at romance. You just don’t do it the way most folks do.

When you’re out to impress someone, you don’t just pick up a pizza and beer; you make sure you’re wooing them in most elegant fashion with limos, fine wine and tickets to the theatre. However, if you can’t afford all that don’t worry. If anyone can make that pizza and beer evening feel truly special -- elegant, even, once you lay out the silk napkins, the silver candlesticks and your best china -- it’s you.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Telling the truth isn’t just second nature to you -- it’s really more like an innate reaction that doubles when official business is impending. So now, regardless of how anxiously you’re awaiting someone’s answer to a tender question, you won’t be willing to tone it down or take it back, not even a touch -- not even if you know they’d prefer you hadn’t started a major ball rolling with the powers that be. Oh, well. Respect is the glue that holds any relationship together.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

You have very little time to achieve your mission of finding a way to make your loved ones realise that working together on the same side is better for all parties concerned than keeping a nonsensical feud going -- which won’t help anyone at all. That said, you can only do what you can do -- and you can’t live anyone else’s life for them. So if they won’t cooperate, don’t beat yourself up about it.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

New Bolivian Ambassador to Guyana accredited - vows closer political, economic and social ties

NEWLY-APPOINTED Non- Resident Ambassador of Bolivia, Jerjes Justiniano Talavera, on Thursday presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar and vowed to fulfil commitments made by his government to enhance cooperation in several areas.

Receiving Ambassador Talavera, President Ramotar said that his accreditation is a testament to the strong bonds of friendship between the two nations.

“The commonalities between the two countries have provided a foundation for a long and lasting relationship, reflected not only at the bilateral level, but also at the

President Donald Ramotar accepting Letters of Credence from Non-resident Bolivian Ambassador Jerjes Justiniano Talavera on Thursday regional and international level. We both adhere strongly to the values of democracy, peace, liberty and respect for human rights,” the Guyanese Head of State commented.

President Ramotar also expressed the hope that, given the common interests between Bolivia and Guyana such as the importance placed on regional integration as one of the means of achieving a better standard of living for the peoples of both countries through the use of natural resources, “an enduring dynamic partnership” can be achieved.

The President also accepted an earlier invitation made

by Bolivia’s President Evo Morales to formally attend the upcoming G77 and China Summit in that nation’s capital Santa Cruz de la Sierra, later this year.

Ambassador Talavera, pledged to deepen and strengthen the bi-lateral relationship between the two countries, noting common interests shared such as their struggle for democracy, democratically elected government and constant efforts to ensure a better life for their citizens. The Bolivian diplomat has served his country in several high level capacities and is also a trained lawyer. (GINA)

19

President Donald Ramotar greeting Non-resident Bolivian Ambassador Jerjes Justiniano Talavera

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Guyana Society for the Blind, OLPF c

By Ravin Singh

HISTORY was created yesterday when one physically impaired and nine visually impaired students of the Guyana Society for the Blind sat Human and Social Biology at the CSEC examinations as the first of five subjects they are registered to write.

Their participation facilitated by a voice-aided computer software, the ten students: Rosemarie Ramitt, Leroy Phillip, Odessa Blair, Diane Singh, Anthony Robinson, Douglas Tika, Roy Stewart, Muesa Haynes, Vishaul Mohabir; and

Laurel Lewis, who is physically impaired, wrote the exams at the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) building in Thomas Lands, Georgetown.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand described the event as one that went through a procedure of good planning. She expressed how inspiring this event has been to her, stating that it was a remarkable feeling to know that, despite their respective disabilities, the students opted to pursue their education, and not limit themselves.

She admonished the students not to be fearful, and stressed that their persistence to throw off limitations and

achieve equality was admirable and very commendable.

Manickchand also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) team, which was the driving force of the initiative and which paved a way for all this to be possible through comprehensive planning by Coordinator of the programme, Ganesh Singh.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand commended th was actually started, yesterday

Education Minister Priya Manickchand also proffered at the facility

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

21

create history at CSEC examination She indicated that such a programme -- which is historical, since no country in the Caribbean has ever had so many disabled students writing the exam electronically -- is a manifestation of the Government’s commitment to provide better education to Guyanese.

Training was provided to the students who sat the exam-

he students on their bold step before the examination

d advice to other students who were sitting the exam

ination by OLPF staff members, who also rendered assistance in maintaining the laptops.

