Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 04 04 2016

53

6! 6! 6! 6!

No. 104511

MONDAY APRIL 4, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

Carlos Brathwaite sinks England in final over

West Indies score double in World T20 finals

Stafanie Taylor holds aloft the Women’s World T20 Trophy in presence of ICC President Zaheer Abbas during the final between West Indies Women and Australia Women in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Tournament on Sunday, March 4, 2016 at Eden Gardens © WICB Media

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Harding should be punished, if found guilty –– Mayor Chase-Green

By Telesha Ramnarine GEORGETOWN Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has said that there are too many unanswered questions in the case of alleged child-molester Winston Harding, but if he is found guilty of child molestation, he should pay the penalty.

Chase-Green did not have very much to say on the issue, but she told the Guyana Chronicle she believes that the matter should be thoroughly investigated.

To her knowledge, Harding has never been convicted in court due to a lack of sufficient evidence against

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green him.

The allegations date back to 1999, Chase-Green

Jamaican arrested after cocaine discovery THE Police Narcotics Unit on Saturday conducted a search on a house at the Friendship Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, during which one kilogramme of compressed cocaine was found in the form of shoe soles.

Police have arrested a Jamaican national and he is currently in custody assisting with the investigation.

observed, and hence, the victims would be old enough to come forward and ask for a retrial.

This has not happened, she further pointed out.

“There needs to be closure in this matter. The matter should be thoroughly investigated. If he is found guilty, then let him pay the penalty.”

Vincent Alexander, a commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had told the media that the laws governing Local Government Elections (LGE) do not provide for the recall of an elected councillor.

Winston Harding Results from Constituency 13 show that Harding, who campaigned on behalf

of, and represented the APNU+AFC in the Local Government Elections, emerged with the most votes.

Alexander had explained that “there is no legal basis for [Harding’s] disqualification.”

“It is a moral question, political question, but it certainly is not a legal question,” Alexander said.

The GECOM Commissioner noted that the commission has to work with what is provided for in the law.

GECOM has said that the only way Harding could be replaced would be by virtue of a by-election within

his constituency. By-elections could occur only if Harding resigns from his elected post on the Georgetown City Council, or dies while holding office.

APNU had withdrawn its endorsement of Harding following concerns raised over his representation of the coalition Government; but Harding won the East and West Ruimveldt Constituency by a landslide.

President David G r a n g e r, w h o h e a d s APNU, has since said: “The matter would be discussed within the PNCR and our partners within the APNU before we proceed.”

Ramjattan: CPGs must be open, transparent MINISTER of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan is calling on Community Policing Groups (CPGs) to be more open and transparent in their dealings, as it is only then that their successes can be measured.

He made the call Friday while addressing executive members of the 263 CPGs countrywide.

He also sought to remind them that with a collective membership of 5,194 persons, which surpasses that of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), their role is supplementary to that of professional policing.

However, even with these impressive numbers accompanied by an expanded objective at the community level, Ramjattan wants CPGs to understand that their role is neither equal nor separate

to that of the Guyana Police Force.

He also alluded to the fact that there were 38 arrests, ranging from murder to domestic violence, which is evident of the groups’ efficiency.

This month marks the 40th anniversary of voluntary Community Policing in Guyana with activities planned in the 15 community policing divisions under the theme, “Building Public Trust, Social Cohesion and Embracing Youth Development.”

“The Police Force is superior to CPGs and we must understand that; and the CPG, as I said, is supplementing the Police Force and they are going to be integrated with the activities of police as they have been over the years. I do not like

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan the characterisation that it is separate and equal,” Ramjattan clarified.

The main objective of Community Policing must always be, as is clearly stated, to harness the energies of

willing members of communities to support the work of the police.

The Security Minister does not believe that CPGs are denying the professional police service of human and other State-sponsored assistance.

“I have seen it in a different light; in being ancillary and supplemental to the Police Force, because they are not paid a salary, and a lot of members have their own jobs and professions that keep them employed,” he explained.

However, community policemen and women will undergo training in a number of areas, including inter-personal violence, human trafficking, suicide prevention, firefighting, road safety, first aid and communication over the next year.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

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–– Brathwaite’s late game heroics complete Windies’ triple

THE year 2016 has kicked off with a bang, and is already a year of great celebrations and renewal for cricket in the Caribbean.

West Indies won the Under-19 World Cup. West Indies won the Women’s World T20, and they completed the triple when the men’s team members defeated their English counterparts on Sunday in the World T20 finals.

The West Indies have become the first team to win two World T20 tournaments, having also triumphed in Sri Lanka in 2012. However, with the drama that unfolded, the “Triple Crown” almost did not happen.

In the last over, the West Indies needed 19 runs from six balls; and with the odds stacked against them, Carlos Brathwaite produced a blinder to take them over the finishing line.

Earlier in the day, team members bowled beautifully, and were poised to steam roll their way through the match to victory. In so doing, they would win the finals and follow the lead of both the U19 and Women’s

teams.

However, this wasn’t the case, and in true West Indies’ fashion, they held the hearts of fans in their hands.

It was hard to find a West Indian fan who was not glued to the television as the game played on. From the start of the West Indies’ innings, when Johnson Charles and

Chris Gayle fell, fans got nervous. The rocky start was added to when Lendl Simmons -- former match hero -- departed without scoring.

As the match progressed and Marlon Samuels saw his fair share of partners on his way to an unbeaten 85, it was Carlos Brathwaite who stayed with him through to

Jubilant fans at Orange Walk, Bourda, Georgetown react to West Indies’ win over England (Photos by Delano Williams) the end.

This match was so exciting that no one could move from the television set -regardless of whether they were home or not.

Now back to the final over: 19 off of six, Brathwaite on strike and the hopes and dreams of the Caribbean on his shoulders.

Then the over started: six!

The first one was a poor ball from Stokes down leg, clubbed over deep backward square.

Twelve runs needed, then a length ball slammed down the ground over long-on.

Another six! Now it is seven runs off of four balls; then another six over long-off!

One run needed. Push a single? Why bother when you can crunch another six It was a real Caribbean-style celebration. Delighted fans doing Bravo’s Champion dance see page 4

Let the party begin! These fans were in the mood for a lengthy celebration

Big cheers to the winner! This group of men at a street corner party said West Indies’ win was “stunning” and “unbelievable”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Linden man shoots wife, cousin

A WANTED bulletin was issued on Sunday by the police of ‘E’ Division for Calwyn Alex Croal of 143 Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden, after he allegedly unlawfully assaulted his wife, Simone Croal, on Saturday evening and discharged shots which struck her thrice and her cousin, Sherwin Hughes, twice.

The duo was rushed to the Mackenzie Hospital and Simone was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, and they are both reported to be in a stable condition.

Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicated that the suspect assaulted his wife who was at the time assisting her cousin who operates a store in the Mackenzie Market.

According to an eyewitness, who is also close to

Wanted man Alex Croal

she should leave with him.

Upon her blunt refusal, he started to assault her.

“The man come up and tell she when she ready to go home, he is there but she said she getting a drop and he asked her which one a these man hay is ya man.

He came and lash she in she face with a bottle and she run and call for Cutty and he run behind her and pelt the bottle behind her and it cut her foot,” the eyewitness recounted. He said that Alex then took up her bag and phone and left with them.

In the meantime, Simone made a report to the Mackenzie Police Station and was sent to the Mackenzie Hospital to process a medical report.

Simone, Alex Croal came up to the shop and insisted that

WAITED FOR HER Alex reportedly went

to the home of his wife and was told by their 22-yearold daughter that she had not yet returned. However, he waited and upon her arrival in a car he ran out of the home and discharged several rounds at the vehicle that was being driven by her cousin whose wife was also a passenger.

His daughter related that she tried to signal her mother that Alex was in the house when she arrived but it was too late.

Simone was shot to her chest, leg and arm while her cousin who was driving was shot to his arm and back before losing control of the vehicle which then crashed into other vehicles on the road.

Her cousin reported that his wife was saved as Alex’s gun ran out of bullets. He

reportedly fled the scene and is still on the run.

A reliable source told this publication that Alex called his daughter on Sunday after realising that his wife was not dead and told her “it ain’t done deh.”

Alex Croal, who is well known to the police, was apprehended earlier this year for robbery under arms but he was released on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence against him.

The suspect recently led a picketing exercise in Linden calling for the removal of Commander Calvin Brutus and Inspector Chabanaught Singh.

He claimed that they have been victimising him on several occasions and accusing him of being in possession of firearms.

Commander Brutus dis-

closed that he is in possession of a video that shows the suspect and the others charged for the robbery being in possession of guns and ammunition. The others who are currently before the court also allegedly fingered Croal as the mastermind behind the robbery.

Meanwhile, Commander Brutus is encouraging Calwyn Alex Croal to turn himself in to the police with his lawyer, but if he doesn’t feel comfortable doing so at the Mackenzie Police Station he can go to Police Headquarters at Eve Leary.

According to Brutus, several statements have been taken already from eyewitnesses as the investigation has commenced.

Simone and Calwyn have six children together and were separated over a year.

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From page 3 over the leg side.

JUBILATION In the words of musician DJ Khaled, it was another one! The West Indies players streamed on the field in jubilation without even waiting to see where the ball had landed. Yet, at that point no one cared. Not only had they done it, they had done it in true calypso cricket fashion.

Now in the streets, every fan glued at the television jumped for joy with every six: some with hands held to the heavens, some with hands on their heads and some in so

much shock all they could do was laugh.

O n O r a n g e Wa l k , Bourda, Georgetown, fans swarmed the streets dancing to DJ Bravo’s “Champion”, and as if it were champagne, beer was shaken and sprayed around. In a true spirit of camaraderie, the same fans that had cursed, screamed, and bemoaned each mishit, wicket and error now embraced each other like a family. The miracle is that the team, against the backdrop of the players’ contract dispute with the WICB before the start of the tournament, has etched its name in the history books again.

A crowd outside Sweet Point is glued to a television in the shop as the final over approaches

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

President congratulates WI male, female teams

PRESIDENT David Granger has extended congratulations to the West Indies (WI) male and female teams on their emphatic victories on Sunday in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) World Twenty20 and Women’s World Twenty20 championships.

The President, in a statement, said that these victories “provide us with an opportunity to celebrate and be proud of our collective achievement as a region”.

He said the teams’ thrilling victories have undoubtedly thrown the people of Guyana and the Caribbean into a state of euphoria, and have once again served to unite the people of the region as regional cricket successes invariably do.

“These victories also illustrate the indomitable spirit of the people of the West Indies and what is possible when we work together for a common good,” he said.

The President noted that one cannot underestimate the value of West Indies Cricket as a symbol of what is possible when we, as a region, combine our talents and passions.

“The Government and people of Guyana are proud of, and send heartfelt congratulations to, West Indies Captains Darren Sammy and Stafanie Taylor, who led their teams to these historic victories,” the statement said.

The President also specially mentions 18-year-old Windies Women’s opener Hayley Matthews, who hit a stunning 66 off 45 balls with three sixes, and Man of the Match Marlon Samuels, who guided the men’s team with his 85 off 66 balls.

