Guyana Chronicle E - Paper 02 03 2016

COP MURDERED No. 104479

Police Sergeant Leonard La Rose

WEDNESDAY MARCH 2, 2016

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- two others injured by alleged rapist

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Market rush …‘flood’ of applications for spots at Kitty Market Page 13

Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Greene and other city officials touring the Kitty Market, currently under rehabilitation

Greening Bartica

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… 22 bid to provide renewable energy to community

GuySuCo hit Dataram by another clutching at straws -CANU strike

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Clutching at straws

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

… CANU says Dataram afraid of ‘solid case against him’

By Leroy Smith THE Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), says self-confessed drug trafficker Barry Dataram is “clutching at straws” and is afraid of the solid case the agency has against him in the ongoing trial for the more than 200 pounds cocaine bust last year at Diamond.

Dataram who has had several run-ins with the law over the years, is also wanted by the United States for drug-trafficking. Dataram in a televised interview accused CANU of corruption.

“CANU, them is the most corrupted, rogue security force in this country. They are the biggest drug dealer this country has. The same drug that they seize, half of it goes back on the street,” Dataram stated in an interview on HGPTV Channel 67’s Nightly News. Dataram reportedly said that he decided to go public with this information after CANU officers conducted a raid on his nephew’s house and removed $13 million; however they are only able to account for $10 million. The unit has since vehemently denied all allegations of impropriety.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle on Tuesday, Head of CANU James Singh is of the view that Dataram is now

“clutching at straws” since his court case in which he was busted with more than 200 pounds of cocaine last year is approaching and the fact that he is aware that the unit has a very solid case against him. Singh said that he is of the view that Dataram is trying to distract attention from the proceedings of the court and bring the operations of the unit and its members into disrepute. The head of CANU is also contending that when persons make claims such as the one that Dataram is making, it means that they could have several objectives. He described one of those objectives as the accuser’s operations being hampered by one or more than one officer, thus making it impossible for the drugs to pass the ports.

According to Singh, the unit would not be turning a deaf ear to the allegations of Dataram since they are very serious, but was quick to point out that once the evidence is not there to support the claims then there is very little that the unit can do.

Singh encouraged the drug accused to “come into the unit and make a formal statement,” or to at least make his statement under oath so that it would not be as loose as it is now. There is very little action that can be taken on the basis of such statements,

Drug accused, Barry Dataram

Head of CANU, James Singh

when the persons making them are unwilling to swear on them.

Asked if he feels that the unit might have been penetrated by the drug underworld, Singh reminded that there were incidents in the past where persons were fingered in activities which are not in keeping with their job and the oath they took.

He also spoke of two former

officers who are presently before the courts for allegedly accessing cocaine and putting those to their own use after the item had been seized.

Meanwhile contacted also on the issue was Dataram’s attorney Glen Hanoman, who was asked to comment on the claims that his client was making. Hanoman admitted that the incident involving the alleged theft of the money

angered Dataram and as such he went public.

The lawyer said that his client was upset that his relative claimed that the ranks who visited his home over the weekend did not declare all that they had taken from his home and in addition to that, other items were reportedly missing from the young man’s home. According to Hanoman, he has advised his client to make a report on the claims and that was to be done by writing to the Commissioner of Police and copied to the Minister of Public Security, since his client has no confidence in CANU investigating its own or more so itself.

However, in a statement Monday, CANU said: “The very Troy Dataram who now alleges impropriety on CANU’s ranks’ behalf saw his concerns being investigated by a relevant body disconnected from CANU. CANU is now informed that the said Troy Dataram signed to a handwritten transcript of a lengthy interview conducted by the

independent investigator in relation to the alleged missing three (3) million dollars. Without delving into the details of the ongoing investigation, Troy Dataram without any assistance from Barry Dataram after pages of relating a particular story as to his ownership of twelve (12) million dollars borrowed from a cousin in Canada to purchase land in Guyana, exclaimed much details to the effect that he was sorry that he lied to the investigator about the quantity of cash retrieved in the operation; and instead that is was in fact nine (9) million Guyana Dollars.” Further CANU said “it must be noted that Barry Dataram’s trial for possession of a large quantity of cocaine concealed in shrimp in 2015 in His Diamond abode has commenced in February 2016 in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and may be a source of much of the unease for Mr. Barry Dataram, hence his savagery against CANU.

Dr. Jennifer Westford’s fraud case…

Westford’s forgery trial begins April 18 FORMER Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings will go on trial come April 18, 2016 in relation to charges they are facing for alleged attempted larceny and forgery of documents for the purchase of State-owned vehicles.

The date of commencement was handed down by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore at yesterday court proceeding. Police Corporal, Bharrat Mangru indicated that a total of 17 witnesses would testify on behalf of the prosecution.

Last July, the former Government Minister appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court slapped with four

charges of attempted larceny. Westford entered a plea of not guilty when the charges were read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charges alleged that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, Westford attempted to transfer vehicles to four persons, namely: her husband Gary Beaton, Osbert McPherson, Wayne Walker and Delroy Lewis.

Her assistant, Margaret Cummings, was also charged for the attempted transfer of the state vehicles.

Cummings pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that she forged certain documents for the purchase of the eight motor vehicles. The duo was

released on $300,000 bail for each of the four charges.

Just last month, Westford and Cummings were each released on $4.8M bail by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after denying a total 24 charges which allege that they stole over $639M, while being employed in the Public Service.

Westford of Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Cummings, a mother of three, of Section A Diamond, EBD are being represented by a team of attorneys Rexford McKay, Neil Boston, Keisha Chase, Eusi Anderson, Bibi Shaddick, Brandon Glasford and Dexter Todd.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Greening Bartica … 22 bid to provide renewable energy to community

TWENTY-TWO 22 bids have been submitted for the provision of alternative energy in Bartica, the Public Infrastructure Ministry (MPI) has disclosed.

Consistent with the Government’s plans to 'Green Bartica’, the Public Infrastructure Ministry has, through a public tender process, solicited proposals from independent power producers to design and develop a generation system utilizing an appropriate renewable energy technology, or combination of technologies, under a build-own-operate-andtransfer (BOOT) structure, to supply 1.5 MW of power to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Bartica grid, under a negotiated and agreed power purchase agreement.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the MPI said the ‘Request for Proposal’ for submissions based on solar technology closed on Monday with a total of 22 bids submitted. Submissions were made by: Scheherazade Isoof Khan Business Development (Guy-

ana); Jamaica Energy Partners (Jamaica); Trinidad and Tobago Power Ventures Ltd.; GMS Solar (Guyana); UDECM Inc. (Ontario, Canada); Solar City (USA); Innogen Technologies Inc. (Barbados); Green Hearth Tree Energy (Canada); Future First Energy Experts and Suntuity (USA); Roraima Consulting Inc. (USA); DYNAF (Curacao); Blue Tech Financing Solutions (USA); Sunmoon; Pinnacle Construction and Engineering (Guyana); Deltro Group (Canada); Our Sun Guyana Inc.; SMA Sunbelt Energy (Germany); Associated Energy Developers (USA); Solus Energy (USA); K&P Project Management Company (Guyana); AGRLNDMAR Global (USA), and Peka Solar & Renewable Energy Inc. (USA).

The press statement said Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) facilitated the opening of the tenders in an occasion attended by representatives of 10 of the bidding companies and observed by Dr. Mahender Sharma, GEA CEO; and Horace Williams, CEO

Trial of Cobin Stephen for attempted murder THE trial of Cobin Stephen for attempted murder began yesterday at the Demerara Assizes before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a mixed jury.

The prosecution attempted to put an alleged oral confession in evidence when the accused objected.

This sparked off the holding of a voir dire (a trial within a trial) by the judge to determine the admissibility of the alleged confession.

The voir dire is expected to conclude today after which the general trial is expected to continue.

Some of the bidders who submitted their proposals of the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. In remarks, Dr. Sharma expressed appreciation to the bidders for their participation in the tendering process and support of Guyana’s vision for energy security, following a sustainable path.

The proposals will be evaluated on criteria, including their construct, efficiency, capacity, availability, and experience of the bidders.

Following this evaluation, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally engaged by the MPI, and those firms will be invited to submit full and

comprehensive proposals.

The ‘Green Bartica Plan’ is a Government of Guyana initiative that involves a holistic approach to sustainable economic growth in the impending township.

Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council’s (NDC) Interim Management Committee (IMC), Mr Gifford Marshall, had told Guyana Chronicle that an alternative source of energy would open “new doors of opportunities for the people of Bartica.”

The IMC Chairman said he is pleased that there are

ongoing discussions on the possible establishment of solar farms, wind mills and hydro power plants in Bartica – a decision which would reduce the town’s dependency on fossil fuel.

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) former Regional Chairman Holbert Knights, who currently heads the Bartica Independence Green Alliance (BIGA), had also said that an alternative source of energy would mean well for the people of Bartica. He opined that it would significantly reduce the cost for electricity.

It was pointed out that, on an average, residents pay between $8,000 and $10,000 monthly for the supply of electricity. However, Knights said, for those operating in the commercial sector, “it is much higher.”

Currently, Bartica is being powered by GPL. However, it has been a long and hard struggle to keep the lights on. The power station has, for years, been encountering technical problems because most of the operating generators have “outlived” their time.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

President to confer OR Anna Regina, Georgetown on Brazil Minister today municipalities in healthy exchange PRESIDENT David Granger will today confer Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira with the Order of Roraima (OR) at an Investiture Ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Vieira is on his first official visit to Guyana, and it is regarded as a follow-up to the discussions held between President Granger and his Brazilian counterpart, President Dilma Rousseff, during the MERCOSUR Summit in Brasilia in July 2015.

During the visit, a meeting will also be held with Foreign Affairs Minister, Vice President Carl Greenidge, on matters relating to the Guyana/Brazil bilateral cooperation programme and on issues of mutual interest on the regional and global agenda.

Guyana and Brazil have, over the years, enjoyed cordial relations. Brazil has provided military assistance to Guyana in the form of warfare training and logistics. And bilateral relations between the countries have recently increased as a result of Brazil’s new SouthSouth foreign policy, aimed at strengthening South American integration.

In 2010, then President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, had conferred the Order of Excellence, Guyana’s highest award, on outgoing Brazilian

Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira

President, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva.

More recently, the Government has re-engaged a Brazilian company, which had placed interest in the prospects of establishing a hydro project in the Mazaruni.

Discussions have been undertaken through high-level meetings. The last time both parties met was in April 2015, when a pre-feasibility analysis was submitted.

Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson, told the Natural Resources Committee of the National Assembly on Tuesday that the company can provide up to 3000 MGW of electricity, with 85 per cent supply guaranteed for the Brazilian Government, five per cent for Guyana, and the remainder will be under the purview of the Guyanese authorities, if it is needed.

As Local Government Elections (LGE) draw near, officers of the Georgetown Municipality interacted with their colleagues of the Anna Regina Municipality at a two-day workshop that concluded recently at Anna Regina.

The local government officers also examined ways in which municipalities can improve their service to citizens.

Town Clerk Diane Critchlow welcomed the officers from Georgetown and noted that the Georgetown Municipality is considered to be a model for other municipalities and Anna Regina stands ready to partner with Georgetown and learn from the successes of Georgetown.

“The Ann Regina Municipality is in need of help in many critical areas, we are cognisant that Georgetown Municipality can help,” Town Clerk Critchlow said.

The Anna Regina Town Clerk explained the many challenges the municipality faces and among them are a narrow revenue base, delinquent rate payers and stall holders and high staff turnover.

These, she explained, sty-

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mie the growth of the Anna Regina Municipality.

The officers discussed critical issues relevant to their field of work which included increasing the revenue-earning capacity of the municipalities, providing joint municipal training programmes for local government officers, expanding services in critical areas to help employees in need, upgrading of rate system and improving the rate collection, street vending and its impact on towns, the need to review the current City by-Laws, the need and importance of the Public Health Department in face of current environmental treats, improving relationship with critical stakeholders, and the need for the use of information and communication technologies to improve efficiency.

City Treasurer Ron Mc Calmon said municipalities are traditionally positioned as service oriented organisations.

Therefore, in economic down turns, the municipalities still have to continue to the provide service to the population and position itself to remain financially buoyant.

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Anna Regina Municipality Clerk of Markets Wazeer Dhanraj and her Georgetown counterpart in discussion

Hence, new revenue earing endeavors must be explored and implemented for municipalities to sustain its operations and remain relevant.

Georgetown City Treasurer Ron Mc Calmon was able to point out additional areas in which the revenue earning capability of the Anna Regina municipality can be enhanced.

He referred to the Municipal and District Council Act 28:01, where areas of the laws have not been put into effect by the Anna Regina Municipality.

Deputy Town Clerk Sharon Harry Munroe pointed to building of good relationship with all the stakeholders including the business community, residents and vendors.

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She pointed to the importance of encouraging dialogue with all stakeholders.

At the end of the twoday programme, the officers provided recommendations relevant to the areas that were discussed.

These recommendations were made taking into consideration the context and culture in which both municipalities function and the needs of the municipalities.

The Georgetown Municipality has pledged to provide training for Police Constables and Daycare Assistants for the Anna Regina Municipality. Also, officers from Georgetown would be seconded to Anna Regina to provide on-thejob training in other critical areas.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Private/Public Partnerships at forefront ‒ of efforts to develop the renewable energy sector

By Alva Solomon GOVERNMENT is open to establishing Private/ Public Partnerships for renewable energy projects since it views this method as an effective model to develop the energy sector.

This is against the backdrop of a number of projects being pursued this year in the renewable energy sector. Long-term projects are being actively pursued by government with a five-year timeline for the more viable of the larger hydro-electric projects under consideration.

This was indicated on Tuesday when Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and personnel from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) and agencies under its umbrella, appeared before the Natural Resources Committee of the National Assembly.

“All the projects that I mentioned here except those involving the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) are open Public/ Private Partnerships,” he told the committee, chaired

by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Odinga Lumumba.

Other members of the committee who were present at Tuesday’s meeting included Minister of State Joseph Harmon and other government MPs, namely Jermaine Figueira and Audwyn Rutherford.

Opposition MPs Pauline Sukhai and Yvonne Pearson were also in attendance.

Figueira, who questioned Patterson on the issue of private partnerships, also asked whether persons within the vicinity of projects can partner with the government.

Patterson noted that the government promotes local investment and to this end, if anyone is interested, he/

she will be considered once the requisite criterion has been met.

Patterson mentioned a range projects which will be pursued this year. These include sustainable energy projects funded by international credit facilities, including the IDB. He said there will be the insulation of inter-connected solar PV (photovoltaic) systems in several buildings and these are categorised as demonstration projects.

The facilities include the St Rose’s High School; the St Joseph High School; Queen’s College; the MPI; the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); and the Government Technical Institute (GTI).

On the wider scope, he said that this year the government is pursuing its national energy and implementation plan.

Patterson said the process is expected to commence in April 2016, and it will include key stakeholders of government and the private sector.

He said that a Steering Committee has been established and it is expected to follow clear policy guidelines in its mandate to achieve the requisite policy objectives.

PRELIMINARY WORK The minister noted that the MPI and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has commenced preliminary work on identifying hydro sources to match local demand and both entities are examining the opportunities for financing development of micro hydro projects for

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson

hinterland electrification.

He explained that there is a study being updated for the Guyana power-generation system expansion, from an initial study commissioned by the IDB in 2004.

He said the update is intended to appraise the future electricity demand scenario of Guyana, particularly the Demerara/Berbice interconnection system and the Linden area.

It identifies the best least-cost option for electricity demand. He said the study update will consider five high-capacity electricity projects with various capacities.

They include one at Kamaira (103 MGW); Tiger Hill (15 to 20 MGW); Tumatumari (up to 34 MGW); Kumaro (up to 86 MGW); and the Amaila Falls Project (165 MGW) .The draft for

the study has been submitted to the MPI, he noted.

In addition, Patterson said the government has re-engaged a Brazilian company which had placed interest in the prospects of establishing a hydro project in the Mazaruni. He said discussions have been undertaken through high-level meetings, and according to him, “they are still extremely interested in that proposal”.

He said the last time both parties met was in April 2015 and a pre- feasibility analysis was submitted. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also established with the company.

“There are two sites along the Mazaruni,” he told the committee.

He said the company can provide up to 3000 MGW of electricity, with an 85 per cent supply guaranteed for the Brazilian Government, five per cent for Guyana and the remainder will be under the purview of the Guyanese authorities, if it is needed.

“While there were some economic challenges at the time of signing of the MoU, the Brazilian financing agency has [the]financial capacity to commence the work, unfortunately, Brazil has some economic challenges,” he said. He said the company in question is seeking to engage partner support for the project.

Patterson spoke of the contentious Amaila Falls project, noting that its intent is intact; however, it is the financial model used for the project’s establishment and futuristic plans which

is being seen as faulty. The IDB is currently reviewing the project.

Patterson had told the committee earlier that the government is looking at the development of the energy sector with less dependency on fossil fuels and with a renewed interest on the de-

velopment of the renewable energy sector.

He then justified the intent of the regime in pursuing the projects discussed at the meeting. He said next year the plan is to institutionalise a framework of the government’s energy policy.

COP MURDERED ‒ two others injured by alleged rapist

By Leroy Smith POLICE Sergeant Leonard La Rose of the Matthews Ridge Police Station in the North West District, Region One, was killed on Tuesday evening as he and two other ranks attempted to arrest a suspect.

Information reaching this publication indicates that Constables Lewis and Shultz (only names given) were injured during a confrontation with the suspect, whom they were attempting to arrest. They are said to be in stable condition.

A resident had reportedly informed the police that a 13-year-old girl had been raped by the suspect, and La Rose and the two other policemen had gone in search of the suspect. In attempting to arrest him, Sergeant La Rose was stabbed, and succumbed to his injuries.

It is unclear whether Sergeant La Rose died on the spot or while receiving medical attention for the wounds he had sustained.

Police ‘F’ Division Commander, Senior Su-

Dead: Police Sergeant Leonard La Rose

perintendent Ravindradat Budhram, confirmed that the incident had taken place.

Sergeant La Rose, who had enlisted in the Guyana Police Force in 1995, is reportedly from the mining town of Linden, while the other two ranks each have five years of service in the Guyana Police Force.

The suspect is in police custody, and is expected to be charged for murder.

Arrangements were, up to late Tuesday evening, being made to have Sergeant La Rose’s body transported to the City.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

Editorial: 227-5216; 227-5204 guyanachronicle.com wnigel10@hotmail.com gnnleditorial@gmail.com

Editorial

Nation-building

NATION-building is hard work and relies on constant vigilance, sacrifice, self-critique and reverent commitment to the ideals that would promote, ensure and maintain a unified polity. It is work in constant process and progress. Our society was built and sustained for significant periods on the practice of divide-and-rule; where, with the exception of the Amerindian community, the others arrived from different parts of the world, but every group has brought to this nation’s landscape its unique culture (i.e. lived experiences), gave of their labour and expertise, and are deserving of being acknowledged.

The cultural and racial diversity that has shaped this national ethos has given us our unique characteristics as Guyanese, forged a nation, and developed nationhood and our sense of belonging. Grappling with these variants in the name of nation-building is an arduous task.

Nation-building requires vision, determination and steadfastness. Thus it is understandable that societies such as our CARICOM counterparts and USA consider it important to designate a date in their national calendar to commemorate the efforts of their founding fathers and mothers, which presents opportunity for national reflection -- to examine the contributions of these founding fathers and mothers, and to learn from and build on them.

The characteristics of nation-building, on which rest the foundation of welding a people together -- and in our case six peoples -- include creation of structures and institutions, such as a national motto, political system, laws, national anthem, national economy, national holidays, flag, folklore and language (in our instance our unique accent, linguistic expression, and structures that have shaped the Creole and English languages).

Where our society has been formed out of slavery, indentureship and colonial experiences; and groups have dominated others; and felt, or were conditioned to feel, that they were better than others, it requires resoluteness to ensure and maintain nation-building.

Unfortunately, this has not being without challenges. It should be said that the achievement of Independence (1966) and republican status (1970) has not realised the obliteration of historical thinking and practice of division, and to this attention is turned.

After 50 years of independence and 46 years of republican status, Guyana is still considered a young nation on the world stage. However, in a fast-paced world, it stands to the nation’s benefit if youth is not used or construed as a clutch to engage in acts and actions that would give rise to any speculation that we started before we were ready. We are an independent nation. More importantly, we are a republic, which means the destiny we are charting is solely in our hands to mould. The struggles, sacrifices and investment of every group without exception (race, political party, religion, et al) played a part in bringing us this far.

