Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11 05 2016

Fully Insured No. 104548

WEDNESDAY MAY 11, 2016

Price: $80

…Gafoors ready to rebuild, relocate staff

(Vat Inclusive)

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The gutted bonds at Gafoors Houston Complex were being cleared on Tuesday as the owner looks towards rebuilding (Delano Williams photo)

Oil and Gas

…could be major game changer for local economy-Gaskin Page 12

Durban Park Project 13 ‘shaping up nicely’

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Luncheon cries foul

…says damning NIS audit Page findings must be answered 10

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Gafoors ready to rebuild, relocate staff to sister stores

By Alva Solomon BUSINESSMAN Sattaur Gafoor was already making plans to restart business at the Gafoors Houston Complex on the East Bank of Demerara even as firemen poured water yesterday on the debris from Monday’s fire.

At the same time, affected staff were reassigned to sister stores across the country, including at the Gafoors stores at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara; Nismes on the West Bank Demerara, which was recently expanded; Land of Canaan, further up the East Bank; and at Parika, on the East Bank of Essequibo.

As firemen commenced investigating what caused gutting of the multi-billion-dollar complex yesterday, workers cleared debris from a section of the building which was under construction when the fire hit on Monday.

Gafoor himself, surrounded by staff, was looking on as workmen cleared the site while others busied themselves packing items which were saved from the fire.

Workmen were preparing that section of the building for business, which is likely to restart as soon as the businessman receives the go-ahead to restart selling at the location.

RELOCATION A remarkably composed Gafoor told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday at Houston that the 530 staff members of the Lots 1 & 2 Area ‘X’ Houston complex were invited to meet with the company that morning to discuss the events of the previous day and to determine the way forward.

He said that during the discussions, staff members

were advised they would be relocated to the company’s sister businesses across Regions 3 and 4.

He said that a section of the staff would remain at Houston, and 25% of the others at Houston were asked to await information on a possible restart date for business to resume at the complex.

He said that some 30 canter truck operators have been registered with the company to operate at its premises.

Gafoor said staff members were dispatched here yesterday to locate items which would be stocked and sold at the section of the complex that was saved from the fire.

Representatives from various insurance companies which provide coverage to the business entity met with Gafoor and his management team yesterday morning. “We are insured with a company which came to investigate,” he told this newspaper, noting that an agent looks after insurance matters on behalf of the company.

This newspaper was informed that several insurance companies, including Assuria Insurance, Hand in Hand Insurance, NAFICO and GTM among others, met with the management of Gafoors.

REBUILDING Gafoor told this newspaper he would like to restart the process of conducting business at the location as early as possible, but he has to await the Guyana Fire Service completing investigations into the fire, and insurance companies would have to give the ‘green light’ to demolish and repair the damaged structure.

A substantial amount of items have been destroyed by the Monday afternoon fire, which started at about

Businessman Sattaur Gafoor sits among staff members at a section of the Houston Complex which was saved from Monday’s fire. Business at the complex is likely to be managed from this section 15:50hrs and flattened seven bonds escaped the flames on stairs and a lady from next high in praise for the busitop eight bonds as well as Monday afternoon. door called out to another ness proprietor, noting that an administrative block and The employee said the lady who was in Bond 3 and staff members were inother departments at the front fire started in the roof of pointed to the smoke,” she formed yesterday that those who were reassigned to othof the complex. A section of Bond 3, where a significant said. er branches of the business the complex which was under amount of Styrofoam was construction when the fire stored. “Right there the fire FULL SALARY struck was saved. It is there started, because I was downAnother employee was Please see page 3 that business at the site will be managed.

The complex housed 15 storage bonds with items which are locally manufactured as well as imported. A staff member told this newspaper yesterday that Bond 1 was filled with electrical items, including a substantial amount of generators and water purification systems.

Bond 2 comprised quantities of paints and containers filled with thinners as well as bolts and nuts. Bond 3 stored tarpaulins and mainly fishing items; while Bond 4 was had a quantity of doors, including imported doors and cupboards as well as countertops, among other similar items. Bond 5 housed mainly windows and window fittings; Bond 6 had toilet sets and bathroom fittings and accessories of a similar nature. And Bonds 7 and 8, which were partially destroyed, housed mainly steel items. The remaining seven Workmen clearing debris from a destroyed section of the complex

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Washroom facilities, lighting and security available at new vending location THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has been able to relocate more than 100 street vendors who previously were doing business at various locations around the city.