“Of course special mention must be made of Carlos Brathwaite, who brought the victory home for the men’s team with four consecutive sixes in the final over of the match,” he said.

Sport, and cricket in particular, the President said, occupy pride of place in Caribbean states, as observed by the Caribbean’s pre-eminent contemporary cricket scholar Sir Hilary Beckles in his foreword to the Report on Governance of West Indies Cricket.

“Cricket is the principal arena for the expression of all art forms, a unique pride of place it does not command in any other civilisation,” wrote Sir Hilary.

teams at the pinnacle of this format of the game on the world stage.

The West Indies Men’s Team is the first to have won the ICC World T20 on two occasions, and the West Indies Women’s Team has won the trophy for the first time.

Further, that these two enigmatic victories follow that of the West Indies Under 19 Team a few months ago indisputably positions West Indies Cricket as a whole as a world force in the game.

“Guyana looks forward to continued successes, and the Government and the cricket-loving people of Guyana look forward to welcoming the teams to our shores for the upcoming Tri-Series,” President Granger concluded in his statement.

President David Granger “The Government and the people of Guyana salute and congratulate each player and the entire support staff, who have rallied together to contribute to these fulfilling and stunning victories which have brought joy to the people of the Caribbean and which they will celebrate with fervour,” President Granger said.

The West Indies’ triumphs in these global tournaments seat the region’s men’s and women’s Twenty20

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, MondayApril 4, 2016

Wedding Expo now a ‘staple’ event Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

Those racially-charged Facebook posts THE news this week that the police had detained someone for questioning in relation to racist statements made on Facebook posts which also made threats against the life of the President is very disquieting. We live in a country that tasted the nasty brew of ethnic violence five decades ago, and, as a nation, we are still trying to overcome the legacy of that violence.

We appreciate that there are very deep emotional responses to these reports. On the one hand, there are those who are enraged by the vitriol contained in the posts; on the other hand, there are others who are enraged that the police have moved to take action against those making the posts.

There are two issues at play here. First, there is the issue of racist speech. This matter has to be handled very carefully. Despite our great advances in ethnic healing, some of our everyday speeches in Guyana, made away from the glare of the public, are still characterised by our ethnic prejudices.

This is understandable, give our deeply charged ethnic rivalry, especially in the political and economic arenas. It is not surprising that some of this speech sometimes spills into the public arena. This is in no way excusing overt and even covert racist speech. The fact of the matter is that such speech should have no place in our society.

The police are reportedly considering filing charges under the Racial Hostility Act against the alleged authors of the posts. This would be unchartered territory. The challenge would be to determine what, under the law, constitutes racial hostility.

In Guyana, we don’t often make a distinction between ethnicity as identity and ethnicity as political and racial domination and superiority. Whereas the former is by definition not a negative phenomenon, the latter is.

In our haste to paint every reference to ethnicity with a broad negative brush, we have, over time, engendered much confusion as to what constitutes racial incitement and racism.

We therefore urge caution on this matter. Once we begin to prosecute ordinary citizens on this score, it could open the proverbial can of worms in terms of lawfully going after political opponents.

By Navendra Seoraj AFTER first making an impact in the realm of wedding tourism eight years ago, Wedding Expo 2016 has become what was deemed as a “staple in Guyana’s calendar of events”.

With a burst of flair from the different cultures, and persons decked in various wedding attire, the Expo kicked off to an impressive start with an influx of people who were mesmerized by the displays at Roraima Duke Lodge last Friday evening.

Graced by the presence of foreign dignitaries and other distinguished persons, the event saw a number of booths going all out to showcase their various designer clothing, decorations, delicacies, cocktails and other remarkable items.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways, the creators of Wedding Expo, Captain Gerry Gouveia disclosed that, “Wedding Expo has become a staple in Guyana’s calendar of events, exploding with colour and flair, as we celebrate under the cohesion of all the ethnic groups.”

Starting eight years ago, the event grew larger and larger as the Roraima Duke Lodge extended and created a scope for more exhibits to come on board, he said.

As the number increases, he said that Wedding Expo will continuously contribute towards the development of wedding tourism in Guyana.

Poised to be a destination to host weddings, Guyana is still building its capacity in that area and with the advancement in wedding expo and the participation of members the public and private sectors, it can go a long way.

Moreover, with the Ministry of Telecommunications and Tourism agreeing to change the legislation that bars persons from marrying in Guyana unless they have been here for two weeks, wedding tourism will continue to grow and become a greater success.

Small businesses are especially given a chance to showcase their offerings, primarily those who supply items for weddings and for the building blocks of a married couple.

And with the advent of wedding tourism, Guyana’s small businesses will be

Guyana’s rich culture on show at the Wedding Expo

Dailys cocktails allure the crowd

Persons delighted with the cocktails at Ansa McAL’s booth

We now come to the second issue before us: the threat to the President’s life. As far as we are concerned, such action should not be tolerated. Threatening the life of any citizen is unacceptable, but threatening the lives of public officials is especially outrageous. Further, threatening the President’s life within the context of making racially charged comments takes the matter to another level.

In our highly charged environment, such a threat represents a clear and present danger. We simply cannot have a society in which citizens express such thoughts in public without fear of sanction.

given an opportunity to distribute their items and create investment partners locally, as well as regionally and internationally.

While wedding tourism remains something of the future for now, exhibitors expressed their excitement to be part of the Expo, given that it not only gives them an opportunity to market their products, but also a chance to see what new initiatives they can pursue.

This year there were over 50 booths, some of which featured Dailys Cocktails, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Jus Cakes and many other local businesses.

Whatever the outcome of this matter, this is a wake-up call for Guyana. The issue here is whether the hate emanating from those Facebook comments is more the exception than the rule. This can only be determined by consistent study of our behaviours in relation to ethnicity.

While we hope that such sentiments do not represent the rule, we have to take cognizance of them. There is need for all our political leaders to come to the realization that if we are not vigilant and responsible, our society could slip right back into that slippery slope of ethnic hostility that could quickly deteriorate into mindless conflict.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Together, against the odds

By Akola Thompson (Part 1 of 2)

IN today’s society, very few young persons get a chance or have the drive to build strong relationships despite the odds which may be in their favour, even more so if they become parents.

Of Guyanese and Grenadian origins respectively, Timmintra and Joachim knew that they were going to become parents before any of them legally became adults.

Battling the hurdles placed in their way over the years in an effort to be more than stereotypes, 22 and 21 year old Joachim and Timmintra Joseph are examples of how love and determination can overcome time, distance an abundance of challenges.

Before becoming a mother at 16, Timmintra who was born in New Amsterdam and grew up in Tabatinga, Lethem, explained that her life, while fun was becoming more and more difficult as she got older.

Her parents, of the belief that migration and a better education would equate to an easier life than she had in Guyana, decided to send her to Grenada to live with her aunt.

There, she was enrolled into the Anglican High School (AHS); an all girls school which boasts being the second most prestigious school in the island.

Born and raised Grenadian, Joachim attended the prestigious Grenada Boys Secondary School, which was a mere five-minute walk away from AHS. After school one afternoon, Joachim, who lived a

short distance from school was walking home when he was called out to by a group of AHS girls. Going over to them, they all began conversing in a friendly manner, but a few minutes into the dialogue, he realised that there was “this one short Indian girl who didn’t talk at all”.

He claimed that from that moment, he forgot about the others and began speaking to Timmintra and they exchanged contact information.

Thus began their long and tumultuous relationship, which resulted in a pregnancy two years after they initially met. At the time, Timmintra was still in High school and Joachim now in his first year of college.

Realising that they would need their families’ support, a week after finding out they decided to tell their parents.

After revealing their secret to their families however, the couple began facing a series of issues as both sides urged them to forget about each other.

Timmintra’s family began threatening to send her back to Guyana as she had migrated for “betterment”, while Joachim’s mother urged him to forget about her and pay attention to his education.

Realising that he would soon have major responsibilities and knowing he could no longer rely on his family, Joachim began working parttime at a supermarket packing shelves.

With their families still against their relationship, they would often meet after school and talk. On one such occasion someone saw them kissing and reported it to the principal of AHS. It was not long after they were spotted that the principal and counsellor of AHS called a

Joachim and Timmintra Joseph with their beautiful daughter meeting with Timmintra pregnancy, Timmintra was and Joachim in which they reported to the Grenadian were told that their “relaimmigration and was carried tionship was unhealthy” and in for questioning. After the they should stay away from initial meeting, they called each other. another one, this time invitAt the time he said, he ing Joachim and it was only could remember thinking then that the couple learnt that despite the fact that everyday their “relationship was getting stronger”, it was being attacked.

MORE HURDLES Unfortunately, that was not the end of their troubles, hardly even a sufficient start.

In Easter of the year 2012, shortly after they had found out about the

that immigration wanted to send her back to Guyana.

The reason they had given was that Timmintra was on a student visa and a pregnancy would see her dropping out of school.

Feeling as if they were running out of options and constant assault on their relationship, spurred them to bear a plan, which neither of them at the time felt would come to fruition. They decided that if Timmintra were to be sent back home, Joachim when he could afford it would go over and meet her.

With the new threat of deportation, Timmintra’s family became increasingly mean to her and would often verbally and physically assault her. This, she related, caused her to begin feeling unwanted.

Feeling neglected and abused by their families, the couple decided that the only way they could truly be together was if they ran away.

So, packing their bags one morning, they began their spree of independence, which lasted for approximately only three days.

With nowhere else to go, they spent one night and a day on a forte in St Georges, buying food from off the road and bathing in the Grande Anse

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beach when the need arose.

Upon their second night, they decided to confide in a close friend about their situation and he agreed to keep them for a few days. The day after, Joachim returned to work after having skipped two days and Timmintra waited on him upstairs at a restaurant.

Before his shift was over, CID along with both of their family found them in the supermarket and took them to the police station.

After a round of questioning, they were asked whether they wanted to live alone and believing they would be better off than with their families, they jumped at the opportunity.

They began renting a small apartment, which drained most of their resources, but they did not mind as they were together. Before the first week in their apartment was up however, immigration upon realising that Timmintra was no longer staying at her intended address came for her and she was eventually sent back to Guyana. All through security clearance, the two cried because despite their promise, they were unsure whether they would ever see each other again.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Nurture, educate children with autism ––First Lady urges

FIRST Lady Sandra Granger on Sunday encouraged donors and other enthusiasts participating in the Step-by-Step Foundation/Republic Bank ‘Light it up blue’ Autism Awareness Walk to continue to support the Foundation’s efforts to nurture and educate children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The First Lady made this appeal in her address at a reception held in the Promenade Gardens after an awareness walk to kick-start Autism Awareness Month. She praised the collaboration between the two groups, noting that it is a signal event for Guyana and is the eighth walk of its kind internationally.

At the same time, Mrs. Granger noted that it is essential that focus continues to be placed on helping children affected by ASD to reach their highest potential, even as a large number of children affected by this disorder are now becoming adults.

