Guyana chronicle 16 02 15

GUYANA

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No. 104102 MONDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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President lauds gains made in education sector Page

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– particularly the achievements at the nursery level

President Donald Ramotar

AFC trumps PNC to secure dominant – secures 40% stake in role in Opposition coalition new six-party alliance 3

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Police find ganja field, gun and ‘ammo’ Page

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THE OBSERVER...

Has Trotman been left out in the cold? 9 Page

Schoolboy critical after speeding car slams horse into him

Guyanese-owned Fly Jamaica celebrates 2nd Anniversary

– at St George’s Cathedral

Fly Jamaica’s principals and staff outside the world renowned St George’s Cathedral, where they fellowshiped on Saturday to mark the airline’s second anniversary (Photo by Samuel Maughn) Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

President lauds gains made in – particularly the achievements education sector at the nursery level PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has said that given the gains achieved in the education sector, he is indeed proud of what has been accomplished under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic administration.

During his inaugural interview on the programme “At Home with the President”, aired last evening, the Head of State indicated that attaining full nursery and primary education in Guyana was just one of many goals achieved over the last two decades in office, with universal secondary education soon to follow.

Recapping the gains made in the education sector, President Ramotar noted that the achievements at the nursery level are not often highlighted. “I think it is extremely important in the competitive world that we live today, where we have science and technology, and education playing a bigger and bigger role in the country’s economic development.

It seems to me that if we give our children an early start, we give them an advantage to get along in their own personal lives. And

‘I think it is extremely important in the competitive world that we live today, where we have science and technology, and education playing a bigger and bigger role in the country’s economic development. It seems to me that if we give our children an early start, we give them an advantage to get along in their own personal lives. And it is an investment in our country’s future as we know they will be the driving force for our development in the future’ – President Donald Ramotar

Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, Region Four

it is an investment in our country’s future as we know they will be the driving force for our development in the future,” he said.

The 85% enrollment at the nursery level is one of the best in the developing world, and not just the Caribbean, he said, adding, “We are aiming to have full literacy by Grade Four.”

There has been international recognition of government’s efforts in this regard, and among those organisations offering assistance is the Global Partnership for Education, which has given a grant to help in the sector’s development.

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s invita-

tion for President Ramotar to sit on the UN Commission for Education was another indication of the recognition of the Guyana Government’s efforts in the sector, the president explained.

Asked what would be among his first priorities upon his re-election to office, President Ramotar said that would be to ensure that Guyana is able to achieve universal secondary education. This, he said, is in keeping with a promise made during the 2011 General Elections to reach this goal within five years. “And we were going to do it, were it not for the fact that the Opposition tried to close down the Parliament, and now forced us into General Elections.”

He added that with some 90% of primary level students going into secondary school, the aim is to ensure that, at a minimum, there is a secondary level of education, attained across the board, locally.

The fact that human capital is the most important factor for any nation’s development was reiterated by President Ramotar.

“Therefore, achieving universal secondary education is extremely important for the future development of our country, as it is for the individuals”. To this end, he said, there are plans in train for three new secondary schools, one at Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara to house at least 1,000 students, one at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara and another at Soesdyke for

similar number of students.

Others are scheduled also to be constructed in various Hinterland communities.

The $780M Kato Secondary School in Region Eight is expected to be completed shortly.

Government intends to continue its focus on training teachers, with an emphasis on specialist educators, President Ramotar added, to increase pass rates at CXC and other exams across Guyana.

There must be an emphasis on the equality for both genders, and experts have been asked to address the issue of young boys not matching their female counterparts in the school system, the president further added.

He said that while the dropout rates of males has been reduced, it is a problem that affects other nations as well, hence assistance has also been sought from Caricom to address this challenge.

As part of preparing the young population for the future, President Ramotar spoke of the equipping of schools and other educational facilities with laboratories and the introduction of more “inquiry based education” at the primary levels to encourage the enthusiasm for science and technical based subjects.

Teachers will also benefit from overseas training and scholarships to boost the capacity in the aforementioned areas. The use of local resources, the president said is another area that can help to stimulate and drive the country’s scientific development and that of the Caribbean and further afield by attracting students who wish to come and study Guyana’s unique offerings.

He pointed out that with some 80% of this country’s bio-diversity still relatively intact, it is a resource that can be shared with others.

The increased spending in the educational sector will also ensure that the future generations can take advantage of new industries such as oil and gas production which is to become a reality. The Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, it was explained, will add to the creation of an industrial manufacturing sector and an agro-industrial complex.

“Technical education will be of extreme importance; the creation of jobs for our people, not only in the city but in the countryside, like where we have agro-processing, and in the interior where we can have wood processing and different types of things that we can do.”

The creation of jobs, many of which would be high-paying would redound to the benefit of the population as a whole, the president noted.

Asked about the role of the University of Guyana in the local education system, President Ramotar said the institution is “close to his heart” since he was a former student. Explaining that UG was founded by the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan despite opposition from political opponents, the president said that the vision that it will play a bigger role in Guyana’s development remained intact. Money has been set aside to improve the laboratories, library facilities and general infrastructure, as part of the need to lift standards to make it world class,” he stated, “therefore we have to have a stronger

teaching corps, more lecturers with masters and PhDs to be lecturing.”

More research can also be done and the university needs to be on the “cutting edge” of this area. More accessibility is also another issue that will be addressed.

This will be done with the use of information technology, so that potential students, who are unable to physically be present, would still have access to the various subjects. The aim, eventually, he said is to make UG a leading center for bio-diversity studies.

With regards to the current impasse and strike action, he said it is “unfortunate”, since the issue is really about the administration’s objective to “lift the quality, they are following the government in wanting to build a world class university and give our students standards too. Many of our students complain that they don’t get marks early and they have to wait for a very long time and all of these things are what the vice-chancellor and the administration are demanding from our lecturers. I hope they will be able to resolve this matter in the speediest time”.

In response to calls by some for government to become more directly involved, President Ramotar said there are procedures that have to be followed as part of the collective bargaining agreement and once this is adhered to, “they can find resolutions to these problems”.

Government’s vision for UG “continues” and in the near future, “it will be an institution that all Guyanese can very proud of,” he said in closing. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

AFC trumps PNC to secure dominant role in Opposition coalition – secures 40% stake in new six-party alliance

GOING into the coalition negotiation with the five-party A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the Alliance for Change (AFC) controlled 21 per cent of the Combined Opposition seats in Parliament, but came out with a guarantee of 40 per cent of the Cabinet, and at least 12 Parliamentary seats, should they succeed at the May 11, 2015 General and Regional Polls.

Analysts have since concluded that the Minority Opposition Party has trumped the larger five-party APNU, which held 79 per cent of the Opposition seating arrangement in the House going into the negotiation.

APNU consists of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR); the Working Peoples’ Alliance (WPA); the National Front Alliance (NFA); the Guyana Action Party (GPA); and the Justice for All Party (JFAP) coming together to control a total of 26 seats, while the AFC controlled seven in the 10th Parliament.

The AFC has also secured, through the negotiations, the post of Prime Ministerial Candidate for its front-runner, Moses Nagamootoo, along with two Vice-Presidential posts.

WELCOMED OUTCOMES AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, during the announcement of the coalition over the weekend at the Georgetown Club, welcomed the outcome.

Ramjattan was asked to relay what message he intends to sell his supporters, since going into the talks, he was adamant that the Party would have to lead any Pro-Democracy Alliance established.

for the post of Prime Ministerial Candidate with Dr Rupert Roopnarine.

APNU/AFC Executives finalizing their press statement ahead of Saturday’s announcement (Photos by Adrian Narine)

The AFC leader told the news conference, “In view of the fact that there has been a tremendous climb as to the powers of the Prime Minister, we feel that it was an acceptable proposal.”

Explaining the negotiating tactic, Ramjattan, a practicing Attorney-at-Law said, “I start with very high standards in relation to bargaining.”

Opposition Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, was also asked to weigh in on the negotiating process, since admitting that both sides had to compromise on some of their demands, but he declined to comment.

Instead, the coalition’s Presidential Candidate told reporters, “I don’t want to go through the whole process of the negotiations; I don’t think it would be helpful.”

According to the Opposition Leader, “Both sides went to the bargaining table with certain expectations, and I don’t believe there is any virtue in raking over the coals

now, to see who won and who lost.”

Under the proposed Combined Opposition’s ‘Cummingsburg Accord’, a successful Granger will have to turn over a number of new powers to the AFC-nominated Prime Ministerial Candidate, Nagamootoo.

These would include: Chairing the Council of Ministers (Cabinet); domestic national affairs (Home Affairs); recommending ministerial appointments and providing organizational structure for the ministries; as well as appointing of heads of agencies and non-constitutional commissions.

OUTSIDE THE CONSTITUTION Granger was asked to elucidate on just how the coalition plans to effect the changes, since the new powers for Nagamootoo as Prime Minister were not catered for under the Constitution.

According to Brigadier

(rtd) Granger, these new powers will be delegated.

The AFC, he reminded his audience, is already guaranteed certain positions in the Cabinet, should the coalition succeed; and as far as chairing the Cabinet, a function constitutionally eschewed on the President, Granger said the President will still hold the prerogative to chair the meetings, but under the agreement, the powers will be Nagamootoo’s.

Under the ‘Cummingsburg Accord’, the AFC will be given the two Vice-Presidential posts; and according to Granger, this is catered for under the Constitution, and has been utilized under the administrations of both the PNC and PPP Governments.

The use of the post of Vice-President, according to Granger, “is to reinforce that principle of representation.”

Contesting the 2011 General and Regional Elections, the WPA, under the umbrella of APNU, had campaigned

WPA OUT The WPA Leader was not present for the weekend news conference, but was represented by political activist, Tacuma Ogunseye, who told media operatives that WPA’s not holding the post of Prime Ministerial Candidate for the 2015 elections came through compromise.

“We are satisfied that we made the necessary compromise... The WPA is not too over concerned with the fortunes of the Party; we are concerned with the fortunes of the country,” said Ogunseye on the WPA’s ceding the post of Prime Ministerial Candidate to the AFC. Under the ‘Cummingsburg Accord’, the AFC and APNU, two arch-rivals at the 2011 General and Regional Elections, would be contesting the 2015 polls, fielding a single list of candidates. The announcement on Saturday last came ahead of any specifics, such as Party name, symbol, and regional arrangements, among other issues.

The APNU/AFC merger would field Granger as its Presidential Candidate, whilst Nagamootoo would be fielded as the Prime Ministerial Candidate.

NEW REGIME The merger of the two political forces has also promised to usher in an entirely new regime of Government, should it succeed in gaining office.

As announced by Granger, “In the construct of a new Government, the APNU would be allocated one Vice-President, and the AFC two Vice-Presidents, (all) of

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

whom would be members of the Cabinet.”

The coalition also proposes to reorganise the role of the President. According to Granger, the President would hold the portfolio of Head of State, and would be Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief, having responsibility for the appointment of constitutional agencies and commissions. Foreign Affairs, International Relations, National Security Policy, the Defence Board, the Joint Intelligence Committee and other such organizations would also fall under the direct stewardship of the President.

The two parties are currently still engaged in meetings to iron out all of the activities associated with preparing a single list and a joint campaign launch.

The APNU negotiating team included Carl Greenidge, Dr George Norton, Joseph Harmon, Basil Williams, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Sidney Allicock and Keith Scott; while the AFC team included David Patterson, Dominique Gaskin, and Rajendra Bissessar.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

White House says Congress shouldn’t sidestep Islamic State measure

By Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON,(Reuters) - White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough yesterday said the Republican-led Congress should not sidestep the president’s request to formally authorise military action against Islamic State forces, saying lawmakers must not “take a pass”.

Under President Barack Obama’s orders, the U.S. military has carried out air strikes against Islamic State

forces in Iraq and Syria since last summer but has done so without explicit authorization from Congress.

Obama sent a formal request to Congress on Wednesday but ran into immediate resistance both from Republicans who want stronger measures and from many of his fellow Democrats wary of another war in the Middle East.

Despite differences that could make passage of a resolution difficult, McDonough said: “What they shouldn’t do this time is

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough

what they did in 2013, when they took a pass on this issue.” Congress can change the language in the proposed resolution, he said, but not avoid action altogether.

“They need to take a position, to say what they are for and what they

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are against on this,” McDonough said on CBS’s “Face the Nation”. “It’s very important in questions of war and peace for Congress to be heard.”

Obama has defended his authority to lead an international coalition against Islamic State since

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Aug. 8 when U.S. warplanes began attacks in Iraq. The formal request he sent last week, which would cover the next three years, eased criticism of Obama’s failure to seek the backing of Congress, where some accused him of exceeding his constitu-

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tional authority.

In 2013, Obama sent draft legislation to Congress for authorization to use military force in response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria’s civil war. Ten days later he asked Congress to postpone the vote while he pursued a Russian proposal for international monitors to take over and destroy Syria’s arsenal of chemical weapons. The vote in Congress was never held.

House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, speaking on the “Fox News Sunday” program, said “it’s too early to predict” whether Congress will pass authorization legislation for the fight against Islamic State.

Boehner said House Republicans plan “exhaustive hearings” on the matter. “The president is asking for less authority than he has today under previous authorizations. I don’t think that’s smart,” Boehner said.

Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, also speaking on CBS, said “robust” hearings were planned in the Senate.

Obama’s plan does not authorise “longterm, large-scale ground combat operations” such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. The draft allows for certain ground combat operations including hostage rescues and the use of special forces.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Son of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet resigns THE son of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet has resigned as head of a government charity.

Sebastian Davalos was accused by the opposition of using his influence to get a large bank loan for his wife.

A company run by his wife had used the money to buy plots of land and then sell them at a large profit.

Chile’s national bank regulator had cleared Mr Davalos of any wrongdoing but the issue became a political scandal.

He apologised for the harm his action had done to his mother and to the Chilean government.

Mr Davalos apologised for what he described as “this bitter moment”.

He had been accused

Sebastian by opposition politicians of peddling influence after he attended a meeting between his wife and a Banco de Chile employee, after which his wife was offered a $10m (£6.5m) loan.

His wife’s company used the money to buy plots of land in central Chile which her company then resold for profit.

President Bachelet is

Davalos Chile’s first woman president. She returned to the presidency for a second term in March after a four year break.

