Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 09 03 2016

Now’s the time!

No. 104486

WEDNESDAY MARCH 9, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

- President plugs change for gender equality

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Few hiccups, voting process smooth 2 Page

- as security top brass cast vote in LGE

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Director of Prisons Carl Graham drops his ballot paper in the box

Berbice man hacks wife to death

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Retrial for Boat accident Lusignan causes 8 ‘Harbour massacre accused 8 Bridge’ to shift Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Security top brass cast vote in LGE … few hiccups, voting process smooth

AFTER a hiatus of more than two decades, members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and Guyana Prison Service on Tuesday kick-started voting in the historic Local Government Elections.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that for the most part, the voting process was “flawless”. Divisional Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken and Chairman of the Joint Services Commission, Brigadier Mark Phillips both spoke of the security arrangements for the day’s balloting.

Moments after casting his ballot at the Brickdam Police Station, Hicken told this publication that his division had approximately 15 polling stations with several ballot boxes. He stressed that all necessary arrangements were in place for the remainder of the day to ensure that the process is smooth and for police ranks to vote and then return to their place of work to continue with normal policing responsibilities.

In his remarks after voting, Brigadier Phillips also spoke of security arrangements for the remainder of

Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken just after voting the day. He expressed confidence that the day’s proceedings would go smoothly.

Brigadier Phillips also noted that all security mechanisms are in place for March 18 when the rest of the elector-

ate will cast their ballot.

He said that ranks and commanders have been properly briefed and there were several meetings and engagements held in the past to ensure that the process is executed without any form of chaos or disruption.

Top Cop Seelall Persaud displays his inked finger after voting Phillips did not speak on the strength of the joint services on that day but referred questions in that regard to the Commissioner of Police as it is the Guyana Police Force which would be in the forefront to ensure that law and order is maintained while

the army would be there as a backup when necessary.

Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud and Director of Prisons, Carl Graham also cast their ballots Tuesday morning

Please turn to page 4

Chief of Staff Mark Phillips casts his ballot at Camp Ayanganna

Director of Prisons Carl Graham drops his ballot paper in the box

Now’s the time!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

––President plugs change for gender equality

By Jasmaine Payne GUYANA’s legal framework for enhancing women’s rights is intact, and

down the barriers which currently prevent women from being treated as equal to men.

He made these obser-

President David Granger during his feature address yesterday at the Women’s Day Conference at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre President David Granger believes it is now time to move towards enforcing

vations yesterday at a function at the Arthur Chung Convention Cen-

presentation of the State Paper on Equality for women in the National Assembly on January 15, 1976.

“A lot has happened since then, and I think we were something of a trendsetter. And today I’m happy to be associated with the continuing campaign which we started 40 years ago, and which the United Nations is set to continue over the next 14 years and beyond,” the President said.

He added that Guyana fully endorses the UN International Women’s Day theme: “Planet 50:50 by 2030”.

“The constitutional, conventional and regulatory framework is well established; the Constitution of our country enshrines women’s rights,” President Granger said. To drive home the point, he quoted directly from the Constitution, tenets that spoke of the right of women to participate in various man-

“What we’ve done so far,” he said, “can be considered revolutionary with what existed before.

But even though there has been progress, there still needs to be much work if we are to reassert and reaffirm women’s rights.”

EDUCATION One of the primary solutions, he believes, lies in the field of education, as this is a tool that will allow women upward movement in their careers.

“I do believe,” he said, “that education will unlock the opportunities and potential for women, and give them a better chance of graduating more rapidly to upper echelons of many professions in which they are presently underrepresented.”

As such, he feels women must be provided with greater opportunities for upward movement, which will help them to compete

reers.

“We are convinced that if we can keep them in school during that difficult and often confusing period, more of them would graduate from secondary school and eventually university,” the President said.

He is also convinced that access to education can further help to break the cycle of poverty which, to his mind, is a greater source of inequality. Further, there must be steps to remove the wide disparities of class within society, the President said.

He said that the best educational facilities are mostly concentrated in the urban or coastal areas. “These disparities tend to exacerbate the problem of inequality, and this inequality means that poor persons would not have the similar opportunities to rich persons in other fields. So we need to close the gap in economic inequality if we

opportunity of our re-entry into the realm of local democracy to be empowered politically, so that they can participate fully in running their councils and communities,” he said.

Overall, he said, there is need for persons to have conversation among themselves about the issues surrounding women’s equality. “We need to discuss among ourselves how we will change, because so many things are imbedded in our minds and in our upbringing that cannot be legislated, and I think that may be one of the problems we face,” President Granger said.

He said this includes dealing with equality not just once a year, but on a continual basis. Accordingly, the President said it is his intention to pardon more mothers from prison, which was first done in December 2015.

“I really have a serious problem separating a

President Granger presenting to Ms. Yvonne Romascindo from Region 1 an award for outstanding work done in her community

First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger presenting an award to Ms. Nandranie Coonjah from Region 2

Attendees at an exhibition showcasing women in business

those laws and changing our attitudes, so as to achieve true gender equality.

“The legal architecture is there, but what we need in addition to these conventions is an attempt on our part to put into practice what we’re passing into laws. We must therefore move from enactment of laws to enforcement of laws and change in attitudes,” President Granger said.

He added that the country must now therefore move towards a ‘realm of performance’, so as to tackle the task of breaking

agement and decision-making processes, as well as women’s entitlement to have equal rights and status with men in all spheres of political, economic and social life.

He also listed several laws which focus on women’s rights, such as the Equal Rights Amendment Act, 1990; the Married Persons Property Act, 1990; and the Prevention of Discrimination Act, 1997.

“In Guyana, therefore, the legislative architecture for gender equality is intact.

What is not intact is the attitudinal and behavioural approach to equality,” President Granger said.

are to close the gaps on social inequality,” he said.

tre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, to mark International Women’s Day. That event, dubbed “Celebrating Women”, was hosted by the Ministry of Social Protection, and saw 50 women from across the country being honoured for their outstanding contributions in their communities.

A STRONG FORCE The President noted that Guyana has, for the past 40 years, been a strong force in its commitment to the promotion of gender equality; and this has been the case since the

on a level playing field that is measured by performance, and not gender.

“That is why we have established the encouragement of this, ‘3 and 4 Bs’ programme, to ensure that girls are given the opportunity to get to school,” he said. “And I have given instructions that girls must get priority on any bus or any boat or any bicycle. The girls must be given priority until the playing field is level.”

He said that once in school, these girls should also be encouraged to complete their education, so that they would make the best decisions for their ca-

EMPOWERMENT The final step would be to ensure that women are empowered and given opportunity to make important decisions in society.

The President touched on the upcoming Local Government Elections, which will restore the constitutional right of citizens to participate in the governance of their communities.

This offers an opportunity that could also redound to the advantage of women.

“Women must take the

mother from her children because she is trafficking a few joints of ganja. And if it’s wrong to sell ganja, I think it’s more wrong to separate a mother from her children,” the President said amidst much applause.

He also pledged his commitment to holding as a central part of his government’s agenda all things regarding women’s equality, empowerment and rights. He said that Guyana would fulfill its obligations under the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal Number 5, which deals with Women’s Rights.

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Bryan Hunt of the United States Embassy prepares to leave the Brickdam Police Station polling place after observing the process there

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

A uniformed Prison Officer shows off her inked finger after speaking to the press about the experience

A staff of the Guyana Prison Service exits the polling station

Security top brass cast vote ... at the Guyana Police Force Officers Mess Hall, Eve Leary and Guyana Prison Service Officers Sport Complex at Camp Street, respectively. Meanwhile, Charge d’ Affaires of the United States Embassy, Bryan Hunt was present at the Brickdam Police Station where he observed

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the process. He did not comment on the process, noting that it was too early to do so. Local Government Elections was last held in Guyana in 1994.

SLOW BUT SURE Meanwhile, in Linden, servicemen registered to vote made good of their democratic right to elect a representative for their respective constituencies. The process was described as slow by Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) staff attached to the Mackenzie and Wismar

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polling stations. When Guyana Chronicle visited the Mackenzie Police Station there was inactivity in the voting area and the same was the case at the Wismar Police Station. At around 10:30h only 16 out of 92 officers had casted their votes at Mackenzie while five out of 23 had casted their votes at Wismar. The staff said that at that time even though the process was slow at both ends, there was still adequate time for the remaining officers to cast their vote.

In an invited comment, Commander of E’ Division

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From page 2

Calvin Brutus told Guyana Chronicle that the process was conducted smoothly with little hiccups at the various polling stations in the division, including Mabura, Kwakwani and Ituni. He said that officers were transported to their respective voting districts to cast their votes.

Guyana Chronicle was told that some officers were not given the opportunity to vote as their names were not on the list, however GECOM staff said that this minor issue can be easily sorted out since those officers can vote on March 18th.

In Linden there are eight constituencies and four groups contesting the elections. These include APNU-AFC, PPP, and Ambassadors for Progress and Linden 2025. There is also an independent candidate, Mr. Uburn Smith, who was nominated to represent constituency six. Linden’s municipality was manned by an Interim Management Committee since 2003 under the stewardship of Orin Gordon as Chairman. The residents are in dire need of a change since it is believed that the town’s development is stagnated as a result of this break down in democratic renewal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

$100,000 is for relief ––President clarifies that sum is not compensation

By Shauna Jemmott

PRESIDENT David Granger has clarified that the $100,000 given to each of the families of the victims of the Camp Street Prison riot are a relief measure and is not to be seen as compensation from his Government.

Some of the relatives of the dead prisoners have expressed dissatisfaction with the sum offered by the Government, as they were expecting more.

“This is not a question of compensation; this is a matter of relief,” the President said.

He explained that the assistance should not be seen as compensation, since his Government is particularly concerned about the children and widows of the affected prisoners.

“We understand the tragic circumstances under which people died last week, and the Government is attempting to assist the widows and the children; but this is a one-off payment to bring relief to Guyanese citizens.

It’s not an obligation on our part, but we want to make sure that the children and widows are in no way disadvantaged by the events that occurred,” President Granger said.

Post-mortems done on eight of the prisoners have indicated that some died of suffocation and others of burns sustained.

‘A’ Division Commander Clifton Hicken told Guyana Chronicle that autopsies are today expected to be performed on the other prisoners who died, and the bodies will be released to their families after all the autopsies have been completed.

Seventeen Camp Street prisoners died in the riot which began last Wednesday and ended on the Friday of that week. The prisoners had repeatedly set the facility on fire during the stand-off. The riot was stopped after Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, intervened and met with the prisoners’ representatives. Several others were injured in the stand-off.

ALL NOT CONTACTED Georgetown Prison Visiting Committee Chairman Rabindra Chand has told reporters that some of the victims have come forward asking for monetary help. Prison

officials have not been able to contact the relatives of some of the victims, since their telephone numbers are dysfunctional.