Coordinator of the project and member of the Guyana Society for the Blind, Ganesh Singh, who has been instrumental in setting up the programme, explained that teachers were provided for the students for an eighteen-month training by the Ministry of Education.

The students, ninety percent of whom are blind or visually impaired, sat the exam independently, since they were trained to accurately use the keyboard. The examination was designed in such a way that a softcopy would be downloaded

onto their laptops and the voice automated software would read the examination paper to them. The exam personnel would then print the answer sheets and they would be presented to the CXC Exams Division.

Project Manager of the OLPF project, Margo Boyce, was delighted to know that the initiative, launched a few years ago by the Government of Guyana, is having such a tremendous impact on the society. She noted that “it is equally important that we remember those who are disabled or impaired, and render assistance so that as much potential can be tapped into.”

22

The ‘B’ Field, Sophia culvert is almost completed

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

Culvert in Sophia to be completed by month-end

- $38M spent on two bridges and culvert in the area

CONSTRUCTION of a culvert in ‘B’ Field Sophia, which will trigger mass transportation movement between Sophia and Guyhoc Park, will be completed by May month end.

Design Engineer Kelvin Clarke, of the Ministry of Public Works, said the final structure to be completed in the connection between Sophia and Guyhoc Park is a HDPE double-barrel culvert.

“It will be a relief for individuals living in Sophia, because then they will have an alternative route which can connect them to Mandela Avenue. At the moment, Dennis Street is the only option for persons with vehicles,” Clarke said.

He disclosed that two other bridges have been constructed in the Sophia community; one is a reinforced concrete structure on steel beams spanning the Sussex Street Canal, and the other is a 40-foot timber structure over the Lama Canal.

The developmental projects, which cost $38M, were executed by Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited (CBCSL).

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

31

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

33

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

35

36

GUYANA CHRONICLE SATURDAY May 10, 2014

37

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

Sammy quits Test cricket

B R I D G E TO W N , Barbados, (CMC) – Allrounder Darren Sammy has announced his retirement from Test cricket, in a stunning development late yesterday.

The St Lucian all-rounder was earlier in the day axed as Test skipper and replaced by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, after a near fouryear stint in charge.

However, the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB) subsequently announced Sammy’s decision to end his Test career, while noting that the Twenty20 captain would remain available for selection to the other formats of the game.

“Darren Sammy has formally notified the West

Indies Cricket Board of his decision to retire from Test cricket,” the Board said.

“Sammy has also informed the Board of his decision to continue to make himself available for selection for the other formats of the game. Sammy, in his communication to the Board thanked the Directors, the Selectors and Team Management for the confidence shown in him as a player and captain which he served as from October 2010 to May 2014.

“Sammy said that he will always cherish the memories of representing and captaining the West Indies in Test cricket.”

Sammy led West Indies in 30 of his 38 Tests, winning

to Sammy for his contribution over the last four years.

Darren Sammy

eight, losing 12 and drawing ten matches, and was credited for returning discipline and stability to the regional side.

However, West Indies have remained rooted at number eight in the ICC Test rankings and heavy defeats on the tours of India and New Zealand last year, placed Sammy’s captain under fresh scrutiny.

The WICB said it was thankful

“The West Indies Cricket Board thanks Sammy for his service to West Indies Test cricket both as player and captain and looks forward to his continued involvement and contribution as an ODI player and T20 captain and player,” the Board release said.

The 30-year-old Sammy made 1323 runs in Tests at an average of 21, and a highest score of 106 against England at Trent Bridge in 2012.

With the ball, he took 84 wickets at 35 runs apiece, with four five-wicket hauls.

There was speculation Sammy could not command a place in the West Indies Test side outside of his role as captain.

Miller, Sandeep set up massive win for Kings XI WHEN the two teams last met, Sandeep Sharma had dismissed Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli in the same over and set the tone for a convincing win for Kings XI Punjab.

Yesterday, Royal Challengers Bangalore were chasing rather than setting a target, but the same set of characters went through an eerily similar routine, right down to the questionable umpiring decision that did for Kohli, in an over that sent Kings XI Punjab on their way to a 32-run win that gave them sole occupancy of the top spot in the IPL table.

An innings of 66, off just 29 balls, from David Miller had powered Kings XI to a total of 198. If any team could chase it, though, it was Royal Challengers. They had been the only team to chase a 200-plus total on this ground, and they had done it against the same opponents, back in 2010. They faced a similar ask this time, and needed their top order to fire.