The unfortunate truth is that the contributions of groups are honoured, dismissed, or condemned and blown out of proportion (favourably or unfavourably) depending on who is speaking, and about whom. This aspect of our folklore may have been born out of the historical practice of divide-and-rule, which has sustained the myth of superiority and inferiority and guided treatment of the other, both at the level of the enslavers and among the enslaved, indentured and colonised. Remnants of it still remain. In the political sphere, it is not unreasonable to say that, having observed the dynamics, this folklore has come to characterise interpretation, acceptance and/or rejection of the contributions of ‘our own’ or ‘the other.’

There is a tendency in political discourse to view persons solely through binary lens. Persons are seen as either good or bad, and there is very little effort, if any, to engage in nuances in assessing someone’s or group’s contributions to nation-building.

It has become politically fashionable – nay, acceptable -- to ignore any good, deny it, or bequeath it to another for those

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Leaking of Rodney CoI Report conspiratorial Dear Editor, THE Kaieteur News of Feb. 29, 2016 carried an Oscar Ramjeet letter captioned “That document should not have been leaked”. In that letter, Mr Ramjeet contended that “so far no government official or anyone from the PPP or WPA has questioned who leaked the COI Report on the death of Walter Rodney.”

While he might be right about the named entities not posing the question, let it be known that, as early as Feb. 20th, the Forbes Burnham Foundation raised the question at its annual conference, and also at a subsequent

public forum which was covered by the media, and as recent as Feb. 28th on its monthly programme, ‘State of the Nation’.

The Foundation sees it as very conspiratorial that the Report was leaked, and published on Feb. 20th, the birth anniversary of the man whom the reported demonises; and that, but a day after, the Former President, Mr Ramotar, made one of his infrequent forays into the press in an extensive article, claiming that he had been vindicated, as if to suggest that he had established the Commission to verify his stance on the matter, rather than to determine the truth. He was so trium-

phant he could not allow the Report to speak for itself.

The Burnham Foundation, which had, in June 2014, expressed reservations about the composition and manner of establishment of the Commission before it began its work, was inclined to await its official release before commenting; but in light of others commenting, the Foundation will shortly make its studied position public.

Yours sincerely, VINCENT ALEXANDER Chairman, Forbes Burnham Foundation

Help and Shelter offers to help UG fight sexual violence Dear Editor, HELP & Shelter has noted the headline report in the Sunday Chronicle of 28/02/2016 of a female student who was reportedly gang raped on the UG Campus, and the report in Stabroek News of 29/2/16 that UG has said that its investigation has revealed no basis to conclude that the student was sexually assaulted.

We await further information, as there is considerable conflict between the contents of the two reports.

Irrespective of whether the student was sexually assaulted, credible research has shown that university and college campuses -- especially those that have residential housing for students -- are high on the list of places where women are at increased risk of being sexually assaulted or suffer other forms of sexual violence, including sexual harassment.

It is imperative that the measures the university has said it is taking to enhance security on campus include mechanisms

to ensure that ALL students who form part of the university body -- and in particular female students -- are given the necessary support and protection from all forms of sexual violence.

In particular, we recommend that UG should immediately introduce the following on campus: A policy which outlaws and criminalizes all forms of sexual violence, including sexual harassment; protocols which clearly outline all steps which must be taken by UG to address reports of sexual violence, including reporting procedures and referrals to services and relevant feedback; support services for students who are survivors of sexual violence, including psycho-social counselling on site and/or arrangements with other competent social services; a campus-wide ongoing informational and educational programme for all students and staff, including IEC materials on rape; rape culture; rape myths; victim blaming; sexual violence; the Sexual Offences Act; links between gender and sexual violence; what to do if raped or

sexually assaulted; UG’s policy and protocols for addressing sexual violence; mandatory signing onto the policy for the prevention of rape and sexual violence by all students and academic and non-academic staff; and adequate security for students’ safety in and around the campus.

Help & Shelter, with its 20 years of experience in counselling and court support services for survivors of sexual violence, and with its public education programmes, is ready and available to offer its services to assist UG students and the UG administration in prevention and protection from the scourge of sexual violence, which for the most part continues unabated and without adequate investigation, protection, prosecution, and support in Guyana.

Yours faithfully, DANUTA RADZIK JOSEPHINE WHITEHEAD GAITRIE SHIVSANKAR For Help & Shelter

Shias were not invited Dear Editor,

WATCHING the TV news a few days ago, I observed that the Minister of Social Cohesion had a meeting with representatives of Muslims in Guyana.

Quite noticeable to me was the absence of any representative from the Shia community. Perhaps the Minister is unaware of the presence of Shia in Guyana.

As the name of the Ministry suggests, she needs to be aware of the various communities that exist in Guyana. For this reason, Mr. Editor, I would greatly

appreciate the publishing of this letter in your letters column.

There are three established and expanding Shia communities in Guyana: in Georgetown, Berbice and Linden.

They all have centres in which there are prayers, classes, and special commemorative events being observed. A mosque has also been established in Berbice. The presence of Shia in the world has been very much highlighted within recent times in the international news, as events are focused on Iran and the surrounding States.

Also making the international news

on the ‘other side.’ Adversities are not seen as lessons to learn from and move on, or eras in our evolution considered to be deserving of contextualisation and explanation. Rather, there is pre-occupation to view events through inflexible lens, and demand that others follow suit, unconcerned that such an outlook can be debilitating.

Appreciatively, we are an expressive people, and we should be heard. The freedom to share ideas, information and knowledge is fundamental and important to human existence, growth

quite often are the suicide attacks on Shias by extremists.

Your print media has reported recently of two events that created quite a stir internationally -- execution of the leading Shia Cleric, Sayyid Nimr, by the Saudi authorities, and the abduction and torture of Shia Leader Imam Zakzaki in Nigeria.

Shias are those Muslims who follow the Islam that has been handed down to them through the medium of the Progeny (direct descendants) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and they include the bulk of the direct descendants of the Holy ProphContinued on page 7 ►

and development, and this must be protected and defended at all cost. That being said, it is not unreasonable to expect and demand frank, open and honest conversations, wherein those being the subject of our attention or angst are viewed/analysed in similar context to those admired or not so admired. In our diverse society, nation-building can thrive when folklore is confined to stories about Massacooramaan, Ole Higue, Brer Anancy and the like. There is no doubt that we are capable of rising to the occasion.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Shias were... et. The Holy Prophet himself addressed the noble personalities who were always in the company of Ali, his cousin and son-in-law, as ‘Shia-teAli’ or associates of Ali. Some Muslims continued in their close association with Ali and the other members of the Ahlul Bayt (The Family of the Holy Prophet – Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Hassan, Hussain) after the death of the Holy Prophet.

They were called the Shiate-Ali, Shiite or Shia. Today there are approximately 350 million Shiite Muslims in the world. Of the total Muslim population of 1.6 billion, about 20% are Shia Muslims.

Most Shias (between 68% and 80%) live in just four countries: Iran, Pakistan, India and Iraq. Sizable amounts are found in the neighbouring countries of Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, and in Azerbaijan and the surrounding Arab States of Bahrain and Yemen; and there are growing minorities spread worldwide.

Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and the surrounding Arab States of Bahrain and Yemen are referred to as the Shia Crescent, a term used to describe an emerging alliance and power. Arabia itself has 20% Shia.

Shias, through oppressed, have contributed significantly to progress in all spheres of human life throughout Islamic History. They were often employed as administrators in the Arab caliphate. Imam Ali’s system of government has been recognized by the United Nations as a model for the world. Details of Shia contributions past and present can be easily obtained via the Internet.

Among the Muslim indentured labourers that came from India to British Guiana, about 700 were Shia (ref. the National Archives) and the Shia festival of Tadja, commemorating the Tragedy of Kerbala in which Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet, and 72 close relations and friends were martyred by the ruling Omayyad Caliphate, became the most important festival of the indentured labourers. The festival gained popularity and vibrancy to the extent that it was banned by the British out of fear that it would spark

From page 6

a revolution. However, some communities in the Corentyne continued the festival until the early 70s. God willing, we hope to revive this festival as a cultural heritage. As a matter of fact, the Muslims that came to Guyana were more of a Shia nature, as Persian influence was dominant in the 800 years of Muslim rule of India. Evidence of this is seen from the names that were given to Muslim children, and a look at commemorations that were observed and various forms and words of poetry (Qaseedas) that are still sung on occasions.

Muslims were either given names of Ali along with epithets of Ali, e.g. Chirag Ali (Light of Ali); or names of the Family of the Holy Prophet, which was unusual in the Sunni Arab world.

Guyanese Muslims have more affinity to the Islam practised in the Persian Peninsula than to that in Arabia.

It was quite recently, with the influence of scholars from Saudi Arabia, that the younger generation was indoctrinated into the Arab style of Wahabiism and Salafiism.

Some notable Shia persons have, over the years, been coming to Guyana to contribute beneficially to the society. Those include the Indian High Commission Cultural Attache, Mr Hyder; UNICEF’s Dr. Grace Begum; and Iraqi medical student Muhammad Al Maliki. An Iranian Shia Scholar, Hassan Ibraheemi, who spent a few years in Guyana, was kidnapped and killed, sparking an Interpol investigation and the visit of Iranian police and ambassadors to Guyana.

Many Shia scholars and high ranking officials have visited Guyana and have been guests of Shia communities.

Shia scholars, in their mission to reach out to the Guyanese society, have been well featured on various television channels and in interactions with the society in both Islamic and non-Islamic forums.

With these facts presented, Mr. Editor, it is my hope that the Minister of Social Cohesion becomes aware of the Shia presence.

Yours truly, ASHRAF ALLI

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Security at the University

By Akola Thompson

LAST Friday, I left my class before it had officially ended which was around 6:30pm. My first thought as I left the well-lit building which stood a few feet away from the infamous U.G caiman pond was, I do not feel safe.

There were no lights in that general area, at least none which were strong enough to cast discernable beams, so I walked as quickly as I could between sources of light. No sooner had I reached the lights when I was once again plunged into darkness and thoughts of my safety came at me again. It was not a short walk.

As I was walking down to the bus park which is a good way from my class (as for some odd reason buses are not allowed past a

certain point on the campus despite the time or weather) I heard a man whom I recognised to be a lecturer shouting at the guards for being inefficient and not doing their jobs.

I lingered in that dark space listening to the man berate the guards for their negligence, which he insinuated caused a young female student to have been gangraped. I eventually spoke to him after he emerged and in listening to his narrative, I immediately saw the irony of me, a lone female student, standing in the dark on campus when I was told that the girl was raped during high afternoon. The lecturer later retracted his statements and stated that he did not know whether there had been a rape or not. From all indications, the incident did not take place as alleged.