Clerk of Markets, Sherlock Lovell, said on Tuesday that exactly 120 persons have registered and secured spots at the new Hadfield and Lombard Streets’ location, while more vendors are expected to come onboard.

He said washroom facilities, lighting and security are available at the location.

It was noted, however, that some amount of unease was expressed by vendors after requests were made for two persons to occupy one tent. They complained also about the heat and small operating space.

The Council is aware of this discomfort but has urged tolerance from the operators. Town Clerk Royston King said vendors must be “considerate and open-minded about the situation.” He noted that the vending situation had to be urgently addressed and the unavailability of an alternative location led to the use of the current one.

“All these vendors cannot fit at the location in separate tents; there is simply not enough space. Persons cannot expect also to layout all their items to sell. Again, there is simply not enough space. It therefore requires understanding, tolerance and consideration on the part of the vendors,” the Town Clerk said.

Chief Constable Andrew Foo related that Section 9 of the city by-laws says that no citizen is permitted to place any item on city pavements or walkways. The law states that no obstacle, including boxes, barrels and other encumbrances that would prevent the easy movement or access of other citizens, or would obstruct city pavements or any other city property, must be left, stored or placed there.

It was found, however, that not only did persons place items on city pavements and other city spaces, but they stored their items there and they also confiscated some spaces to the point that persons could not use certain public spaces.

Some vendors stored their items and belongings on the roadway, while others slept on the pavement as if taking up permanent residence. Many locations were also found to be in a filthy, unkempt condition, and therefore posed great danger to health.

Mayor Patricia Chase-Green recently admitted that the Council was losing control of the vending situation, given the municipality’s previous situation.

Acknowledging that many single parents, especially mothers, were involved in street vending, and many persons gained employment through this avenue, some leverage was given. It was also noted that the city defended vendors when they were being evicted from the streets with no other mechanisms being put in place for them.

However, the Council is now adamant that a new, organized vending system must be developed as the city moves ahead, and the “confusion” that once existed can no longer be tolerated.

The Council continues to urge the co-operation of all vendors, and insists that what is being sought at this time is a meaningful solution to the organization and confirmation of persons who once illegally occupied city spaces.

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will receive their full salary payments this month. “Whoever didn’t get a call, those who waiting, will receive half salary, which is good,” she said.

She added: “He (Gafoor) didn’t give up anybody; at least everybody getting look after.”

When this newspaper visited the site yesterday afternoon, workmen were more than 90% complete in the task of clearing debris from a section of the front of the complex. Electrical fittings, among other items, including air condition units, were being installed in that section of the complex. In addition, employees were drilling through a wall where an entrance door would be installed.

Gafoor was surrounded by staff members as other members of the business community visited the businessman and offered words of support.

Meanwhile, President David Granger and the Government of Guyana have expressed sympathy to Gafoor, his family and staff of the company on their losses as a result of Monday’s fire.

“The Government of Guyana regrets the tremendous financial loss, and is deeply concerned about the hundreds of workers that have been displaced due to this disastrous event,” the Government noted in a statement.

Gafoor said he received a call from President Granger, who offered his sympathy on the loss. In addition, he said, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, was at the scene on Monday, while Georgetown Mayor Patricia Chase-Green was also present at the time of the fire.

A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said Gafsons Industries Limited is an iconic member of Guyana’s corporate community and is extremely important to the economic health of the nation.

“The Government of Guyana is profoundly saddened, and extends wishes for a speedy rebuilding process,” the statement read.

Workmen carrying out works to a section of the Houston Complex, where the business operations of the company are likely to be shifted

A Gafoors employee undertakes electrical work at a section of the Houston Complex where the business operation of the entity is likely to be relocated

Staff of the Gafoors Houston Complex sort items which were saved from the fire

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

APA 9th General Assembly gets underway

By Ravin Singh

HAVING been unavoidably delayed for more than two years, the ninth General Assembly of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) commenced on Tuesday, with deliberations expected to focus on land tenure security and several climate change projects.

