Guyana chronicle 18 10 14

GUYANA No. 103984 SATURDAY OCTOBER 18, 2014

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

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Government/Troy Resources ink multi-million dollar mineral agreement – President hails it as a ‘tangible demonstration’ of investor confidence Page

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Harmon rapped for pledging APNU’s ‘unwavering’ support to Kaieteur News

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Guyana captures Regional Awards for Outstanding Performance at CSEC again Page

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Tourism Ministry launches 2014 Rockstone Fish Festival Page

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Testing of samples will prove if body is that of MFK - Crime Chief

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‘Eat What We Produce’ campaign launched

Robert Persaud, second from left, hands over the signed agreement to Mr. Ken Nilsson, (right). At centre is President Donald Ramotar and Mr. Clinton Williams (left) GGMC chairman, is looking on

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Government/Troy Resources ink multi-million dollar mineral agreement – President hails it as a ‘tangible demonstration’ of investor confidence

Robert Persaud, second from left, and Mr. Ken Nilsson, right, sign on to the multi-million mineral agreement

By Vanessa Narine THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MRNE) and the Australian Mining Company Troy Resources Guyana Inc. inked a multi-million dollar mineral agreement, another development of the company’s Karouni project in Region 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni).

The agreement was signed

by Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mr. Robert Persaud and Troy Resources representative, Mr. Ken Nilsson, yesterday, at the Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

The total investment committed to date is approximately US$43M, with a further $27M required to complete construction. Major purchases and service contracts have been entered into with local service providers and manufacturers as well as other Caribbean manufacturers.

The mineral agreement sets the operating parameters for the company and also defines the responsibilities of both parties. The agreement also reduces uncertainty for all parties as it is transparent, confirms commitments and acknowledges the desire to work together with the Government in the task of providing for a better invest-

President Donald Ramotar with Troy Resources representative, Mr. Ken Nilsson

ment climate and to move the country towards a better tomorrow.

An overhead view of the road leading to the mine site at Karouni in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni)

TANGIBLE DEMONSTRATION President Donald Ramotar, in brief remarks, stated that the agreement represents another “tangible demonstration” of investor confidence in Guyana and is another sizeable investment in the country’s productive sectors.

“This represents another tangible demonstration of the confidence being shown by investors in our economy. In recent times we have been having sizeable investments…this is very good for us,” he said.

According to him, the agreement is an important one considering its potential for job creation, the transfer of technical skills and expertise and other spin-off benefits that will stimulate activity in other sectors, including the agricultural sector.

The President said that as Guyana makes greater moves to become an important player in the gold market, investments like these also represent an opportunity for focus on value-added products.

“As we become a more important producer in the gold industry, I hope that we can attract investment in the jewellery sector and in refining of our gold, so we can add value to what we produce,” he said.

Acknowledging that gold is a non-renewable resource, Mr. Ramotar stressed the need to maximise on the benefits of

the natural resource.

He stated that in this way there is greater wealth generation, among other benefits, all of which will improve the standard of living for Guyanese.

“We welcome this investment and we welcome the confidence shown in our economy and I am sure it will bring benefits to our country,” the President said.

The Troy Resources representative made it clear that his company was confident in the local economy. “There is no doubt there will be benefits…it is a strong endorsement, our belief that we will have success in Guyana,” Nilsson said.

He also reiterated the view that there is enormous potential for economic benefit said the Troy Resources representative.

Nilsson stated that the company’s partnership with the Government of Guyana will result in the “flow-on” effect, as it relates to economic benefits, which includes salaries, wages, taxes, local purchases of goods and services.

“There is no doubt that the flow-on effects can be fantastic…I rather buy from Guyanese providers than from the U.S. or other where else… we will continue to be supportive,” he said.

The Troy Resource representative also committed the company to training and education, as well as the transfer of skills.

“This is a significant step Turn to page 8

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday october 18, 2014

Harmon rapped for pledging APNU’s ‘unwavering’ support to Kaieteur News

EARLIER this month, Kaieteur News, in a page one comment, appealed for solidarity from the Guyanese public, in the face of what it has termed, “a ploy” by powers in high places to destroy its operations.

And General-Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Mr. Joseph Harmon, was quoted in the paper as saying: “We want to put the Government and Sattaur on notice that we will not sit idly by and watch them violate the rights of citizens,” adding that the newspaper has the coalition’s “unwavering” support in the fight for democracy against the powers that be.

H o w e v e r, t h i s newspaper was informed by a member of the main Opposition that Harmon’s comments put him in “hot water” with the APNU’s ‘higher ups.’

“Mr. Harmon was asked to write a letter to state that his comments were not General-Secretary the view of the party, of (APNU), but his own personMr. Joseph Harmon al views,” the inside source said, adding that the problem was with Harmon’s commitment of the Partnership’s “unwavering” support.

The grounds on which Kaieteur News is calling for support continues to be questioned and as it relates to Harmon’s comments, APNU in the last few years has come out with strong positions on tax evasion, privacy violations and extra-judicial killings – all of which are the subjects of allegations against Lall and his newspaper.

TAX FRAUD In early September, Lall was alleged to have evaded taxes for over a decade now. Reports are that, Mr. Lall, the owner of the Guyana National Media Publishing Company, is being investigated by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for the importation of printing ink packaged as a CARICOM (Caribbean Community) product, which enjoys duty free concessions under the Revised Treaty of Chaguramas. Under closer inspection, however, it was allegedly found that the origin of the inks were from overseas, thereby in breach of the treaty. As it relates to the progress of the investigation of the alleged tax evasion, the Guyana Chronicle was informed that the necessary verification requests are still with the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Prior to the tax evasion allegation, Mr. Lall was fingered in an alleged remigrant duty-free concession scam.

Six criminal charges, altogether, have since been filed against Glenn Lall, publisher of the local Kaieteur News, his wife, Bhena Lall, and Narootandeo and Gharbassi Brijnanan. The charges follow the

seizure of two vehicles allegedly at the centre of a duty-free scam. The two vehicles in question, PRR 8398 and PRR 8399, were handed over to GRA and impounded at the Authority’s warehouse, at the end of August, after an hour-long standoff between GRA officials and the Brijnanans’ son, Sankar, a high-ranking GRA employee. An investigation was then launched to ensure that procedures and policy, as well as the provisions of the law were adhered to.

The criminal charges, this newspaper understands, stem from that investigation. Lall and his wife were arraigned on Monday and are expected to return on November 24.

Also, in mid-September, both Lall and his wife were sued by the Town Clerk of the Mayor and City Council, Carol Sooba for the sum of $ 5,660,142 and $60,142 for unpaid rates and taxes for the years 2004 to 2013 in relation to their property at 24 Saffon Street. The case is currently being heard at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.

PRIVACY VIOLATIONS Lall and his newspaper are also at the centre of concerns across the Guyanese society over the privacy of electronic communications.

The Kaieteur News maintains its criticisms of GRA for the release of “confidential” information, which have been emphatically rejected by GRA’s Commissioner-General, Mr. Khurshid Sattaur.

However, the newspaper itself sparked the concerns of privacy violation, following its publication of alleged emails between senior public and government officials, as well as those of former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, which do not relate to the criminal charges that have been filed.

THREATS TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS Lall has also found himself embroiled in another problem, regarding an alleged threat to the GRA Commissioner-General.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has completed its investigations into the alleged threat made by publisher of Kaieteur News to Sattaur and the Crime Chief, Mr. Leslie James has disclosed that the matter is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The investigations followed a complaint made by the GRA Commissioner-General. He lodged a formal complaint at the Brickdam Police Station, regarding an alleged threat from publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall.

Standard Operating Procedures in similar matters require the lodging of one’s firearm, if the person making the alleged threat is a licensed firearm holder. However, it is unclear whether or not Lall has lodged his licensed firearm.

Additionally, the threat has sparked concerns relative to Lall’s involvement in an extra-judicial killing in 1994.

Lall is the self-confessed “vigilante” who shot and killed France at McDoom and later described the incident as an “unfortunate” accident.

According to the Stabroek News, which reported extensively on the killing, Lall, a well-known stallholder at the Stabroek Market and then rural constable with the police force shot France in the chest at close range with a .38 revolver.

Reports are that France’s step-son, Oliver Marshall, was wanted by the police in connection with a robbery at Lall’s home. On the day of the killing, Lall, using his post as a Rural Constable, went to France’s McDoom residence to arrest Marshall, where he was met with strong resistance by the boy’s relatives.

The Stabroek News article stated that police information indicated that there was a scuffle between Lall and Marshall, at which time the shot was fired and France was hit.

“We have information to suggest that the two were engaged in a scuffle before the shot was fired. It was not a cold-blooded killing as France’s relatives would want us to believe,” the police source said, in the February 2, 1994 report.

In the case of France’s killing, there was no inquest into the circumstances of publisher of Kaieteur his killing – an action News, Mr. Glenn Lall that has left eyebrows raised and many interested parties dissatisfied.

The conclusions reached by the police were deemed “not good enough” by France’s relatives.

This sense of discontent has resurfaced and many persons, including eyewitnesses of the shooting, are now asking questions, following Lall’s recent alleged threats to a senior public official, as well as talk of Government ministers being blackmailed by him.

Several politicos, who spoke to the Guyana Chronicle, concur that there seems to be an attempt to divert attention from the allegations of wrongdoing levelled against the paper and its publisher.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Ebola crisis: No impact from pledges of help, MSF says (BBC News) INTERNATIONAL pledges of deployments and aid for Africa’s Ebola-hit regions have not yet had any impact on the epidemic, a major medical charity says.

Christopher Stokes of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the disease was still out of control.

He said it was “ridiculous” that volunteers working for his charity were bearing the brunt of care in the worst-affected countries.

The disease has killed about 4,500 people so far, mostly in West Africa.

MSF runs about 700 out of the 1,000 beds available in treatment facilities Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The BBC’s Mark Doyle, at the UN Ebola logistics base in Ghana, says it is generally agreed that at least three times that number are needed.

Donors have given almost $400m (£250m) to UN agencies and aid organisations, following an appeal launched in September for $988m.

Separately, the UN is seeking $1bn for an Ebo-

la trust fund, to provide a flexible source of back-up money to contain Ebola.

But UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday made another urgent appeal, saying the trust fund had received only $100,000 - from Colombia - though $20m has been pledged.

Meanwhile, the WHO has announced that Senegal is now officially free of Ebola, as it has gone 42 days without any sign of the virus.

There was one confirmed case of Ebola in the country, in late August, and the patient survived.

Growing chorus Mr Stokes, who leads MSF’s Ebola response, said promises from the international community were encouraging “but it is not having any significant impact on the epidemic and it won’t now for maybe another month or month and a half..”

“We’ve been calling for massive deployments for several months now and the deployments are always behind the curve.”

Another NGO, Action Aid, said the outbreak had to be tackled at source in West Africa.

Liberia has had the largest number of deaths from the virus

Islamic State ‘training pilots to fly fighter jets’ (BBC News) IRAQI pilots who have joined Islamic State are training its members in Syria to fly three captured fighter jets, according to a UK-based activist group that monitors the conflict.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said witnesses had seen the planes being flown around a military airport in Aleppo.

Meanwhile, Iraqi forces have launched an attack on IS militants near Tikrit.

The city was among the areas in Syria and Iraq seized

by IS this year.

Rami Abdul Rahman, head of the SOHR, said IS was using Iraqi officers who were pilots under ex-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to train fighters in Syria.

“People saw the flights,

they went up many times from the airport and they are flying in the skies outside the airport and coming back,” he said.

It is not known how many Iraqi pilots have defected.

Witnesses told the SOHR the planes appeared to be MiG-21 or MiG-23 models.

The BBC’s Sally Nabil in Baghdad says IS has three

planes which it captured earlier from the Syrian military in Aleppo and Raqqa.

U.S. Central Command spokesman Col Patrick Ryder told Reuters the Pentagon was “not aware” of IS conducting any flight operations in Syria or elsewhere.

Aleppo became a key battleground in the fight between Syrian rebels, which now include IS, and govern-

ment forces after the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011.

New co-ordination Separately, the Iraqi government said its troops had gained ground to the north and west of Tikrit and cut an important IS supply route.

Correspondents say that past efforts by the government to regain territory in the area have ended in failure.

Many dead in collapse at South Korea 4Minute concert (BBC News) AT LEAST 16 people have been killed and 11 injured in an accident at a pop concert in Seongnam, south of Seoul in South Korea, officials say.

They say a ventilation grate collapsed and a group of concert-goers fell 10 metres (33ft) into an underground parking area.

The crowds had been watching an outdoor performance by the popular Korean girl band 4Minute and other bands.

The victims climbed on

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top of the grate to get a better view of the show.

Rescue workers warn that the death toll may rise.

‘Sucked into a hole’ “Twelve people were killed at the scene, two others died while they were being rushed to the hospital.

Others are assumed to have passed away while receiving medical treatment,” a local fire official was quoted as saying by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

About 700 people were

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at the concert, part of a local festival being held at Pangyo Techno Valley, a multi-purpose complex for technology firms.

In the dense crowd, 2030 people climbed on a grate over the deep ventilation shaft. Under their weight the grate gave way and the group fell through.

“I’m a bit shaken up but I’m OK. I was literally 20 ft away from where it happened. None of us knew what had happened. I was queuing up at the beer tent at the

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time. The concert had just started,” Ross Gibson, who lives in Seoul, told the BBC. Another eyewitness told YTN news channel: “There was a sudden, loud screaming, and when I turned it looked as if people were being sucked down into a hole.”

The BBC’s Steve Evans in Seoul says the immediate task was to save the lives of the injured but that the accident may intensify a debate in South Korea about safety standards.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Caribbean countries announce Ebola travel bans

(BBC News) A GROUP of Caribbean countries have announced bans on entry to foreigners who have travelled through the three West African countries most affected by Ebola.

Jamaica said it would not accept travellers from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone for the time being.

Guyana, the island of St Lucia, Haiti and Colombia also introduced a ban.

In the United States, President Barack Obama has resisted pressure to put similar bans in place.

Jamaica’s travel ban extends to “persons ordinarily resident in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as

Thousands of tourists visit Jamaica’s Montego Bay each year

persons who have travelled to or transited through Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, within 28 days of having departed from these countries.”

The government said Jamaican citizens and residents would be quarantined for 28 days and that it was a temporary measure.

St Lucia’s Prime Minister Kenny Anthony said his country was a poor small national that did not have the capacity “to manage any crisis that lands on our doorstep, any crisis of that kind,” He said an outbreak of the virus would be devastating for a country of only 200,000 people, where tourism is more than 60% of

GDP. Passengers from Nigeria would also be required to present a “recent medical certificate” clearing them of the virus he said.

Colombia included Senegal as well as Nigeria in their ban.

In Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said Guyanese diplomatic missions had been directed not to issue visas to people form West African nations until further notice.

Haiti’s Prime Minister tweeted that the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti was suspending the rotation of troops from African.

Jamaican Gov’t admits to paying Fuad on call for Ebola $$: US$36,000 for private plane to send Higher wages not a priority barred T&T Muslim leader home

KINGSTON, Jamaica — THE Jamaican Government has confirmed that it paid US$36,000 for a private plane to take leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen in Trinidad and Tobago Yasin Abu Bakr back to the twin-island republic Thursday morning.

Abu Bakr was initially placed on a Caribbean Airlines flight on Wednesday afternoon for return to Trinidad, but according to a statement from the Min-

Yasin Abu Bakr istry of National Security a short while ago, he became unruly and refused to take instructions.

He was subsequently removed from the flight.

The Jamaican Government says preliminary discussions were held with the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to Jamaica, Rev Dr Iva Gloudon, regarding Abu Bakr’s return.

However, under the circumstances, it is the country (in this case Jamaica) which refuses to land a passenger that is required to pay for the return flight, the statement said.

Chik-V forces closure of St Mary school (Jamaica Gleaner) THE impact of the chikungunya virus has forced the closure of a St Mary school.

Education Minister Ronald Thwaites has revealed that six of the seven teachers at Jack’s River Primary in the parish had fallen ill.

Thwaites says the school’s board, with guidance from the Regional Authority, subsequently agreed to close the school.

He says the school is expected to re-open on October 22, following the midterm break.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday to launch a national clean-up campaign in schools, the education minister said ab-

senteeism is still prevalent in some sections of the education sector.

However, he says the ministry has been doing its

best to provide support to schools.

The education ministry’s cleanup campaign is targeting 274 schools.

(Trinidad Guardian) PROVIDING more compensation for health care workers in light of the Ebola threat is not high on the agenda of the government. Rather, Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan says Government is focusing all efforts to improve safety procedures in case the virus found its way to T&T’s shores. Responding to questions about calls for improved remuneration for health care staff, Khan said: “Right now we are concerned with procedures for safety. Compensation will be done at an appropriate time.”

However, public relations officer of the Medical Association of T&T Dr Austin Trinidade said it was unfortunate that some people were trying to make money out of the perceived Ebola threat.

“You cannot start to make a profit out of a perceived emergency. That is absolute nonsense and I am very upset about it,” Trinidade said. He said anyone who went into the medical field understood the risks involved. “To ask for extra pay and insurance is to cash in on serious situation. That is not the ethics that health workers should follow. “All of us face the risks of all kinds of diseases. Ebola is an extreme case but when you become a health worker you understand what is involved and there is an ethical principle by which we work. “We cannot be paid extra because of added risks. If it is a problem to work with these risks then you should not become a health worker. You cannot make money out of Ebola. Nowhere in the world is this happening.” he added.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Spread the word, contain the virus IF we are to be guided by up-to-the-minute reports emanating from the principal international health organisation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) - the dreaded Ebola infectious disease is almost uncontrollable, threatening to assume pandemic proportions.