During those years she served as the first executive director of the newly created United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

(BBC News)

Caribbean nationals among 5,000 new US citizens WASHINGTON, (CMC) – The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says it will honour Presidents Day today by welcoming 5,000 new US citizens, including Caribbean nationals, during naturalization ceremonies across the country.

Today, the US will celebrate Presidents Day to honour the birth of George Washington, the nation’s first president and all presidents who have led the country.

Every year the USCIS marks the holiday with a week of special naturalization ceremonies across the country.

“Congratulations to the nearly 5,000 immigrants who will become US citizens around Presidents Day,” said USCIS Director Leon Rodriguez.

“Citizenship is a critical component of immigrant integration. It provides immigrants with an equal footing and fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion that strengthens the bonds of shared ownership in society,” he added.

“USCIS said its Deputy Director Lori Scialabba will provide congratulatory remarks to 200 people at a naturalization ceremony in Boston on Tuesday.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah Saldana will deliver the keynote address in Virginia on February 22.

OAS Anti-Corruption Mechanism to visit Antigua WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS) says Antigua and Barbuda has given consent to receive on site visits as part of the Fifth Round of the Mechanism for Follow-up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC).

The OAS said St. John’s has joined the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama in doing so.

The five countries notified the MESICIC Technical Secretariat of their decisions in accordance with the Methodology for Conducting On-

site Visits.

It said the five countries also consented to and received on-site visits during the Fourth Round ov Review.

For the Fifth Round, which begins in March, the MESICIC Committee of Experts will review the implementation of the provisions in Article III, paragraphs 3 and 12 of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption.

The OAS says the provisions refer to the “needed instruction to government personnel and the study of preventive measures that take into account the relationship between equitable

compensation and probity in public service.

“Moreover, the Committee will analyze the follow-up on the recommendations formulated to the States Parties in the Second Round, on topics such as public procurement, hiring of public servants, whistleblower protection and the criminalization of acts of corruption under the Convention,” the OAS said.

It said the “affirmative answers” from these five countries join those previously expressed by Chile, Mexico, Guyana, the United States, Peru and Uruguay.

Young JLP members concerned about current state of party KINGSTON, Jamaica – Senior Vice-President of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) young professionals arm Generation 2000 (G2K), Matthew Samuda has said that the young JLP members are concerned about the current state of the party.

Samuda, who was speaking at the the G2K Youth Conference currently taking place at the University of the West Indies said that the young people have expressed concerned to him that the party seems not to be in a state of readiness for the upcoming elections and its appearance of not being united.

“The JLP on its worst day is better than the PNP on its best day,” he said. Meanwhile, Young Jamaica President Howard Chamberlain urged young people not to give up on the JLP.( Jamaica Observer).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Guyana Editorial

The beast within THE human condition presupposes certain humane qualities as a norm.

However, events in history have proven this perception to be a fallacious expectation, demonstrating throughout the existence of mankind that there are more Cains than Abels in the family of mankind.

There are many forms of beasts in human bodies, and those who commit personal violence on family members whom they are supposed to protect and care for are some of the most bestial.

Domestic violence has reached epidemic proportions, and, given its almost daily, unabated occurrences -- many times to the extent of murder-it seems there is an escalation rather than a deceleration of violent episodes within family enclaves. This is a clear threat to the very existence of the important institution of the family, the consequences being dislocation at every level of the family unit, with children being the ultimate victims.

Many times, the culmination of an abusive situation is murder and/or murder/suicide – fatal consequences which violently terminate the life of one or both spouse. However, most of these

incidences result in the death of the wife, with the husband being jailed for long enough durations that the children virtually become orphans.

Sometimes the injuries received as a result of such battery leaves crippling injuries which, to all intents and purposes, practically leaves her crippled - unable to fend for herself, much less her children, for the rest of her life.

Inescapable is the fact that one parent being continuously battered by another in the presence of her family leaves lifelong psychological and emotional scars on the children, with consequential aberrant behaviour in their adult lives.

Without disregarding the fact that men do have their share of interpersonal frustrations, and are sometimes unable to effect solutions to problems, a mature, right-thinking man ought not to vent his ire on any family member. Resorting to such murderous acts can never resolve problems, but perpetuate them instead.

Virtually negligible in males who indulge in substance abuse is the resort to dialogue and discussion, which is pivotal to the resolution of problems: Instead hectoring and abuse of family

The AFC finally shows its true colours UPON formation, the Alliance for Change (AFC) said it would NEVER join with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nor with the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Yet, for years now, the AFC has been joining forces with the PNC. And after Saturday’s pronouncement, the AFC has finally officially joined the PNC bandwaggon, the APNU. How does the AFC justify betraying its supporters for political power? Can they be trusted?

And, speaking about trust, how would the AFC trust David Granger after he backpedalled on the Linden Electricity Issue?

What can be more demonstrative of powerhungry politicians bent on fulfilling their ambitions than those of the PNC/APNU and AFC coalition to overthrow the democraticallyelected PPP/C? SEAN McLEAN

members by males who are frustrated by their own failings seem to be their panacea for their shortcomings.

As a result, the overwhelming evidence, thus far, is of women being brutalised for years at the hands of their husbands/ companions, often suffering injuries, until their lives are finally extinguished.

The spontaneous nature of sadistic attacks on helpless family members is sometimes encouraged by other family members with a grudge against the victims, or even neighbours who see the consequences of their strive-making as a side-show for their titillation – homegrown entertainment.

The victims who are killed are made victims again when they are no longer able to defend themselves and the perpetrators and their families, in attempts to prove that the man was rendered temporarily insane through a fit of jealously, accuse the woman of immoral actions and infidelity.

An abusive male spouse degrades his manhood, because he is responsible

for the protection of his family, their emotional and psychological wellbeing; and for the provision of their needs.

Abusing his wife decimates her dignity in the wider society, and compromises her very important role of motherhood.

Traumatising his children through his violent, irrational actions gradually undermines the family foundation, with the children often in turn becoming wayward.

This catalyses dangerous, psychological traumas in children who are forced to witness the excruciating pain inflicted by their father on their helpless mother, which often eventuates in catastrophic consequences in a neverending cycle of aberrant behaviour.

Unless and until men learn to contain the beast within, the scourge of domestic violence and its disastrous fallout will forever reverberate in the soul of families and nations.

Extra lessons: Not every parent can afford it CERTAIN teachers at a certain Primary School on the Corentyne are keeping extra lessons at the school, and charging each child $500 weekly.

Most kids attend these lessons. Hence, if parents don’t send their kids, those kids will be behind in the classroom, because the ‘lessons children’ do most of the stuff the other kids have to wait to do in school.

Grade Four is an examination class, and I know

that smart kids can do well, but at the same time, my point is, teach all the children the same thing in the class. I know teachers want to make an extra dollar because the salary is small, but they have to consider that not every parent will be able to afford it.

CONCERNED PARENT

AFC will soon find out the cost of betrayal THE Alliance for Change has made its worst strategic blunder in its short lifespan. For the first time I have witnessed such intense anger being focused directly on the treachery and lies being peddled by the AFC.

I have written volumes about the lies and deceit, but for the first time, many Berbicians who have supported the AFC in the past, have come out openly and condemned the coalition between See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

AFC will soon find out the cost ...

From page 6

the AFC and APNU, and are crying betrayal. Sugar workers are so angry that they have become paranoid.

Ever since the prorogation of Parliament, presenters such as Ramayya, Ramjattan, Samad, Mark Ross and Charrandass Persaud have been vociferously denying the coalition talks between APNU and AFC. But the truth is now in the open.

On Saturday, February 14, Dr Ramayya was vociferously attacked by callers into the AFC programme on DTV, who called him a pathological liar, and one who betrayed the trust of AFC supporters in Berbice. Ramayya had on numerous occasions made claims that if the AFC should ever coalesce with APNU, that he was going to resign from the AFC and from politics. The callers asked him why he was still on the programme, and he tried his best to divert from the questions by drawing

attention to an unrelated article in the Kaieteur News. The ‘leader-ornothing’ stance has left the AFC with just ‘nothing’. The AFC support in Berbice is now dead, and the AFC has become ‘dead meat’. This is the only truth Ramjattan has uttered in recent times! Mr Edwards, the ex-General Secretary of the AFC told me this a long time ago.

However, I was surprised by the fact that the coalition will give birth to three Vice-Presidents. If I could recall, Nagamootoo always spoke about Dr Jagan wanting a ‘lean and clean’ government, and cannot fathom the leanness of three Vice-Presidents in this context. The coalition seems bent on following the Burnham Touch from the inception. Vice-Presidents are a product of the dark PNC era. PPP members who defected were given Vice-Presidential positions to reward them. The same

modus operandi is used to reward defectors from other Parties. Is this a coincident or a premonition of what is to come?

Moreover, I have learnt, with some amusement, that the President will ‘delegate’ additional powers to the Prime Minister under the Accord. I do hope that Moses is aware that such delegation cannot work, as long as it is in direct contravention of the Constitution.

The Constitution clearly sets out the duties and responsibilities of the Prime Minister; and that is the Supreme Law of the land.

At this point, I want to draw attention to a serious racist attack on the PPP

by Dr Ramayya. This racist attack is mischievous, and is aimed at inciting racial strife among Indian supporters of the PPP and Afro-Guyanese supporters of APNU. He categorically stated, among other things, that “the PPP hates

Black pPeople and does not want a black man to run this country.” He insisted that this was being peddled by PPP officials.

This man should be reported to the Ethnic Relations Commission, since it can ignite racial strife, especially at this time, with elections around the corner.

Lastly, Ramayya said that Moses was so happy that he cried, but a caller reminded him that Moses must have cried for the Presidency, and that soon AFC will be kicked out, just like what happened to the UF. The greed for power and money can make people insane. I leave this quote to the AFC leaders: “Those who do not know the value of loyalty can never appreciate the cost of betrayal,” but they will soon find out the cost of betrayal!

HASEEF YUSUF AFC Councillor-Region 6

What do 1964 and 2015 have in common?

–––The choice before us as Guyanese people

IF YOUR answer to the question above is “the return of Opposition coalition for political seizure”, then jackpot! There is an old saying that says, “You cannot solve today’s problems with the same intelligence that created it.”

The choice before Guyanese people on May 11, 2015 would be one of either: Choosing a path that offers hope and security of property, prosperity and a decent way of life; a path that we have been on since 1992, versus a path of uncertainly, insecurity and fear of a return to the brutish reality, where the rule of law had no place in society; a path that we were on from 1964 to 1991.

The recent coalition of the APNU and AFC is a clear indication that ceasing control of the State and controlling its resources is the end-game, at any cost.

But this should be no surprise to Guyanese, home nor abroad; this remains the signature and DNA of the PNC, since our independence; and further, this has been in the making between APNU and AFC since the 10th Parliament convened in 2011.

While there is no external Cold War as was the case in 1964, for which we can see our domestic politics as being critical to the geopolitical struggle, there is definitely an ongoing internal Cold War in 2015.

Understanding this internal Cold War is key to understanding the motive of the recent coalition. Understanding the motive of the coalition is sufficient for us to predict the reality that will follow, should it become successful at seizing control of the State. At the heart of it is pursuit of political revenge by the AFC and PNC. On the one hand,

leaders of the AFC want much revenge from the PPP/C for kicking them out of the PPP/C platform for their conduct and respect for Party policies and procedures. On the other hand, leaders of APNU are seeking revenge for being kicked out of power in 1992, or, put more bluntly, the PPP/C ending their 28-year vacation-with-pay.

The struggle is only disguised as being concerned for the economic and social wellbeing of the Guyanese people; it really is about the economic, social wellbeing and power of those seeking political vengeance.

This is ultimately what all this charade is about, a coalition worked the last time, so why not try it again!

Under the Ramotar administration, the combined opposition had every opportunity to prove to the Guyanese people that they are serious about the development of Guyana’s economy and make the hard policy choices, even when those choices offeredlittle or no political gains, to improve the economy. The question is, did they do this? The answer is clearly NO.Instead the headlines that the world have seen from the 10th Parliament that epitomized the backward thinking and attitude of the combine opposition were; “cutting budget allocations for the amaila falls hydro power plant, the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan international airport and the specialty hospital, stalling of the AML:/CFT bill amidst international blacklisting, cutting of government budget, vote of no-confidence against the government among others. These choices dealt huge blow on the economy and represent significant loss of potential investments, jobs and incomesby signaling economic uncertainty and political instability to

the world – everyinvestor’s nightmares.

The contribution of the leaders of the opposition to the death of Guyana’s economy during the 1970s and 1980s is unbelievable and unfortunately unware by thousands of Guyanese, especially the generation of 1990s and thereafter; this is understandable because they came at a time when a peaceful and happy life was possible and people were allowed to pursue their own happiness and prosperity freely. It was under their leadership these opposition leaders that the economy was declared bankrupt in 1988.

It was under their leadership that more Guyanese live outside of Guyana today than inside because of brutish attack on businesses and households creating the worse possible economy for anyone to live in. While some were fighting for freedom to express their right to vote, the same individuals were using state resources to prevent people vote from being counted. It is nothing short of being comical that these very individuals wants Guyanese to believe that they can manage Guyana’s economy and democracy.

Guyanese can look back and be proud of what they achieved as a people underJagan, Jagdeo and Ramotar administrations and more importantly do so with much anticipation of how much more was possible had the PPP/C had a majority in the 10thparliament.

GECOM and more specifically Dr. Surujbally owes much explanation to Guyanese people as to why thousands of ballots from PPP/C dominated communities were not counted in the 2011 elections. Not only did the Ramotar administration had to work tirelessly to ensure that Guyana’s economy continues to grow

amidst sluggish global and regional economic growth, but a significant amount of efforts had to be put into battling with opposition to ensure that they didn’t succeed in shutting down the economy entirely. How much more could have been achieved if those efforts were put constructively in planning for economic and social development? Something for us to think about.

It is no doubt that the PPP/C will evolve to ensure that it stays ahead of the economic and political challenges, some adjustments are necessary and I am sure the leadership have recognized this. But it is also clear that the PPP/C is the only party that have upheld strongly the most important democratic right of the people, i.e. “thefreedom to pursue happiness and economic prosperity, without fear”. With much more to say, I would end by saying to all Guyanese, that the choice before is clear. We can return to the days of brutality and economic murder of our own prosperity and freedom and that of our country and its people by allowing the APNU-AFC coalition to take away our hopes of a decent way of life or we can continue to press ahead with our work and efforts and continue to develop Guyana by ensuring that the PPP/C remains in office but more importantly return with a majority status. The choice is ours.

