Guyana chronicle 22 10 14

GUYANA No. 103988 WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $60

Many Happy Returns, Mr. President – on your 64th Birthday today

Essequibians gladly welcome ‘Because We Care’ education grant

INCLUDING VAT

Agriculture Ministry launches local recipe book

Page

2

GuySuCo, GAWU agree to arbitration tribunal on Stephen case

Page

14

Dr. Walter Rodney’s widow completes testimony Dr Ashni Singh making sure that everything is going as planned at a distribution desk at the Abram Zuil Secondary School

Page

3

– hopes COI will help create unity in Guyana

Based on my interpretation of Standing Order No. 8(2)…

Page

8

Speaker Trotman has no power to fix date for next sitting of ... Clerk of the National Assembly National Assembly

Mr. Sherlock Isaacs

Page

11

Flood Page 12 warnings in effect in flood-prone areas

2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Agriculture Ministry launches local recipe book – in effort to promote ‘eat-what-we-produce’ drive

As part of its “Eat what we produce” drive, the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday launched a Guyana Recipe Book which features recipes using local ingredients, and also includes the nutritional benefits of some local foods.

The booklet at reference, which was published by the Agriculture Ministry and will be featured annually, was launched at the Guyana International Conference

Centre (GICC) during the second day of the Agriculture Research Conference.

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who officially launched the first edition, said that the Ministry will be sending copies to remote communities.

He said that the aim of producing such a book is to ensure that Guyanese consume as much local produce as possible, thereby reducing their dependency

on imported foods.

“We do recognise that we have to use the imported things; however, these recipes will make maximum use of local products,” Minister Ramsammy said, adding that the idea is not to ban imported products, but rather to generate employment, create business opportunities, and propel the economic development of the country.

For Guyana to develop

economically, the country has to export, and Minister Ramsammy further explained that this initiative is not the same as the one which was initiated a few decades ago to ban imported food, but is intended to demonstrate that Guyana produces high quality products, and to showcase ‘Brand Guyana’.

The recipe book will also be available on the Ministry’s website. (GINA)

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy handing over one of the Recipe Books yesterday to an overseas participant at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Rice Research Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre

GGI commences draw-down to fund Aurora Gold Project G U YA N A G o l d f i e l d s (GGI) has obtained a first draw-down in the sum of US$42.6M in connection with the US$185M loan to fund the development and

construction of the Aurora Gold Project, Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

Announcing this yesterday, the Company also disclosed that subsequent

payments are expected to be received on a monthly basis, established on project funding requirements.

GGI completed its loan arrangements with several lenders to fully finance the Aurora Gold project in September last.

The loan facility consists of two tranches: a Tranche 1 facility of US$160M and a Tranche 2 cost overrun facil-

ity of US$25M. The maximum term of the Facility is eight years, and advances under the Facility bear a weighted average interest rate of three-month LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offerred Rate) plus 5.11% for Tranche 1 facility, and advances under the Tranche 2 facility would bear interest at the same average range of rates plus 0.5% (if drawn).

LIBOR are benchmark interest rates for many adjustable business loans and financial instruments traded on the global financial market.

Guyana Goldfields Inc. disclosed that there are no gold-hedging requirements or other similar provisions associated with the facility.

Scott Caldwell, President & Chief Executive Officer of GGI stated, "We are pleased to have fulfilled all conditions related to the Facility in order to obtain first drawdown. The construction schedule is approximately 40% complete and we currently have over 500 people

working at site, majority of which are Guyanese nationals, with this rapidly expanding to 900 people by the end of the year in order to support construction efforts and our timeline of reaching commercial production by mid-2015.

The Aurora Gold Project is said to have a total gold resource of 6.54 million ounces in the measured and indicated categories (62.83 million tonnes at 3.24 grammes per tonne gold ( g/t Au) as well as an additional 1.82 million ounces in the inferred category (16.93 million tonnes at 3.34 g/t Au).

3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Essequibians gladly welcome ‘Because We Care’ education grant

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh chatting with some parents as they awaited their turn to collect their children’s vouchers at Abram Zuil Secondary

THE Ministry of Education and the Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Administration has started the distribution of the $10,000 "Because We Care" education grant to parents whose children are attending public nursery, primary and secondary schools across the Region.

The exercise, which began at 14.00hrs on Monday at ten distribution centres in the south, saw hundreds of parents turning up to collect their $10,000 vouchers.

According to a release from the Department of Education at Cotton Field, Member of Parliament, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj was at the Good Hope distribution centre, while Advisor to the President, Mr. Odinga Lumumba was at the Huis t’Dieren Primary School distribution centre.

The release said that Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manichand was at Suddie

Primary School distribution centre, and Minister Jennifer Westford was at the Aurora centre.

Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul was at the Fisher Primary School distribution centre and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh was at the Abram Zuil Secondary School centre.

The release said also that MP Mr. Cornel Damon was at Taymouth Manor Primary, while Minister in the

Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh was at the Anna Regina Multilateral School distribution centre. Minister in the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edgehill was at the Cotton Field Secondary School centre, while Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony was at the C.V. Nunes Primary School distribution centre.

At Abram Zuil Secondary, parents turned up in large numbers from as early as

More parents waiting to collect their children’s education grant made available by government at the Abram Zuil Secondary School

Dr Ashni Singh in discussion with parents at the Abram Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast

midday to collect their vouchers. And while they waited patiently for the Minister of Finance to arrive, the atmosphere was one of excitement and joy, as everyone expressed their satisfaction and gratitude.

Minister Singh, in his address, said the inputs are being provided so children can attend school. He said if children are well educated, then the country will be brighter and more prosperous.

The Finance Minister said the PPP/C Government has, from its earliest days, ensured that more and more resources are added to the education sector.

ROLE OF PARENTS The Finance Minister, in his charge to parents, said it is not only about the $10,000, but it is necessary that parents do their part to ensure that children are better prepared for a more prosperous Guyana.

Many parents who col-

lected their $10,000 education grant said they are thankful to the caring PPP/C Government.

One parent said the Government is very caring and good to all children of Guyana. She said under the PPP/C Government today

children have many opportunities to complete their primary, secondary and university education. The distribution exercise was set to continue at four distribution centres in the north of the Essequibo Coast yesterday. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

4

GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

U.S. to funnel travelers from Ebola-hit region through five airports (Reuters) - TRAVELERS to the United States from Ebola-stricken Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea must fly into one of five airports that have enhanced screening in place for the virus, the U.S. government said on Tuesday.

The restrictions on passengers whose trips originated in those three West African countries were announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and were set to go into effect on Wednesday. The measures stop well short of the travel ban sought by some U.S. lawmakers in a bid to prevent further Ebola cases in the United States.

Affected travelers will have their temperatures checked for signs of a fever that may indicate Ebola infection, among other protocols, at New York’s John F. Kennedy, New Jersey’s

Newark, Washington Dulles, Atlanta, and Chicago’s O’Hare international airports, officials said.

These airports account for 94 percent of passengers coming to the United States from the Ebola-hit countries.

The restrictions apply to all travelers, including U.S. citizens and those who would have arrived by land or sea.

“We are working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption,”

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to reroute the six percent” who do not fly to the five airports, Medina said in an emailed statement.

The group’s members include Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), United Airlines

Protestor Jeff Hulbert of Annapolis, Maryland holds a sign reading ‘’Stop the Flights’’ as he demonstrates in favor of a travel ban to stop the spread of the Ebola virus, in front of the White House in Washington October 16, 2014. (Credit: Reuters/Jim Bourg) Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a news release. “If not already handled by the airlines, the few impacted travelers should contact the airlines for rebooking, as needed.”

The restrictions apply to about nine people per day arriving from those nations that do not already fly into the enhanced-screening airports, according to Jean Medina, a spokeswoman for Washington-based trade group Airlines for America, or A4A. “A4A members are cooperating fully with U.S.

DATE: 18/10/2014 H

13 19 24 27 23 26 11

21/10/2014

08

22

24

(UAL.N) and American Airlines (AAL.O), none of which fly to the affected countries. However, they may carry passengers from these countries on a connecting flight.

In Washington, some U.S. lawmakers welcomed the move while others said more needed to be done.

Democratic U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York called the move “a good and effective step toward tightening the net and further protecting our citizens.”

18

11

21/10/2014

09

Purely military action in Syria could fuel extremism: U.N. (Reuters) – UNITED NATIONS Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned on Tuesday that using only military means to fight the threat of Islamic State in Syria could radicalize more Sunni armed groups and spark greater violence.

“Our long-term strategic objective in Syria remains a political solution,” Ban told the U.N. Security Council.

The United Nations is spearheading efforts to end a civil war sparked by President Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests more than three years ago.

“A purely military response to the vicious new threat posed by (Islamic State) could ultimately contribute to the radicalization of other Sunni armed groups and spark a cycle of renewed violence,” he said.

Islamic State has seized large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and is being targeted by U.S.-led air strikes in both countries. The Sunni militant group has crucified and beheaded prisoners and told non-Muslims and Shi’ites they must convert to its brand of Islam or die.

“We must defeat (Islamic State) and other ter-

02

04

21/10/2014

rorist groups. We must hold accountable all those in the Assad regime responsible for its widespread atrocities,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, told the Security Council.

“But we wholeheartedly agree with the Secretary-General that a political solution is absolutely essential to address the root causes of extremism in Syria, and to address the legitimate aspirations and grievances of its people,” she said.

Islamic State is battling Kurdish forces for control of the strategically important Syrian town of Kobani at the Turkish border.

U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura, appointed by Ban to mediate a political solution in Syria, has warned that thousands of people could be massacred if Kobani falls to the group.

“Kobani is just one of many places across Syria where civilians are under imminent threat,” Ban told the council meeting on the Middle East, urging the 15-member body to fully support the efforts of de Mistura.

The United Nations says some 3.2 million Syrians have fled the violence that has killed nearly 200,000 people.

“In addition to the barbarity of (Islamic State), the Syrian government continues to brutally and indiscriminately attack populated areas, including with barrel bombs,” Ban added, referring to an explosive device usually made from a barrel filled with high explosives and other materials.

15

12 14

21 18 16 06

5

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Mexico offers rewards for information on missing students (BBC News) THE Mexican government has offered rewards for information on the whereabouts of 43 students who disappeared more than three weeks ago.

The 43 from a teacher training college in the town of Ayotzinapa went missing after deadly clashes with the police.

In newspaper advertisements the government said it would pay $110,000 (£68,000) for information on each one of the students.

Thirty-six police officers are being questioned over their disappearance.

Deadly clashes The rewards apply to information leading to their whereabouts or the identification of those behind their

The relatives of the missing have complained about the slow pace of the investigation bundled into cars by muThe students had travdisappearance. nicipal police officers on 26 elled to Iguala to protest and Eyewitnesses recounted September near the town of raise funds for their college. how they saw the 43 being Iguala, in Guerrero state.

Police opened fire on the

students’ buses as they were travelling back to Ayotzinapa. Six people, three of them students, were killed in the shootings.

The 43 were declared missing in the following days.

Municipal police officers arrested in connection with the clashes reportedly confessed to handing the students over to a local drug gang calling itself Guerreros Unidos (United Warriors).

Nineteen burial pits have been found in the hills surrounding Iguala since, some of them following tip-offs by those in custody.

So far, forensic tests have been carried out on 28 bodies, but they showed they were not those of the students. The

identity of the bodies remains unclear.

Test are still under way on the remaining bodies and the search for the students continues.

On Monday, Jesus Pena Palacios of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said what had happened to the students could be described as a “forced disappearance.”

“Without any doubt the forced disappearance of these youngsters and the killing of the six [in the clashes] are grave violations of human rights,” he added.

He also urged the Mexican government to use all tools at their disposal to expedite the search for the missing students.

In wake of Ebola threat: Talks next week on Carnival’s fate (Trinidad Guardian ) A MEETING will be held next Wednesday involving the authorities and all Carnival stakeholders to discuss whether Carnival should be cancelled because of the Ebola threat and a recommendation will later be made to Cabinet. This was conveyed to reporters yesterday by Brig Anthony Phillips-Spencer, head of the National Ebola Prevention, Information and Response team (NEPIR) after its first meeting with representatives from various sectors, including security, military, fire and prison services, airport, Immigration Health, Tobago House of Assembly, ODPM, the National Carnival Commission, private and public-sector agencies.

NEPIR adopted its mission to integrate and co-ordinate all efforts to be pursued with all available capabilities to prevent Ebola spread and protect all in T&T. This includes responding and recovery aspects should any spread occur. Phillips-Spencer said the Carnival issue was considered at yesterday’s meeting in terms of NEPIR’s responsibilities.

NCC was represented

by NCC chief executive

officer Allison Demas. He said his team was given information that required that a full submission be made on the issue in subsequent discussions with all stakeholders. Spencer said that consultation would be held on October 29. He said his team would share its recommendations on the issue with Cabinet based on intelligent advice. The meeting will be held the day before the weekly Cabinet meeting. How Carnival will be handled will be the prototype for how NEPIR will determine how to handle

other major gatherings, including those related to Christmas, sporting and cultural events. ”Carnival will be our yardstick to determine our capability on all of this,” he added.

After the meeting, NCC sources said at yesterday’s meeting the NCC proposed a meeting between the authorities and all Carnival stakeholders and civil society groups at the Queen’s Park Savannah on October 29.

They had noted Carnival is held in 54 regions in Trinidad and also in Tobago and there should be some caution on the

issue since it was a significant contributor to the economy, from ground and air transport, restaurants and hotels, mas itself, and even banks which gave loans for costumes. They underscored Carnival is a “serious business.”

At the press conference, Phillips-Spencer said the

team had several legislative proposals on the Ebola issue, including improving the advanced passenger information system as a priority. He detailed NEPIR’s plan.

Caribbean Public Health Agency (Carpha) head, Dr James Hospedales, said the

Ebola threat was significant since it was the largest outbreak ever.

He said while Nigeria and Senegal have been downgraded by the World Health Organisation, the situation continued in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea and the Congo.

6

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Investigate and sanction pretenders THEY proliferate over countries. They hog the centre-stage. They access massive funding –and most of them are bogus talk-shows, the membership of which merely mouth high-sounding phrases and engage in hypothetical scenarios, without caring about the real victims, because being members of popular lobby groups is the ‘in thing,’ socially correct to do and a way of getting one’s photograph in the press.

But the heart and soul of these advocate groups cannot begin to reach, much less embrace, the victims whom they claim to be representing. Providing real and sustaining help is altogether another matter – certainly most times not even a matter for consideration. Oh, there are rampant staged press and photo opportunities where some charitable donations are made and platitudes expressed; but then the victims have to return to their real world, where the ‘stop press’ moment enjoyed by the ‘benefactors’ and ‘advocates’ cannot begin to infiltrate.

People are suffering all across Guyana – indeed all across the world, especially women and children, who form the most

vulnerable groups; but for the purposes of this editorial we will deal with Guyana.

Government has instituted many pieces of legislation and initiated many programmes in efforts to protect, educate and empower the vulnerable and establish wealth-creational opportunities for those who, for one reason or another have been suffocating at the bottom of the pyramid of opportunities provided by national policies formulated by the governmental machinery.

However, the reality is that many persons are falling through the cracks because the administrative constructs of the implementation agencies – the educational system, the various arms of the social services unit, the health sector, and in many other areas, are either lax, unprofessional, uncaring to the point of callousness, or corrupt – or all of the foregoing.

If Government institutes disciplinary interventions in efforts to either ameliorate or curb dysfunctional administrative systems, they are vilified and forced into making concessionary modifications because of powerful lobby groups, such

as trade unions, Opposition parties, et al. The Neesa Gopaul saga is a case in point. The uncaring, unprofessional teachers were as culpable as the social workers for the tragedy that was Neesa’s life, and the curtailment of her life opportunities, as well as the bestial nature of her demise, primarily because of their neglect of their extended duties to a child who was in their charge. However, when those teachers were sanctioned, the outcry on their behalf was unbelievable and unconscionable.