Current figures as it relates to deaths from the principally affected states of Guinea where the outbreak started, Sierra Leone, and Liberia are 4,493 deaths, and 8,997 cases, either confirmed, suspected or probable.

Two other affected African states, Nigeria and Senegal, appears to have arrested the spread of the virus, as there have been no recent reported cases.

Although this deadly disease had been ravaging those named African states, the general conclusion was that it was an entirely African concern.

However, as the numbers

started to mount, the realisation of a much wider contagion with a high casualty rate began to dawn, prompting international involvement in the form of material assistance and personnel offered towards the African states for combating the deadly scourge.

The world’s reality, however, was finally jolted when the Duncan case broke in the United States, followed by his subsequent death; then on to Spain, and even in Brazil, where there has been a recorded death, and two individual cases of the infection being diagnosed.

As it is, mankind is definitely threatened by a deadly viral, the nature of which is proven clinically more deadly than the still uncured HIV/ AIDS disease, for which there is medication that now enables its victims to enjoy longer, even normal lives.

But not the Ebola; for those exposed to infected persons – the disease manifests within twenty one

days, with any chance of survival depending on specifically immediate diagnosis, once early symptoms appear. But even that is not a guarantee of survival since, according to statistics, there is, so far, a mortality rate of almost 70% of infected persons.

Thus it comes as no surprise that the world is now literally in panic mode, as countries begin to implement preventive measures to this deadly viral, entering their ports.

Guyana has already mounted a proactive programme that focuses primarily on the importance of screening and detection of potentially infected persons and isolation measures, with a latter facility identified within the precincts of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Similar measures are also being effected within the wider CARICOM constellation, as is the case in most countries around the world.

But within the last few days, these initial steps have been extended to placing bans, for the time being, on visitors from the affected African states. St Lucia, Trinidad, Jamaica and Guyana, are the first CARICOM countries to resort to such extremes.

However diplomatically unfriendly such a measure may seem, it is most understandable given the fact that international travel is a certainty of taking the disease from its place of origin to other shores.

Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian, did bring the viral with him to the U.S.A., when he arrived to visit relatives.

An early indication of this not surprising step occurred when a group of Guyanese parliamentarians decided against attending the 60th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Confer-

ence in Yaounde, Cameroon although there is no known instance of the virus there at the moment.

Already, Israel has announced taking of body temperature measures for arrivals, with Nigeria also maintaining very strict screening at its airports, seaports and border areas.

The Unites States, seen as the lead country in efforts to combat the spread of this infectious disease, has also implemented elaborate mechanisms for screening arrivals at five major airports; but the Obama administration has so far not instituted a ban on visitors from the major affected countries.

Of course, there are the attendant quarantine facilities for suspected victims.

As alluded above, we can understand and appreciate restrictive entry measures, adopted by any CARICOM Member state, particularly

the smaller island states.

A disease of the deadly Ebola type is a huge threat for even developed states with advanced economies and all the inherent technologies. But, such can only have cataclysmic consequences for the tiny Caribbean economies, as frankly reiterated by Prime Minister Kenny Anthony of St Lucia.

Holistically, the social and economic consequences of this threatening pandemic are too frightful to comprehend, should these initial steps be found inadequate in halting its spread. This means that all states within the international community ought to work assiduously, even coordinating their strategies, especially at regional levels in the battle against this perilous monster. Time is certainly not on anyone’s side – Ebola has to be halted!

Enmore under siege by criminal elements THE media has been carrying reports of the recent Enmore incident. As such, kindly accommodate my comments below in your newspaper.

Firstly, I join in expressing kudos to the Police Officer in charge at Bartica for stopping the sale of alcohol to students at school sports in Bartica. I recall Inspector John Singh doing the same thing on the East Coast last year. However, during last week’s inter-school events at Enmore, children were seen playing ‘chic-chic’ and Guinness and Beer were consumed openly, even by students. It would be difficult to convince me that teachers were not aware. We are degenerating and sinking

rapidly-with the help of some teachers.

I also wish to disagree with Chairman of the Enmore/Hope NDC who told a reporter that crime is not an issue in Enmore. It does not help the situation when we cocoon ourselves in the cloak of denial. Notwithstanding that myself and a few other executives of the Concerned Citizens of Enmore Policing Group were booted out of the Group for speaking out against malpractices within the Group, I am very aware of incidents in Enmore of which my good friend, the NDC Chairman, may not be aware. There are records elsewhere which can

attest to my intervention in many criminal matters occurring in the Enmore area.

Those who are in denial may be advised that “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” There are on-going incidents in Enmore of rapes, robberies, break-and-enter, narco selling and consumption, simple larceny, etc, committed by young men from within and without Enmore.

In most cases the Police cannot prosecute because victims refuse to give statements.

And that is another tragedy.

Victims want justice but they will not stand up and do the right thing. But can they complain!

Anyway, back to the top-

ic. Narcotics are consumed by over 30% of the youths in Enmore, some as young as 12 years. Many young married couples use drugs. There are over 12 drug cells in Enmore.

Mr NDC Chairman, that is the reality. Being ostrich-like will not make the problem disappear. Instead, our denial allows it to escalate.

And this is where a vibrant Policing Group in Enmore would have played its part.

Crime in Enmore was minimal about seven years ago because the Concerned Citizens Group was 300-odd strong and straddled all the “wards” of Enmore. We made criminal elements uncomfortable.

Today, there are no elections,

no meetings, no Group. Let anyone who wishes to take issue with what I write herein do an honest investigation on the ground instead of listening to the lies of those who have an interest in covering their rears. The truth will be known then.

Mr Editor, I live in Enmore. I may stay silent some of the time. But I must now speak out against the growing crime wave, even if my posture is different from those I call my friends. If they wish to take it personal, it is their tragedy.

I would have done my duty. Let them do theirs.

Crime is a national issue. I am addressing crimes in En-

more here, not personalities or friends.

I am therefore calling through this letter for a meeting of the Concerned Citizens of Enmore Policing Group to be convened at the instance of the Community Policing Secretariat to address the resuscitation of the Group so that the residents in Enmore can once again stand together and defy criminal elements who have put Enmore under siege.

The time has come for other residents to speak out - for or against the foregoing- and act.

TAAJNAUTH JADUNAUTH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

The position of Speaker has been compromised in unethical fashion - iNews poll concocted, has no merit ACCORDING to an iNewsguyana.com report (http:// www.inewsguyana.com/Raphael Trotman-should-remain-in-speaker-position-despite-sex-allegations-inews-poll/) a poll was done which found that Raphael Trotman should remain in the Speaker position despite the sex allegations. No one seems to have heard of such a poll being conducted, so questions abound, such as: 1) 2) 3) 4)

How was this poll conducted?

When (during what timeframe) was this poll done?

Where (place or places) was this poll conducted?

Across which/what diaspora (especially political affiliation) of the Guyanese community was the poll conducted?

5) Which poll results were rejected?

6) What means/method(s) were used to conduct this poll?

7) How can iNews refer to 1,300 persons of the approximate 800,000 people in the Guyanese community as ‘many’?

8) Was access to the poll granted to the approximate 800,000 people of Guyana?

9) Were any children (potential victims) polled and if so how many?

10) Were victims of paedophilia polled?

If these criteria are not met, I can therefore conclude that the iNews report has no merit and it seems that this News

Report of a poll is a farce with the intent on swaying the public’s support in favour of Raphael Trotman against Johnny Welshman. The article reveals the prejudiced stance that the iNewsGuyana.com has taken in showing it is politically affiliated in its support of Raphael Trotman and the Opposition’s self-interests, and has no interest in justice being done in the Courts of Law. iNews has therefore shown with this concocted poll that it is not neutral, or at least biased towards defending and protecting a child or any child of Guyana, especially from paedophilia.

Even the NGOs have shown they will not protest on behalf of Johnny Welshman against Raphael Trotman, showing they support Opposition self-interests and only rally on the call from the Opposition to do protests. These NGOs have therefore shown that they are by extension, arms of the Opposition.

After Johnny Welshman made his allegations public, he has been gagged with an injunction, sued for Gy$50 million, approached with settlement money, approached with ‘hush-money’, and threatened, all by various persons who have their motives influenced by expectations, pay-offs and rewards.

According to Johnny Welshman, even the lives of lawyers were threatened so as to prevent him (Johnny Welshman) from getting legal representation. These persons may be agents of Raphael Trotman and his lawyer Nigel Hughes, and/ or the Opposition, but won’t Raphael Trotman be indebted to them for their efforts?

Aren’t many of these efforts such as threatening the lives of lawyers also criminal actions? Due to the protection coming from his colleagues in the Opposition and/or their agents, Raphael Trotman will be indebted and in return he will be required to grant favours to those colleagues and/or their agents of the Opposition through his position of Speaker of the National Assembly.

After the injunction, Johnny Welshman could not use the media to voice his allegations, while Raphael Trotman was making full use of the media to sway public confidence in his (Raphael Trotman) alleged innocence. During a press release after gagging Welshman, Trotman said he never represented anyone who was charged with a heinous crime but yet he took as his lawyer his very own colleague Nigel Hughes who has a reputation of representing people charged with heinous crimes.

All the above shows that the seat of the Speaker is compromised in unethical fashion as all those who seek to exploit the position of the Speaker, have rushed to and will rush to the aid of Raphael Trotman who in return will owe rewards of his Office to ‘all-and-sundry.’ It is time the Guyanese Diaspora ask whether they’re supporting the self-interests of Raphael Trotman, Nigel Hughes and the Opposition, or whether they are serving and supporting the interests of the Guyanese people including the children.

BALRAM SINGH

I admire Khurshid Sattaur THE current and constant personal attack on Mr. Khurshid Sattaur, Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for doing his job by the Kaieteur newspaper owner and publisher is malicious, vile, disgraceful, libelous and must have made the famous doyen of print journalism, the late Dr. Vic Forsythe, to be turning in his grave .

Mr. Sattaur’s career at the GRA has been founded on the gift of a formidable brain which has moved the Revenue Authority from strength to strength with the massive increases in revenue collection year after year as well as improving staff morale.

What I mostly admired about him is that he has not been afraid in going after those delinquent taxpayers who feel that they are above the law. Through every medium he has unreservedly made some breathtaking breakthrough to capture and to bring in the revenue owing to the Government and he should be commended for the hard work he has been doing despite the many challenges facing him.

This has irritated those who do not like to part with

their money, but usually like to portray themselves, through publicity, that they are doing so much of good for those who cannot afford to pay to further their education.

In Guyana some people are so gullible to those with money that even when they are breaking the Income Tax

Law, they have followers who are backing and representing them in order to make them feel important.

The Government has given this son of the soil a national award for his dedicated service to his job, and I do hope that the University of the West Indies will see it fit at some stage to honor him with a Doctorate in recognition of his contribution and hard work to taxation in Guyana.

The benefits enjoyed by citizens of any country are derived by taxes, and Mr. Sattaur has made that bold step in making us proud as

we travel around the country and seeing what the tax dollars are doing for all of us, including those who like to condemn and criticise, and that is all they can do.

Those who are now writing to the professional ‘Accounting Body’ of which

Mr. Sattaur is a member should try to understand and read the Tax Act and stick to the issues rather than trying to ‘bring a good man down.’

This is the election season and perhaps the GRA has been infiltrated by some representatives of political

parties who are on the campaign trail. My advice to all the staff at the GRA is to focus on your work and stop bringing the boss down. He has set a good platform for us to continue to do well in our various areas of work.

To all the taxpayers,

you have an obligation to yourself, country and future generations; just diffuse your mind from reading and listening to trash, and try at all times to think well of people, since we all have a short life on this earth. So pay your taxes for the betterment of all of us.

PETER FRASER Taxpayer

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Guyana captures Regional Awards for Outstanding Performance at CSEC again

THE Ministry of Education has announced with pride that Guyana has once again done extraordinarily at the CSEC examinations as Guyana gains four Regional Awards for Outstanding Performance in the May/ June 2014 examinations.

The following students will receive awards for their outstanding performance this year: 1. Elisa Hamilton, Queen’s College--Overall Outstanding Achievement 2. Aliyyah Abdul Kadir, Queen’s College--Most Outstanding in Humanities 3. Ryhan Chand, Queen’s

College-- Most Outstanding in Business Studies 4. Kishan Crichlow, New Amsterdam Multilateral School --Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational In recognition of their achievements, CXC will present these students with awards at a ceremony to be held at the UWI Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, Jamaica on Thursday December 4, 2014.

The Ministry of Education has extended congratulations to the students on their exemplary performance and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Last year Guyana won five of the eight awards offered. The winners from Guyana were: Yogeeta Persaud - Anna Regina Secondary School, Overall Outstanding Achievement; Rafena Mustapha - Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Most Outstanding in Humanities; Cecil Cox – Queen’s College, Most Outstanding in Sciences; Sasha S Woodroffe – Queen’s College, Most Outstanding in Business Studies; and Zimeena A Rasheed - Anna Regina Secondary School, Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Testing of samples will prove if body is that of MFK - Crime Chief

By Leroy Smith CRIME Chief Leslie James yesterday confirmed that the Guyana Police Force will be taking samples from the remains found at Cummings Lodge in September and match them against persons who are claiming that they are the relatives of missing businessman Mohamed Khan (MFK) and that the remains found are his.

James, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, explained that the police will also first have to determine if the remains which were found without a head attached is indeed a person of East Indian ancestry.

In addition to that, several other tests would have to be carried out and according to James those would be done locally and whatever

cannot be done here would have to be sent outside of Guyana to a destination that would be decided upon.

The Crime Chief also explained that due to the absence of the number two Pathologist Dr. Bridgemohan who is on leave, Dr. Nehaul Singh is extremely overwhelmed and as such he was unable to conduct the post-mortem yesterday as anticipated by the police.

He, however, assured that the post-mortem would be done in the coming week, as early as possible.

On Wednesday the relatives of the missing businessman identified the remains which are at a city funeral parlour as that of the missing businessman who had survived execution attempts on his life in the past.

Sources said that the relatives were able to positively identify the partly

decomposed remains of that of the businessman but it is not clear what aspect of the remains caused them to be so sure. It was against that backdrop that the Crime Chief said that the mere claim by the relatives that the remains are that of the businessman could not suffice and therefore tests would have to be carried out.

In September, workers clearing an area close to the cemetery at Cummings Lodge on the railway embankment stumbled on the headless corpse which seemed to have been tortured before it was dumped. The head suspected to being part of the body was discovered a short distance away on a private property in a plastic bag after it was taken there by the dogs which had already began devouring it.

Government/Troy Resources ink multi-million...

From page 2

Sparendaam Traffic Division gets supplies from station management committee

By Raveena Mangal SPARENDAAM Police Station traffic officers on Tuesday received a much-needed donation of traffic equipment from its station management committee.

Treasurer of the committee, Attorney-at-law, Gwendolyn Bristol presented four luminous traffic vests and two LED traffic control wands to Commander, Christopher Griffith.

Others at the handing over of the supplies included Assistant Superintendent Ramlakan, Crime Officer Reshi Das, committee members James Austin, Chairman of the Sparendaam Police Station, Pastor Basil Roberts and Officer-in-Charge of Traffic, Sergeant Griffith.

Attorney Bristol expressed hope that the supplies would be useful and well taken care of. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Griffith, upon receiving the donation, noted that it would be particularly

An aerial view of the operations of the Australian Mining Company Troy Resources Guyana Inc.

for us and it is a real partnership between us and the Guyanese people…it is a good partnership and it will help all,” he said.

Commander Griffith receives the donation from attorneyat-law, Gwendolyn Bristol on behalf of the Sparendaam Station Management committee

helpful to the traffic officers during standard road block exercises. The officers were previously unable to do night patrols due to their lack of equipment.

The functioning of the station management committee is to be commended, said ASP Ramlakhan, due to their response to varying issues within the commu-

nity. Chairman, Pastor Roberts said the aim of the group is to forge partnerships with members of the community to alleviate some of the ills within the communities under their watch. In particular, they are striving to get youths involved in projects and activities that will teach them to spend time wisely.

SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT Persaud noted: “This represents a significant investment in the mining sector, coming at a time when we have had some amount of predictability, in terms of outlook and so on…the fact that we were able to move forward with this agreement, makes it clear that investor confidence is sound,” he said.

According to him, Government has created conditions that not only encourage economic growth, but also foster investor confidence, particularly as it relates to foreign direct investments.

“We want to ensure that we do business in Guyana the correct way and that we do what is best for the people of

Guyana,” he said.

The minister added that the agreement has had input from several stakeholders to ensure the best arrangement was made.

“This agreement will certainly be one in which all Guyanese will be proud of that as regulators and as Government, we are administering the affairs in the interest of the people and to bring about maximum benefits,” he said.

Persaud pointed to the company’s track record and noted that it is expected that the company will meet its responsibilities, environmental, social and corporate.

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Chairman, Mr. Clinton Williams, who also witnessed the signing, assured that the company has the full support of the Commission.

The Karouni project currently employs approximately

200 people in various disciplines and a substantial increase is expected over the coming month in anticipation of the increase in construction activities. It is projected that at steady state the number of employees at the project will settle to around 500 including contractors and service personnel.

To date the company has constructed a registered allweather airport at the project site and is currently continuing with road upgrades on the roadway from Linden to the Project site.