“We have to look at how we deal with our special children and how we maintain their growth and development and assist their families,” Mrs Granger said.

She also pointed out that there is only one autism school in Guyana, which cannot accommodate the scores of affected children countrywide, as such, “it is vital that they are included in the education system” where there special needs can be met, and their special gifts nurtured. Mrs Granger reiterated that she is honoured to be patron of Autism Month and thanked all the ‘Light it up blue’ supporters for participating in this morning’s exercise.

Scores of persons turned up in their ‘Light it up blue’ T-shirts to participate in the awareness walk, which started from the Promenade Gardens Middle Street entrance, through several main streets in downtown Georgetown and closing off at its starting point. ‘Light it up blue’ is the global theme for autism awareness.

In giving a brief history of the Stepby-Step Foundation’s progress, Dr Suraiya Ismail, Chair of the Executive Committee, expressed gratitude to the donors who have supported the Foundation from its inception.

She noted that the Foundation was registered as a charity in 2011 and opened its school in September 2011. Today, Guyana is recognised as having the best institution of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Dr Ismail noted that this is due, largely, to the support the Foundation continues to receive from its dedicated US-based consultants Dr Jim Ellis and Dr Kerry Davis, the tutors and donors such as Republic Bank which is mainly responsible for Sunday’s activity marking World Autism Awareness Day. “We have grown from five children and three tutors to 19 children and seven tutors. Our growth was achieved through the generosity of many, many donors, from the private sector and from individuals too many to name,” Dr Ismail said.

ASD and their parents, who continue to face stigma due to a lack of public understanding about it.

“Autism is a complex brain disorder… which shows itself in a young child as a mix of behavioural, communication and social symptoms,” Dr Ismail said, noting that there is no known cause or cure.

While the Foundation has “made a significant beginning in enabling children with autism to develop their maximum potential

AUTISM STIGMA However, she called for a change in the attitudes meted out to children with

SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said Guyana

can only confidently proclaim that it has created a satisfactory education system when special education needs are satisfied.

While acknowledging that this goal is still in progress, Dr Roopnaraine said that since his tenure in Government his Ministry has strengthened its relations with external partners across the spectrum of education services delivery, particularly in the area of special education and is providing tangible support to groups that treat children with special needs.

“We have recommitted to increasing support to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre. We have provided critical assistance on the expansion of services provided

First Lady Sandra Granger (left) shares a warm exchange with Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan (centre), and his wife Sita Ramjattan, and Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine (first right) on her arrival at the Promenade Gardens and in helping their families to cope with the many challenges they face,” she said, there is still more to be done.

Dr Ismail noted that the school “has a wait list of 40 children seeking admission” who cannot be accommodated as the Foundation has neither the space nor the funds to employ more tutors. However, she is pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and is grateful for the land it has provided to build a larger facility.

In addition, the Foundation and the Ministry will be embarking on a training exercise whereby the Ministry will assign teachers to the Foundation for a period, where they will learn how to manage children with the disorder; the teachers will then implement that knowledge back in their own schools. Dr Ismail expects the training to greatly impact how children with ASD are nurtured. The Foundation is now actively seeking funds to construct its new school.

by the United Women for Special Children and we have provided tangible support to the Step by Step Foundation with the provision of land to build a bigger facility to provide for autism education in Guyana,” Dr Roopnaraine said.

The Minister also noted that on completion of this facility, “we will also provide the necessary human resource support for it to function properly. In other words, special training in autism [disorder] will become a part of the curriculum at the Ministry of Education”.

Dr Roopnaraine also praised supporters for turning out in large numbers to participate in the awareness exercise, adding that he is confident that it has achieved its overall goal.

“Our walk was dedicated to raising consciousness about autism in the wider community and as a consequence creating appreciation for those affected by [the disorder],” he said.

‘A DIFFERENT WAY OF BEING’ The Minister also echoed earlier

appeals for a change in the attitudes demonstrated to persons affected by ASD. While pointing out that though it is a lifelong condition that appears in childhood, autism has no negative impact on intellect and, he said, persons should be encouraged to appreciate the disorder as simply a different way of being.

Meanwhile, in her address, Republic Bank’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Michelle Johnson said the bank was first inspired by the efforts of its parent company, Republic Bank Trinidad which has been, since 2008, a part of the fight to make a difference for autism through awareness in Trinidad and Tobago.

“This caused us to consider the autism reality in our own country, Guyana, and it created a drive in us to learn more and to seek ways to address the issue locally. It is this strong drive that led us to seek out and approach the Step by Step Foundation when we learnt of their existence in 2012,” she said.

“From our very first encounter we immediately realised that there was a great need for us to add our support to the Foundation’s efforts.”

Since that time, the Foundation became a partner under the bank’s Power to Make a Difference programme. The bank sought to invest in the Foundation from 2013 to date, and although awareness has been its primary focus, the ‘Light it up blue’ walk was added to launch awareness month this year to raise funds for the Foundation and to rally wider community support to join the fight for awareness.

“Today’s activity is really about persons coming together to raise awareness, to grow awareness, to strengthen the fight, to offer hope and opportunities to succeed for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),” Johnson said.

Johnson also conveyed greetings from the bank’s Managing Director, Richard Sammy who, regretfully, could not attend the awareness walk, though he had been instrumental in realising awareness activities.

She also extended gratitude to the Office of the First Lady, the Ministers, including Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, who was accompanied by his wife Sita, representatives from Republic Bank including, General Manager (Credit), Parbatie Khan and General Manager (Corporate and Management Services) Denise Hobbs; representatives from the Foundation, the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Demerara Distillers Limited, Colgate Palmolive, Global Printers, DD Signs, the National Steel Orchestra, N&S Mattai, among other supporters.

At the close of the session, she invited the ‘Light it up blue’ supporters to leave a note of encouragement or make a pledge on the message board provided, while children were invited to make a creative imprint on the board provided for them. Both boards were donated by DD Signs.

Zumba instructor, Kijana Lewis then livened things up with a high-energy Zumba session, which supporters were happy to participate in.

Other Step by Step Foundation members who attended the activity are Deputy Chair, Deborah Seebarran; Treasurer Kiran Mattai and Cynthia Massay of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre.

Remembering Haslyn Parris

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

AS Guyana prepares to bid farewell to former Prime Minister and Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Haslyn Parris, some of his colleagues have said that they hold nothing but pleasant thoughts in memory of a man whom they have all described as a brilliant mind who will certainly be missed.

William Haslyn Parris was born on March 2, 1941 in Buxton, East Coast Demerara. In his early years, Mr Parris devoted himself to education, obtaining degrees in Mathematics (BSc Special, 1962), Economics (BSc. Hons, 1966) and Economics specialising in Statistics (MSc,1967).

From then on, Mr Parris served in critical positions of influence, and would continually prove, through his contributions, that his mind was one of immense depth and brilliance.

During a 24-year period following his studies, some of his career posts included Chief Executive Officer of the then GUYBAU and subsequently GUYMINE (1971-1981), and Chairman of the State Planning Commission (1983-1991). He also served as Minister of Planning and Development

and Deputy Prime Minister (1984-1991).

THE BAUXITE INDUSTRY During that period as well, Mr Parris played key roles in the negotiations that led to the nationalisation of the bauxite companies DEMBA (1971) and Reynolds in Berbice (1975), which gave rise to GUYBAU, BERMINE, and subsequently their merger, GUYMINE. Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the LINMINE Secretariat, Horace James, who back then worked under Mr Parris, referred to his contributions to the bauxite industry as revolutionary, stating that he definitely created a legacy.

“We were proud when he was able to successfully complete that nationalisation of the bauxite company in 1971. Guyana had not too long gained its independence and that was perhaps the first major economic activity that occurred,” James said.

He stated that the 10 years that followed, during which Parris served as CEO of the company, saw the highest production in the history of bauxite mining in Guyana.

“Up to now, it still holds that

La Jalousie resident killed in accident A RESIDENT of La Jalousie Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD), lost his life a stone’s throw from his home Saturday night after a motorcar struck him down while he was attempting to cross the road.

Dead is Mohendra Bisnauth, 52 years, of La Jalousie, WCD. The driver of the PVV series motorcar is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

According to the police, investigations so far have revealed that Bisnauth attempted to cross the road and was struck down by a motor vehicle. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

According to his sister-inlaw, Savatri Singh, Bisnauth, who is a carpenter and parttime fisherman, left home early Saturday morning and was returning in the night around 21:30hrs, when he was struck down by a Toyota Runx motorcar.

According to one eyewitness, motorcar PVV 160 was damaged on the passenger’s side of the vehicle after slamming into a man who was preparing to cross the road.

“When the car hit he,

Dead: Mohendra Bisnauth the man pitch into the bush corner and the driver of the vehicle picked him up and carried him to the hospital,” the eyewitness told the Guyana Chronicle.

record; and I don’t think it could ever be broken.” James said.

James recalled working under Parris as a cadet attached to a scholarship programme, and marvelling at his approach to the cadets who were on the course. “He told us that he wouldn’t be

HASLYN PARRIS binding us to any three-year scholarship,” James said. He gave us an open scholarship and said that he would leave it up to our moral commitment to come back.

“That always resonated in my mind, because people don’t do that. He said that he didn’t want us to just return to fulfil our scholarships, but because of moral commitment.”

James referred to Parris as “a brilliant fellow” and stated that he was really looking forward to seeing what he anticipated would have been great contributions to the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

GECOM AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS Early in the 1970s, Parris became a member of the Central Executive of the then ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), and continued to be a member of the party and its Central Executive until 1992. He also served as a member of GECOM during the years.

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally called Parris’s contributions to the commission over the years “well-structured and well-focused on any imbroglio which usually ended with a logical and workable conclusion.”

Though Parris left GECOM in 2006, Surujbally said that during the decade that has since elapsed, he was in constant contact with him about matters which the latter felt could improve the functions of the commission.

“He was a fine intellect, and really has made optimal and superlative contributions,” Dr Surujbally said.

Former Minister of Information, Yvonne Harewood-Benn, also spoke fondly of Mr Parris and like Dr Surujbally, remarked on his tremendous intellect, stating that he served his country well, and was a true patriot. “He will be greatly missed in all areas where he served,” she said. “He always provided all the people around him with food for thought; you were never bored in his presence. He was always there when people needed him, and always gave a helping hand in whatever area.”

WRITING AND OTHER HOBBIES Mr Parris dabbled in many hobbies, among them music. He played the trumpet, and the piano He was also fond of chess, carpentry, computer art and writing. The latter was one hobby which led to his authoring seven books since 1991. His works include Bunaro (a set of essays on economic development relevant to Guyana); two volumes of thought-provoking essays entitled, “Some (and then some more) of my favourite Heresies”; two volumes of short stories entitled, “Ribald tales of Guyana”; and “The Constitution of Guyana: What

will it Look Like????”

A mere 24 hours before he died, former Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green mused, he actually spoke with Parris about writing. “He sought to encourage me to write some more when he learned I had written something for the Independence,” Green said.

“I was shocked beyond belief, because I spoke with him just a few hours before, and there was no sign or indication of illness.”