He also confirmed that the autopsies on the victims are expected to be completed today, and relatives “will have the privilege of taking the bodies in their control”.

And, he said, if relatives are unwilling to bury their dead, “the State is willing to bury

Pilgrim told the media that while some of the prisoners have been relocated to the Timehri, New Amsterdam and Lusignan prisons, repairs are being effected to the damaged buildings. Inmates have also been given new beddings, compliments of Food For The Poor.

He said that the prison welfare services have been increased through collaboration within the Guyana Prison Services and the

Prison Head, Kevin Pilgrim, and Chairman of the newly-established Visiting Prisons Committee, Rabindra Chand, briefing the media on Tuesday (Delano Williams photo) the bodies; (and) if they cannot, if they want the bodies, the State is also willing to give them some form of financial assistance to bury the bodies,” he said.

Head of the Camp Street Prison, Kevin Pilgrim, said a number of adjustments have been made to the environment of that correctional facility since the riot. He noted that support systems have been put in place to benefit the general prison population, their families, and prison officers and their families who were psychologically affected by the deadly rebellion.

Ministry of Social Protection, through the newly established Visiting Prisons Committee.

In order to ensure prisoners are more involved in their welfare, the Inmate Complaints Committee, comprising prisoners representing the respective departments within the penitentiary, has been briefed on developments. The general prison population is also being updated on new developments.

Pilgrim said all other prisoners have since been given opportunity to contact their families through the Welfare Depart-

ment, and visits have been allowed in some cases; while the self-support prison services have been restored, allowing relatives to take food for those who have made such arrangements.

MEDICAL CARE Pilgrim also pointed out that, immediately after the unrest, medical care had been provided for those affected, and the joint welfare intervention was allowed by the team comprising Prisoners Welfare Officer and a group of persons from the Ministry of Social Protection.

The team met on Monday with relatives of the deceased to address issues such as Public Assistance, special needs benefits, psychological and other social support; as well as procedures for handing over of the bodies and burial arrangements, among other things.

“That team would not have a one-off meeting, but they would be in constant contact with the relatives, (so) as to filter the necessary information that they would need at this critical time,” Pilgrim said.

Prison officials have also collaborated with leaders of the Muslim, Christian and Hindu communities to provide counselling and other services to those traumatised by the incident.

Prison officials will also step up networking with the Ministry of Social Protection, Food for the Poor, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Power and Light Inc., and the Guyana Water Inc. The Guyana Prison Service’s Medical Department was damaged during the unrest, but the Guyana Defense Force has offered medical services to the prison until those services at the prison have been restored.

Since the riot, the Government has instructed that the administration of the Camp Street prison make available all necessary documentation to the newly-established Commission of Inquiry investigating the riot.

“The CID was given full access to all witnesses and areas, and all materials that would aid a full investigation into the incident… they have full access to the prison, and (authority) to conduct a full and proper investigation,” Pilgrim told reporters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Minibus driver on bail for causing road death Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

‘Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality’

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HE United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day is marked on 8th March. Rightfully, some will argue that every day is ‘women’s day’, given the multiple roles this gender plays in the development of family and society. The year’s theme, “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”, calls for concerted efforts to bring about equality through the dedication of more resources and greater political action.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in his message marking the day, said: “I remain outraged by the denial of rights to women and girls — but I take heart from the people everywhere who act on the secure knowledge that women’s empowerment leads to society’s advancement.

Let us devote solid funding, courageous advocacy and unbending political will to achieving gender equality around the world. There is no greater investment in our common future.”

His consternation, the world is advised, has to do with a tradition he had seen and questioned. As a boy growing up in post-war Korea, he had observed that women who were going into labour would leave their shoes at the threshold and then look back in fear. Asking his mother about this practice, she told him those women were wondering if they would ever step into those shoes again.

That this tradition influenced him in a profound way is evident in his acknowledgement that, when he arrived at the UN (1st January 2007), women were not leading peace missions in the field. Today there is the first-ever female Force Commander of UN troops; women’s representation is at historic highs at the upper levels; and almost a quarter of all missions are headed by women at the heart of peace and security, which previously was a man’s province. This is leadership worthy of admiration and emulation.

Some lives have been shaped by a story others have taken for granted or have come to accept as the way things ought to be. When questioned, in instances, the story’s basis has been found to not be driven by science or principles of equality.

If the world is to live up to the UN Human Rights declaration, the spirit and intent of which is to achieve and maintain peace and harmony among groups, Article II’s avowal that all are created equal should be doggedly pursued.

Ours has been a history, or ‘her-story’, of gender inequality. This is in large part informed by the unscientific belief of a woman’s capability, or her ‘knowing her place,’ and where remnants of a patriarchal society remain.

This is not to say that efforts have not been made, with measurable success over the years, to topple these beliefs.

What this historical fact is saying is that there remains work to be done, not only in toppling more barriers, but in ensuring that those that have been toppled remain toppled.

A MINIBUS driver was granted $800,000 bail on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving, following an accident which claimed the life of a pensioner on March 5, 2016.

Three days after the fatal accident, Sherwin Hopkinson, 30, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that Hop-

kinson at Aubrey Barker Public Road, drove in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing William Trim’s death.

The case was prosecuted by Police Corporal, Deniro Jones, who told the court that on the day in question, Hopkinson was driving his minibus at a fast rate along the Aubrey Barker road and overtook several vehicles.

Trim had just left a shop in the area and had just

Dead William Trim

driven out when the speeding minibus crashed into his motor vehicle and turned turtled.

The 76-year-old man of Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he died while receiving medical attention Bail was granted with no objection from the prosecution and the case was adjourned until March 30.

Tribute to Guyanese Women on Int’l Women’s Day

Dear Editor THE Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) joins with the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day 2016 under the theme “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it Up for Gender Equality.”

Women worldwide continue to impress upon society their notable achievements within the family and the social, political, economic and cultural diaspora.

March 8 is a very significant day in the lives of Guyanese women. Our women have been assuming multiple roles as mothers, wives, homemakers, teachers, lawyers, social workers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and in other spheres that were dominated by

men. We often fail to accentuate the fact that our women are the very social fabric that continues to keep our society knitted.

Women have demonstrated the sort of strength and endurance that is translated into the true meaning of resilience, and, in particular, they refuse to allow the many hardships they face on a daily basis to dictate to and overcome them.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us reflect on the journey thus far travelled, and continue to advocate for our women, to ensure that their contributions are valued, their dignity is respected, and they are able to negotiate a fair distribution of the benefits of growth.

As an association, we stand committed to the global cause of promot-

ing gender parity across all spheres of society. We acknowledge women’s economic participation and empowerment as fundamental to the strengthening of women’s rights, enabling them to have control over their lives and exert influence in society. We extend our hand in collaboration with the public and private sectors and civil society for purposeful action, wherein we can collectively help our women to advance their equality and emancipation, and realize the limitless potential they offer economies around the world.

Yours faithfully, THE GUYANA ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS

I am hosting a blog discussion Dear Sir, I AM an attorney-at-law and a course director at the Hugh Wooding Law School. I am pursuing a doctoral degree in education at Sheffield University.

My research is on vocational legal education in the Caribbean, and is focused on where we are now and where we need to go in order to make legal education responsive to the present and future needs of our society.

This is a concern to all Caribbean people, as law is the fabric that holds our society together; and it is critical that we produce attorneys who would uplift the society and advance our goals in terms of social justice, human rights, access to justice, and reduced conflict in our various societies.

Lawyers can also assist in our economic development by ensuring that our entrepreneurs are protected even before they seek engagement with others. They have the knowledge to engage effectively with others (whether local or foreign) for the best possible outcomes; and if things go wrong, they are best positioned to mitigate any losses which may otherwise be suffered.

As part of my research, I am hosting a blog discussion, and I am inviting all stakeholders (every person in and out of the legal fraternity) to get involved in this discussion. This will include attorneys, judges, lecturers, law students, and the greatest stakeholders of all: members of the public, who are engaged with or are affected by legal services.

The blog is located at www.caribbe-

Where laws guaranteeing women’s rights as seen in the Women and Gender Equality Commission and List of Representatives, these are floor standards set, which ought not to be practised in the breach. Equality requires strengthening and deepening of these foundations, the creation and implementation of policies and programmes that will secure women’s rights in every sphere of desired participation.

Where sexual harassment and abuse continues to be present in the workplaces, homes, and on the streets, stamping these out must also allow for anonymous reports to be made and investigated, and for perpetrators to be dealt with condignly. No woman must be made to feel that the transgressing of her right to choose her partner/mate is a precondition to securing and maintaining employment or certain positions.

This nation faces a critical situation of single-parent, working, female-headed households. It matters not how such circumstances are created, but what can be done at a

anlegaled.wordpress.com and provides contact information for confidential contributions, or to assist with anonymous public comments. There are themes on which I have posted materials to stimulate discussion - from governance and administration, curriculum and assessment, finance and management, and globalisation and technology. Persons can formally become participants in the research by going to the Research Participants page, or by simply commenting on any area of their choosing.

I am hoping that you will publish this letter as a public service to the region, so as to get the widest participation.

Regards, MICHAEL THEODORE

social level to ensure the care of unattended children should be pursued. The story of a female security guard returning home to a house destroyed by fire and children lost in the fire is heart-rending. The time has come when childcare (day and night) and child-friendly work environments should become national and corporate priorities.

Whereas some societies have legally stipulated age when children can be left alone or in the care of another, our small communal society may, in addition to looking at the feasibility of such law, conduct national conversations on the importance of the extended family structure in addressing childcare and safety issues.

Guyana, as a member of the UN, has an obligation to work to make the 2030 goal realisable. More importantly, women are encouraged to ensure the goal is achieved through their involvement in shaping the nation’s social, economic, political and cultural development.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

LGE campaign in Linden at a climax

WITH 11 days left for Local Government Elections, the campaign spirit is high in the town of Linden as the two political parties and two independent groups strive through various campaigning techniques to win the votes of the electorate.

Apart from the independent group, Linden 2025, led by mayoral candidate Samuel Wright, all the others contesting have stepped up their campaigning, cognizant of the limited time remaining. Linden 2025 had its launching last Saturday and commenced campaigning this week.

The APNU-AFC coalition group has taken the opportunity to yellow and green Linden with party flags flying high along most of the town’s main roadways. This is in addition to banners with the faces of the candidates being erected at several popular junctions both in Wismar and Mackenzie. Party leader Sandra Adams told the Guyana Chronicle that the campaigning was “going excellent” and there

have been no hiccups thus far. She said that all of the candidates were integrally involved in house to house visits, public meetings and other active engagements with the residents.