Pakuri, a community in St. Cuthbert’s Mission, was chosen to host the three-day event, which will conclude on Thursday evening, by which time a new executive committee would have been elected through a voting process prior to being installed.

The General Assembly, ninth for the APA, was officially opened with formal proceedings, which included cultural presentations from indigenous children in the community.

CURRENT PROJECTS Sharon Atkinson, President of the APA, spoke at the opening of the General Assembly, hinting at topical issues which are expected to dominate the forum.

She noted that current projects, including one for land tenure assessment and another for which the Rainforest US (RFUS) is providing support funding, will be discussed during the General Assembly.

APA just recently signed an agreement with RFUS for project support funding that

has the potential to cover a five-year period out of the Norway’s International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI).

NICFI aims at supporting efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing

––land titling, projects under review

over the years.

“The Forest Peoples Programme has especially been steadfast in its support of the work of the APA through the years since the last General Assembly,” she said.

As it relates to the Land Tenure Assessment (LTA) Project, the APA President explained that this project began in early 2012 and continues at present. According to her, its main aim has been to secure a better understanding of indigenous land tenure and to document the situation of indigenous lands’ tenure security at the community, district, terri-

torial and regional levels.

This is aimed at filling the existing gap in reliable information when arguing for indigenous land rights, she added.

“The APA has always maintained that effective and sustainable actions to protect forests through climate change mitigation actions will also require strong actions to secure indigenous peoples’ rights,” Atkinson said.

This project began with training on how to conduct research for the project; then moved into field visits in Region 2, to engage in actual

port from the Forest Peoples Programme and with the Rainforest Foundation newly stepping in to support through funding from the NICFI. Atkinson disclosed that 25 years after its establishment, the APA continues to face tremendous challenges, as it was in the past; but hard work and dedication by the staff and supporting members is what has kept the association moving forward.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe field work. It later extended into Region 1, and most recently into Region 8.

According to Atkinson, it is expected that this project will continue into the other regions in the coming years, with continuing sup-

APA President Sharon Atkinson countries (REDD+). Reducing such emissions could deliver a quarter of the climate change mitigation the world needs to stay on a two-degree warming pathway towards 2030.

And this agreement, Atkinson said, signals a return of funding support through RFUS, and a continuation of technical support that the organization has provided

CHALLENGES Among some of the major challenges she highlighted were political pressure and intimidation, which included the maligning of personalities and physical threats, and the lack of funding which has resulted in a scaling down of APA outreach to the communities during reporting periods.

But despite these setSee page 5

APA President Sharon Atkinson presenting Toshao Lenox Schuman with a token of appreciation on the organisation’s behalf

A cultural dance being performed during the opening ceremony by two children from St Cuthbert’s Mission

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

Mocha schoolgirl murder trial …

Wharton found ‘not guilty’, freed ––Cush to return for ‘discretionary sentencing’

By George Barclay THE two accused in the Mocha schoolgirl murder trial -- Jevon Wharton, 25, and Charles Collin Cush, 23 -- knew their fate yesterday.

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow summed up the evidence at the Demerara Assizes for the alleged murder of nineyear-old Sade Stoby who, according to the prosecution, was raped and murdered in what was described as a felony murder. The judge then handed over the case to the jury, which later retired to

consider its verdict of guilty or not guilty.

The jury took three hours to deliberate and reach its verdict of not guilty and guilty. Wharton, the number one accused, was found ‘not guilty’ of the offence and was freed, while Cush was found ‘guilty’. But according to the law, because he was only 14 when the crime was committed, he could not be sentenced to death. He could, however, be sentenced at the discretion of the judge; and that sentence will have to be made with certain conditions.

As a consequence, the ac-

cused Cush was taken away by the police without being sentenced, on condition that he be returned to court on May 24, when a probation report would be made available. It was also decreed that the jury which convicted him should be present in court on the said day at 13:00hrs, when the judge will hear the probation report on Cush, before deciding on a discretionary sentence.

Some who listened to the case and had a little learning of the law were convinced that the accused could not be sentenced for rape, since they

APA 9th General Assembly gets ...