The Karouni project marks the first entry into Guyana by Troy Resources Limited through its wholly owned subsidiary, Troy Guyana Inc. Troy’s other projects are located in Para State in Brazil and San Juan State in Argentina.

All are focused on gold with the addition of silver in Argentina.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

REMEMBERING JANET JAGAN - a champion of women’s rights and of human rights - a distinguished Guyanese leader and citizen extraordinaire

AS the governing party celebrates the birth anniversary of former Executive President and First Lady of the land, Mrs. Jagan Jagan, it is fitting that the nation reflects on the contributions of this amazing woman to this land to which she dedicated her entire adult lifetime.

One of the most fitting tributes to the Guyanese matriarch, Mrs. Janet Jagan, was by Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P., and General-Secretary of the RPA – excerpts as follows:- “In l946, the Father of the Guyanese Nation, in equal partnership with indisputably the greatest frontline fighter for women’s rights in this country – the indomitable, inimitable Mrs. Janet Jagan, along with Messrs. Ashton Chase and Jocelyn Hubbard formed the Political Affairs Committee (PAC).

1946 also saw the formation of the Women’s Political and Economic Organization (WPEO) – the predecessor to the WPO, led

by Mrs. Jagan, Ms Winifred Gaskin, and Frances Stafford. These were intrepid women indeed, because they challenged the old order, and the bastion of male supremacy that dominated within the dictates of societal norms. The WPO, which evolved from the WPEO, is the original and primary women’s organisation in the nation. In local parlance – ‘Any other is a mock.’”

He described her as “… this champion of women’s rights and of human rights… the woman whom has truly loved and mothered this country and its people – first out of love and loyalty for

Mrs. Janet Rosenberg Jagan, OE

“If married women can today work in public institutions, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if Guyana’s women have a voice against abuse - in all its myriad forms, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can vote today, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can stand today in equal partnership with male counterparts in the highest law-making and policy-making forum in the land – the Legislative Assembly, we have to thank Janet Jagan…for pioneering the way of the freedom we today enjoy in our homeland.” her husband, then for their own sakes.

Seeraj spoke at length of “… the perils and travails she endured in pursuit of social rights and justice, which included six months of hard labour in prison, separation from her babies, curtailment of her freedoms in diverse ways, lifelong threats and attempts on her life – Michael Forde martyred his life to save hers and the lives

of countless others when he grabbed a bomb and deflected it from exploding in Freedom House. When, out of the love, commitment, dedication, and the supreme loyalty she has always demonstrated to her husband Cheddi, and by extension his people, she fulfilled his last request and accepted the presidency upon his demise, she was witch-hunted out of that

office by the very nation for which she fought all her adult life; yet she never advocated retaliation against any section or community, but always extended forgiveness with grace. Her love for this nation and its people was paralleled only by that of her husband’s.”

He continued, “If married women can today work in public institutions, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if Guyana’s women have a voice against abuse - in all its myriad forms, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can vote today, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can stand today in equal partnership with male counterparts in the highest law-making and policy-making forum in the land – the Legislative Assembly, we have to thank Janet Jagan…for pioneering the way of the freedom we today enjoy in our homeland.”

“Beyond their public personas, the romance of Dr Cheddi Jagan and Mrs Janet Jagan was an ode to love that transcended all the divides to emerge sublimely pure and indestructible – a transcendental experience that reached out to gather within its embrace the entire Guyanese nation – and even beyond these shores, as was demonstrably exemplified in Dr. Jagan’s New Global Human order,” in which he argued for a restructuring of the global economic and social dispensation so that poverty and hunger can be eradicated and the human dimension to development would supersede all other considerations.

Both Cheddi and Janet

Mrs. Janet Rosenberg Jagan (October 20, 1920 – March 28, 2009) was an American-born socialist politician who was the first woman President of Guyana from December 19, 1997, to August 11, 1999. She previously served as the first woman Prime Minister of Guyana from March 17, 1997, to December 19, 1997. And through a long politically active life she made a momentuous contribution in the shaping of Guyana’s politics. were strong advocates for the empowerment of the vulnerable – with a special focus on women, and Dr. Jagan exemplified and encapsulated all the best qualities of a son, a father, a husband, a grandfather, a leader of men and of nations, but in fulfilling every one of these duties his wife stood in equal partnership resolutely and unwaveringly by his side.

The Jagans set high standards in ethics, integrity, and morality…They tried to inculcate these values into the society that they nurtured by living their lives well and by empowering and encouraging others to do so.”

Mrs. Jagan became Guyana’s first Prime Minister and First Vice-President on 17th March 1997. She was subsequently sworn in as the first woman President of the Republic of Guyana.

UNESCO awarded the Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal to Mrs. Jagan in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the struggle for peace, democracy, and

the promotion of women’s rights.

A representative of UNESCO presented the prestigious UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal, which is awarded to an elite group of select world figures of outstanding merit, to Mrs. Janet Jagan on Monday 4th August 1997.

Seeraj concluded his presentation by describing Mrs. Jagan as “… the woman who left the shores of her homeland to carve a destiny for the Guyanese people alongside her life-partner, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.”

Indeed, and carve Guyana’s destiny into a glorious mould they certainly did.

Janet Jagan can never die; because she lives on in the strong and vibrant voices of the brigade of young advocates for justice, liberty, human and women’s rights. Just listen to Priya Manickchand, Vindhya Persaud, and uncountable others who set their standards by her achievements.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday october 18, 2014

President warns of the serious implications of the Ebola epidemic

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar in an address to the nation yesterday warned of the serious implications of the Ebola epidemic.

Below is the ful text of his address: Fellow Guyanese, I am addressing you on a matter of great significance to Guyana and to the world, that is, the Ebola Epidemic.

As you are aware this deadly disease has been having a devastating impact on countries of West Africa.

I wish on behalf of the Government and all Guyanese to extend our profound concern and solidarity with the governments and people of Liberia, Guinea President Donald Ramotar and Sierra Leone, in particular, in West Africa, who are battling this deadly disease.

The International Community is only now in the process of providing assistance to combat this disease and to stop its spread.

Guyana, in its own small way, has joined those

efforts to muster resources to assist these countries in halting its spread.

However, despite this we have seen it crossing continents into Europe and the United States of America.

In the world that we live in today in which globalisation has spawned the most massive movement of people in history, no country is guaranteed that it would not be affected.

Here in Guyana we also have to take preventative and curative measures to protect our people. If, per chance, this disease reaches our shores we must be prepared to limit its effect to contain and bring it under control as fast as possible.

We have already taken steps in that direction.

In the first instance, residents from a number of West African countries are not being issued with Visas to come to Guyana during this epidemic.

We are also advising our citizens to avoid travelling to those destinations for the time being, but if they must, they must declare if they have visited any of those countries affected

by Ebola, or countries that are at risk in West Africa.

We have stepped up surveillance at ports of entry.

Passengers arriving in Guyana are being more thoroughly screened at these ports.

In this regard, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and Ogle Airport Authorities, the Ministries of Works and

Health have been working closely to monitor the arriving passengers.

Modern equipment is being used and more is being acquired to raise the effectiveness of this exercise.

The government has been, and will be acquiring additional medical supplies including more protective gear, gloves, etc in order to be better prepared.

Retention centres are being identified and established for quarantine and monitoring of suspected cases.

In the event of the discovery of suspected cases, the Public Health responses have been organised.

Suspected arriving passengers will be quarantined at holding centres at Ports of Entry.

Elsewhere, suspected persons, if hospitalised would be cared for under conditions of strict isolation.

Larger population of suspected cases would be mandatorily quarantined at identified facilities established in the country.

This situation, I am sure you will appreciate, is one that calls for the full cooperation of the whole population of our country.

I propose to seek maximum cooperation on this urgent matter.

I shall be formally inviting the Leader of the Opposition and the leaders of all Parliamentary Political Parties and civil society to join forces with the government in a national response to prepare and protect our people from the deadly Ebola disease.

Grand pre-Diwali celebrations billed for Indian Monument Gardens Sunday

By Raveena Mangal ON Sunday October 19 at the Indian Monument Gardens, the ISHO Guyana Chapter and the United Federation for Arts and Culture will present its inaugural pre-Diwali celebrations.

While Diwali is celebrated throughout Guyana with much pomp and ceremony, this event will be a prelude to the festivities, with an evening of classical Diwali songs and elegant dancing displays.

With outstanding Guyanese talent such as the well known and admirable Sookrane Boodhoo and Mohan Nandu expected to perform, the show promises to be one not to miss.

Also expected to perform is one of Guyana’s foremost Indian musicians, Bhaskar Sharma. A resident of Canada, he won the first vocal music scholarship to India from the Indian Cultural Centre in 1973; he subsequently taught music in Canada, and has approximately seven CDs to his name.

Other artistes include top Guyanese singers, Ramkissoon Singh, who is a top student of the Indian Cultural Centre, and Ceceila Samaroo, the skilled founder and leader

of Shakti Stings Orchestra. ‘Jaya’ from the Windsor Forest Arya Samaj Group and ‘Anuradha’ from the Sai Centre at Vreed-en-Hoop on West Coast will also be giving renditions to usher in Diwali.

Sponsored by the SIGFA Health Organisation and the United Federation for Arts and Culture, President of the organisations, Vishnu Bandhu revealed that the show aims at providing traditional Indian songs and music to the patrons.

The funds raised, he said, will go towards acquiring and building an Indian Cultural Band that will be a part of a bigger endeavour of the sponsors to promote local talent.

Vishnu Bandhu was the President of United Arya Samaj Federation (UASF) and currently the honorary President of the UASF New York and President of West Demerara Arya Samaj. He spent his entire life in social work not only in religious organisations but also in the Lions Club and other NGOs. The creative and enthusiastic Jewan Ka Nritya Dance Group directed by Roshini Boodhoo will be giving special presentations of dancing and plays befitting the celebration of Diwali.

Singer, Bhashkar Sharma (left) and Vishnu Bandhu, President of the United Federation for Arts and Culture The gates of the Monument Garden, at Camp and Church Streets, Georgetown, will open at 16:00 hrs. (4pm). Tickets are priced at $500 for adults and $300 for children and can be uplifted at Bagwans and Satro’s on Water

Street. Tickets are also available at the United Federation for Arts and Culture which is located at 48 South New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop.

All are invited to the inaugural event and Indian sweetmeats and soft drinks will be on sale.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

‘Obeah man’ rips off unsuspecting females, seduces them

By Alex Wayne AT least three very humiliated women are calling down fire and brimstone on an “obeah man” whom they claim has “rigged out monies” from them after he performed rituals on them to remove demons, ending his escapades with sexual encounters.

This newspaper was first given word of the horrid happening when our reporter was summoned by a taxi driver (with whom he is affiliated), who is a relative of one of the victims. Our reporter contacted the first female whose phone number was provided and after ensuring that she would remain anonymous, the woman told a dreadful tale.

The woman who hails from Hague, West Coast Demerara, related that she

visited the so-called obeah man last Friday after he was recommended by a male relative of hers. The woman said that she had been tormented in her home by evil spirits for months now and was desperate to get some spiritual assistance.

She said she approached the man who resides in Stewartville, West Coast Demerara and he agreed to perform a “soul- saving ritual” at his home. She said she arrived at his residence around 14:00 hrs on Friday last and he took her to a room where he lit candles and first promised to “read her palms” for $2,000.

She said after pocketing her money, the man began to roll his eyes heavenwards, uttering “gibberage” as he swayed from side to side.

She said that he asked her to stretch out her palms and he traced circles with

his fingers and kept staring her intensely in the eyes. She said that he suddenly began convulsing as if in a seizure before opening his eyes wide and proclaiming that she was troubled by a very evil spirit that was sent to torment her by enemies she is not aware that she has.

The woman said the man then proceeded to open two bottles of red Banko wine he had told her to purchase and instructed her to drink half of the contents from one bottle. He said he took about two mouthfuls from the other bottle and proceeded to spit some of the wine in her face, claiming that this will infuriate the demon and cause it to rise to the occasion.

She said the man began to grab her breast, abdomen, hips and thighs, with frenzied claims that the demon was running around in those

places, desperately trying to avoid his (the obeah man’s) presence. She said at one interval he told her that he had trapped the spirit in her pelvic area and would have to remove her underwear to have the demon exit her body via her vagina.

The woman said the man then took what looked like a “mosquito brush” and began to lash her about the body as he hoisted her skirt with his hands. She said at one point she thought it strange that the obeah man was aroused, but her desperation to rid herself of the demon he claimed was within her made her allow what appeared to be sexual advances.

She said the man seemed to call upon the demon by a strange name ordering it to leave her body. She said he did this for about five minutes before stopping to inform

her that the demon was very stubborn and would not leave unless it was “sucked out” of her body.

She said she was shocked when the man got to his knees and began to perform oral sex on her pausing between gasps to shout at the demon he claimed was wrestling with him. She said his antics seemed strange, but she was powerless since his theatrics seemed real and she also had become aroused.

She said when the obeah man apparently realised she was in the throes of ecstasy, he removed his pants and gulped that the demon would only leave after intercourse.

The woman who wept during the interview said the man had sex with her and jumped off her as he ejaculated, informing that the demon was gone.

The woman said she was

humiliated and devastated by what had happened and left the man’s home hurriedly.

She said when she returned home, the night after she still continued to have horrid nightmares and hearing “things laughing and running about” in her home at nights.

She made contact with another woman who resides at La Grange, West Bank Demerara and who suffered a similar fate. This woman said her experience has left her traumatised and unable to respond to her husband sexually without feeling guilty.

She said that the “obeah man” is dark in complexion, sports a pony tail and sells rat poison and other items in various villages on the West Demerara, where he is pouncing on unsuspecting females who would solicit his services for spiritual healing and other reasons.

Mammoth crowds expected Essequibo mother of four at Essequibo Nite exhibition attempts suicide THE Region 2 administration in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture will declare open the 15th annual Essequibo Nite Exhibition and Trade Fair Friday night in an atmosphere of celebration, love, peace, togetherness, and unity at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground under the theme: “Fostering agricultural and manufacturing development, promoting our trade potential.”

A release from the regional administration said the response from the general public on the Essequibo Nite activity is positive and large crowds are expected to turn up at the venue on both nights to view exhibits and join in the Agriculture Month celebration. The release said the planning committee for the massive activity has changed the theme of the exhibition to: “Fostering agricultural and manufacturing development so as to highlight the growing trade and manufacturing industries in the region.”

The release said the administration has constructed in excess of 130 booths on the ground, which will be

A mother of four small children of Somerset and Berks village on the Essequibo Coast, one week ago, had attempted suicide in an effort to end ongoing quarrels and domestic problems with her husband.

According to reports that are now coming to light, the woman was desperate to end her life and so took a bottle fully occupied. Region 2 Vice-Chairman, Mr Vishnu Samaroo, said the Ministry of Agriculture will have a large tent to showcase its different departments such as Guyana Rice Development Board, NAREI, crops and livestock and fisheries.

Reports said the private sector on the Essequibo Coast and in Georgetown are actively participating and supporting the Essequibo Night event. Several companies from the Essequibo Coast and Pomeroon including Pomeroon Oil Mills; Original Juice Centre; Big Bird and Sons Fish Complex; Jaigobin’s supermarket; Ansa Mc Al; Banks DIH; the Beharry Group of Companies, along

with Digicel and GT&T and many other companies are expected to participate.

Essequibians always look forward to Essequibo Nite as one of great celebration, where families come together to enjoy themselves after hard work in the fields.

Fifteen years ago, Essequibo Nite was birthed in the Region by Late Minister of Agriculture Mr. Satyadeow Sawh. The late minister started the activity under the theme: “Made in Guyana, grown in Guyana” and he would always say at the start of Essequibo Nite: I “salute all farmers and hats off to all farmers.” (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

containing a poisonous substance used for spraying and killing grass and with her children crying and holding on to her, she took one mouthful of the poison but quickly started to spit it out and ran to get water to wash her mouth.

Reports said the small children cried and screamed as their mother tried to get rid of the poison from her

mouth before her husband arrived home. However her tongue, lips and internal part of her mouth were damaged by the poison.

Relatives who later learnt of the suicide attempt said the mother should thank God for saving her life and should find herself in a God- fearing church. (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

Repsol donates stationery to Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated REPSOL Exploration (Guyana) SA, recently donated a quantity of stationery to help boost Food for the Poor Guyana’s (FFTP) stationery drive which was launched in July, 2014.

At a simple ceremony in FFTP’s boardroom, Indira Chandarpal, a representative of the energy company, said that she was pleased that Repsol could assist FFTP to complete the requirements

of their stationery drive. “We are happy to be a part of this venture and look forward to supporting Food for the Poor in its future endeavours,” she concluded.

In his response, Chief Executive Officer of FFTP, Mr. Kent Vincent, thanked Repsol for their kind gesture in supporting the stationery drive. “There are so many children who find it difficult to acquire basic

necessities to attend school.

Food for the Poor is the leading entity that makes donations and so we are very happy today to be at the receiving end, so that we in turn can help those in need,” he said. He further stated that FFTP would like to encourage other companies and businesses to contribute not only school items but other items that would be useful to the poor.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday october 18, 2014

From KFC to ‘Chicka D’ ... Closed fast food outlets re-opened

By Shirley Thomas Two months after the local KFC outlets were closed, purportedly for maintenance works, all five outlets are back in business, but under a different name.

The new name under which the business is now run is “Chicka D,” according to a management official, even though the name has not yet been posted on the buildings.