Some residents expressed the view that the party might be getting funding from the central level for such an aggressive campaign but Adams refuted this claim, maintaining that the campaign was being funded at the local level. She said that all of the candidates contesting for all eight constituencies were very confident of being elected to council.

DIFFERENT APPROACH Leader of the PPP group Orin Wilson said that his party’s campaigning was not as aggressive as the others since he did not believe that at the local government level, traditional campaigning techniques should be used since it was not about the party but about the candidate. Taking a different ap-

proach, Wilson said that his party had embarked on several community programmes and outreaches so that the residents of the various constituencies would get to know their party representatives on a one-on-one level. These include organizing community games such as cricket and football and engaging the residents through house-to-house visits. These, he said, were not methods requiring much funding, so not one flier had been printed to showcase the party. When commenting on the confidence level, Wilson said that the best candidate would win but he was positive that the electorate would vote for the candidate and not the party.

TEAM AMBASSADORS Team Ambassadors for Progress has created a strong presence in the communities, especially among young people as most of the candidates are relatively young.

Mayoral candidate Norris King told this

publication that his group’s campaigning was going well despite a bit of intimidation among business people who seemed willing to donate funds. Despite the financial challenges Team Ambassadors for Progress has managed to erect a few banners and posted several fliers in public places. In addition to this, the independent group has created a strong presence on social media as a means of capturing the target audience of young people.

King said that his optimism had grown stronger as the electorate was aware of the lies being told that a group could not have a mayoral designate. “We know they are fearful and so our spirits are high because they know that the public will not vote for their candidate and the people will not be fooled again.”

The Linden municipality is manned by an Interim Management Committee since 2003 under the chairmanship of Orin Gordon.

US Embassy gives kudos to GECOM THE Embassy of the United States of America has congratulated the people of Guyana and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the successful conclusion of the Disciplined Services vote as part of the 2016 Local Government Elections (LGE).

The embassy is pleased to have observed the process as members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and the Prison Service participated in the first Local Government Elections in more than 22 years.

The embassy in a release said its team of observers found nothing to question the integrity or credibility of this critical phase of the voting process and commends

GECOM for its logistical arrangements for this phase of the process.

“Embassy observers

were pleased that some locations saw comparatively high levels of overall voter turnout. However, this was not true at all polling places and, at some polling stations, turnout appeared to remain comparatively

low. In addition, a sizable number of prospective voters in some areas arrived at the incorrect polling location or without national Identification Cards. Guyana Elections Commission procedures were wholly adequate to deal with these eventualities, and the polling staff performed admirably in ensuring the integrity of the process, while avoiding voter disenfranchisement. Even so, these observations point to the need for all stakeholders to redouble voter education and mobilisation efforts in advance of the March 18 general vote. It is our Observer Team’s hope that civil society, media organisations, and political parties will play a key role in this regard,” the release said.

The US Embassy said

it will continue to work with other observer groups throughout the Local Government Elections process

and will again have teams in the field on March 18 when the general public has the opportunity to vote.

The embassy is encouraging all Guyanese citizens to participate in this historic election.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Justice Singh orders retrial for Lusignan massacre accused THE Court of Appeal yesterday ruled in favour of the State, noting that the not guilty verdict of the two men accused of the 2008 Lusignan massacre was “unsafe and unsatisfactory.”

In August 2013, a mixed jury found that the two men accused of killing eleven persons at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, in January 2008, including five children, were not guilty of the charges. The men James Anthony Hyles, known as ‘Sally’, and Mark Royden Williams, called ‘Smallie’, were charged in 2008.

The State had appealed the verdict. In handing down the decision yesterday, Justice Carl Singh said that there were several irregularities during the High Court trial, rendering the not guilty verdict unsafe. He ordered that a retrial be done.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST Attorney-at-law Nigel

Hughes represented James Anthony Hyles and in this regard, Justice Singh in his ruling stated that Hughes did not disclose to the trial judge that he once represented the foreman of the jury in a previous case, which is a conflict of interest.

According to Justice Singh, the move by Hughes was unethical. Also in his ruling, Justice Singh said that the Trial Judge failed to hold an inquest over one of the presiding jurors, who was seen showing the father of the accused, Hyles, “thumbs up.”

On January 26, 2008, gunmen stormed into the village of Lusignan and murdered eleven people, including five children. Five families were affected by the killings.

Police believed that the gunmen who were armed with shotguns and AK-47s entered the village around 2:00am and invaded the homes of five families. With-

Murder accused: James Anthony Hyles, known as ‘Sally’ (right) and Mark Royden Williams, called ‘Smallie’. in about 20 minutes eleven people were murdered.

The victims were Clarence Thomas, 48, Vanessa

Thomas, 12, Ron Thomas, 11, Mohandan Goordat, 32, Seegopaul Harilall, 10, Seegobin Harilall, 4, Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 52, Seecharran Rooplall, 56, Raywattie Ramsingh, 11, Shazam Mohammed, 22, and Shaleem Baksh, 52.

Victims of the Lusignan Massacre

Boat accident causes ‘Harbour Bridge’ to shift A VESSEL, the Ocean ATUN No. 66, slammed into the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) yesterday at around 12:30h in the vicinity of Span 13, causing

it to shift.

Reports are that at the time of the accident, it was high tide, and two vessels were anchored at the mouth of the Demerara River.

The scene at the Demerara Harbour Bridge minutes after the accident occurred at Span 13. At right is the vessel, the Ocean ATUN No. 66, which ran into it

According to a source close to the DHB, the current at the tide was so strong, it caused one of the vessels to drift.

“As the tide come in, it appears to us that the captain of the vessel was trying to get the engine to start, but it didn’t start in time,” the source said, adding that it was only when the vessel was about 100ft from the point of impact that the engine began to work. But it was too late.

“Although it came on, he did not get to turn in time, and the current push the vessel into the point of impact, hitting two pontoons at Span 13,” the source said.

The bridge has reportedly been shifted out of line, and two of the damaged posts are expected to be replaced soon.

According to the source, the members of the crew are not Guyanese. “There was a Guyana flag at the front of the boat, but none of them spoke English.”

Calls to Rawlston Adams, General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge went unanswered.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Berbice man hacks wife to death

INDRAWATTIE Somwar, called “Sharda” of Number 77 Housing Scheme, Corentyne, Berbice was on Tuesday hacked to death as she tried to escape a violent confrontation with her reputed husband.

Her brutal end comes as Guyana joins countries the world over in observing International Women’s Day. Somwar and Ravindra Bandu, called “Birdie”, according to reports, had shared an eight year common-law relationship which was abusive, with Somwar at the receiving end.

A neighbour told the Guyana Chronicle that when she heard the quarrel on Tuesday, she though that it was the usual thing, but it quickly escalated to extreme violence.

Reports say Somwar realised that the situation was getting out of control and tried to escape from her home by running out the yard.

But her reputed husband followed her and dealt her several chops about the body. She reportedly fell before she reached the gate and her attacker continued to chop her in the head until she stopped moving.

By this time, the police were alerted and they responded promptly. Bandu was apprehended and taken into custody.

The neighbour alleged that Bandu appeared proud of what he did, since in laughter, he reportedly blurted out, “Ayo ever see a man chop up a woman and mek all she teeth fly out she mouth.”

He allegedly added: “She deserve more than dah.”

The woman was chopped several times about her face, neck and head, causing her teeth to separate from her mouth.

Another person who lives close to the couple described the attacker as a jealous and abusive man, who always threatened to kill his wife.

“Birdie always jealous. He never want see Sharda talk to nobody; he always beat she up after and does threaten fuh kill she,” the man said.

Sister of the deceased woman, Oma Somwar, 40, on hearing the news, rushed to the scene. She described her sister as a very quiet, peaceful and hardworking mother to her two

The home where Indrawattie Somwar was brutally hacked to death

DISCIPLINED Services’ ranks voted quietly yesterday morning at the Mabaruma Police Station, and rivalry between the two main political parties increased in recent days as the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE) approach.

At about 8am yesterday, a vanload of soldiers entered the station compound to cast their votes, and police officers entered the polling station at the police station at various times to cast their ballots. Persons at the polling station reported that the process moved without hiccups.

The polling station was open throughout the day to cater for those ranks who were on duty.

There are six constituencies up for grabs in the Mabaruma Sub-Region, and the candidates representing the APNU/AFC and the Opposition PPP/C have been busy canvassing support and offering solutions and perspectives on issues affecting the region.

There are no groups or individuals vying for positions at the polls.

The to-and-fro visits between communities by candidates heightened over the weekend as information circulated that President David Granger will be visiting Mabaruma today.

The constituencies include Hosororo/Koberimo, Kumaka, Mabaruma Central, and other areas connected to the administrative capital at Mabaruma. Nigel Peters, a candidate for the APNU/AFC, told the Guyana Chronicle that he is representing the communities on Hosororo Hill/Bumbury Hill. He said this election is significant for the region and the community since the issues affecting the residents will be addressed in a

daughters, aged 13 and 17, from another relationship.

The woman, with tears in her eyes, related that her sister used to work several jobs to support her children, while Bandu is unemployed.

“Sharda does wuk two three jobs fuh support Birdy and them two gal… he only a drink rum and wann cuss up she when she come home…. He does beat she and seh he guh kill she but me never expect he fuh do it.”

Oma was told of the tragedy by her niece, who was at home at the time of the incident.

When she arrived at the scene, she saw her sister’s motionless body in a pool of blood. Soon after, scores of persons converged at the home of the now dead woman with many expressing disbelief at Bandu’s action. Some offered comfort to the Somwar family.

The incident occurred around 17:00 hrs and the suspect is in custody at the Springlands Police Station. He is expected to be charged for murder soon.

The murder suspect apprehended and on the ground

No hiccups at Mabaruma - Disciplined Services vote quietly

By Alva Solomon

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proactive manner by those who are elected.

Nigel Peters, a candidate for the APNU/AFC, is representing the Hosororo/Bumbury Hill constituency in the LGE “Well, I’m into sports and culture, and the youths here are in need of facilities and programmes to keep them occupied,” he said.

Peters noted that his constituency is agriculturally rich, but there are basic forms of infrastructure which are needed for the communities there. These include improved roads and drainage within the farming communities. He also noted that

the roads are usually very dark at nights, and this is one of the issues which he has highlighted for immediate attention.

Lighting for the roads is important, he added.

He said the sub-region has seen an increase in cars over the year, and lighting for the roads can prevent eventualities such as accidents.

“We also have the issue of the playground, which lies just outside Hosororo Hill and which we haven’t been able to maintain,” he said. In the years gone by, locals utilized the community centre ground for purposes such as sporting events, including football and cricket matches. He said the venue has since been surrendered to the authorities since it is located near the primary school in the community.