Sandeep had troubled Gayle with his swing right through his first over, beating him twice before failing to grab a difficult caught-and-bowled chance off the last ball.

First ball of his second over, though, Sandeep had his man. The ball swung away from Gayle, who swung hard at it and edged to the keeper.

In walked Kohli. In Dubai, he had been out second ball to a debatable lbw decision, with the ball appearing to be headed down the leg

side. This time, Sandeep dismissed him first ball, caught behind down the leg side. There was a sound as ball passed bat, but replays suggested the ball had brushed the ground just as Wriddhiman Saha scooped it up with the webbing of his right glove. Royal

When his team was asked to bat, Kings XI captain George Bailey said it was hard to tell what a good score would be, considering the flat pitch and short boundaries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

His team never had to worry about their run rate, though, after they reached 64 for

For the second time this season, Sandeep Sharma dismissed Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli in the same over.

Challengers were 8 for 2, and 199 looked like 299.

They were never going to get close after that, and Sandeep dented them once again with the wicket of Parthiv Patel in his next over.

Royal Challengers’ subsequent struggles were encapsulated by Yuvraj Singh, who kept getting beaten by the spinners during a painful 11-ball stay that ended when he gave debutant off-spinner Shivam Sharma his first wicket in senior cricket. It was 50 for 5 at that point, but AB de Villiers ensured Bangalore reached a respectable score with a 26-ball 53.

1 after 6 overs - it was the most they had made during the Powerplay this season.

Virender Sehwag had played some aggressive shots in that time, but hadn’t really exploded. But the bowlers had helped Kings XI along, bowling eight extra balls in those first six overs. Amidst all that, Mitchell Starc and Albie Morkel had also discovered that this pitch had a little more help for the bowlers than it usually does, and were getting their cutters to grip and deviate.

Yuzvendra Chahal, the legspinner, also settled in nicely, and dismissed both Sehwag and Glenn Maxwell. Kings

XI were scoring rapidly, but they were losing wickets.

But they still had Miller, and he was in terrific form.

On this day, Miller only hit three sixes, but he was hitting the ball cleanly along the ground placing it with rare precision. He hit Varun Aaron for three fours in the 10th over, and smashed Starc for a six and two fours in the 13th.

The bowler who suffered most, though, was Harshal Patel, who would eventually finish with figures of 2 for 56 in three overs The Haryana seamer had conceded three fours in his first over - one each to Mandeep, Sehwag and Maxwell - and had taken a 10-over sabbatical before coming back on.

Immediately, Miller laid into him, clouting him over a leaping deep midwicket for six, dumping him back over his head and onto the roof of the stadium, and pulling him behind square for four, off his first three deliveries.

Wriddhiman Saha got into the act in the same over, slog-sweeping him for six.

Miller’s dismissal in the next over saw Punjab lose some momentum, at least relative to what had gone before. They only made 28 off the last 21 balls of their innings, and Royal Challengers seemed to have done well to keep them to under 200. All of that, however, ceased to matter after that one over from Sandeep. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Ramdin promises to show level head as captain ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – New West Indies Test captain Denesh Ramdin has promised to bring a “level of calmness” to the position, when he takes over for the New Zealand tour starting next month.

The 29-year-old wicketkeeper, who has led Trinidad and Tobago in recent years, was yesterday announced to replace Darren Sammy who led the regional team since November 2010.

“I am taking over from Darren who did a good job while he was at the helm. He is a very humble and hardworking cricketer and during his time at the helm we won (eight) matches and gave his all to the job,” said Ramdin.

“My first assignment will be against New Zealand at home and this promises to be a very exciting series. I am a very calm individual and I will bring that level of calmness to the job and to the team as we look to move forward and build a winning Test team which will make the people of the West Indies proud.”

Ramdin has already captained West Indies in one One-

RACING TIPS English Lingfield 08:45 hrs Town Crier 09:20 hrs Casual Smile 09:55 hrs Blue Hussar 10:25 hrs Soviet Rock 11:00 hrs Winning Express

Day International and three Twenty20s, but has never led the squad in a Test. He has, however, served as vice-captain on several occasions and comes to the role with significant knowledge.

He averages 27 from 56 Tests with four centuries – the highest being 166 against England five years ago in Barbados.

Ramdin’s glovework remains his outstanding quality, and has taken 156 catches and pulled off five stumpings.