In the next edition of this article, we will discuss the economic and political reality under the 1964 coalition government and identify some crucial similarities that is before us today.

DHANRAJ SINGH AND STEPHEN KISSOON

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

GECOM responds to PPP’s concerns – about placement of registration offices

By Vanessa Narine THE placement of offices identified by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the Claims and Objections period, which started last Monday, reflect a “bias and lack of objectivity” by the Commission.

This is according to General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, who added that there is a reduced number of registration offices within large communities even though there is an overall increase in registration centres countrywide.

“For instance, three offices will operate in a small cluster in the Timehri/Soesdyke area, w h i l e t h e n e x t o ff i c e is as far as Grove. Another office is in Mo-

cha but none for Little Diamond/Herstelling/ Providence where the voting population is in excess of five times that of Mocha. Further, there are 13 offices in South Georgetown, while there a r e o n l y f o u r o ff i c e s in North Georgetown,” Rohee said.

He noted that compounding the issue is the uncoordinated visits to communities, particularly in the Hinterland r e g i o n , b y G E C O M ’s mobile units.

“Time and again, the Party had voiced concern over the use of mobile units during these periods…convenient days and times to residents must be a priority for GECOM when preparing schedules for outreaches,” Rohee said.

The PPP General Secretary expressed the hope that these con-

Police find ganja field, gun and ‘ammo’ – during anti-drug operation at Millie’s Hideout THE Police Narcotics Branch and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) yesterday in the Soesdyke/Linden Millie’s Hideout area discovered about 12 acres of marijuana plants, a .22 Taurus revolver and three shotgun cartridges and a cell phone during a drug eradication operation.

According to a press release, the joint operation was conducted yesterday with the aid of an helicopter in the Millie’s Hideout area along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The field under marijuana cultivation had about 80,000 plants, some as high as 11 feet. The fields of marijuana plants along with two abandoned camps were destroyed.

Earlier, a motor vehicle was searched along a trail and 550 grams of marijuana were found and four men have been arrested and are in police custody while the vehicle was detained.

cerns will be addressed

by GECOM in a timely manner so as to pave the way for free and fair elections and free from fear.

“The Party is confident that should these concerns be addressed in an efficient and effective manner the election results will be accepted by all Guyanese,” he said.

CONCERNS ADDRESSED M e a n w h i l e , G E C O M ’s D e p u t y Chief Elections Officer ( D E C O ) , Vi s h n u P e rsaud, has since responded to queries regarding Rohee’s concerns.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he explained that GECOM established eight temporary offices on the East Bank of Demerara to supplement the permanent Registration Office at Diamond, the permanent Registration Sub-Office at Soesdyke and mobile operations at other locations.

Added to that, two temporary Claims and Objections Offices have been established, complementing the Comm is s io n ’s m a in o ff ic e at Diamond, to provide registration services to the villages of Grove and Diamond, which represents approximately

Clement Rohee

Vishnu Persaud

Steve Surujbally

one-third of the electorate on the East Bank of Demerara.

Persaud said, “There were successive cycles of Continuous Registration, and Claims and Objections exercises, the latter having been done in 2014, subsequent to t h e 2 0 11 G e n e r a l a n d Regional Elections.

These exercises showed a progressive decline in the number of persons applying for registration transactions “In the Claims and Objections exercises that were conducted in preparation for the 2006 and 2011 General and Regional Elections, persons residing between the villages of Herstelling and Little Diamond preferred to visit the permanent Registration Office at Diamond, instead of the temporary Claims and Objections Office at Covent Garden Secondary School, because of the distance from the

main road they had to traverse after disembarking public transport.

This is reflected in the low number of transactions done at that the Covent Garden Office.”

In respect of the claim that the next office after the cluster of three offices in the Timehri/Soesdyke area is at Grove, the DECO stated that it must be emphasised that “we have established Claims and Objections Offices at Supply and Friendship, i.e. areas that are progressively expanding in population, viz. Friendship, Supply and Land of Canaan.

“Little Diamond is not far removed from the permanent Diamond Registration Office,” he said.

Persaud stated too that the voting population of Mocha is more than half of all the villages between Herstelling and Little Diamond combined.

“Additionally, in consideration of the new housing development currently ongoing in Herstelling, Ramsburg, Providence etc., the temporary Claims and Objections Office in Mocha will be more easily accessible to those persons residing there as against one on the main road at Providence,” he said.

Additionally, G E C O M ’s C h a i r m a n , Dr Steve Surujbally, in an invited comment, told the Guyana Chronicle that he is in receipt of a letter outlining the PPP’s most recent concerns and an official response will be forwarded to the Party’s General Secretary.

In a prior comment, t h e G E C O M C h a i rman assured that the concerns of political parties, major stakeholders in the electoral process, will be addressed once it is communicated in writing to the Commission.

Guyanese-owned Fly Jamaica celebrates 2nd Anniversary – at St George’s Cathedral

The firearm, cartridges and cell-phone which were discovered yesterday

FLY Jamaica Airways on Saturday celebrated the second anniversary of its inaugural flight, and to commemorate this event, Chief Executive Officer Paul Reece, directors, management, staff and friends of the airline attended Mass at the St George’s Cathe-

dral in Georgetown.

Following the Service, the staff and invited guests were hosted to a breakfast at the Pegasus Hotel.

The Guyanese-owned airline was certified by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) to operate out of Jamaica in September

2012, and was given clearance to fly out of the United States in December the same year.

The inaugural flight was on February 14, 2013 from the Norman Manley International Airport, Kingston, Jamaica to the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York.

The airline operates out of the Norman Manley In-

ternational Airport, and flies to New York, Toronto, and Georgetown. The company at present operates two aircraft to service its four destinations, and has every intention of expanding its destination and fleet.

A number of actives are planned to observe the second anniversary at its various destinations. (Raymon Cummings)

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Has Trotman been left out in the cold?

W

ITH the Cummingsburg Accord, the agreement for a formal coalition between the two Opposition Political Parties in the National Assembly, the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), now a done deal and the positions of President and Prime Minister already settled, the question being asked in some quarters is: What about the other surviving Founding Leader of the AFC, Raphael Trotman?

It’s no secret that Trotman was never a part of the negotiating team that resulted in the Cummingsburg Accord.

Everyone knows he’d unceremoniously parted ways with the People’s National

Congress (PNC) under the leadership of Robert Corbin, when he called for the Party to apologise to the Guyanese people for the atrocities perpetrated during its 28-year rule.

This suggestion did not go down well with the then Party leader and many of his colleagues who were serving members of the PNC-led dictatorship, which saw many food items being banned, and many persons being criminalised for having such items in their possession.

Tr o t m a n h a s t i m e a n d a g a i n indicated that he is still interested in being a part of the political life of Guyana. As recently as Wednesday last, three days before the historic signing of the Accord, he indicated, by way

Schoolboy critical after speeding car slams horse into him

By Shirley Thomas A HORSE wandering along the Zeelugt Public R o a d , We s t C o a s t Demerara was last Saturday afternoon hit by a speeding motorcar and flung several feet away, slamming into a 13-year-old boy who had tried to jump away from

the car, but it was too late.

In a freaky chain of events, the horse was flung several feet away and slammed into the child, who was hurled into the air before landing on the roadway badly injured.

T h e c h i l d , Wa y n e Noel, of Zeelugt North, East Bank Essequibo, and

Injured schoolboy Wayne Noel

a student of Saraswat Primary School, at De Willem, was picked up and rushed first to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, before being transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, and finally to the Georgetown Public Hospital by ambulance.

He was admitted suffering injuries to his head, face and back; and a blow to his lower spinal area which is severely swollen. He was also getting seizures while at the Leonora Cottage hospital. At the GPHC, a CT-scan was done, and the results will be released to his parents later.

Wi t n e s s e s s a y t h e horse was killed on the spot and was lying in a pool of blood on the road with its entrails dislodged.

of an invited comment, that with the dissolution of Parliament, he intends to play an active role in the AFC. But with the AFC now absorbed into the APNU, there is seemingly no AFC for Trotman to return to. Further, his position with regards to the proposed apology needs to be clarified, as he will, if there is still a place for him in the Party, be returning to work with colleagues who were angered by his suggestion.

The AFC had emerged after Khemraj Ramjattan was evicted from the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and Trotman from the PNC/R prior to the 2006 elections. They’d both refused to join the PNC/R in a coalition to contest the 2011 elections, with

But less than 20 minutes later the boy’s parents arrived on the scene and the vehicle was taken away while the horse was still lying dead on the roadway.

The child’s deeply distraught father, Noel,

Ramjattan promising the membership that the AFC would never coalesce with the APNU. But in December 2014, he told supporters at the AFC national conference that the AFC was willing to lead a coalition to contest the next elections, and subsequently sent APNU a proposal.

At the end of the talks, it was agreed that APNU will be leading the coalition, a position they had insisted on since 2011. Now the burning question still is: Is there a place for Raphael Trotman in this new dispensation?

The AFC and the APNU together won a one-seat majority in the 10th Parliament, following the 2011 elections.

recalled that around 14:00 hrs, Wayne had asked to be allowed to visit a friend living a short distance away. With his permission, the child left, and by 16:00 hrs, as he was making his way back home he was involved in

the freak accident.

E v e n a s Wa y n e remains warded at the GPHC, his life in the balance, the horse has still not been claimed and the car remains in the custody of the West Demerara Police.

Wayne Noel’s distraught parents, Noel and Latchmin Baldeo

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

85 DAYS LEFT...

A week of happenings and hype

By Vanessa Narine A WEEK closer to the May 11 General and Regional Elections, and a week since the start of the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Claims and Objections period, and Guyanese now only have 85 days until their return to the polls.

For the most part, the last week has delivered good news to the electorate and other major stakeholders in the electoral process, in particular where response to the Claims and Objections period is concerned.

THOUSANDS RESPOND According to GECOM, thousands opted to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Claims and Objections period.

As of Friday, there have been approximately 1,369 new registrations; 550 changes and corrections to existing registration information; and 1,399 transfers, due to issues related to change of address, etc.

There have also been 477 replacements of identification cards on request; 139 retakes of photographs; and 25 objections.

The Claims and Objections period is the next step after a continuous cycle of registration, the last one being the Seventh Cycle of Continuous Registration.

Some 6,003 persons took advantage of the Seventh Cycle of Registration, which ended

on December 31, 2014. There were also 1,163 changes and corrections to existing registration information, which were done during the Seventh Cycle of Continuous Registration, as well as 1,248 transfers.

The Seventh Cycle of Continuous Registration commenced on November 30, 2014, and allowed persons the opportunity to register for the first time; conduct transfers; and make changes to their registration details.

Prior to the start of the Claims and Objections period, the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) was published to allow for review by eligible voters.

The PLE’s publication, as well as several other operational undertakings, had to be completed before a date for the Claims and Objections period was named.

What is clear is the usefulness of the ongoing Claims and Objections period.

DECISION MAKING Where there was uncertainty, however, was within the confines of the room in which the likelihood of the Alliance for Change (AFC) becoming the newest partner of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Coalition was being decided; as in whether or not there was going to be a pre-election alliance of sorts, although the dynamics of such a move is another grey area.

That anxiety was soon dispelled when on Saturday,

the two parties announced that they will be heading into the May 11 Elections as a coalition.

In other spheres, there is still need for greater clarity on what new issues, particularly social ones, will form part of political parties’ campaign platforms.

One particularly sentient issue is that of the legalisation of marijuana, or ‘weed’, as is the name by which the subject is more popularly known.

Both APNU and AFC have expressed an inclination to advance the legalisation of ‘weed’ in Guyana. Some politicos contend that this may well be an attempt to sway the new generation of voters, as well as being party to the historic rethinking of the herb by national leaders, as was evidenced recently in Jamaica.

Several States in the United States of America (USA) have also legalised the use and possession of marijuana.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) itself last July agreed on the establishment of a Commission to examine the possibility of decriminalising marijuana in the Region for specific purposes.

An important point some politicos say is being missed is that while the legalisation of ‘weed’ may sound ‘nice’, no attention is being placed on correcting the public perception that one can ‘walk around with their spliff’ .

Jamaica’s legislature debated for five hours, and

passed laws that resulted in the decriminalisation of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Having up to two ounces (around 56 grams) will only be punishable by a fixed penalty ticket, instead of a criminal charge.

Besides addressing the establishment of a licensing authority for the cultivation, sale, and distribution of marijuana for medical and therapeutic purposes, the Bill also proposes that the smoking of marijuana will be banned in public spaces.

The ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) has made it clear that the legalising of ‘weed’ has not been one of its considerations. So it remains to be seen if this hot-button moot becomes an addition to manifestos, or whether another issue will be the pick? Observers have indicated that gay and lesbian rights may be the other ‘swing issue’, given global and national trends.

But, as with everything else, only time will tell.

DEADLINES With that, Guyanese have set themselves another deadline: The launch of manifestos, the roadmap of each political party that outlines their vision of Guyana, post-2015.

Until then, we also await the announcement of leadership tickets and the official launch of campaigns, and even new political parties, as well as the dissolution of Parliament.

In the meantime, the

Claims and Objections period continues. It is a period that is necessary to finalise the Official List of Electors (OLE), which will facilitate voting on Elections Day, and is expected to come to aclose at the end of February.

Added to that, Nomination Day is expected to be approximately 32 days before May 11, and at this stage, contesting political parties will make their running official, as well as hand in their list of candidates, as in ‘would-be’ representatives of the Guyanese people, depending on the outcome of the polls.

And so, the wait continues.

In some areas, though, the wait may not be very long, if all goes well. And in this instance, the subject at reference is the timely delivery of election results.

Word is that the results of the Monday, May 11 General and Regional elections could be delivered by the next day, according to the GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally.

“If everything moves smoothly (no flippant or frivolous legal challenges; no weather-related setbacks; no eruption of violence, etc.), then we may deliver the results by the following day after the closure of polls,” a subsequent GECOM statement said.

According to the Commission, the challenges include: The number of logistical challenges directly related

to the geographic peculiarities that exist, not lastly in the hinterland areas; a number of unforeseen circumstances which can or may occur and which could have an adverse effect on the timely delivery of the elections results; the fact that political parties have the right by 12 noon on the Tuesday (May 12, 2015) to request a recount; and the fact that the entire mass of 212,000 square kilometers of Guyana represents one single constituency consisting of hundreds of thousands of electors responsible for the election.