He said the current playfield, which was opened by the previous administration, is in need of infrastructural improvement, including earthen works and lighting.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo visited Mabaruma yesterday and interacted with locals at communities within the sub-region on various issues. The former President walked around the business community at Kumaka on the day set aside for market day activities in the area.

The business community at Kumaka reported yesterday that as the elections near, the candidates have been busy campaigning in the area. A hire car driver at Kumaka told this newspaper that the elections are important for the sub-region, since the leaders in the community would be in a better position to make decisions on issues affecting the residents.

Last Saturday, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, told residents of Kumaka about the importance of the LGE and called on them to feel free, regardless of their political allegiances, to select any group or individual they believe is capable of managing the affairs of the communities. He said those persons must be held accountable in this regard.

Gaskin told residents that the LGE structure provides for better management of the communities. He said the absence of those elections may have resulted in a broken system across the country at the regional level.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Voting in Berbice incident-free

POLICEMEN and soldiers in Region Six on Tuesday turned out to cast their ballots ahead of the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE) in a process that was described as incident-free.

Ballots were cast at six polling stations in the region. In New Amsterdam, 227 police officers and 21 soldiers were listed to vote at the New Amsterdam Town Hall, while 85 prison officers were slated to do so at the New Amsterdam Prison.

Reports indicate that the voting process was timely and without any hiccup.

At the Whim Police Station, 127 officers were slated to vote and the process began promptly at 06:00hrs.

Officer-in-Charge at the Whim Police Station, Deputy Superintendent Lyndon Isles, said the process was without any hassle. Over at the Springlands Police Station, some 90 police officers and 10 soldiers were expected to vote.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Defence Force Lance Corporal Victor DePutron said he arrived at the polling station around 08:00hrs and went directly to the booth .

“It was my first time and it was interesting. I have heard talks of LGE throughout my life and to exercise that right today felt good. I was expecting to see more parties on the ballot paper though.”

A traffic officer, who was on duty at noon, told this publication that he would vote as soon as he was discharged for the day.

Another policeman, who said he is 22, related that he voted and feels proud as he wants to see a difference in his community.

Deputy Superintendent Lyndon Isles proudly displays his finger after casting his ballot

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

The prison unrest

By Akola Thompson

IN THE wake of the recent prison unrests and fires, many a people turned critic, preacher, psychologist and political orator.

It was amusing to see, if not surprising; because being a people who seem to thrive on the most popular tragedies, I know it will be mere days or weeks before these minds are turned to more pressing matters. It is unfortunate that this will happen, especially since I do believe that people need to continue harping on the urgent need to look at the incarceration rate for petty and non-violent criminals and the prisons’ general environment and rights.

When I first heard of the fires set at the Camp Street prison, my first thought was where are the prisoners even getting things to start a fire.

When I read that the uprisings were in protest for confiscated makeshift weapons, drugs and cellular phones, I again wondered where the prisoners were getting these things.

The simple answer is usually the right one. Let us not be disillusioned and believe

these ingenious prisoners (while there might be some) have devised ways to sneak contraband through a supposedly secure institution.

Too much focus, I believe -- from what I observed, heard and read -- was being given to the need for a more secure prison; one which ideally should be placed outside of central Georgetown. While I do agree that we need a more secure and isolated prison, I do not believe that solutions should be looked at in isolation, especially since there are more important issues to be dealt with. These issues include, but are certainly not limited to, remand prisoners whose cases are yet to be heard; the need for community service or halfway houses for first-time non-violent prisoners, and the need for basic human rights. There is also the urgent need to raise the salaries of those who spend most of their time with these prisoners.

I honestly believe that magistrates have too much unchecked power, with little in the way of mitigating checks and balances; and it seems as if Guyana is full of magistrates without moral

compasses, who would look at a non-violent first offender and place that person in prison.

I know of a young man who has been locked away for close to two years. I do not know if this man is guilty of the crime (stealing) for which he has been imprisoned, but from all indications, he is not. He has not ever had his case heard, and will most likely spend several more years in the facility before it is heard. He is now 21 years old.

Instead of placing non-violent first offenders in jail, it is high time that alterative measures be practised, such as community service or even halfway houses for those who may have served considerable time in prison and are now eligible to be released. From the recent figures given in the budget for the prison system, housing and feeding prisoners is costly, so let’s not use costly prison spaces unnecessarily.

I like to use the examples of the marijuana and wandering debates. Despite being acknowledged that certain laws need to be reviewed, they still remain, and con-

tinue to thrive, claiming and holding their victims captive in the filth that is the Camp Street jail.

Now, while this recent outburst and deaths will be a stain on our memory for a few more days, I urge one to not forget the various factors which contribute to such uprisings, mainly the loss of human rights.

I have never been a visitor to the prisons, thankfully; but from the horror stories I have heard -- of starvations and illnesses caused by the dirty surroundings, it is no place for human residence.

There are also too many reports of unwarranted beatings and punishments meted out

by officers. Too many bad weeds have been allowed to remain as police officers over the years, and it is high time that they are identified and pulled out.

Prison officers, be they corrupt or not, must have more focus placed on them.

It is no secret that they are underpaid and overworked; and spending days with criminals, it is no surprise that many feel the need to do ‘side hustles.’

If politicians can give themselves better payment so as not to be slaves to corruption, then I believe that at least the policemen deserve the same, as they, too, are prone to corruption.

Still on the issue of officers, the unfortunate incidents have displayed how unprepared they are to deal with such security threats.

This includes the Fire Service, which often arrives on

the scene of a fire without water. Thankfully, that did not happen this time.

As I close, I feel the need to urge the opposition to stop laying every misfortune at the feet of the ten-month-old coalition government in an effort to gain cheap political points, since these conditions thrived and festered under them. Further, the coalition government must be commended for its action of sitting down to speak with representatives of the prisoners, and making promises, as all politicians seem to do in times of great tragedy.

Unlike their promises to review wandering and marijuana laws, however, which see many youths and otherwise law-abiding citizens being sentenced to jail, I do hope that these promises materialize sooner, rather than later.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

GWI awards female employees, encourages parity - to mark International Women’s Day

GENDER parity is needed and Guyana will grow when this is understood and practiced, but the environment needs to be created to allow this vision to grow and it all starts from the family unit.

This sentiment was shared by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Water Inc. Dr. Richard Van West-Charles during his presentation at the International Women's Day observances hosted at the corporate complex.

Some of the women who were given tokens of appreciation were the longest serving female in customer service Denise Pollard and longest Serving female engineer Christine Thompson.

In the category for women in leading roles were Human Resource Director Gale Doris, Customer Service Manager Jeannette Thomas,

Executive Assistant Onika Holder, Human Resource Manager Simone Jacobs, Legal Officer Twindale Trim, Procurement Officer Shellon James, Financial Accountant Shavanie Tiwari and Martene Daw Chase. GWI has approximately 219 women in its employ.

The CEO noted that education is one of the key issues in achieving gender parity.

“I want, as we celebrate and mark this day, to encourage you (women) to grow, to work together, to try to move the ceiling with respect to achieving parity and for us in Guyana it is very critical because it is important to our developmental process.”

Dr. Van West-Charles said there needs to be equity in the home, workplace and the community, which is linked to the development of a democratic society. “If in our

communities, our community meetings, if in our religious organizations, we have no equitable approaches, equity in the expression of the people that participate, if we put aside the women and not give them the opportunity to participate in the organization, then having mere elections cannot classify us as being democratic.”

He noted that Guyana had stellar performances by women such as the first female judge, Madam Justice Desiree Bernard, Winifred Gaskin and former President Janet Jagan, and many women have broken the ceiling and raised the bar for other women to aspire.

“Women have an equal role; if they apply for a job they must have an equal opportunity. One of the many things companies look at is parity in the hiring process,

within the UN if there is an ad and there was not a certain level or percentage of female applicants, then the process had to be redone,” the CEO noted.

Human Resource Director Gale Doris said she envisions a day when the chief executive position will be held by a woman.

Describing the event as a

historic one, Doris said it is the first time the company has had an International Women’s Day observance and that is admirable.

CEO of GWI Dr. Richard Van West-Charles (centre) flanked by the women who received tokens of appreciation during International Women’s Day observance yesterday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

President rubbishes Rohee’s call to fire Ramjattan

PRESIDENT David Granger has dismissed calls by the former Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, to fire Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan over the fiery Camp Street prison riot which killed 17 inmates.

The President described Rohee’s call as “absurd” noting that he [Rohee] is the least qualified person to speak on the issue.

Rohee, at a PPP press conference on Monday, blamed the prison riot on President Granger and Minister Ramjattan. “Lying at the feet of Ramjattan, and indeed the Granger administration, are seventeen — not three — dead bodies…

Heads must roll for this unforgiveable and unforgettable episode,” Rohee said.

In response, President Granger made it known that he has no intentions of dismissing his Public Security Minister. “It is quite absurd because Minister Ramjattan is trying to clean up the mess we inherited nine months ago and the former Minister was the Minister of Home Affairs for nine years and he never did the things he is talking about now, so I don’t know how he can expect us in nine months to clean up the mess he encouraged for nine years,” President Granger said.

Rohee had also called on the APNU+AFC government to implement several recommendations of the Strategic Plan for the Guyana Prison Service but according to President Granger, Rohee failed to implement those very recommendations when

he was in office.

“Many of these recommendations he failed to implement; some of them are structural, some of them involve training and we are working assiduously to put those changes in place to

President David Granger make sure that we have a proper system in the Guyana Prison Service. All the problems we discovered have existed for a couple of decades. There was a huge riot at Mazaruni Prison, where several buildings were burned down, the escapees in the Mashramani jail break; all these things happened under the previous administration. We’re now trying to put structural

reforms in place to prevent any recurrence,” the President told reporters.

Meanwhile, Ramjattan had also brushed off Rohee’s assertions, pointing out that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces still has confidence in his abilities. “If he wants, he can go to the Parliament and move a no-confidence motion against me, like what the Opposition did to him while he was Minister; because I am quite sure that if he was minister, last week the situation would have been worse,” Ramjattan had told this newspaper.

The Minister said that based on how things unfolded after the unfortunate incident at the prison, he is confident that the government had managed the situation to the best of its ability, and had transformed the issue, which would have further deteriorated if Rohee were still Home Affairs Minister.

The remand section of the Georgetown Prison saw, last week, three days of rioting, which left 17 inmates dead and several others injured following a fire which they set at the penitentiary after prison officers had raided their cells and had found 19 cell phones and a quantity of marijuana. Several prison officers and joint services ranks were also injured during confrontations with the prisoners, who were protesting for better conditions in the prison system.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

EU funds novel domestic violence project

AMIDST claims that they trigger violence, work is set to begin on the creation of computer games that can be used in schools to reduce negative attitudes developed in childhood, which can fuel domestic violence later in life.