He thought of Parris as a committed and sincere Guyanese patriot, who made a significant contribution to the bauxite industry.

Green said that he used his brilliance to the advantage of the society, as a whole, in a way that is unusual, because it was unselfish, and he never sought for personal gains. “Personally, I will miss his advice,” he said.

“I remember working the same boats in the Linden community, and when he became a member of the Cabinet. We swapped stories of our journey through life, and those memories will be with me for as long as I live.”

Hasyln Parris passed away at the Balwant Singh Hospital on March 28, 2016. He was 75.

Body at Coldingen Railway Embankment THE unidentified body of a man of East Indian descent was discovered wrapped in construction plastic Sunday morning along the Coldingen Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The body had a chop wound to the back of the head. Police cordoned off the area and the body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home, to await identification and a post-mortem examination as the investigations continue.

Commander of ‘C’ Division Marlon Chapman said an anonymous phone caller on Sunday at 06:30hrs informed the police about a motionless body at the side of the

Police and residents at the scene where the body was discovered at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara parapet at Coldingen Railway, and the police then visited the scene.

Upon arrival, the police discovered the body of an East Indian male

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wrapped in construction plastic tied with polythene rope.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Farms recovering from Red Palm Mite infestation

G

R A D U A L LY the leaves of coconut palms are returning to bright green and blossoms are beginning to protrude, a promising sign that the Red Palm Mite pest that wreaked havoc over the coconut industry for months is now being defeated.

Government in December 2015 injected some $49 million to purchase chemicals and other materials to fight against the pest in all coconut producing regions. This support came following a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and farmers.

In addition, extension officers of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) have increased their presence on the ground, offering technical support and monitoring the situation. Thus far, over 540 farmers have received chemicals and requisite training involving the treatment of infected plants.

The presence of the pest was first observed in July 2013 on the island of Wakenaam, Region Three.

Following the discovery of the mite on the island, NAREI immediately conducted a trial to determine the appropriate means of control.

In October 2013, NAREI assembled a team to treat the coconut palms and quarantined the island to restrict the invasive species. Between October 2013 and December 2014 over 50,000 coconut palms were treated on the island by injecting the chemical into each tree.

And, preventative measures were taken in neighbouring Region Two. But, those efforts did not stop the pest from reaching the Pomeroon and other farming communities on the Essequibo Coast.

In fact, even with ad-

the many coconut farmers in the Pomeroon (the largest coconut producing area) whose farm had been affected by the Red Palm Mite. For months, Cox observed the drastic changes in his farm: tree branches had become brown and no blossoms were visible.

Finally, owing to an advisory broadcast via the radio, Cox became aware of the Red Palm Mite. Farmers in the area were trying different remedies but to no avail. Fortunately, extension officers visited the area and Cox’s conclusion was proven to be accurate -- his farm was infested with the Red Palm Mite.

The Red Palm Mite, which has wreaked havoc on coconut plantations is being defeated, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute says visories informing farmers about the outbreak in Wakenaam, not many were

prepared for the devastating effects of the pest.

Dennis Cox is one of

RECOVERY STAGE He benefited from Government’s assistance package. Today, Cox’s coconut farm, which is his only means of earning an income, is in the re-

covery stage. He is looking forward to a good harvest but will continue to be vigilant for the Red Palm Mite.

He is aware that the farms in the Pomeroon are at a great risk of being infested by the Red Palm Mite owing to the large number of unattended farms. However, Cox is of the view that the training farmers were exposed to would enable them to swiftly respond to any future attacks of the Red Palm Mite.

Like Cox, Randolph Garraway is keeping a watchful eye on his coconut farm, spanning some 15-acres. The effects of the Red Palm Mite on Garraway’s farm were not devastating since NAREI responded timely.

A ccording to G ar-

raway, had it not been for NAREI’s intervention, his farm would have been destroyed by the Red Palm Mite.

“NAREI came in the nick of time… I applied the chemicals and for two months now the trees are normal… the plants are getting green… I am thankful for the assistance because I couldn’t afford to purchase the chemicals,” he said.

Coconut palms that were treated are showing significant reduction in the Red Palm Mite population. Farmers need to be vigilant and take precautionary measures to ensure that their farms continue to be mite free. The pest is easily transmitted by the air from affected areas to areas that are not affected.

Monday April 4th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Tuesday April 5th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday April 6th, 2016 - 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

City’s revenue base to expand

EXPANDING the revenue base of the Georgetown City Council is top on the agenda of newly elected Mayor Patricia Chase-Green.

The current figure of the Council’s budget is unable to manage the city, Chase-Green told the Chronicle on Sunday.

As such, an estimate will have to be conducted in certain areas to determine who are paying their rates and taxes and who are not.

For instance, in the areas of Sophia and Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, the Mayor said only a few persons engaged in squatting, but whose areas have become regularised, are paying their taxes.

Further, many buildings which operate on a commercial basis are still paying the residential rates. These two rates are different, Chase-Green pointed out.

Meanwhile, the Mayor said she is looking forward to working along with the 30 new councillors, who include fresh faces, along with some older folk who are more experienced.

According to Chase-Green, the laws which govern the Town Clerk and other officers at City Hall, and city councillors, are very clear and thus everyone is aware of their responsibilities.

The Local Government Commission, soon to be established, will help to address any concerns that may arise, she said.

According to the Mayor, things have improved at City Hall since the May 2015 general and regional elections, when the then Local Government Minister stopped controlling the City Council.

As such, Chase-Green said she foresees no complacency, as everyone would be accountable to the council.

Meanwhile, Sherod Duncan, a former University of Guyana Student Society President, was elected Deputy Mayor.

Others who were elected to the council are Heston Bostwick, Tameshwar Budhoo, Carolyn Caesar, Noelle ChowChee, Oscar Clarke, Welton Clarke, Yvonne Ferguson, Malcolm Ferreira, Gregory Fraser, Junior Garrett, Carlyle Goring, Linda Gomes-Haley, Winston Harding, Ivelaw Henry, Lyndon Hilliman, Salima Bacchus-Hinds, Lionel Jaikarran, Bishram Kuppen, Desiree Liverpool, Andrea Marks, Alfred Mentore, Roopnarine Persaud, Akeem Peter, Trichria Richards, James Samuels, Phillip Smith, Monica Thomas and Sophia Whyte.

Following her election, Chase-Green, the fourth woman to serve in the post of Mayor, told the Chronicle that she felt excited at the appointment, although becoming Mayor never crossed her mind when she first entered the City Council in 1994.

She said she was very thankful to those who assisted in her campaign, including those persons she had met for

the first time while campaigning.

As for the smaller parties whose representatives sit on the council, ChaseGreen said they will all have a say. She noted that there are several committees on the council in which they could participate; and according to her, there are legal provisions for other committees to be formed.

“So they will have a say. There will be no one who will be left out of a committee system; everyone will be given an opportunity to serve,” she declared.

Chase-Green went into the City Council under the Good and Green Guyana (GGG) environmental group that was headed by former Mayor Hamilton Green.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

CDCs, women’s group get grant funding

By Clifford Stanley FIRST Lady Sandra Granger on Sunday handed over letters to leaders of seven Community Development Councils (CDCs) and two women’s groups in West Coast Berbice, which informed them that their applications for grants for community development projects had been successful.

The presentations to leaders of the West Berbice groupings were done in the auditorium of the Latchmansingh Primary School, Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice.

Officials of the Ministry of Communities (MoC) disclosed that the grants from Central Government to West Berbician groupings through theMinistry totalled over $12 million and ranged in size from $3 million to $1 million for each of the nine groups, which had obtained funding for their projects.

The beneficiaries comprised members of the Experiment Block D Bath Settlement Village Women’s Group, the Bel Air-Woodlands Villages Civil Defence Commission (CDC) , the Golden Grove Lovely Lass Villages CDC , the Seafield Village CDC, the Mon EdderLust Villages CDC, the Golden Grove Union Cash Crop farmers Association; the Belladrum Village CDC, the Bush Lot/ Armadale Women’s Group; and the Trafalgar Women on the Move CDC. The projects which received this grant funding ranged from poultry rearing, to shade house farming and agro-processing activities.

Before handing over the letters of confirmation, the

First Lady said that the projects which were approved for funding will help to create wealth in the communities so that they can become better and stronger.

She urged the beneficiaries to be very transparent in their activities so as to encourage greater participation in their respective villages.

Donald Ainsworth, Assistant Director of the CDC Secretariat within the MoC, said that the grants were a token of the seriousness

their projects are successful since this would not only set an example for other CDCs and other women’s groups in other parts of Guyana to follow , but also qualify them for larger funding for future developmental activities.

Officials disclosed that the funds will not be handed over to the various groups directly, but each will have to set up a bank account to which the funds will be channelled.

A member of the Bath Settlement Group collects her letter of confirmation of grant funding from First Lady Sandra Granger that the Coalition Government takes in advancing positive changes to the economic social and psychological well-being of communities.

“In West Coast Berbice, we want to see more factories, more industries. These grants to CDCs in this area make that a possibility. They are the foundation for greater things to come.”

Ainsworth urged the beneficiaries to ensure that

Leaders of the groups will also have to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the MoC which will address their rights and responsibilities, as well as the expectations of the Ministry, as they go about executing the projects for which the grant aid were approved.

The execution of the projects will be closely monitored by the CDC Secretariat of the MOC.

The First Lady with some members of a women’s group which also secured a letter confirming funding for economic projects at the community level

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Coconut, the new gold – it cannot be rice alone, says Essequibo Chambers of Commerce President

THE price for rice has his rock bottom, but all is not lost for rice farmers, since the downfall presents an opportunity for them to tap into a more profitable industry.

According to Businessman Deleep Singh, President of the recently formed Essequibo Chamber of Commerce (ECC), the way out of the current crisis facing rice farmers is through diversification, but a change in mindset is required.

Like their counterparts in Regions Five and Six, rice farmers on the Essequibo Coast are mostly traditional farmers, and rice cultivation is an integral part of their culture. It is a business that has been passed down from generation to generation, and has seen families moved from penury to prosperity.

But of late all has not been going well

extensive field preparation, whereas coconut does not. And one acre of coconut cultivation produces about 7000 nuts per annum, which, at $50 per nut, easily earns a coconut farmer $350,000 per annum -more than double the amount of money a rice farmer earns annually per acre of rice, Singh reasoned.

“This is an area that farmers need

Essequibo Chamber of Commerce President Deleep Singh

“This is an area that farmers need to tap into, as it will enable them to have a more secure future in the long run. In the Pomeroon, you have the best coconuts in the world. In the Pomeroon, there is great potential, probably more than you can imagine. In the Pomeroon alone, there are about some 20,000 acres of land that can be cultivated. That is an estimated 140 million nuts per year; and at $50 per nut, it is a $7 billion enterprise in the Pomeroon waiting to be tapped.”-- Essequibo Chambers of Commerce President Deleep Singh

in this traditional industry, as low prices on the international market have resulted in paddy prices plummeting from about $3,500 per bag less than two years ago to as low as $1000 as of recent. In some cases, the various costs involved in production have outstripped the market price of the commodity, causing many farmers to significantly scale down their operations.