Despite that, it caused me to recognise the glaring security issue that faces the university. Last year, for example, the university’s security system and personnel proved to be inefficient at best when students returning from the Christmas break found their possessions and doors missing. Thieves, despite the security systems put in place, had vandalised the dorms This was by no means the first such occurrence.

Throughout the years, there have been incidents in which students have been attacked and robbed on the university campus. Despite the spate of robberies and violence against students however, the administration last year opted to scale down on security guards when the opposite should have happened.

I will admit that the administration upon realising the need for entrance-point security checks, has seen the guards diligently carrying out these tasks. However, I do not believe the either the administration or the engaged security firm to be fully understanding of what a security check is. The security check implemented by the administration and carried out by the guards just entails a person showing either their student badge or I.D. card before walking or driving into campus.

The first thought I had when I was first subjected to the security check and one that has humorously come time and time again was, “Are they checking to make sure we are humans like webpages normally do?”

Oftentimes I tell them that I possess no badge nor I.D. and

I am still let through, causing me to ask the question what exactly do these measures solve?

The university has traditionally not done the optimum in keeping its campus safe. Before being enrolled at the campus, I occasionally went to see what it was all about, no one ever stopped me to ask me what I was going to do, never checked my bag or even looked in my general direction. While the security checkpoint has changed that, it can arguably be said to be a cosmetic measure.

The administration should ensure that there are hourly or quarterly patrols throughout the day, especially in the evenings and especially in isolated parts of the campus.

I was told that patrols do happen, but never seeing a security guard outside of the

guard hut, entrance points and the library, I am inclined to label this as false.

I have heard murmurings of campus security cameras and I am unsure whether they were put into place and even if they were, which areas are they targeting?

As a student who is concerned about the safety of herself and fellow students and lecturers, more must be demanded from the UG administration and its security systems and protocols.

While the recent incident might have turned out to be a false flag, the conditions that currently exist – the inadequate lighting, the absence of clear security patrols, the relative absence of security cameras – together constitute an environment in which just such an incident is not only likely, but perhaps inevitable.

Guyanese Director-General of CATIE OUTSTANDING Guyanese national Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim on Monday took up his position as new Director General of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education (CATIE).

The inauguration ceremony, held at the headquarters of CATIE, in Turrialba, was attended by Luis Guillermo Solis, President of the Republic of Costa Rica; several government representatives; the diplomatic corps and staff; students and partner and donor institutions of CATIE. Ibrahim said that assuming the Directorate-General of CATIE is a commitment that has special relevance for him personally and professionally.

“I have the challenge of leading this prestigious centre in a time when the countries of tropical America are challenged to develop their agriculture in a sustainable, climate-smart, competitive and inclusive manner, besides doing it in harmony with the conservation of natural resources and ecosystem services. CATIE objectives are aligned with these challenges and the institution is a leader and pioneer in promoting agriculture and conservation of natural resources in the Region," said Ibrahim.

The new director graduated in agricultural sience at the University of Guyana, in Guyana in 1985, obtained a Master’s Degree in agricultural science and renewable natural resources, with emphasis on ruminant nutrition at CATIE in 1989 and a doctorate in agricultural science and the environment at the Wageningen Agricultural University, the

Netherlands, in 1994.

He has made notable contributions in the field of the environment and livestock and is recognised as a leader in innovation and development of sustainable farming systems and intelligent climate in Latin America.

While he worked at CATIE, from 1995 to 2012, he founded the Programme Livestock and Environmental Management, which has played an important role in the transition from traditional systems to environmentally friendly systems.

President Solis congratulated Ibrahim as new Director-General of CATIE, noting that he has not only assumed the enormous challenge with great clarity, reliability and commitment, but will build it in the hands of colleagues, the hand of a community that wants it and with the support of productive sectors, which for many years constituted a permanent reference for their work.

"I wish him well and let me promise the continued support of the Government of the Republic to this institution that has brought much benefit to Latin America and the Caribbean," Solis said.

Ibrahim will be CATIE Director General for a period of four years (2016-2020), after Costa Rican Jose Joaquin Campos had occupied this position for two consecutive terms.

José Joaquín Campos, the outgoing director, said that after eight years of work, CATIE has established itself as an international university, besides being a regional scientific plat-

Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim form and an institution of great value to member countries.

"I'm sure CATIE will continue to provide options for sustainable development of rural areas of Latin America and the Caribbean," said Campos.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Diverse trio in LGE race to better communities

FOR LOCAL Government Elections (LGEs) three men with maturity, experience and leadership are seeking to be elected councillors of Georgetown constituency number one.

This constituency covers Kingston, Thomas Lands, Non-Pareil, Cummingsburg, Alberttown and Queenstown.

The team of professionals under the APNU+AFC banner includes: Phillip Smith, 49, of Fourth Street, Albertown, who is a quantity surveyor and construction auditor; Dr. Lionel Jaikaran, 49, of Parade Street, Kingston, an eye care specialist and President of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC); and there is Oswald Young of Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, who is involved in garment and design productions. He also teaches and facilitates courses in his field.

Collectively, the three agreed that there was need for streetlights, proper drainage and the upgrading and revival of playgrounds for youths to develop various sporting skills. The group also plans to address the issue of waste disposal by the six hospitals that are in their constituency.

Presently, the team is hosting meetings with members of their constituency; one such was held yesterday at the DCC Ground. On

Thursday, one will be held at Christ Church Secondary School and Saturday another will be held in Kingston. Persons will be made aware through the use of loud speakers in their respective areas.

In sharing his opinion on what type of councillor he would aspire to be, Phillip Smith said people needed to be more in the fields than in their offices if they expect to have any impact on the community and its development.

“We as candidates have already begun doing work.

We have addressed several issues in our area and communities with the drainage systems and other issues.

We are in touch with council (M&CC) on issues of security, street lights, drainage, sewage systems and youth and sports development in all areas,” Smith explained.

Being trained and qualified in the construction industry as a quantity surveyor, Smith said when any work was being done in the constituency, he would personally seek value for money. “When I inspect, it’s for quality, control and transparency. I’m also an acting director at the audit office and I understand from experience that transparency brings about value for money.”

(From Left) Phillip Smith, optometrist Lionel Jaikaran and Oswald Young, who are contesting LGE Georgetown constituency #1, during one of their many discussions He said the challenge is for members of the communities to remove their minds from strictly politics to one where the best choices are made for the community.

“People look too much at a party rather than what the persons have to offer the community in the form of development, but if a party is supportive of a group, then that group has better access to politicians who can assist with complaints from a community,” Phillips noted.

Smith, who is also a Lions Club member, said issues

surrounding waste disposal by the six hospitals in their constituency would also be addressed and if elected, monthly meetings in a town hall form will be held to listen to views from members of the community.

Optometrist Lionel Jaikaran said he has lived all his life in Kingston and he understood the core interests of his constituency.

As a councillor, if elected, Dr Jaikaran said the team would be looking into the creation of a new abattoir, since the present one need-

ed significant upgrading to be on par with standards expected from such a place which deals with livestock for the community’s consumption.

The father of three said recently the garbage-disposal system was enhanced tremendously, but there was room for improvement and there was need to educate the community on recycling and its benefits for an integrated community.

“I’m glad the government chose to outlaw styrofoam boxes which were a huge bur-

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den on the environment and garbage-disposal system,” the optometrist said.

Expressing his confidence in his managerial and leadership skills, the GCC President said based on his experience in various capacities, he had the potential to assist the development of the community he represented.

Garment and designer/ producer, Oswald Young, said over the past 16 years he was involved in training youths in the art of garment construction and designing.

He said having experience with school dropouts and single parents had exposed him to a wealth of information in dealing with members of society. He alluded to the fact that proper social services offered at the community level were greatly needed while addressing the problem of vagrancy.

The father of five, the youngest being 20 years of age, said the issue of security in the community also needed to be addressed and there was need for revival of the policing groups to offer security on the ground level for a safer neighbourhood.

The Lions Club member also said playgrounds needed to be upgraded to facilitate a greater diversity of sports for the youths who have time on their hands.

Rice farmers plead for payments … costs increase as dry spell continues

THE cost of production continues to rise as farmers are laden with a host of unforeseen expenses due to the perpetual dry spell, which has led to much “above normal” investments into the maintenance of their rice crops and livestock.

Farmers of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), yesterday stressed the fact that they had incurred additional expenses due to the inconsistency of rainfall over the two past months, which had led to the boost in labour cost and a host of other costs.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, rice farmer Besham Oodit underlined that over the past two months he had incurred a number of additional expenses in getting his crop up and ready for harvesting season.

“We normally have to pump water once every four

days, now it is twice a day, causing us to use up a lot of gas by travelling day by day to the fields. Apart from that, in order for us to sustain our crops, we had to hire additional labourers. When on a regular you [basis] would only require one, it is now up to three and even four,” said Oodit.

This combined with the cost per bag of paddy being $2,200, and the regular cost of production being at least $2,300, he said, is daunting their hopes of accumulating even the slightest bit of profits.

Apart from that, another rice farmer Ram John disclosed that he was, “milking the last drop of milk from the cow,” meaning that he is taking what little he has to sustain his family, as well as maintain his rice crop.

John lamented that himself along with a number of other farmers are awaiting payments from one of the popular millers from the area.

A figure of just over $4 Million is allegedly owed him.

The payment of rice farmers has been a perennial issue over the past few years; as such, he said that many attempts to seek assistance from officials have proved futile.

Consequently, the industry he said, is struggling at the moment and urgent help from the government is needed in order to get them back on their feet.

AERIAL SPRINKLE With the expenses rising, another factor which hinders rice farmers is the fact that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned

Farmer Ram John shares his bit

Richard Hookumchand speaks to the Chronicle

Besham Oodit speaking with this newspaper

aerial sprinkling, causing them to now apply pesticides and insecticides on foot or by tractor.

This process, farmer Richard Hookumchand said is impeding the timeliness of their preparations, while also causing them to incur more

expenses for labour and gas.

In contrast with the fact that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) was using planes to apply pesticides to their crops, the rice farmers, Hookumchand lamented, are faced with the burden of doing their bit on foot.

Thus, the farmers are calling on the relevant authorities to review this decision, given that the sugarcane fields are closer to housing than the rice fields, which he said are mostly five to six miles away from houses.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Guyana, Russia discuss security cooperation AN AGREEMENT to strengthen the bilateral legal framework for interaction between law enforcement agencies in Guyana and Russia was among key issues discussed when the Russian Ambassador to Guyana Nikolay Smirnov met the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan on Monday.

Coordinator of the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons, Major General (Retired) Michael Atherly was also present during the high level meeting.