“GECOM will do its utmost to produce prompt and early results, it cannot and will not do so at the expense of accuracy. GECOM would like to clearly reiterate that the delivery of accurate elections results remains one of the priorities of the Commission,” the Commission said.

Until then, GECOM continues in its effort to ensure the effective and efficient management of the May 11 elections. In the last week, Dr Surujbally has met with a delegation of elections experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss a number of issues, and there was an effort to ascertain key areas of possible United Nations electoral assistance.

As we head closer to ‘E-Day’, it looks like it’s going to be another ‘happenings’ week, in and out of the political arena.

REGION 6 COUNCILLOR CHARGES...

AFC betrays Berbicians by joining with APNU – Vice-Presidential posts contra Dr Jagan’s ideals THE Alliance for Change (AFC) has betrayed their supporters through one of their worst strategic blunders in their short lifespan by merging with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), according to Region 6 Councillor, Haseef Yusuf.

In a public missive yesterday, Yusuf accused the AFC of repeatedly lying to the people of Berbice that supported it at the last election.

“I have written volumes about the lies and deceit,” he said, “but for the first time,

many Berbicians who have supported the AFC in the past have come out openly and condemned the coalition between the AFC and APNU, and are crying betrayal…

Sugar workers are so angry that they have become paranoid.”

Yusuf, in his missive, reported that ever since the prorogation of Parliament in November last, AFC presenters such as Dr Veerasammy Ramayya; Party Leader Khemraj Ramjattan; Mark Ross and Charrandass Persaud, among others, have been vociferously denying

the coalition talks between APNU and AFC, “But the truth is now in the open.”

On Saturday last, according to Yusuf, “Dr Ramayya was vociferously attacked by callers into the AFC programme on DTV, who called him a pathological liar and one who betrayed the trust of AFC supporters in Berbice.”

He said that Dr Ramayya had on numerous occasions made claims that if the AFC should ever coalesce with APNU, he was going to resign from the AFC and from politics.

“The callers asked him

why he was still on the programme, and he tried his best to divert from the questions,” Yusuf said, adding: “The leader-or-nothing stance has left the AFC with just nothing. The AFC support in Berbice is now dead, and the AFC has become dead meat…This is the only truth Ramjattan has uttered in recent times… Mr (Sixtus) Edwards, the ex-General Secretary of the AFC has told me this a long time ago.”

Yusuf, in weighing in on the recently announced coalition, said, “I was surprised by the fact that the

coalition will give birth to three Vice-Presidents. If I could recall (Moses), Nagamootoo always spoke about Dr Jagan wanting a lean and clean government, and cannot fathom the leanness of three Vice-Presidents in this context.”

According to Yusuf, the coalition seems bent on following the Forbes Burnham principle, since, from the inception, Vice-Presidents are a product of the PNC era.

“PPP members who defected were given Vice-Presidential positions to reward them,” Yusuf said, adding: “The same modus operandi is used to reward defectors from

other parties.”

Asking of no one in particular, “Is this is a co-incidence or a premonition of what is to come?” Yusuf went on to say, “I have heard, with some amusement, that the President will delegate additional powers to the Prime Minister under the Accord; I do hope that Moses is aware that such delegation cannot work as long as it is in direct contravention of the Constitution; the Constitution clearly sets out the duties and responsibilities of the Prime Minister, and that is the Supreme Law of the land.”

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

$90.4M well commissioned at Manchester – to serve more than 2,000 residents

Minister of Housing and Water, Mr Irfaan Ali unveiling the plaque to commission the well at Manchester, in Region Six

Minister of Housing and Water, Mr Irfaan Ali, and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated, Mr Shaik Baksh looking at the Manchester well’s control panel

Some of the invitees to the commissioning of the Manchester well

The Manchester Water Well

RESIDENTS of Manchester, Lancaster and Liverpool, located in East Berbice-Corentyne, Region Six, are now accessing potable water, following the commissioning of a new well at Manchester.

The well was constructed at a cost of $90.4M by Water and Oil Wells Service Corporation Limited, and has a depth of 310 meters and a pump performance of 2.6 cubic metres per minute, the equivalent of 75 ‘black-tanks’ of water per hour.

Minister of Housing and Water, Mr Irfaan Ali; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Inc., Mr Shaik Baksh; and Region Six Chairman, Mr Permaul Armogan were among attendees of the commissioning on Friday.

Minister Ali spoke of the importance of development and its continuity, noting

that there was a time when the housing programme was non-existent. “But today,” he said, “we have a housing programme, which has moved the age of ownership from an average of 57 years to 34 years… There was a time when interest rates for homes were close to 40%; today you can get interest rate for housing at 4.2%. And there was a time when we had 0% coverage for treated water; today, we have close to 50% coverage of treated water.”

While the goal is to take treated water coverage to 60% in the short-term, Minister Ali noted that to achieve this, there is need for continuity of the development agenda, policy and predictability.

He said that even as the well was being commissioned, the way forward was also being planned, with a priority to ensure that every Guyanese has access to treat-

ed water.

INVESTMENT IN REGION SIX Minister Ali noted that in Region Six alone, the Government has invested a total of $6 billion, with a per capita of nearly $50,000 per person, towards the development of such major projects as the construction of new water treatment plants in Number 56 and Queenstown; and the installation of transmission mains in Skeldon; Number 74 to 75; Number 61 to 62; Letter Kenny, Adventure to Alness, Fyrish, Black Bush Polder, Canefield, Whim and Manchester.

There was an upgrade to distribution systems in Number 51 to 73 Village; Number One Road to Whim; Whim to Bush Lot; Goed Bananen Land; Number One to Number 50 Village; Number 67 to Crabwood Creek; and

Glasgow to Edinburg.

Other projects include the drilling of a new well in Canefield, Rosehall and Number 47 village, distribution upgrade in Angoy’s Avenue, transmission main in Mibicuri to Lesbeholden and Canefield to Reliance, among other areas.

Additionally, work is at present ongoing in Angoy’s Avenue, where 500 residents will benefit from improved water service.

Minister Ali also noted that the contract has already been signed for the construction of a new water treatment plant to cover villages from Sheet Anchor, Number 19 to Goed Bananen Land for which construction is expected to commence during this year, benefiting some 15,000 residents. According to the Minister, this will take the coverage of water in the region to 65%.

OVERALL TRANSFORMATION Over the past 15 years, the water sector has seen significant transformation in

the different regions where more people are receiving improved service across the country, inclusive of hinterland regions. Among the areas of priority were construction of new water treatment plants, drilling of new wells, upgrading of distribution networks and service connections and installation of photovoltaic system and gravity feet systems in the hinterland.

More than $20 billion has been invested in this sector with a per capita investment of nearly $30,000 per household over the period.

These investments resulted in the construction of seven new water treatment plants to increase coverage, drilling of 25 new potable water wells, rehabilitation of distribution and transmission networks, rehabilitation of sewer systems in Georgetown, and in the hinterland, development, inclusive of the construction of gravity feed systems, installation of photo voltaic systems and drilling of medium depth wells to improve service.

The impact of this invest-

ment has been tremendous, in that access to potable water increased from 26% to 50%, service was provided for in excess of 100,000 people for the first time, coverage to hinterland increased from 25% to 80% and coverage on the coast increase from less than 70% to 95% at present.

Meter coverage increased from 25% to 50% while a total of 25,000 pensioners are also being subsidised by Government.

In 2014, the rehabilitation of the Georgetown sewer system was completed as promised. Two new water treatment plants are under construction in Linden which will be completed in March 2015.

A new loan is being implemented to construct new water treatment plants at Uitvlugt, Region 3, Diamond, Region 4 and Sheet Anchor, Region 6 and expand the treatment plants in Georgetown to increase the treated water coverage.

This will intimately result in the improved standard of living for citizens. (GINA)

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

Inspirational speaker denies joining APNU campaign – refutes claim in Kaieteur News article

By Raymon Cummings INSPIRATIONAL speaker and CEO of BD1 (Better Define One) Astell Collins is saying that he has not joined the Opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) nor is he participating in their elections campaign as claimed in a Kaieteur News article published in their February 7, 2015 edition under the caption “Inspirational speaker joins APNU cam-

paign.

Collins visited the Chronicle’s office recently to correct the perception that was created by the article published in Kaieteur News.

He said that in the interview that he had with the editor of Kaieteur News, Adam Harris, he outlined the work that he was involved in since his return to Guyana in December 2012. He said the information carried in the first part of the article represents the essence of the interview,

but the final line of the article and the headline are a total fabrication. He said that at no time did he state, nor give the impression, that he was a member or supporter of the APNU. Neither did he indicate his intention to be involved in the election campaign.

The young inspirational speaker and published poet said that he has been working with youths across Guyana, and intends to continue doing so, as he has

a number of seminars and workshops lined up. He expressed concern that his work may be hampered by the story as published by Kaieteur News.

Collins said that since his return to Guyana, he has had speaking engagements with youth organisations that transcend any political, ethnic or religious barriers.

His aim, he emphasized, is to create an environment where people will be empowered to “be the change

Inspirational Speaker Astell Collins

they want to see.” He claims that his work among young Guyanese is aimed at forging unity and a true understanding of our national motto: “One People, One Nation One Destiny”.

Stating that he has no interest in campaigning for elected office, the inspirational speaker said that he intends to use his knowledge and especially his experience in South Africa in every way possible to benefit all Guyana.

Engineering conference told…

Awarding road-construction contracts to general contractors causes delays, cost-overruns

By Clifford Stanley AWARDING road-construction contracts, using general contractors, is one of the main reasons for project delays, cost-overruns and not achieving value for money.

Awarding contracts to specialised contractors employed to do specific activities within a project ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to high standards.

This was one of the perspectives advanced during the 5th Annual Engineering Conference, organised by the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW).

The point of the benefits of awarding contracts for specific elements of a project to specialists rather than an entire project to general contractors was advanced

by Sunil Ganesh, Project Manager of the Works Services Group(WSG) of the MoPW, during a presentation entitled: ‘Getting value for money in the construction sector’.

Ganesh argued that in a situation where both equipment and personnel are relatively scarce, awardees of contracts are compounding the problem by awarding contracts to general contractors who would need to acquire different and expensive

pieces of equipment to complete a geographically-determined section of the work.

He said that in retrospect, the disadvantages could be seen in relation to the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway, in which contracts were awarded in three lots, based on geography and not on specialisation.

In this case, each generalised contractor was expected to manage and execute all aspects of the job, including building the road, executing the pavement works, building the bridges, the culverts the drains works, etc; activities requiring multiple resources in terms of personnel and equipment.

“So,” he maintained, “if you have three different contractors doing all the work in their sections, you have to get three different asphalt plants; in the construction of the bridges, you have to get three different cranes, etc.”

He said that using a general contracting methodology in the awarding of contracts actually compounded the problem caused by scarcity of equipment and human resources, and had contributed to some of the delays recorded on this project..

“In such a case,” Ganesh said, “you are not getting the value for money, because you are actually spending more.”

In contrast, and in strong support of the advantages of awarding contracts on specific aspects of a project to specialists, he mentioned the experiences in road construction works on the East Coast of Demerara four-lane project, in which construction of the concrete drains represented 75% of the work.

He said that this project had been divided into seven lots, in which five lots were awarded to general contractors, and two lots were awarded to contractors who were more in the field of building and more specialised in concrete works.

“The result was that the lots which were awarded to the contractors who were specialised in concrete works were completed on time, whereas the five other lots in which the general road contractor had to find a variety of equipment to do all aspects of the work, were significantly delayed.”

He maintained that awarding contracts to specialists for a specific aspect of a project made full use of the financial synergies which aid in getting value for money.

The 5th annual Engineering Conference had been organised under the theme: ‘Defending Guyana’s development with engineering solutions’.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

Joyce Urmela Harris: The Queen of Chutney music SHE is here in Guyana for Mashramani 2015, and she intends to compete in the calypso competition, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Guyana’s own inimitable singer, songwriter and performer, Ms Joyce Urmela Harris, told this publication that she has been singing since she was 15 years old, and she is now 86. She competes in the categories of soca, calypso and chutney.

She migrated to the United States of America (USA) in 1989, but has annually

been returning to her homeland, especially for Mashramani.

This musician is classy and flamboyant in many ways. She is here to showcase her talent, and it is small wonder that she is the fourtime winner in several competitions and one of the oldest Caribbean singers as well.

Joyce is a mother of three and grand-mother of 11.

She came to fame when she belted out one of her special songs, titled “Taxi driver”, some years ago. She also sang a song, “the Legend of

Guyana”, which was a tribute to one of her sons, who passed away in an accident at the age of 22 years old.

Joyce says she has penned and sung more than 50 songs, and has also done voice commercials and advertisements for both local and overseas companies to promote their products. She says hers is the voice behind the Edward B. Beharry television advertisement Indi Special Madras Curry Powder.

While she resided in Guyana, Harris was a cop

‘International’ Hotel murder…

Husband on trial for killing estranged wife

By George Barclay JUSTICE Franklyn Holder and a mixed jury trying husband Vinood Balgobin for murder heard that his estranged wife, who had rented an expensive hotel room in 2013, was knifed

to death while in bed.

When the judge heard the receptionist say that the pretty East Indian woman had requested a TV room, he enquired of her(receptionist) whether the room looked like a T.V. She answered “No”, and

explained that the room was equipped with a TV. The receptionist then related that the rooms were rented for periods of three hours, six hours and 24 hours.

Some customers she said Turn to page 14 ►

for several years; and in fact she came from a military background, because several family members, including her father, served in the disciplined services.

Joyce says she sings religious songs – bhajans and does so for special events including weddings and birthdays. She is a gospel singer as well.

Harris is an entertainer on the chutney scene when overseas. She performs regularly, and has performed in many countries abroad.

Soca, Chutney and Calypso sensation, Joyce Urmela Harris

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

GECOM holds interactive session with – to enhance media operatives’ knowledge media operatives about local elections THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Saturday indulged in a oneday interactive session with members of the media at the St. Joseph High School, in an effort to enlighten them on various aspects of General and Regional Elections.

Opening the session, GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally declared the exercise of great importance in educating the media on the various procedures and on other important aspects during the elections period.