And aside from this, farmers have had to contend with late payments from millers, plus cope with the current El Nino weather phenomenon.

With the current crisis facing the rice industry, Singh told the Guyana Chronicle that it cannot be business as usual

for rice farmers if they want to stay in business.

He said it is time they begin to diversify by getting into cattle rearing; value-added activities of rice; and, more advisably, coconut cultivation. These areas, he said, will have to support rice cultivation if it is to remain viable.

He pointed out that Guyana is not a price maker, but a price taker on the world market, and it is not clear how soon rice prices will improve; but there is great hope with the coconut industry, as it has great potential, and it would not be long before it emerges as ‘the new gold’.

MORE PROFITABLE Farmers can earn far more by cultivating coconuts rather than rice, as long as they get a ready market for their produce, Singh said. One acre of rice produces about 40 bags of paddy, which at the current price of $2000 per bag earns a rice farmer some $80,000 per crop. There are two rice crops per year, which means that a farmer earns at least $160,000 per acre annually.

Rice cultivation, however, requires

to tap into, as it will enable them to have a more secure future in the long run. In the Pomeroon, you have the best coconuts in the world. In the Pomeroon, there is great potential, probably more than you can imagine.

In the Pomeroon alone, there are about See page 15

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$1B coconut water factory on stream

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

––Businessman Roopan Ramotar says agro-processing is way to go

WITH the steep drop in gold and rice prices countrywide, farmers and miners have thrown their hands in the air in despair, but Essequibo Coast businessman Roopan Ramotar has found a way to navigate himself out of these difficult circumstances.

This seasoned entrepreneur is building a state-ofthe-art coconut processing plant at Land of Plenty on the Essequibo Coast, and is hoping that the investment will yield abundant returns.

Ramotar told the Guyana Chronicle that the downturn in rice and gold prices has forced farmers to be innovative and to think outside the box to remain in business; and they happen to be lucky, he says, because the Essequibo is a wealthy county.

“Essequibo is not only wealthy in precious mineral resources, but it has an abundance of land and fresh water.

When gold prices crashed about two years ago, I had a

in the rice, gold, and lumber industries, decided to take

Businessman Roopan Ramotar a bank loan, which he combined with some money of his own to roll out his new dream -- a modern coconut industry.

The factory, a billion-dollar investment, is near completion and is expected to be operable in another six

a market in Trinidad and Tobago. He said he sees this market as a start, and pointed out that his intention is to tap into other Caribbean markets and ultimately the North American market.

“The opportunity is there.

When you go to the United States, you see in their supermarkets bottled coconut water. It some stores they sell it for as much as US$10 per bottle, and it is full of additives. We can produce fresh coconut water here and bottle it right here (his factory), and gain a foothold into these markets by producing a product of high and reputable quality,” Ramotar reasoned.

Seventy-five per cent of the coconuts for Ramotar’s factory will be supplied by his farms. He has one which is some 200 acres large; and another, some 300 acres in size, is in the making. The businessman is hoping that, by 2020, his farms will be producing at least 10 million nuts per annum, which should

A section of the coconut water factory under construction while the idea of farmers getting into agro-processing is an excellent one, the Government needs to offer them some assistance in this regard.

Things are good for now, he said, because the price of fuel has almost hit rock bottom, but when prices pick up again, he predicted, businessmen and women will again feel the squeeze of high electricity tariffs.

“Agro industries will develop and thrive if Government provides much-needed support to them. I am highly encouraged by the President’s vision for more people to get into the agro-processing business. A good way in ensuring that these businesses grow and develop is by offering concessions to them. What

the Government can do is consider offering a five-year VAT exemption to persons in the business of ago-processing.”

This, Ramotar explained, will enable these operators to move from being small enterprises to becoming medium and large-scale businesses.

Agro-processing is the way to go, he stressed, pointing out that rice, sugar, bauxite, lumber and gold -- all major national export commodities -- have taken a downturn on the international market.

For now, Ramotar’s factory will be producing and bottling coconut water; but in the years ahead, he will be looking to get into the production of virgin coconut oil, canning of coconut milk, and other value-added activities.

“I see a great future in the coconut industry on the Essequibo Coast, and I would like other investors to be partner in my operations, particularly big enterprises; so that this business can expand (and) create more jobs for Essequibians while producing quality products that will support the health of consumers. I look forward to partnering with a reputable company in the field of marketing.

Proper marketing will enable my company to reach the heights I envision for it,” the impassioned businessman said.

Ramotar can be contacted by email at: ramotarinvestment@yahoo.com , or by telephone on number 680-7814.

A push is on to complete works on the building few dredges in the mines and I found the mining operation was becoming a challenge in terms of being financially viable. So I packed up and moved out because I saw the ‘gold’ elsewhere. I told my friends and family that I stop mining for gold and will be planting ‘gold’ instead, and they look at me in bemusement.”

Ramotar invested a portion of his savings in developing some of his rice lands into a coconut plantation; and from his years of investment

weeks. It will provide direct employment for some 40 Essequibians, and indirect employment for another 60.

Outfitted with bot tle-washing, office and storage areas as well as a workers’ lounge, the facility will be bottling coconut water for export and for local consumption.

MARKET SECURED Ramotar said he has already been contracted to supply 10,000 litres of coconut water per week to

be enough to cater for a projected expansion in local and export sales of coconut water.

He pointed out that though it was the current misfortune in the gold and rice industries that pushed him into further diversification, he was greatly encouraged by the message of President David Granger, who has been repeatedly urging farmers to get into agro-processing.

SUPPORT NEEDED Ramotar noted that

Inside the coconut water factory. This area is where the coconuts will be cut before another process is engaged

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Coconut, the new ...

From page 13 some 20,000 acres of land that can be cultivated.

“That is an estimated 140 million nuts per year; and at $50 per nut, it is a $7 billion enterprise in the Pomeroon waiting to be tapped,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

VALUED-ADDED This, the businessman pointed out, is without the value-added industry of the coconut, which includes coconut oil, craft, and coconut water. That industry is worth about $7 billion as well, most of which can come from coconut water.

It is estimated that the demand for coconut water grows by some 50 to 100 per cent annually. Globally, the coconut water industry is worth US$1 billion, and the product is on its way to becoming the world’s most popular drink.

According to The WaterPage.Com, coconut water increases rehydration, boosts the immune system, decreases heat stroke, in-

creases blood circulation in diabetics, and is important in anti-aging treatments.

Coconut water is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

Locally, some 60,000 acres of land are under coconut cultivation; and in terms of its status as a priority agriculture crop, coconut ranks third in importance, behind rice and sugar.

About half of the coconuts produced locally are exported to The Dominican Republic, but these are mainly dried nuts.

Singh also pointed out that in light of the threat of global warming, coconut stands out as a climate-resistant crop, and can be a more-than-useful product to brace farmers during hard times.

“There is a huge value-added market farmers can tap into. It is a vital means of sustaining food security and providing nutritious foods. So farmers should not wholly and solely depend on rice, but should look at other available opportunities of

Personality Profile

MEET the lovely Rajshri Mansaram, a 21-year-old resident of Land of Plenty on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two. Rajshri, one of triplets born to her parents, is employed as an Administrative Assistant at the Office of the Prime Minister in the Regional Administrative building in Region Two. This young lady enjoys reading, cooking, and helping unfortunate children. She is advising young people “to pursue their passion, take their education seriously, and work to make a genuine difference in their communities and country”.

ensuring their livelihoods are sustained.

“And the Essequibo Coast is a big place: with 6.5 persons per square kilometre, there is no worry about availability of land. So it is time that they make an effort to enjoy a more secure livelihood, and coconut can help them in this regard,” the businessman said.

A small coconut farm in an Upper Pomeroon community

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Impose tariffs on milk importation –– so that local dairy industry can prosper

ESSEQUIBO Coast Businessman Deleep Singh is calling on Government to support the local dairy industry by imposing tariffs to discourage the high importation of milk.

Guyana imports about 99 per cent of the milk it consumes; and this, Singh says, has been killing the local industry, as farmers find it difficult to compete with the proliferation of foreign milk and milk products on the market.

But there is some hope for local dairy farmers. Finance Minister Winston Jordon, in his 2016 budget presentation, noted Government’s intention to re-energise the cattle industry through the development of a milk pasteurisation plant.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had said that if a look were to be taken at Guyana’s top 10 food imports, it will be seen that ‘milk and cream’ is number one.

In 2015, Guyana imported 27 million US dollars’ worth, or 9.8 million kg, of milk. Milk imports increased 6.4 per cent in 2015 over the

corresponding period in 2014, and accounted for 19 per cent of total food imports.

According to Holder, efforts will also be made to improve the dairy sector through development of a plan for acquisition of a new milk processing plant, along with re-establishment of a milk collection system. The Agriculture Ministry has already approached the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for assistance to develop this initiative.

Singh, owner of a cattle ranch in the Pomeroon with over 150 head of cattle, told the Guyana Chronicle that the Government needs to accelerate its vision for the dairy industry, which has been suffering for too long, without much help.

He also reasoned that since farming is the primary occupation in Region Two, Government should examine setting up a pasteurisation plant on the Essequibo Coast, so that the dairy industry there gets a much-need boost.

But, he noted, for the local industry to take off,

Cattle grazing at Deleep Singh’s ranch in the Pomeroon it would require Government’s intervention/ health nutrients obtained from milk are promotion in “supporting local products”. essential for the human body, and help The businessman concurred that Guyana prevent a number of chronic ailments. operates in a free market economy, but said For this reason, Singh, who is also the that one of the measures Government can President of the Essequibo Chambers of take in support of the local dairy industry is Commerce, said the Government should to impose tariffs to discourage importation of look at introducing milk into its school dairy products. feeding programmes. He pointed out that “If this happens, the local dairy industry it is more nutritious than the current fruit will grow (by) leaps and bounds, and local juice being used. producers will not have to look for overseas “This is something that they should look markets, as there would be a huge market at, particularly for nursery and primary school right here. Guyana has a population of about pupils. Local and fresh cow’s milk is more 748,000 people, and that is the market avail- nutritious than the milk that we import by the able to local dairy farmers, and it is (the) tonnes every year. It will tie into the old manmarket that they should tap into, but they tra, which we haven’t fully adhered to; that need Government’s help in protecting their is: ‘buy and support local’. This makes sound interests,” the businessman said. business sense, since support of the local dairy Milk increases bone density; enables a industry will enable the creation of more jobs smoother skin; a stronger immune system; for Guyanese, and contribute directly to the prevents illnesses such as hypertension, development of Guyana,” said Singh. dental decay, dehydration, respiratory Singh holds a Degree in Agriculture problems, obesity, osteoporosis, and even from Louisiana State University, USA, some forms of cancer. The beneficial where he specialised in dairy development.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Essequibo Chamber of Commerce resuscitated

THE Essequibo Chamber of Commerce (ECC) has been resuscitated after being dormant for more than three years. Charity Businessman Deleep Singh is its new president.