“Chicka D” threw its doors open to the public on Monday, October 13, immediately with a promotional offer. Customers can now get a “Chicka D” special for just $500. The offer comprises one piece fried chicken, along with a 16-oz drink and one packet of

fries. And the offer has been well received. Ever since the posting of text messages on cellular phones informing of the re-opening of the five facilities, persons have been zeroing in on the offer, and have reported being satisfied with the product.

All items previously sold at the KFC facility are being sold at “Chicka D,” though perhaps under new names. Some of the names being featured include: “Fiery Wings” and “Supa Fire.”

The facilities are open for business from 09:30 hrs to 00:00hrs (midnight) and are located at Vlissengen Road, Sheriff Street; Stabroek and Bagotstown.

With looks of contentment, these two patrons zero in on the new “Chicka D” special

Essequibian cops grand US$5,000 prize in ANSA McAL promotion

By Clestine Juan HEMWANTIE Bissoondyal, of Golden Fleece Estate, Region 2, took home the grand prize of US$5,000 in the ANSA McAL TRINCHLORO SURE CASH’ promotion, from approximately 12,000 participants.

The presentation was made yesterday at ANSA McAL Trading Ltd, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

Bissoondyal, an expecting mother, was of course happy to receive her prize and pointed out that she had had no intention to take part in the draw, but was persuaded by her seven-year-old son to enter the promotion.

The other grand winners in the promotion are: Parbatie of Bourda, who won US$500;Nalinie Jagroop of Grove, who also won US$500;

From right: Winners Latchmi Balgobin; Parbatie; Managing Director of ANSA McAL Ms. Beverley Harper; Hemwantie Bissoondyal; ANSA McAL’s Construction Manager Ms. Padma Prashad; Rozene Nurse and Nalinie Jagroop Rozene Nurse, of New Amsterdam, Berbice, who won US$1,000; and Latchmi Balgobin of Windsor Forest, West Coast Demer-

ara (WCD), who won US$3000.

The total winnings amounted to US$10,000.

ANSA McAL Trad-

ing Ltd Brand Coordinator, Nigel Dodson, noted that the promotion attracted contestants nationwide and added that the promo-

tion was a success.

Dodson pointed out that there were three fortnightly drawings, where five people won US$100 and a final

drawing where two lucky persons won US$500, inclusive.

Also at the presentation Managing Director of ANSA McAL, Beverley Harper, highlighted that the promotion was a good way to give back to their loyal customers who have been supportive of their products for many years and encouraged them to continue using products from the trading company.

The TRINCHLORO SURE CASH promotion started in July 23 and concluded October 10. The promotion was open to all members of the public; all it required was for participants to submit TRINCHLORO Bleach labels along with their names and contact information at outlets nationwide. This is the second annual promotion which was started last year by Ansa McAL.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Region 6 administration wants freeze on licences to ‘kid drivers’

THE Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) administration is appealing to the Ministry of Home Affairs to stop issuing licences to young persons, who, due to their inexperience, are driving dangerously, resulting in deaths on the roadways.

The call was issued by the regional councillors after being informed by Regional Chairman David Armogan of the resuscitation of the Region 6 Road Safety Association.

“A lot of young fellows are getting licences to drive on the roads. They should

stop giving kids licences,” posited Michael Hintzen, an Alliance For Change representative.

However, Armogan noted that while the cops are kept busy with several investigations, it must be noted that following the accident in which Reena Devi Singh met her demise, several licences were found in that vehicle.

“I think he was involved in the racket of selling licences,” he opined.

The chairman noted that the revamped Road Safety Association has an 18- point plan which is expected to ad-

dress, amongst other issues, the issue of “kid drivers.”

Meanwhile, over the past months, several persons have lost their lives on the Berbice roadways, due to immaturity, coupled with an above the accepted rate of alcohol consumption by young drivers.

On June 13 last 18- yearold Nakesh Persaud, called Romel and “Fat Boy,” allegedly struck down Delroy Park, who was cycling home from work at Kilmarnock Village. The driver reportedly failed to stop and sped away, at which point he slammed into Tabitha Latoya

Bagot, 19; her sister Juanita Malika Bagot, 16 and their niece,three-year-old Shamaine Cort, all of Philippi Farm, Corentyne. The girls were pronounced dead on arrival at the New Amsterdam Hospital. However, after the accident, the driver reportedly fled the scene and struck down Matthew McBean at Liverpool village.

Thereafter, 20- year-old Darshan Babulall, was behind the wheel of a pick-up truck GPP 8240 when he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into pedestrian Roy De Souza, killing him instantly.

At the scene of the accident at Alness village, several bottles of alcoholic beverages were removed from the vehicle.

Subsequently, Andrew Johnson, aged 20 years, of Lot 35 – 65 Postal Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after allegedly colliding with Rena Devi Singh as she was crossing the Letter Kenny Public Road, Corentyne.

In addition, Roopnarine Samaroo, 21, of Rosignol West Bank Berbice, allegedly caused the death of Par-

mendra “Roger” Mohan, 49 years, of Plantation Brahan, West Coast Berbice.

Mohan, was struck by a motor car while walking along the D’ Edward Pubic Road, West Coast Berbice.

Furthermore, motorist Ricardo Ramcharran Approo, aged 19 years of La Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, was ordered to lodge his passport and report to the Sparendaam Police Station each Friday, after he allegedly caused the death of 26 – year - old Vicram Ramlakhan, a former Bell Loader operator at Albion Sugar Estate.

‘Cassareep’ charged with murder; Seven ‘Back-Trackers’ stepson still on the run fined $140,000 SEVEN Guyanese were fined a total of $140,000, after they pleaded guilty to a charge of illegal departure before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Albion Court.

Charged were Premnauth Persaud of Number 55 village Corentyne; Shelly Sookram of Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice; Navindra Reddy of East Coast Demerara; Bhagmattie Sarabjit of Martyr’s Ville, East Coast Demerara; GaindraDhanraj of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara; Feroze Baksh, of Lot 85 East Coast Demerara; and Ramlall Lall of Corentyne.

Particulars of the charge revealed that between Friday October 10 and Saturday October 11 at No.78 Village, Corentyne, they departed Guyana for Suriname by land frontier,

from a place other than a port of entry under the Immigration Act. The defendants were each fined $20,000, with an alternative of three weeks' imprisonment.

Meanwhile, a week ago, two self-confessed “back- trackers “ were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs at the New Amsterdam Court, after they confessed to leaving the shores of Guyana at the Number 78 foreshore for Suriname.

In addition, Arina Francis and Deryck Persaud were fined $15,000 each. However, while Persaud was granted an alternative of twenty [20] days imprisonment if he failed to pay his fine, Francis was given an alternative of thirty [30] days imprisonment.

Man pleads guilty to two counts of assault A CONSTRUCTION worker of Lot 3464 Big Costal Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was yesterday released on his own recognisance after pleading not guilty to two counts of assault.

Clayton Britton denied both charges before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, one of which said that on October 11 at Georgetown, he unlawfully

assaulted Hubert Smith.

Particulars of the other offence said that on October 13 at Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted the said virtual complainant (VC).

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not oppose bail for the man, who was unrepresented by counsel.

He was bonded to keep the peace and the matter transferred to Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond for November 10.

A 52-YEAR-OLD father has been charged with murder, while his stepson continues to evade a police dragnet, even as the case was heard at the Albion Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Harrynarine Mathura called “Cassareep”, aged 49 of Haswell, Port Mourant, Corentyne, appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh charged indictably with the unlawful killing of RajeshwarRamdhani at Well Tank Dam, Miss Phobe, Port Mourant on October 5.

His stepson, Das Ramdanan, called Peter, is the main suspect and continues to be on the run, said Police Sergeant Phillip Sheriff, in open court.

Ramdhani called Suraj, of Tain Settlement, succumbed as a result of shock and haemorrhage, due to a stab wound to his chest, according to Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh.

The deceased and his sibling had left to attend a wake. However, they proceeded to another location where a wedding was being celebrated. It

was at that location that a disagreement arose between the deceased, his brother and his alleged killers..

Consequently, they left the celebration and were walking along t h e We l l Ta n k D a m , when they were allegedly attacked by the defendant and his 20- yearold stepson, who had been waiting to ambush them at a dark and lonely spot.

It was during this attack that a knife was plunged into Ramdhani’s chest. His sibling seeing

what had transpired and fearing for his life, fled and hid himself until the perpetrators had left the scene .

They had also attacked his brother, Daniel, who had to run for his life and hide by lying flat on a dark and lonely parapet.

The wounded man was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The case is fixed for hearing on November 10, at the Whim Court.

Police investigating Corentyne ‘carjacking’ THE police are continuing their investigation into the hijacking of a recently purchased S i l v e r- G r e y To y o t a IST motor car PSS 8775, from its owner Tej Budram called “Anil” 34, as he was moonlighting as a taxi driver on Monday evening.

Budhram, of Lot 124 Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje, had just exited the Palmyra Gas station, on the Corentyne coastline, when he observed a man standing

with what appeared to be a baby clutched to his chest.

He stopped primarily for the purpose of transporting the seemingly stranded man to his destination. However, as the “passenger” entered the vehicle, within seconds, four others entered the car, demanding that the driver take them to the Corentyne.

H o w e v e r, w h i l s t driving along the longest straight road in the Caribbean, (Number 19

roadway), he was cuffed to the right side of his face, resulting in a broken mandible (jaw bone).

Budhram was weakened as a result of the cuff and his “passengers” thereafter took him out of the car and tied him with his own clothing, before bundling him into the trunk of his two-week old car.

After being driven for some minutes, he was pushed out of the car into a trench in the vicinity of the Courtland /Fyrish

district.

Fortunately, he managed to untie himself, before hitching a ride to the Albion Police Station, where he reported the incident.

Budhram, a driver/ salesman with the Ansa McAl company, is hospitalized at the New Amsterdam Hospital. He told the Guyana Chronicle that his vehicle has no other markings except the registration number which is engraved on the lights.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Angoy’s Avenue residents concerned over damage to recently rehabilitated roads – community to soon benefit from electrification

B y J e u n e B a i l e y Va n Keric RESIDENTS of Mount Sinai, commonly referred to as Angoy’s Avenue, a squatters’ community on the eastern fringes of the New Amsterdam township are expressing

concern over a current water project, and the subsequent damage to the recently rehabilitated roads.

“The contractor digging up the road to lay the pipelines, but when he is finished, he just pulling some dirt over the pipe.

That’s not fair, we had all-weather roadways,” said a peeved resident who took the media to have a look at what was happening.

Another resident said that what is currently being undertaken by the contractor cannot be consid-

ered as road-rebuilding.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the former squatters’ community, pipelines had been laid and covered with a mixture of earth and stone.

Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) Chairman David Armogan said the

issue has been brought to his attention and his administration is concerned, as the Government had recently spent millions of dollars to re-surface the entire road network in that area.

“What we are doing now is laying pipelines in the same way we do in all the regularised areas,” Armogan explained.

In addition, we are taking photographs of the road in its present state.

When the contractor concludes the project, he will have to repair the road,” the chairman said, referring to one of the clauses in the contract.

“The regional administration is now monitoring the project. We have instructed the Guyana Water Authority to tell us of the various locations where the contractor will be deployed so that he can be monitored.”

The current project is aimed at improving residents’ access to potable water. Previously, some residents had to walk distances to access this most essential commodity.

Meanwhile, developmental works had not taken place in that community for more than two decades, because of an injunction filed by the Angoy’s Avenue Co-op Society community against Government. That injunction has since been withdrawn, paving the way for Government to carry out works there.

Currently, larger pipelines are being installed.

This will allow residents to connect to the network and that project is being carried out by the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The Mount Sinai system will be connected to the New Amsterdam network, which will result in residents receiving treated water.

Following concerns raised by residents, Guyana Water Inc. officials

have been asked to meet with the contractor who had been allowing residents to remove the earth which was dug, to fill yards instead of using it to resurface the roadways.

Meanwhile, based on a promise by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, an electricity project is soon to commence in that community.

According to Armogan, Mount Sinai North, will be the next area in Berbice to benefit from the electrification programme.

“There are stockpiling poles now at GPL. Right now they are finalising the contract to have the poles planted and wires run.”

However, one of the areas of contention for residents is that Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has set as one of its pre-qualification requirements, documented ownership of property before homes can be electrified. Residents of that community have been squatting for decades, and are still to obtain land titles.

Armogan noted that the issue is currently being addressed, as the Government is seeking to have the area regularised.

“We are also looking at giving titles to these people. Presently, what the Government is doing is looking at a cost, because they have to pay for regularisation.”

Residents argue that they should not be made to pay high sums of money for land titles.

“I can’t see Government asking us to pay $300,000 for our own land. Is 35 years I living here. They can’t tell us to pay the same amount that they want for land in them new housing scheme,” according to a nurse.

H o w e v e r, A r m o g a n noted that the cost will be less for those residents.

“What Government is looking at is merely a sum to recover the legal cost to process the land titles.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Regional Clean-up Programme to complement Regional Solid Waste initiative UNDER the “Regional CleanUp” programme, several projects will be implemented which will complement the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s (MLGRD) Regional Solid Waste Programme.

The regional clean-up programme includes construction and upgrading of access roads to landfill sites; garbage disposal and removal of household bulk waste; procurement of large fogging machines; equipment and machinery for Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs); and procurement of large solid-waste receptacles for public spaces and garbage bags for households.

According to a media release issued by the Ministry, Permanent Secretary of the MLGRD Collin Croal said at the ministry’s recently held press conference, “The Regional Clean-Up Programme will not take on the same shape [form] as the ‘Georgetown Clean-Up Programme.”

Instead, the ministry’s programme entails removal of roadside garbage, illegal dumpsites, bulk waste and derelicts (including vehicles) within the local authorities’ areas by means of a one-off pick-up exercise. In addition, procuring machinery for maintenance works within the regions and construction of access roads to landfill sites (to aid in the Ministry’s Regional Solid Waste Programme) are aimed at strengthening the capacity of local authorities.

Construction and upgrading of access roads to landfill sites in Regions 1, 3, 5, 6 & 7 have been budgeted for. For Regions Nos. 1 & 5, these will be re-tendered shortly after the revision of the scope of works.

up will commence in Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica).

Unlike the Georgetown Clean-up Programme, drainage and de-bushing of cemeteries will not be addressed under this regional programme, since such activities will be addressed through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP) under the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The press release added that other components of the Regional Clean-Up Programme include the procurement of 45 tractors and trailers

Permanent Secretary MLGRD, Collin Croal hands over a copy of the contract to the contractor for the Belle Vue access road This is necessary since in the removal of garbage and der initial tendering process, all of elicts (including vehicles) the bids were over the budgetary allocation. For Region No. 3, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently reviewing the application to operate a landfill site. For Region No. 6, Associated Construction Services won the tender and has signed the contract for construction of the access road to the landfill site in Belle Vue. According to the release, work is expected to commence in a week’s time. For Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), following a visit by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker the Ministry through the Government of Guyana has committed to providing assistance to the solid waste contractor at Bartica for the construction of the access road to the landfill site. Currently, the ministry is awaiting a proposal from the contractor outlining his plans for development of the landfill site.

Another focus of the “Regional Clean-Up” is general

within communities. For this component, local authorities (NDCs and municipalities) were asked to submit proposals to the ministry for garbage removal within their localities.

Arising from the proposals are several areas in various communities where residents, and for the most part primarily business owners are using public spaces to dump their waste. Through this clean-up activity, all illegal piles will be cleared and disposed of at official landfills within the respective regions.

As a follow-up from discussions with the Ministry of Health in examining the increasing number of persons being diagnosed with Chikungunya, Whittaker announced that the “Regional clean-up” will also provide a one-off free-of-cost bulk waste pickup service across the regions, which is expected to have longterm benefits at the community level, as well as an aggregated impact. The bulk waste pick-

for NDCs; five mini-excavators for the hinterland regions with a focus within local authorities; 130 skip metal bins which will be distributed to the markets and public spaces; a number of metal barrels for domestic waste and procurement of garbage bags for household distribution.

Eleven fogging machines have been procured at the total cost of G$4.63M and handed over to all RDCs and City Hall to aid in their fogging programme.

Regions 5 and 6 have con-

tinuous programmes, both Regions 1 and 3 have commenced their fogging programmes as a result of receiving fogging machines.

Under the Government of Guyana “Clean Up My C o u n t r y ” P ro g r a m m e , G$1B has been allocated to the restoration of the aesthetics and improvement of sanitation of Guyana.

G$500M was allocated to the Georgetown Clean-Up Programme with the other G$500M for the Regional Clean-Up Programme.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday october 18, 2014

Republic Bank holds annual drawing for ‘Deals on Wheels’ promotion

By Clestine Juan

REPUBLIC Bank Limited (RBL) yesterday held the annual drawing of its “Deal on Wheels Auto Loan Campaign 2014” at its Camp Street Branch, Georgetown, with the aim to promote affordable auto-financing loans.

Yesterday’s draw marks the culmination of a three-month loan campaign which began on June 2, 2014 and ended on August 31, 2014.

Customers who participated benefited from reduced interest rates and equity contributions, plus the opportunity to win prizes of over $2,000,000.

At the drawing, one of the bank’s

customers Jermaine Alexander pulled the names of the five lucky winners who won trips around the Caribbean and Guyana. The winner of a trip to Trinidad and Tobago was Kelsey Andrews, whose loan was approved at the company’s Vreed-en-Hoop branch; the winner of a trip to Barbados was D’Audra Alexander, whose loan was approved at the Water Street branch; and the third winner, Eron Rodney, won a trip to St.Lucia - his loan was approved at the Water Street branch.