Dr. Surujbally said the exercise was being carried out so that members of the media can have a better un-

derstanding of elections, and thereby report correctly on issues pertaining to elections.

This, he said, is “to avoid the stirring up of trouble, because we don’t want elections that are scandalous, but one that is free and fair.”

“For instance, some of the new media personnel, and even some seasoned ones, might not understand the differences between the types of registration leading up to regional and general elections; therefore, this is a perfect opportunity to educate you on these and more aspects pertaining to elections,” he said.

That apart, Dr. Surujbally alluded to the fact that there are many misrepresentations

being displayed, sometimes in the news. Therefore, he said, the media has to be more responsible in how they relay their information to members of the public.

Moreover, he disclosed that the exercise is one which is expected to capture the interest of the media, and also enhance their knowledge and understanding of general and regional elections in Guyana.

In remarks before the session commenced, Chief Elections Officer Mr Keith Lowenfield said the exercise was being undertaken to educate the media on the processes relative to the conduct of elections.

“The exercise should

make the media intimately aware of the processes, so that we can work together in ensuring that the nation is informed as to what it is we’re doing, what is to happen next, and so forth…” he said.

Mr Lowenfield underscored that since the President announced the date for elections, apart from the session for the media, GECOM has been carrying out extensive training of polling day staff, new recruits and also exercises for the other staffers.

INTEREACTIVE SESSION The interactive session was facilitated by three

Husband on trial for killing... requested rooms with air conditioning units, while others preferred TV alone.

The woman, who turned out to be Maryann Sunita Nauth( now dead) had requested a TV room .

The girl was later found dead in bed and although the receptionist said that when the booking was done, the woman was alone, the police following investigations,instituted a charge of murder

against her estranged husband, Balgobin.

The prosecution is hoping to prove its case on the basis of circumstantial evidence.

The receptionist said that

GECOM staffers who, for 4 hours, enlightened members of the media on duties of the various personnel employed during the elections period, the appointment of these personnel, proxy voting, intermixing of disciplined services and non-resident ballots, treating with persons in the queue at 18:00hrs, among other issues.

The facilitators firstly engaged the media personnel on the duties of the Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Poll Clerks, Ballot Clerks and Information Clerks on the Elections Day (E-Day).

After that, they explained how Polling Agents are ap-

pointed by the various political parties. They said that the number of political parties involved during elections decides how many polling agents there are involved in the elections; because one agent is selected by each party, and under those agents are assisting agents who also oversee proceeding during elections day.

These were just some of the issues that members of the media were exposed to Saturday;but from the Guyana Chronicle’s point of view, the training was comprehensive, and should be able to guide all media operatives throughout the elections period.

From page 13

when she returned to work the next day, she was told about the incident that had occurred.

During the night, a security guard, as a result of certain information that had reached him, entered Room 209. He found the lights on and the partly nude woman in bed with a knife stuck in her abdomen.

Prosecuting for the state are Ms. Teshana Lake, Ms.

Orienthia Schmidt and Ms. Shawnette Austin.

Defence counsel is Mr. Compton Richardson. The accused Vinood Balgobin has pleaded not guilty.

Elizabeth Ramsammy said that on May 11, 2013, her son, the accused, left home for work, but up to nightfall he did not return, and she started to enquire about him.

According to her, he and

his wife had been separated.

Balgobin had been married about 13 years ago and had four children.

R e c e p t i o n i s t Ta n i k a Seecharran said that she collected $3,000. for the room, and directed her to Room 209.

The police, she said, had shown her a photograph of the woman which she identified as the person she had dealt with the day before.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

Japan plugs US$290,000 into youth empowerment

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett addressing the gathering at the signing on Friday

THE Government of Japan, under its Grassroot Human Security Project, on Friday pumped US$290,000 into three local non-governmental organisations to develop their infrastructural capacity, and enhance their skills training programme targeting primarily vulnerable youths.

The beneficiaries are Habitat For Humanity Guyana Ltd, the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre Inc, and the Special Needs For Life Inc. The financial assistance reflects the flourishing relations between the Government of Guyana and the Government of Japan.

A sum of US$100,684 has been awarded to Habitat For Humanity for construction of the Habitat for Humanity Resource Centre in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The grant came at a time when the charitable organisation is celebrating its 20th Anniversary here.

Speaking at the signing that took place at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Japan Embassy’s First Secretary, Takaaki Kato said, “We are delighted to be part of your journey, and support the invaluable work you do in providing not only low cost housing to individuals, but also your involvement in critical initiatives such as this project.”

Under the Japanese grant, the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre Inc has been awarded US$90,373 to fund a project entitled “The Project for Renovating the Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre”.

The church, for the past 20 years, has actively contributed to the educational and social skills development of the youth and adults of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). The grant will enable the church to improve efficiency and offer a more effective service to the community through the fulfillment of its

objectives.

US$99,142 given to the Special Needs for Life Inc will be used for construction of the Bina Hill Indigenous Youth Skills Training Centre, which is geared at empowering and motivating the youth of the North Rupununi District to further develop their skills and educational requirements, to prepare them for gainful employment.

Proud to support “The Government of Japan recognises the importance of developmental growth and educational stability within communities, and is very proud to contribute to the betterment of individuals’ lives through the Government of Japan Grant Assistance for Grass-root Human Security Projects (GGP). I have no doubt, therefore, that these projects truly address ‘basic human needs’; and we are very pleased that we can assist all three organisations with their noble objectives through the GGP,” First Secretary Kato said.

The two Governments have long enjoyed and benefitted from their friendly relations, actively cooperating in international fora and exchanging and sharing opinions on many important issues.

The Japanese diplomat said the signing of the grants is a demonstration of the strong bilateral relations between the two nations, not only through inter-governmental interactions, but also through cooperative efforts on a community-based grassroots-level.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett also said the occasion is testimony to the excellent relations between the two countries. She noted that it has borne fruit in many different ways.

The Japanese Government has assisted in the construction of the Caricom Headquarters, the New Amsterdam Hospital, the Corriverton Water Supply

Project, and the ongoing East Demerara Water Conservancy Project. Volunteers are also working in Guyana at several different agencies and Ministries.

Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that Guyana is a developing country, and while it has enjoyed eight years of consecutive growth, there is still a lot more to be done.

On this note, the Foreign Affairs Minister said assistance from the Japanese Government is always welcome, and she emphasised that her government highly values its relationship with Japan, as Japan lives up to all its promises.

“But let me also say that key to nation building is also the efforts of pro-development, pro-people non-governmental organisations, and it is for this reason I want to congratulate the people that are here today, the grant recipients…. Perhaps one might even want to say that they are unsung heroes in more ways than one. They go about doing their work, and we will probably read about it now and again, but they do very significant work,” the Minister said.

She said the money allocated to the three organisations will go a far way in helping to build a better Guyana. She noted that she is extremely pleased that the projects are focusing on youth.

Young people make up a significant number of the population, with approximately 40 per cent of the population being below age 40.

“So we have quite a young population, so the more opportunities we create for our youth, I think the better it is for our country,” Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said.

The signing of the grants was also witnessed by Guyana’s Honorary Consul General to Japan, Mr Kashir Khan, and Foreign Affairs Ministry Director General, Mrs Elizabeth Harper.

Habitat for Humanity Guyana National Director, Andrew Small sharing his thoughts at the signing of the grants. From left are Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Japan Embassy’s First Secretary, Takaaki Kato

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Guyana Sevashram Sangha cont

SUCCESSFUL medical a n d h a m p e r- s h a r i n g outreaches have assisted recipients countrywide, through a collaborative effort between the Guyana Sevashram Sangha (Cove and John Ashram), the Ministry of Health, and several donors, notably the Beharry Group of Companies, Techno Mill, Nehaul Rice Mill, S & S Supermarket, KK Gas Station, Nehaul General Store, Peppy’s business enterprises and other devotees and volunteers of the Sangha.

Special mention needs to be given to the New GPC INC., which has sustained the medical aspect of the Sangha’s outreach programmes with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of contributions in pharmaceuticals and other health aids to the medical aspect of the Sangha outreaches; as well as the NGO, Food for the Poor, which donated several items to the hampers that were shared to the needy and vulnerable in the Ashram’s ongoing seva (serving God by serving people).

The Ashram conducted its last outreach for 2014 at Port Mourant, in Berbice, on Sunday, December 21, at the home of popular Taan singer, Auntie Drupattie, who provided accommodation and refreshments for everyone. 2015’s outreach programmes will commence after Shivaraatri, which will be celebrated on the 17th and 18th of this month.

Dr. Mohanlall, who normally spearheads Sangha medical outreaches, had a prior commitment in Skeldon, but he made it a point to visit the Sangha outreach venue, both to ensure the process was proceeding successfully, and because he originated from Ankerville in Port Mourant, with roots buried deeply and ineradicably in that community. He, however, had facilitated the Sangha’s outreach by coordinating the medical aspect of it, whereby sufficient doctors and nurses joined the team to enable its success.

The doctors, nurses, and all the volunteers expressed their tremendous satisfaction at being able to help with such a wonderful initiative that provides relief and assistance to so many people.

While various teams are assigned to the outreaches in the different parts of the country, the Port Mourant outreach was manned by Dr. S. Itwaru and Dr. Quinn, who were ably assisted by nurses Prashad and Griffith.

In a brief address to the gathering, Dr Mohanlall explained that the Sangha’s outreaches w e re a d j u n c t s t o t h e G o v e r n m e n t ’s h e a l t h programme. Outlining some of the many excellent facilities that the Ministry of Health was providing to the public, he urged that patients and their relatives should demand and push healthcare workers to deliver optimum quality

of service.

PARENTAL FLAWS Bhaiji Ramnauth, official of the Sangha, warned of the consequences of parental flaws in the upbringing of their children, and encouraged parents to desist from setting bad examples, especially by sending their children to purchase substances such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages. He advised p a re n t s t o a l w a y s b e aware of their children’s proclivities, activities and whereabouts.

Ms. Rajkumarie Singh, Principal of the Hindu College, reiterated Bhaiji Ramnauth’s warnings, and supported his call to parents to be more pro-active in their children’s lives. She recommended that parents

encourage their children to read more to expand their intellectual capacities.

Focusing on the way the path to spirituality can enhance the quality of family life, co-ordinator of the Sangha outreaches and administrative head of the Guyana branch of the Sangha, Swami Shivashankaranandaji Maharaj recommended resorting to prayers to build one’s inner strength. This strength generated from veneration to the Lord, he asserted, is a panacea to ills plaguing Mankind, and helps humanity overcome obstacles in their pathways.

Focusing on the need to build one’s inner strength through meditation, Swamiji emphasised, generates positive energy that can prevail over difficulties, and transform lives away from

negative forces and actions.

He explained that the Sangha was established to serve God through serving people, and that the outreaches engaged in as a regular feature by Sangha members was merely a part of the whole of the Sangha’s programme to fulfill its mandate of service to the people of Guyana, wherever the need arises. He thanked the donors and the volunteers who contribute to the success of Sangha activities.

ACT OF PARLIAMENT T h e G u y a n a Sevashram Sangha was established by Act of Parliament in 1956.

But prior to this eventful legal proceeding, what was practically a series of miracles of human and spiritual input – well-

documented and much lauded, had established the Guyanese branch of the Sangha, which has become the pilgrimage site of millions of Hindus the world over, especially those former students of all races who had received tuition in academics as well as spiritual knowledge at the institution during their formative years.

After the founder of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha, His Holiness Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj left these shores, an unschooled orphan named Seecharran, who was transformed into a brilliant saint whom has tutored thousands of persons, many of whom now straddle the globe as super-achievers in every professional, spiritual or creative dynamic, continued to propagate the doctrines

Swamiji and volunteers on an outreach at West Berbice

Former President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (seated fifth right) always tries to make time to visit the spiritual guide of his youth, His Holiness Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj (Guruji), especially on the occasion of Shivaratri. Seen in picture during Shivratri 2011 with then President Jagdeo and Guruji are, from left, Pt. Krishna; Dr. Bobby Ramroop; Housing Minister, Mr Irfaan Ali; little Ashley Alfred; Administrative head of the Cove and John Ashram, His Holiness Swami Shivashankaranandaji Maharaj; former Finance Minister and dorm student of the Hindu College, Mr Saisenarine Kowlessar; former Tourism Minister, Mr Manniram Prashad; and Principal of the Hindu College, Ms Rajkumarie Singh

President Donald Ramotar greeting Guruji after the conclusion of the Shiva Raatri satsangh last year

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

tinues its outreach programmes of Guru Maharaj, which is in itself a miracle. This is a story that has become legendary during the lifetime of this great Saint, the current administrative and spiritual head of the Guyana and New York branches of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, His Holiness Swami Vi d y a n a n d a j i M a h a r a j (lovingly called Guruji),

who is the first Swami and indisputably one of the most dynamic spiritual leaders and successful educators in the western hemisphere.

Today, the Ashram is the pilgrimage site for Hindus in Guyana and throughout the world where Hindus of Guyanese origins reside continues its service

to mankind under the guidance of Swamiji Shivashankaranandaji Maharaj.

T h e G u y a n a Sevashram Sangha is inviting the general public to the celebration of Shivaraatri tomorrow (Tuesday, February 17), beginning at 0500 hours (5am).

Doctors examining and treating patients for various ailments

Dr. Mohanlall (left) and Dr. Quinn confer with other volunteers before commencing examination of patients

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, February 16, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Route 32 bus operators baulk at fares reduction request

THE United Minibus Union monitor, Cecil Waldron, on Friday morning held a meeting with Route 32 minibus operators at the Vreeden-Hoop minibus park, West Coast Demerara, to listen to concerns of bus operators pertaining to the proposed decrease in fares.

He told this publication that the Ministry of To u r i s m C o n s u m e r Affairs Department had asked that the Route 32 minibus operators lower their fares, but there were mixed reactions. As such, a decision was not taken.

Waldron added that opinions were expressed, and note was taken of the concerns which will be addressed by the Union at a meeting to be held soon.

He explained that minibus operators plying that route said that they load their buses on a “turn system”, and that as such, it could take four to five hours for a bus to fill.

T h e U n i o n representative said the fare structure which was agreed on September 18, 2014 by the United Minibus Association, the Ministry of Tourism and minibus operators still stands, which is $80 per person for short drops, and $300 per person from Vreed-en-Hoop to

Parika.