From page 4 backs, she was happy to announce that several successes were recorded by the body, whose efforts to advance the cause of indigenous peoples have been invaluable. Among these were APA’s participation in various international events that addressed indigenous rights and issues; the holding of sensitization meetings which were held with a number of foreign missions, state agencies, organisations and others involved in indigenous issues; and legal support in land-related issues, which

has been provided to the communities by the Forest Peoples Programme and legal counsel Nigel Hughes.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, reminded the attendees during her presentation that the Government remains committed to establishing an Indigenous Lands Commission.

“Our land is our life…we farm, fish and hunt there; and our way of life has protected the environment,” the Minister said.

She encouraged those in attendance to sit and map out their future, since they had been too reliant on Govern-

ment to do this, to no avail.

Further, she noted that emphasis needs to be placed on education within indigenous communities, since this is the building block of a strong, sustainable community and by extension a strong sustainable country.

“When regions are developed, the country develops,” Minister Garrido-Lowe declared.

Short presentations during the opening were also made by Programme Administrator Jean La Rose, Legal Counsel Nigel Hughes, and local Toshao Lonox Schuman.

The event continues today.

Participants at yesterday’s opening ceremony of the Ninth APA General Assembly

were being tried on a case of murder.

And a very poor case of rape-felony it would have been, they said, since the

Charles Cush, 23, who is to return to court on May 24 for discretionary sentencing number one accused had seen Sade falling and hitting her head following a sex act.

That accused, who has been freed, had said in a statement to the police that he had returned the following day and found the girl dead.

According to him, it was not until the afternoon of the second day that he had found the girl in a swollen condition in a muddy dam with little water not far from an aqueduct. She was dead

and partly naked, with her feet spread apart, he’d said.

The accused, through their lawyers Messrs Maxwell McKay and Madan Kissoon, had firstly made no-case submissions in the absence of the jury. The submissions were overruled by the judge, who found that the prosecution had made out a prima facie case that called on the accused to answer to the jury.

The prosecution, conducted by State lawyers Shonette Austin and Siand Dhurjon, built its case on witnesses who testified to the effect that nine-year-old Sade was on her way to school at the Mocha Primary, walking along a dam in October when she was kidnapped, raped, and allegedly murdered in order to escape the crime.

One of the witnesses, Dr. Mohan Persaud, told the jury that the number one accused had abrasions and lacerations on his penis, while the number two accused had abrasions on his penis and back.

At the time the alleged murderers were picked up by the police as suspects, Wharton was 16 and Cush 14. Following investiga-

tons, during which the accused are alleged to have made caution statements admitting the crime, both

Jevon Wharton, 25, was found ‘not guilty’ and is now a free man (Photos

by Cullen Bess-Nelson) young men were indicted with murder.

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Editor-In-Chief

Nigel Williams Editor

Godfrey Wray

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

Editorial

One Year to Date

TODAY marks one year since Guyanese cast their ballots in the General and Regional Elections (GRE), which has seen a shift in the country’s political dynamics. After 23 years in the Executive, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) loss the confidence of the majority and was placed in the Opposition.

Preceded the 2015 GRE was the results of 2011, where the incumbent government lost majority control of the National Assembly but won the majority to form the Executive. 2011 was the first time in post-independent Guyana a sitting Executive did not have majority control in the National Assembly. This signalled the beginning of obvious change in the determination of voting patterns and results.

Citizens became more alert and interested in the management of the country’s affairs and conduct of their elected representatives in the discharge of duties on their behalf. This level of awareness and consciousness were in part influenced by global dynamics, a few local militant voices, and increasing presence and access to media, formal and social.

Guyanese not only had the opportunity to share their experiences and engage in feedback unhindered by geographic constrain, but also benefitted from interaction with overseas counterparts and events happening in other countries.

This atmosphere educated and served as motivation more particularly for the young and techno savvy to get involved in politics.

The young, which makes up more than half of the population and once considered a relative apathetic voting bloc rose from this state and decided they were going to ‘Vote like a Boss.’ The vote for them in 2015 represented an important tool to personally effect change in their lives through the political process.

To the incumbent’s credit - A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) - during their period in opposition and having held the majority in the Legislature, they succeeded in shining light on the management of the nation’s business under the presidency of Messrs Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.