Sammy, who is currently plying his trade in the Indian Premier League, offered his support to Ramdin on the appointment via online social network, Twitter.

“Congratulations to Ramdin on being named Test captain.

God’s speed brother, as you look to take us forward. Thanks to all for the support,” Sammy tweeted.

The St Lucian all-rounder led West Indies in 30 of his 38 Tests, winning eight, losing 12 and drawing ten.

New Zealand’s tour of the Caribbean bowls off with the first Test in Jamaica on June 8.

Irish Racing Tips Wexford 09:00 hrs Backdrop 09:35 hrs Roheryn 10:10 hrs Lindenhurst 10:45 hrs Abby Cadabby 11:20 hrs Greatness

11:35 hrs Yourartiisonfire

11:55 hrs He’llberemembered

12:10 hrs Interception

12:25 hrs Honeys Joy

Haydock

South Africa Racing Tips

08:50 hrs Join The Clan

Turffontein

09:25 hrs Matalleb

08:35 hrs Wild Ash

10:00 hrs Annunciation

09:10 hrs Greaserpaint

10:30 hrs Swing Bowler

09:45 hrs Mary’s Jet

11:05 hrs Breton Rock

10:20 hrs Paschal Moon

11:40 hrs Baby Shine

10:55 hrs Tiger Storm

12:15 hrs Prima Porta

10:15 hrs Ribbons

American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Non Stop Race 2 Laguna My way Race 3 Brilliant Jewel Race 4 Kingston Jamaica Race 5 Fantastic Eyes Race 6 Oghma

10:50 hrs Brownsea Brink

Race 7 Edison

11:25 hrs The Paco Kid

Race 8 Salutos Amigos

12:00 hrs Marmalady

Race 9 Tonalist

Ascot 09:05 hrs Glorious Protector 09:40 hrs Pether’s Moon

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Satruday May 10, 2014

No plans to move Rio Games, says IOC BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) - London has not been approached about the possibility of staging the 2016 Olympics due to delays in Rio de Janeiro, the IOC said yesterday in pouring cold water on English media reports that the Games could be moved.

“There is not a shred of truth in that,” an International Olympic Committee official told Reuters.

Rio has fallen behind schedule with the IOC urging organisers to speed up work and recently setting up a system to

An aerial shot shows the Olympic Stadium, which is closed for repair works on its roof, in Rio de Janeiro March 28, 2014. (Credit: Reuters/Ricardo Moraes)

monitor progress more closely.

Rio’s preparations have

been dogged by delays, rising costs and bad communication between

different levels of the Brazilian government and organisers.

Even construction of one of the Olympic parks has yet to start.

IOC vice-president John Coates last month called Rio’s preparations the worst he had ever seen.

London staged the 2012 Games and this is not the first time previous Olympic hosts have been seen as possible replacements with Sydney, who hosted the 2000 edition, brought into discussion when Athens was late in organising the 2004 Olympics.

Local FA to benefit from major FIFA funds

B R I D G E TO W N , Barbados (CMC) – Football’s world governing body FIFA is set to inject Bds$2M (US$1M) into various programmes of the cash-strapped Barbados Football Association.

(BFA) FIFA development officer Howard McIntosh said here Wednesday that FIFA was impressed with the BFA’s vision and as a result, intended to demonstrate its commitment to the association’s development

FIFA development officer Howard McIntosh

plan.

However, McIntosh made it clear the money would not be a boost to the BFA’s coffers, but would go directly to the various projects, with the BFA acting in a monitoring capacity.

“The money is not going to go the BFA, so tomorrow the BFA is not two million dollars richer and we have structured it that way for a number of reasons,” McIntosh pointed out.

“One, it ensures that less people are involved in the process; two, we have

contracts that are directly with the different persons (involved in the projects) so the BFA has a monitoring role but not a direct contracting and/or financial role.”

One of the programmes to receive funding will be the income generation project at Wildey which is already under way. This involves the building of an administrative block and a spectators’ stand.

There will be a concessionaire area and

GCA/CARIB BEER T20…..

Finalists to be known today after semifinals at DCC

By Calvin Roberts

THE FINALISTS for the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)organised, Ansa McAl’s Carib Beer-sponsored first division T20 competition, which was launched last November, will be known this afternoon at the conclusion of the two semifinals, which will be contested at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground.