He stated that commuters had asked that with the lower fuel prices this year, the fares be reduced, but some said they could not manage that, since there are other factors involved, which should be considered.

At Friday’s meeting, about 35 to 45 minibuses with drivers and conductors were present to air their views.

The Route 32 minibus operators have three parks that are in Georgetown, Vreeden-Hoop and Parika, respectively.

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ARIES Intuition plays a large part in your work. You’re apt to sense what others want or need and foresee the consequences of one course of action over another. This is definitely going to make a positive difference in what you accomplish. You’re likely to be quite pleased with what you do. Exercise this intuition today so it will stay with you in the future.

TAURUS Information that you receive from far away could make doing business with a group you’re affiliated with that much easier. All looks promising for group activities and advancing your education, so these are good focuses for today. Travel might also be on your mind. Friends could be inclined to consider the idea, so it might be fun to go out on the town with them tonight.

GEMINI This could prove to be a gratifying day. Recent success in business might now be making a positive difference in your financial situation. This is apt to boost your mood quite a bit and you’re probably feeling optimistic and enthusiastic about your future. You could lapse into some very pleasant daydreams about the possibilities, but don’t get carried away. Try to remain practical.

CANCER This is a great day to start a partnership of any kind, as it will prove cooperative, rewarding, and stable. Any legal papers executed today should definitely work for you. If you’ve been thinking about signing up for a class or workshop, this is the day to do it. You’re more likely to get the results you want. Make plans for travel, too. You’ve got a lot to think about.

Monday, February 16, 2015 ––– 14:30hrs Tuesday, February 17, 2015 ––– 14:30hrs Wednesday, February 18, 2015 ––– 14:30hrs

LEO Work you do today, whether related to your job or something you do on your own, could lead to a temporary boost in income, which is going to elevate your mood. This could involve a bonus, a project outside work, or your own enterprise. You should be feeling healthy and enthusiastic, ready to tackle just about anything. Finances look stable, and relations with others congenial and supportive.

VIRGO You might toy with the idea of getting some kind of project or enterprise going with a close friend or love partner. If you’re serious about it, this is definitely the day to start. Any partnership formed at this time is likely to be successful and beneficial for all involved. This is even a good day to work out the terms of a legal agreement. Go for it.

LIBRA Work that you’re doing either at home or on your home is likely to go well today and bring you the results you’re hoping for. Members of your household might want to pitch in and help. You will probably spend most of your time inside, but you may also have to spend some time out gathering supplies and materials that you may need.

SCORPIO Today you’re likely to feel especially communicative. You might want to get on the phone and run ideas for new projects by colleagues or perhaps make arrangements to complete current projects. Success through creativity is strongly indicated at this time. This is a great day to seek success through writing or speaking. If this has been on your mind, get started.

SAGITTARIUS Business transacted today either in your home or concerning your home is likely to be successful and bring some extra money your way. You probably feel especially optimistic about this. You’re looking forward to new opportunities that may come your way. Your intuition is high, so you’re likely to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff where opportunities are concerned. Go for it.

CAPRICORN Today your intuition should be sharper than usual. You might get a few calls involving possible business opportunities. You can use this heightened ESP to discern which ones might be successful. You could also hear from friends proposing participation in a group activity of some kind, which you may want to do. Don’t hesitate. Have a great day.

AQUARIUS Today you should feel especially optimistic and enthusiastic, although you may not know why, at least at first. Later in the day some good news could come your way, possibly involving business and money. This should tell you that you were intuitively picking up on something wonderful. As a matter of fact, your intuition should be high for most of the day. Make it work for you.

PISCES A new sense of closeness to those around you might have you feeling especially happy today. Your business and financial life should be going very well, your future seems bright, and now this puts the icing on the cake. Your mind may turn to projects that you want to try in the future, and this could increase your enthusiasm. Even more ideas could come thick and fast.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Pele, Black Water, Beacon, GFC book places in Frank Watson Memorial semi-finals

PELE, Black Water, Bacon and Georgetown Football Club (GFC), all booked their places in the semi-finals of the Frank Watson Memorial Football Tournament which continued yesterday at the GFC ground.

Pele edged Camptown 3-2 with goals coming from Leon Richardson in the second and 30th minutes, while the team’s third goal came off the boot of Akosi Jarvis in the 32nd minute.

Alonzo Ferdinand and Shamar DeMattos responded for Camptown in the 16th

and 36th minutes respectively in the team’s losing cause.

Black Water on the other hand edged Fruta Conquerors 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after the two teams were locked 0-0 at the end of the 40-minute regulation time.

Beacon then got the better of Santos, winning by a 4-2 margin in a penalty shootout after the two teams were locked 0-0 at the end of regulation time. GFC, through goals from Martin Carter and Stephan Laroc in the 7th and 33rd minutes respectively gave their team a 2-0 victory against

Western Tigers.

Several protests have been made regarding the ages of some players from various team and the organisers indicated that they will have this sorted out by tomorrow.

Should any of the teams that fielded overage players be guilty of same, that team would be disqualified, even if they had won their game yesterday, and their respective opponents will replace them in the semifinal.

Only Saturday, Pele were disqualified from the Under-15

age group category of the tournament despite a 3-1 victory over Camptown, as it was discovered that Richardson who scored a double yesterday, was over 15 years of age.

Meanwhile, the semi-final, third place playoffs and the final of the Under-17 category will be contested next weekend.

According to the organisers of the tournament, each participant of the tournament will receive uniforms, school stationery and equipment at the conclusion of the tournament.

Australia’s Faulkner ruled out of Bangladesh match MELBOURNE,(Reuters) - Australia all-rounder James Faulkner will miss an-

South Africa Racing Tips Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs boarding Call 08:50 hrs Kiss Me Hardy 09:20 hrs New Circle 09:50 hrs Steady As A Rock 10:20 hrs Master Barry French Racing Tips Cagnes-Sur-Mer 08:30 hrs Slevika 09:35 hrs Bowling Green 10:05 hrs Teodash 10:40 hrs Mysterieux 11:10 hrs Chichi Royale English Racing Tips Wolverhampton 10:00 hrs Gios Last 10:35 hrs Young Jackie 11:05 hrs Goathland 11:40 hrs Pearl Ransom 12:10 hrs Boom The Groom 12:40 hrs Shuriken 13:10 hrs Simple Elegance

other World Cup match after being ruled out of the second group game against Bangladesh with

13:40 hrs Sewn Up Lingfield 10:15 hrs Boru’s Brook 10:45 hrs Volio Vicente 11:15 hrs The Last Bridge 11:50 hrs Coyaba 12:20 hrs Aiteen T hirtthree 12;50 hrs Catchin Time Carlisle 10:25 hrs Three Faces West 10:55 hrs Jonny Eager 11:25 hrs Vinny Gambliini 12:00 hrs Upswing 12:30 hrs Knock A Hand 13:00 hrs Beg To Differ American Racing Tips Gulfstream Park Race 1 Cielo Classic Race 2 Miss Pink Diva Race 3 Bunnell Race 4 Mjestic Breeze Race 5 Smoke Police Race 6 Off The Page Race 7 Lismore Race 8 Rose Brier

James Faulkner injury.

The 24-year-old suffered a side strain in the lead-up to the tournament and missed Australia’s opening win over England in Melbourne on Saturday.

“I’m no chance for Bangladesh, I can tell you that,” Faulkner told reporters in Brisbane today.

He was unsure when he might be fit to rejoin the team.

“Time’s sort of flown a bit, but hopefully I’m back sooner rather than later,” he added.

Faulkner’s continued absence may ease the pressure on fellow fast bowling all-rounder Shane Watson, whose place is under scrutiny after he was out for a golden duck and failed to take a wicket against England.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Miller, Duminy help South Africa overcome Zimbabwe

… combine for unbroken 256-run stand (REUTERS - David Miller and JP Duminy both scored centuries as South Africa overcame a real challenge from Zimbabwe to record a 62-run victory in their opening World Cup Pool B game in Hamilton yesterday.

Miller (138 not out) and Duminy (115 not out) rescued the Proteas’ innings after they had been in trouble at 83 for four, as they put on a world record fifth-wicket stand of 256 to guide their side to 339 for four.

Elton Chigumbura’s side, however, also showed that they would be a dangerous opponent for many sides with opener Chamu Chibhabha (64), Hamilton Masakadza (80) and Bren-

David Miller and JP Duminy starred in a world record fifth-wicket partnership of 256 off 178 balls, with both bastmen hitting centuries. dan Taylor (40) showing they were all highly competent international batsmen.

They had been on 214 for three and well set to push on for the final 15 overs before Taylor’s dismissal effectively

ended their resistance and they were bowled out for 277 in 48.2 overs.

“I’m happy with the result but credit must go to Elton and his boys, they really put us under pressure,” South Africa

captain AB de Villiers said.

“They also batted very well and probably just lost their way midway their innings.”

Zimbabwe had earlier exploited the slow nature of the pitch to put the World Cup favourites under pressure, but in reality they lost the game in the final 10 overs of South Africa’s innings when they conceded a staggering 146 runs.

The 25-year-old Miller moved from 50 to 100 in 28 balls and after he had brought up his second oneday international century he attacked Solomon Mire in the 48th over, smashing 30 runs.

He finished on 138 and the nine sixes in his 92-ball knock were also a World Cup record.

“We really went for too much in the end,” Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura said. “We didn’t get the wickets we needed in the middle period and paid for it in the end.

“We were in the game for

a long time so it was a good sign for the games to come.”

South Africa’s vaunted pace bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel failed to really trouble Zimbabwe’s batsmen when they began their innings.

SOUTH AFRICA innings Q. de Kock c Ervine b Chatara

7 H. Amla b Panyangara 11 F. du Plessis c Taylor b Chigumbura 24 A. de Villiers c Ervine b Kamungozi 25 D. Miller not out 138 J. Duminy not out 115 Extras: (lb-1 nb-2 w-16) 19 Total: (for 4 wickets, 50 overs) 339 Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-21, 3-67, 4-83.

Bowling: T. Panyangara 10-2-73-1 (w-3), T. Chatara 10-1-71-1 (nb-1, w-3), S. Mire 6-0-61-0 (w-2), E. Chigumbura 4-0-30-1 (nb-1, w-2,) S. Williams 8-0-44-0 (w-1,) T. Kamungozi 8-0-34-1, S. Raza 3-019-0 (w-1), H. Masakadza 1-0-6-0.

ZIMBABWE innings C. Chibhabha c Duminy b Tahir

64

Steyn did not even open the bowling and his first five overs cost 38 runs for no wickets as he bowled too short while the wicket nullified a lot of his pace.

He finished with 1-64 from nine overs.

S. Raza b Philander

5 H. Masakadza c Amla b Tahir

80 B. Taylor c Philander b M. Morkel 40 S. Williams c de Kock b Duminy

8 C. Ervine c de Villiers b Steyn 13 E. Chigumbura run-out (de Villiers) 8 S. Mire c de Villiers b Philander 27 T. Panyangara c de Villiers b Tahir 4 T. Chatara c & b M. Morkel 6 T. Kamungozi not out 0 Extras: (lb-13, w-9) 22 Total: (all out, 48.2 overs) 277 Fall of wickets: 1-32, 2-137, 3-191, 4-214, 5-218, 6-236, 7-240, 8-245, 9-272.

Bowling: V. Philander 8-0-30-2 (w3), M. Morkel 8.2-1-49-2 (w-2), D. Steyn 9-0-64-1, F. Behardien 5-0-400 (w-1), J. Duminy 8-0-45-1 (w-2), I. Tahir 10-0-36-3 (w-1).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Kohli ton drives India to emphatic win against Pakistan (REUTERS) - Virat Kohli scored an imperious century as India opened their World Cup defence in convincing fashion with a 76run victory over Pakistan in a frenzied atmosphere at the Adelaide Oval yesterday.

The much-anticipated Pool B grudge match, the latest chapter in one of the great rivalries in sport, attracted a passionate crowd of 41 587 to the revamped ground with up to a billion more tuning in on the sub-continent and around the world.

It was the two-thirds of the crowd dressed in the blue of India who had most to cheer, though, as Kohli brushed aside concerns over his recent oneday form with a knock of 107 to drive his side to an imposing tally of 300 for seven.

Pakistan started their reply steadily before a three-wicket blitz in two overs at the halfway mark of the innings saw opener Ahmed Shehzad depart for 47 and reduced them to 103 for five.

Skipper Misbah-ulHaq (76) and Shahid

Test matches at the Adelaide Oval.

Sohail Khan took 5-55 in his first one-dayer since 2011, removing both Kohli and Raina as well as India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as three Indian batsmen were sent back in the last couple of overs.

That gave Pakistan some

Virat Kohli exults after bringing up his ton against Pakistan in Adelaide

Afridi flirted with a match-changing partnership but once the latter departed for 22 a n d Wa h a b R i a z f o l lowed in the same over, Pakistan’s hopes of a first win over India in six World Cup attempts were gone.

Indian seamer Mohammed Shami took four for 35 but it was Mohit Sharma who drove the final nail into the coffin when Sohail Khan holed out for seven to end the Pakistan innings at 224 all out.

Kohli’s century was the first by an Indian

in those six World Cup encounters and took his impressive tally to 22 in one-day internationals, joint fourth on the all-time list with his former skipper Sourav Ganguly.

Dropped from a difficult chance by Yasir Shah off Afridi on seven and again by wicketkeeper Umar Akmal on 76, Kohli otherwise played well within himself and gave few chances in his 126 balls at the crease.

The 26-year-old put together a dominant partnership of 129 with Shi-

khar Dhawan (73) and, once the opener had been run-out, another of 110 with Suresh Raina (74), whose innings was as aggressive as Dhawan’s had been considered.

Kohli reached his hundred with a single to long on, whipping off his helmet to celebrate his fourth century in five one-day and

INDIA innings Rohit. Sharma c Misbah-ul-Haq b So. Khan 15 S. Dhawan run-out (Misbah-ul-Haq) 73 V. Kohli c U. Akmal b So. Khan

107 S. Raina c Sohail b So. Khan 74 M. Dhoni c Misbah-ul-Haq b So. Khan 18 R. Jadeja b Riaz

3 A. Rahane b So. Khan

0 R. Ashwin not out

1 M. Shami not out

3 Extras: (lb-2, nb-1, w-3) 6 Total: (for 7 wickets, 50 overs) 300 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-163, 3-273, 4-284, 5-296, 6-296, 7-296.