Exposes of mismanagement of the nation’s re-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

We tender our deepest regrets Dear Editor, WE would greatly appreciate having this letter published, because we feel it is very important for public information. We had sent a press release on May 4, 2016, but we did not see an article in your publication on May 5 as requested, hence the need for this letter to be published to better inform the public about what had transpired.

With great sadness, we inform the Guyanese nation, and in particular the Indian community, that Indian Arrival Fest 2016 -- the grand culture, food and beverage festival planned to celebrate the 178th anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana and set for Thursday, May 5, 2016 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre -- had to be cancelled because of unforeseen circumstances, compounded by the inclement weather.

We hereby apologise to all our sponsors, food concessionaires, artistes, invited guest and patrons for that development; it was a great disappointment to all of us, but please be reassured that better arrangements would be made next year to cater

for rain.

The rain fell every day for about one week, thus the lawns of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre became very saturated. For an event of the magnitude we had envisaged, that venue needed at least two (2) days of preparation; i.e. stage, sound system, lights, chairs, decorations, food and drink booth, garbage receptacles and other contingencies.

After consulting our major sponsors, who felt the inclement weather would continue, the decision was taken on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 to cancel the event. Thus we immediately issued a press release to this effect, and had hoped it would have been published on May 5th. We had paid for announcements on both radio and television on May 5th, 2016 (four (4) announcements per hour for 8 hours) to inform the public of the said cancellation.

Patrons who had purchased tickets for Indian Arrival Fest 2016 are asked to seek a full refund from the person or outlet from whom they had purchased the ticket; but those persons who had received free tickets

sources and intolerance demonstrated to those who questioned same contributed to the people registering their dissatisfaction via their votes.

The APNU+AFC, running as a single force against the PPP/C and the platform they campaigned on, instilled confidence among sections of society that a change, consistent with their desire, is possible and worthy of working towards. This platform addressed what the people considered important issues, such as unity, accountable government, respect for citizens’ views, rights and the rule of law, and the promise of a ‘Good Life.’

One year after there will obviously be reflections and deliberations as to whether 11th May 2015 turned out or is morphing into what the people voted for.

This is the nature of free speech in a democracy.

That being said, there has been some movement in the direction, as promised to the people. For instance, local government elections were held, the Anti-Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism Bill passed, reduction of the Berbice Bridge toll, restoration of sanitary conditions in Georgetown and its environs.

Conversely, there continue to be reservation expressed in the media, formal and social, that the government is slow on addressing issues impacting

from our corporate partners should please do the honourable thing and don’t try to deceive.

Indian Culture International takes this opportunity to honour eight (8) Guyanese artistes of Indian origin for their outstanding, dedicated and distinguished service to Guyana as national and international singers, and for their invaluable contribution to the protection, preservation and promotion of Indian Culture.

Indian Culture International wishes to announce the Gold Medal of Service award to the following five (5) artistes: Mohan Nandu (Semi-Classical/Filmi) and Teajman (Classical/Taan), for their more than 65 years of service; Chatenauth Singh (Classical/Taan) and Ramkissoon Singh (Semi-Classical/ Filmi) for their more than 55 years of service; and Terry Gajraj (Chutney) for over 40 years of service and as an international recording artiste.

Further, we wish to announce the Silver Medal of Service award to the following three (3) artistes: Devendra Pooran, Celia Samaroo and Sookrane Boodhoo, for their more than 40 years of

service as national and international singers (Filmi).

At the earliest, most convenient time to all of the artistes on Sunday, 16th October, 2016, a Special Concert, “Indian Legends Spectacular”, would be staged at the National Cultural Centre, and these awards would be presented. Everyone should please make a special effort to be present and participate in this historic occasion.

We would like to congratulate and wish all our Indian brothers and sisters a belated Happy Arrival Day; and on the occasion of the Guyana Golden Jubilee Celebration, A Happy Golden Jubilee to all Guyanese!

Again, our sincere apologies to all Guyana, and we regret any inconvenience the cancellation might have caused.

Indian Culture International is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of information, education, sports and culture. It can be contacted by email at the site: sriyoogeandra@gmail.com.