The chamber was revived when members of the interim body held an Annual General Meeting on Saturday. The chamber reportedly fell into dormancy because its former executives had lacked the drive and passion to advance the business affairs of the region.

The new executives have already gotten down to work, and their first task is to develop a plan that will enable the new chamber to make a meaningful contribution to the rice, forestry, fishing, health, education and infrastructure development sectors in Region Two.

Essequibo Chamber of Commerce President Deleep Singh says rice farmers need to cut down on expenditure, increase production, and engage in inter-cropping to survive the rice crisis “We have room for everyone, and I urge all businesses to come on board. One of the problems we will tackle head-on is unemployment in the region. We would want to see students, on leaving school, being able to obtain jobs, whether in a skilled area or in the field of entrepreneurship, if they do not intend to immediately further their education,” the new chamber president told the Guyana Chronicle.

Another major problem the chamber intends to address with dispatch is the rice crisis, which has affected farmers throughout Guyana, hundreds of whom live on the Essequibo Coast.

“For farmers to survive the current trying times, they will have to cut down on expenditure, produce more, and engage in inter-cropping. They cannot survive depending on rice alone,” the chamber president said.

Singh also noted that all Guyanese can play a role in mitigating the effects of the rice crisis. He pointed out that, on average, Guyanese consume rice once per day, but can begin to have two meals of the staple daily, in a bid to increase its local demand.

And strong attention will be paid to supporting value-added industries and to get Essequibians to support local produce.

On a different note, Singh, President of the Parent/ Teachers Association of the Charity Secondary School, told this publication that the school is in urgent need of an extension. He is urging the Government to intervene in this regard.

The school was reportedly built to house 400 students, but currently has a population of 800.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Bushlot Trend Setters making an impression THE Bushlot Trend Setters is on a mission to create positive change in the community of its domicile by helping young people hooked on drugs and alcohol to overcome their ugly habits through sports.

Previously called the Determined Trend Setters, the group was resuscitated in June 2014, after being dormant for more than 20 years, and assumed its new name.

“This community has a lot of young people, many of whom are not meaningfully engaged and are involved in smoking of marijuana and regular consumption of alcohol. We try to get them to desist from doing these things, and encourage them to participate in sports and community cleanup exercises,” group secretary Dhaneshwaree Indranie told the Guyana Chronicle.

Bushlot is a relatively small village on the Essequibo Coast, with a population of approximately 500, of whom about 300 are adults.

The group has 45 members, but not all of them are

from Bushlot. Some are from Anna Regina, Reliance, Richmond, and other villages in proximity to Bushlot.

They get along well, mainly because they embrace a common purpose to be positive agents of change in their community.

They regularly participate in basketball, volleyball and cricket competitions among themselves and against other teams on the Essequibo Coast.

In fact, the Bushlot Trend Setters Cricket Team is registered under the North Essequibo Cricket Board, and according to Indranie, a teacher who has been in the profession for some 18 years, the cricket matches they play are most exiting.

“In some of these competitions the teams play for prizes, and these include a cash prize of $10,000, a trophy, and sometimes the trophy is a ram goat. If things were bright on the Essequibo Coast, (the prize) would probably have been more than $10,000,” she said.

This newspaper was

told that, on occasions, the winning team members would slaughter and cook the ram goat on the field soon after the match, and even the losing team members would partake in the feast.

NO BITTER RIVALRY “It is about the spirt of togetherness, not bitter rivalry. We try to bring people together through sports and community service, and dissuade them from drugs, alcohol and other negative activities,” Indranie said with a smile.

Most of the sports matches occur on weekends, and most of the participants are young people.

Shavon Kishore, treasurer of the Trend Setters, said the group is extremely thankful to Food For The Poor and other kind donors for their support, received in cash and kind.

And she is encouraging the corporate community on the Essequibo Coast to come forward and support

Members of the Bushlot Trend Setters. From left Dhaneshwaree Indranie, Shavon Kishore and Rasheema Ramdial the good work of the group.

Recent expenses for travelling and gear for players have depleted the coffers of the Trend Setters, and in an effort to replenish its finances, the group will soon raise it annual membership fee from a modest $200 per year to a manageable $500.

“Anyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of misguided youths,

and a difference in their community, can become a member of the Bushlot Trend Setters,” Vice Chairman Rasheema Ramdial told the Guyana Chronicle.

And Indranie, who is also called “Shoba”, has said that since its re-establishment, the group has managed to get a number of youths and adults who drink and smoke to abandon their “dirty habits”, and this success has been the group’s motivation and driving force.

“Drug users and alcohol abusers are not good for their families and their communities, and this is what we try to change, and instill positive values in young people.

We want harmony and what is good for our community, Bushlot,” she said.

Aside from the sports matches, the group has undertaken three community cleanup exercises since its resuscitation. In those exercises, members walked with their tools, while a member sponsored refreshment for those doing the cleaning-up.

Apart from kind donations and membership fees, The Trend Setters also raise money to meet expenses through fundraising activities. This year it intends to carry out a medical outreach and feed underprivileged children of the CV Nunes Primary School in Anna Regina.

Ramdial, Indranie and Kishore are hoping that the Trend Setters will this year do a bit better in terms of gender balance.

Of its 45 members, only seven are females.

Harvesting commences in Region Two

By Mohamed Khan HARVESTING of the current rice crop has commenced in Region Two, and farmers are making full use of the dry and sunny weather.

While harvesting has started in the central parts of the Essequibo Coast, the exercise is moving apace in the northern and southern sections.

It is reported that farmers are harvesting an average of 45 bags per acre. And with no paddy bug infestation at the moment, farmers are optimistic of a bumper crop.

Some 25,500 acres of rice in the region are expected to be harvested without any difficulty.

In mid-January of this year, 35,500 acres were prepared by plough, but lack of rainfall and irrigation water prevented the rest of acreage from being sown.

It is a relatively small crop, considering that only 25,500 acres were sown; and with such reduced crop, signs are pointing in the direction of increased competition for farmers’ paddy, and later, in the reaping stages, a resultant increase in price may occur.

The price can reach $2,300 per bag, compared to the $2000 offered the previous crop.

Though this may be small,

the analysis of farmers’ costs of production has indicated that many of them are at least breaking even with their production costs at the going paddy price. However, some farmers would not be recovering their total costs.

Farmers in Region Two have been expanding their paddy production with the assurance of getting a better price for their produce.

Growing uncertainties and falling prices have alarmed farmers. Over the past two crops, there has been a general decline in paddy prices since the Venezuelan market came to an end.

The consequences of these declining prices are already being felt, and farmers have indicated that they are expecting subsidises from the Government and rescheduling of their debts by the commercial banks.

Considering the current situation, it would be necessary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Government to protect the interest of the rice farmers. This could be done through the provision of seed paddy and other agricultural inputs. Farmers depend on their input suppliers and the banks to provide them with the necessary support and working capital to produce paddy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

Brathwaite’s...

From backpage

delivery, a juicy half-volley on leg stump, over the square leg boundary.

The next two deliveries disappeared over the long-on and long-off ropes before the fourth one, with just one run needed, was nonchalantly deposited in the stands over deep midwicket to trigger wild celebration by the West Indians.

“We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, we keep on praying,” Sammy said after becoming the first captain to lead a team to a second World T20 title.

“Good to see Carlos play like that in his debut World Cup. Shows the Twenty20 depth we have in the Caribbean. Hopefully, we will continue to improve.”

Sammy’s men had completed West Indies’ magnificent year in limited overs cricket that began with the colts winning the under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh in February.

Hours before Brathwaite’s tour de force, the West Indian women’s team ended threetime defending champions Australia’s hegemony to win their maiden World Twenty20 title.

TOPLESS SAMUELS As team mates came forward to console a distraught Stokes, Sammy and his men invaded the pitch. A pumpedup Samuels went topless and had to be restrained by his team mates.

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It was their second win over England in the tournament, having beaten Eoin Morgan’s men in the group stage a fortnight ago in Mumbai.

It was also the perfect answer from a bunch of West Indian cricketers who had complained throughout the tournament of hostility from sections of the media and a lack of backing from their home board.

For Brathwaite, it proved the most memorable night of his career.

Before he had smashed his unbeaten 34 off only 10 balls, the 27-year-old from Barbados had claimed 3-23 to restrict England to a modest 155-9 after Sammy had won the toss and elected to field.

Joe Root, not for the first time in the tournament, top scored for England with a fluent 54 and must be wondering what more he could have done, having also claimed a couple of wickets with his part-time off-spin.

After David Willey had sent down the first over, Morgan sprang a surprise by tossing the ball to Root, who dismissed Johnson Charles and the danger man Chris Gayle with his first three deliveries.

Samuels, also hero of West Indies’ 2012 World Twenty20 final victory against Sri Lanka, again performed magnificently but it still needed Brathwaite’s nonchalant belligerence to eclipse even him and see West Indies home.

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Leicester ‘dreaming’ of title after win over Southampton

By Mike Collett LONDON, (Reuters)-`A year to the day since being seven points from safety at the foot of the Premier League and facing relegation, Leicester City moved seven points clear at the top of table when they beat Southampton 1-0 at the King Power Stadium yesterday.

“We are dreaming,” declared Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri after watching his team, 5,000-1 outsiders to win the title at the start of the season, secure a fourth straight 1-0 victory thanks to a first-half header from captain Wes Morgan.

The win moved Leicester on to 69 points with just six matches remaining, seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who drew 1-1 at Liverpool on Saturday.

Arsenal stayed third, moving on to 58 points after their 4-0 win over Watford on Saturday with Manchester City remaining fourth on 54 points after their 4-0 win at Bournemouth.

Manchester United stayed in the hunt for a top-four finish when they beat Everton 1-0 at Old Trafford yesterday to move into fifth place on 53 points with Anthony Martial scoring the winner early in the second half.

Arsenal, City and United all have one game in hand on Leicester but if the Foxes win four of their remaining games, they cannot be caught and will complete one of the most remarkable stories in the 128-year history of the English League.

Leicester’s best-ever finish was as runners-up in 1929 and the last time they made any kind of push for the title was in 1963 when they finished fourth and were beaten in the FA Cup final.

Yet after beating West Ham a year ago this weekend to begin their revival and avoid the drop, they have not looked back.

LEICESTER DREAMING “We are dreaming. If we fight, we can do something and we must continue. It’s important to stay very calm and maintain our feet on the ground,” Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri told Sky Sports.

“Clean sheet, three points, step by step. It’s fantastic because we know very well Southampton came here with a lot of confidence.

“I said to the players, it’s the chairman’s birthday, he needs a special present from us.”

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman was not in such a giving mood afterwards.

His side should have taken the lead six minutes b e f o re L e i c e s t e r s c o re d when Saido Mane rounded keeper Kasper Schmeichel then saw his shot hit the arm of Danny Simpson who cleared the ball.

Koeman was convinced his team was denied a penalty and he also thought Simpson should have been sent off.

“For the third match in a row we don’t get a 100 percent penalty -- Stoke City away, Liverpool at home, and today two penalties.