There were also two consolation prize-winners, Shellon Bovell and Fizal Hussain who were awarded trips to Baganara Island Resort and Kaieteur Falls.

The Auto Dealer prize was won by Best

A Republic Bank representative and Jermaine Alexander, who pulled the names at the draw Buy Auto Sales.

According to the Marketing and Communication Specialist, Alison Barkie, the annual pro-

motion was a success, and the purpose of the prizes was to show gratitude to the bank’s customers.

Third man charged for car theft

By Geeta Rampersaud A 29-year-old taxi driver of Lot 196 Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara was the third person to be charged with stealing a motorcar at John Street, Campbellville.

Yesterday, Alton Goulding pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him

by Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Particulars of the charge said that on Wednesday, June 11 at John Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, he stole one Axela motorcar PPP 5786 valued 2.7 M, property of Ivorly Allicock.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones opposed bail because of the prevalence, nature and gravity of the charge.

He further objected to bail on the basis that the unrepresented defendant may pose a flight risk, since the offence was allegedly

committed in June and he was apprehended only yesterday.

The prosecutor’s objection was upheld and the matter was adjourned to November 14 for report.

Two others, 23-year-old Kirtland Scott of Friendship on the East Coast of Demerara and 28-year-old security guard Mortimer Chand (no address given), were also charged with stealing the said car before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

In a previous court hearing, it was stated that Allicock reportedly parked his car in front of his yard and retired to bed.

When the victim woke up later the next morning, he realised that his car was missing and subsequently made a report to the police.

Acting on information, ranks ventured to Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara and managed to recover the car.

Man denies assaulting woman with intent to rob ROYDEN Browne, of no fixed place of abode, was yesterday refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a charge of assault with intent to rob charge.

Browne denied that on October 15 at Bourda, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Natasha Outar with intent to rob her of her Blackberry cellular phone valued at $35,000.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question around 09:00 hrs, the victim was walking east along the pavement on Regent Street when the defendant approached and dealt her several cuffs about her body.

The court heard that the defendant held on to the victim’s cellular phone. Subse-

quently, a scuffle ensued between the two of them and with the assistance of public-spirited citizens, the suspect was captured.

The unrepresented man admitted to assaulting the virtual complainant (VC), but denied that he attempted to rob her.

He said that he was sleeping at Bourda Market and after he woke up, he discovered his bicycle missing. He explained that he proceeded to walk on the pavement when Outar “jammed” him and he chucked her in return.

The prosecutor successfully opposed bail on the ground that the defendant was previously charged with a similar offence and bail was refused. The defendant’s next court appearance will be on November 3.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Works on-stream at Indian Monument Gardens

…to expand Open Air Museum, other facilities

By Savitri Laikram THE Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT) is working diligently to ensure that expansion works on the Open Air Museum and other facilities at the Indian Monument Gardens on Camp Street, Georgetown, are moving according to schedule.

Trustee, Mr. Pradeep Samtani, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, said that there have been nine more additions to the open air museum, noting that the first display was unveiled a few months ago.

The purpose of the Open Air Museum is to enlighten the public on Indian roots and culture; how they came here; the way of life, and how it all started.

He said that the intention is to provide information on the history of East Indians and their arrival in Guyana.

KITCHEN He noted that some of the additions to the Gardens include a kitchen where persons who choose to host events such as weddings and other functions will be able to cook their food there.

Work is also being done on religious additions, Samtani said, and while there is a symbol of the Hindu religion at the Monument Gardens, the committee is seeking to add symbols representing the Christian and Muslim religions.

He informed that there is a replica of a ‘logie’ (an oldfashioned house built by the indentured labourers) there already, but lifelike figurines of the old East Indians will be added to it, to display how these persons lived, their attire, etc.

FOR EVERYONE Samtani noted that the Indian Monument Gardens is for everyone and it is not a place for Hindus only. He said that by May 5th 2015, the major works are scheduled to be completed.

Samtani added that the aim of expanding and rehabilitating this area is to promote a better educational

facility as it relates to East Indians and their fascinating history as well as to attract tourists who are interested in learning about the indentured labourers.

He disclosed that the committee has also written to the Government asking for assistance on the project.

VANDALISM AND GARBAGE Samtani said also that street lights are needed around the area as well as a police outpost to assist in curbing vandalism at the Indian Monument Gardens.

There is also the issue of garbage pollution there, and with the presence of a school and other businesses nearby, persons tend to dump waste close to and at times inside the Gardens, he observed.

Samtani pointed out that the ICT is pleading with persons to curb this practice in order to maintain a clean and attractive environment.

After a 112-day voyage, 244 immigrants arrived in Guyana on May 5, 1838, marking the official entry of Indians to Guyana, which was then known as British Guiana.

In 1987, earnest efforts were engaged to bring into being a Monument Gardens as a commemorative site for the Indians who arrived in Guyana. In 1989, the spot was finally located at Camp Street where it was then overgrown with trees, bushes, brambles and thorns.

The Indian Monument Gardens houses the Indian Immigration Monument.

Sculpted of bronze, this monument, which rests on a black granite pedestal, is a replica of the Whitby, the ship that transported the first batch of Indian immigrants to the shores of Guyana on May 5th, 1838.

As part of its commemoration mandate, the ICT, a few years ago commenced intensified efforts to revamp the Monument Gardens location as part of preparatory work for the observance of the anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana each year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Three accused of theft of $3.1M in electrical appliances

‌to post $250,000 bail each

By Geeta Rampersaud THREE men charged with stealing $3.1M worth of electrical appliances in Lethem, Rupununi were yesterday ordered to post $250,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Ronald Fitzpatrick, Vishal Singh and Devon Bomboree (no addresses stated) pleaded not guilty to the charge that said between September 13 and October 11 at Culvert Square, Lethem, being together they broke and entered the house of Reyaz Akbar and stole therein a quantity of electrical appliances worth $1,993,000 along with other articles together valued $3.1 M. Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant told the court that the virtual complainant (VC) is a businessman and on September 13, he secured his home and left for the capital city (Georgetown).

On his return on October 13 he discovered the hinges on his door broken. Akbar made further checks in his home and discovered the articles stated in the charge missing.

The court heard that the matter was reported to the Lethem Police Station and acting on information the defendants were confronted.

Subsequently, the trio took the police to an abandoned home in the village where some of the articles were recovered.

The prosecutor did not oppose bail to any of the defendants, but asked the court to consider the value of the items before bail was granted.

Representing the trio was attorney-at-law, Ms. Pamela DeSantos. She requested bail in a reasonable sum for her clients.

Bail was granted with like surety and the matter was transferred to Lethem Court for December 1.

Two charged with fraudulent conversion of mercury – granted $250,000 bail each TWO men facing separate charges of fraudulent conversion were yesterday released on $250,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Forty-two-year-old, Andrew James of Lot 55 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charge that said between October 20 and November 1, 2013 at Georgetown, being solely entrusted with two flasks of mercury valued $4M, in order to sell same and return the proceeds to Delmar Walcott, he fraudulently converted same for his own use and benefits.

Meanwhile, twenty-nineyear-old gold miner, Johnny Harris of Lot 5 Now or Never, Mahaicony also denied the charge against him. The allegation stated that between October 20 and November 1, 2013 at Georgetown, being solely entrusted with one

flask of mercury valued $2M

by James, to keep in safe custody and return to him, he fraudulently converted same for his own use and benefits.

Walcott told the court that he does not want any criminal proceedings in the matter but wants his money instead.

The virtual complainant said that James told him that he was going into the interior for nine days but he did not hear from him until after six months.

The attorney-at-law representing the duo requested that his clients be released on their own recognisance, stating they are friends with the VC. Defence counsel said neither of his clients has any pending or prior matters.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant said that he has no objection to bail but only to self-bail, given the quantum of the charge. Bail was granted with like surety and the matter stands adjourned to November 14.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday october 18, 2014

Private sector sensitised on benefits of corporate social responsibility

By Navendra Seoraj

McTurk, in her remarks stated that CUSO International had hosted their first ever corporate engagement event in CUSO International on Wednesday held a Corporate December 2013.

Social Responsibility (CSR) Workshop for members of She noted that Guyana’s private sector has a long history Guyana’s private sector, at Duke Lodge, Duke Street, of supporting its local community and is willing to sustain Kingston. development.

According to National Volunteer Advisor of Cuso, McTurk stated that companies lack models of what to Nicole Dagher, the one-day workshop which commenced and how to engage in more impactful partnerships with the at 09:00 hrs and concluded at 17:00 hrs, focused mainly on public and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to demonstrating to members of the private sector how CSR transform those charity dollars into systemic change. could benefit them.

She therefore added that yesterday’s workshop is the first step towards addressing this need and promoting the private sector in Guyana in realisation of this role in development.

McTurk noted that the facilitators varied from some of their own members of Cuso and also Deloitte, which many may know as the largest professional services network in the world.

In her closing remarks, she noted that Cuso International is interested in direct engagement with the private sector through corporate partnership and resource development activities.

Addressing the gathering, Members of the gathering for the Cuso workshop on Corporate Social Head of Development CoopResponsibility (CSR) at the Duke Lodge eration-Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, It sensitised them on how they could use CSR to be more Mr. Daniel Joly, stated that CSR is demonstrated when a strategic and how it could benefit their businesses. business monitors and ensures its active compliance with Some of the companies that participated in the pro- the spirit of the law, with ethical standards and with intergramme included Metro, Guyana Goldfields, Sterling Prod- national norms. ucts Ltd., Amazon, Security Companies, Fly Jamaica, etc….

Joly also encouraged the gathering to participate meanGuyana’s CUSO International representative, Melanie ingfully in the discussions and exercises that the programme

has to offer.

Concluding, he added that the members of the private sector should consider how important CSR is, not only to

A participant shares her views on what she thinks about the workshop the extractive sector, but to various industries across Guyana as well.

Cuso International is a registered charity in Canada that works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of skilled volunteers.

Cuso International’s vision is “a world of engaged and empowered citizens working together to overcome poverty and to promote quality and justice…where all people are able to realise their human rights, develop their capabilities and participate in society.”

Award winning Guyanese author, guest speaker at U.S. Naturalization Ceremony

By Ravin Singh AWARD winning Guyanese author Dr. Chaitram Singh, who won in the category of Best First Book of Fiction at the 2012 Guyana Prize for Literature, was honoured recently when he became the first Guyanese guest speaker at the Naturalisation Ceremony for new U.S. citizens at the United States Federal District Court, Northern Georgia District.

The U.S.-based Guyanese was warmly introduced by U.S. Federal Judge Walter Johnson, who highlighted his accomplishments thus far as a Guyanese writer.

At the simple ceremony, 60 individuals took the oath of U.S. citizenship that day. About six of them came from India, approximately six from Mexico, twelve from Africa, two from Australia, two from Canada, a few from the Philippines, and the remainder from South Korea.

HIGHEST HONOUR In his welcome, Dr. Singh highlighted the importance of celebrating the country that had graciously conferred on them, the highest honour it can, to a group of people who were not born there. He further emphasised the importance of obeying the law and properly constituted authority, voting, paying taxes, serving on a jury, and if applicable, registering with the selective service commission. “Those, of course, are the barest

minimum; but membership of any community involves greater obligations,” Dr. Singh said.

“So what does it mean to be an American? Obviously,

Guyana Prize winner, Dr. Chaitram Singh during his feature address at the Naturalisation Ceremony held for new U.S.citizens we are all physically different; we speak the English lan-

guage with varying degrees of proficiency, and with different accents. But when you cross international boundaries carrying a U.S. passport, you are treated as an American and the law in the country makes no distinction between native-born and naturalized Americans, except in qualifications for the highest office in the land,” he said.

The author further elaborated on the concept of “hard work” which he noted is greatly admired and rewarded in the American society. “I don’t mean just physical work... Hard work entails refining and employing your God-given talents toward self-sustenance and to making a useful contribution to the society in which you live,” he noted.

EXCEPTIONALISM He further encouraged them to think of themselves as exceptional because it will inspire them to live above the common level of life, to orient their lives to a higher purpose and, by their own exceptional efforts, to make real the very notion of exceptionalism.

“An exceptional American will not betray the oath you have just taken. An exceptional American will not collaborate with terrorists, drug peddlers, human traffickers, or other nefarious individuals or groups who deliberately or otherwise contribute to the corrosion of the moral fabric of this society or to undermining its system of constitutional government,” Dr. Singh concluded.

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday october 18, 2014

‘Eat What We Produce’ campaign launched

By Vanessa Narine

GUYANA marked World Food Day 2014, being held under the theme ‘Feeding the world, caring for the earth,’ with the official launch of its ‘Eat What We Produce’ campaign on Wednesday.

The aim of the campaign to promote a permanent behavioural change in Guyana, which will see Guyanese only eating what is produced locally and to expand the country’s unique Guyanese hospitality to include feeding guests what is grown and produced in Guyana.

“Brand Guyana must be something that we appreciate,” said Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy to

that Guyana is an “agriculture country” when one considers that almost 20 per cent of the economy is related to agricultural activities.

Currently, he stated, there is a huge focus on a value chain in the sector. “We must support agricultural moves in the area of value chains, which will generate wealth, employment and ensure there are greater moves from subsistence farming,” he said.

Dr. Ramsammy pointed out that in the past the focus was mainly on primary products.

“Family farming has sustained agriculture,” he said, reiterating the importance of family farms.

Dr. Ramsammy added too that going forward agriculture

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy with Dr. Oudho Homenauth, FAO’s Ms. Khadija Musa, IICA’s Mr. Wilmot Garnet and others admire a display aimed at encouraging the ‘go local’ move a gathering that included representatives from the diplomatic corps, Member of Parliament (MP) Manzoor Nadir, and ministry staffers.

NUTRITION SECURITY On that note, he stressed that while Guyana, like some countries, is food secure, there must be a stronger focus on nutrition security.

“When last did your plate (of food) look like a rainbow?” the Minister queried, adding that this is an indication of a balanced meal.

He highlighted the importance of family farms in providing quality produce that assist in ensuring nutrition security, another reason to ‘go local.’

“We have to go local….local produce is safe, high quality and nutritious,” the Minster said yesterday at the National Research and Extension Institute (NAREI).

According to him, continued investments in this area will continue to be made. “Agriculture must be supported by investment for the public good,” he said.

Dr. Ramsammy stated too that decades ago the investment was a mere US$5 per capita, whereas under the current Administration it has increased to US$100 per capita in 2014.

Investments, he stressed, will not only ensure nutrition security and sustain food security, but will also contribute to the creation of employment opportunities, generate wealth and contribute to the local economy, via an increase in food exports.

AGRICULTURE ECONOMY The Agriculture Minister was emphatic in stressing

A model family farm displayed at NAREI’s open day activity

not only drives the economy, but also assists in sustaining economic growth and informs the country’s development trajectory.

As part of Government’s ongoing efforts to sustain the gains made towards the diversification of the sector, a total of $829.4M was expended in the agriculture sector in the first half of the year, from a budget allocation of $1.5B. The Minister maintains that these initiatives will serve to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance the standard of living for Guyanese.

Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) representative, Mr. Wilmot Garnett, in a brief address added that continued investments are imperative.

He stated that as it relates to family farming, this area contributes to increased food production, preservation of traditional food staples and income generation – all of which support rural prosperity.

According to him, there needs to be greater focus on increasing production, improving competitiveness and farming systems in order to move the sector to an age of greater innovation.

Garnett acknowledged that there are challenges, but maintained that innovations in the sector will address these to support the sustainability of the sector.

Also making remarks, at yesterday’s launch, was the Food and Agricultural Organisation representative, Ms. Khadija Musa, who read an address from the FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva.

Both FAO and IICA are constant supporters of the advances in the local agriculture sector.

GSA students display its ‘GSA Foods’ line which is in sync with the ‘Eat What We Produce’ campaign

OPEN DAY Additionally, yesterday’s event doubled as NAREI’s open day activity which saw scores of students from schools, including nursery, touring the facility and viewing an exhibition put on by the Institute, as well as a special display of local Guyanese products.

NAREI CEO, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, stated that the exhibits are showcasing the initiatives undertaken by the Institute, regarding cassava production, plantain production, urban agriculture, spice production, climate smart agriculture and pest and disease control.

NAREI is the premier organisation responsible for spearheading agricultural research and extension activities

for productivity enhancement and diversification of the non-traditional crops sector (fruits and vegetables), bio-fuel development as well as for plant quarantine services.

NAREI’s vision is “to ensure food security, prosperity and livelihoods of all, using technological innovations in agriculture.”

The Institute is actively engaged in adaptive research that focuses on improving crop production/ productivity for enhanced food security and rural development. Emphasis is placed on crop diversification from high volume-low income to low volume-high income crops such as spices and other cash crops, new vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, red cabbage and sweet pepper), IPM approach to managing biotic stresses, procurement and evaluation of exotic germplasm (black eye, corn and soybean) of field crops, bio fuel crops, coconut and cassava revitalisation, and technology dissemination through the extension services.

The promotion of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices inclusive of protected agricultural systems for year-round vegetable production, hydroponics and drip irrigation is also given prominence.

NAREI’s Strategic Plan (2013- 2020) envisions the Institute as being the major facilitator for a prosperous, food secure and environmentally sustainable Guyana.