When finalized, the cooperation agreement will be signed between the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Public Security of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

An earlier agreement on cooperation between the Federal Service of the Russian Federation for Narcotics Traffic Control and the Home Affairs Ministry (now Public Security Ministry) signed in Havana in February 2012 was also considered to establish progress made in this regard.

The Russian side has expressed its willingness to continue providing courses for Guyanese police during the present year 2016.

“One Police Sergeant has recently been admitted to the “Incident Site Inspection Finger-Printing Identification Programme” to be held in Moscow University of the Ministry of Interior of Russia from March 28 – April 26, 2016,” a joint statement stated.

It said too that the recent abolishment of the visa requirement between the two countries now facilitates easy travel of Guyanese policemen to Russia.

“The Russian Government has been facilitating training for Guyanese policemen over several years and intends to extend such training to programmers being done at the Regional Counter Drug Law-Enforcement Training Centre in Managua and the Russian-Cuban Fire and Rescue Training Center in Havana.”

The training will strengthen the capacity of participants to fight illicit drug traffic and prevent, cope and recover from natural disasters, fires and other emergencies.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan shaking hands with the Russian Ambassador to Guyana Nikolay Smirnov in the presence of Coordinator of the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons, Major General (Retired) Michael Atherly.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Freed murder accused nabbed in burglary attempt

AN acquitted murder accused was on Monday arrested and is currently in custody after attempting to break into a Republic Park, East Bank Demerara residence earlier this week.

It is believed that Vishal Seecharan, called ‘Markie’, of Mocha, East Bank Demerara, is behind multiple breakins at the same residence and other robberies in the area.

The tenant of the residence Altovise Smith said that she was at home on Monday morning when she heard loud voices in the yard. Upon going downstairs, she found a family friend whom she was expecting to visit her that day

escorting the young man out of the yard.

When asked what he was doing in the yard, ‘Markie’ responded that he wanted some mangoes, except, there were no mangoes in the surrounding trees. He then said that he was sent by a “dark skinned man” to clean the yard. Upon seeing the man’s face, Smith realized that she had seen him before in the vicinity of the house, just around the time two break-ins occurred at her home. Smith then called the police who arrested the man and took him into custody.

The woman recalled that on February 25, she went

downstairs to find clothing strewn throughout the garage as well as other signs that someone had been “looking for something”. Upon investigating, she found the back door open. The following day, Smith said that even though she was sure she locked the door after finding it open the day before, she woke up to find it open again with several items missing, including a large quantity of wares and other items that had been stored in the garage. She recalled also hearing a sound at her gate and when she looked outside, she saw a man who looked like ’Markie’ walking away

with a bucket of items on a bicycle, which she did not immediately recognize as her own.

“I thought it was strange but he didn’t look like he was in a hurry, so I thought maybe he came calling to sell something and walked away when nobody answered. Then I called the guy who does maintenance on the house to come and check because I couldn’t imagine how someone kept coming in when the

door bolts from inside,” she said. When the man checked the premises it was discovered that the louvres to a small window at the back of the house were removed and placed on a drum situated just below the opening. It was then that they suspected that the assailant used that window as his point of entry on both nights.

After being taken to the Providence Police Station, it was revealed that

‘Markie’ was suspected as being behind several other robberies in the area, including a break-in at the Peter’s Hall Seventh Day Adventist Church. The man is also connected with the 2008 murder of an elderly woman from Canal Number 2 during a robbery at the woman’s home. After being in prison for almost seven years, ‘Markie’ along with three other suspects were acquitted in 2014.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Market rush

…‘flood’ of applications for spots at Kitty Market

By Alva Solomon As rehabilitative works continue on the Kitty Market, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has seen an increase in vendor applications to vend at the facility.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green when the city official toured the facility to inspect works which are ongoing at the site at the corner of Alexander and Barr Streets, Georgetown.

According to the top City official, there is heightened interest in the market.

“You have a whole host of application for stalls in the market,” she noted. “So people are now coming back... everybody is saying – look, we want back our stall in the market we give up 20 years ago because we didn’t able,” she added.

There are 46 vendors at Kitty Market, if all are operating at the same time, she said. Since there is the increase in interest by persons to vend there, she said preference will be given to those persons who were selling from the inception. She said the priority will be done in an orderly fashion.

“Some people were there before, they were still selling,” she said. Chase-Green noted that some would have opened their stalls once in a while in keeping with the laws of the City which stipulates that a stall should not be

The Clock Tower of the market will be rehabilitated

closed for seven days or more continuously.

As regards the works, the Deputy Mayor said she is satisfied at the pace and scope of the works completed so far.

The Deputy Mayor noted that she felt satisfied that staffers of the Council are working on the project.

“To know that it is our own City Council workers that have been lying dormant for so long are now able to put their skills out that the public can see that we are capable as a Council,” she said, adding that there are very skilled persons under the employ of the Council.

Her visit was to ensure that the workers are properly protected while on duty as she had received reports that

Fixing the roof of the market

Workers rolling zinc sheets near the meat section of the market

they were not properly attired as regard wearing protective clothing.

While she was pleased in this regard, she was not fully satisfied with some of the men’s attire but the situation was expected to be corrected Tuesday. As regards the timeline for works to be completed based on assessment thus far, ChaseGreen said while ideally the plan is to have the structure ready in time for this year’s Independence celebrations in May, if the works are not completed in time, the project will continue to ensure it is satisfactorily completed.

As regards the style and finishing touches to the

building, Chase-Greene said the beautification of the market will be done on a “step by step” basis.

The City Council will meet with the vendors to discuss each party’s plans for the market when it is completed.

These include fees and other areas under the mandate of the municipality. Payment of fees to vend at the market varies, according to the type of merchandise being sold.

SIT DOWN “We are working with the vendors so when we sit with the vendors and we say what our plans are, they will say what their vision is,” the Deputy Mayor noted.

“The change (rehabilitation) is not to displace anybody... it is to make sure everybody is conformable,” she added.

At the moment, several vendors sell their goods aback the current structure at a location which was set aside for them. Others vend opposite the structure.

Vendor, Jean Mc Andrew told this newspaper that persons are “highly-motivated” at the works being undertaken. She said the vendors are all very happy and they expressed hope that additional business can be undertaken when works on the market are completed.

Mc Andrew has been selling mainly food at the market for some seven, and plans to expand her business in the months ahead.

The Deputy Mayor operates a reasonable sized stall which she inherited from her mother.

Another vendor, who sells clothing, noted that customers have been trickling back to market in recent months, and according to her, there are those faithful customers who support the businesses there.

The vendors told this newspaper that they anticipate an increase in business when the works are completed.

The market is being rehabilitated at an estimated $240M and the Council is working along with Government to offset the cost.

Chase-Greene noted that the municipality has been able to work now with the Government which she believes has a vision for the Capital City.

She said too that the Turn to page 14 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Sancho to serve 9 Market... years for wounding

COLIN Sancho, a man charged with attempted murder and whom a jury found was fit to stand trial, pleaded guilty to wounding and was jailed for nine years yesterday.

Firstly a 12-member jury found that the accused was fit to face trial. After this was made known, Sancho offered a plea to wounding, which the prosecution accepted.

Sancho exhibited remorse and claimed

that he was sorry for what happened.

Presiding judge Justice Navindra Singh imposed a 15-year sentence on the prisoner who benefitted from a six-year deduction by virtue of his six years’ incarceration.

This resulted in Sancho having to serve only nine years.

State Counsel Miss Narissa Leander prosecuted. Attorney-at-law Mr. Peter Hugh defended.

Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene speaks to officials at the work site Tuesday morning during her visit there

Council puts its plans on the table and what it can financially undertake, it pursues.

On the contrary, if unable, the Council approaches the private sector, the diplomatic community and other stakeholders/groups. “They are coming on board with us,” she said.

The Council has a number of projects which it plans to pursue. These include the rehabilitation of health centres, including the Albouystown Health Centre.

In addition, it had announced plans to rehabilitate the Stabroek Market Wharf and the boardwalk there while plans are in the pipeline to renovate the abattoir on Water Street.

The Deputy Mayor noted that the City’s only abattoir has been in a deplorable state for years and the Council was unable to carry out its mandate to rectify the situation in the years gone by.

“So by the end of the day, it will go beyond.... We want to make Georgetown a model City… every community a model community,” Chase-Green said.

From page 13

M&CC PRO Debra Lewis checks old receipt books at the Kitty Market

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Use LGE to unite communities – AG tells Linden dinner ATTORNEY-GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams said according to the Constitution, the basis for local government elections is social cohesion – uniting the people in their communities.

Minister Williams made this statement during a Business Dinner hosted by Constituency #3 of Linden (Central Mackenzie) at the Watooka Club last Tuesday.

The event was held in an effort to raise funds to support the constituency candidates Devin Sears and Leroy James in their run for Local Government Elections slated for March 18, 2016.

Minister Williams said at the local government level, candidates were positioned to understand their constituency and its problems. Further, the AG stated that LGE is designed to give citizens control of their communities.

He reminded them that the Government was focused on building communities, hence the creation of a Ministry of Communities - a Ministry focused on uplifting and uniting people.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson; Members of Parliament Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford; Interim Management Committee Chairman, Orin

Gordon; Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, Campaign Manager Sandra Adams, former Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo and candidates for the other constituencies were among those in attendance.

Minister Patterson, in her address disclosed her plans for housing in the community, including her intention to create 2,000 house lots this year. The Regional Chairman, on the other hand, remarked on the fact that a number of investors were showing interest in Linden, especially in the area of tourism. He encouraged attendees to think “outside the box” when considering business opportunities.

Constituency Candidate Devin Sears highlighted the many plans for the development of Linden. These include working with the relevant stakeholders to reduce the economic gap; regularization of squatters; affordable housing; creation of policies which encourage sustainable farming; development of spaces for community parks; safe garbage disposal systems; enforcement of food handling and environmental practises and transparent accountability in the Mayor and Town Council.

The enthusiastic candidates assured attendees of their commitment to work.

Ian Amsterdam to head ‘B’ Division ASSISTANT Police Commissioner Ian Amsterdam will assume command of the ‘B’ Division police in Berbice.

This has been confirmed by sources within the Guyana Police Force, who indicated that Amsterdam, presently on annual leave, will head to the division upon his resumption of duty in the coming week.

The Guyana Chronicle has been told that while other reshuffling will take place as a result of the recent promotion of senior officers, coupled with the death of Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud, those transfers would not take place before the holding of Local Government Elections.