This is the same farce that is played out with ruthless nurses whose negligence contributes to the unnecessary deaths of many persons, including mothers and babies.

But when a relative or a close one is affected by the unprofessional conduct of public servants, then the first reaction is to blame the Government.

Martin Carter wrote: “…all are involved, all are consumed…” Guyanese fail to consider that sanctioning wrongdoing and criminal behaviour of any kind because the victim is not “… awe own” would redound on the entire

society, because this type of behaviour becomes endemic; and sooner or later every Guyanese would need the services of employees in the Public Sector.

Lobby groups need to address these problems in a holistic way, because there are systems instituted to address all the ills of the society. It is easy to blame the Government for the malfunctioning of the administrative construct, but when it comes to supporting Government decisions to address these anomalies, the equation changes because that is not on the agenda of most of the advocate bodies.

Recently there was another lobby group formed to address women’s issues. The founding members of that group would make an interesting study, because each one has an agenda, and it can be proven that each one has oppressed another vulnerable woman in one situation or circumstance at one time or another. However, they are getting their five minutes of fame, even if this comes at the expense of exploiting the victims they claim to be representing.

AFC slammed for disrespecting Hindus on Diwali observance I WRITE to condemn the Alliance For Change (AFC) for its religious insensitivity in calling for the convening of parliament on the eve of Diwali, the most significant celebration for Hindus in Guyana and one in which almost every Guyanese enjoys through participation in the motorcades, concerts and meals (delicacies).

Hindus in Guyana were fuming with rage that my very good friends Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan and Veerasammy Rammaya and other MPs and executives of AFC have the audacity to sign on to the party’s demand that parliament meet on the eve of Diwali.

At the West Coast motorcade and various other Diwali related events where I was present and in the mandirs on Sunday morning, it was a subject of discussion – like myself, they cannot understand how the AFC, a party that should have been different from the others, could display such gross disrespect for Hindus on insisting that parliament meet on October 22 (today) when Hindus are in the midst of celebrating their festival which is followed by a public holiday in recognition of the importance of the religious event.

Worse yet, they feel Moses, Khemraj, Rammaya, all of whom come from Hindu fam-

ilies, and have Hindu neighbours, should know better than to seek the convening of parliament on such an auspicious occasion for Hindus.

These gentlemen are my friends but I cannot let them off the hook by not criticising their insensitivity towards Hindus. It shows they don’t even know their own culture. How could these men allow themselves to be led astray to disrespect the entire Hindu population? Here it is that non-Hindus and non-Indians could appreciate Diwali, but the AFC MPs can’t show any respect for the festival. Openness and tolerance of others’ faith must begin at the very top of any organisation. When Hindus themselves don’t understand their practices and traditions, they open themselves to humiliation and become the laughing stock of others.

Hindus, in fact all Guyanese, are disappointed in the AFC for its religious insensitivity. A public apology is needed.

Diwali is an eternally sacred Hindu event of great spiritual significance in the Rig Vedic Adivasi Puranic culture of Hinduism and Hindus. Recognition of the SHAKTI (invulnerable divine powers) of Maha Lakshmi Devi, the Divine Mother, is of paramount importance to Hindus in Guyana.

I expect my friend Moses, for whom I

have great regard and consistently extolled his virtues, and by extension he being mindful of DIWALI being a national festival with spiritual, religious and temporal features in respect of which any form of disrespect or violation will redound to the discredit of the country and the nation. DIWALI is a legacy of our illustrious indentured immigrant ancestors and should be seen and duly respected as such.

Calling for reconvening parliament on Diwali eve is very disrespectful – it is no different than reconvening parliament on Christmas Eve or the eve of Eid. Diwali is not a one day event. It is observed over a five-day period and it really comes to an end on the sixth day with Goberdhan puja, the day after official observance of Diwali. It is for this reason that parliament goes into recess in many societies (India, Mauritius, Fiji, Natal, Durban, Guadeloupe, etc.) with large numbers of Hindus – they don’t wish to appear insensitive to Hindus. Even in the United States, Congress is in recess, as is Canada and Britain. In neighbouring Trinidad and Suriname, parliament has been in recess for the festival. But in Guyana, it appears it is okay for the AFC to disrespect Hindus. It is also noted that while Diwali is officially celebrated as a holiday on October 22, the day before

and after Diwali are very auspicious, when all Hindus engage in fasting and performing pujas.

Also, this year, because of the eclipse and the position of the moon, some experts have claimed that Diwali is on October 22 while others claim it is on October 23.

Because of the interpretation, and to please Goddess Lakshmi, many Hindus are observing the festival with celebrations on both nights and some mandirs in NY are having special pujas on both evenings. At any rate, it has been the custom in Guyana that diyas are lit in front of homes of Hindus on the eve of Diwali and businesses close up early on that day to facilitate rituals. Parliamentary business cannot and should not be conducted on that day as it is inauspicious for Hindus.

AFC should seriously think of attending cultural sensitivity courses to learn about the religious practices of the various faiths in Guyana. The party leadership needs training in religious sensitivity. They have to be trained to follow the practices of peers in India, Durban, Mauritius, Fiji, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, etc., all of which show their respect for the Indian population.

VISHNU BISRAM

7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Inc. clears air on its proposed investments here PINNACLE Green Resources (Guyana) Inc. notes the letter written by Assistant Professor Janette Bulkan, University of British Columbia, Canada, regarding our proposed investments in Guyana (SN 15/10/14).

We wish to state that the company is quite happy to release information regarding itself and its activities in Guyana (and indeed around the world) to anyone that requests that information, particularly concerned Guyanese.

The letter writer has provided us the opportunity to highlight the areas of concerns raised, and while we would have been equally pleased to provide this information in response to a polite request, we seek your indulgence in allowing us to publicly provide some information regarding our company, its antecedents, and our proposed investments in Guyana.

Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Inc.:1. Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Inc. is 100% owned by Pinnacle Green Resources Pte. Ltd. (Singapore). Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Inc. is a specifically incorporated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), incorporated in 2013 to enter into the GREEN business sector in Guyana.

2. Pinnacle Green Resources Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) is 100% owned by Pinnacle Commodities (Asia) Limited, Hong Kong. This Special Purpose Vehicle was specifically incorporated in 2012 to enter into GREEN businesses around the world.

3. Pinnacle Commodities (Asia) Limited, Hong Kong was incorporated in 2007 and has the following shareholders, each having 1/3rd equity contribution: a. Mr. Kuldip Kumar Gupta b. Mr. Manish Gupta c. Mr. Rajnish Gupta 4. These 3 shareholders are a part of the Beekay Group, which is owned by the larger Gupta family.

The Beekay Group is a highly diversified group, having operations in steel, beverages, construction, energy, chemicals, etc., with global reach.

Whilst members of the public and some academics do resort to internet searches to do financial research and research into companies, we wish to advise the public that this is not the best forum to do so, as there are many companies with similar names and many highly successful and respectable companies that do not even have a website.

There are well-known financial enquiry services that can be used to research companies; resorting to casting aspersions on companies simply because of an imperfect or mis-informed search is not fair nor is it in the best interests of any nation.

Some of the websites associated with the Beekay Group are: www.bsbkltd.com, www.mbl. in, www.beekaycorp.com and www.biltech.co.in.

In addition to the shareholders of the company, Dr. Rajneesh Mehra is one of the principal officers and drivers behind Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Inc. Dr Mehra brings a world-recognised reputation in converting waste to energy.

He was the Managing Director and CEO of A2Z Infrastructure (P) Limited, focussed on waste management.

After successfully growing A2Z into India’s largest and the world’s third largest waste management company in terms of volume of waste managed and volume of people served, and in the process becoming a household name in India and around the world in waste management and waste to energy, Dr. Mehra left A2Z to pursue opportunities of his own, and developed companies in biomass based power generation, sustainable mechanised corporate farming, and associated waste management. His companies are Purab Infrastructure Projects Limited (conversion of

waste biomass to energy and energy plantation cultivation), PurabUrja (P) Limited (conversion of waste biomass to energy and energy plantation cultivation), and First Agrobiz (P) Limited, which is focussed on the farming of greater than 2000 acres of energy biomass plantation.

We can assure the public that simply because an internet search does not yield companies with the name Pinnacle that are obviously involved in the areas of investment we have proposed in Guyana, that does not mean we do not have the experience, the personnel, the demonstrated capacity and the financing to back our investments. We encourage real, valid and approved searches to be done on the names of the companies we have provided.

LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA SOIL TYPES: This plant grows well in soil which is slightly acidic; pH’s as low as 4.8 have been shown to be suitable for prolific growth, although the plant is often found naturalised in environments where pH is around 5.2 or slightly greater.

To suggest that the plant requires alkaline soils to grow to an economic size is simply not correct.

To remind the public, alkaline pH values are above a pH of 7. A direct quotation from a compilation of scientific reports on forage legumes (H.M. Shelton and J.L. Brewbaker, Leucaenaleucocephala – The Most Widely Used Forage Tree Legume, in Forage Tree Legumes in Tropical Agriculture, eds. R.G. Gutteridge and H.M. Shelton, Tropical Grassland Society of Australia Inc., 1998, Chapter 2, ISBN 0-9585677-1-9) claims; “it [Leucaenaleucocephala] grows on a wide variety of soil types including mildly acid soils (pH > 5.2).” Even a cursory search on a non-scientific search engine such as “Google” would ascertain, due to the wide number of studies that have been conducted on this species, that an alkaline soil is not required. The soil in the area of the Pomeroon where we have been investigating in conjunction with the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has an upper layer of thin organic matter followed by a 20 inch layer of peat and acid sulphate. The pH in this area is generally around 4 (information supplied by NAREI). Given our experience in growing energy plantations, we have already ascertained that we shall need to bring this pH value up to around 4.8, but we know exactly how to accomplish this with the application of lime. In addition, in our areal and on-foot surveys of this proposed land for cultivation, we encountered prolific stands of coconut growing. Coconuts are well-known to grow in soils similar in pH to Leucaena, and these trees are growing prolifically even without the benefit of lime addition. Furthermore, the addition of lime has been taken into consideration in our business plan. We are perplexed at why anyone would think that we wish to “land grab” land that clearly has languished undeveloped for decades, and why, if the land is so unsuitable for cultivation, would we want to “grab” it in the first instance. We wish to inform the public that our MOU with Go-Invest stipulates standard lease rates in Guyana. We can also assure you that we have not been successful as a company by leasing land which is not useful to us and waiting for someone to come along and somehow compensate us for leasing land that has not been leased for many decades, if ever. Editor, primary agriculture in countries such as Guyana is risky business; it requires large injections of capital and one can still face many unknown challenges – related to fertilizer price fluctuations, climate changes, pests, etc. And also, whether or not one can grow the crops one wishes to, with the yields that one would prefer. Incidentally, this is exactly the same problems faced by your current sugar and

rice industries, and Guyanese seem to have been able to grow sugar and rice for many decades. This business is not without risks, but it is not without reward, either.

CLIMATE Leucaenaleucocephala is a tropical plant with a pan-tropical presence. The claim that it requires a dry climate is simply erroneous. There have been specific studies done on this species in Guyana; as recently as 2002, two studies were done on Leucaena as a potential source of plant nutrients in the Intermediate Savannahs of Guyana, and this report was published by CARDI (Leslie A. Simpson and Claudius V. Wikham, The Performance of Leucaena and Glyridida and their potential as sources of plant nutrients in the Intermediate Savannahs of Guyana, in Review: a compilation of CARDI research papers, 2nd Edition, August, 2002 and Leslie A. Simpson and Claudius V. Wikham, The Performance of cowpea, maize and sorghum in an alley cropping trial with Leucaenaand Glyricidia in the Intermediate Savannahs of Guyana, in Review: a compilation of CARDI research papers, 2nd Edition, August, 2002). Although in these trials Glyricidia grew more prolifically than Leucaena, there were no problems encountered in growing Leucaena. Furthermore, Leucaena was also specifically recommended for agro-forestry in Guyana in a study published by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture; IICA (ThorwaldGeuze and Pauline van den Ende, Agroforestry in Guyana: Guidelines for Establishment and Management of Agroforestry Practices, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, 1996, ISBN: 976-8952-82-1). Leucaena has been specifically recommended for the tropics, for example a joint report in 1977 by the Phillipine Council for Agricultural and Resource Research and the United States National Academy of Science, titled “Leucaena: Promising Forage and Tree Crop for the Tropics, heralded significant cultivation of Leucaena in tropical countries, including India where Leucaena is commonly called “Subabool.”

Indeed, from our studies, we expect that Leucaena grown in the Pomeroon will provide a fuel wood yield of 30 MT/acre, which is why we required a minimum of 5000 acres of land, because we require 90,000 MT/annum of dry wood to supply our proposed 200 TPD of pellet plant.

Additionally, Leucaena is already present in many regions of Guyana, and is also specifically growing prolifically in this tropical climate in acidic peaty soils. Indeed, because of its proliferation in the wild in Guyana, the wild type species of this plant is listed as a potential invasive species in the Guyana Fourth Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (https://www.cbd.int/doc/ world/gy/gy-nr-04-en.pdf).

INVASIVE POTENTIAL Leucaena in the wild poses a threat to biodiversity, as it proliferates, particularly in tropical climates. In Guyana, the wild species is present and is not controlled and can be found in a diversity of areas and a diversity of soils. However, the cultivated species are used in many countries around the world, and worldwide Standard Operating Procedures have been developed for the safe, non-proliferating cultivation of certain sub species of Leucaena, which we shall be using.

For example, an exhaustive report done by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Mines of the Queensland Government of Australia (C.S. Walton, LeucaenaLeucocephala in Queensland, in the Pest Review Series – Land Protection, published by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, February 2003, ISBN: 0-7345-24528) clearly establishes the best practices and degree

of manageable risk associated with the cultivation of this species. Another website which provides guidelines on the safe and non-proliferating cultivation of Leucaena is http://www.daff.qld.gov. au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/67259/IPA-Leucaena-Codes-Practice.pdf. Leucaena seeds through a pod. The pod dehisces and releases a much heavier than air seed immediately below itself. Because the seed is not dispersible by air,it does not travel very far and thus does not proliferate to even small distances. This is why wherever there is a Leucaena plant it is always present in bunches. One plant is originally grown and a bunch develops later around the original plant. This is why controlled cultivation is possible and safely practised in so many countries in the world. One can physically ensure that the plant does not go beyond the defined boundaries of the farm. Our proposed plantation shall go through all required permits and regulatory processes required by the Guyanese Government, before cultivation is started.

INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY We wish to lastly comment on our collaboration with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology. Firstly, the IAST is not as far as we are aware, an institute expert in agriculture, or cultivation of energy forests, and we did not seek them out for such expertise. We were introduced to the IAST through our enquiries with the Go-Invest and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. We approached the Go-Invest to specifically invest in the growing of Leucaenaleucocephala or any other suitable energy crop, for the specific purpose of producing energy pellets for export to Europe. Our MOU with the Go-Invest was completed before we were introduced to the IAST. The Director of IAST, Professor Suresh Narine, provided convincing arguments to Pinnacle’s principals, Mr. Manish Gupta, Mr. Manu Bansal, and Dr. Rajneesh Mehra on the merits of Pinnacle additionally investing in facilities to produce activated carbon from waste coconut shells and for the production of 8 MW/h of electricity from waste biomass already present in Guyana.