A team of Caribbean and United Kingdom experts headed

by Professor Adele Jones from the UK’s University of Huddersfield, in partnership with The Sweet Water Foundation in Grenada, has been awarded €400,000 (US$439,409) by the European Union (EU) to implement the project; from which data will be used to develop interactive, role-playing computer games designed to empower victims and change attitudes that have been linked to aggressive and violent behaviours.

“There is enough evidence to tell us that computer games can generate violence.” Professor Jones said. “So what we want to do is look at how we can create an educational tool that might begin to generate empathy, or non-violence,” he noted.

The project, named ‘One-in-Three’, has been derived from the finding that one in three women and girls experience violence in their lives.

“That’s a fairly global statistic, but domestic violence is identified as being particularly entrenched in the Caribbean,” Professor Jones pointed out.

Relationship violence is also recognised as a growing problem among young people in the UK, and for this very reason, the University of Huddersfield will be funding a

doctoral research to trial the computer games for use in the British education sector as well.

Professor Jones explained that the computer games will be just one aspect of the initiative, which has been designed to complement existing domestic violence prevention programmes in Barbados and Grenada, where the project is to be implemented.

‘One in Three’ will also include research with women in especially vulnerable circumstances – such as disabled women, pregnant women, women living with HIV, women who have been trafficked, and women from sexual minorities

– with the aim of improving access to services and justice for these groups.

“We will also engage with men and youth to find out their perspectives,” Jones added.

“Though the majority of victims are females, we need to acknowledge that males can also be subject to violence; and we need a clear take on their views about what are its causes, and what can be done.”

Another aspect of the project will be the design of training programmes based on the research findings, which will be made widely available to stakeholders and frontline professionals. One aspect of the project aims to reach people right across society. A social media campaign will be launched to encourage people to become spokespersons against violence in the home.

Noting that domestic violence is not exclusive to particular kinds of households, Jones said: “It is a whole-of-society problem. It’s in my home, your home, our brothers’ and sisters’ homes. It happens among the well-educated and the poorly educated, the rich and the poor, the professional worker and the street worker, the Church-goer and the Church leader, the young and the less young. Sometimes we know about it, but most often we don’t.”

‘One in Three’ will be implemented in Barbados and Grenada, and will be launched on Tuesday, March 8, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The project will run for two years.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Presidential pardons not done willy-nilly

HEAD OF STATE, David Granger is urging the Guyanese public not to be worried with his decision to pardon more prisoners for the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary, pointing out that he is acting in accordance with the law.

The President was at the time responding to questions from the media yesterday about the unease being felt by some sections of society, following the recent riot at the Camp Street prison, which claimed the lives of 17 inmates who were on remand.

President Granger made it clear that the process of pardoning the prisoners is governed by certain criteria.

“I have behaved always in accordance with the constitution and on the advice by the Minister of Legal Affairs and as far as I am concerned, as long as I continue to behave in a legal manner, in a constitutional manner, the people of this country have nothing to fear,” the President said.

He also made it known that he plans to pardon female prisoners in December this year. “…and at Christmas time, I will release women who have been incarcerated for non-violent offences because I really do believe that a mother’s place is with her children at Christmas time.”

The President added, “I don’t think the public should

which I laid down.”

Already, 71 prisoners (male and female) have been granted presidential pardon under the APNU+AFC Government. It was explained that those who have been, and will be pardoned are offenders who would have been

President David Granger be worried. I get advice based on the nature of the offence committed and the criteria

sentenced for non-violent offences or minor misdemeanours that do not involve trafficking in persons or trafficking in narcotics.

Pardoned offenders are expected to participate in rehabilitative programmes that would help them to

effectively reintegrate into society. It is the hope of the President and his Administration that those who have been, and will be given a second chance, make a meaningful contribution to the development of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Mother, son critical following Palmyra accident A 45-YEAR-OLD woman and her 16-year-old son are currently nursing serious injuries at the New Amsterdam Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) respectively after they were struck by a motorcar Sunday night on the Palmyra Road, East Berbice, Corentyne.

The driver, who was said to be under the influence of alcohol, then fled the scene, but was subsequently nabbed by the police.

At around 19:30hrs on Sunday, Joshua Ramlakhan and his mother, Latchmie Armogan, were walking home when they were both hit by the car and flung into a nearby canal.

A sibling, Ganesh Ramlakhan, 21, told the Guyana Chronicle that he and some

Injured: Latchmie Armogan and her son, Joshua Ramlakhan friends were on the culvert gaffing when they noticed two vehicles, a white wagon and another car, approaching at a fast rate.

He said the cars appeared to be racing, and when they approached the turn, one of the vehicles drove through the back road, while the other drove through the public road.

“Me and some friends were out gaffing, and my small brother was with we.

My mother then come and collect he, and when they were walking back, Joshua bend down for something, and a car was coming in full speed,” Ganesh said, adding: “I hear an impact, but didn’t see any of them, then I realize the car hit them and

The car that struck the mother and son throw them in the canal.” fly out the car, and went in He noted that the car then the canal, but I didn’t focus turned around and headed that it was my mother and in the same direction from brother,” the lad related. which it came.

“I then tell meh friends,” “I know he hit something, he said, “my mother them get because, like I see somebody hit, ‘cause I didn’t see any of

them…”

With that, he said, he sprang into action. “I just jump in the canal and start feel fuh she; meh bring she

Please see page 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Missing phone found in relative’s pocket A 23-YEAR-OLD Berbice resident was yesterday sentenced to two months’ imprisonment when he appeared before city magistrate Faith McGusty, charged with simple larceny.

Ronel Frank, of No. 5 Village, West Coast Berbice, pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that, on March 4, 2016, at North Road, Sophia, he stole one Samsung Galaxy cell phone valued at $93,000, property of Samantha Allen.

The facts related to the court are that the defendant and the virtual complainant are relatives, and the defendant was spending some time at Allen’s residence. On the day in question, Allen went out and left her cell phone charging.

The canal into which the mother and son were flung after being hit by the car

Mother, son critical ...

From page 16 up, but I didn’t find my brother, so two other guys jump in also and help look fuh he.”

He explained that because of the impact, his younger brother’s head was stuck in the mud at the bottom of the canal.

Both mother and son were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but the latter was later transferred to the GPHC, where he is said to be in a critical condition. Their mother, however, though in the ICU, is said to be responding well to treatment.

Meanwhile, the driver of the motorcar, HB 6144, was subsequently arrested as police officers were alerted about the accident. He was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, and was expected to face several charges yesterday, including failing to render assistance and driving under the influence of alcohol.

His car was impounded at the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam.

Also in the Berbice area, a 45-year-old motorcyclist died Sunday of injuries he sustained when he was struck by a motor lorry on the Number 70 Public Road.

That accident reportedly occurred at around 10:00hrs, resulting in the death of Jewram Khublalchand.

According to reports, the lorry driver was attempting to overtake the motorcyclist when the biker was struck by the rear of the lorry.

Khublalchand was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he subsequently died.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

3 years’ jail for having marijuana A 35-YEAR-OLD John Fernandes Limited employee was on Tuesday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for possession of 15 grammes of cannabis sativa found in

a haversack.

Errol Williams of Sophia, Greater Georgetown was also fined $30,000 after pleading guilty to having the drug in his possession on March 05 at Albouystown, Georgetown for the purpose of trafficking.

The court heard that on the day in question, police arrested Williams in relation to an alleged simple larceny matter. However, when the officer carried out a routine search on the accused, the narcotics were found in his

haversack.

Williams nevertheless told the court that he had borrowed the haversack to take his clothes home.

The Chief Magistrate then entered a not guilty plea on his behalf based on

his explanation, but Williams requested that his guilty plea be maintained even though the Chief Magistrate advised him of the penalty of the charge, which carried a mandatory 3-5 years’ jail.

Convicted: Errol Williams

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

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Leguan needs major road works - Regional Vice-Chairman REGIONAL Vice-Chairman of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Sheik Inshan Ayube has said that major road works on Leguan island have become necessary.

The roads in several villages are in a deplorable state, he told the Guyana Chronicle. These include Enterprise, Blenheim, Maryville, Endeavour, Clairmont, Theirens and on the Long Road.

According to Ayube, there have been no allocations in the 2015 regional budget for road improvement in Leguan. In fact, the last time works were done on the island was in 2014 where a stretch of road was rehabilitated on the northern end.

“Residents are calling on the Ministry of Infrastructure to provide some help,” Ayube said.

Until the roads can be properly done, the Region Three Regional Vice-Chairman is suggesting that central government can assist with first grade crusher run stones to fill the large holes on the roads.

UPGRADES Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that major road works, upgrades to sea defence structures and transport facilities were among the major infrastructural upgrades to be undertaken.

He said approximately $1.6 billion had been budgeted for the upgrade of the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue Road, making it a modern thoroughfare for Georgetown.

Furthermore, a total of $1.2 billion had been budgeted for completion of that part of the East Bank Demerara Highway that provides improved transit from Providence to Great Diamond.

“The government also intends to create a bypass road linking Diamond, East Bank Demerara to Ogle on the East Coast Demerara. The new road will open up unutilised lands to support a modern housing scheme for 1,100 households, while creating new jobs for Guyanese, as well as establishing a more efficient link between the country’s two international airports,” Minister Jordan said.

Rural development will also materialise through investments of $544 million to upgrade community roads and bridges in the 10 administrative regions.

Similarly, a provision of $1.2 billion has been made to upgrade more than 28 km of farm-to-market access roads and bridges located in Laluni, Onverwagt, Parika and Ruby Backdam.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Bartica’s battered men at disadvantage

By Svetlana Marshall MALE victims of domestic violence in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), are often taken lightly in their

attempt to seek protection, the Chairperson of the Regional Women’s Affairs Committee, Mary Jones, has said in a recent interview with Guyana Chronicle.

According to Jones, ranks at the Bartica Police Station

Region Seven Women’s Affairs Committee Chairperson, Mary Jones have a “negative” attitude when dealing with cases of domestic violence in general, but the situation worsens when treating with men.

Jones said that if a man walks into the station to file a complaint against his spouse, it if often taken as a “big joke”, with the police more than often siding with the female accused.

“The male reported to the station that he is in an abusive situation…the wife brings another man in the house, and the police is saying to him, the owner of the house, that he got to move out of that house and find somewhere else to live,” the Head of the Regional Women’s Affairs Commander of ‘F’ Division, Ravindradat Budhram, and team with students and teachers of St Anthony Primary School at an informative session on domestic violence and suicide

Please turn to page 28

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Bartica’s battered men ...

From page 27 Committee explained, as she alluded to a case known to her.

Alluding to another case, Jones said a woman who has been living in an abusive relationship had turned to the station for help, but instead met a group of officers who displayed a negative attitude towards her.