This will be achieved through enhancing agricultural productivity and quality of produce through generation and dissemination of newer and efficient technologies and services, reduced import of agri produce and products, reduced malnutrition and environmental degradation, and enhanced exports taking into consideration the changing global and business environments.

A group of students viewing one of the many exhibits at NAREI’s open day

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guyana CHRONICLE Saturday october 18, 2014

Tourism Ministry launches 2014 Rockstone Fish Festival

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

the nearby Golden Beach, and Gluck Island. The latter has a rich population of birds, at least 140 species and a natural habitat for the giant otter, river turtles and the largest freshwater fish in the world, the Arapaima. He also encouraged persons to attend the festival and get the opportunity to ‘try out’ some of Guyana’s exotic fishes such as the ‘Lukanani’

to make transportation available for persons but because of the small numbers that approached the committee they have THE annual Rock Stone Fish Festival, slated for October decided not to go this route this year around. However, she 25 and 26, was launched yesterday by the Ministry of said that persons desirous of transportation, once there is a Tourism, Industry and Commerce. group of twenty persons they can contact the committee and For this year’s festival there have been improvements arrangements can be put in place. to the road and camping The RTA is appealing to grounds. parents to make sure their The community of Rockchildren are safe at all times stone, some 18 miles from even though there are meaLinden, in Region 10 (Upper sures in place for the safety Demerara/Upper Berbice), and security of all. The comis famous for hosting the mittee also explained that Guyana’s largest fish festhere will be additional bins, tival, an attraction for both out toilets and security pertourists and locals alike. The sonnel available at this year’s two-hour trip will allow perfestival. sons to experience camping, Explaining that the profishing, bird-watching, or ceeds from the 2013 festival the delights of the Essequibo went towards the rehabilitaRiver. tion of the present guest house Speaking at the launch she said they are envisioning held at the Tourism, Minthat the proceeds from this GTA’s Director Indranauth Haralsingh with the RTA committee members (Photo by Adrian Narine) istry’s Boardroom South year will allow them to conRoad, Guyana Tourism Austruct three more log cabins thority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh, emphasised Peacock Bass, Bicuda, Hymara / Wolf Fish and Piranha. which is the prime project for 2015. She also related that the fact that the Ministry remains supportive of the activity, At the launch, the planning committee outlined the “because it is community based any works that is being done now heralded as one of the biggest fish festivals in the Ca- preparations underway to transform the community of close at the site or concerning the festival we employ persons from ribbean. to 375 persons into a hive of activities. Rockstone Tourism right in the community.”

The Director related that through this festival the min- Association (RTA) President Ms. Lynette Benn reported Activities include fishing, catching and deboning and istry is able to promote domestic tourism which will in turn that all arrangements are in place to ensure that the festival cooking competitions, as well as individual paddle boat open up new areas in Guyana for our locals as well as for remains fun, entertaining and safe. She noted that the venue and cycle races, among others. There will also be cultural tourists. He noted also that the Rockstone Fish Festival is was upgraded with extensions done to the camping grounds activities in the form of dance and song which will be perpart of the Tourism Ministry’s calendar of events, and is and works were also recently done on the road to accom- formed by local artistes. Adult tickets cost $500, children very integral to the development of tourism in Rockstone. modate the influx of vehicles that will be traversing over the $300 and admission fees for vehicles range from $1,000 Haralsingh highlighted that Rockstone and the environ- weekend of the festival. for cars to $5,000 for trucks. Persons who are desirous ment offer quite a lot of attractions such as the wildlife and Ms. Benn explained that over the years they have tried of more information can contact the RTA on 692-7133.

Digicel to construct rehab centre for Linden special needs children

By Michel Outridge DIGICEL Guyana on Wednesday held the sod-turning ceremony for the Linden Rehabilitation Centre for Children.

The state-of-the-art building will be constructed and equipped with all modern equipment for children with special needs, compliments of the cell phone giant.

Speaking on behalf of Digicel Guyana, Head of Marketing Jacqueline James, said the idea was conceptualised during a conversation with officials from Linden after their needs were analysed.

She noted that they had visited the community in July and went to the Low Vision and Special Needs Schools, where they got a first-hand look at the needs of differently-abled children.

James explained after the idea of rehabilitating the Special Needs School had come up, they conceptualised an even better project to construct a spanking new building once the land space was identified and approved.

She was, therefore, pleased to be a part of the event yesterday which saw a large turnout of officials from the community, as well as special-needs children, who will ultimately benefit from the construction of the building.

James said the Ministry of Education welcomes the project, but Minister Priya Manickchand could not attend because she was in Region 1 heading the “BecauseWe Care Project.”

The senior official of Digicel Guyana stated that the facility will be equipped with 21st century equipment and com-

puters to cater for the needs of differently-abled children.

She added that the facility will also have a recreational area for children and, once completed, will be a building like no other.

The minister was ably represented by Evelyn Hamilton, who is the Chief Planning Officer, Ministry of Education and Chairman of the National Commission on Disability.

Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon graced the sod-turning event yesterday with his presence, and during his remarks said he was very pleased with the project noting that the provision of equal opportunity for the disabled is being recognised.

He lauded Digicel Guyana for their corporate effort and also encouraged other companies to follow suit and add to the community. Additionally, Solomon deemed the event a memorable one for Linden.

Also present was Chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) Orin Gordon, who expressed his gratitude to Digicel for making such a bold move towards the development of disabled children in that region.

Meanwhile, Coordinator in Charge of Special Needs, Ministry of Education, Evelyn Hamilton in her remarks told the gathering that the facility will enable disabled children to achieve their full potential and was very pleased with the initiative undertaken by Digicel.

She pledged the ministry’s full support for the project and thanked Digicel for recognising the need of disabled children

in that community.

Also in attendance were the town clerk, Ministry of Education officials, teachers of the Low Vision and Special needs Schools, and others.

Fulfilling their corporate responsibility Digicel Guyana on November 14, 2013 had made good on their promise for the construction of a multi-million dollar

one–of-a-kind building to house orphaned children.

The Mahaica Children’s Home was opened and handed over to Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster, and is a facility that houses more than 80 children and was constructed within a 10-month period.

Digicel Guyana Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James and Ministry of Education Coordinator in Charge of Special Needs, Evelyn Hamilton, turned the sod yesterday for the construction of the Linden Rehabilitation Centre for Children, while Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon and IMC Chairman, Orin Gordon and Digicel staffers looked on

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Kitty taxi operators creating traffic hazard – Traffic Departrment to crack down

By Michel Outridge

MEMBERS of the public, moreso pedestrians, have nowhere to walk after disembarking a minibus or other forms of transportation at Queen Street and Kitty Public Road, Georgetown, since the pavement

there is being utilised by private taxi operators who ply their trade at the location, parking their vehicles on the pavement.

This trend has been observed for some time now and it was also reported to the Police Traffic Department for redress, but to no avail.

However, ‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken was informed of the happening and told this publication that he would look into the issue to have it remedied as early as possible.

This situation is of concern to not only pedestrians, but to all other road users,

since it poses a hazard for pedestrians having to walk on the main road to get to their destinations, instead of utilising the pavement which is being blocked by private taxi operators; these operators park their vehicles there to solicit passengers from as early as 07:00 hrs in the

Parked taxis utilising the pavement where pedestrians are supposed to walk (Michel Outridge photo)

mornings and late at nights.

It was noted that up to this morning several schoolchildren and even adults who had disembarked a minibus were almost run over by a large truck, because they had nowhere to walk except on the main road where they were sandwiched between vehicles.

Officer-in-Charge of ‘A’ Divison Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ramesh Ashram, told this publication that he has since instructed the ranks

to investigate and have the taxis and operators moved or relocated.

He explained that it is not an authorised parking area and they should not be parked there in the first place impeding the free flow of traffic and road users.

Several pedestrians reportedly expressed their concern about the situation to the taxi drivers but they were rude and one replied: “We hustling too, money got to make,” and then continued as per normal.

Bartica Expo set for November 7-8

THE Bartica Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is partnering with AJ’s Promotions to host Bartica Expo and stage show billed for November 7-8, 2014.

The stage show will take place on November 8, 2014 at the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Stelling in Bartica featuring several local artistes.

Chairman of AJ’S Promotions, Budhesh Chatterpaul said it is indeed a pleasure to be in collaboration with BCCI for the upcoming expo.

Recognising the importance of developing our community by paving the way for business opportunities is the driving force behind this event, and the theme, ‘Promoting &Transforming Bartica,’ sits at the core of developmental strategy for Bartica, he added.

Chatterpaul noted that it is his belief that our community can turn a new page and start a new developmental process that can only be maintained through a collective effort and a common vision.

Vice-chairman of the

BCCI, Anthony Murray said it’s been more than 10 years since it has been inactive and earlier this year through the Small Business Bureau, Mr. Dereck Cummings went to Bartica and had discussions with some businessmen and a steering committee was formed.

As such, an invitation was extended to AJ’s Promotions and it was accepted, while others also agreed to collaborate for the event.

AJ’s Promotions sees the opportunity for the Chamber to attract businesses to its membership.

The event will take place at Bartica Community Centre Ground from 18:00 hrs daily to midnight and also on Saturday there will be a stage show.

The gate fee on November 7 is $500 for adults and children $300, and as for November 8 the entrance fee is $1,000 for adults which will allow access to both the expo and the stage show, while children will pay $300 each.

The sponsors include MoneyGram and Thrill Soft Drink among others.

(Michel Outridge)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday October 18, 2014

Chairman of Police Complaints Authority to visit Region 1

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard CHAIRMAN of the Police Complaints Authority, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, will be in Region 1 this weekend to sensitise the public about the role and functions of the Police Complaints Authority.

On Friday, October 17 at 14:00 hrs, he will meet the councillors (Toshaos) of the Regional Democratic Council at the village office at Acquero. There will also be a discussion with members of the Guyana Police Force at the Acquero Police Station.

On the following day, which is Saturday, October 18, he will be available to members of the public at the Marketing Centre at Acquero at 10:00 hrs.

Residents of the area are being urged to make use of the opportunity to meet with the chairman and raise with him, matters which are of concern to them.

Below rates for October 17, 2014 Currency G$/US$ G$/GBP G$/CAD$ G$/euro BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$

Buying 205.98625 331.77803 183.27575 263.90638 101.86969 75.45903 32.18632

Selling 208.43594 335.93620 185.39163 267.25656 102.89094 76.21551 32.50898

Aries March 21 - April 19 This is a terrific day for you, and you will find that the fast pace of the day suits you well for what you need to get done. There’s a general feeling of grandeur in the air that reminds you to take your time when getting dressed. Feel free to go all out today. Put on a lavish display wherever you go.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Do your best to keep up today. Things might move quickly. You may be raising your hand and waiting politely for someone to call on you. This is one of those days in which other people will be so concerned about themselves that they probably won’t notice you at all. If you want to take your turn, you should probably just stand up and be proactive.

Gemini May 21 - June 21 This is a good time to take control of the situation. You’ve done your preparation and now it’s time to put it to good use. You’re about to face your enemy eye to eye. Have confidence in your training. There’s an extra alertness to you that helps you fight any battles. You have a strong awareness of the energy around you, so use this to your advantage.

Cancer June 22 - July 22 Don’t be surprised if the old-fashioned, practical solution doesn’t make the grade today. Probably the new devices and special electronic shortcuts will be the most impressive thing going. This is the classic case of the new, improved version replacing the old, slow one. You need to upgrade your system sooner or later, so you might as well do it now.

For Saturday October 17, 2014 -05:00hrs For Sunday October 18, 2014 -05:30hrs

Leo July 23 - August 22 You may be able to zip through chores like lightning today. There’s an added swiftness to your step that helps in every one of your endeavours. You might want to engage in just about every activity except work. This is completely understandable. You will feel much better if you get your work done first and then socialise. That plan will produce the best results.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 You’re likely to go to extremes today on many levels. The problem is that you may encounter opposition everywhere you turn. There’s an incredible stubbornness to the day that is evident in everyone’s mood, especially yours. Keep in mind that if you want cooperation and resolution, you will need to compromise.

Try to see other people’s needs as well.

Libra September 23 - October 22 Grab hold of the day’s boisterous energy and run with it. This is a good time to kick up your heels and have fun. You might find that people are a bit more highstrung than usual, so you may need to use your ability to go with the flow. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed others will be when they’re around you.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 You might be frustrated by the fact that people are doing things hastily today. You might have to accept the fast-paced energy of the day just so you can keep up.

Don’t worry if you engage in activities that aren’t carefully planned beforehand.

You will find spontaneous frivolity to be extremely rewarding on a day like this.

Expect the unexpected.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 People may come into conflict with you today. More than likely, the issue at hand will have to do with others being a bit too focused on themselves, while you’re more concerned with the collective. Try to be a bit more understanding as people demand more of your attention. There’s an unmistakable passion in the air that will grant you more zest for life.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Jump-start the day with a smile. Your generosity and sincerity won’t go unnoticed on a day like this. People will probably need more attention than usual, so take the time to attend to the emotions of those you love. The key is to not let yourself get emotionally drained in the process. Fill yourself up with the lively, fun-loving energy of the day.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 There could be an unexpected tension coming out of nowhere today. More than likely your emotions will be running at a high level. It could be that your aggressiveness and assertiveness start to annoy others. People might snap suddenly.

Don’t be surprised if things come without much warning. There is a fast-paced feeling to the day that will be hard to ignore.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 Your slow and steady approach might be met with a bit of opposition today.

People could be demanding of your time and energy. It’s one of those days in which the people behind you in line at a coffee shop might give you dirty looks if you take too long to make up your mind.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

BCB pays tribute to the late Johashen THE Berbice Cricket Board, on behalf of its member clubs and cricket-loving Berbicians, wishes to express its deepest sorrow at the passing of a cricket stalwart, Vibert Johashen, a pacer who represented Berbice and Guyana at the first class level.

Vibert successfully played for Berbice from 1973 to 1978 and was always a thorn in the sides of many established Demerara batsmen, opening the bowling at different times with Keith Cameron and Leslaine Lambert.

In the Jones Cup final in 1977 at Bourda against Demerara, picked up 2 for 73 in the first innings when Keith Cameron took 7 for 60 and then in the second innings, he snared 5 for 43, including the wickets of Stephen Camacho, Stephen Bamfield and Andrew Lyght to bowl Berbice to a memorable 161-run victory and the Cup. He also played three four-day matches for Guyana in 1977 and 1978 including one against the touring full-strength Pakistan team and took 4 for 84 in their first innings including the scalps of the greats, Majid Khan, Mudassar Nazar and Wasim Raja. He was also a capable lower order batsman who supported the established batsmen on many occasions.

At the first division level, Vibert played for Demerara Police and then remigrating to Berbice - Mental Hospital and Guymine - where he gained employment.

Although he was a “gentle giant” off the field and a real gentleman, the minute he crossed the boundary, he was a fierce competitor, becoming ruthless against his opponents and very uncompromising with his teammates particularly if they misfielded or dropped catches off his bowling.

There is a famous story that is now cricket folklore about an incident involving the-then Police captain William Jeffrey, Johashen and former Commissioner of Police Balram Raghubir who was fielding at the time, Vibert will be fondly remembered for his exploits, having made his mark in the annals of Berbice cricket and even after his cricketing days, he always showed a keen interest in Berbice cricket even though he was residing in Demerara.

The greatest tribute that can be paid to Vibert Johashen would be that the youngsters of today emulate his commitment and zeal for the game.

We will all miss you, Vibert.

Racing Tips South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:35 hrs Vivarani 09:10 hrs Belle On Ice 09:45 hrs Freezing Point 10:20 hrs Captain Alfredo 10:55 hrs Lupin 11:35 hrs Inn Action English Racing Tips Kelso 08:40 hrs Spiculas 09:45 hrs Special Wells 10:20 hrs Carlito Brigante 10:55 hrs Amilliontimes 11:35 hrs One For Arthur 12:10 hrs Wakhan 12:40 hrs Ballyreesode Ascot 08:45 hrs Leading Light 09:20 hrs Jack Dexter 09:55 hrs Hadaatha 10:30 hrs Charm Spirit 11:05 hrs Cirrus Des Aigles 11:45 hrs Levitate Cheltenham 09:00 hrs In The Rough 09:35 hrs Johbs Spirit 10:10 hrs Calipto 10:45 hrs Le Bec 11:25 hrs Ulzana’s Raid 12:30 hrs Arabic Story Irish Racing Tips Cork 08:35 hrs Lily’s Prince 09:05 hrs Bubbly Bellini 09:40 hrs Enter The Red 10:15 hrs Corbata 10:50 hrs Sruthan 11:20 hrs Nasution 11;55 hrs Gold Focus 12:25 hrs Flight Risk American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Tizquick Race 2 Ostrolenka Race 3 Temper Mint Patty Race 4 King Kreesa Race 5 La Verdad Race 6 Brother O’Connell Race 7 Princess Violet Race 8 Sinistra Race 9 Discreet Marq Race10 Weekend Hideaway

Scoreboard INDIA innings A. Rahane lbw b Benn 68 S. Dhawan c DM Bravo b Russell 35 V. Kohli run-out 127 S. Raina c wkp.

Ramdin b Taylor 71 MS Dhoni run-out 6 R. Jadeja c Russell b Holder 2 A. Rayudu not out 12 Extras: (lb-6, w-3) 9 Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) 330 Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-142, 3-280, 4-290, 5-300, 6-330 Bowling: Taylor 9-0-77-1, Holder 9-0-52-1, Russell 7-0-48-1 (w-1), Benn 8-030-1, Samuels 10-0-54-0, DJ Bravo 6-0-51-0 (w-2), Pollard 1-0-12-0.