We were not only impressed by Professor Narine’s cogent arguments, but were immensely impressed by the technologies developed in these and other areas by the Institute. We were also impressed by the state of the art laboratories, pilot facilities, and the competence of the IAST’s staff. As a foreign company who was convinced by a local institute to invest in an additional U.S. $18.5 Million, from the $16.5 M we already had earmarked for investment, I can assure your readership that we performed careful due diligence. Furthermore, we feel that our access to the IAST’s knowhow, expertise and developed technology warranted providing the Institute a 5% stake in the paid up equity of our entire investment portfolio in Guyana and a prominent place on our board of directors. We operate in many countries around the world, and wish to express our admiration for the unusual level of professionalism, competence and cutting edge science that we witnessed at the IAST. It is an institution of which Guyanese should be proud.

In closing, we would like to thank Dr. Janette Bulkan for raising questions about our proposed investments, and would like to extend to her and any other concerned Guyanese, our collaboration in answering your questions.

Copies of all of our agreements with the Guyanese Government can be procured by simply requesting same, to mbansal@pinnaclegreen.sg.

MANU BANSAL Executive Director Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Inc.

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Based on my interpretation of Standing Order No. 8(2)…

Speaker Trotman has no power to fix date for next sitting of National Assembly

– If a date was fixed at the last Sitting before the Parliamentary recess, only then Mr. Trotman could have fixed a date for the next Sitting Mr. Viapree referred the instruction of the Speaker to the then Attorney General, Mr. Fenton Ramsahoye for advice as follows: -

Mr. Sherlock Isaacs

ON October 14, 2014, I was asked

by Speaker Trotman whether he has the power, in accordance with the Standing Orders, to convene the next Sitting of the National Assembly. I advised the Speaker that, in my opinion, the answer is ‘no’ and that he can only fix a date for a Sitting when the Assembly is adjourned to a specified date. Standing Order No. 8(2) is clear. If a date was fixed at the last Sitting before the Parliamentary recess, only then Mr. Trotman could have fixed a date for the next Sitting.

When matters are not provided for in our Rules, we refer to practice and precedents. The practice is that Sittings are requested by the Government. In the Parliament of Guyana we have two precedents, one involving Mr. Frank A. Narain, C.C.H., former Clerk of the National Assembly and the other involving Mr. Elwyn Viapree, former Clerk of the Legislature.

In Mr. Viapree’s case, on 8th June, 1963, he was given the following instructions by Speaker Rahman B. Gajraj: – “Mr. Clerk, The business of the Legislative Assembly must proceed. It was because I was of the impression that several matters were ripe for putting before the Assembly that I wrote you on June 5th asking for the list. This reached me by my own messenger only at about 4.00 p.m., yesterday – too late for these instructions to be prepared before today, which is a Public Holiday.

As a result, this will be sent to you on Monday morning, 10th June.

In accordance with S.O. 6(6) please give notice to Members in good standing (NOT those under suspension) that there will be a meeting of the Assembly on Wednesday, 12th June, 1963. Prepare Notice Paper and let it be delivered to Members (at least those in the urban area) by Monday afternoon.

Rahman B. Gajraj Speaker”

“Hon. A.G., I shall be grateful for your advice with reference to 1 and 3.

I do not share His Honour’s view that notice can be given to Members “that there will be a meeting of the Assembly on Wednesday, 12th June”.

I am of the opinion that this is a matter for the Government to decide, that is, the date and time of the next sitting.

E.V. Viapree Clerk of the Legislature” Mr. Fenton Ramsahoye, former Attorney General, gave the following advice to the Clerk of the Legislature:“Clerk of the Legislature, Under S.O. 41(9) (to which however, there was no reference in the Assembly) the Speaker could suspend the Sitting for a time to be named by him; alternatively, he could adjourn the Assembly without question put, but in the latter case the adjournment, unlike the suspension, is an adjournment simplicitor and not for a time to be named by the Speaker.

2. Even, therefore, if it was competent for the Speaker to adjourn “to a date to be notified” (as he did) this formula did not vest him with the competence to notify the date, and the Clerk of the Legislature is under no duty to comply with the Speaker’s direction in that behalf. The competence in this matter resides where it normally rests, namely, with the Government of British Guiana.

Fenton Ramsahoye Attorney General” AMENDED SECTION

Thereafter, Mr. Viapree, Clerk of the Legislature, replied to the Speaker: “Your Honour, I was concerned when I received your minutes at (3) and (3i) instructing me to notify Members that a Sitting of the Legislative Assembly will be held tomorrow Wednesday, 12th June.

As I did not share your view that this was possible under the Standing Orders, I sought the advice of the Hon. Attorney General which is respectfully submitted for your information, please.

In the circumstances, I regret that I

find myself unable to comply with Your Honour’s instructions.

E.V. Viapree Clerk of the Legislature” The second precedent occurred in 1972. On the 12th May, 1972, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Opposition Leader, wrote the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Derek Jagan, who was Acting Speaker in the absence of the Speaker, Mr. Sase Narine, who was out of the jurisdiction.

The following is a copy of Dr. Jagan’s letter to the acting Speaker:“12th May, 1972 Sir, There is wide-spread and growing concern in Guyana about the flood situation, so much as that many knowledgeable people expect that there may be a food shortage as a result. There is little doubt that the flooding has already assumed the proportions of a national disaster, with many thousands of acres of crops of every kind completely lost, and irreplaceable for many months. There will be a further rise in prices when shortages begin to be felt.

In the circumstances, I feel that there should be a national effort towards overcoming the difficulties that have arisen, and that it would be in the best interest of the people for the National Assembly to discuss the situation.

In view of the fact that the Speaker is out of the country, I am requesting that you take steps to convene Parliament as early as possible.

Yours sincerely, Cheddi Jagan” The Deputy Speaker (Acting Speaker) thereafter, wrote the Clerk the following letter: “16th May, 1972 Dear Mr. Narain, Further to our conservation yesterday on the telephone, enclosed please find the letter which was sent to me by Dr. Jagan, Leader of the Opposition, calling for a meeting of Parliament to discuss the flood situation. Since the receipt of this letter I have given this matter very serious consideration.

There seems to be no doubt that as a result of the flooding a number of persons have been affected and thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed. The Government itself has regarded the situation very serious and committees have been appointed to

collect money, etc. and/or to distribute assistance to the affected persons.

In my view, it is in the public interest that Parliament should meet to discuss the matter which I think is of urgent public importance.

In the premises please summon a meeting of Parliament on Monday, 22nd May, 1972, at 2.00 p.m.

Yours sincerely, D.C. Jagan” The Clerk of the National Assembly thereafter, wrote the Deputy Speaker (Acting Speaker) the following letter:“18th May, 1972 Dear Mr. Jagan, I hereby acknowledge receipt of you letter dated 16th May, 1972, in which you requested me to summon a meeting of Parliament for Monday, 22nd May, 1972, at 2.00 p.m.

I wish most respectfully to advise you of the provisions of the Standing Orders which deal with Sittings of the National Assembly. Paragraph (2) of the Standing Order No. 8 states as follows – “If, during an adjournment of the Assembly, it is represented to the Speaker by the Government, or the Speaker is of the opinion, that the public interest requires that the Assembly should meet on a day earlier than that to which it stands adjourned, the speaker may give notice accordingly and the Assembly shall meet at the time stated in such notice. The Clerk shall as soon as possible inform each Member in writing, or if necessary by telegram of any such earlier meeting.”

From this Standing Order it will be seen that the extent of the Speaker’s power in the summoning of the National Assembly is limited, and although – (i) It may be represented to the Speaker by the Government, or (ii) The Speaker may be of the opinion that the Assembly should meet.

Nevertheless, the Speaker can give notice for the Assembly to meet only when the Assembly stands adjourned to a specified date and not when it is adjourned since die.

The Law Officers had confirmed the above interpretation of the Standing Orders and this was some time ago conveyed to the Leader of the Opposition by His Honour the Speaker.

When the Assembly last met on the 13th April, 1972, it was, on completion of its business, on a motion by the Minister of Housing and Reconstruction (Leader of the House), adjourned sine die and not to a specified date.

In view of the above, I respectfully

advise that I am not of the opinion that you are empowered to give notice for the Assembly to meet on Monday, 22nd May, 1972.

Yours sincerely, Frank Narain” It should be noted that there has been no significant changes to S.O. 8(2) over the years. In view of the foregoing, I stand by my interpretation of S.O. 8(2). Mr. Frank Narain, C.C.H., former Clerk of the National Assembly, shares my opinion.

I also take this opportunity to state that Sir Michael Davies, Commonwealth Senior Parliamentary Staff Advisor to the National Assembly of Guyana, made the following statement in his 18th February, 2005 Needs Assessment of the Guyana National Assembly:“Standing Orders are for Clerks, not for Members. One reason Clerks are employed is to provide advice to Members on the Standing Orders and on the procedure of an Assembly.”

In closing, I wish to quote from a Report dated July, 2013 by Mr. Frank Narain on this matter “… Did the National Assembly awake and take steps to simplify or clarify the procedures on this matter to avoid a further recurrence? I do not think that it did. A poor Clerk will continue to be involved.

A Speaker will continue to feel that he has the power to call Parliament, if he wants the Sitting.

The present Opposition will feel that with its one-member majority, it has the power.

Who really has the power under the Standing Orders?

Who is the poor Clerk to take instructions from?

Will Members have to run to the Chief Justice for his opinion?

M.P.s, please do not continue to involve and suffer my successor. Do something about this matter now.

NOW! Something that will suit you if you become the Government and something that will also suit you if you become the Opposition. Is this not possible? Surely it is?

F.A. Narain, C.C.H., Former Clerk of the National Assembly” Yours sincerely, S.E. ISAACS Clerk of the National Assembly

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Are our senior citizens being loved and cared for?

- Or are they dumped in ‘old people’ homes and forgotten!

AS the Month of the elderly observances comes to a close, it is not too late, but mandatory and appropriate that congratulations and the greatest of appreciation be extended to these ‘goldies,’ for their contributions to all in general: as parents/guardians and grandparents especially. Also as retired workers in whatever capacity they would have served – their contribution to this nation is recorded and is acknowledged. They are truly worthy of our fulsome praise, and undying gratitude.

But are our senior citizens being loved and cared for by their families? And are they genuinely appreciated, notwithstanding the aging process? Can these questions be conscientiously answered by families

One of life’s inevitable is the process of aging. It is a biological fact at which summit humans will eventually arrive, once alive. Apart from not being a welcoming factor in life’s understanding, as far as perceived by many of our younger generation, it is totally anathema to the latter, and explains the presence of many of our senior citizens in care homes, rather than in the comfort of homes in which they had once resided.

As a measurement of concern, even after many families deposit their often ailing and aged relations in these homes - there are no follow-up visits. They are dumped and forgotten! What a shame on any family who treat their older members in such an

One of life’s inevitable is the process of aging. It is a biological fact at which summit humans will eventually arrive, once alive. Apart from not being a welcoming factor in life’s understanding, as far as perceived by many of our younger generation, it is totally anathema to the latter, and explains the presence of many of our senior citizens in care homes, rather than in the comfort of homes in which they had once resided. in Guyana?

Our many care homes, inclusive of the National Home for Geriatrics, traditionally known as the Palms, have become the place of rescue for scores of senior-aged Guyanese of both sexes. Of course, they did not elect of their own accord to leave their home, for such a domicile. And if they did, then it would have been a last resort.

Their individual stories are heart rending, bringing tears to the eyes, as these aged persons recall their life’s journey, many of them from respectable backgrounds. But there is a common denominator to most revelations: of once being materially comfortable, falling on hard times, becoming destitute and turned outdoors; of falling ill, taken to hospital by relatives, and abandoned; of being physically and emotionally abused, while being stripped of personal worth and valuables, which include being coerced to give over even properties to close relatives, inclusive of offspring. Even their pensions are bullied out of their possession. They are then forced out into the streets.

But there is the too well known instance of aged persons, whose physical condition with all the attendant natural infirmities, becoming a lightning rod for

daily disdain and cruel treatment from what would have been usually close relatives. This, by any means, is no reason for such cold and mentally tortuous behaviour to be meted out to any aged person, relative or not.

Listening to these accounts, it conveys the harsh and cruel reality that in too many homes, old and infirm relations are only tolerated if they are of material means, from which family members can derive benefit.

This is not to say that there are no longer caring families who continue to respect, care for, and shower their senior aged relatives with love, regardless of what they may or may not possess; but unfortunately, their numbers are fast dwindling.

We do recall the by-gone times when having an aged member of a family in the household was welcomed, and whose presence, whether ill or not, was taken as a blessing on the home. Younger family members took pride and punctilious duty in tending their older relations, whether mother, father, grandmother or grandfather, for example. Instead, these venerable are treated as burdens by their very children and grandchildren, whichever the case, which naturally adds to their already fragile state. Many depart this world as grieved beings.

abysmal manner!

As any other age category, older aged family members are in need of our care, love, and attention; even more, given what at this stage would be both their physical and mental state. At such penultimate hour of life’s journey, they are dependent on us for that re-assurance of walking with them along the pathway of whatever remaining time they may have with us. After all, they would have given, in most instances, a lifetime of devoted and selfless service, as alluded above.

Is it too much for us to do for them, in this their senior years, what they would have done for us, in their prime?

Surely, many of us can do much better.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Dr. Walter Rodney’s widow completes testimony

– hopes COI will help create unity in Guyana DR. PATRICIA Rodney yesterday completed her testimony before the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI) after she was cross-examined by all Counsels attached to the Commission, and by the Commissioners themselves.

Mrs Rodney took the stand on Monday when the sixth session of the COI began.

Summing up, Mrs. Rodney, in a display of courage, having withstood great adversity in her life, indicated that she just wants to get to the truth of what really happened to her husband.

The family, she said, had been unable to claim his life insurance, since the death certificate had stated that he died from misadventure.

This had made it harder for her to move on financially.

She expressed hope that the COI would unite Guyanese, and put her husband’s death to rest. The uniting of the people is what he’d stood for, Mrs Rodney said.

She told the Commission that she and her family have sought to maintain Dr. Rodney’s legacy through the Walter Rodney Foundation and other organisations. She pointed out that his works and published material have led to his recognition around the world.

HARASSMENT

Keith Scotland, Attorney-at-law representing the late Dr Rodney’s brother, Mr Donald Rodney, began the cross-examination of Mrs. Rodney. Leading her through

her statement, he focused on the harassment of the Rodney family and friends, house searches by the police and harassment in the late 1970s which all specifically targeted Dr. Walter Rodney.

Mrs. Rodney specified that the harassment had extended to their in-laws and children. The family was not able to be part of a car pool to move the children to and from school, and attempts were also made to stop them from taking piano lessons.

She also described the time when Walter Rodney was refused entrance at Bishops’ High School, which his daughter attended. An army officer at the gate refused him entry, which was unusual at the time. Dr. Rodney found this to be ridiculous, she explained.

Mrs. Rodney reiterated that the harassment experienced by Walter and her was not specific to themselves.

She said that their friends who worked in the Public Sector were threatened with losing their jobs if they continued their association with the Rodneys. Additionally, overseas friends were warned by immigration officials that they would be asked to leave the country if they visited Walter Rodney’s home.

She explained that the harassment was aimed at frustrating the family to the extent of making them leave the country. Explaining that the constant searches of their home for arms and ammunition never turned up any-

thing, Mrs. Rodney said her husband took it in stride. She added that for two weeks before he was murdered, an army vehicle manned by soldiers in uniform had staked out their home. She stated also that in late 1979, her husband had told her that he had been warned that a bomb would be placed in their car.

GREGORY SMITH’S BOOK

Specific questions re-

lating to the book, Assassination: Cry of a failed revolution, written by Gregory Smith, saw her describing it as untrue. Mrs. Rodney declared that the book was a direct attempt at character assassination of her husband.