Bowling: M. Irfan 10-0-58-0 (nb-1, w-2), So. Khan 10-0-55-5 (w-1), S. Afridi 8-0-50-0, W. Riaz 10-0-49-1, Y. Shah 8-0-60-0, H. Sohail 4-0-26-0 PAKISTAN innings A. Shehzad c Jadeja

momentum but they lost it completely when Shehzad, Sohaib Maqsood (0) and Akmal (0) were dismissed in two overs.

Misbah played the captain’s role in his 84-ball 76, which included nine fours and a six, but the 40-yearold’s quest for a maiden one-day century will go on to his 157th match.

b U. Yadav

47 Y. Khan c Dhoni b Shami 6 H. Sohail c Raina b Ashwin 36 Misbah-ul-Haqc Rahane b Shami

76 S. Maqsood c Raina b U. Yadav

0 U. Akmal c Dhoni b Jadeja 0 S. Afridi c Kohli b Shami 22 W. Riaz c Dhoni b Shami 4 Y. Shah c U. Yadav b M. Sharma 13 So. Khan c U. Yadav b M. Sharma 7 M. Irfan not out 1 Extras: (lb-1, nb-1, w-10) 12 Total: (all out, 47 overs) 224 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-79, 3-102, 4-102, 5-103, 6-149, 7-154, 8-203, 9-220.

Bowling: U. Yadav 10-0-50- 2 (w-5), M. Shami 9-1-35-4 (w-4), M. Sharma 9-0-35-2 (nb-1), S. Raina 1-0-6-0, R. Ashwin 8-3-41-1 (w-1), R. Jadeja 10-0-56-1.

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Bradford dream continues, Arsenal and Villa win Knott’s blistering strike was saved by Sunderland keeper Vito Manone and the hosts comfortably closed out the game to the delight of most of the 24 021 crowd - the biggest at Valley Parade for 50 years.

FRENETIC ARSENAL Arsenal were in no mood to crash out against lower league opposition and two goals in two opening-half minutes took the tie away from Middlesbrough.

After some neat build-up play, Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs picked Giroud out with a sweeping cross and the Frenchman turned the ball in from close range on Jon Stead celebrates scoring Bradford’s second goal.

By Tom Hayward LONDON, England (Reuters) - Bradford City’s unlikely FA Cup journey continued as they knocked over Sunderland 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals yesterday at a rocking Valley Parade.

The League One (third tier) side continued where they left off in a stunning 4-2 defeat of Premier League leaders Chelsea in the previous round to ease past Gus Poyet’s side.

Roared on by a fervent crowd, Bradford were ahead in the third minute when John O’Shea put through his own goal. Jon Stead sealed victory just past the hour to put the Yorkshire club in the last

eight for the first time since 1976.

Championship (second tier) leaders Middlesbrough could not reproduce the form that saw them knock out Manchester City in the fourth round as they went down 2-0 at holders Arsenal.

Olivier Giroud scored both goals for the Gunners.

In a battle between two struggling Premier League sides Aston Villa beat Leicester City 2-1.

Bradford continued to inject some magic into the competition though, as they deservedly beat a poor Sunderland side.

“There is always a danger because the expec-

tancy might have been we would win this one after beating Chelsea but we have kept that underdog spirit,” manager Phil Parkison told the BBC. “It was a good, old-fashioned cup tie, a really good advert for the FA Cup.” OWN GOAL Sunderland made a torrid start at Valley Parade.

In the third minute a free-kick caused havoc in their area and Billy Clarke’s shot deflected in off O’Shea.

Boosted by the early goal, Bradford suffocated their Premier League rivals with tireless chasing and harassing.

Despite the 37 league places between the sides, Bradford were on top and could have added a second but James Hanson could not convert Stead’s teasing header.

Although Sunderland slowly began to assert their authority before the break they were limited to long-range efforts.

The visitors started the second half brightly but it was Bradford who doubled their lead when England international Adam Johnson was harried into giving the ball away and Stead calmly converted to maintain his record of scoring in every round of this season’s competition.

Bradford could have added a third but Billy

GSCL Inc. Republic Cup wins for Floodlight, Regal Masters FLOODLIGHT and Regal Masters recorded victories when the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL Inc.) Republic Cup continued Saturday with the final preliminary round matches in the Over-40 stage at GNIC. Floodlight overcame East Coast Masters by eight wickets.

Batting first East Coast Masters managed 155 all out in 20 overs. L. Ramsingh scored 45, David Harper 27, H. Samlall 26 and Jagdesh Persaud 23. Dharam Persaud claimed 3-26, Ramesh Narine 2-25 and Ramchand Ragbeer 2-28. Floodlight replied with 161-2 in 17 overs. Narine slammed 62 not out,

Ricky Deonarine 51 and Patrick Khan 35.

Regal beat Parika Defenders by six wickets. Parika Defenders took first strike and scored 136 all out in 19.3 overs. Asif Ahmad made 37 and Ashmead Bacchus 20. Mahendra Arjune captured 3-19, Troy Kippins 3-33 and Seeraj Satro 2-23. Regal replied with 141-4 in 16.4 overs. Lynden Lyght stroked 29, Ramphal Baker 27, Raymond Harper 26 and Eon Abel 24. A. Mohamed took 2-20. The semifinals and finals in both categories will be played today at the said venue.

27 minutes.

G i ro u d a d d e d h i s second two minutes later when the striker met Alexis Sanchez’s corner with a first-time volley that flew past Middlesbrough goalkeeper Tomas Mejias.

After a woeful first half at Villa Park, Leandro Bacuna curled in the opener in the 68th minute and loan signing Scott Sinclair added a second from a tight angle before Leicester’s record-signing Andrej Kramaric pulled a headed goal back in stoppage time.

Villa’s incoming manager Tim Sherwood watched the game from the stands.

NOTABLE DATES

SUPER lightweight (junior welterweight) Dillon Carew drew with American Mike Di Benedetto on February 16, 2001. The eight-round fight was held at the DePaul Alumni Hall in Chicago, USA. Judge Dave Smith favoured Carew 78-74 while Noel Schiff had De Benedetto winning by a similar margin. The other judge, Bernard Hightower scored it 77-77.

It was the third drawn fight for Carew, who represented Guyana at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In August 1993 Carew, then a lightweight, battled to a draw with Mark Richardson in an eight-round affair held in Georgetown, Guyana.

His fight with De Marcus Corley at the Convention Centre in Atlantic City in December 1998 was labelled a technical draw after three rounds. In a career that spanned 15 years Carew battled the likes of Ricky Hatton, Meldrick Taylor, Diosbelys Hurtado and Leonard Dorin to name a few.

He waved good bye to the fistic sport in June 2007 after suffering a second-round TKO at the hands of American middleweight Elvin Ayala and is now a respected trainer at the world-famous Gleason’s Gym in New York.

ON FEBRUARY 16, 1986, Guyanese lightweight boxer Jeff Roberts entered the ring at the Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York carrying a record of four wins, eight defeats and one draw. After the 10-round bout with American Calvin Grove, another defeat was added to Robert’s resumé.

Grove was the winner by unanimous decision when the judges score sheets were tallied. One month before meeting Grove, Roberts had pounded out a unanimous decision victory over Jocko King at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

Roberts joined the pro ranks in May 1980 and had his last fight 12 years later. He would be remembered for his epic battle with Michael Benjamin in November 1987.

Roberts lost that contest by a majority decision with the Guyana lightweight title at stake.

He travelled to France for his last professional outing which ended on a losing note. His Senegalese opponent Jean Baptiste Mendy won by a fifth-round knockout to leave the Guyanese with a 6-16-1 record.

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

India more relieved than elated after beating Pakistan ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters) - There was no chest-beating from India’s players after they beat their fierce rivals Pakistan at the World Cup yesterday.

While their fans celebrated as though they had won the World Cup, India’s players were more relieved than excited by the 76-run victory.

Until yesterday, the Indians had only won one match - a practice game against Afghanistan - since arriving in Australia in November, and the pressure was starting to mount.

The India players rejoice after clinching victory against Pakistan in their World Cup 2015 Group B match in Adelaide.

As the team captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni bore the brunt of criticism. More than most, he knew how

Former India captain Ganguly made MCC honorary life member LONDON, England (Reuters) - Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been awarded an honorary life membership to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the celebrated cricket club announced yesterday.

Following his Test debut in 1996 the 42-year-old played a combined 424 Test and one-day international matches for India, averaging over 40 with the bat and taking 132 wickets.

“I’ve got some fantastic memories of playing at Lord’s that I carry with me forever - from the hundred on my debut to the amazing NatWest Trophy Final in 2002,” Ganguly, who captained India 195 times, said.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed coming back to the ground

important it was for India to avoid defeat to Pakistan in their opening World Cup match.

“I felt the guys did really well because a World Cup opening game against Pakistan, it is a high-stake game,” Dhoni told a news conference at Adelaide Oval.

“But at the same time we don’t want to give it too much of an importance because irrespective of whether you’re playing Pakistan or Australia, the games are important.

“You get the same number of points. Your run rate, depending on the margin you win, it’s the same. I feel we tried to keep it as normal as possible, and to a lot of extent we were able to do that.”

Bolt says will hang up spikes after London 2017

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday February 16, 2015) 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) 2007 (2)1999 Today’s Quiz: (1) How many teams took part in the inaugural World Cup tournament?

(2)How many teams are participating in the current World Cup? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

you have to do in tournaments like this. You have to be at your best, and I felt today was one game which was to a lot of extent a very complete game for all of us, but still, we can improve.”

Beating Pakistan made it sweeter for Dhoni’s men.

The two neighbours have an intense rivalry that goes beyond sport but passions are rarely as high as when they meet on the cricket pitch.

At the World Cup, it has been one-sided with India winning all six of the matches they have played, including the 2011 semifinal.

“The record is good, but it’s something that I don’t want to get into because there will come a time when we will lose, irrespective of whether it happens this World Cup, next World Cup or four World Cups down the line,” Dhoni said. “ We a re d e f i n i t e l y proud of it, but it will be broken at some point of time.”

Local boxers for Barbados competition

Sourav Ganguly both as a player and since I retired; and it’s wonderful to now be part of MCC. I’d like to thank the Club for awarding me this privilege.”

Honorary life memberships are awarded by the Lord’s-based MCC, the guardian of the sport’s laws for more than 200 years, to recognise an individual’s service to cricket and other projects surrounding the game.

Dhoni admitted his players had felt flat after losing the four-match Test series 2-0 to Australia and then finishing last in the Tri-Series one-day tournament, which also included England.

He said the players spent the 10 days between the end of the series and the start of the World Cup trying to refresh themselves physically and mentally.

Dhoni, who captained India to the World Cup win in 2011, and was named man-of-the-match in the final, said his players were in a much better frame of mind to defend their title.

“Our approach was always positive. The result was not in our favour,” Dhoni said.

“That’s something that’s really beyond our control.

There were quite a few areas where we had to improve both in the bowling and the batting department.

“In this game it clicked together. It’s something that

Usain (REUTERS) - Multiple world record-holder and six-time Olympic gold medal winner Usain Bolt will retire after the 2017 World Championships in London, the Jamaican told British newspaper The Daily Mail.

The 28-year had previously hinted the 2016 Rio Olympics would be his last competition but sponsorship commitments dictated he will continue until 2017 where he will focus solely on the 100 metres.

“That was the initial plan (to sign off after Rio),” he told the Daily Mail yesterday.

“But my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year, to 2017 and London.

But I’ll be doing one event, the 100.

“I’ve already discussed it with my coach. I can con-

Bolt centrate on that, and on retiring on a winning note.”

Bolt holds the world records for the 100 metres, 9.58 seconds, the 200 metres, 19.19 seconds, and the 4x100 metres relay, 36.84 seconds, and talked of his drive to beat those times in 2015.

His 2015 season culminates at the World Championships in Beijing from Aug. 22 - Aug. 30 where he will attempt to add to his eight world golds and beat the 100 metres record he set in Berlin in 2009.

“If everything goes well this season, in my life anything is possible. If I can get myself in good shape, it should be wonderful this season,” he added.

“I live for competition.

I thrive on competition. I live to compete against the best. It means a lot when you beat the best.”

THE Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) will be sending a five-man team to this year’s Horace Phillips Memorial Boxing tournament in Barbados.

GBA president Steve Ninvalle yesterday disclosed that the association’s Coaching Commission has been saddled with the duty of short-listing the boxers for the competition.

This shortlist would then be forwarded to the executive for vetting. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, March 14 and the locals are expected to depart one day before. Ninvalle disclosed that Barbados Boxing Association (BBA), through its secretary Kathy Harper-Hall, has requested that Guyana also send a referee/judge.

The tournament is an annual event held in honour of the former BBA Liaison Officer who died approximately two decades ago and attracts competitors from around the Caribbean. Guyana has been a frequent participant and last

GBA president Steve Ninvalle year came home with a five medal haul.

Ron Smith, Clairmont Gibson, Delon Charles, Michael April and Diwani Lampkin were the boxers who represented Guyana at the last tournament held at the Springer Memorial School in St Michael in March 2014. The team returned with three gold and two silver medals. Smith, Charles and Lampkin were the gold medal winners.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Bishoo bowls Guyana Jaguars to easy win over Hurricanes …leg-spinner grabs six for 82; Jaguars lead standings with 92 ponts

Devendra Bishoo

WICB Professional Cricket

League Guyana vs Leewards Leeward Islands Hurricanes 1st Innings 139 All Out Guyana Jaguars 1st Innings 267 All Out Leeward Islands Hurricanes 2nd Innings (Overnight; 36/1) A Richards Jr b N Deonarine 14 Sherwin Peters LBW V Permaul 46 Q Boatswain c VA Singh b D Bishoo 18 M Hodge c L Johnson b D Bishoo 2 D Thomas* c C Barnwell b D Bishoo 20 A Saunders c and b V Permaul 21 J Hamilton+ c L Johnson b D Bishoo 3 R Cornwall c L Johnson b D Bishoo 0 H Walsh Jr c S Chanderpaul b V Permaul 2 J Louis not out 17 G Tonge st A Bramble b D Bishoo 46 Total: 200 All Out (88.1 Overs) Extras: (9b 2lb 0w 0nb 0pen) 11 Fall of Wickets: 1-28, 2-76, 3-80, 4-104, 5-106, 6-115, 7-119, 8-122, 9-135, 10-200.