Nine first division teams were placed in two groups of four and five at the launching, when the draw was made for the preliminary round matches, at the end of which Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) topped Zone ‘A’ with 69 points, having played unbeaten in all four of their matches.

Police Sports Club (PSC) ended as runners-up in that Zone with 54 points, winning three and losing one of their matches, while in Zone ‘B’, defending champions DCC claimed the pole position with 66 points, Guyana National Industrial Corporation second, having accumulated 57 points, with both sides winning three matches and suffering losses to each other.

Today’s semifinal matchup pits GCC, who will have in their lineup newly selected Guyana Amazon Warriors duo Leon Johnson and Robin Bacchus, against GNIC whose team includes West Indies Cricket Board Senior Chairman of Selectors Clyde Butts and his Guyana Cricket Board counterpart Rayon Griffith, in the first encounter which bowls off at 09:30hrs.

The second match will see

the Christopher Barnwellled DCC unit, including Paul Wintz, match strides with the Trevor and Troy Benn-

Trevon Griffith

led PSC unit from 13:30hrs.

Shannon Crawford and Colin Alfred will be the men in charge of both contests.

The GCC will feature Devon Lord, Martin Pestano-Belle, Royston Alkins, Treon

Forde, Joshua Wade, Ellon Fernandes and Chidanand Shivram, while GNIC will look to skipper Dexter Solomon, Clyde’s son Collis, Leroy Bristol, Ranole Bourne, Ejaz Mohammed and national opener Assad Fudadin, to pilot them into the final.

In the second game, the hosts will have Andre Stoll, Trevon Griffith, Dennis Squires, Denver Greaves and Totaram Bishun offering support to Barnwell and Wintz, as they look to resist arrest against PSC. The hard-hitting Ricardo Adams, Rawle Browne, Kelvin Leitch and Jason Heyliger will be supporting the Benn siblings.

Keen and exciting cricket is expected, with the final set for a date and a venue to be announced by the organisers, who are looking to have a party atmosphere on that day.

2013 BCB/Ramcharitar Construction …

Semifinal matches on today THE semifinals of the 2013 Berbice Cricket Boardorganised, Ramcharitar Construction Servicessponsored first division 50 overs cricket competition will be contested today at two venues in Berbice from 09:30hrs.

Defending champions Young Warriors Universal DVD will look to Alex Algoo, Videsh Singh, Ishwar Singh, Linden Austin and the veteran Anil Beharry to steer them past Police, whose ranks include Andel Doris, Albert Sinclair, Kwesi Mickle and Rocky Hutson. The matchest will be played at Cumberland, Canje.

Young Warriors defeated West Berbice in their quarter-final matchup, while Police were the giant-killers, having upstaged pre-tournament favourites Rose Hall Town Gizmos and

commercial space aimed at maximising revenue, funds which FIFA consultant Peter Van Gend said could then be put back into local football.

“The buy-in of sponsors and other groups will enhance that income,” said Van Gend, who carried out an assessment of the Wildey project earlier this year.

The project, which it is hoped can be developed into a major complex, has been in the pipeline for some time and the BFA are anxious to

Gadgets in their second round encounter last Saturday, with today’s clash at Cumberland being supervised by Omadat Samaroo and Orvin Archer.

At the same time, Port Mourant who are making strides under new management, advance with their eight-wicket victory over Universal Solution Bermine to face Albion in today’s semifinal matchup at the Port Mourant Community Centre ground, under the guidance of Imran Moakan and Augustus Outar.

Troy Gonsalves, Bisham Deolall, Samuel Kesnasammy, Yogindra Harrinarine, Joshua Ramsammy and David Looknauth will lead the home team’s challenge, even as national spin twins Veerasammy Permaul and Devendra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Jonathan Foo, will respond for Albion.

(Calvin Roberts)

get it up and running.

“The facilities at Wildey could see Barbados in a position of being able to host international events on an international pitch which will help greatly in getting our football to the level we believe it should be at,” said BFA president Randy Harris.

Areas like women’s football and the grassroots football development are likely to benefit from FIFA’s funding.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Saturday May 10, 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) GautamGambhir; Zaheer Khan (MI vs KKR, Abu Dhabi-April 19, 2014) (2)

Suresh Raina

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many games are scheduled for this year’s IPL? (2) Who was declared Man of the Match in the opening game of this year’s IPL? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday May 10, 2014

GCB UNDER-19 INTER-COUNTY

Chanderpaul hits unbeaten ton as Demerara take control … BERBICE TAKE FIRST INNINGS POINTS

By Calvin Roberts AFTER their team’s second round defeat at the hands of Berbice, junior Chairman of Selectors Nazimul Drepaul held a serious pep talk with Demerara’s two senior batsmen Tagenarine Chanderpaul and skipper Brian Sattaur.