This newspaper was told that one of the reasons the Force is reluctant to engage in any major reshuffling of police ranks is because seniors within the division would have already identified persons to man various areas during the Local Government polls, and a reshuffle at this time would poten-

Ian Amsterdam

tially cause some amount of disruptions and confusion of the process.

Had the police received the list of promotions at the traditional December 31st deadline, the transfers would have already taken place.

Once in ‘B’ Division, Amsterdam would be supported by Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, who is already serving in the division as the substantive deputy commander, but is presently performing the duties of commander since the substantive commander, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Griffith, has been elevated to the position of Force Operations Officer. (Leroy Smith)

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams delivering remarks during the Business Dinner last Tuesday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Region Two REO fires back - says Aurora Secondary Project engineer should account for missing materials REGION Two Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson is contending that the engineer of the Aurora Secondary School Project should account for the building materials that were stolen at the work site a few weeks ago.

Hopkinson in a comment told the Guyana Chronicle that the project engineer is responsible for monitoring the materials from the school which was demolished, for the construction of a new building.

The REO had instructed the project consultant and engineer that the materials from the demolition be taken to the regional compound at Anna Regina.

It was expected to be used for minor repairs at the main office and donation to various non-governmental organisations.

But soon after the REO’s instruction, some 80 per cent of the materials disappeared.

According to the contract document seen by this publication, a sum of $200,000 was allocated to the project engineer for removal of the materials.

The contract “Allows for the demolishing and removal of the existing structures and foundations of the existing primary/nursery school, canteen, computer laboratory, trestle, etc, to the satisfaction of the supervisory consultant.

Rates should include the carting away and proper

Region Two REO Rupert Hopkinson disposal of all demolished materials to the satisfaction of the engineer,” the document stated.

Mr Hopkinson, while not pinning any particular person to the act of stealing the materials, contended that the unfortunate action of the culprits points to a culture of dishonesty he met when he assumed the post of Region Two REO. After the materials went missing, Mr Hopkinson came under much criticism, but he said most of the comments were misplaced.

He said the REO cannot watch over all the infrastructural developments in the region 24/7, and as such, persons are employed on the ground to do basic monitoring.

In this case, Mr Hopkinson stressed it was the project engineer who was in charge and should be held accountable for the missing materials.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

GuySuCo hit by another strike

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has reported that another strike was staged on Tuesday by 1700 sugar workers.

This was told to the Government Information Agency (GINA) by the corporation’s Finance Director, Paul Bhim.

In a telephone interview with GINA, Bhim said the impact of the strike will be known tomorrow. The first crop only recently commenced and GINA reported on Monday that the corporation was on track with its production that is 11,243 tonnes (as of Monday).

All the factories recently started grinding with the exception of Skeldon, which is due to begin on Thursday. The firstcrop target is 80,500 tonnes. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said it would be calling a 24-hour strike every Tuesday to press for negotiations to iron out issues relating to wages, the Annual Production Incentive (API), and closure of the Wales Estate.

According to GINA, the corporation has already made clear its position on these matters in light of its financial situation which it is working to reverse. GuySuco stated that a huge investment is needed for the rehabilitation of the Wales Estate, one it cannot afford. On the issue of the API, it stated that it could afford only two-and-a-half days, but the union has been clamouring for five-and-a-half days.

The industry is seeking to continue reversing its ineffective performance and return to profitability eventually.

The merging of the Wales and Uitvlugt Estates is one of the measures being taken to ensure this goal is achieved.

The overall target for 2016 is approximately 240,000 tonnes. Although the company achieved the 2015 production target, it still has to battle weakening prices, aged machinery and high production costs;thus, government has approved the sum of $9Billion for the corporation for 2016.

Wednesday March 2nd, 2016 - 11:00 hrs Thursday March 3rd, 2016 - 12:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Webb had $2M salary as CONCACAF ...

From back page

Watson.

In the report, Bloomberg said Webb used CONCACAF funds

to hire a security firm to sweep his Atlanta home and the Miami offices for listening devices. Evidence revealed in the CarePay trial last month also implied that Webb had purchased that luxury mansion in Georgia with the cash he got from the corrupt hospital contract in his deal with Canover Watson.

Bloomberg said that C O N C A C A F, w h i c h has annual revenues of around $80 million a year, has been virtually cleaned out, pointing the finger at Webb. Lawyers told members at a CONCACAF meeting earlier this month that the federation was down to $11 million but $9 million of that is out of reach to the federation, as the money is believed to be here in the Cayman Islands in bank accounts still controlled by Webb.

The disgraced former president of the Cayman

Islands Football Association remains under house arrest in the U.S. awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty to racketeering charges in relation to the U.S. football probe and his assets have been frozen. Webb was among the seven FIFA officials arrested last May at the Baur au Lac in Zürich, the same hotel where soccer delegates will be staying this week for the upcoming FIFA/CONCACAF summit and elections.

Webb has not ans w e re d t h e c h a r g e s against him in relation to the hospital contract allegations but the Grand Court judge who sentenced Canover Watson on February 5 to seven years in jail, made it clear he believed Webb was guilty and had been the “senior partner controlling the bank accounts” in the corrupt agreement. (Extracted from Cayman News)

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:50 hrs Sovereign Reign 09:30 hrs Stolen Destiny 10:05 hrs Beautiful Jet 10:40 hrs Steeple

11:30 hrs Edgar 12:05 hrs Foylesideview 12:40 hrs Jack Of Diamonds 13:15 hrs Competent

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Bangor Theatrical Style 10:30 hrs Bellator 11:05 hrs Cloudy Beach 11:40 hrs Petrou 12:15 hrs Nalim WINCANTON 10:10 hrs Antartica De Thaix 10:45 hrs Quite By Chance 11:20 hrs Big Fella Thanks 11:55 hrs Eminent Poet 12:30 hrs Bugsie Malone 13:05 hrs Abyaat WOLVERHAMPTON 10:20 hrs Thataboy 10:55 hrs Albert Boy

IRISH RACING TIPS Downpatrick 10:05 hrs Kashmiri Sunset 10:35 hrs Billy Billy 11:10 hrs On The Dry 11:45 hrs Coole Craft 12:20 hrs Cerca Trova 12:55 hrs Hedgeinator 13:30 hrs Master Of Verse AMERICAN RACING TIPS Tampa Bay Downs Race 1 He’s the Dude Race 2 Streamsong Race 3 All About Ready Race 4 Western Shine Race 5 Listen to Mama Race 6 A Princess She Is Race 7 Seems a Fortune Race 8 Sister Blues

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

New FIFA boss begins search for non-European chief executive

By Simon Evans MIAMI, USA (Reuters) - The victory celebration over, new FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s first major decision in charge of the troubled world football organisation will be to appoint a secretary general, effectively a chief executive, to run day-to-day operations.

Since FIFA was founded in 1904, it has had 10 secretaries general, all from Europe, the game’s strongest continent.

At an event in London during his campaign for

Friday’s presidential election, Infantino said: “I am convinced the general secretary of FIFA should not be a European. Why not an African?”

A source close to Infantino said yesterday that this “did not necessarily mean that an African would be chosen, more than he had not ruled out an African”.

That said, there would be a strong African contender in the shape of the Moroccan Hicham El Amrani.

The Paris-educated 36-year-old became general secretary of the African confederation (CAF) on an interim basis in 2010 and was confirmed in the role in September 2011.

He had previously been deputy general secretary at CAF and worked for the Asian Football Confederation in competitions marketing. He graduated in 2004 from the FIFA Masters course, which was created to train future football administrators from around the world.

El Amrani won the Young Leader-of-the-Year award in 2015 from the ‘Leaders in Sports’ organisation partly in recognition of the way he handled the switch of the African Nations Cup to Equatorial

Moroccan Hicham El Amrani Guinea after Morocco withdrew two months before the tournament because of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

“He is very, very capable,” said Swiss-based sports business consultant Joao Frigerio, who knows El Amrani from the FIFA Masters alumni association. “There is no doubt in my mind that he can be a great general secretary.”

El Amrani could not immediately be reached for comment.

NOT RUSHING Infantino said on Sunday that he would not rush into a decision about the secretary general, whose role takes on added importance in FIFA’s new, reformed structure.

Although some of FIFA’s reform documents refer to a ‘CEO’, a source within FIFA indicated that for “tradition reasons” the title of secretary general is likely to continue to be used.

Infantino might also look to North America, whose administrators played a key role in swinging votes to the Swiss at Friday’s FIFA Congress in Zurich.

U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati is an economics professor at Columbia University and well connected politically in the United States.

This could be attractive to FIFA as it tries to improve relations with the U.S. Department of Justice, which has charged dozens of soccer officials in the Americas with corruption, and is investigating allegations of bribery and corruption at FIFA itself.A tweet from sports marketing executive Ricardo Fort suggesting Gulati would be a good choice sparked speculation in Zurich over the weekend.

Fort was until recently a senior vice-president for sponsorship marketing with Visa Inc., one of FIFA’s global sponsors. Fort said his tweet reflected only his personal view, and Gulati was also not reachable for comment.

Although there is no obvious candidate for the role from Asian football, an Asian candidate might also appeal to Infantino as he seeks to build bridges with other confederations, especially after he beat Asian confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa to the FIFA presidency.

The earliest Infantino could present a nomination would be an Executive Committee meeting in Zurich on March 17, but he may decide to wait until closer to May’s FIFA Congress in Mexico City.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Mitchell steps down as U.S. relay boss for Rio

By Gene Cherry

(REUTERS) - THE coach of sprinter Justin Gatlin has stepped down as the head of the United States relay squads, just months out from the Rio Olympics due to a change in USA Track and Field’s criteria.

Dennis Mitchell, who served a doping ban in 1999, told Reuters on Monday he had learnt he fell outside new guidelines for coaching America’s relay teams and had decided to step down.

The change prohibits

coaches with likely relay candidates from being the relay coach. World sprint medallist Gatlin is expected to anchor the U.S. 4x100 metres relay in Rio. USATF’s High Performance Division Executive Committee made the modification with input from the Athletes Advisory Committee, USATF spokeswoman Jill Geer said.

“They have added a provision, intended to minimise potential or perceived conflicts, that pro-

Kohli guides India into Asia Cup final VIRAT Kohli hit a fluent half-century as India booked their Asia Cup final place with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Mirpur.

After falling for seven in the opening match of the tournament Kohli has bounced back with two crucial innings, his 56 not out yesterday coming on the back of 49 against Pakistan three days prior.

The number three was ably assisted by the flamboyant Yuvraj Singh, who struck 35 off 18 balls to help India to their victory target of 139 with four deliveries to spare.