“She went to the station the day before and made a report, but said she wouldn’t return because of the manner in which

she was treated. The next day, the man (husband) locked her up in a bedroom and threated to kill her with a cutlass…. She came to me, and I took her to the station commander, and he immediately caused her to be satisfied; the matter is now in the court,” Jones explained.

But Commander of ‘F’ Division, Ravindradat Budhram, who is stationed at the Bartica location, is refuting this allegation. He said the Force has “zero tolerance” for domestic violence.

According to him, when cases are brought to the attention

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016 of the Bartica Police, they are taken seriously. He pointed out that perpetrators are often charged and placed before the court.

Budhram disclosed that, for 2016, 10 cases of domestic violence have been filed, and seven persons have been arrested and charged. These matters are currently before the court. One of the cases was referred to a probation officer for the couple to undergo counselling, he said.

Commander Budhram said the division is working closely with religious organisations within the district and with the Welfare Department to raise awareness on domestic violence and suicide.

The team will today visit the last of six schools targeted in Bartica. These include the Bartica Secondary School, St Anthony Primary School, Three Miles Secondary and Two Miles Primary School.

Wednesday March 9th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Thursday March 10th, 2016 - 05:00 hrs Friday March 11th, 2016 - 05:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

GFF Technical Director Claude ...

From back page

attention to ensure that their status is always recognised to the appropriate level.

The GFF did not state when a replacement for Bolton will be named.

Bolton, a Canadian, signed a four-year contract under the Clinton Urling-led Normalisation Committee in 2015.

Under his tenure, Guyana saw the realisation of its first Elite League and pioneered the CONCACAF

Club Licensing programme, which was used to shortlist and select the League’s eight participating clubs.

Bolton was also instrumental in introducing and overseeing the GFF’s D Licensed Coaches certification; something which was done in phases from his `Next Generation Project’.

It was noted by Bolton, that the ‘Project’ is one which is mandated by FIFA – the sport’s world governing body – to put Women’s Football,

Grassroots Development and Youth Football at the forefront of their plans, moving head, since Guyana is seen as a development nation.

First, in helping to get around the proposed plans faster and efficiently, the GFF broke down Guyana into three blocks/districts.

Georgetown, Bartica, Essequibo and West Demerara Football Association fell under District One, while Upper Demerara, East Bank, East Coast and Berbice Associa-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday March 09, 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 Monday’s quiz:

(1) Brian Lara c Jack Russell (wkp) b Andy Caddick (2) WI vs IND, Jamshedpur, 1983 (Gordon Greenidge 115; Viv Richards 149)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Where was the first ever ICC T20 World Cup held?

(2) Which team won the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

tion fell under District Two. District Three will be made up solely of the Rupununi Football Association.

Apart from the aforementioned areas mandated

by FIFA, the ‘Next Generation Project’ also focuses on Beach, Futsal as well as Coaching Development, Coaching Education and Mentorship programmes are also on the cards.

Bolton, a Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) in Canada, brought with him over 15 years of professional coaching and technical experience, being one of those who have achieved some of the highest certification levels in North America.

He holds a United States Soccer Federation National ‘A’ Licence, a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) ‘B’ Licence, and a

English Football Association International Coaching Licence.

In addition, he holds National ‘A’, Goalkeeping, Fitness, and Youth licences from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and also holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Advanced Youth Certificate.

Prior to his appointment, it was stated, that the GFF received a total of eight applications from as far as Germany and England with some of Europe’s top guns all interested in working with the Golden Jaguars, but in the end, it came down to four – Bolton, Guyana’s Linden France, Trinidad and Tobago’s Rajesh Latchoo and Englishman Kevin McGreskin.

NOTABLE DATES GUYANESE-born featherweight Cliff Anderson travelled a rocky road during the month of March 1950. Anderson had two fights that month and lost both. His first was an eight-rounder on March 9 where he ended up losing a points decision to Al Wilburn at the West Ham Baths in London.

Nearly three weeks later on March 27, Anderson was beaten on points by Englishman Maurice Mancini in a 10-rounder.

He had started the year on a winning note with victory over Les Rendle. After losing to Mancini, Anderson secured three consecutive victories.

1946 was the busiest year of Anderson’s 13-year career. In that 12-month period he engaged in 13 battles, losing twice.

In 1947 Anderson was unsuccessful in two attempts for the Commonwealth featherweight title.

Both times he had Englishman Al Phillips as opponent.

On March 18, he lost by points to Phillips. In the rematch four months later, the Guyanese was disqualified in round eight by referee Andrew Smith for illegal blows. Born on October 22, 1921, Anderson died in December 1998.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:40 hrs Saber’s Beads 09:20 hrs Executive Power 09:55 hrs Spanish Captain 10:30 hrs Redcarpet Captain 11:05 hrs Desert Fighter ENGLISH RACING TIPS Catterick 10:00 hrs Fair Loch 11:00 hrs Flemensfirthle Leader 11:30 hrs Bollin Line 12:00 hrs Shinooki 12:30 hrs Carlton Ryan 13:00 hrs Tara Time LINGFIELD 10:10 hrs Gunner Moyne 10:40 hrs Seamster 11:10 hrs Fleckerl

11:40 hrs Carry Me Home 12:10 hrs Augerooo 12:40 hrs Rose Above 13:10 hrs Hot Stuff FONTWELL 10:20 hrs Clondaw Cian 10:50 hrs Rolling Dylan 11:20 hrs Vic De Touzane 12:20 hrs Edlomond 12:50 hrs Laser Light AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 Tilted Halo Race 2 Killer Bird Race 3 Unspoken Quality Race 4 Holy Scat Race 5 Overdramatic Race 6 Starship Brooklyn Race 7 Prince Vincenzo Race 8 Shutter Speed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

DCB/RSI Over40 20/20 Competition

Azeez five-for sets up huge win for Lions over Mavericks EAST Bank Lions captain Johnny Azeez captured 5-17 to send West Demerara Mavericks crashing to an eight-wicket defeat in round two of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB)-spon-

sored RSI Over-40 T/20 cricket tournament played last Friday.

Eon Williams hammered seven fours and three maximums in 81 but when he fell Mavericks never recovered.

Rudolph Baker collects the Man-of-the-Match trophy from Devkumar Persaud, Senior Account Executive of RSI Brokers.

… Tigers, Bears and Buffaloes also record big victories From a position of 108-3 they were bowled out for 144 in 19.2 overs, losing their last six wickets for two runs.

When Lions took to the crease, Sahadeo Hardaiow and Shivnarine Chanderpaul showed intentions of finishing the match early as they were scoring at ten runs per over in the first eight overs.

Hardaiow fell for 36, but together with the new batsman, Saheed Mohamed, Chanderpaul continued pressing for an early finish.

Chanderpaul was eventually caught on the long-off boundary for an even 50 in the 14th over. Nonetheless,

Mohamed continued and finished the match in the 16th over, with his personal score being 45.

At Zeeburg ground, Upper East Coast Tigers defeated West Coast Demerara Seals by 20 runs. Batting first, Tigers compiled 192-5 with Eon Abel and Mustaq Shah making 64 each. Abel hit five boundaries and five sixes, while Shah had seven boundaries and two sixes.

Latchman Yadram found the boundary six times in his 39.

Bowling for Seals, Rampersaud Shivpersaud took 3-20.

Seals kept up with the run chase for most of the

innings, but their overs expired at 172-7. Their innings was built on the back of Shivpersaud who was unbeaten on 101, with eight boundaries and five maximums. Wasir Khan contributed 27.

Georgetown Buffaloes overcame Upper East Bank Colts by six wickets at Everest ground. Colts made 146-8, with Sanjeev Datadin top-scoring with 62. Buffaloes captain, Lenny Massiah grabbed 3-9 and Wilfred Whyte accounted for 2-13. Buffaloes reached the target comfortably with Rodolph

Baker hitting a half-century (57) and Reginold Rodrigues scoring 42.

At Lusignan ground, Georgetown Bears registered a 17-run win over Lower East Coast Bulls.

Bears took first strike and posted 139-8. Jason Melville was the main scorer with 49 while Daniel Harricharran contributed 22. In reply, Bulls were bundled out for 122 with Chandrika Jeenarine making 51. Carlos Reid and Mark Ferreira accounted for three and two wickets respectively.

The third round is scheduled for this Friday.

11th annual Diamond Mineral Water 11-race programme billed for Saturday THE 11th Annual Diamond Mineral Water 11-race cycle programme is billed for Saturday around the inner circuit of the National Park beginning at 09:00hrs.

The event, which is being organised by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, will see the School Boys and Novices battle for top honours in the feature 35-lap event, with defending champion Jebon Crawford of Trojan Cycle Club of Berbice seeking to make a successful defence of his title.

At last year’s event, Crawford returned one hour 17 minutes 10 seconds in winning the race, but this time around, he will have to be wary of Team Evolution’s trio of Orville Hinds, Marlon `Fishy’ Williams and Raul Leal who are all in

form at the moment.

On Sunday, Williams won the first stage of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan 19th memorial anniversary race, which was held in Berbice and which will continue on Sunday with a 50-mile event in the West Demerara area.

Team Evolution has been firing on all cylinders since the 2016 season got underway in January and it seems that with the absence of Team Coco’s from competitive riding since last November, the formative Team Evolution will continue to dominate.

In the juvenile 10-lap race on Saturday, Jamal John, who has been in good nick since the 2016 season started, should be able to make a successful defence of his title which he won last year in a time of 23 minutes 08.05

seconds.

Junior Niles won the fivelap race for veterans Under-50 age group in a time of 12 minutes 14.90 seconds and will be looking to make a successful defence of that title but will have to be wary of Kennard Lovell and Warren McKay. Brighton John won the Boys and Girls 12-14 years three-lap race in a time of seven minutes 20.15 seconds and will be hoping to repeat that feat this year.

Shawn Boodhram is the defending champion of the five-lap race for mountain bikers.

Marketing representative of Demerara Distillers Limited, Larry Milles, is expected to witness the day’s activity as well as assist with the presentation of prizes to the respective winners.

Inter-Secondary School U-15 cricket …

Vryman’s Erven secures first innings from BHS VRYMAN’S Erven Secondary School took first innings points from Berbice High School (BHS) when play in the Dalchand Rambharose Inter-Secondary School Under-15 cricket continued recently in Berbice.

At the Berbice High School ground in New Amsterdam, Vryman’s Erven took first strike, and managed a total of 141, with Solomon Schultz leading the way with 77. Nicholas Blake was the other meaningful contributor with 37.

Bowling for BHS, off-spinner Devindra Moses took 4-48, medium pacer Jason Rishiram 3-39 and pacer Jamal Sinclair 2-42.