Whatsoever Drepaul said to the two batsmen, who, along with Shimron Hetmyer, are the senior players in this year’s edition of the Guyana Cricket Board-organised and sponsored event, proved worthy as they made tangible contributions to their team’s total at the end of yesterday’s first day of play of the third and final round.

At the once-famous Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Chanderpaul stroked an unbeaten century which together with 67 from Sattaur and 44 from Shurfane Rutherford steered Demerara who are the

defending champions to 253 for 3 off 98 overs.

At Everest Cricket Club ground, Hetmyer stroked a calm 20 for Berbice, who snatched first-innings points from Essequibo, to be in control of their encounter.

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Demerara saw Sattaur control his pugnacious attitude by being selective and patient in his shots, as he posted 135 for the first wicket with Chanderpaul.

The pair took their team to lunch at 61 without loss, with Sattaur, who struck a hat-trick of fours off Gavin Moriah, on 35 and Chanderpaul, who displayed his usual sedate and supportive attitude, on 19, and after the break, Sattaur posted his 50 from 129 balls, with eight fours.

Chanderpaul, then reached his 50 from 135 balls, with seven fours, pushing their opening partnership to 118

Demerara’s Tagenarine Chanderpaul acknowledges the applause of his teammates, after posting his ton against the President’s XI yesterday.

in the process before Sattaur got a thick outside edge to point into the waiting hands of Ronaldo Ali Mohammed, off Damion Waldron, who later removed Rutherford and Rudolph Singh to end the day with 3 for 63.

In company with Rutherford who was on 25 and with his personal score showing 64, Chanderpaul steered Demerara to the tea break with their score being 169 for 1 off 63 overs. They added 108 runs in the session, with Rutherford being given a life by Michael Shalim who grassed the chance running back to long off, off Waldron, when on 24, just before the break.

After the break, they increased their partnership to 68 before Rutherford was lbw to Waldron, followed quickly by Singh (6), to leave his side on 221 for 3.

Chanderpaul continued to bat cautiously despite the fall of wickets and posted

his hundred at 16:30hrs yesterday afternoon, hitting his 11th four through forward squareleg off the 250th delivery he faced, while Demerara progressed to 239 for 3.

In company with Deonarine Seegobin who was unbeaten on 4 at the close, Chanderpaul pushed Demerara to their close of play total, hitting the final delivery of the day from Avishkar Sewkarran for four through midwicket, to be unbeaten on 113 (265 balls, 13x4).

Meanwhile at Everest, Berbice closed the opening day with a first-innings lead of 46 runs with five wickets in hand, reaching 168-5 in 49 overs, with opener Balchand Baldeo unbeaten on 64 (3x4) and Hakeem Hinds 12.

Earlier, Berbice bowlers put up a good show to restrict Essequibo for a paltry total of 122-9, with Keanu Harry unable to bat, requesting time off to write his Caribbean

Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) exams.

The Essequibians had no answer to combat the skills of the Berbicians’ attack, with off-spinner and skipper Sharaz Ramcharran, turning the ball appreciably. He was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 4-25.

Apart from Mahindra Balbadar (39), three other players, opener Avenash Persaud (37), Akil Wallace (12) and Travis Drakes (11) reached double digits with the innings coming to an abrupt end after lunch with only 43 overs bowled.

Medium pacer Grisean Grant scalped 3-27 and legspinner Viendra Gooniah had 2-24 in support to Ramcharran, following which Hetmyer, Viendra Gooniah (17), Ashkay Homraj (18), Ramcharran (2) and David Latchaya (17) were all dismissed by the Cinderella County lads.

GCB says BCB/BCCI 2014 Independence Cup not approved

Fraser-Pryce opens with victory, Ashmeade steals win

By Calvin Roberts

DOHA, Qatar (CMC) – World and Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce opened her IAAF Diamond League campaign in winning fashion when she stormed to victory in the 100 metres at the Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix here yesterday.

The Jamaican sprint queen got off to a good start and pulled away from the field, but was forced to fend off the fast-finishing Nigerian Blessing Okagbare, to cross the line first in 11.13 seconds.