SRI C. YOOGEANDRA

on Labour Relations, allegations of corruption and recommendations as highlighted in forensic audits, and some in government are taking on what the people considered the despised characteristics of their predecessors.

In the first year government would have been on a learning curve, which included teething problems, expected during this period. That being said, the government has to be mindful of the awareness and awakening of militancy in the people. Where conduct considered unsavory during former governments is not unreasonable to expect adaptation of these will create outcries.

From 2011 Guyanese are seeing themselves personally invested in the political processes. President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in recognition and appreciation of this, campaigned on commitment to govern through inclusionary democracy. On assuming offices the people were told by the president to hold his administration accountable.

It is therefore reasonable to conclude commentaries on governance are the results of personal investment in the processes and commitment given by the governing parties during the campaign period and on assuming office.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

The imperial overlord attitude Dear Editor, WITNESSING the condescending manner in which Georgetown Town Clerk Royston King spoke to vendors at a meeting he held recently, under a tent in the forecourt of City Hall, speaks volumes of the contempt and disregard the administration of the city has for these small business persons.

Not only was King’s tone of voice offensive, but what he said and how he said was also offensive.

The language he used, the way his sentences were constructed, the sound of his words, and the way he

gesticulated suggested that he thought the vendors were not as clever or important as he was.

King spoke as though he were some imperial overlord addressing his unintelligent subjects, all of whom had no choice but to accept his tough talk, his twisted logic, and his newfound vision for Georgetown, even though he worked at the municipality for over thirty years.

Although using a microphone in an enclosed tent in a relatively cramped area, King shouted at his audience until he was hoarse. It was not a dialogue, but a belligerent monologue in

which King was lecturing and scolding those persons like they were some wayward children.

Listening to King’s sermon, one got the impression that the municipality was faultless and blameless in the vending situation. He paid no heed to vending as a socio-economic phenomenon. He seemed unaware that street vendors are an integral part of urban economies around the world, offering easy access to a wide range of goods and services in public spaces. He was preoccupied only with rounding up the more than three hundred vendors and squeezing them

Former NIS Board Chairman speaks

Dear Editor, GUYANESE must have noticed the most recent publication in the press of the findings of the Forensic Auditor who, in 2015, conducted the forensic audit of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

As Chairman of the Board of NIS for the period 2011 – 2015, within which the audit was done, I must make the following remarks: 1: Neither the auditor nor the Granger Government afforded the Board (2011 – 2015) the professional convention of first respond-

ing to the Auditor’s findings.

2: That Board was unceremoniously relieved of its appointment and responsibilities in May 2015, and eventually replaced en bloc, with the exception of the opposition (APNU) nominated member.

3: The General Manager of the Scheme is, by law, a member and Deputy Chairman of the Board.

4: The Forensic Auditor failed to address the issue of whether evidence was unveiled to establish that the Board conducted its affairs

and obtained financial benefits from irregular actions.

The findings of the Forensic Auditor which have been displayed in the press should, and must, be answered.

Were the Financial Auditor or the Granger Government so inclined to solicit such an intervention, it should be directed to the competent authority.

R.F. LUNCHEON, MD Former Board Chairman NIS

Still nursing old wounds Dear Editor, I NEVER invited Mr. L. Christopher Ram to an exchange in the press on the just concluded renaming of the Ogle Airport to E. F. Correia International Airport.

In his usual tongue in cheek manner, he wrote a letter in Stabroek News, calling on me to answer certain questions and referring to me as a former member of the Reform component of the PNCR. Was it necessary to so do?

This is the same man who, when cornered and exposed, complains about being ‘cussed out’ by others.

He likes to dish it out but is thin-skinned when countered.

Mr. Ram’s tantrums are not new, he was recently publicly chided by no less a person than retired Justice Patterson, Chairman of the CoI into the Camp Street Prison riots, after he walked away from the hearings because

he didn’t get his way. What is clear from Mr. Ram’s letter in your newspaper is that Mr. Ram is still nursing his wounds from our exchanges on the legality of any president, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo, to claim exemption and immunity from taxes under Section 66 of Cap. 88:01. This section states: ‘The President is exempt from TAXATION’. Mr. Ram was dead wrong in his interpretation. He knows this, but is embarrassed to admit same, as he is supposed to be the taxation czar of Guyana.