She specifically stated that the allegation in the book that Donald Rodney was part of the meeting with Walter Rodney and Gregory Smith was untrue.

Mrs. Rodney stated that the fact that he was present was purely coincidence. She indicated that on the night

Dr Patricia Rodney

in question Donald Rodney had dropped in. She pointed out also that Walter Rodney had made plans to meet with Smith at 7 pm on Friday, June 13, 1980, and at no point in time did Donald Rodney form part of the arrangements.

Mrs. Rodney had to take her children out, and instead of her husband dropping her off and returning for her, with the arrival of Donald, he told her to use their car whilst Donald dropped him to his meeting. Counsel Turn to page 12

12 GT&T reports...

Vandals disrupt telephone service in Georgetown, Mahaicony and Linden VOICE and data services to thousands of its landline customers continue to be severely affected as a result of continued vandalism and theft of its cable facilities, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) has reported.

The more recent incidents, the Company says, have occurred in North Road Bourda, Nothamshire/Surapana, Linden, and at Burma, Mahaicony.

In the case of Linden, GT&T says, it has been observed that the vandals have been systematically removing cable from the area, since the initial cut was discovered last Sunday. To date, the Company says, they have removed in excess of 2000 feet of cable.

These three incidents bring to 22 the number of acts of of vandalism and theft committed over the past three months.

The list of the areas affected over the period includes New Hope; ‘A’ & ‘B’ Fields in Sophia; Land of Canaan; Lodge; Huist Coverden; Timehri; Montrose; Meadow Brook Gardens; Princess and High Streets, Werk-en-Rust; D’Urban Backlands; Lodge Housing Scheme; Tucville; Stevedore/ Postel Housing Schemes; Guyhoc Park; Sheriff Street, Campbellville; East/West Ruimveldt; East La Penitence; Richmond Hill and Fairs Rust, Linden; Le Ressouvenir; Happy Acres; Atlantic Gardens; La Bonne Intention; and Chateau Margot.

According to GT&T, it cannot overemphasise the debilitating effect caused to its overall expansion and maintenance programme, since there has to be a continuous reassignment of the technical workforce, along with the use of unbudgeted expenditure.

Equally and critically important, the Company says, is customers inability to access voice and data services, essentially affecting their economic, social and security wellbeing.

The Company said in closing that it continues to advise the general public “If you see something, say something”, by reporting to the hotline 0908, as information provided will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Parliamentary Committees begin work – despite uncertainty of Sitting date THE National Assembly resumed on October 10, after its constitutionally mandated three-month recess. And though no Sitting of the National Assembly has been held to date, several Committees have already begun work.

Last Wednesday, the Parliamentary Management Committee, which is chaired by the Speaker, met and discussed several matters of importance, including a possible date for the next Sitting; Parliament’s role in the Lead Project; training, workshops and conferences to be attended by Members of Parliament, including a return visit to the Parliament of Suriname, at the invitation of the Surinamese Speaker of the House, who paid a visit Guyana to Guyana last October.

According to a release from Parliament Office, the

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association also met on Wednesday to consider the report of the 16th Biennial Regional Conference of Presiding Officers and Clerks of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and to look at several other issues on that Committee’s agenda.

The Special Select Committee on the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013-Bill22/2013 also met, and the Chairperson, Ms. Gail Teixeira, briefed the Members of the meeting on Guyana’s appearance before the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in June of this year, the release said, while the Public Accounts Committee, chaired

by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Mem-

ber of Parliament, Mr. Carl Greenidge, met yesterday to reschedule dates for the examination of agencies in the report of the Auditor General on the public accounts of Guyana for the year 2012, and to consider outstanding matters to be addressed by the Auditor General, the Finance Secretary and the Accountant General. This latter Committee is expected to meet again on Monday, October 27.

In addition to these meetings, Parliament Office said through its release, the Foreign Relations Committee would be visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Re-migrant Section and Protocol Division on Wednesday, October 29 to discuss issues relating remigration etc., and to examine the operations of the existing system in the Protocol Division.

Flood warnings in effect in flood-prone areas FLOOD warnings were issued yesterday by the National Weather Watch Centre as the current spring tides are expected to be heightened by developing weather patt e r n s n e a r G u y a n a ’s coastal belt.

Based on recent observations, the weather centre reported some amount of activity in the atmosphere where warm

and cold air masses meet.

The developing system is expected to move north westwards to westwards which will affect Guyana’s coastal belt.

Similarly, the probability of strong gusts of wind remains high along with heavy downbursts of rainfall as cloud cover increases with a likelihood of frequent showers and scattered thunderstorms.

The weather watch urges an expected spring tide above normal at 2.79 meters, with rainfall that may exceed 60.0 millimetres in Regions 1 ( B a r i m a - Wa i n i ) a n d 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and over other coastal areas at 10.0mm to 45.0mm.

This weather advisory is for the next 12 hours, beginning at 2:30pm yesterday.

Dr. Walter Rodney’s widow... From page 11 Scotland brought out the fact that Donald Rodney was not involved in the meeting between Smith and his brother that night.

Other allegations in the book she also discounted, which included the claim that Dr. Rodney was attempting to secure arms.

Christopher Ram, representing the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)brought out the fact that Dr. Walter Rodney at no time expressed violent tendencies

towards the administration.

He also revealed that the house searches had intensified from June 1979 to June 13, 1980.

Basil Williams, representing the interest of the People’s National Congress (PNC) sought to clarify that the experiences of harassment that were described were through personal experience which she confirmed.

She also explained during his questioning that she was unaware of any plans of the

WPA to meet with Gregory Smith. She also denied knowledge of walkie talkies and/or explosives.

Mrs. Rodney explained to Williams that while the move from Tanzania was voluntary, to take up a position in Guyana, the move from Jamaica was not.

On the issue of harassment, she admitted that there was a discussion that she should leave the country with the children; however, she chose to stay.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

US-based charity donates school supplies to West Berbice children PUPILS from four primary schools and students from one secondary school in West Coast Berbice were, during the week, happy recipients of packages of gifts containing books, backpacks and sports equipment among other items, courtesy of the Guyana America Faith Partners (GAFP) Inc., a US- based charitable organisation.

The beneficiaries were children from Belladrum, Lichfield,Number 29 and Lachmansingh Primary Schools, and Fort Wellington Secondary.

The gifts were handed over during visits to the schools by GAFP International Secretary, Ms Dixie

Peters, and Secretary of the local chapter, Mr Abraham David on Tuesday and Wednesday last.

David disclosed that the total value of the items which were procured by the GAFP branch in the US was approximately US$5,000.

According to David, the GAFP, which was established in 2007, had been making donations regularly to the Number 29 and Belladrum schools mainly since its formation, and in the case of the Number 29 school, even before.

The inclusion of the three other schools represented an expansion of its charitable acts to schools in West Coast Berbice.

The GAFP was formed

Beneficiaries: Pupils of Lachmansingh Primary School at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice, last week

in the USA by Mrs. Cecily Peters, daughter of former Head-teacher of the Number 29 Village Primary School, in West Berbice, Mr. Jordan.

Mr. Jordan taught at the Number 29 Primary School for several years, and the donations started as tokens of support to this school before the donors decided to expand their largesse to the Belladrum Primary School, and now subsequently three other educational institutions on the West Coast of Berbice, David said.

He said that the gifts were well received by both teachers and pupils,all of whom expressed appreciation for the support which they represented.

UNDP report stresses importance of inter-sectoral linkages or growth is going to happen not because you have one A PRELIMINARY report mine but because that one on the economic and en- mine is supporting 18,000 vironmental impacts of other jobs in manufacturing investments in the min- and services sector etc! ing sector has stated that So it is not the mine itself the sector should not be that brings the growth, it is seen as an island isolat- everything else that can be ed from other aspects of linked to it.” the economy, but as “Cross linkages/upone which must have stream and side linkages, strong linkages with these the use of revenues for valelements if the maximum ue addition will make the benefits are to be obtained difference in how the secfrom it. tor impacts the Guyanese “Mining is not an en- economy.” clave. What is happening Farooki was one of two in the construction sector in presenters at a policy workGuyana, what is happening shop on the study of the minin the logging sector can ing sector, which was sponfeed into the mining sector, sored by the UNDP under and you need to make those the auspices of the Ministry connections to make sure of Natural Resources and the that more and more of the Environment.(MNR&E). value from foreign direct inThe other UNDP convestments is retained within sultant working on the study the country, rather than ex- Sohinee Mazumdar, spoke ported out,” United Nations about the need for strengthDevelopment Programme ened capacity for ensuring (UNDP) Consultant, Ms compliance with environMasuma Farooki said. mental regulations for minThe linkages between ing and how large- scale the mining sector and other miners can help develop sectors of the economy, in neighbouring communiterms of vertical but also ties through the application horizontal and diagonal val- of Corporate Social Responue-chains must be strength- sibility (CSR). ened for maximum benefits Resident Representative to the economy, she said. of the UNDP, Ms. Chisa MiShe said that mining kami, had disclosed that the should be seen as an eco- study was being done within nomic trigger. the framework of the proShe stressed: “You need gramme’s global work in the to have a policy to encour- extractive industries and in age linkages. Development keeping with its strategy for

By Clifford Stanley

supporting sustainable and equitable management of the sector for human development.

Minister Persaud recently disclosed that the study was timely in the context of Guyana’s current state of mineral resources development.

He stressed that the study had been designed to take a critical look at mining policy and mining policy instruments particularly as it relates to Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) to ensure that whatever systems were put in place for management of FDIs were in the best interest of the country.

In the recent presentation, Farooki also stressed the necessity for Guyana to address human capacity needs to maximize on the potential of the mining sector for local development.

She said that it takes eight years to produce a mining engineer and stressed “ you need to start those engineers up right now so that in eight years when you have more mining companies coming in and doing mines development your engineers are graduating from university.

“Whether you do it locally or send them on scholarships, you need to bridge that technology gap now.

Mining engineers, environmentalists, accountants, auditors: lots of high-level

skills will be needed so it is best to get that going now rather than wait for eight years and not having local people being hired ; not getting the full benefit of the

resource rent.”

Farooki and Mazumdar disclosed last week that they were in the final stages of production of their report on the eco-

nomic and environmental impacts of investments in the mining sector with related policy recommendations for submission to the MNR&E.

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

Southland International launches prestigious Carlsberg Beer

By Alex Wayne WITH a lavish ceremony just recently at the 704 Sports Bar, Southland International Inc. (a subsidiary of Pereira Group of Companies), officially launched a new chapter in their local beer industry, as they added the prestigious Carlsberg Beer to their smooth assortment of beverages.

This new beer is said to be an original European brew according to Southland International sources.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer Izrad Zamal noted that the launch was indeed an historic event, since it signalled the showcasing of one of the world’s finest beers. He said that the beer is popular for its uncompromising quality, which opens up a new chapter in the history of beers.

He added that Carlsberg is a flagship beer brand in the Carlsberg Group’s portfolio

of more than 500 beer and beverage brands, ranging from alcoholic and non-alcoholic products including ‘Moussy and Sombersby Apple Cider, which has been on the local market for the past year.

Executive Director, Arinna Pereira in her brief presentation said that the company had just recently collaborated with the Golden Boy Entertainment fraternity as a sponsor for their November 2014 “Boombastic Concert” and will be engaging in similar ventures as time goes by.

She noted that the company headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, operates over 100 breweries around the world with more than 165 years of brewing experience making them the fourth largest brewery in the world (behind Anhueser Busch, SABMiller, and Heineken) Chief Financial Officer, Gavin Ramsoondar indicated that another new beer flavour

At the launch are, from left, Carlberg’s Events and Promotions Coordinator, Marvin Wray; CEO, Irzad Zamal; Executive Director, Arinna Pereira; and Chief Financial Officer, Gavin Ramsoondar will also be soon launched on He noted that the beer is with Southland International the market, informing that made available in Guyana Inc. Carlsberg is a refreshing beer through an exclusive franHe added that Carlsberg with a clean, crisp taste, satchise distributor relationship Beer was locally known isfying depth of flavour with a rich golden colour with an alcohol volume of 5%.

when it was here in 2006, and is now proud to be back with an even more attractive and modern packaging synonymous with its rich heritage and authentic appeal to inspire and be relevant to people’s lives today.

This beer was founded in 1847 by J. Carl Jacobson in Denmark. The founder famously demanded quality above all else and in 1883, Carlsberg succeeded in overcoming the biggest challenge of time (low yeast quality) by discovering the first clean yeast to guarantee the great taste of the beer. The yeast scientifically called, ‘Saccharomyces Carlsbergensis’ in honour of the discovery was freely offered to other breweries and still forms the basis of many modern lager beers today.

GuySuCo, GAWU agree to arbitration tribunal on Stephen case

Other representatives from the various par- Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul chairs a ties sit in at the conciliatory session meeting between the GuySuCo and GAWU representatives AS the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) continue in their tit-for-tat over the dismissal of Skeldon Estate worker, Daniel Stephen, the parties yesterday agreed to consult with a Third Party on the matter.

Under the chairmanship of Labour Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul, a Memorandum of Agreement between GuySuCo and GAWU was inked at a conciliatory meeting between the two bodies, which saw the following Terms of Reference forming the basis for the arbitration tribunal: * “To enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Mr. Daniel Stephen and having regard to the evidence and submission by the parties to make an award as the arbitrator deems fit.

* The arbitrator shall be Mr. Mohamed Akeel. * The cost of the tribunal shall be borne equally by the parties. * The award of the tribunal shall be final and binding on the parties. * The secretary of the tribunal shall be Mr. Dexter Semple, an Occupational Safety and Health Officer.

The sole arbitrator, Mr Mohamed Akeel, is the former Chief Labour Officer at the Labour Ministry.

The document, which the Guyana Chronicle has seen, was signed by the GuySuCo team: Human Services Director, Mr Jairam Petam; Chief Industrial Relations Manager, Mr Deodat James Sukhu; and Industrial Relations Officer, Mr Tulsiram Seulall.

GAWU President, Mr Komal Chand; General Secretary, Mr Seepaul Narine;

and Shop Steward, M. McBean signed as part of the GAWU team. The document was countersigned by Chief Labour Officer, Mr Charles Ogle.

The industrial dispute, according to a Labour Ministry release, arose when disciplinary action was taken by GuySuCo after an employee attached to the Skeldon estate “was accused of hitting a manager.”

The tribunal, which meets on Friday, will enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Stephen, where the evidence and submission by the parties will come under scrutiny as an award is determined.

A decision will be taken by the arbitrator where both parties have agreed in the Memorandum of Agreement that it will be binding.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Police announce traffic restrictions for Diwali motorcade THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday said the following Traffic Restriction will be put in place in order to allow the smooth flow of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Annual Deepavali Motorcade on October 22, 2014, from the Campbellville Mandir, Georgetown, to the LBI Community Cen-

tre Ground, E.CD. The following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 18:00 hrs on October 22, 2014.

Campbell Avenue Sandy Babb Street J.B. Singh Road Carifesta Avenue Sheriff Street between Durey

Rupununi logger accused of murder

A 48-eight-year-old logger of Nappi Village, Central Rupununi, was yesterday remanded to prison on a charge of murder.

Appearing before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Martin Salvagoree was not required to plead to the indictable charge that

said on Thursday, October 16 at Nappi Village, he murdered William James.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said the facts are as charged.

The accused was unrepresented and the case was transferred to the Lethem court for December 1.

Security guard refused bail for possession of narcotics A 24-year-old security guard of Lot 99 New Market Street, Georgetown, was yesterday refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a narcotics charge.