Okagbare was second in a season-best 11.18 seconds while Kerron Stewart of Jamaica was third in 11.25.

“It was a good race, the crowd definitely is a plus, very diverse, energetic and supportive,” said FraserPryce.

“Now my goal for the season is to break the 22 seconds barrier in the 200 metres and in Shanghai (second Diamond League meet) I will run the 200 metres.”

Admittedly, Fraser-Pryce was without real competition in the event as three of her major rivals – American Carmelita Jeter, the Ivory

… ORGANISERS CONTINUING WITH PREPARATIONS

PRESIDENT of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Drubahadur last Wednesday issued a press release saying this year’s Berbice Cricket Board/ Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industryorganised third annual Independence Cup T20 is not a sanctioned event, adding that it is unauthorised and unapproved cricket.

The full message sent via email and signed by the GCB head and also carbon copied to several other individuals including Roland Holder of the West Indies Cricket Board can be seen below.

“The Guyana Cricket Board was made aware, via the media, that an unauthorised cricket competition dubbed ‘Independence Cup’ is scheduled to be played in Berbice on May 25, 2014.

All players, clubs, officials, venues and administrators are reminded that the list of approved cricket for Guyana can be viewed on the WICB website, www. windiescricket.com.

All members are requested

to inform their players, clubs, officials and venues that sanction/penalties for participation in disapproved cricket can also be viewed on the WICB website.

I take this opportunity to remind all stakeholders that the authority for approving cricket, not on the preapproved list, is the West Indies Cricket Board, who may delegate such authority to the Guyana Cricket Board.

The Berbice Cricket Board is not authorised to approve cricket not listed on the WICB list of approved cricket.

All players, clubs, cricket associations, members of the GCB, officials and sponsors are hereby informed that the competition called “Independence T20 Cup” is unauthorised and unapproved cricket.”

Meanwhile, Chronicle Sport spoke with Chairman of the Organising Committee of the BCB/BCCI Independence Cup Anil Beharry via telephone and learnt that preparations are still ongoing towards the hosting of the event which is billed for the Albion Community Centre ground on Sunday May 25.

“Basically, we have not met

as an Organising Committee, but we will continue with our plans to go ahead and host the tournament which is in its third year,” said Beharry, who also holds the office of first vice-president within the BCB.

Anil Beharry

He added, “This tournament is not a BCB tournament only, but a joint venture between the BCB and BCCI and one which sees all proceeds go back to charity and we are surprised to receive such a letter, as we never had such a problem before for the hosting of the tournament, which is included as an item on the Calendar of Events of the Regional Administration

of Region Six at this time of the year.

In addition to that, it is one which brings families together for entertainment purposes, while at the same time enabling the two organising bodies who joined forces to make it a reality, namely the BCB and BCCI, to fulfil its mandate.”

Beharry said he hopes good sense will prevail and the tournament is allowed to play, adding that strong accountability is one of the backgrounds it has strived on, with the GCB being in possession of last year’s report.

Several prominent players from Berbice and Demerara, such as Assad Fudadin, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Rajiv Ivan, Shimron Hetmyer, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Jonathan Foo, Kevin Ramdeen, Raun Johnson, Christopher Barnwell, Leon Johnson, Zaheer Mohamed, Chanderpaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul among others are scheduled to compete on the day.

Coast’s Murielle Ahoure and Jamaican Veronica Campbell-Brown – were all absent.

In the men’s 200 metres also devoid of the major world stars, Jamaica clinched a one-two finish with Nickel Ashmeade upsetting Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir.

Ashmeade produced a steady performance to clock 20.13 seconds and out-pace Weir, who struggled from the start and through the curve, to post a time of 20.31.

Qatar’s Femi Ogunode was third in 20.38 with Jamaica Rasheed Dwyer trailing in fifth in a season-best 20.48.

The 2012 European champion, Churandy Martina of Curacao who runs for the Netherlands, was a disappointing seventh.

Meanwhile, Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica was forced to settle for second as Kemi Adekoya of Nigeria stormed to a world-leading and national record 54.59 seconds in the women’s 400 metres hurdles. Spencer was second in 55.07 seconds.

The second Diamond League meeting is in Shanghai on May 18.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Sammy quits Test cricket See story on Page 37

Darren Sammy

Guyana retain Milex Cup at WIFSC in Jamaica

By Troy Peters GUYANA retained the Milex Cup, the symbol of long range shooting supremacy in the region, when they came out victorious in the Long Range Team match at the West Indies Fullbore shooting Championships being held at the Twickenham Park ranges in Spanish Town, Jamaica, yesterday.