Guyana Jaguars 2nd Innings Bowling: R Beaton 8-5-9-0, R Reifer 7-4-13-0, V Permaul 29-14-57-3, D Bishoo 30.1-5-82-6, N Deonarine 8-2-17-1, C Barnwell 6-3-11-0.

Guyana Jaguars 2nd Innings (Target; 73) V Singh not out 22 R Chandrika c D Thomas b G Tonge 7 L Johnson* c H Walsh Jr b R Cornwall 36 N Deonarine not out 4 Total: 73/2 (19.2 Overs) Extras: (4b 0lb 0w 0nb 0pen) 4 Fall of Wickets: 1-14, 2-67.

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 2nd Innings Bowling: G Tonge 4-015-1, J Louis 1-0-2-0, R Cornwall 9-3-30-1, S Peters 2-0-6-0, H Walsh Jr 3.2-0-16-0.

Result: Guyana Jaguars won by 8 wickets Points: Jaguars 17 (3 bowling points + 2 batting points + 12 for victory), Hurricanes 3 (0 batting points + 3 bowling points) Windwards vs Jamaica Jamaica 1st Innings 204 Windwards 1st Innings (overnight 289 for seven) D Smith lbw b Brown 36 T Theophille c Miller b Bernard Jr 55 J Charles c Mindley b Bernard Jr 26 S Ambris c Bonner b Bernard Jr 4 +A Fletcher c Campbell b Jacobs 120 K Lesporis c Lambert b Brown 6 *L Sebastian lbw b Bonner 19 S Shillingford c Dawes b Bernard Jr 15 A Bobb c Miller b Bernard 23

K Peters c Miller b Brown 16 D Johnson not out 2 Extras (b1, lb2, nb2) 5 TOTAL (all out, 108.2 overs) 328 Fall of wickets: 1-75, 2-117, 3-120, 4-130, 5-137, 6-194, 7-234, 8-291, 9-324, 10-328.

Bowling: Mindley 7-2-33-0, Dawes 7-1-41-0, Jacobs 23-7-51-1, Brown 32.2-5-83-3, Lambert 5-0-29-0, Bernard 18-1-57-5, Bonner 7-1-191, Campbell 9-3-11-0.

Jamaica Franchise 2nd Innings N Bonner lbw b Peters 18 J Campbell c Smith b Shillingford 22 J Blackwood c Theophille b Shillingford 5 *T Lambert run out 1 C Baugh Jr lbw b Shillingford 24 +H Miller c Lesporis b Bobb 2 D Bernard Jr c Charles b Shillingford 3 D Jacobs c Theophille b Shillingford 8 J Dawes not out 2 M Mindley c Johnson b Shillingford 4 O Brown st Ambris b Sebastian 4 Extras (b7, lb2) 9 TOTAL (all out, 45.4 overs) 102 Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-30, 3-42, 4-52, 5-65, 6-78, 7-89, 8-92, 9-96, 10-102.

Bowling: Johnson 4-0-20-0, Peters 6-3-6-1, Shillingford 19-4-31-6, Bobb 9-2-22-1, Sebastien 7.4-114-1.

Points: Windwards 18, Jamaica 4.

Barbados vs T&T Barbados Pride 1st Innings 275 Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 1st Innings 218 Barbados Pride 2nd Innings (overnight 15 without loss) *K Brathwaite c wkp Katwaroo b Richards 7 K Corbin b Gabriel 4 K Edwards st Katwaroo b Imran Khan 24 S Hope not out 111 R Chase c Lewis b Hosein 46 +S Dowrich lbw b Imran Khan 19 C Brathwaite not out 59 Extras (b4,lb3, w1) 8 TOTAL (5 wkts decl., 85 overs) 278 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-17, 3-57, 4-145, 5-190.

Bowling: Gabriel 11-2-38-1, Hosein 21-5-70-1, Richards 9-3-30-1, Imran Khan 26-7-74-2, Davis 11-1-31-0, Cariah 7-2-28-0.

T&T RED FORCE 2 nd Innings (target: 336) E Lewis ret. hurt 4 Imran Khan not out 12 M Richards not out 1 TOTAL (without loss, 8 overs) 17 Bowling: Cummins 3-0-12-0, Warrican 3-2-1-0, Nurse 1-0-1-0, Chase 1-0-3-0.

Position: T&T require a further 319 for victory with all ten wickets intact.

DEVENDRA Bishoo’s six wicket-haul propelled Guyana Jaguars to an easy eight-wicket day three final session win over Leeward Islands Hurricanes in their 6th round WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day match, at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket

Ground.

Set 73 runs to win, the Jaguars raced to 73 for 2 in 19.3 overs, thanks to 36 runs from Leon Johnson’s bat. Hurricanes were dismissed for a second innings score of 200, an improvement on their first innings total of 139. The Jaguars

made 267 in their first innings.

In the post lunch session, Sherwin Peters with 46 and Devon Thomas 20 got most runs for the Hurricanes.

Bishoo, who was named man-of-the-match, was the chief destroyer with 6 for

82. He was well supported

by Veerasammy Permaul 3 for 57.

The only team yet to win a match the Hurricanes lie at the bottom of the table with 14 points. Guyana Jaguars lead the standings with 92 points.

T&T Red Force chase big total on final day ..Shai Hope hits century for Barbados Pride

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s Red Force need 319 more runs to beat Barbados Pride on today’s final day of their WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day match, at Kensington Oval, in Barbados.

At stumps on day three, the Red Force closed on 17 without loss.

Barbados Pride declared their second innings on 278 for five, setting the visitors 336 to win. In scores so far Pride posted 275 and 278 for 5 declared, while the Red Force’s first innings was good for 218.

Shai Hope acknowledges reaching his century against T&T Red Force. At the Kensington Oval.

(Photo by WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks LaTouche Photography)

Shai Hope led the way in the Pride’s second innings with 111 not out, and along with Carlos Brathwaite, 59, put on 88 runs for the sixth wicket.

Hope faced 221 deliveries in 296 minutes, hitting eight fours and two sixes in his unbeaten knock. Brathwaite, in his almost run-a-ball knock, belted three fours and five sixes.

Evin Lewis retired hurt on 4, which means Imran Khan 12 and Marlon Richards 1 will continue the runs chase on today’s final day.

Shillingford makes history as Windwards Volcanoes destroy Jamaica WINDWARD Islands Vo l c a n o e s o f f - s p i n ner Shane Shillingford bowled his way into regional first class cricket’s record books yesterday.

The off-spinner took six Jamaican wickets to overtake former Guyanese leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo, who held the previous record with 326, as regional first class cricket’s alltime leading wicket-taker.

Shillingford end-

Shane Shillingford

ed with 6 for 31 off 19 overs and was the main destroyer of Jamaica’s small innings total of 102, on yesterday’s third day of the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day match 6th round.

Carlton Baugh Jr 24, and John Campbell, 22, were the main contributors for Jamaica, who went down by an innings and 22 runs.

Jamaica, batted first and made 204 in their first innings, to which

the Volcanoes replied with 328.

Andre Fletcher was the highlight of Windwar d I sl ands’ i nni ngs with 120, for which he was named man-of-thematch.

Jamaica, with 57 points, now falls below the Volcanoes, who moved to 64 points with three rounds to play. Jamaica had beaten the Volcanoes by 13 runs when the teams met late last year in Jamaica.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday February 16, 2015

Gibson upsets Campbell in 80m sprint …others impress at AAG Development Meet cruised home to the finish.

Winston Missigher of Running Braves also took an easy victory, leading the race after 800m and never relinquishing. With just under 200m to the finish, Odwin Tudor made a push for the lead, but Missigher pulled one out of the hat and finished like a sprinter to clock 6 mins 01.8 seconds.

Natricia Hooper shook off her 3rd place finish in the 80m to re-establish herself in the 300m, winning in 39.4 seconds but

she lost out to Carifta Gold medalist Cassie George in the 600m; George winning in 1 min 21.4 seconds.

With no Jason Yaw on show Devaun Barrington of Running Braves took victory in the 600m Men’s Open.

In 150m sprints Brian Roman followed up his victory in the boys U-16 division with a 16.9 second run for the win. In the 80m event he stopped the clock at 9.2 seconds.

In selected results of the Long Jump Boys U-20 the GDF’s Laurex Stewart leapt 6.19m to take victory. Bevon Nobile won the Open Long Jump in

5.97m, while Joshua Rawlins won the U-18 class with a lead of 5.54m.

IrieCadogan was the lone female Jumper. Her best leap on the day was 4.36m, recorded on her first attempt.

Tremaine Brown with 12.51M won the Boys Triple Jump, while Natrena Hooper won the Open Females Triple with 12.05m.

Younger sister Natricia won the U-18 Triple with 11.41m.

This was the 2 nd and final Developmental Meet for the year.

The Junior athletes now set their sights on the CARIFTA Trials set for March 7-8.

Maurice Gibson makes a lean for win in the Open 80m Sprint. Ian Campbell (L) was second.

By Leeron Brumell THERE was glorious sunshine and a solid track to compete on and Maurice Gibson took full advantage of the conditions to take victory in the Open Men’s 80m sprint in the Athletics Association’s Developmental Meet yesterday on the GDF Ground, Camp Ayanganna.

Eight sprinters faced the starter, Ian Campbell in Lane 8 was out like a bullet and it seemed an easy victory was in his sights, but it was not to be. With five metres to go, running in lane four, Gibson dug deep

and came through the finish line like a freight train.

He stopped the clock at 8.9 seconds, the only athlete to crack the 9 seconds barrier on the day. His Running Brave training partner Campbell was 2nd in 9.1 seconds to be followed home by Devin Collymorein 9.2 seonds.

Veteran Sprinter Alisha Fortune was an easy winner in the Female Open; 9.7 seconds her time ahead of Tirana Mitchell of Super Upcoming Runners in 10:00 secs. Natrena Hooper was third in 10.2 seconds.

There were other notable performances in the 80m sprints – Compton Caesar showed he’s the man to beat in the U-18 division this season with 8.6 seconds; the fastest time in all divisions, while Onassha Rogers blew away the opposition in the U-18 Girls race stopping the clock in 9.6 seconds.

Opening the day’s action was the 2000m Open events; Alika Morgan of Rising Stars was an easy winner of the three athletes on track. With 7 mins 17.1 secs she almost lapped Kezia Morgan and Nikita Wilson as he

Onassha Rogers crosses the line in the Girls U-18 80M sprint ahead of Avon Samuels and Natricia Hooper.

Appointment of Groden backward and insulting - Lumumba

GENERAL Secretary of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Odinga Lumumba is broad-siding the Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee for appointing Trinidadian Richard Groden as the General Secretary (GS) of the Guyana Football Federation.

Lumumba told the Chronicle that Groden’s appointment is an insult to the nation and all Guyanese hence his call for an immediate reverse of the decision.

“I am personally upset

Clinton Urling by the decision. There are too many qualified Guyanese who have been overlooked. I am now calling for the GFF to make a full disclosure on the process

that led to this appointment,” Lumumba said.

“I think that every Guyanese should feel insulted by this new development as it paints a picture that this country is still a colony and can be dictated to. The GFF now needs to tell the public how this happened. Who applied for the position and why persons from this country were turned down, “added Lumumba.

Groden will assume duties on March 2 and comes to Guyana with a wealth of experience, having served

Odinga Lumumba as the GS of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for 15 years. He resigned in 2013. However, his tenure with the TTFF was not all smooth sailing.

In 2011 Groden was reprimanded by the FIFA ethics committee following investigations into the infamous cash-for-votes scandal which left former CONCACAF president Jack Warner and several Caribbean football administrators running for cover.

“It is a backward step that sends the wrong message. I don’t know of another country in the world that has a GS not from that said country. This infraction needs to be corrected immediately,” Lumumba declared.

A release from the GFF

Normalisation Committee revealed that CONCACAF’s assistance was sought in identifying a GS and the Trinidadian was recommended by the regional body. No mention was made if Groden had applied for the position.

The release added that Groden’s appointment is temporary as he will serve until the life of the Normalisation Committee expires in September. Diedre Davis was appointed Assistant Secretary General and will commence work on February 24.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Bishoo bowls Guyana Jaguars to easy win over Hurricanes See story on Page 30

Sammy, Simmons rescue Windies innings against hits 102, Ireland …Simmons Sammy 89

(REUTERS) - Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons produced a counter-attacking partnership to guide West Indies to 304 for seven in their cricket World Cup Pool B clash against Ireland at Saxton Oval in Nelson.

Simmons (102), the nephew of Ireland coach Phil, and former captain Sammy (89) managed to rescue West Indies from a complete debacle with a 154-run partnership as the pitch got easier to bat on.

The pair had been forced together at 87 for five in the 24th over after the top order had struggled with the lack of pace from Ireland’s bowling attack.

Simmons and Andre Russell (27 not out) then put on 61 in five overs to

give West Indies a total they had never looked likely to achieve earlier.

Left arm spinner George Dockrell was the standout in an outstanding early bowling effort by Ireland, who do not have anyone above medium fast but kept the batsmen tied down with superb line and length.

West Indies’ top order also looked tentative against slower pace after Ireland skipper William Porterfield had won the toss and asked them bat, failing to work the ball around for singles to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Dockrell finished with three for 50, while

Pele, Black Water, Beacon, GFC book places in Frank Watson Memorial semi-finals See story on Page 25

off-spinner Andy McBrine conceded just 26 runs from his 10 overs.

Such was the top order’s troubles with the bowling, even attacking shots did not look convincing with the ball often being struck more from the edge rather than the middle of the bat.

Both Chris Gayle (36) and fellow opener Dwayne Smith (18) fell to lofted shots into the outfield from deliveries they failed to middle.

Marlon Samuels (21) and Denesh Ramdin (one) were then trapped in front by Dockrell, the former requesting a review that failed to overturn the decision.

West Indies centurion Lendl Simmons salutes the crowd as he leaves the field during their Cricket World Cup match against Ireland in Nelson.. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps

Western Tigers’ star striker `Tiger’ on the attack in GFC’s defence area during yesterday’s quarter-final action in the Frank Watson Memorial Football Tournament at the GFC ground.

(Photo by Samuel Maughn)

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2015