Mark Pooran pleaded not guilty to the offence that said on Saturday, October 18 at Croal Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession 31 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

The defendant claimed that the packet which contained the illegal substance was marked eight and a half grammes and not what was stated in the charge.

The prosecution alleged that on the day in question around 21:40 hrs the defendant was on Croal Street, in the vicinity of KFC. Police officers on patrol conducted a search on Pooran and found 25 small plastic bags containing the suspected substance in his possession.Pooran was told of the offence,arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

He was charged after the prohibited substance was weighed in his presence.

Bail was refused and the case was transferred to Magistrate Fabayo Azore for trial on November 14.

$60,000 bail for unlawfully acquiring handcuffs ANDRE Singh was yesterday placed on $60,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, after he appeared before her charged with giving false information and unlawfully acquiring handcuffs.

The defendant, a labourer who resides at DaSilva Street, Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on Friday, October 17 at Brickdam Police Station, Georgetown, he gave to Corporal Devon Lowe false information in relation to his character, claiming to be a principal two prison officer.

He pleaded guilty with explanation to the second charge that alleged on the same day at Brickdam without lawful

authority, he acquired from the military stores one handcuff valued $4,500, property of the inhabitants of Guyana.

The defendant explained that the handcuff was given to him by his uncle, who is a retired prison officer and he has been carrying it for about three years.

Based on his explanation, a not- guilty plea was recorded for the second charge.

Singh said he works in the interior and has never had any trouble with the law before. Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Michael did not disclose the prosecution’s facts to the court.

Grant also did not oppose bail and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond for trial on October 30.

Lane and the Rupert Craig Highway

Motor vehicles will not be permitted to park on the Northern side of the East Coast Public Road between Conversation Tree and the LBI Community Centre Ground during the motorcade.

Motor vehicles proceeding west along the East Coast Public Road will be diverted at Agriculture Road, Mon Repos, to the Railway Embankment

Road.

Motor vehicles proceeding East along the East Coast Public Road will be diverted at Conversation Tree to the Railway Embankment Road.

No motor vehicle will be allowed to proceed on the East Coast Public Road between Conversation Tree and the LBI Community Centre Ground during the motorcade.

Motorists are asked to cooperate with the police ranks who will be directing traffic during the event.

Vagrant remanded for robbing fellow vagrant ROBERT Gittens,a vagrant, was yesterday refused bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a charge of robbery with aggravation.

It is alleged that on Friday, October 17 at Georgetown, he robbed James Sundas of $6,000 and at the same time, before or after, he inflicted personal violence on the victim.

The court heard that both the virtual complainant (VC) and the defendant are vagrants. On the day in question around 23:10 hrs, Sundas was sleeping

on the pavement and they had a misunderstanding; Gittens subsequently dealt him several lashes about his body and relieved him of the cash. The defendant then made good his escape and the matter was reported.

Police Inspector Michael Grant, prosecuting, opposed bail on the basis that Gittens has no fixed place of abode and should bail be granted, he may not return for trial.

The prosecution’s objection was upheld and the matter stands adjourned to November 14.

16

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Pregnant 12-year-old...

Reports suggest stepfather first raped her at age nine

By Leroy Smith

THE Police and the Child Care and Protection

Agency of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continue to investigate the incidents

surrounding the impregnating of an interior-based 12-year-old girl.

The Guyana Chronicle

yesterday was told that the two organisations are also investigating reports by the child’s grandfather that the stepfather was reportedly molesting her since she was nine years old.

The child who has not yet delivered her baby remains in the protective care of the Ministry of Human Services even as the police continue to question persons surrounding the incident.

This publication reported yesterday that the police had completed questioning two persons, including the stepfather, who are fingered in the rape of the child and are seeking to question at least two others.

Child Care Director Ann

Green yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that the child will deliver her baby soon, even as Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that the police are still receiving statements in the matter.

Last week Green was very upset after the news of the girl’s pregnancy reached the agency and she reminded that what had happened to the child was unfortunate and a crime.

She said that no person should rape a child and no person who rapes a child should be allowed to walk away with impunity.

The 12-year-old was found to be pregnant when she returned to her interior location home after visiting a Georgetown home. She

told officials of the child care agency that she was molested by her stepfather but the police had soon after indicated to this publication that she was not sticking to her initial story.

Meanwhile, in a separate case businessman Chandra Narine Sharma’s rape case has been set for the October sessions. He will be on trial after being accused of raping a 13-yearold girl back in 2010. The matter has been in the court for several years now.

He was one of the persons to be charged under the revised Sexual Offences Act which was assented to by former President Bharrat Jagdeo months before he demitted office.

Trotman file for DPP Chambers on the investigation, The young man had also while also admitting that once threatened to expose journalthis week them he is charged he may consider ists and media houses that he

WHILE lawyers for Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Raphael Trotman have blocked Johnnie Welshman from making public statements and comments that implicate the speaker in a sex scandal, the Guyana Police Force nonetheless continues the investigation.

Yesterday, police sources working closely with the case have confirmed that the file is being prepared to be sent to the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecution and if all goes well with respect to its preparation, the file should reach the chamber by the end of this week.

Several statements have already been submitted by persons in the matter, including Trotman. Trotman is on record as telling the police that he would cooperate with

stepping down as Speaker of the National Assembly.

He told reporters just under a month ago that his decision was influenced by his research on similar cases in other parts of the world, where sitting speakers of National Assemblies were embattled.

Johnnie Welshman,who is widely perceived by some to be mentally unstable, has been levelling damming allegations against his father, the Speaker of the National Assembly and another person whom he claims sexually assaulted him when he was younger.

Welshman had made several claims and pronouncements prior to the ‘gag’ order by the High Court.These claims and pronouncements had been the subject of reviews by members of the public and political parties.

said had been reporting comments and attributing them to him, although he never made those comments. He has threatened to do the exposé with the use of a pen camera and recorder, which he claims is always in his shirt pocket.

However in an unfortunate twist of events two Sundays ago, Welshman was beaten by two men after he had joined a taxi which took him to the Kingston area. Welshman suffered several lacerations to the face and other parts of the body and was forced to jump from the moving vehicle as the men kept beating him. He suffered a broken tooth during the ordeal and the police are still investigating that matter. No one has so far been arrested. (Leroy Smith)

17

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

World Federation of Trade Unions Secretary calls on Labour Minister GUYANA’s provision for workers came in for high commendation when the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Ramon Cardona Nuevo and Guyana’s Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul met earlier yesterday at the Ministry of Labour.

A press statement said present at the meeting was President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Mr. Komal Chand, who is also a vice-president for the World Federation of Trade Unions.

During the meeting, the minister shared some of the provisions Guyana has made to protect workers, including

the implementation of the National Minimum Wage and a 40-hour work week; protection of domestic workers through Guyana signing on to ILO Convention # 189,and thereby becoming the first Caribbean country to become a signatory to the Convention.

Mr. Ramon said this was commendable, as trade unions in many countries around the world are still battling to have governments recognise 40-hour work week and overtime pay for work in excess of eight hours per day. “This is not the situation around the world, many are now fighting to achieve this,” he said.

Gopaul also spoke of the country’s efforts to end child labour through the

provision of secondary education and technical and vocational training for early school-leavers through the Board of Industrial Training.

He also indicated that the Government is a workingclass one and has worked hard to create a legal framework that protects workers’ rights. In this context, several of the labour laws provide for compulsory jail sentences if there are violations, including the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Acts. There are also lawful provisions for the recognition of unions which has the support of at least 40 per cent of the workers.

“These are good things for workers, and we should have Guyana share its experience with the rest of the Ca-

ribbean and even the world,” Mr. Ramon said, extending an invitation for Guyana to do so at a conference billed for early next year. He also invited Guyana to participate in the sixth conference of the World Federation of Trade Unions slated for next year as well in Curacao.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included the protection of workers employed by foreign companies and the possibility of Guyana cementing its relationship with the World Federation of Trade Unions.

The Federation’s secretary’s visit to Guyana is part of a round trip that includes visits to Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada.

Labour Minister, Dr Nanda Gopaul; World Federation of Trade Unions Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Ramon Cardona Nuevo; and President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Mr Komal Chand, who is also a Vice-President for the World Federation of Trade Unions

18

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

‘Night of Reflection’ honours Mrs. Jagan ––on her 94th Birth Anniversary

PPP General Secretary, Mr Clement Rohee giving the feature address

JANET Jagan, the late former President of Guyana, was described as the “Voice for women in Guyana” by PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee during Monday evening’s ‘Night of Reflection’ to commemorate her 94th birth anniversary at the Jagan’s Heritage home in Bel

Air, Georgetown.

The PPP General Secretary noted that her contributions to the development of women in this country have made footprints in the improvement of their working and living conditions as part of her impressive role in the political movement.

The General Secretary said that throughout Janet Jagan’s career, she spent most of the time promoting key issues in the society, representing the unjust and the elderly to such an extent that many described her as “the mother of Guyana.”

Rohee recalled his teenage years as a member of the PPP and the role played by Mrs. Jagan in guiding him and enabling him to be a better individual in his professional life. He also spoke of the many achievements of the former President and of her strength and endurance during the years she was President when she had to endure political hardship and many Guyanese refused to accept her in the role due to her being an American citizen.

Rohee also reminisced on how much of a ‘revolutionary woman’ Janet Jagan was in making major contributions to

WPO General Secretary, Ms Sheila Veerasammy making her presentation this nation.

Also speaking at the event was General Secretary of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), Sheila Veerasammy remarked that Mrs. Jagan’s presence in her life propelled her to be what she is today, a women activist fighting for women in society just like Mrs. Jagan did.

Veerasammy urged that “women must join in the struggle to bring about political and socio-economic changes so that there will be equal opportunities for all...” quoting from the historical and political icon.

The contributions Mrs Jagan made for women’s progress in this country paved the way and provide the inspiration for young women today to believe that there is nothing that they cannot achieve with hard work and determination.

“We cannot move forward and have a strong society, a strong economy where we can eliminate poverty and unemployment, unless all the people work together and all feel safe and secure in our society,” the WPO secretary said from an inspirational quote by Janet Jagan.

The event was hosted by members of the Bel Air/ Prashad Nagar People’s Progressive Party group.

19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Church of Jesus Christ donates $4M generator to ‘Carnegie’

By Shirley Thomas

THE collaboration between the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (CJCLDS) in Guyana, has been strengthened with the donation of a $4 Million plus 55 KVA generating set with standby application.

The 60HZ single phase 220/127 volts generator, with a capacity to supply power to all the buildings in

Ms. Rowena Bowen, National Director, Public Affairs (Photos by Adrian Narine) the school compound, was earlier installed by the Ministry of Education and yesterday officially handed over to the school by Mr. W. Barrow,

ucation, the generator was turned on and the ceremonial ribbon cut.

Chairman of the Board of Governors of Carnegie, Mr. John Seeram, acknowledged that in recent times CSHE has been in partnership with quite a few stakeholders, but expressed pride at being engaged in a partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

On behalf of the Board, the management and staff of both CSHE and the Craft Production Division, he extended sincere thanks to the Church for its donation of what he referred to as “a much needed generator.”

POWER OUTAGES Noting that the school is in dire need of such equipment, Seeram referred to the frequent power outages which plague the institution, ultimately affecting its productivity in a number of ways, including: * Class lectures and assignments so that work of support staff cannot proceed as normal. * Equipment such as copiers, computers and their accessories, air condition units – all of which cannot be used to their full capacity. * Production of food in the training kitchen cannot be undertaken and completed on a timely basis.

“With this generator, there is every likelihood that productivity can be maintained, both in the education delivery and in the functioning of the various departments in this school and in the Craft Production Division (CPD), Seeram asserted.

The generator is an essential piece of equipment which entities such as the Carnegie School must have at its disposal. Carnegie is making a significant contribution to national development in education

Representative of the Church. During a simple handing over ceremony witnessed by representatives of both sides, as well as the Ministry of Ed-

delivery and also in its catering and restaurant activities, he added.

Meanwhile, Principal Mrs. Penelope Harris who also expressed

himself, after his temporal needs are not met?”

President Clive Hugh Chin, First Counsellor in Georgetown/Guyana District said the Church welcomes the opportunity for being in partnership with the CSHE in this regard.

He assured that the partnership between the two entities is something that the Church would continue to work towards, not only in this venture, but in others to come. He was also gratified that the Church

The generator is turned on as Clive Chin, Jnr. cuts the ceremonial ribbon.

Behind him is Mr. John Seeram. Others from left are First Counsellor Clive Hugh and Mrs. Chin and Elder W. Barrow. Holding the other end of the ribbon is Principal Penelope Harris PARTNERSHIP A partnership agreement was entered into with the Church supplying the generating set and the Ministry of Education assuming responsibility for the installation and maintenance. Additionally, the school will be responsible for training a number of persons from the Church in full-time programmes, as well as day and evening programmes. It will also be conducting some group training in skills related to home economics.

Meanwhile, in brief remarks, Mr. Barrow of JCLDS, bringing greetings from President and Mrs. Paulson at their headquarters in Utah, USA, noted that they were overjoyed to be part of this project. Barrow recalled that the Founder of the Church, Joseph Smith contended that a man who is filled with charity looks for opportunities to serve and to bless other people’s lives, noting that this is what the project was all about.

“This is one of many projects that have been created in Guyana, for the benefit of the citizens,” Barrow said, adding that it smacks of being a symbiotic interrelationship of mutual benefit . He said the Church is not just about the spiritual aspect, asking, “How can a man be spiritual with

has members who are also students of the Carnegie School of Home Economics and so can uplift their standard of living, and most importantly their temporal heights. To this end, he concurred with Elder Barrow that the spiritual and temporal needs must go hand in hand, and bearing in mind that, “Charity is the pure love of Christ.”

And National Director of Public Affairs, Ms Rowena Bowen, commenting on some of the humanitarian activities of the Church in Guyana, alluded to the Bay Rock community centre at Linden. It is a joint effort with the Humanitarian arm of the U.S. Embassy and was commissioned on October 4 last. The U.S. Embassy constructed a part of the building and the Church donated sewing machines, computers, gas stoves, refrigerators and microwave ovens to help with the Centre’s programme to train the members of the community to become self-reliant.

“We want to bring the Church out of obscurity so we are working along with a lot of organisations to be a charitable as we can, in helping others to experience the love that we have for them. As a Church we also have a self-employment centre set up for young people,” Bowen said.

.

Elder W. Barrow of JCLDS addressing the gathering. He is flanked by Principal of CSHE, Penelope Harris (left) and Mr. John Seeram, Chairman of the Board of Governors (right). Behind them is the generator donated to the school

thanks to the donors, recalled that about two years ago, Elder and Mrs. Robert Beecher, representatives of the Church, approached the Carnegie with a proposal to do something for the school, as part of their humanitarian effort. “Vice Principal Myrna Lee was enthused and readily suggested a generating set, given the fact that we run day and evening programmes and have a high demand for power,” she said.

20

GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

GPF continues appeal for help in solving Deborah Blackman murder

By Michel Outridge

Murdered: Debra Blackman

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues to appeal to citizens to assist sleuths with information which will aid in the investigation of Delicious Chinese Restaurant cashier, Debra Blackman, who was killed on August 23, 2014 by a lone gunman, who shot her in the head at close range.

Crime Chief Leslie James

told this publication yesterday since they issued a wanted bulletin for a suspect on September 6, 2014, they have arrested more than two persons, who were later released; as such, they are seeking information from members of the public.

He said, “There is always someone out there who saw or knows something which I believe will aid in the probe and we ask that they assist us

in bringing the perpetrator to justice.”

The GPF in a press release, on September 6 said they are seeking the assistance of members of the public in identifying the person whose image is displayed below.