I do not possess Mr. Ram’s apparent pathological obsession with attacking former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

I do not hate anyone, and will not hate anyone, even if I do not share their political leanings. Mr. Jagdeo is not my friend, colleague or political associate; I do not hate him or anyone in his party, even though I stoutly oppose them.

Mr. Ram asked for me

‘to state and explain the role of President Granger in the context of Article 24 of the Lease Agreement between Government and OAI’. I provided an answer. He now teases that I don’t know the law. I can only smirk at this, and I would not help Mr. Ram to untangle himself from the web he has spun by providing any additional information at my disposal.

Research is the hallmark of any student. I am still a student. To successfully complete 4 university degrees and two professional accreditations requires very good research skills. Moreover, a good researcher knows where to look and where to find the answers, even if it means -- as I have done in the past -- calling Mr. Ram himself. I never expected him to beat his chest about this; it is a sign of great weakness.

Yours faithfully, JEROME KHAN

into a space that could hardly accommodate one hundred persons.

King, in his presentation, sought to cast blame on the previous central government for the vending situation, which is both dishonest and disingenuous. It is no secret that, for reasons best known to themselves, many businessmen had encouraged the vendors to do what they had done; but, more importantly, and King is old enough to know, it was Hamilton Green, the former Mayor, who had encouraged street vendors to encroach on the pavements of

store owners. This was done since in the 1980s.

In fact, Green had gone further than that, encouraging people to squat on lands that did not belong to them, such as land aback of the Botanical Gardens, a site owned

by Continental Agencies and designated for the construction of a hotel.

Does King realize that most street vendors provide the main source of income for their households, bringing food to their families and paying the school fees for their children? These informal workers have strong

linkages to the formal economy; most of them source the goods they sell from formal enterprises in Georgetown.

Street vendors create jobs, not only for themselves, but for porters, transport operators, storage providers and others.

Street vending has added vibrancy to urban life in our capital, and can be considered a cornerstone of our historical and cultural heritage.

Regards, DEODARIE PUTULALL

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

The public’s selective opinions

By Akola Thompson SHORTLY after attending a Red Thread protest against Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, last Tuesday, I caught a bus headed to the Stabroek Park. Upon boarding the bus, I heard

these were, “Coolie man deh in, black man suffering; black man deh in, black man suffering; we gaffa put in a Chinee man now.”

The occupants in the bus were discussing the Mayor and City Council’s recent decision to remove vendors

and minibuses from the Stabroek Market area. This was one of the many conversations I have heard since the removal of the vendors, who are again slowly returning to the spaces from which they were sent away.

I and many other

Please see page 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

The public’s selective opinions From page 8 Guyanese who have had the misfortune of walking through the Stabroek Market on any given day see the necessity to move these vendors and the minibuses to another location. However, necessity aside, the council has a responsibility to the people not only to provide a clear, ready plan for them, but to treat them with dignity in the process.

On a related note, I am wondering how much resources have been wasted on removing the bollards that lined the former bus park, in the process leaving holes which need more resources for things to return to the way they once were several months ago.

That being said, I do not want to focus too much on the vendors, as their plight seems to be lessening. Instead, I want to focus on the things which drive public discourse, and how there will always be issues which seem to matter less in the eye of the public than others.

I might be accused of irrelevance, but let’s for a moment consider the public outcry over the displaced vendors versus the alleged child molester who now sits on the City Council, Councillor Winston Harding.

While I have been plagued by morning talk show hosts, university students, bus riders and taxi drivers all offering their opinion on the vendors, that was not the case when Minister Lawrence labelled allegations of child abuse by Harding as a “family matter.”

While I may be discomforted by the fact that the public did not have the same feelings of a right to an opinion in the case of Minister Lawrence and Councillor Harding, the fact is that they may never see the need, because, in Guyana, things such as children’s and women’s rights are not things that are cared about until some unnerving story pops up in the media. It just goes to show how we, as a people, often do not see the need to care about things that do not, in some way, directly affect us.

It is this same mindset which sees Guyana remaining in the mire it is in, as we have trivialized and normalized abuse so much that we hardly ever hold our leaders and those who support them accountable for their indiscretions.