The greatest challenge to the Guyanese shooters proved to be the windy conditions but the eight-man team shot a grand total of 676 points and 29 V-bulls to blow away their closest rival Jamaica by 30 points in the shooting match held over 900 and 1000 yards.

The Jamaicans ended on 646 points and 23 Vs, Trinidad and Tobago 610 with 7 Vs, Antigua/Barbuda 607 and 15 Vs and Barbados in the

cellar position with 565 with 14 Vs. The Guyana marksmen looked well coordinated as they battled intense winds and at one time a threat of rain but stuck to their task and recorded a combined 344 and 16 Vs at 900 yards led by Ransford Goodluck who shot 47 with one V-bull out of a possible 50 points.

Captain Mahendra Persaud shot 45.4, Ryan Sampson 44.2, Sigmund Douglas 44.0, Lennox Braithwaite shot 43.4, Leo Romalho 43.2, debutant Sherwin Felicien 40.1 and Dylan Fields 38.2.

The 1000-yard range provided a serious challenge to the teams but the Guyanese shooters feared better to record 332 points and 13 Vs, with Jamaica securing 306.9, Antigua/Barbuda 253.5, Trinidad and Tobago 275.1 and Barbados 253.5.

Turn to page 37

A happy Guyana team after they retain the Milex Cup yesterday. (Troy Peters photo)

Ramdin appointed Windies Test captain BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – West Indies selectors have ended Darren Sammy’s near four-year reign as captain and appointed wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin in his place for the upcoming New Zealand series.

The announcement was made by the West Indies Cricket Board via the online social network Twitter.

“Denesh Ramdin, the wicketkeeper/batsman, has been named new Test captain of the West Indies team. Congrats to him on the appointment,” the tweet read.

“The WICB also thanks Darren Sammy for his time at the helm as Test Match captain from November 2010. He will remain as T20 captain,” the Board added in another tweet.

New Zealand arrive later this month for a three-Test series, starting in Jamaica on June 8,

and Ramdin said he was looking forward to the challenge before him.

“It is an honour to be named as captain of the West Indies Test team. This is a huge opportunity and as a unit we are capable of representing the people of the West Indies,” Ramdin said.

“It is something very special to represent the people of the West Indies and to be named to lead the Test team and chart the course forward is humbling and extra special.

“I thank the WICB for affording me this incredible opportunity and I also thank the TTCB for the opportunity to lead Trinidad & Tobago.”

It is the second time within the last year that Sammy has been relieved of his duties, following the appointment of Dwayne Bravo as One-Day captain last May.

Denesh Ramdin

West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron thanked Sammy for his commitment during his tenure.

“We thank Darren for his energetic and resolute leadership over the past four years and we continue to see his role as the Twenty20 captain as a critical one. The Board has approved the recommendation of the Selection

Panel,” Cameron said.

“We wish Denesh consistent success and commit the full support of the Board as he takes on the mammoth responsibility of Test captain.”

The 29-year-old Ramdin is vastly experienced, having played 56 Tests, 109 One-Day Internationals and 46 Twenty20s, and has had several stints as West Indies vice-captain.

He has led West Indies in a single ODI – against Bangladesh three years ago in Dhaka – and in three Twenty20s but has never captained in a Test.

Ramdin, the current Trinidad and Tobago skipper, is no stranger to controversy, however. Only last year during the Champions Trophy in England, he was fined his full match fee and suspended for two one-day matches for wrongly claiming a catch against Pakistan.

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

In 2012 during the Test tour of England, he was fined 20 per cent of his match fee for brandishing a hand-written sign in a taunt aimed at media pundit, West Indies legend, Sir Viv Richards, after scoring a century at Edgbaston.

Ramdin was also strangely overlooked for the ODI captaincy when Bravo was suspended for a game during the Celkon Mobile Cup last year, and Kieron Pollard was asked to lead the side.

Sammy meanwhile led West Indies in 30 of his 38 Tests, managing eight wins, 12 losses and ten draws. He has often been credited with uniting the squad and returning stability and discipline but his role as captain, which had always been under the microscope, came under new scrutiny following disastrous results on the Test tours of India and New Zealand last year.

Saturday, May 10, 2014