The images show the young man at the cashier counter in a brief conversation with Blackman just before he pulled out a gun

The image issued by the Police of the suspect, following the murder of Debra Blackman and pushed his hand through the grillwork at the cashier’s cage and fatally shot her.

The GPF said anyone with information that may lead to his identification and possible location is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 225-2227, 227-1149, 2267065, 225-8196, 911, or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Debra Blackman, 54, was in the cashier’s cage at her place of work, Delicious Chinese Restaurant on D’urban

Street, Georgetown, when two men arrived on a Jailing motorcycle and one of them entered the restaurant; shortly after, there was a loud explosion and the man who entered the restaurant was seen running to the very motorcycle before it sped off.

During Blackman’s 14 years of service to the eating house, there have been several armed robberies but no motive for the killing has yet been established; no cash was taken that day when the gunman entered the restaurant and fatally shot her.

Missing schoolteacher...

DNA results for Pattensen skeletal remains available DNA test results from samples taken from the skeletal remains of an unidentified female found on June 3, 2014 at Pattensen, Greater Georgetown, which were sent to Trinidad and Tobago for testing, are available.

This publication understands that the results are ready, but the assigned officer was unavailable to collect; as such, the findings will not be known until it has been received by local law enforcement.

The samples were taken and dispatched to the twinisland republic to determine if the remains discovered were that of missing schoolteacher, Nyozi Goodman, who disappeared after a basketball game.

At the scene at Pattensen, Greater Georgetown, a belt belonging to Goodman was found near the skeletal remains on July 24, 2014 and was identified by her mother.

Goodman, 34, of William Street, Kitty, had failed to

Missing: Nyozi Goodman return home after she accompanied a group of students to the Inter-Secondary Schools Basketball Championship in the city on June 3, 2014.

She sent her students ahead, while informing them that she would be picked up by a friend and was never seen alive again.

A post-mortem conducted on July 28, 2014

by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh on the remains of the so- far unidentified female found aback Pattensen, in a bushy area, gave the cause of death as incised wounds to the abdomen.

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

Cop injured in Puruni Road accident back in hospital to his nose.

For the first two days he remained unconscious and it was not until Thursday, October 9 that he became aware that he was in the hospital.

After spending just under two weeks at the GPH, he was discharged and advised to go to the East La Penitence Health Centre to have dressings done daily.

By Shirley Thomas TWO weeks after being struck down by a speeding minibus on the Puruni Road, Region 7 (CuyuniMazaruni) while driving an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), policeman Ryan Craigen, 33, who suffered a fractured left shoulder and a shattered right thigh, is back in hospital.

He had emergency surgery on Sunday to correct injuries sustained to his leg.

On October 7, around 13:45 hrs, police officer Craigen, who is stationed at the Itaballi Police Outpost, was driving an ATV heading for Itaballi Landing, when a grey minibus transporting passengers and travelling in the opposite direction, negotiated a bend at a terrific speed and veered into his lane (the left hand side of the road).

Craigen said that as the minibus went across to the

An injured Ryan Craigen on a hospital bed after his second surgery ATV lane, he tried to pull slightly to the right, but the errant driver, apparently in a panick, again ended up in the path of the ATV, causing a horrific head-on collision.

The ATV was a write-off.

The seriously injured cop was rushed along the trail to the Bartica Hospital where he

was given emergency treatment before being evacuated to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GHP). In the city it was determined that he had suffered a fractured left arm and shoulder; a broken right thigh with shattered blood vessels in the region of the groin, as well as a puncture

INFECTED LEG However, there was a bigger shock in store for

Craigen when he turned up at the East La Penitence Health Centre to have the injuries dressed. It was discovered that the leg was infected and necessitated immediate corrective surgery. He was taken back to hospital and the surgery was performed on Sunday afternoon.

When visited by this newspaper on Monday, Craigen was resting and his condition appeared stable. He was, however, worried that at the end of the day his wound had still not been cleaned and

dressed. He noted that he is now in the initial stages of recovering from a wound that had already become infected, and required two surgeries.

When contacted, a nurse on duty said that it was the standard procedure that the doctor must first open the wound before the nurses can do the dressing. Craigen is hoping for the best.

One person in the minibus involved in the collision with the ATV was reported injured. Police are continuing their investigations.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

PS Croal reports...

$225M spent on Georgetown Clean-Up Project

By Derwayne Wills AS THE December 2014 deadline approaches on the $500M Georgetown CleanUp Project, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Colin Croal reports that $225M have been spent so far on the citywide efforts.

Speaking at the Ministry’ Boardroom, Kingston recently, Croal commented on the progress of the works which began earlier this year.

The extent of the works included the de-silting of the seven main canals at Downer Street, Young Street, Lamaha Street, Irving Street, Princes Street, Sussex Street, and Church Street.

Other works included the maintenance of sluices at Meadow Bank, Ruimveldt, and Lamaha Street. $100M was similarly allocated for works to be done on Le Repentir Cemetery Commenting on the progress of the cemetery clean-up, Croal said that the cemetery was divided into seven blocks.

The Permanent Secretary added that Blocks 1, 3, 4 and 5, which were done by private contracts, show completion rates between 50% and 95%.

Meanwhile, Block 7, which sparked some controversy over the use of prison labour, shows some 90% completion.

Blocks 2 and 6, he stated at the time of the interview, were not completed due to tenders not being sent by the National Procurement Tender Administration to Cabinet for approval.

Moreover, the Local Government Ministry will be awarding contracts for works to be done on the internal roads in the cemetery.

FACELIFTS Meanwhile, 20 communities were given facelifts under the project and Croal reported that while some community works have

Mr Colin Croal been completed, others are currently in progress. These include Festival City, Tiger Bay, Durban Backlands, Wortmanville, and Roxanne Burnham Gardens, to name a few.

He said too that while the ministry had not initially commenced works in the Cummings Lodge area, since private residents were completing those works themselves. However, the residents have approached the ministry and a collaborative effort is underway in which the ministry will fund some of the operational costs.

Croal disclosed that there were contracts signed during the course of last week for community clean-up works in Alberttown, Atlanticville, western Campbelville, and Riversview.

SANITATION TRUCKS REPAIRED While it was previously identified that the City Administration will be responsible for sustaining the progress after the works have been completed, the Permanent Secretary said that the rehabilitation of the vehicles belonging to the Georgetown Mayor & City Council (M&CC) will continue as some of the Council’s sanitation trucks have already been repaired and are currently serving Central Georgetown.

Police discover shotgun in fowl-pen, ganja in septic tank -suspect on the run, aunt in custody

By Leroy Smith THE police in ‘C’ Division continue to make headway in their weekly searches of targeted areas along the lower and upper East Coast Demerara with the unearthing of weapons, ammunition and illegal drugs.

On Friday, the police carried out a routine search in the village of Bare Root, East Coast Demerara where acting on information they searched a

house and other areas in a yard.

In a fowl pen in the yard, police found an improvised shotgun, which is believed to be owned by a man who is known to the police but has since gone into hiding.

However the police arrested his aunt, an MMC security guard who admitted to the police that she also has access to the fowl pen.

According to police sources, the weapon was discovTurn to page 23

GUYANA CHRONICLE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22, 2014

Flashback: The injured Jesse Gibbs as he awaits a second surgery

The plight of Jesse Gibbs‌

Motorcyclist prepares for fourth surgery -after Easter Sunday accident TWENTY-five-year-old motorcyclist Jesse Gibbs, injured in an accident with a car at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara on Easter Sunday, after having multiple surgeries for injuries sustained to his left leg, is back in the Georgetown Public Hospital where he has been admitted for corrective surgery, after the metallic bolts in his leg began having an adverse effect on the flesh. He is now awaiting his fourth surgery.

COMPENSATION Gibbs, whose career is ruined and who to date remains confined to bed with no indication of when he will be able to use his right leg again, is now in a state of limbo and regrets having accepted a paltry sum of just over $200,000 from the motorist who caused the accident.

However, a family man with a wife and two toddlers to provide for, his domestic expenses were compelling and mounting fast. It was out of frustration and despair that several months later, he

reluctantly opted to enter into the agreement.

The accident was caused by an allegedly drunken motorist and happened in the wee hours of Sunday, April 21(Easter Sunday). Gibbs, who was struck on the knee and thrown off his motorcycle into a clump of bushes, suffered an open fracture to his left knee, which still remains bolted with steel.

His pillion rider, Marino Matthias, was thrown forward and ended up under the motorcar, which almost dragged him to death, as the driver began to rev his engine to depart the scene of the accident.

Fortunately, other men in the neighbourhood who mounted a search for Matthias spotted him just as the motorist had begun revving the engine.

He suffered a broken leg and burns to the head and face caused by hot water from the radiator of the car.

Meanwhile, Gibbs had major complications with his tibia (knee cap) and fibula bone, located in the calf.

After multiple surgeries, his left leg is now about four inches shorter than the right.

Police discover... ered in a place where it would be impossible for the woman to have access to the fowl pen and not notice it.

Meanwhile in the same yard, the police searched the septic tank area and stumbled on several grammes of what is suspected to be marijuana, which was also confiscated and removed from the property along with the shotgun.

Meanwhile, police in the same division on Saturday responded to a report of robbery which was committed on Bibi Deonarine of Better Hope, after she had disembarked a minibus.

According to reports, the woman was walking when a bicycle bandit rode up to

From to page 22

her and commenced a robbery attack. However, police who were patrolling the area observed the incident and challenged the man who was later arrested.

Prior to being arrested the man was attempting to flee the scene on his bicycle. The police carried out a search on his person and found a Glock 9MM pistol in his possession along with the items which he took from the woman.

The man was placed in the lockups and the woman handed back her belongings - a handbag, cash and spectacles. She also gave the police a statement which would be used in prosecuting the man.

23

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

25

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

27

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

29

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Matthias, GFF... from back page persists in the country’s football.

Leal, yesterday noted, “It must be stressed that usually in this situation, the magnitude of disparity in a country’s football happens, a normalisation committee is not the first option, it’s suspension, but in this case, after discussions between us at FIFA and CONCACAF, we believe that football can move forward in the country and we hope that the installation of a Normalisation Committee could be the solution.”

He added “Let’s hope that the tasks and the work done by the Normalisation Committee with the help of the whole football family can restore harmony in Guyana’s

English Racing Tips Newmarket 08:30 hrs Pamona 09:00 hrs Lashkaal 09:35 hrs Captain Marmalade 10:10 hrs Alnashama 10:45 hrs Hawkesbury 11:20 hrs Afjaan 11:55 hrs Crafty Choice 12:25 hrs Temptress Worcester 08:45 hrs No Through Road 09:15 hrs Walk On Al 09:50 hrs George Nympton 10:25 hrs Bronco Billy 11:00 hrs Lady Buttons 11:35 hrs Whatdoesthefoxsay 12:05 hrs Derrintogher 12:35 hrs Go Odee Go

football because we don’t want to discuss what consequences of not achieving this objective would be.

This Normalisation Committee is not elected by the Congress (of the GFF) but appointed by FIFA so this body cannot be removed internally; FIFA appoints it and FIFA removes and this is a show of faith in Guyana’s football.

According to Leal, the installation of the committee should not be seen as a move of retaliation by FIFA, but simply a way of moving Guyana’s football forward and the development of the sport.

With the Normalisation Committee to be installed, a stern warning was made

by Cavaro to the disruptive elements in football to desist or face sanction.

Fontwell 08:55 hrs Miles To Memphis 09:25 hrs Deputy Dan 10:00 hrs Try Catch Me 10:35 hrs Kilmurvy 11:10 hrs Browns Brook 11:45 hrs Stay In My Heart 12:15 hrs Fountains Blossom 12:45 hrs Chantara Rose Irish Racing Tips Navan 08:35 hrs Shangai Beauty 09:05 hrs Captain Cullen 09:40 hrs Break My Mind 10:15 hrs Steip Amach 10:50 hrs Vasconi 11:25 hrs Crafted Mastery 12:00 hrs Scooping 12:30 hrs Thunder Zone South Africa Racing Tips Durbanville 08:50 hrs Varistar 09:25 hrs Matador In Red 10:00 hrs Irish Myth 10:35 hrs Shakespear’s Lady 11:10 hrs Roventas American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Quaria Race 2 Bartiromo Race 3 Man Of Mystery Race 4 Wraith Race 5 Saltine Warrior Race 6 One More Chief Race 7 Queen’s Prize Race 8 Writingonthewall Race 9 Queen to Be

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Indian cricket board to file lawsuit against WICB

HYDERABAD, India (CMC) - The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that it would “initiate legal proceedings” against West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) as the fall-out continues yesterday following the sudden and dramatic pull out by the senior West Indies cricketers from their tour of the sub-continent.

BCCI also disclosed that all bilateral tours by India to the West Indies have been suspended even as the WICB was meeting in an emergency session in Barbados yesterday to discuss the ramifications of the decision by the players.

India were expected

… Bilateral tours suspended

Dave Cameron

to play five series against West Indies in the next eight years, including four visits to the Caribbean.

“The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will initiate legal proceedings against West Indies Cricket Board due to the abrupt cancellation

of this tour,” it said in a statement after meeting in the southern city of Hyderabad.

“All bilateral tours between BCCI and WICB stand suspended.”

The BCCI release made no specific mention of any claim for damages; but reports suggest that the BCCI suffered a loss of up to US$65M as a result of the pull out.

The West Indies followed through with threats to quit the tour after the fourth one-day international in Dharamsala last Friday, with one

more ODI, a Twenty20 and three Tests remaining.

“The Members appreciated the gesture of Sri Lankan Cricket Board for having accepted our request to play five ODIs starting from November 2, 014, at such a short notice,” the BCCI statement said.

“This tour is in lieu of their scheduled tour to India next year which will be reciprocated by India touring Sri Lanka in the months of July/August 2015”.

West Indies players are disgruntled over a change in

Rain-hit game ends in a draw M ATA R A , S r i L a n k a (CMC) – West Indies A and Sri Lanka A played to a tame draw after rain again interrupted play on the fourth and final day at the Uyanwatte Stadium here yesterday, as only 25 overs of play were possible as the match headed to a certain draw after the first day’s play was completely rained out.

Resuming from their overnight score of 63 for 4, Sri Lanka could not get going once again, and tumbled to 161 for nine at the close.

Part-time spinner Jermaine Blackwood who slowed down the Sri Lanka innings on Monday by picking up two wickets,

Jermaine Blackwood

finished with best figures of three for 44 while Miguel Cummins picked up two for 31.

Blackwood and Cummins helped to send Sri Lanka’s innings into strife at 103 for seven but Niroshan Dickwella and Tharindu Kaushal produced cameos to ensure they lasted the day.

Kaushal was bowled

by Chadwick Walton for 33 while Dickwella was one of Blackwood’s victims, caught by Walton for 24.

Sri Lanka A lead the series one-nil with the third and final unofficial Test due to start on Saturday October 25, in Moratuwa.

Kashif Muhammad in Love XI DEV’S All Star will tackle Love Camp XI in a friendly 20/20 tape ball cricket match tomorrow at the Ministry of Education, Carifesta Avenue based ground, with the action set to bowl off at 11:00hrs.

The Dev’s side would

be captained by Matthew Langevineand includes, Dwayne Lovell, Dion Innis, Peter Phillips, Patrice Andres, Mervin Moses, Trevor Beckles, Eon Bobb, Kerwin Clarke, Mark Young, Keron Clarke and Steve Ninvalle.

Football personality Ka-

shif Muhammad will lead the Love Camp X1 which will be selected from Ezra Humphrey, Arlly Jackson, Decklan Pierre, Garfield Tyrell, Michael Pierre, Kelvin Duncan, Sherwin Gayle, Joel Bond, Terrence Linco, Kwame Crosse, Paul Linco, Remur Weeks and Wayne

Giles.

The Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and Hadi’s City Mall Inc., ha s do na t e d t ro phie s for the Man of the Match and the winning team for this contest which promises to be a humdinger.

their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the WICB, which they claim results in a drastic reduction in their earnings.

While on tour, they lobbied their union, the West Indies Players Association for a change to the agreement, and also threatened to withdraw their services if no resolution was forthcoming.

The pull out has an-

gered the BCCI fuelling speculation that West Indies players who campaign in the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) will be banned, but the chairman of the IPL, Ranjib Biswal, has said that West Indies’ cricketers would not face any ban and that the matter was not even discussed in crisis meetings.

de Villiers anchors South Africa to comfortable win in New Zealand (REUTERS) - South Africa captain AB de Villiers anchored his side to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand, whose bowling and fielding was far superior to a poor batting performance in the first game of their three-match one-day series. de Villiers (89 not out) combined with JP Duminy (58 not out) in an efficient 139-run partnership after a tight and varied New Zealand bowling attack had given the hosts the sniff of an unlikely victory when they reduced them to 97 for four in the 25th over at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

The 30-year-old de Villiers, however, completed his 39th ODI halfcentury, while Duminy compiled his 20th and hit a six to win the game as the tourists finished on 236 for four, having chased New Zealand’s 230.

The series is being used by both sides to finalise their selections for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand’s batsmen, however, did little to showcase their credentials and their total was only boosted by a record 10thwicket partnership of 74

AB de Villiers between Luke Ronchi and Trent Boult which rescued them from 156 for nine.

Wicketkeeper Ronchi was agonisingly close to his first ODI century after reaching 99 on the final ball of the 45th over.

The 33-year-old, however, seemed in two minds on the next ball and only succeeded in giving wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock his fifth catch of the innings and sixth dismissal overall with the stumping of Tom Latham.

The innings by Ronchi, under pressure from Test wicketkeeper BJ Watling for a place in the World Cup squad, showed coach Mike Hesson he could be the ideal player to close out New Zealand’s innings after hitting three sixes and 11 other boundaries in his 83-ball stay.

32

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Oscar Pistorius jailed for five years for killing girlfriend OSCAR PISTORIUS has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

The Olympic and Paralympic runner was convicted of culpable homicide last month for shooting dead 29-year-old law graduate and model Reeva Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria.

Judge Thokozile Masipa - only the second black woman to rise to the bench - stressed the difficulty of arriving at a decision that was “fair and just to society and to the accused”, but ordered that Pistorius serve a maximum of five years for the crime.

His only reaction was to wipe his eyes before two police officers led him down to the holding cells beneath the High Court in the heart

Oscar Pistorius of the South African capital.

Ninety minutes later, an armoured police vehicle carrying Pistorius - still dressed in dark suit, white shirt and black tie - left the building through a throng of reporters towards Pretoria Central Prison, where he is expected to serve his time.

His family remained

calm throughout the sentencing.

Pistorius was also sentenced to three years for unlawful discharge of a firearm in a restaurant, with that portion of the sentence suspended for five years.

After the proceedings, one of Pistorius’s legal team, Roxanne Adams, told Sky News that Pistorius will serve just a sixth of his sentence in prison - a mere 10 months - before serving the rest of his sentence under house arrest.

“Justice was served,” said the Steenkamp family lawyer, Dup de Bruyn, adding that it was “the right sentence” - but the victim’s mother put things in a different light.

“There is no closure without Reeva, unless you can magic her back,” said

Windies cricketers won’t be banned from IPL - Chairman HYDERABAD, India (CMC) - The chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Ranjib Biswal has said that West Indies cricketers would not face any ban from the tournament after pulling out midway their tour of India.

Fears of the ban surfaced following the pull out which the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) says would cost them about US$65M in losses.

A pay dispute with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) forced the players to follow through with threats to quit the tour after the fourth oneday international in Dharamsala on Friday, with one more ODI, a Twenty20 and three Tests remaining.

“It depends upon them (West Indies players). If they want to play IPL they are welcome,” Ranjib Biswal, the IPL chairman, said in Hyderabad, where the BC-

Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman Ranjib Biswal CI’s emergency working Indies aborting the India committee met to discuss tour, but Biswal said the the fallout of West Indies issue of participation of pulling out of the India tour West Indies players had last week. not at all come up for disE S P N c r i c i n f o q u o t - cussion. ed a West Indies Cricket The IPL governing Board Director as calling council also announced for an IPL ban on the core that the next season of the group of the players, who IPL will be played between were instrumental in West April 9 and May 24.

June Steenkanp.

Immediately after the proceedings finished, Pistorius was led away to the holding cells from where he will be taken to jail.

The judge spoke for an hour about the circumstances of the crime, coming to the conclusion that “a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message” in a nation where many believe that wealthy white citizens are able to buy their way to preferential treatment.

She also spoke about the capability of the prison service to cater for Pistorius’s special needs, and of the athlete’s own personal resilience.

Judge Masipa had cleared Pistorius of the more serious charge of murder, saying prosecutors had failed to prove his intent to kill when he fired four 9mm

rounds through the door of a toilet cubicle in what he said was the mistaken belief an intruder was lurking behind it.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel had said at the sentencing hearing last week that only 10 years imprisonment would satisfy the South African public, who would “lose their faith in the justice system” if Pistorius avoided jail.

Defence lawyer Barry Roux had argued, however, that the double-amputee sprinter should be given community service because his sorrow and regret at killing the woman he loved was the worst punishment of all.

He also said Pistorius, whose lower legs were amputated as a baby, would face particular difficulties in prison. Even the idea of Pistorius avoiding a custodial sentence inflamed public anger and fuelled a

Pistorius’ sister Aimee to say on Monday the shooting and trial had been damaging for everyone.

“The guilt and ridicule that surround it as well as the exposure ... and just the heartache for both my brother, my family and of course the Steenkamp family,” she told South Africa’s ENCA television.

The athlete’s uncle concluded that the family accepts the sentencing and asked for privacy following the verdict.

“Oscar will embrace this opportunity to pay back to society,” he said in a brief statement to reporters.

After the initial widespread acclaim for the fiveyear sentence, with Steenkamp’s family saying that “justice was done”, news that the athlete will serve so little jail time after a brutal killing outraged many.

WICB statement following emergency meeting of Board of Directors

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The West Indies Cricket Board regrets, and is deeply embarrassed by the premature and unfortunate end to the recent tour of India and once again expresses to the BCCI and all stakeholders - especially the cricket-loving public of the West Indies and India - sorrow for the events leading up to this development.

The Board of Directors of the WICB, today (yesterday) met to formally embark on the process of a careful and systematic review of relevant events and have, initially, decided as follows: 1. To establish a Task Force, comprising critical stakeholders, to review the premature end of the tour to India. The Task Force will meet with all parties, including WIPA and the players, before reporting its findings to the Board of Directors.

2. To request a meeting with the BCCI. 3. To schedule an urgent debriefing with the West Indies Team Management Unit.

4. To assure Cricket South Africa that it will use its best endeavours to ensure a successful tour of South Africa as scheduled.

The WICB is mindful of the related decisions of the BCCI Working Committee.

In light of the longstanding good relationship between WICB and BCCI, which goes back decades and has produced numerous mutual benefits, the WICB looks forward to meeting with the BCCI to discuss these decisions which can have serious implications for West Indies cricket.

WICB believes that a way can be found to repair the damage that has been caused and to ensure that similar events do not recur, with the focus being on the betterment of West Indies and world cricket.

The WICB thanks all stakeholders, particularly the ICC, BCCI, their broadcasters and sponsors for their patience and understanding in this matter and looks forward to the continuation of a strong relationship between our Boards.

The WICB is committed to acting as expeditiously as the situation allows, and will provide further information to the public as soon as it is appropriate to do so.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

2014 BCB/Carib Beer T20

Bramble helps Albion finish at top of Corentyne zone T H E P R E L I M I N A RY stages of this year’s Berbice Cricket Board/Ansa McAl Carib Beer first division T20 cricket competition concluded last Saturday, with the playing of the final two Corentyne zone matches.

In the deciding match, Albion Community Centre made light work of Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets (RHTGG) to emerge as the top team of that zone, with RHTGG finishing as runners-up, while both teams advanced to the playoff, with Albion hosting their encounter while RHTGG will travel for theirs.

After the Albion spin

… Ramsammy, Murray hit 50s

Joshua Ramsammy attack had restricted RHTGG to 109 for 8 off their 20 overs, in-form Anthony Bramble missed his fourth consecutive half-century, but revived Albion from 13

for 2 with his 48, as they won by six wickets.

Playing at the RHTGG Area ‘H’ ground, the home team won the toss and decided to bat first, with only Brandon Prasad’s unbeaten 28 offering resistance to Veerapen Permaul, Balchand Baldeo and Shiraz Ramcharran who took two wickets each for 4, 10 and 26 runs respectively.

I n A l b i o n ’s r e p l y, Bramble, who shared a third-wicket partnership of 71 with Jonathan Foo (30), did enough to steer his side

to 112 for 4 in 14.5 overs, as Keon Sinclair took 2 for 38 to keep RHTGG in the hunt for victory.

Bramble’s innings followed his scores of 54 against Port Mourant, 82 not out against Skeldon Community Centre and 77 not out against GuyTrac Upper Corentyne, for a combined total of 261 runs at an average of 130.5 from his four innings.

At the Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) ground, the home team who were led by 50 (8x4)

from Joshua Ramsammy, and 39 from Lloydel Lewis, managed 145 in 16.5 overs against Skeldon Community Centre, for whom Parmanand Narine took 3 for 37 and Jason Itwaru 2 for 23.

However, despite Sherwin Murray’s four sixes and a similar number of fours in his 59, Skeldon could manage only 133 for 5 from their 20 overs, with Narine’s 20 being the next best score, as PMCC completed the win by 12 runs.

Meanwhile the three

Anthony Bramble playoffs are scheduled for this Saturday at 13:30hrs, with West Berbice meeting Universal Solutions Bermine at Bush Lot, Young Warriors hosting RHTGG at Cumberland and the Albion clashing with D’Edward at Albion.

Chattergoon steals spotlight at SCA presentation

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada - Former Guyana youth player Harrinarine Chattergoon stole the spotlight when the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) held its 34th annual presentation and dinner at the Eastown Banquet Hall here last Sunday night.

The night’s proceedings were also highlighted with the disclosure by president Deo Samaroo that the SCA intends to introduce a women’s league in the 2015 season, with four teams already acknowledging their participation and the honouring of Budhave Anandjit, a late stalwart executive member who passed away a few months ago.

Chattergoon, a member of the unprecedented five-time champions Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) had an outstanding season, tallying the most runs (548), registering the highest score, a belligerent 268 against Durham Cricket Club and being adjudged Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the aborted final versus East West Cricket Club.

The slimly-built opening batsman, however, had to share the headlines with teammates, all-rounder Zaheer Allard, skipper and elder brother Hemnarine Chattergoon and Mahadeo Moonasar as HACC carted off the lion’s share of the Premier Division awards.

… Ladies league on the cards for next season the efforts of his players while captain Hemnarine Chattergoon also echoed the sentiments, with Mohan adding that his charges are a dedicated bunch of cricketers.

Mohan also disclosed that plans are in train for HACC to visit Guyana next year to play a series of matches against club teams but these are in the infancy stages.

Victoria Park emerged top of Conference 1 and collected the Speedway Motors

HACC skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon (left) collects the championship trophy from SCA The burly and big-hitting Allard had the distinction of recording the second highest aggregate (467), slamming two centuries (122 and 138) and also claiming a hattrick with his left-arm seamers.

Hemnarine joined his brother as the two double centurions in the tournament, his brilliant 217 versus Bawa XI being an innings of immense class, while Moonasar was outstanding with the ball, capturing two six-wicket hauls for 17 and 27 runs respectively.

Two other HACC players who were also in the limelight were former Guyana opening batsman Krishna

Arjune for his swashbuckling 169 and Azhad Amidon for a well-complied 102.

It was a night to savour for HACC as they celebrated five consecutive Premier League triumphs after completing 17 consecutive wins in this the 2014 season, a feat never before accomplished in the 34-year history of the SCA. They retained the Frank Faubert Trophy, sponsored

by Shiv Persaud of Primerica while they also took home the Active Green & Ross Trophy for being Conference 2 winners.

An obviously elated manager Archie Mohan told this newspaper he was extremely delighted with

Trophy while Dhruv Patel was a standout with the most wickets (30) and figures of six for 27.

Apart from Arjune and Amidon, other century-makers in the Premiere League were Altaf Mulla (134), Anand Erramilli (106) and Guyanese Euegene LaFleur (100 not out) who represented Victoria Park.

The First Division champions were Toronto Smashers who carted off the Richard

Ramlall Trophy, sponsored

by Caribbean Wave with Bilal Cricket Club taking the runner-up spot. The Conference winners were Ambassadors and Highland Creek B respectively, the former receiving the IR Construction Trophy and the latter The Action Honda award.

Alick Gibson of Islanders United took home the prize for the most runs (345) while Pathum Liyanage of Knightly took the most wickets (26).

Republican to take aim with `AK 47’ at `Biggy’ Small UNITED States of America-based former world champion Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Brathwaite’s younger brother Quincy `Biggy’ Small’s tour of Guyana would not be a walk in the park, as the Republican Boxing Gym is rolling out two “competent” super heavyweights to serve as bumps on the road.

National coach Wincell `Nacker’ Thomas yesterday confirmed that `Bad’ John Campayne and Jason `AK 47’ Barker are in line to tackle the six-foot four-inch tall, 255-pound Small when the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association stages its National Open this weekend.

Thomas assured that his charges are capable of springing surprises. “Campayne is a young fighter with much ability. This is a chance for him to prove himself,” the national coach said. “The 26-year-old Barker, like his nickname suggest, can be a lethal weapon.”

At the last National Open he forced the referee to save Kenroy Evelyn of the Guyana Defence Force, whom he bloodied.

“Barker has been waiting on the opportunity to prove that he is the best super heavyweight in Guyana. He now has that opportunity as he is a determined, enthusiastic and strong fighter and I expect him to do well.”

Small arrived from the USA last Sunday and was scheduled to conduct sessions at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown with Cuban coach Francisco Roldan in his corner.

The National Open will punch off under floodlights this Friday at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre ground (California Square) and will run for three days, concluding on Sunday.

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

Forde submits entry form for South American 10km … Female champ’s participation in doubt

Leeron Brumell FOR THE 12th year, Guyana will be hosting the first leg of the South American 10km Road Race Classic – with two others to follow in Suriname and Panama - and defending male champion Cleveland Forde, has already submitted his entry form for this Sunday’s event which begins at 15:30hrs.

But it will be interesting to see if he will be able to successfully defend his title, as he recently recovered from an illness and looked a shadow of himself last week

Cleveland Forde when he competed in the annual Inter-Service Athletics Championships, where he won the 5 000m event, took second in the 1500m and could not cop a podium

finish in the 800m.

Forde clocked 32 mins 36 secs last year, but was not seriously challenged, while in 2012 he clocked 33 mins 35 secs to come out on top, ahead of Trinidadians Richard Jones (33mins 38 secs) and Curtis Cox (33 mins 52 secs).

The T&T nationals did not compete last year, but Jones, however, will be making the trip from the Twin Island Republic and if he is in form, could challenge Forde for the top spot.

A l s o re t u r n i n g f o r this Sunday’s event is the 2012 female champion and T&T’s top female road race athlete, Tonya Nero,

who had registered 38 mins 06 secs to take gold ahead of Kenisha Pascal, who won last year’s female category in a time 42 mins 28.30 secs.