Victory puts India into their ninth Asia Cup final on Sunday with one game to play in the group stage, but Sri Lanka’s hopes of meeting them there appear slim.

Without skipper and strike bowler Lasith Malinga they struggled to contain the aggressive Indian batsmen, but there were more encouraging signs with the bat.

Sri Lanka made a cau-

tious start to their innings having been put in by MS Dhoni, but they upped their scoring rate in the second 10 overs to lift them to a competitive 138-9.

Chamara Kapugedera top-scored with 30 in the middle-order, while valuable late runs from Thisara Perera (17) and Nuwan Kulasekara (13) looked to have given them a chance.

But in reply, Yuvraj set the tone for his innings with a slash through backward point for four, and he took the game to Sri Lanka’s bowlers with an impressive display of hitting – Rangana Herath (1-26) going for successive sixes in the 13th over.

Another maximum followed before Perera (132) forced him into a top edge, however the damage was done and Kohli – who brought up his 13th Twenty20 half-century with a six over cover – ensured they coasted to their target.

(OMNI Sport)

Dennis Mitchell, former U.S. sprinter and present coach of Justin Gatlin

hibits an individual from being the relay coach if he or she coaches an athlete who has a high likelihood of being part of the relay pool,” Geer said in an email to Reuters.

“As a result of that new provision, Dennis Mitchell has resigned his position.”

Geer added Mitchell had been approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee for the position.

The 50-year-old had been the relay coach since 2014, though his selection had been controversial

because of his 1998 positive test for the banned hormone testosterone.

“I do not want to start a controversy,” Mitchell, who will continue to coach Gatlin, said via telephone from Florida. “I just want to thank USA Track & Field, the U.S. Olympic Committee and everybody for their support.

“I would do it again if they asked me to.”

Mitchell called the change “very exclusionary.”

“There are not too many top level sprint coaches that

would fall in the criteria they are looking for,” he said.

Mitchell, a three-time Olympian denied his past had resulted in the change.

“In terms of dealing with my past, all parties that were involved were very respectful of my past and, in my opinion, didn’t really use that as a driving force,” he said.

“But I think there obviously are people out there that have strong feelings about my past ... and didn’t support me being the relay coach.”

Boycott ‘disappointed’ with Yorkshire chairman’s snub EX-YORKSHIRE opener Geoffrey Boycott says he is “disappointed” with chairman Steve Denison’s decision to ask members not to back his return to the board.

Boycott, 75, is unhappy with the level of debt at the club, which is reported to be above £20M. “I’m not trying to cause any problems, I’m not trying to create any trouble - I want to help the club,” he said.

“If you carry on with the debt as it is, there won’t be a club in existence as it’s a recipe for bankruptcy.”

Yorkshire announced a profit for 2015 of £368 000 after tax, their first since 2009.

Former England batsm a n B o y c o t t re c e i v e d

91.09% of the vote when he was voted club president in 2012, a role he held for

added to BBC Look North.

“I’m a bit disappointed really - the chairman wrote to

Geoffrey Boycott was Yorkshire president between 2012 and 2014. two years.

“The debt’s gone from £5M in 2002 to £24M in 12 years, so the businessmen on the board haven’t done a very good job, have they?” he

me and said there are four vacancies on the board. They’re going to ask for Robin Smith to be re-elected, the chief executive (Mark Arthur) and Sir Gary Verity - fine, so there’s

one vacancy.

“If the members voted me on, I would have to persuade seven other people (on the board) - so what’s to be worried about in a democracy?”

Test Match Special summariser Boycott acts informally as an overseas ambassador for the club and his return to the board would need to be approved by members at their annual general meeting on March 26.

“I love Yorkshire cricket, it’s in my blood,” added Boycott. “I’m not going to turn away if the members don’t vote for me, but I hope they will.

“If we don’t have a better business plan, there won’t be a club for members.” (BBC Sport)

Points Standings after the eighth round of WICB/PCL matches ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Following are the Official Points Standings after the eighth round of matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament ended on Monday.

Abbreviations: Pts-total points, M-matches, W-won, L-lost, T-tied, I-incomplete match, A-abandoned match, DP-Abandoned match due to dangerous pitch, MR-match referee awarding match, Bat-batting points, Bowl-bowling points

REMAINING MATCHES (Scheduled start 10 am daily, except where indicated) Round 9 – March 11 to 14 Volcanoes vs Scorpions – Arnos Vale Multiplex, St. Vincent Red Force vs Pride – National Cricket Centre, Trinidad Hurricanes vs Jaguars – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua Round 10 – March 18 to 21 Red Force vs Volcanoes – National Cricket Centre, Trinidad Jaguars vs Scorpions – National Cricket Stadium, Guyana Hurricanes vs Pride – Warner Park, St. Kitts

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

19th Dr Cheddi Jagan memorial Khouri returns cycle road race set for Sunday as GKF head THE 19th annual Dr Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Road Race is scheduled for Sunday in Berbice, starting at 09:00hrs from outside the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s Freedom House office on Main Street, New Amsterdam.

The event, which is being coordinated by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed and is being sponsored by sporting enthusiasts, will have at stake prizes for the top six overall finishers as well as the top three finishers in the junior, female, veteran and mountain bike categories.

The first Over-60 rider to cross the finish line will also be rewarded for his effort.

The defending overall champion is Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds who stopped the clock at two

hours 38 minutes 29.44 seconds to win the event.

The junior category was

Orville Hinds is the defending champion won by Raphael Leung, while the mountain bike and female categories were

won by Oziah McAully and Marica Dick respectively.

Walter Isaacs was the first Over-60 rider to cross the finish line.

Last year, Alanzo Greaves placed second to Hinds in the overall placings, while Raynauth Jeffrey, Robin Persaud, Hamzah Eastman and Raul Leal occupied the other top four places.

A n d re w H i c k s a n d Christopher Griffith placed second and third respectively in the junior category, while Julio Melville and Deoraj Garbarran were second and third respectively in the mountain bike division.

Whitney Poyer and Toshawana Doris were second and third respectively in the female category.

This year, as is usual,

the veterans, females and mountain bikers will battle from the starting point (Main Street, New Amsterdam) to Hogstye on the Corentyne Coast and will turn back to finish at Port Mourant, while the juniors and seniors will engage each other from the starting point and proceed to Number 51 Village, Corentyne before turning back to finish at Port Mourant.

Eight prime prizes are at stake during the course of the event and interested cyclists from Georgetown, East Bank Demerara and Linden are asked to note that transportation from Georgetown to New Amsterdam will leave the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Main Street, Georgetown at 05:00hrs.

Bears, Tigers, Mavericks, Lions victorious GEORGETOWN Bears, Upper East Coast Tigers, West Demerara Mavericks and Lower East Bank Lions were victorious in the opening round of the DCB/ RSI Over-40 T20 competition played last Friday

… Chanderpaul, Hiralal slam centuries In reply, West Coast Demerara Seals lost early wickets and eventually folded for 171 in the 16th over. M. Saffee gave his

Bears captain Surendra Hiralal collects the winning trophy. across Demerara.

Bears captain Surendra Hiralal lit up the small DCC ground with a flurry of shots in a match-winning unbeaten century (101), decorated with ten boundaries and four handsome sixes.

Also enjoying the party was Ron Ramnauth, who hammered a quick 57, which included ten fours.

Bears finished on 220-3 off their 20 overs. Radesh Persaud had some success with the ball, capturing 2-25 off three overs.

team hope towards the end with a blistering 72 (7x6, 6x4). Mark Ferreira (2-9), Claudius Gibson (2-18) and Ramnauth (2-19) were the leading bowlers.

At Lusignan ground, the match started late and was reduced to 16 overs per side.

Lions took first strike and cricket superstar Shivnarine Chanderpaul banged 141 to see his team to 207-1.

Also among the runs was Sahadeo Hardaiow with 54.

Lower East Coast Bulls managed 141-4 when their overs expired. Arthur Duke top-scored with 60, while Nirmaldeo Sarwan contributed 32.

At Farm ground, West Demerara Mavericks humbled Upper East Bank Colts by seven wickets. Colts made 114-6 in their allotted overs. Captain Rohan Sarjoo hit an unbeaten 45, while Ganesh Persaud grabbed 2-17.

Mavericks reached the target in 11.4 overs with Sham Persaud and Eon Williams scoring 48 not out and 37 respectively. Colts best bowler was David Mohamed with 2-8.

Tigers cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Georgetown Buffaloes at the

Enterprise ground.

The visitors batted first and reached 148-5 with Lenny Massiah and Steven Alves leading the way with 34 and 24 respectively. Bowling for Tigers, Chatterpaul Singh and Basheer Khan accounted for two wickets each.

Tigers took only 14.4 overs to knock off the required runs. Latchman Yadram (53*) and Mustaq Shah (51) were the main scorers.

The competition continues on Friday. Colts clash with Buffaloes at Everest ground, Tigers m e e t S e a l s a t Wa l e s ground, Bears take on Bulls at Ogle ground, and Lions square off with Mavericks at Farm ground.

SENSEI Amir Khouri has been reelected president of the Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) at the Biennial General Meeting held last Sunday at the YMCA, Thomas Lands.

Khouri will head a team that comprises Compton Dunbar as First vice-president, Roger Peroune as the Second vice-president, Bernice Irving as secretary, Sandra Britton as treasurer and Bhagwandin Persaud as assistant secretary/ treasurer.

Mr Ivor O’Brien, Honourable Life Member of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) presided as Returning Officer.

The meeting was attended by memSENSEI AMIR KHOURI bers of the various affiliated associations including the Association do Shotokan Karate – Guyana (YMCA Dojo), Shotokan Karate-Do of Guyana (Shokoguy) (National Park Dojo), Guyana Wado Ryu Karate Association (GWKA), Guyana Shotokan Karate International Federation (SKIF Guyana) and the Guyana Karate College (GKC).

Also present were National Martial Arts Association and Berbice Shotokan Karate Dojo.

The elected persons will serve as executive members of the Guyana Karate Federation for the next two years.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday March 02, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 306 Test players (2) 170 ODI players

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who was the first player to captain the WI in a Test match?

(2) Who was the first person to captain the WI in an ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

LeBron returns to inspire Cavs win THE Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back as LeBron James returned to inspire a 100-96 win over the Indiana Pacers.

James sat out the Cavs’ 113-99 loss to the Washington Wizards in the NBA on Sunday, with coach Tyronn Lue opting to rest the four-time MVP. James returned to the court refreshed in Cleveland on Monday, posting a game-high 33 points.