Notable Dates

THROUGHOUT his 18-year professional career Terrence Alli dazzled boxing fans with lightning hand speed and equally quick foot work. Alli’s contribution to the sport remains unquestionable as he brought great pride to Guyana especially when competing on the world renowned television network ESPN as a lightweight and super lightweight.

On April 4, 1991 Alli tackled journeyman Jerry Smith in Rochester, New York and won by Knock Out. Alli was 30 years-old at the time and still in his prime. He would next fight Charles Murray for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) super lightweight (junior welterweight) title.

The result was a victory by split decision for Alli and his 47th win. While Murray would go on to win the International Boxing Federation super lightweight title, Alli failed at three attempts.

His first was against Harry Arroyo for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight title. The fight was held in January 1985 at the Bally’s Park Place Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City and the Guyanese lost by TKO in round 11.

Alli would then clash with Jose Luis Ramirez in July 1987 for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title and lost by Unanimous Decision.

In May 1993 he moved up to the junior welterweight division and collided with legendary Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez for the WBC title, but was TKOed in round six.

“The big one is when Sadio Mane’s shot hits Danny Simpson and it is a red card and a penalty.

“If it is not a handball, it is a goal. I don’t know what they are doing. This is a big match. It is about the Premier League title and our ambition is to play in Europe.”

Yesterday’s late match saw United win a forgettable encounter against Everton although the second half was better than a dire opening 45 minutes.

Martial struck the winner at the far post when the Everton defence failed to clear a ball whipped across their goalmouth, and apart from the goal the only other notable thing that happened came before the kickoff.

Fans of both clubs gave Bobby Charlton, 78, a warm salute as United’s record scorer, marking 60 years since his United debut, took a bow on the Old Trafford pitch as the South Stand was re-named the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand in his honour.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, MondayApril 4, 2016

Winning Windies players will share prize money - CEO

By Kayon Raynor

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (Reuters) - West Indies players will share the entire $1.6 million in prize money for winning the men’s World Twenty20 title as well as a portion of sponsorship revenue, the head of the region’s cricket board told Reuters yesterday.

The offer, however, does not appear to have mended the rift between the board and the players, who faced the threat of being replaced for the tournament over a financial dispute, before they backed down and accepted the board’s terms.

Captain Darren Sammy said the team had “felt disrespected by the board coming into the tournament”, but the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief executive Michael Muirhead told Reuters their relationship had been repaired.

“Well I’d like to think it was water under the bridge

before the tournament started,” Muirhead said.

“Yes we had our differences and we had a lot of dialogue and it was made public, but I must say in the end we were able to resolve our differences.”

Sammy, who dedicated the win to the fans, however criticised the WICB and sided with CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) political leaders, who have called for the Dave Cameron-led executive of the WICB to be disbanded.

“I want to thank the heads of CARICOM. Throughout this tournament they have been supporting the team,” Sammy said.

“We’ve gotten emails, we’ve gotten calls... (Grenada) Prime Minister (Dr. Keith) Mitchell, I know what he’s trying to do and I really want to thank him.

“He sent a very inspiring email to the team this morning and I’m yet to hear from our own cricket

board. That is very disappointing.”

The WICB and president Cameron congratulated both the men’s and women’s team -Stafanie Taylor’s side had earlier beaten Australia to clinch their maiden title -- afterwards and Muirhead said the board should get some credit.

“All I can say is, it wasn’t by chance that this happened,” he said. “We put in a lot of preparations and spent a lot of time in getting both teams ready for this tournament.

“I leave it up to you (media) now to disclose that to the CARICOM officials, who believe that we may not be doing the job that we ought to do.

“We have a lot more to do and we will just have to intensify those efforts to make sure that those plans are institutionalised and rolled out across the region so we have the production of good players through the systems we are putting in place.”

Rosberg romps to fifth win in a row

By Alan Baldwin

MANAMA, (Reuters)-Germany’s Nico Rosberg romped to his fifth win in a row for Mercedes yesterday and ended Formula One champion team mate Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a third successive Bahrain Grand Prix victory.

In a race that at times resembled a demolition derby, with bits of bodywork flying as cars collided, Rosberg seized the lead from the start and enjoyed an easy evening under the floodlights.

“It’s been an awesome weekend. The key was really at the start, I made a great getaway and from then on I was trying to control the pace,” said Rosberg of his first win at the desert track where he made his F1 debut a decade ago.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, whose team mate Sebastian

Vettel failed to start after his car’s engine let out a plume of smoke on the formation lap, finished 10.2 seconds behind to repeat last year’s second place.

Hamilton, a distant third and never in a position to challenge for the lead, made a slow start from pole position and tangled with the Williams of Valtteri Bottas at the first corner as the Finn tried to go past on the inside.

That left him having to battle back from seventh place at the end of lap two with a damaged car, while stewards gave Bottas a drive-through penalty for causing the collision.

Hamilton had also started on pole in Australia two weeks earlier, when both Mercedes drivers were jumped by the Ferraris before eventually finishing one-two.

“Two separate incidents, both equally painful -- perhaps today more painful,” said

Hamilton.

“We still managed to get the car up there and get some points,” added the Briton. “So, again, damage limitation, congratulations to Nico, an easy race for him I would assume but I’m glad it wasn’t more points.”

Rosberg stretched his lead over Hamilton at the top of the standings to 17 points after two races.

The win was the 16th of the German’s career, lifting him level in the all-time lists with British great Stirling Moss, and the eighth in a row for champions Mercedes.

All but the top six cars were lapped, with 17 finishers.

Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo was fourth for the second race running, with Frenchman Romain Grosjean performing more heroics for the new U.S.-owned Haas team

by finishing fifth after sixth in Australia.

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen finished sixth for Toro Rosso, with Russian Daniil Kvyat seventh for sister team Red Bull and Felipe Massa eighth for Williams ahead of Bottas.

Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne, standing in for Fernando Alonso at McLaren after the Spaniard was ruled out on medical grounds after his big crash in Melbourne, scored on his debut with 10th place.

The points were McLaren’s first of the season and capped a great weekend for the reigning GP2 champion, who also out-qualified 2009 world champion team mate Jenson Button.

The Briton retired on lap seven.

With Vettel and Alonso not starting, that left three of the sport’s five active world champions watching from the sidelines.

Former Zimbabwe umpire Ian Robinson dies aged 69

FORMER Zimbabwe umpire Ian Robinson has died of lung cancer at the age of 69, in Harare on Sunday.

Robinson made his international debut as an umpire in the 1992 World Cup and his Test debut in Zimbabwe’s inaugural match, against India in Harare, in

October 1992. He officiated in 28 Tests, 90 ODIs and three World Cups - 1992, 1996 and 1999.

He began his umpiring career in 1975, and was appointed to Zimbabwe’s first-class panel in 1978.

In 2004, he was sacked by the Zimbabwe Cricket

Union without being given a reason. Apart from his umpiring duties, Robinson served as a ZCU board member for 14 years and an employee of the board for nine. He also served as the board’s international cricket manager.

Robinson was appointed

to the first international panel of umpires established by the ICC in 1994.

In 2008, he announced his retirement from top-level umpiring to focus on his role as ICC Regional Umpires’ Performance Manager (RUPM) for the Africa region. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

WICB, WIPA laud Windies women on historic World Cup victory

THE West Indies women have been praised by the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB) following their historic first hold on the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World title on Sunday.

The West Indies defeated three-time defending champions Australia by eight wickets to lift the trophy for the very first time.

In reply to Australia’s 148 for 5, a record for a team batting first in an ICC Twenty20 final, the West Indies scored 149 for 2 with three balls to spare.

Eighteen-year-old Hayley Matthews was named player of the match for her 66 runs off just 45 balls to help lay the

foundation for the West Indies win while Captain Stafanie Taylor, who scored 59 off 57 balls, was named Player of the Tournament.

Taylor scored a tournament leading 246 runs and took eight wickets in the run up to the title.

These were proud moments for the WICB. “The West Indies Cricket Board, its Board of Directors, management, staff and the people of the Caribbean/West Indies, are extremely proud of the achievement of the women’s team for its emphatic win over Australia to take the 2016 ICC World T20 crown,” read a statement from the WICB.

“The region is celebrating the victory. The women displayed grit and determination throughout the entire tournament and ended in a thrilling overall win.”

The WICB singled out Matthews and Taylor for special praise for their roles in achieving victory.

“Congratulations to the player of the tournament and Captain, Stafanie Taylor and player of the match, Hayley Matthews. We also offer all-round praise to the team management and all the persons who worked with this unit in preparation for this tournament. We look forward to the delegation re-

turning home to celebrate,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the West Indies Players’ Association, (WIPA) also extended congratulations to the successful West Indies ladies on being the ICC World T20 2016 Champions.

“Our ladies demonstrated what hard work and dedication can achieve,” said Wavell Hinds, President and CEO of WIPA. “They have made everyone in the Caribbean and all their fans extremely proud. They are deserving champions. Congratulations ladies, the management and the support staff!”

West Indies Women cricketers celebrate their World T20 victory over Australia at Eden Gardens.(WICB Media)

CARICOM congratulates Windies Men and Women’s teams

PRIME Minister of Grenada and Chairman of the CARICOM Sub-committee on Cricket Governance, Dr. the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, has congratulated the West Indies Men and Women’s teams on their heart-warming victories in the World T20 competitions earlier today.

The men’s team defeated England in the final by four wickets, with two balls remaining, scoring four consecutive sixes in the first four balls of the final over, to secure the seemingly improbable win. Earlier, the Women’s team crushed defending champions Australia to secure their first-ever World T20 title.

“It is with exhilarating pride that I extend the heartiest congratulations, on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada, as well as all the CARICOM Prime Ministers, to our Region’s cricketers.

The Under-19 earlier this year in the ICC World Cup; the women’s Team earlier today for securing the T20 championship, and now the men’s team for achieving this great World T20 victory,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

Dr. Mitchell noted that throughout the hard-fought contests and in the face of daunting adversities on and off the field, the Caribbean teams maintained their focus, and executed with skill, composure and pride, to deliver to an expectant and grateful Region some of the most memorable victories in West Indies cricketing history; and indeed the most memorable in recent times.

Again, Prime Minister Mitchell, who had extended best wishes to the teams prior to the finals and expressed his optimism for victory, pledged the continued unwavering support of the Governments of the CARICOM Region to developing cricket on an all-encompassing basis, including its governance, so as to ensure that at all levels, the players receive the necessary guidance and nurturing to harness their potential.

Prime Minister Mitchell reasserted the collective belief that cricket is arguably the most unifying force among the people and countries in the Caribbean Region, citing that “the sport continues to be a major catalyst for positive social transformation. As such, the West Indies organisation must be reminded of the tremendous role they play in regional development,” the Prime Minister added.

“This is why we are so happy today, after these victories. Hopefully, we are witnessing a major turnaround in West Indies cricket,” the Prime Minister added.