Word out of Guyana Olympic Association office on High Street, known as ‘Olympic House’, is that the Grenadian authorities are trying to secure a flight to ensure Pascal’s participation, even as Nero will be accompanied by Jennelle Nedd.

Suriname are the other overseas team to field athletes – one male and one female – Clifton Betje and Iisida Toemere, while Brazil like last year will not be sending any athletes.

GUYANA’S Revlon Lake will wing out for Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow to keep a ring date with that Island’s Prince Lee Isidore on Friday evening, where according to Guyana Boxing Board of Control official Eion Jardine, the duo will be battling for the vacant World Boxing Council’s CABOFE junior welterweight title.

Lake, a former national lightweight champion has 10 fights under his belt, winning four and losing six, with one of his victories be-

ing an 11th round TKO win over Mark Austin, for which he captured the national lightweight title of Guyana in the process.

Lee Isidore record reads 12-3-1 and the last time he fought in Guyana, it was against the hard-hitting Clive ‘Wonder Kid’ Atwell, who chalked up a 12th round TKO win over the Trinidadian, when the two met for the WBC/CABOFE light welterweight title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall two years ago.

Lee Isidore fought three

Entries for local athletes close on Friday and so far more than 30 have already registered. Some 70 athletes, both local and foreign faced the starter’s gun last year.

This year the race starts in front of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) Carifesta Avenue-based earth station, proceeds east along the Rupert Craig Highway to the University of Guyana lights, down the highway onto the Kitty Public Road, onto Vlissengen Road then west into Thomas Lands and into the National Park to end in front the Children’s Monument on the

northern side.

The first five finishers in the Male and Female International divisions will pocket US$1000, US$600, US$400, US$300 and US$200 in addition to trophies. The first four juniors will receive US$100, US$75, US$50 and US$25 and trophies, Masters 1-3, run for G$20 000, G$12 000 and G$8 000 and Masters (56 years and over) compete for G$15 000, G$10 000 and G$5 000 along with trophies.

The second leg is in Suriname on November 2 with the third and final leg set for Panama on November 15.

Little DIVA Flames intensify training Lake to meet Isidore for WBC/ for Suriname trip CABOFE welterweight title

THE recently formed Little DIVA Flames Female Football Club have intensified their training programme in preparation for their intended trip to Suriname in December.

According to the club’s president Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith, training sessions are set for the Georgetown Football Club ground, Bourda, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday commencing at 16:30hrs each day and on Saturday from 07:00hrs.

In an effort to ensure that the players are equipped with the necessary skills, fitness, technical and tactical awareness, they have obtained the services Colin McNichols, a former coach/player of Thomas United Football Club, as their head coach.

McNichols started his playing career at age nine and represented Freeburg Primary School in a Demico House-sponsored Inter-school tournament. He was one of the most skilful youngsters in those days, becoming the talk of the town for many years.

Notable Dates ON OCTOBER 22, 1976 a gangly junior middleweight from Guyana made his professional debut in Queens, New York.

At the ripe age of 24 Kenny Bristol, a former New York Golden Gloves champion had his first taste of pro boxing when he defeated John LoCicero at the Sunny Side Garden, winning the four-round affair by points and had eight more victories before clashing with St Kitts and Nevis-born Pat Thomas for the vacant Commonwealth title in July 1979.

Following a 15-round decision over Thomas, the slick Guyanese became the first and only to win a Commonwealth title at home.

Bristol went on to achieve a record of 20 fights with 15 victories from an eight-year career and remains one of the best junior middleweights produced by this country.

Revlon Lake

times after in Trinidad, defeating Craig Storm and Guyana’s Richard Williamson who were both TKO in the first and second rounds respectively, before he went under to Kevin Hylton of Jamaica in May of this year.

Friday’s bout against Lake would be the second meeting between the two, with Lake taking the first via a first-round TKO win, when they met in Trinidad in April, 2012 - a bout that was hosted at the Cosmic Gym, in Marabella.

Troy Humphrey Memorial cycle programme set for Saturday THE 17TH ANNUAL Troy Humphrey Memorial Cycle programme, organised

by Roraima Bikers Club, will be staged on Saturday around the inner circuit of the National Park beginning at 09:30hrs.

The eight-race programme is being staged in memory of a former leading cyclist whose life was snuffed out following an accident in 1996, when his motorcycle collided with a motor vehicle on Carifesta Avenue.

All eight races are for the various categories of cyclists and will carry cash prizes, with the feature event being for categories one to three cyclists and will be over 30 laps, with the winner taking home $30 000, while the other top five finishers will receive $20 000, $10 000, $8 000, $6 000 and $5 000 respectively.

Category Four and junior riders will contest a 15-lap race and the top four finishers will receive cash prizes.

Juvenile cyclists will compete for five laps and the top three finishers will also receive cash prizes as will the veterans Under-50 years and veterans Over-50 years.

Both veteran races will be over five laps.

There will also be a fivelap race for mountain bikers and an eight-lap `win and out’ novelty event for all cyclists desirous of competing.

Most of the country’s top seniors are expected to be a part of the day’s activity including the recently

crowned `Ride for Life’ five-stage winner Robin Persaud, Geron Williams, Alanzo Greaves and Marlon `Fishy’ Williams among others.

Michael Anthony, Paul DeNobrega and Hamza Eastman, who are all junior riders are also expected to contest the feature event, while some of the veterans expected to participate are Junior Niles, Linden Blackman, Paul Cho-Wee-Nam and Kennard Lovell.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 22, 2014

GFSCA ‘Guyana CUP IV’

Regal looking to do historic double

By Calvin Roberts NEVER before has any local team dominated the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association’s (GFSCA) patented softball tournament dubbed ‘Guyana Cup’, whose fourth annual edition is set to bowl off next Friday with 45 matches being played in three days at various venues.

But with their intense training sessions under the watchful eyes of Clive Grimmond, the Regal Masters and Regal Open teams are looking to create history, by carting off both the Open and Masters Over-45 categories of this lucrative softball event.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation, Woolford Avenue-based training facility, team manager Mahendra ‘Shurey’ Arjune said it is their intention to dominate the ‘Guyana Softball Cup IV’ this year.

“When I look at our Open team in training for this tournament, I see within the eyes of the players a hunger and a burning desire to be successful.

“As you know as well, we have a good and well oiled all-round unit, one that won some competitions recently, which speaks volumes for itself, as we aim to go out there and dominate the Open category in the fourth edition of the Guyana Cup,” said Arjune.

Asked what the response from the team was like to Grimmond, Arjune said, “Everyone is putting in their lot and even showing their support in a maximum way to his

Flashback! The victorious Regal Masters (O-40) lineup strike a pose after competing and claiming the inaugural GFSCA Guyana Cup title in 2011. have the artillery to combat, is unfortunate not to be a part work ethics and routines and compete and go all the way,” of due to age restrictions, had based on their present form a good run in the tournament said Arjune. and fitness, coupled with a He singled out players of last year, after coming out vicbatting lineup of all-rounders the calibre of Safraz Esau, torious in the first year of the from 1 to 11, I don’t think tournament three years ago.

Richard Latiff, Chien Gittens, batting will go past number When he took a look at Patrick Rooplall and the re7 in any run chase as we hunt cently-added Martin Dutchin, the composition of this team the Open title.” while in training, seeing the as a few of the players who He believes that the Open will be leading Regal XI, the faces of players such as team team, competing out of New reigning Guyana Telephone veteran and sponsor MaYork and who are the defendhendra ‘Anil’ Hardyal, the and Telegraph Company naing champions, will be the lone tionwide champions, to the hard-hitting Lancelot Adams, team to give Regal XI a threat Guyana Cup IV title next Amanauth Budhoo, Raymond for supremacy, giving reasons Harper, Tony Amerally, Eon weekend. why he thinks this is so.

Abel, Troy Kippins and Clyde “They have been playing Butts, he never had any doubt MASTERS with the big ball all year that they will go all the way.

Arjune believes the Masround in comparison to all the “This team is hungry for ters Over-45 team, which he teams here in Guyana, so for them it will be advantageous; as they know how to bowl it and they do have some quick bowlers who deliver with precision and accuracy.

Leeron Brumell There have been some “I am not looking in the sponsors on board howdirection of the local teams THREE DECADES ago, ever, with David Persaud that much, as we have alGuyana hosted an interna- Investments, Neal and ways defeated them so we know their pros and cons in tional tennis tournament Massy, Continental Agencomparison to the foreign and now with the return of cies, Sterling Products teams whose bowlers are competitive junior tennis Limited, 704 Sports Bar, not lethargic as well, but we to these shores, the Guyana Metro Office Supplies and Tennis Association (GTA) overseas-based Guyanese finds itself short of ade- professional coach Bill Adquate funding to host the ams all pitching in along Inter-Guiana Games, at with parents of Guyana’s the end of this week.

12-member team.

Teams from Suriname Tennis in the Guianas and French Guiana are due was resuscitated in 2012, to arrive here tomorrow, with when the Games were held Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Singles action on Friday and in Suriname, with French Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & doubles on Saturday.

Guiana hosting last year’s CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 GTA president Grace edition and Guyana now Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) McCalman told Chronicle taking up their obligation in Sport that they have been the third.

Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: forced to scale down on McCalman says trans(1)Farokh Engineer (IND vs East Africa, Leeds, 1975) their original budget of portation in and around Guy(2) 23 centuries $4.2M, which would have ana, since the teams are included refurbishment coming overland, is still an Today’s Quiz: works on the National issue, with the estimated cost (1) Which two were not a part of the WI team when Sports Commission courts being $300 000. they last met India in an ODI game in the WI? at Non Pareil.

“We contacted Director Marlon Samuels; Kieron Pollard; Ravi Rampaul; As a result games will of Sport Neil Kumar. He said Kemar Roach; Kirk Edwards now be played at the Guyana the Ministry of Sport usually (2) How many Indian batsmen have scored Bank for Trade and Industry assists in sponsorship. HowODI centuries against the WI? (GBTI) tennis courts located ever the GTA finds itself in in Bel Air and Diamond - a peculiar situation; its IGG Answers in tomorrow’s issue four surfaces in total. tennis clashes with the IGG

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

success, just as their Open counterparts,” said Arjune.

He added, “When they are training, there is a level of intensity and commitment shown by them despite their age which they never use as a barrier against them, as they compete tit for tat alongside their Open teammates with a hunger to succeed.

“I give them a very fair chance of coming out on top in this category as well, with once again only the foreign teams being of hindrance to us, as they have been using this type of ball regularly, while we do so once in a while.”

The champion team in the Men’s Open are guaranteed a whopping $800 000 first prize and a huge trophy while the losing finalists will have to settle for $200 000 and a trophy. In the Masters’ division, the winning team will pocket $600 000 with the runners-up assured of $150 000. The Man-of-the-Match in both finals will receive a trophy.

As has been the case in the past, the Most Valuable Player of each category will become the proud owner of a softball bracelet, comprising gold and diamond studs, compliments of Steve’s Jewellery and on the day of the final, apart

Mahendra Hardyal from the trip to Aruba, there will be lots of hampers and giveaways for spectators.

Two dozen teams will compete in this year’s event, with 12 from Guyana, seven from New York, three from Florida and two from Canada. During the three-day championship, there will be a total of 36 preliminary games, followed by four semi-finals and two finals.

Trophy Stall and New York Better Hope are the defending champions of the Open and Masters categories respectively while the previous champions were NYSCL New York (Open) and Savage Masters in 2012 and Cotton Field Wild Oats (Open) and Regal Seniors (Masters) in 2011.

GTA still short on funding

Khalif Gobin Games in Suriname, where arrangements have already been made to send a contingent to contest five disciplines and athletes depart tomorrow for Suriname.”

Kumar put the situation down to ‘poor planning by the GTA’.

That aside, the GTA is enthusiastic about hosting the event for which French Guiana are the defending champions, which they hope will give to the Juniors, much needed competition and exposure at a minimal cost, compared to tourna-

ments in Caribbean destinations.

There will be competition in the Under-12, U-14 and U-18 categories – both male and female - with teams providing two boys and two girls in each division.

On Friday, there will be 36 Singles matches Girls at Bel Air and Boys at Diamond and on Saturday, 18 Doubles matches are to be contested, with a venue switch for the sexes, GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally will be the Tournament Director.

Guyana’s team comprises 11 players from the national squad.

Boys U-18: Daniel Lopes, Khalif Gobin. Boys U-14: Keenan Persaud, Mark McDonald.

Boys U-12 :Jordan Beaton, Hemraj Resaul. Girls U-18: Nicola Ramdyhan, Aretha Dey. Girls U-14: Afruica Gentle, Shivanie Persaud.

Girls U-12: Kalyca Fraser, Sarah Klavtky.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Indian cricket board to file lawsuit against WICB See Story on Page 31

Matthias, GFF executives out!

… FIFA appoints Normalisation Committee to run Guyana’s football until September 2015

FIFA Head of Member Associations, Premo Cavaro, (right) and CONCACAF’s Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal the Pegasus Hotel yesterday on their new plans for the Guyana Football Federation. members of the GFF a part

By Rawle Toney tive has been disbanded and the same, but nominated by Cavaro, whose duty in of the committee. We want will have no place in football FIFA - that’s the difference, FIFA is to make sure that neutral people, far from S PROMISED in administration in the Land of meaning the Chairman of all member associations and football and a commitment the communiqué Many Waters. the Normalisation Comaffiliates are governed in to Guyana because this is sent to the Guyana The five-member com- mittee will have the same accordance with the FIFA a commitment to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) mittee, according to Ca- power like the president of statues, said that while the and not football.”

Selective affiliates of the on Thursday, October 9, varo, will be made known the GFF. He will be the one country awaits the appointthe Fédération Interna- within the next three days responding to FIFA as presment and installation of the GFF, namely Georgetown tionale de Football Asso- and, their sole responsibil- ident,” Cavaro said.

Normalisation Committee Football Association, East ciation (FIFA) Head of ity, apart from managing “We hope that everyin a few days, “things will Bank Football Association, Member Associations, Pre- the day-to-day activities of one involved in the wranbe the same like it has been East Demerara Football Association, West Demerara mo Cavaro, and CONCA- the country’s football, will gles will put everything where nothing was doing.”

CAF’s Director of Legal be to adopt the new consti- aside now, knowing that Cavaro didn’t state Football Association, NaAffairs, Marco Leal, an- tution of the GFF, amend there’s a new era. Whatwhere the members of the tional Association of Womnounced last evening that a the current one and to or- ever happened will be difcommittee would come en’s Football, Guyana FootNormalisation Committee ganise elections according ferent in the future. We from but mentioned, “They ball Referees Council and will run Guyana’s football to the new constitution. will not accept any more are not from the GFF. Four Guyana Football Coaches until September 2015. “ T h e N o r m a l i s a t i o n disputes on who is repreof five are from Guyana. Association, formed twoThe governing body’s Committee, has the same senting GFA or Linden FA, Either from Guyana or thirds of the General Conruling means that the Chris- power and duty like the exec- it shouldn’t be the case,” deeply rooted. We have gress.

On May 31 last, they topher Matthias-led Execu- utive committee; it’s exactly Cavaro firmly said. avoided having the GFF or

A

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

address the media at passed a ‘No Confidence’ vote against Matthias, but that decision was eventually overturned by FIFA. But upon acting on the directives given by FIFA and holding their Extraordinary Congress, again, another ‘Walk Out’ was staged by the aforementioned affiliates.

Marco Leal, along with FIFA’s representative and president of the Bahamas Football Federation Anthone Sealey and CONCACAF’s Legal Adviser Bruce Blake, was present at the ‘Walk Out’ as such, giving FIFA a firsthand experience at the lawlessness that

See Page 30

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2014