WEST INDIES innings D Smith c Mohammed Shami b Yadav 0 DM Bravo b Patel 40 K. Pollard c Dhawan b Kumar 6 M. Samuels b Mohammed Shami 112 D. Ramdin c Patel b Jadeja 9 DJ Bravo lbw b Jadeja 0 D. Sammy c & b Patel 16 A. Russell b Yadav 46 J. Holder c Raina b Kumar 11 J. Taylor b Shami 11 S. Benn not out 1 Extras: (lb-10, w-9) 19 Total: (all out, 48.1 overs) 271 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-27, 3-83, 4-120, 5-121, 6-165, 7-222, 8-239, 9-260.

Bowling: Kumar 10-2-252 (w-3), Yadav 8-0-35-2 (w-1), Mohammed Shami 9.1-0-72-1 (w-3), Kohli 1-014-0, Patel 10-1-26-2 (w-1), Jadeja 9-1-80-2 (w-1).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

Fixtures and umpires released for GCA matches THE GEORGETOWN Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCU&SA) has released the names of umpires to officiate in this weekend’s Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) matches, which will be contested in the Under-13, second and first division categories.

In the Hadi’s World City Mall Inc. first division twoday which starts at 09:30hrs today and tomorrow, Colin Alfred and Hortence Isaacs will officiate in the game between Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) that is being hosted by GCC. At Camp Road, Everest Cricket Club and Police Sports Club will do battle under the instructions of Cyril Garnath and Shannon Crawford, with the above two matches being the lone first division fixtures carded for this weekend.

In the New Building Society second division 40over competition which was launched last Monday and commences today, GCC will face Transport Sports Club (TSC) at Muslim Youth Organisation with Zaheer Mohamed and Chetram Persaud in charge.

Ace Warriors will be making a return to competitive cricket after a long absence, and they will tackle Everest at GNIC under the guidance of Clyde Layne and Heuvel Cunha at GNIC, Police will host GNIC with Reginald Grant and Edward Bowen officiating at Eve

Leary and Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) will entertain Malteenoes Sports Club at DCC, with Ryan Banwarie and Daniel Richmond calling play.

At the University of Guyana ground in Turkeyen, the UG Students will engage Sophia, with Javed Persaud and Leyland Liverpool overseeing the action.

Action in this tournament continues tomorrow with Ace Warriors taking on GNIC at GNIC, with Zaheer Mohamed and Clyde Layne doing on field duties, UG will travel to MYO under the watchful eyes of Chetram Persaud and Joseph Jeffrey and Sophia will take on Diplomats at UG, with Ryan Banwarie and Deon Feassal umpiring.

All matches commence at 10:30hrs both days.

In the GCA/Banks Malta Supreme Under-13 action for today, MSC will play DCC at 09:30hrs and Everest will engage GCC at 13:30hrs at YMCA. The umpires are Randolph Rose and Arleigh Rutherford.

Tomorrow, TSC face DCC at 09:30hrs and Diplomats match strides with GCC at 13:30hrs also at YMCA, with the umpires being Rose and Rutherford.

At MSC, GYO and Everest will clash at 09:30hrs and Bel Air RUBiS will take on MSC at 13:30hrs with Reginald Grant and Heuvel Cunha officiating.

All umpires are asked to be at the venues at least 45 minutes before the start of play.

WICB statement...

From page 39 8. The WICB regrets that the delegation which was prescheduled to travel to India to meet with the players on a number of issues will no longer be able to conduct such meeting at which the intention was also to discuss the concerns of the players.

The delegation had included WICB Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead, Chairman of the Cricket Committee Julian Charles and also WIPA President and CEO Mr Wavell Hinds and they were scheduled to arrive in India on Monday.

This meeting was scheduled prior to any issues being raised with the New MOU/CBA and it was intended to acquaint all the parties of how it would roll out. This was necessary as the WICB did not have an opportunity to so do in the Caribbean due to the logistical challenges of assembling all the players prior to departure for the tour of India (some of the players were already in India participating in the Champions League).

The WICB CEO, Mr Muirhead and WIPA President/CEO Mr Hinds had been in negotiations with regard to finding a mutually agreeable position to allow for the full tour to be completed.

9. The WICB further regrets that in his initial communication to the WIPA President and CEO Mr Hinds, Mr Bravo chose to use inflammatory language and issue a clear threat to cause injury to West Indies cricket.

Specifically M. Bravo wrote: “Please note that we are giving you the opportunity to right this wrong before things deteriorate [sic] to such an extent that West Indies cricket to the wider cricket world looks to fall to its knees again.”

10. The WICB reiterates that as a result of the action taken by the players the Board was forced with no other option but to discontinue the tour and once again apologises unreservedly for the premature end to the tour.

Finally, the WICB advises that the West Indies-A Team tour of Sri Lanka continues as scheduled.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

K&S delivers computers to CWSS and MHS WHEN the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation (K&S) hosted its inaugural Chico Elite Next Generation InterSecondary School football tournament last year, Caribbean Cargo Shipping, a Washington DC-based entity, handed over two computers to the dynamic organisers.

Another two were to be handed over to the top two schools out of the mining town of Linden - eventual champions Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) also known as ‘Multi’ and Mackenzie High School

(MHS).

While MHS lost to St George’s High in the quarterfinals, ‘Multi’, said to be Guyana’s top football-playing secondary school, went on to defeat Ash Educational Trust of Berbice 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 stalemate, to claim the top prize.

Both schools expressed their delight at receiving the computers, while adding of their pleasure at playing in the tournament last year and looking forward to doing so once again.

Midfield player Duquan Hercules, in the presence of striker Donavon Francis, receives the prize from K&S representative Aubrey Major Jr.

Windjammers/Golden Brook/Toney 7s Championship

Yamaha Caribs and UG Wolves square off in today’s finals FROM PERENNIAL whipping boys to title contenders! That is the story of the University of Guyana Wolves Rugby team as they now seek to add another trophy to their collection – the Windjammers/ Golden Brook/Rawle Toney-sponsored Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) 7s championship.

The two teams after two weeks of hardhitting action have finished the preliminary round undefeated and today at the National Park Rugby battle ground, the final which starts at 16:00hrs is expected to be one of the biggest games of the year.

This will be the second time on successive tournaments that these two teams meet in a final, dating back to the Banks DIH 7s where UG Wolves came from behind to top the Caribs 26-24 and in the process, won their first title.

“Not this time”! Caribs captain and coach Theodore Henry said in a recent interview. Henry is a very popular figure in the sport of Rugby and the dreadlockswearing player made it clear that this tournament means a lot to the team and as such, their approach to today’s game will be unlike any other.

Like true Caribs, Henry said that the squad is focused and are looking to continue

Theodore Henry their good form in the tournament But according to the new boys on the block UG Wolves, it would not be an easy task for the Caribs since they have beaten them already and could do it again.

Meanwhile, before the Yamaha Caribs and UG Wolves faceoff, the third-place playoff will see the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Pepsi Hornets go head-to-head.

Upon completion of today’s championship, the GRFU will turn its attention to preparing Guyana’s team for this year’s NACRA 7s tournament,

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

Kalladeen elected president of EBDCA ANAND Kalladeen, former treasurer of the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA), was recently elected to serve as that entity’s new president for the forthcoming year 2014/15 when that entity held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, September 30, at the Providence Community Centre.

Kalladeen replaces the long-serving Rohan Sarjoo who has served out his five consecutive years at the helm.

The Constitution of the EBDCA restricts the president and the treasurer from holding office for more than five consecutive years, but with his excellent service given in the presidency seat, the electorates voted for Sarjoo to return as one of two vice-presidents to Kalladeen, with Johnny Azeez as the other.

Mohamed Baksh will serve as secretary, while Sewnarine Kallicharran, Rakesh Seagram and Eric Sukrah will execute the offices of treasurer, assistant secretary and assistant treasurer respectively.

Alvin Rambarran, Ronald Jaisingh, K. Barker, Jermaine Ramroop and Julian Mohabir are the committee members while as Rakesh Gangaram has been tasked with the duties of organising competitions for the EBDCA, who also has Demerara Cricket Board president Raj

The newly elected executives of the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association strike a pose following their appointment last month.

Sitting at centre is Anand Kalladeen, with Johnny Azeez (2nd right) and Rohan Sarjoo (right).

Singh as its Marketing Manager.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) is John Ramsingh and following the first executive meeting that was held two days after being elected, several sub-committees were named and are as follows:

Marketing and Fundraising will be headed by Raj Singh, with assistance from Sarjoo, Kallicharran and Azeez, even as Kalladeen and Rambarran will be responsible for discipline while Kalladeen, Rohan Sarjoo, Julian Mohabir and Rambarran will take charge of the

Caribbean countries write AIBA on Ebola

Cricket Development Committee of the EBDCA. The two selectors on board with the DCB are Azeez at the senior level and Sarjoo at the junior level with Barker and Gangaram as the alternates for both categories.

2014 BCB/Carib Beer First Division T20

Preliminaries conclude today in Berbice THE PRELIMINARY stage of this year’s Berbice Cricket Board-organised, Ansa McAl’s Carib Beer-sponsored first division T20 cricket competition will conclude today with the final two Zone C (Corentyne) matches.

Defending champions Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets have already earned their place in the last-six play-off having, won all three of their matches to date, but will still go head-to-head in a marquee matchup at the Area ‘H’ ground from 13:30hrs.

At the same time, another fixture will be played at the Port Mourant Community Centre, where Port Mourant Cricket Club and Skeldon Community Centre will meet.

Meanwhile, West Berbice and D’Edward of Zone A (West Berbice) and Young Warriors and Universal Solutions Bermine of Zone B (East Bank/New Amsterdam/Canje) have already advanced to the playoffs.

Steve Ninvalle CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES attending the AIBA Congress have written to the world governing body requesting information on what precautions are being implemented to minimise the possibility of the dreaded disease being spread there.

President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, said yesterday that

Kathy Harper Hall he was contacted by St Lucian president David `Shakes’ Christopher who is “equally concerned” about Ebola and the upcoming congress.

“It is my understanding that Barbados, through its secretary Kathy Harper Hall, has sent out a letter on behalf of the region to AIBA. The letter clearly requested information on measures to be put in place for the safety of delegates.

I was contacted by my collogue from St. Lucia Mr. Christopher who, like all of us, is very concerned,” Ninvalle said.

The AIBA Congress is scheduled for November 12 to 14 in Jeju Island, South Korea.

There are 196 countries affiliated to AIBA, the governing body for amateur boxing in the world. West African countries Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are all affiliates, the hardest hit by the disease and have accounted for the majority of deaths.

Yesterday the World Health

Organisation (WHO) announced that the death toll in the Ebola outbreak has risen to 4 546 out of 9 191 known cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ebola is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person, such as urine, vomit, diarrhoea and faeces, and saliva.

This week Guyana placed restrictions on entry into the country of travellers from West African countries hit by the disease and Ninvalle said that a response from AIBA is being awaited before further steps are taken.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

Directors to meet, players blame Board for failing to intervene BRIDGETOWN, Barbados CMC – West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) directors were scheduled to hold an emergency meeting at 15:00hrs yesterday, to discuss the one-day squad’s controversial decision to quit the ongoing tour of India.

This follows the Board’s terse denial earlier that they had withdrawn the team from the tour, an assertion made by the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and which was also widely reported by international media.

The BCCI said in a statement that they had been informed by the WICB that the Board was cancelling the “rest of its ongoing tour to India because of a dispute with its players, and has advised the BCCI that its players will return home immediately”.

However, CMC Sports has obtained a copy of a letter sent to WICB president Dave Cameron by Windies players’ representative Dwayne Bravo, just prior to the fourth ODI yesterday, informing that they were no longer willing to continue the tour.

Bravo, also the ODI captain, said the players were “extremely disappointed” by the WICB’s failure to intervene in their impasse with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), and having found no recourse either through WIPA, could not be “party to this grave injustice.”

“Mr President, having taken the field in good faith, appealed to WIPA to address our concerns to no avail and asked the WICB to demonstrate with action, what is often bandied about in words, namely that they are interested in player welfare and partnership, it seems to us that there has been no reciprocal action,” the letter from Bravo read.

“As a consequence and as a matter of principle, we cannot be party to this grave injustice. The players regretfully wish to advise that they can no longer accept this situation which has affected each and every player in a very negative way.

“The players are under tremendous stress and undue pressure. We have informed the manager and coach of our decision to return home with the hope that these issues will be addressed to the satisfaction of all.”

The West Indies players have been locked in an impasse with WIPA in recent weeks over what they claim is a significant reduction in their earnings because of the

conditions contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding, which WIPA recently signed with the WICB. They had also threatened strike action prior to the first ODI in Kochi but subsequently took the field.

Following a heated exchange of letters with the Wavell Hinds-led WIPA – made public by several leaked emails – the players wrote to the WICB informing that they no longer recognised the players union as their bargaining agent, and appealing to the Board for its intervention.

The players had also requested the Board return to the old agreement in the interim.

However, the WICB rejected both suggestions, stressing it would stand by the new CBA/MOU and only recognise WIPA as the bargaining agent for West Indies players.

In the latest letter to Cameron, the players described the new CBA/MOU as “wholly unjust and unfair” and reiterated they had not been fully apprised of its terms.

“Mr President, as you recognised in your response, the players acted in good faith and played the first three ODIs with the high expectation that the matter would be resolved or a clear pathway for an acceptable resolution identified,” Bravo said in the letter.

“This must be viewed in the context that we have played without any knowledge of the purported new MOU and having been advised by WIPA not to sign the match/tour contract. In other words, we are playing without having agreed the terms and conditions. This therefore means that we have no real coverage in place for medical, insurance, security and many other terms and conditions that come with being an international cricketer.”

He continued: “The players’ issue is that there has been no resolution, no mandate, no consultation, no prior Board approval as far as WIPA is concerned and yet there is an agreement of unreasonable terms and conditions.

“In addition to the issue of deficient representation there is a case that the purported MOU may be wholly unjust and unfair and the new salary structure is untenable. In these circumstances the players feel there is sufficient basis to ask for its termination and its renegotiation.”

The players also hit back at the WICB’s advice for them

Australia hand coach Lehmann contract extension (REUTERS) - Australia coach Darren Lehmann has been rewarded for his integral role in turning around the fortunes of the team with a one-year contract extension until June, 2017.

The former Test batsman took over from South African Mickey Arthur in the wake of last year’s calamitous tour of India and helped guide the side to a 5-0 Ashes sweep and a series triumph in South Africa that saw them briefly top the world rankings.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have had in the job and am proud of what we have achieved so far,” Lehmann said.

“I want to continue with the work we have done on and off the field with the team, as I feel we are heading in the right direction. I’m grateful that the board has shown faith in me to continue in the job.”

Lehmann, widely known by his nickname ‘Boof’, has been credited with bringing a more relaxed atmosphere to the Australian dressing room and encouraging the players to enjoy their cricket first and

Darren Lehmann foremost.

The team’s success under Lehmann and captain Michael Clarke has also been built on an aggressive style of play that he carried with him from his own playing career, in which he played 27 Tests.

The 44-year-old has also enjoyed his share of good fortune, not least in the rebirth of Mitchell Johnson as one of the most lethal fast bowlers in the game.

“We have been extremely pleased with the results Darren has achieved with the team

since he came on board,” said Cricket Australia’s Pat Howard.

“He has helped create an excellent team environment that has seen players thrive.

We want that to continue so we used the winter period to work through an extension to his current contract.

“Importantly it provides continuity for the team and certainty for Darren heading into a critical period for Australian cricket.”

Australia play Pakistan in a Test series starting next week in the United Arab Emirates to kick off a gruelling year of cricket taking in a home series against India, the World Cup, also on home soil, and an Ashes tour of England.

“At the end of the day I will be judged by results, if the team is not performing then I am answerable,” Lehmann added. “In the meantime, I am looking forward to this current Test series against Pakistan then getting stuck in as we lead into the biggest summer of cricket Australia has seen in a long time.”

Dave Cameron to sort the issue out with WIPA “in the appropriate manner as provided for by the rules of your Association”.

“It is therefore not a true representation to say this is solely an issue between players and their representative,” the players said.

“The WICB had a duty to be sure that all partners and stakeholders were aware and understood the consequences of such a fundamental change as is being proposed.”

The Windies lost the fourth ODI in Dharamsala by 59 runs and are now expected to return home without contesting Monday’s final ODI in Kolkata or the Twenty20 International two days later.

West Indies were also scheduled to play a three-Test series beginning October 30 and the BCCI has drafted in Sri Lanka for a hastily arranged five-match ODI series.

Ferrari’s former president confirms Alonso exit

By Andrew Benson (BBC SPORT) - Fernando Alonso is leaving Ferrari at the end of this season, the company’s former president Luca Di Montezemolo has confirmed.

Alonso’s departure is an open secret in Formula 1, but the team have not yet announced it, nor their decision to replace him with Sebastian Vettel.

Di Montezemolo told Italian television: “Fernando is leaving for two reasons. One, he wants another environment and two, because he is an age when he cannot wait to win again.”

Alonso, 33, asked Di Montezemolo in the summer to be released from his contract, after losing faith that Ferrari could produce a winning car in the near future.

The Spaniard has been with Ferrari since 2010,

and has finished runner-up in the world championship to Red Bull’s Vettel three times in the last four years, losing out in the final race in both 2010 and 2012.