In reply, BHS could muster only 112 in their first innings, with Joel Campbell and Alfred Demonick contributed 44 and 18 respectively.

Bowling for Vryman’s Erven, off-spinner Travis Sinclair was the chief destroyer with 5-20. Off-spinner Aditya Budhoo claimed 4-34.

Opening batsman Lindon Campbell then blasted 110, with ten fours and six sixes as Vryman’s Erven reached 160-8 in their second innings when play ended.

Bowling for BHS, Devindra Moses took 6-65 to end with match bowling figures of 10-113.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Sponsors back away from Sharapova

By Emma Thomasson and Ben Klayman BERLIN/DETROIT, (Reuters) - Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer cut ties with tennis star Maria Sharapova yesterday, the latest sponsor after Nike and Porsche to distance itself from the world’s highest-paid female athlete following her failed drug test.

The swift response on the heels of Sharapova’s announcement on Monday signalled a change in attitude among high-profile corporate backers following a series of doping and corruption scandals in world sports.

“We’re now entering a zero tolerance era for sponsors,” said Rupert Pratt, co-founder of sports sponsorship agency Generate. “It is now seen as not acceptable to ‘stand by your man’ because of the amount of scrutiny corporates are now under.”

MARIA SHARAPOVA Sharapova’s failed drug test at January’s Australian Open, one of four annual Grand Slam events, will likely lead to a ban for the 28-yearold Russian. The International Tennis Federation’s anti-doping programme calls for a four-year suspension for a positive test. That ban can be reduced in various circumstances, such as if the player shows no significant fault or negligence.

Loss of sponsor income would be costly for Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam winner who earned $29.7M last year, according to Forbes magazine, most of it from endorsements, appearances and royalties rather than victories on court.

Sharapova, who lit up women’s tennis when she won Wimbledon in 2004 as a 17-year-old, is still ranked among the top players. She was the world’s highest-paid female athlete last year for the 11th consecutive year, and Forbes put her off-court career earnings at more than $200M. Fellow athletes had mixed reactions to Sharapova’s announcement that she had tested positive for meldonium, a drug she said she had been taking for a decade to treat diabetes and low magnesium.

The substance, recently banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), boosts blood flow and can enhance athletic performance. Sharapova, who lives in the United States, is at least the seventh athlete in a month to test positive for meldonium. It is widely available in Eastern Europe but not approved for use in the United States.

“She’s ready to take full responsibility and I think that showed a lot of courage and a lot of heart,” Serena Williams, the top-ranked player in women’s tennis, told reporters at a briefing ahead of a game in New York yesterday.

“I’m extremely angry and disappointed. I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat no matter what,” tweeted former world No. 1 Jennifer Capriati, in a long series of posts attacking Sharapova.

Aries Merritt, a U.S. hurdler, said there was no excuse for Sharapova to be unaware that WADA added meldonium to its latest list of banned drugs effective January 1, which it circulated to competitors.

“As an athlete it is your responsibility to always know what’s being placed on the banned list. Period,” said Merritt at the U.S. Olympic Committee summit in Los Angeles.

Former U.S. Olympic swimmer Aaron Peirsol told Reuters there was some confusion over meldonium. “It wasn’t even anything that was illegal until the beginning of this year,” he said. “You have a bunch of people taking stuff that the athletes probably don’t even know (is illegal)... it becomes gray.”

Sharapova said she had not read an email informing her that meldonium was banned for use in sport.

She will be provisionally suspended from playing tennis from March 12 and could be prevented from competing for Russia at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics this year.

SOME SPONSORS ON THE FENCE Sharapova’s deal with Tag Heuer, owned by French luxury goods group LVMH (LVMH.PA), expired at the end of 2015, and the company said yesterday it had dropped renewal talks in view of her announcement.

Nike Inc (NKE.N), the world’s biggest sportswear brand, and German luxury car maker Porsche, a unit of Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE), have said they are suspending their relationship with Sharapova as they gather more information and wait for a decision on a ban.

A person close to Sharapova told Reuters her team was encouraged that none of the sponsors so far have said they were terminating contracts with the player, although they had the right to do so.

“Suspension means to put on hold,” the source said, requesting anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation.

“Under the circumstances we’re very pleased that everybody is willing to stand by and see what facts come out instead of terminating.”

Danone SA (DANO.PA), the maker of Evian water, a longtime Sharapova sponsor, said yesterday it would monitor developments. Avon Products Inc (AVP.N), another sponsor, declined to comment on its endorsements.

Brian Socolow, an expert in sports law and a partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP, said Nike’s quick suspension was no surprise after its long support for now-disgraced U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong.

But he said Sharapova may yet win back sponsors. “She has the chance, like other athletes, to redeem herself and regain her leadership position as an endorser,” said Socolow. “She will have to demonstrate that it was an honest mistake and there are no other improper reasons she took the drug.”

There was some scepticism about the sponsors’ motives from tennis fans on social media.

Ben Stanley (@BDStanley) tweeted yesterday, “Nike is in the business of making money, not offering moral guidance. If it paid to keep Sharapova on, they’d do it.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Warriors break NBA record with 27th straight home win

(THE Sports Xchange) - THE Golden State Warriors broke the NBA record for consecutive homecourt victories Monday night, getting a combined 68 points from backcourt mates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in a hardearned, 119-113 win over the Orlando Magic.

T h e Wa r r i o r s ’ 2 7 t h straight win at Oracle Arena this season was their 45th in a row at home dating back to January 2015, allowing them to surpass the previous record of 44, set by the Chicago Bulls from March 30, 1995 to April 4, 1996.

Coming off a game in which they combined to

shoot 1-for-18 from 3-point range, Curry (7-for-13) and Thompson (5-for-11) combined for 12 treys in helping the Warriors soothe the sting of their 112-95 road defeat to the Los Angeles on Sunday.

The Warriors (56-6) hit 16 of their 35 3-point attempts Monday, outscoring the Magic 48-15 from beyond the arc.

Curry finished with 41 points and Thompson added 27 as the Warriors extended their season-opening streak of not having experienced back-to-back losses to 62 games.

The Warriors are now 15-1 in second game of

back-to-back sets this season.

Curry, who poured in

STEPHEN CURRY 51 points in a 130-114 win at Orlando last month, became the first player in

NBA history to make 300 3-pointers when he connected on his sixth of the night, a step-back 24-footer, during a 13-4 flurry late in the third period that put the Warriors in a seemingly commanding position.

Curry (three), reserve Brandon Rush (two) and Thompson (one) combined for six 3-pointers in the first period, during which Golden State built a 13-point lead.

Orlando, who would be taking a sixth consecutive loss to Golden State, got within four on one occasion in the second quarter.

Curry saved some of his best for the end. He had three consecutive Warriors

hoops to stave off Orlando’s fourth-quarter rally, capped by his seventh 3-pointer to push the Golden State lead to 109-100 with 3:58 to go.

The Magic did make one more push, closing within 111-109 with 1:13 to play on five points from reserve guard Brandon Jennings and from Victor Oladipo.

However, Thompson turned a broken play into his fifth 3-pointer from the right corner with 52.5 seconds left, and the Warriors held on for their record-setting win.

Rush finished with 11 points, Draymond Green had 10 rebounds and nine assists on a one-point night, and

Andrew Bogut amassed 10 rebounds, six assists and four points for the Warriors, who were tipping off a six-game home stand.

Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Jennings had 20 points apiece for the Magic, who began a stretch in which they play nine of 11 on the road.

Gordon also had 16 rebounds for Orlando (27-35).

The Magic sit five games out of the final playoff spot in the East.

Oladipo added 19 points and Jason Smith 13 for the Magic, who were coming off 102-84 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Chanderpauls entertain Joe Vieira Park spectators with 190-run partnership

Tagenarine Chanderpaul leaves the field after his innings at the Joe Vieira Park.

IT WAS a classic case of “Dad, you taught me well” when Tagenarine Chanderpaul out-scored his father, Shivnarine Chanderpaul in an entertaining 190-run partnership which gave Tiger XI a hard-fought victory over Independence Sports Club (ISC) on Sunday, at Joe Vieira Park, West Bank Demerara.

The special T20 match was organised by the executives and members of

ISC to honour the outstanding Guyanese cricketer.

When the match got underway Tiger XI opted to bat but were reduced to 5-1 in the first over.

However, the father/son pair then posted 190 for the second wicket.

The outfield was dry and grassless which made fielding very difficult but Tagenarine got value for his powerful shots on the two-paced track by clearing the straight boundaries

at will. In all, the younger Chanderpaul hit ten sixes and 11 fours as he carried his bat through the innings to end on 124 not out.

His father Shiva narine played the main supporting role, hitting 56, with 2 towering sixes and four sweetly timed fours.

Tiger XI eventually made 204-2. Mahendra Dhanpaul 1-43 and Sheik Bacchus 1-30 were successful bowlers for ISC. Some purposeful bat-

ting from the home team and ordinary fielding from the visitors saw ISC being restricted to 186-5 from their allotment of 20 overs giving Tiger XI victory in fading light by 18 runs.

Skipper Sarfraz Esau played delightfully for a top score of 62 and was admirably supported by Dhanpaul 34 and opener Vivian Beckles 31.

Tagenarine returned with the ball to claim 2-39. Vishal Arjune also had 2-34,

Mathews takes over as Sri Lanka’s World T20 captain

By Ranga Sirilal COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Sri Lanka’s World Twenty20 title defence suffered a jolt on the day the tournament gets underway with Lasith Malinga’s slow recovery from a knee injury forcing the fast bowler to hand over captaincy to Angelo Mathews.

Malinga remains available for Super10 stage matches but the paceman with blond-tinted hair and an unorthodox action may not be the same force which has been key to Sri Lanka’s progress to three

World Twenty20 finals over the last four editions.

The team, however, can take heart from the fact that a similarly forced change in captaincy marked their triumphant 2014 campaign when out-of-form skipper Dinesh Chandimal sat out the final few matches and Malinga stepped in to lead them to glory.

“He is stepping down only from captaincy,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Mohan de Silva told Reuters on Monday.

“He has offered himself for selection only after (March) 15 because he

ANGELO MATHEWS

is undergoing some treatment here in Sri Lanka,” de Silva added.

Test and one-day captain Mathews was named Malinga’s deputy in the original Sri Lankan squad for the tournament in India.

Malinga, 32, is recovering slowly from a knee injury and is not certain to play all the side’s matches in India.

The defending champions also added Lahiru Thirimanne and Suranga Lakmal, replacing Jeffrey Vandersay and Niroshan Dickwella from the original squad.

“We still believe we

have a very good chance of winning the World Cup with this combination,” SLC chairman Thilanga Sumathipala told a news conference.