Tristan Thompson was also immense for the Cavs, putting the hosts ahead 96-94 with 39 seconds remaining after team-mate Matthew Dellavedova had levelled proceedings from three-point range.

Thompson then blocked Pacers star Paul George (23 points) as Kyrie Irving (22 points) sealed the win via four free throws.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s triple-double helped the Milwaukee Bucks past the Hous-

ton Rockets 128-121.

Antetokounmpo recorded 18 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists for the Bucks, who almost surrendered a 13-point lead late in the game.

The Bucks were also led by a career-high 36 points from Jabari Parker, while Khris Middleton contributed 30.

Dwight Howard (30 points, 13 rebounds) and Trevor Ariza (20 points, 11 assists) both had double-doubles for

the Rockets.

In other results, the Boston Celtics pipped the Utah Jazz 100-95 to extend their winning streak at home to 11 games.

The Memphis Grizzlies overcame the Denver Nuggets 103-96 and the Wizards rallied to beat the lowly Philadelphia 76ers 116-108, the Oklahoma City Thunder were too good for the Sacramento Kings 131-116, while the Brooklyn Nets lost 105-95 to the Los Angeles Clippers.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 2, 2016

Phillips, Caesar, Williams cop sprint doubles at National Youth and Junior Championships

By Tamica Garnett IT WAS sprint double wins for young sprinting sensations Kenisha Phillips, and Compton Caesar, while Andrea Foster, Claudrice McKoy and Mathew McKenzie copped wins in the distance races when the Smalta National Youth and Junior Championships concluded last weekend at the Leonora National Track and Field Centre.

The two-day event started off last Saturday with the 100m and 1500m finals, where Guyana Defence Force’s Kenisha Phillips was in fine form as she took on the Under-18 Girls in 100m, clocking a gaping 11.97 seconds win ahead of De Challengers’ Toyan Raymond who ran 12.61 seconds.

Phillips was back at it again on Sunday clearing the 200m in 24.82s, to overcome the Girls’ Under-18 400m winner Avon Samuels. Samuels’ 25.44s finish relegated Raymond to third

place in the 200m after she clocked 26.04s.

Caesar laid claim to the 100m and 200m of the Boys’ Under-20 events. The Lindener, who enjoyed a comfortable 10.62s win of the 100m on Saturday, followed up with a 21.51s win of the 200m.

Meanwhile, the Boys’ Under-18 400m winner Daniel Williams put a stop to Tyrell Peters’ hopes of taking the 100m/200m win in the Boys’ Under-18. Peters overcame Running Brave’s Umkosi Beaton to win the boys Under- 18 100m in 10.80 seconds, but was taken down by Williams’ 21.77s finish in the 200m. Peters was just behind with 21.82s, while Beaton placed third in 22.48s.

Foster won the Girls’ Under-20 1500m and 800m. Virtually unchallenged in the Girls’ Under-20 1500m, Foster ran a blistering 4:50.81 to win the event. Foster was one of only two persons in the race “It’s kind of hard running practically by yourself, you have

Linden’s Compton Caesar makes his way to the finish line for the win in the Boys’ Under-20 200 metres.

Andrea Foster wins the 800 metres. the clock and you’re thinking of the time so you have to push, so today was just basically me just pushing towards getting the time.

The good thing is me coming here today and doing it by myself, but it’s sad that every time you come to run, especially, the 1500m in the Under-20 there’s like 3 persons only,” Foster said.

However, Foster received competition for the 800m, where she came up against Jevina Sampson. It was nonetheless an effortless 2:14.58s win for Foster, as Sampson clocked 2:27.43s behind her. The Girls’ Under-18 800m went to Joanna Archer, who ran 2:21.50s to win ahead of Kezra Murray (2:27.4) and Maria Urquhart (2:34.21).

Claudice McKoy won the Girls’ Under-18 1500m (4:57.55s) and 3000m (11:00.32s), while McKenzie won the Boys’ Under-20 1500m (4:12.81s) and 5000m In the Girls’ Under-20 200m Natricia Hooper avenged her loss to Tirana Mitchell in the 100m by winning the race in 25.67s, while Mitchell finished second in 25.97s.

United manager pleads for teenager Rashford to be left in peace Marcus Rashford LONDON, England (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

believes teenager Marcus Rashford has the temperament to remain on an even keel, despite the attention heaped upon him after his extraordinary introduction to big-time football.

The 18-year-old has become an instant sensation after scoring twice in his first match against Danes Midtjylland in the Europa League last Thursday and repeating the trick on his Premier League debut against Arsenal on Sunday.

The extent of the fuss surrounding the Manchester-born forward has been such that van Gaal, speaking at a news conference yesterday, pleaded for the media to leave the level-headed Rashford alone.

“He is a very modest guy so I don’t think that shall be a problem,” van Gaal said. “When you have so much attention from the media it can go in another way but I believe he shall keep his feet on the

ground.

“I think the media have to leave him in peace. When you are in front of his house and that kind of stuff, I don’t think that is beneficial for a boy of 18.” van Gaal said it was “remarkable” what Rashford had achieved but added he still had to show consistency.

United face Watford in the Premier League today and there is no guarantee, with the prospect of Anthony

Martial returning up front, that Rashford will be handed another start.

“Martial and (Chris) Smalling and (Matteo) Darmian are coming back, maybe tomorrow. The chance is there that one of these three plays,” van Gaal said.

As for his own comical role in Sunday’s 3-2 win, when his dying swan act at the feet of the fourth official to demonstrate a

perceived foul earned him hoots of laughter from fans, van Gaal did not sound in the mood for a repeat.

“It is not a part of my philosophy because I don’t think you can influence the game from that spot,” he said.

“But I am not a clown, I am Louis van Gaal, I am a human being and a manager. And the players have to think on the pitch, not the manager.”

TTCB embroiled in email controversy involving Sunil Narine THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has found itself having to respond to questions from the media about an email purportedly sent by the board president Azim Bassarath that contained

disparaging remarks about West Indies spinner Sunil Narine.

The controversial email is believed to have been sent in response to a story published online last November about the spinner

being suspended from bowling because of a suspected illegal action.

Bassarath has already denied sending the email which was allegedly sent to 10 cricket officials. It stated; “Let him start to

bowl!!! He was not turning much in (the) first place!!!”

Officials to which the email was supposedly sent claimed to have minimal knowledge of it. Some claimed to have only heard rumours of the email.

TTCB executive member Manohar Ramsaran in trying to absolve himself of any culpability declared that he has always had a cordial relationship with the spinner. (Sportsmax. com)

SUNIL NARINE

Phillips, Caesar, Williams cop sprint doubles at National Youth and Junior Championships See story on page 27

Caribbean Motor Racing Association splits group 4

By Stephan Sookram

THE Caribbean Motor Racing Association (CMRA) will undergo a major change in the group four aspect of its Championships when the first leg gets going in May of this year.

According to sources, the CMRA’s committee has decided to revert to splitting the group four category into a two-wheel drive and a four-drive class.

The split comes as a result of several two-wheel drive competitors constantly complaining of their machines being unable to legally produce the power required to keep up with the sheer speed of the allwheel drive machines currently dominating the standings.

This is not the first time that the group four division was split, as this was done in 2010 when two champions were awarded based on the drive train; Kevin Jeffrey for the four-wheel drive division and Paul Vieira in the two-wheel class.

Meanwhile, many are seeing the reintroduction of the split class as a breath of

fresh air with more competition expected at the group 4 level.

Former Club captain and group three and four competitor Danny Persaud has already welcomed the move by the CMRA to split the groups.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Persaud said “Yes, I welcome the split. It means that more competitors will come to the line in the group four and it also means that a lot of guys, who were keeping their cars in their garage because they were afraid of the allwheel drive cars, will now bring them back to track.”

“I also think that a lot of the group three guys are going to go up to the group four class because almost all of them I think will want to bring home points for their country.

Persoanlly I just like to drive and enjoy myself so the more races, the better for me,” contended Persaud.

The first leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships will take place at the Jamwest Raceway in Jamaica on May 23 where two-time champion Kristian Jeffrey is expected to begin his title defence.

The group four grid during the Final round of the 2015 CRMC Championships in Guyana. (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Brazil running out of time Webb had $2M salary to change doping law as CONCACAF boss

RIO DE JANEIRO/LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Brazil, which has built a $25 million laboratory just to test drug cheats at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, risks being unable to do so, as it has less than three weeks to change its doping laws to conform to global regulations.

Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, doping cases must be heard by an independent specialised tribunal as opposed to a general sports court, as is the current process in Brazil.

“They (Brazil) are very well aware of what they have to do,” WADA chief Craig Reedie told reporters in Lausanne yesterday, confirming the deadline.

“The ball is firmly in their court.”

Reedie said Brazil had assured WADA for a considerable time that it would

change the law. With the Olympics starting in Rio in

Newly elected World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Craig Reedie.

August, WADA set a March 18 deadline for Brazil to be in

accordance with the organisation’s doping rules.

However, with Brazil embroiled in a political crisis and President Dilma Rousseff facing impeachment proceedings, there is no guarantee that the government will pass the required change in time.

Marco Aurelio Klein, national secretary of the Brazilian Doping Authority, said the creation of a separate doping tribunal could be achieved by presidential decree, a temporary law, or editing a law that is about to be passed.

Klein is concerned Brazil could lose its WADA accreditation even though it built a laboratory at Rio’s Federal University that cost more than 100 million reais.

“A few months before the Olympic Games, Brazil cannot take that risk,” Klein said.

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(CNS): FORMER local football hero Jeffrey Webb was earning $2 million a year when he was head of the regional football body, CONCACAF, at the same time that he was allegedly embezzling huge sums from the Cayman Islands public purse.

A Bloomberg article about the troubles now facing the federation reveals that, as well as picking up a significant pay packet, Webb was also running up massive expense bills and flying around on a private jet, billing CONCACAF for costly overseas jollies and charging booze bills and strippers to the corporate credit card.

The Bloomberg article by Tariq Panja and David Voreacos revealed that CONCACAF invoices that they have seen show that on one “delegation travel” bill, for a trip from Jamaica to Mexico, Webb claimed $96 000.

He also used the CONCACAF credit card for bar tabs and strip club bills, at least one of which exceeded $25 000. The news report stated that Webb and his deputy at the time, Enrique Sanz, who has also been charged

JEFFREY WEBB in the massive FIFA corruption probe, approved each other’s expenses.

As Webb was pulling in the big bucks from CONCACAF, he was also allegedly creaming off hundreds of thousands of dollars in the corrupt CarePay contract with Canover See page 23 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2016