Di Montezemolo, who was speaking on a television show looking back on his 23 years with Ferrari, said: “He was disappointed that he has not won over these last years and wanted new

Fernando Alonso

stimulus.”

Alonso is deciding between joining McLaren, who have made him a huge offer to lead their team into their new engine partnership with Honda next season, or taking a year off in the hope of finding a seat at Mercedes in 2016.

The two-time world champion said at the Russian Grand Prix at the weekend that his choice would be “obvious” when it was announced.

He said he did not think he would be using a Mercedes engine in 2015, and added that there was “probably not a big risk” of him not being in F1 next year.

Di Montezemolo this week officially left his role as president of Ferrari, which he has held since 1991 and has been replaced by Sergio Marchionne, the chief executive officer of parent company Fiat.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

GDF reclaims ISSAC crown after dominating final day’s action

By Leeron Brumell A COMMANDING performance from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on yesterday’s final day of competition put the Inter Service Championship title back in their camp, as the ‘green machine’ tallied 630 points over the three-days.

Last year’s champs - the Guyana Police Force registered 565 points, followed by the Guyana Fire Service with 92, City Constabulary 76 and Prisons Services bringing up the rear with 63.

Opening events – Janella Jonas (GPF) claimed victory in the 1500m in 4 minutes 55.3 seconds, again coming home unchallenged ahead of Carlissa Atkinson (GDF) and Alicia Jack.

The victory for Jonas was her third at these championships.

She also won the 800m and 3000m.

The men’s event didn’t disappoint – the top six athletes again meeting and it would be a different winner - 800m winner Kevin Bayley, 5000m champion Cleveland Forde, Ernesto Thomas, Tyshon Bentick, Nathaniel Giddings and Gervin Grant all bunched together for the first 700m.

Bayley remained the leader of the pack to take the final bell, but with 200m to go, he could not find the extra needed to make it a double and army athletes Thomas and Forde accelerated. Thomas reigned supreme in 3 minutes 59.9 seconds.

In the sprints –the GPF’s Onicka Eastman claimed a narrow victory on the line in 12.0 seconds from the GDF’s Aniqua Powley 12.2 seconds and Tiffany Carto third in 12.3 seconds.

On the male side – the victor was clear as well as the team – GDF sweeping the top three places with Davin Fraser taking the gold in 10.2 seconds ahead of Akeem Stewart (10.4) and Rupert Perry 10.5.

Fraser however could not claim the sprint double when he lined up in the 200m –Olympian and Police athlete Winston George came home with daylight to spare – 20.4 seconds.

Fraser took the silver (20.7) with his army teammate Patrick King third in 20.9 seconds.

The women’s 200m was won by the GDF’s Tiffany Allen in 24.2 seconds. She finished 4th in the 100m final. Tiffany Carto (24.6) crossed the line next with Onicka Eastman in third (24.9), both from the GPF. George returned, when the flood lights were put on to take victory in his pet event – the 400m in a time of 48.3 seconds.

Perhaps his strongest challenger, Patrick King left the blocks

Neisa Allen of the Guyana Defence Force takes a breather after winning the Women’s 200m too early and was shown the red flag. Shawn Semple took silver and Darren Henry of the army bronze.

Tiffany Carto (GPF)registered 58.1 seconds to take the gold in the Women’s 400m, ahead of the Army’s Neesa Allen and Akeila Alves of the GPF. In the High Jump – Police would take 1st, 2nd and fourth – through Tracey Moses with a height of 1.40m, Tenisha Dorway – 1.36m and Tandika Burgess 1.30m. The GDF’s Faunella BcBean finished third with a clearance of 1.33m.

On the male side – Tyrone Hamid reigned supreme with a clearance of 1.76m, to come out ahead of teammate Leslain Baird 1.74m, both of the GDF, while Police claimed third and fourth spots.

The GDF would prove dominant in the relays, sweeping the male and female 4x100m and the Women’s 4 x 400m, thanks to a blistering 2nd leg from Letitia Myles that gave them the lead and they never looked back. The quartet stopped the clock at 4 mins 14 seconds.

Allen’s opponent 15 pounds overweight UNDEFEATED Guyanese super middleweight, United States of America-based Lennox `Too Sharp’ Allen had a dull ending to his scheduled Wednesday evening fight in New York, as his opponent Julio Garcia weighed in a whopping 15 pounds over the 68-pound limit forcing the plug to be pulled on the contest.

A source close to

Allen said the 29-year-old southpaw was disappointed, but should be back in the ring before next month end.

“It is baffling to try to understand how a fighter could come in so many pounds overweight. It would have been impossible for Garcia to lose so much weight in such a short period of time.

Lennox was disappointed as he was really excited about

getting back into the ring,” the source said.

The fight was scheduled for the BB King Blues Club and would have been Allen’s first for the year. Allen has not been in the ring since August last year when he won a six-rounder against Micheal Gbenga, after turning pro in 2004 and has racked up a record of 18-0 with 10 knockouts.

He secured the vacant World Boxing Council/ Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) title in 2011 following a unanimous 12-round decision over Kwesi Jones at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. However, Allen’s career has slowed in recent time, having just one fight in 2012 and a similar number in 2013.

Police would have something to smile about at the end of the night, Winston George anchoring the 4 x 400m male team to victory over the GDF in 3 minutes 18.5 seconds.

The boys in green earlier in the day had won the march past.

The day-night track meet brought to an end, three days of action on the Camp Ayanganna ground, spoiled only by the crowd’s lack of control in the relays, when they stormed over the barricades and onto the track, while the men’s 4x400m final came down the homestretch. The action by the few forced the time keepers to leave their posts in order to record the times of the teams.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER 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) 41 (The Oval, 1983) (2) Mohammed Azharuddin-174 matches Today’s Quiz: (1)When did the WI & India once play an ODI game at Bourda?

(2) Who are the only two men with double-centuries in ODI cricket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

Stag Beer/Cell Smart/New Era Entertainment Futsal

Tournament officially launched in Linden … Action kicks off November 1

ANSA McAL Trading through its Stag Beer brand and Cell Smart, an authorised Digicel dealer, last Thursday teamed up with New Era Entertainment to launch yet another Futsal tournament that involves only teams in the mining town of Linden.

The event which runs from November 1 to 22 at the Mackenzie Sports Club hardcourt will see 12 teams battle for a first prize of $200 000. The teams finishing second through fourth will pocket $100 000, $75 000 and $25 000 respectively.

“I know football is very big in Linden and it’s a sport that connects the community and Stag has always been there to connect communities in Guyana. We anticipate good support and we see this as a great opportunity to give back to the community,” said John Maikoo, Stag Beer Brand Manager.

Addressing the room filled with football enthusiasts and representatives at the LEN Building in Linden,

Maikoo added that it’s the aim of his company to “see this tournament grow into something bigger” and stated the company’s commitment in ensuring that it remains high on the calendar of events football fans can look forward to.

Lenford Malcolm, Sales and Operations Manager at Cell Smart, shared similar views as Maikoo and said his company has long been partnering with New

Era Entertainment to host several events in Linden and as customary, they are excited about the Futsal tournament, especially since Linden is known as a community passionate about football.

Malcolm added that the community has supported Cell Smart in a very tangible way and sponsoring the Futsal tournament is seen as a means of giving back.

Kenrick Noel, Aubrey Shareef Major and Winston Fraser, who are

the Directors of New Era Entertainment, spoke highly of their longstanding alliance with both companies and made it clear that the tournament will have the same glitz and glamour, just like all of their other events.

A massive opening ceremony is planned for Saturday, November 1, and according to the fixtures, matches are also set for November 2, 8, 9, 12, 14 and 15, with the finals on November 22.

(L-R) Kenrick Noel, Stag Beer Brand Manager John Maikoo, Aubrey Major Jr, Sales and Operations Manager at Cell Smart Lenford Malcolm, Sean Abel, Stag Beer Representative, Shareef Major and Winston Fraser.

Petra Organisation/COURTS Pee Wee Football Tournament

Final preliminary round matches on today IT’S WEEK 3 of the Petra Organisation/COURTS Pee Wee Football tournament and once again, some of the city’s top Under-11 players and schools will all head to the Banks DIH Thirst Park ground for another exciting day of action.

What makes today’s games even more interesting is the fact that the defending champions St Pius Primary are facing elimination, or, if they play like they have so far in the competition, can end up as spectators.

They go up against F.E Pollard Primary in the day’s third game at 10:45hrs and the champions are yet to secure a victory having played to two unimpressive draws so far.

While St Pius have so far struggled in the tournament, their opponents F.E

Pollard Primary will still be riding high on their 6-0 victory over counterparts J.E. Burnham; the same team that held the champs to a 0-0 draw on the competition’s opening day.

It will be interesting to see how the likes of Makhaya Jarvis, Tramel McCurdy and the Williams pair of Quincy and Brian, will steer their school to the knock-out stage, especially since they have failed to score a single goal in the tournament so far.

Meanwhile, the dynamic pair of Keion and Rayheem Marques (no relation) - the tournament’s leading goalscorers - are expected to lead the charge for Tucville Primary.

The two players have caught the eyes of everyone who frequent the venue with their brilliant display of skills and

team work and have single-handedly carried their institution to an impressive unbeaten record to date.

Today, they will seek to replicate their two previous games’ performance against St Stephen’s Primary at 12:15hrs.

The day’s full fixtures read: Marian Academy against North Georgetown Primary, Winfer Garden vs Stella Morris, F.E Pollard versus St Pius and J.E Burnham compete with St Angela’s.

St Margaret’s will go head-to-head with South Ruimveldt, St Ambrose meet Smith Memorial, Tucville clash with St Stephen’s, St Gabriel go up against Thomas Moore, Success challenge East La Penitence, Ketley match strides with Enterprise< West Ruimveldt tackle New Comenius and Green Acres oppose Redeemer.

NSC/MoH/NAPS 8th`Ride for Life’ Cycle Road Race

Greaves assumes leadership role after three stages … Team Coco’s officially withdraws from event

INAUGURAL National Sports Commission/ Ministry of Health/ National AIDS Programme Secretariat ‘Ride for Life’ five-stage winner Alanzo Greaves of Roraima Bikers Club yesterday assumed the leadership position in this year’s event, at the completion of the third stage.

Greaves’ ascendancy into the pole position, was facilitated by the withdrawal of the Miamibased Team Coco’s from this year’s event, following a discrepancy with one of the race officials, an act Ian ‘QB” Davis of Team Coco’s is deeming vindictive and personal.

Greaves will start this morning’s penultimate stage in the Cinderella County of Essequibo, with not only the race leader’s jersey on his back, but a slim sixsecond lead over national Road Race champion Geron Williams and one of his nemeses, Robin Persaud, after preserving his lead among the locals following yesterday’s third stage.

Greaves, who was trailing Team Coco’s Ruben Companioni and Carlos Ospina heading into the 35mile stage (Wales to Parika) by more than two minutes, placed sixth in the event in 1h. 1m: 19secs, which was eventually won by Greaves former teammate at RBC, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, who took the top honours with a time of 59m:32secs.

Persaud, who placed fourth in yesterday’s stage, finishing one second faster than Greaves and Williams, is intent on ascending the ranks, as he is tied with Geron Williams for second place, six seconds behind Greaves.

Team Alanis’ Paul DeNobrega (1h:00:43s)

and US-based Scott Savory (1h:01m:11s) finished second and third respectively to Marlon Williams in yesterday morning’s third stage, with all three riders being three minutes behind Greaves prior to the start of the stage.

However, ‘Fishy’ Williams, by virtue of his win, gained a lot of ground on the points leader and is now in fourth position, 1m: 32secs behind Greaves, with two stages to go including the fifth and final stage, that is known as ‘Fishy’ Williams’ hunting ground to cycling enthusiasts.

The top six, who will be facing the starter’s orders among other cyclists for this morning’s fourth stage, which pedals off from Supenaam, proceeds to Charity and back to Suddie for the finish - a distance of 62 miles - are as follows with timings in bracket: Alanzo Greaves (5h:01m:13s), Geron Williams (+6s), Robin Persaud (+6), Marlon Williams (+1m:32s), Paul DeNobrega (+2m:46s) and Scott Savory (+3m:16s).

Meanwhile, the 12-strong Team Coco’s unit which had within its ranks the likes of Raynauth ‘Obeah Man’ Jeffrey and Junior Niles, the 2013 Open and Veterans champions, withdrew from the event in unity at the completion of the second stage.

This decision was arrived at, after they all disagreed with the 30-second penalty which was handed down to the team by race commissar, Malcolm Sonoram, who said Davis, the team’s founder and owner, had infringed one of the stipulations for the event during the second stage.

Davis is strongly denying this. (Calvin Roberts)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday OCTOBER 18, 2014

India win as series left in doubt INDIA’S 59-RUN win in the fourth Micromax Cup oneday international against the West Indies yesterday was overshadowed by a bizarre row over the future of the series.

Midway India’s innings in Dharamsala, a statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India said that the West Indies Cricket Board had cancelled the remainder of the tour - the fifth ODI, a one-off Twenty20 international and three Tests, but the WICB later denied that was true.

The Windies players looked distracted in the field as India piled up 330 for six having been put in to bat, with Virat Kohli leading the way with 127 while there were halfcenturies from Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina.

Despite an improved batting effort based around Marlon Samuels’ defiant 112, his second century of the series, there was never a serious prospect of them chasing down the imposing target and they finished 271 all out.

India therefore took a 2-1 lead in what appears to be a concluded series, after a five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka was scheduled to fill the void in India’s schedule though a statement from the WICB during the West Indies innings indicated no final decision has yet been taken, plunging the issue into doubt once more.

India started quickly and Shikhar Dhawan made 35 before a wild hook was caught at deep mid-wicket by Darren Bravo off Andre Russell. Rahane was then trapped lbw sweeping at Sulieman Benn for 68, having earlier been badly dropped by Jerome Taylor.

That brought Raina to the crease and he provided the acceleration in a stand of 138 with Kohli.

When a ball-boy stepped inside the rope to handle a ball fielded by Russell, on-field controversy at least was negated as the umpires spoke to players from both teams and awarded just the two runs completed, rather than the four specified in the laws of the game.

Raina’s half-century came up in 46 balls and he raced to 71 from 58 before he was well taken off Taylor by a diving wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

MS Dhoni was run-out for six and Ravindra Jadeja made just two but Kohli survived another shambolic drop, this time uncharacteristically from Dwayne Bravo, and responded by hitting the next ball for six en route to a further 26 in 11 deliveries before being run-out off the last ball.

West Indies manage a few late wickets but Virat Kohli’s century leads India to 330 for 6.

In reply, Dwayne Smith failed to score from 11 balls and Kieron Pollard struggled to six from 31 but Darren Bravo and Samuels put on 56 before the former was bowled for 40, swiping at Akshar Patel.

Samuels hit two sixes and two fours off successive deliveries from Jadeja and reached a 48-ball half-century in the next over.

Ramdin made just nine and Dwayne Bravo failed to score but Samuels found a big-hitting foil in Andre Russell, who smashed 46 from 23 balls with three sixes - the last of which lost the ball on the stadium roof - before being bowled by Umesh Yadav.

Jason Holder hit 11 and Taylor saw Samuels through to an impressive 97-ball century but the target was always beyond the Windies.

WICB statement re West Indies tour of India

Dwayne Bravo Wavell Hinds ST JOHN’S, ANTIGUA – The Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board held an emergency meeting by teleconference yesterday to discuss the developments with regard to the West Indies tour of India.

The Board of Directors was briefed of the latest developments and as a result of decisions taken the WICB advises: 1. The WICB clarifies that players in the West Indies Squad currently in India represented by Mr Dwayne Bravo indicated to the WICB through the West Indies Team Management that the players have taken a decision to withdraw their services for the remainder of the tour of India.

As a result of this action by the players the WICB was left with no option but to advise the BCCI that it will no longer be able to provide a West Indies team for the remaining five matches (5th ODI, T20 International, three Test matches).

2. The WICB wishes to further clarify that its proposed

alternative arrangement of a replacement West Indies team was not considered acceptable. The WICB is understanding of this position.

3. The WICB unreservedly apologises to West Indian fans and all cricket fans for this most regrettable situation and the premature end to the tour.

4. The WICB unreservedly apologises to the BCCI, their sponsors, broadcasters and other stakeholders for the premature end to the tour.

5. The WICB thanks the BCCI, their sponsors, broadcasters, other stakeholders and fans for their patience and understanding during the first four ODIs. The WICB wishes the BCCI every success with the proposed alternative arrangements and looks forward to the continuation of the strong and longstanding relationship between the two boards.

6. The WICB clarifies further that as a result of postulations by the players, the tour was under a cloud of uncertainty from the inception. The WICB, acting prudently, advised the host board - BCCI - of the developments and remained in constant contact to provide updates as to the threat of possible player action.

7. The WICB will host an emergency Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 21, in Barbados, to conduct a thorough assessment of all the ramifications of the premature end to the tour and any action which may be necessary therefrom. The WICB will host a media conference following this meeting. Further details will be provided upon confirmation.

Turn to page 33

Samuels kept carting sixes to lift West Indies’ hopes.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

WICB statement re West Indies tour of India See story on page 39

GEORGE WINS 200M - Olympian and Guyana Police Force athlete Winston George comfortably wins the Men’s 200m sprint final.

GDF reclaims ISSAC crown after dominating final day’s action See story on page 37

The 2014 Inter Service Athletics Champions the Guyana Defence Force pose with their spoils.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2014