CPL praises West Indies after clinching historic treble

DAMIEN O’Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer of the HERO Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has offered his congratulations to the West Indies team after Darren Sammy’s side defeated England by four wickets in the most dramatic ICC World T20 final ever seen in Kolkata yesterday on the greatest day in the history of West Indies cricket.

Speaking from Eden Gardens following the victory, a delighted Mr O’Donohoe said: “I’ve never been to a World Cup final before and to be here in Eden Gardens on the greatest day ever in West Indies cricket, cheering on the women’s and men’s teams, is an amazing feeling and an enormous privilege.

“The people across the Caribbean will be partying for a month after this! I’m still shaking and it’s a day I’ll never forget for as long as I live. I just can’t wait for CPL to start now. Taking the World Champions into the USA this year will be so exciting for all involved.

“Against all odds the West Indies came from behind to seize back the initiative and credit to Carlos Brathwaite who built on Marlon Samuels’ stunning innings and Samuel Badree’s great

…Damien O’Donohoe heralds “golden era” for West Indies cricket bowling spell earlier to propel the team to glory and announce himself on the world stage.

“But this wasn’t about one individual. This was about the collective. And I have no doubt that CPL fans will come out in huge numbers this summer to cheer on their heroes as well as some of the biggest names in the world game.

Today was without doubt the greatest moment in West Indies’ history and the CPL will be there every step of the way to help develop the game and build on these incredible successes.

“On behalf of the CPL I would like to extend my congratulations to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), coach Phil Simmons, captain Darren Sammy and the entire West Indies team and management on their performances in India.

“Congratulations are also due to women’s coach Vasbert Drakes, captain Stafanie Taylor and the women’s team who also clinched the title earlier in the day after defeating Australia in another fantastic game. The CPL are extremely proud of all the

players and coaches who have catapulted West Indies back to their rightful place at the top table of world cricket and this is a great day for the fans who are the best in the world.

“Following on from the victorious ICC Under-19 World Cup team in Bangladesh in January, who will have representatives competing in each of our six franchises this season, today’s results again highlight the enormous mark that the West Indies continues to make on the global game.

“The performance of the players summed up all of the great virtues of West Indies cricket, which have been evident over the last few weeks. From individual flair, to collective power, precision and a never-say-die attitude, the men’s team has grown from strength to strength since the first round victory over England.

“I have no doubt that the performances in Bangladesh and here in India over the last few weeks will herald a golden era for West Indies cricket.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, MondayApril 4, 2016

Demerara stun Berbice to win title

- Essequibo also in winners’ row

By Rajiv Bisnauth DESPITE a fighting knock from skipper Kevin Sinclair, Demerara held their nerves in the death overs to win the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-county Under-17 tournament, beating Berbice by six runs in the final round yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground.

Berbice failed to get past the winning target of 190, and were bowled out in 49.2 overs.

Berbice was troubled by Demerara’s spinners, led by leftarm spinner Ashmead Nedd, who claimed 3-32.

Off-spinner Bhaskar Yadram chipped took 2-28 but it was medium pacer Anthony Antonio who set the tone for the win with two early wickets.

Earlier, Berbice spinners

also took full advantage of a pitch that offered both turn and bounce. They bowled 35 overs altogether which cost just 89 runs, and were the main threat to the Demerara batsmen after the hosts decided to bat first.

Left-arm spinner Keith Simpson (2-18) was the most successful of the four spinners, his left-arm counterpart Kevin Omroa and off-spinner Kevlon Anderson, both had one wicket apiece for 24 and 31 runs respectively..

Despite going wicketless, off-spinner Kevin Sinclair recorded stupendous figures, with his 10 overs going for just 16 runs.

Several Demerara batsmen got starts, but none carried on. Joshua Persaud defied the spinners to lead the way with 57. Yadram

The winning Demerara team with officials of the GCB supported with 33, Hatheramani 24, Antonio 16, Robin Williams 15 and Pradesh Balkishun 12 not out.

Medium pacers Steven Kalamadeen and Sayaad Pairbaksh were both expensive, with Pairbaksh (2-60) off eight overs

and Kalamadeen (1-33) off his six overs.

Berbice got off to the worst start and were reduced to 47-4, but 100-run partnership between Man-of-theMatch Kevin Sinclair and Kevlon Anderson give the

visitors some hope.

However, the Demerara spinners, especially Nedd, broke the partnership when he bowled Anderson for 28.

Berbice then lost their last five wickets for just 36 runs, including Kevin Sinclair for

95. Opener Javid Karim was the next best scorer with 22.

Meanwhile, in the other game played at DCC, Essequibo beat the Selected Under-15 by 107 runs. Scores: Essequibo 215; Selected Under-15 1O7.

Team Evolution dominate podium places in Powerade cycle road race TEAM Evolution’s cyclists dominated the podium places in yesterday’s Banks DIH-sponsored cycle road race organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed and staged on the West Coast of Demerara.

Team Evolution’s Orville Hinds won the approximately 35-mile race in a time of one hour 21 minutes 22 seconds. Hinds’s teammates Akeem Wilkinson and Marlon “Fishy” Williams placed second and third respectively.

Another Team Evolution cyclist, Stephen Fernandes, placed sixth and by virtue of this feat, he was adjudged winner of the veterans’ under-50 category.

In the open category, Bauxall Flyers’ Shaquel Agard was fourth and Team

Alanis Christopher Griffith placed fifth.

Of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs, Wilkinson won five, Williams two and Junior Niles one.

Jude Bentley was the second veteran to cross the finish line, while Raymond Newton was third.

The junior category was won by Deoraj Garbarran, Christopher Cornelius was second and Raphael Leung third.

In the mountain bike category, Keon Thomas was first, Julio Melville second and Wayne Nurse third.

After being sent off from outside the Wales Police Station, the 39 starters stayed together for the first five miles, but Williams, who only returned from the United States just over a week ago, jumped

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday April 04, 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) New Zealand & India (2) New Zealand & England

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times the WI have now played in an ICC T20 Men’s World Cup final?

(2) How many times the WI have now played in an ICC T20 Woman’s World Cup final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

the pack and went out by himself.

Wilkinson, Fernandes, Agard, Griffith and Franze Jeffrey then decided to pursue Williams and connected to him shortly after, while

Hinds led the main chasing pack.

On turning back at the back of the Parfait Harmony road, Wilkinson held the lead, but Hinds jumped the main chasing pack and connected to

Williams and the others, then went on to make connection to Wilkinson; together, the two Team Evolution cyclists interchanged the lead and opened a small lead all the way to the finish.

With approximately 300 metres remaining to the finish, Hinds and Wilkinson stepped up the pace, but Hinds was too strong for Wilkinson and he won by a length from Wilkinson.

Winners of the various categories of the banks DIH’s Powerade cycle road race strike a pose with race organiser Hassan Mohamed (third left) and former national cycle champion Victor Rutherford (extreme right).

Massive horse race meeting planned

GUYANA is set to have one of its biggest horse race meetings next month as the Four Horsemen Promotion group has planned an event for the Corentyne.

The group is staging a massive meeting with lucrative prizes on May 22 at the Port Mourant Turf Club.

The meeting has seven races scheduled and is being held as part of Guyana’s 50th Independence Celebrations. A release from the promoters stated that the feature race of the day will see horses classified as A and Lower competing for one of the largest first prizes in local racing.

The race is over a distance of 1900 metres and carries a

first prize of one and one half million dollars. The owners of the horse placing second will take home seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars while the third place finisher is guaranteed three hundred and seventy five thousand dollars.

Another expected exciting race is D3 Maiden over a distance of 1400 metres or seven furlongs. This race has attracted a first price of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

The meeting would be run according to the rules of the Guyana Horse Race Authority and entries close on May 15th.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 4, 2016

27

Guyanese celebrate Windies World T20 victory

Scenes from around Georgetown during yesterday’s World t20 Final Between the West Indies and England (Photos by Delano Williams )

Winning Windies players will share prize money - CEO See story on page 24

Brathwaite’s four sixes seal glorious World T20 triumph

By Amlan Chakraborty KOLKATA, (Reuters)-Carlos Brathwaite smashed England’s Ben Stokes for four successive sixes in the final over with a breathtaking display of power-hitting to snatch a sensational four-wicket victory for the West Indies in the World Twenty20 final yesterday.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy and his rag-tag bunch of Twenty20 mercenaries had been on the verge of boycotting the tournament over a pay dispute with their board but ended it in a blaze of glory.

Two weeks since landing in India after the tumultuous build-up, at Eden Gardens they became the first team to win the World Twenty20 twice, courtesy of the most explosive batting ever seen in the climax to any one-day final.

They owed it to the blazing blade of their number eight Brathwaite who, facing the improbable task of scoring 19 off the last six balls to pull off their 156-run victory chase, smashed

the first four balls for six.

It was an incredible finale, the 24 runs being the most ever in the final over of a Twenty20 international, surpassing Australia’s 23 against Pakistan in Gros Islet in 2010.

Yet it had looked wholly unlikely when the West Indies had been reeling at 11 for three inside three overs before Marlon Samuels, with a superb unbeaten 85 that earned him the man of the match award, put their chase back on track.

Yet despite Samuels’ heroics, few at Eden Gardens imagined he and Brathwaite had much hope of scoring 19 off the final six balls from Stokes, whose death-overs parsimony had been key to England’s victories against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Yet unfortunately for England, Stokes’ skills deserted him just when the 2010 champions needed it most.

Brathwaite kicked off the carnage by clobbering the first

See page 23

Carlos Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels soak in the moment after West Indies thrilling last over win at Eden Gardens. (WICB Media)

Windies women end Australia’s World T20 dominance

By Sudipto Ganguly KOLKATA, (Reuters)-Fifties from Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor powered West Indies to their first women’s World Twenty20 title yesterday, with an eight-wicket win at Eden Gardens ending three-times defending champions Australia’s dominance in the tournament.

Matthews (66) and captain Taylor (59) added 120 for their opening stand as West Indies chased down a 148-run target with three balls to spare for their first win against the Southern Stars in nine attempts in World Twenty20.

Deandra Dottin, who took two wickets for 33, remained unbeaten on 18 to see West Indies through and spark wild celebrations among her team mates who were joined by several members of the men’s side in a celebratory dance.

“We didn’t get the start we wanted. In the first three overs we only scored three runs but it was good to keep wickets in hand,” Taylor, who was named player of the tournament, told reporters.

“We just said: ‘We could do this, just stay here and bat through’.

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in as yet. We have a good feeling right now but I think when it really hits us that’s when we will know.”

Australia’s Elyse Villani and captain Meg Lanning had both hit 52 and added 77 for the second wicket to take their side to 148 for five after they won the toss and opted to bat.

Deandra Dottin leaps for joy as the West Indies team won the Women’s World T20 tournament for the first time. (WICB Media).

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Dottin gave away just one run in the final over which according to Lanning was a crucial moment in the match.

“It was certainly a pivotal moment I guess,” Lanning said. “I think we needed 160plus on that wicket and we certainly set ourselves up to get to that mark.

“We just probably slowed a little bit towards the end including that final over.

That probably gave the West Indies a little bit of momentum heading into their batting innings.”

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016