Sri Lanka begin their bid for a second World Twenty20 title on March 17 with a Super10 stage match against a yet-to-be-identified qualifier in Kolkata.

After the team’s poor showing in the recent Asia Cup, where they lost all but one of their four matches, SLC also replaced the entire selection committee with a new panel headed by former captain Aravinda

de Silva.

Batting great Kumar Sangakkara and former stumper-opener Romesh Kaluwitharana are also part of the new five-member selection panel.

Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Dasun Shanaka, Milinda Siriwardana, Suranga Lakmal.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 9, 2016

Amateur boxers receive hampers from Giftland Mall … Sterling performances at ‘Hostile Territory’ card

THE amateur boxers who appeared on the Guyana Boxing Board of Control’s (GBBC) `Hostile Territory’ Pro/Am boxing card, which was staged at the Giftland Mall, Pattensen, East Coast Demerara two Saturdays ago, were yesterday presented with hampers, compliments of the Giftland Mall.

At a simple ceremony held at the Giftland Mall, the six boxers who appeared on the card were presented with hampers comprising cereals, tonics, milk and a variety of other nutritional products.

In brief remarks, GBBC president Peter Abdool congratulated the amateur boxers who appeared on the card. He noted that their performances really set the tone for the professional segment which featured United States-based Guyanese Elton Dharry and Venezu-

Giftland Mall’s CEO Royston Beepat (fourth left) greets one of the amateur boxers while GBBC president Peter Abdool (centre) looks on along with the other amateur boxers from the recent GBBC’s `Hostile Territory’ Pro/Am card. ela’s Felix Machado in an eight-round bantamweight bout. Dharry won the fight by technical knockout in the fifth round to secure a Com-

Lewis replaces Lendl Simmons in Windies T20 squad WEST INDIES have picked uncapped opening batsman Evin Lewis to replace Lendl Simmons for the World T20 in India. Simmons was ruled out of the tournament last week due to a back injury.

Lewis, 24, has been in good form recently, in domestic matches for Trinidad & Tobago. He scored 221 runs in six matches for T&T in the NAGICO Super50 tournament, including one century and a fifty.

In five matches of the WICB Regional 4-Day Tournament, he has scored 442 runs at an average of 49.11, including a century and three fifties. His overall T20 record stands at 1044 runs in 34 innings at an average of 31.63.

Simmons was the fourth player to be ruled out of the West Indies T20 squad, after Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo had also withdrawn from the team.

It was speculated that Dwayne Smith, who won the Man-of-the-Match award in the final of the Pakistan Super League, was a favourite to replace Simmons, while Jonathan Carter was also reportedly in contention.

Clive Lloyd, WICB’s chairman of selectors, said Lewis had been picked in keeping with West Indies’ policy to give younger players more exposure.

“Evin Lewis is a young and exciting batsman who we believe will fit into the team set-up very well. He has the ability to perform at this level of the game,” Lloyd said. “His selection is in keeping with our policy to give exposure to young, talented players we believe will help to carry West Indies cricket forward.”

The West Indies team, who arrived in Kolkata on Monday after a two-week camp in the UAE, are scheduled to play warm-up matches against India and Australia on March 10 and March 13.

They are in Group 1 of the Super10 stage with England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and one of the teams from the first round. They will play their first match of the World T20 against England in Mumbai on March 16. (ESPN Cricinfo)

monwealth title shot set for May 21 right here in Guyana.

At the presentation ceremony, Abdool said Giftland Mall’s Chief Executive

Officer Royston Beepat was very impressed with the amateur fighters and thought that they (boxers) should be compensated for

their performances and they should get something tangible, hence the hampers were agreed on.

Abdool made a call for

corporate Guyana to support the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) financially, to send light heavyweight amateur boxer Desmond Amsterdam and middleweight Dennis Thomas to represent Guyana at the Olympic Qualifiers in Buenos Aires, Argentina commencing tomorrow. The two boxers need to arrive in Argentina mentally and physically prepared, but because of a shortage of funds, they might not be prepared.

The two boxers, along with manager/coach Sebert Blake, were expected to leave Guyana for Argentina last evening, still short of funds to the tune of US$1100..

Royston Beepat wished the two Olympic hopefuls the best of luck and said Giftland Mall is pleased to be associated with both amateur and professional boxing.

Young Ninvalle aiming for the stars

By Stephan Sookram

weekend.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Kaysan confirmed THE return of the National Junior and Cadet that capturing those titles “felt good” adding, “I Table Tennis Championships last weekend want to thank my coach and the students currently following a four-year training with me.” hiatus bore much fruit “I also will work for many persons and harder to win the other helped to build their categories that I missed confidence. out on,” contended the One such athlete 10-year-old. to gain a much-needAccording to Kasyan’s ed boost last weekend father Steve, “Seeing him was 10-year-old Kaysan excel is a joy, and it’s Ninvalle. more of a joy to see him Kaysan, the brothexcel at something he ener of former champijoys. It’s not something on Khalil and son of we force him to do.” current Guyana Boxing In a word to parents, Association president Ninvalle said, “We, as Steve Ninvalle, easily parents, have to guide carted off the 11-yearsour children and support and-under Boys’ title in them. We have got to last weekend’s tournalisten, see and support ment. them in whatever aveMoving up to the nues they may choose,” Kaysan Ninvalle collects his Under-11 trophies U n d e r- 1 3 d i v i s i o n , during last weekend’s GTTA National Junior and Ca- contended Ninvalle. the 10-year-old also det Table Tennis Championships. (Samuel Maughn Meanwhile, the p u s h ed p as t N iron photo) sky is the limit, for the Bissu 3-1 and Isaiah young tennis star has Layne to take the top already shown the Caspot in tenacious style. ribbean his talents with silver and bronze medals He also upped his game and competition level to in the 2013 Caribbean Championships and has been play with the big boys in the Under-15 round-robin playing Under-11 since age eight. class where he gained exposure and also picked He currently trains under the National coach up a second-place finish to crown off a wonderful Linden Johnson at the Table Tennis Academy.

Amateur boxers receive hampers from Giftland Mall See story on page 39

Zimbabwe, Afghanistan begin World T20 with 14-run wins

Calum MacLeod reacts after being run out by Mohammad Shahzad,in a World T20 qualifier, Group B, match in Nagpur, yesterday.

GFF Technical Director Claude Bolton resigns THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday confirmed that Claude Bolton has resigned from his position of Technical Director, effective March 1.

According to GFF’s Public Relations and Communications Officer, Debra Francis, the rationale behind Bolton’s shocking exit was because “he’s unable to fulfil his mandatory residency”.

Francis said that a technical director’s job requires that the person be living in Guyana on a full-time basis and since Bolton started a new family, he would be unable to carry out the position he occupied since January 10 last year.

Bolton, according to sources at the

up his fifty with a flat six off Nadeem Ahmed.

Zimbabwe subsequently lost three wickets, including Sibanda’s, in eight balls but Chigumbura (30 not out) hit three sixes in his 13-ball cameo to take them past the 150 mark.

For Hong Kong, Jamie Atkinson (53) struck his maiden fifty but did not get much support from his top order colleagues.

Skipper Tanwir Afzal chipped in with a breezy unbeaten 31 but Zimbabwe’s bowlers sent down a tidy last two overs.

Hong Kong’s 44-year-old Ryan Campbell became the oldest player to make his Twenty20 international debut.

Afghanistan rode half-centuries from Mohammad Shahzad (61) and skipper Asghar Stanikzai (55 not out) to post a total that seemed to justify their decision to bat first.

Scotland offered a robust reply with George Munsey (41) and Kyle Coetzer (40) forging an 84-run opening stand before their chase was derailed.

Once the openers departed, Afghanistan’s bowlers stemmed the run flow and then sent down some tight final overs to prevail.

The group winners will join South Africa, England, West Indies and Sri Lanka in the Super0 stage.

Johnson believes Bolt is the greatest sprinter ever

Former GFF Technical Director Claude Bolton

By Rawle Toney

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Afghanistan and Zimbabwe reaped the benefit of some tight death-bowling to both register 14-run victories yesterday and boost their prospects of making the World Twenty20 main draw.

Vusi Sibanda’s maiden fifty and Elton Chigumbura’s late assault powered Zimbabwe to 158-8 against Hong Kong in the first match of the sixth World Twenty20 event at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium.

The Africans then returned to restrict their opponents to 144-6 to kick off their campaign with a triumph.

Afghanistan later posted 170-5 at the same venue and dished out some impressive death-bowling to restrict Scotland to 156-5 as they won their Group B clash.

The first wicket to fall in the tournament showed the gap between teams already in the Super10 second-round stage and those aspiring to join them from the first round.

Put in to bat, Zimbabwe skipper Hamilton Masakadza hit three boundaries and a six before a sloppy end to his innings.

Masakadza set out for a single that looked safe until he failed to plant his bat and drag it. His feet and the bat were in the air when the mid-off fielder threw down the stumps.

His opening partner Sibanda (59) showed more responsibility and brought

GFF, earned US$4500 monthly while an additional US$1300 was paid monthly for the rental of his Kingston, Georgetown apartment.

As per FIFA, the Technical Director is in charge of defining and leading the national technical development programmes, and developing long-term strategies in this regard for all aspects of the game, be it grassroots, women’s football, coach education or youth football, and to bring them together in synergy according to the development pyramid.

The employment of a Technical Director is compulsory for each Member Association, and FIFA devotes special See page 35

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Jamaica sprint star Usain Bolt AMERICAN Olympic legend and 400 metres world record-holder Michael Johnson believes Usain Bolt to be the greatest sprinter of all-time.

Johnson, whose 200-metre world record of 19.32s was broken by Bolt at the Olympics in Beijing, China in 2008, thinks the Jamaican star sprinter is better than Carl Lewis and even the legendary Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, debunking the Adolf Hitler myth of white supremacy.

“You think of the great sprinters of the past who have done things that have never been done before like Jesse Owens, winning four gold medals, and Carl Lewis, doing that as well, and myself being the 200 metres and 400 metres world record holder and Olympic champion,” said Johnson in the lead up to the Laureus Awards where Bolt is a nominee for Ath-

lete-of-the-Year.

“So those are the names that you think of - the amazing sprinters of the past. But none of us has produced, in my opinion, the consistency and longevity that Bolt has and so to this point, he has to be considered the greatest.”

Bolt has won the 100m and 200m titles at consecutive Olympics (2008 and 2012), something that no other sprinter in history has been able to accomplish.

Bolt, 29, will be going for an even more unprecedented record of a three-peat this summer in Rio and Johnson believes Bolt can make it happen.

“If he’s healthy, I don’t think that anyone can stop him,” said Johnson of the man who has, in addition to his individual medals, also won gold medals in the sprint relays at both 2008 and 2012 Games. (Sportsmax) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016