Child rights and issues relating to those rights, I would like to believe, go far and beyond race and class, and very few seem to realize how dangerous their silence on issues such as men’s, women’s and children’s rights and protection can be in the future.

While I do feel for the vendors and the decrease in ‘accustomed’ funds they may have over the next few weeks, I cannot help but feel that the public is too choosy in who should garner its outrage.

Adult vendors have a voice which they have no qualms about sounding, and this is further amplified by society. Meanwhile, victims of abuse, particularly victims of child abuse, continue to be silenced merely because we do not think their plight to be as important or as urgent.

Coalition supporters need to also realise that not every criticism of the current administration is unfounded, and while it has a right to pick and choose the issues it finds important, it should know that often this choice to remain silent fuels more deaths, more rapes and more pain.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

NIS audit

Luncheon cries foul …says damning NIS audit findings must be answered

FORMER Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Dr Roger Luncheon, has sought to defend the administration of the scheme under his watch against the damning findings of a forensic audit which implicated him and the PPP government for playing a heavy hand in its operations.

Dr Luncheon also flayed Government for reportedly ignoring him and the previous board during the conduct of the audit, but assured that the report should and must be answered.

In a letter to the editor of this newspaper, Dr Luncheon said Guyanese must have noticed the recent publication in the press of the findings of the audit.

He noted that as the chairman of the Board of NIS for the period 2011-2015, within which the audit was done, neither the auditor nor the Government had afforded the board the professional convention of first responding to the audit findings.

Former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Luncheon said his board was “unceremoniously relieved of its appointment and responsibilities in May 2015, and (was) eventually replaced en bloc, with the exception of an APNU-nominated member.”

Noting that the General Manager of the NIS is by law a member and deputy chairman of the board, Dr Luncheon said the forensic auditor failed to address the issue of whether evidence was unveiled that established that the board had conducted its affairs and obtained financial benefits from irregular actions.

“The findings of the forensic audit that have been displayed in the press should and must be answered. Were the financial auditor or the Granger Government so inclined to solicit such an intervention, it should have been directed to the competent authority,” Dr Luncheon said.

The audit report, done by Ramesh Seebaran and released by the Ministry of Finance, highlighted that NIS office at Corriverton, built in 2011 for $69.9M, was later valued at

$37.9M. The report said the Lot 8 Springlands, Corriverton, Berbice building was reconstructed in 2010/2011 and commissioned in 2011 at cost of $69,923,940.

Focusing on the scheme’s investment in the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI), the auditor said the company has several investments in the BBCI; namely corporate bonds -$1,060,000,000; subordinated Former Chairman loan $500,000,000 (which is of NIS, Dr Roger a debt that ranks after other Luncheon debts if a company falls into liquidation or bankruptcy); preference shares - $950,000,000; and common shares $80,000,000.

The ability of BBCI to pay interest, dividends and capital repayment will depend on its ability to generate profits. To date, it has made accumulated losses of $1,507,062,759 based on its 2014 audited financial statements.

“As a result, the investment in BBCI’s common shares may now be impaired, as the current net worth of an ordinary share is $2.77 based on its 2014 audited financial statements.”

Further, it was noted that the 2014 audited financial statements showed that the company signed a concession agreement with the Government of Guyana for the design, construction, development, operations and maintenance of the Berbice Bridge, pursuant to the terms and conditions established within this agreement.

The agreement is for a period of 21 years, unless termi-

nated or extended by mutual agreement or in accordance with any other provisions within the agreement.

When the 2012 audit was finalised in May 2015, it became known to management that the company does not own a bridge, but instead a licence to operate a bridge, even though the scheme had two of its directors on the company’s board.

“This resulted in the auditors reclassifying the cost of the bridge and a building from Fixed Assets to ‘Concession Assets’ and restated the 2010 and 2011 audited financial statements. The effect of the reclassification resulted in those years which had declared taxable profits now showing significant losses.” These losses arose because the Concession Agreement is for a period of 21 years, therefore the bridge is now amortised over that period, whereas it was previously depreciated over a 70-year period.

A copy of the Concession Agreement was not available for review by the auditor. Based on the information available to the auditor, it was discovered that there is a “material uncertainty that cast significant doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.”

“It means therefore, that the Scheme’s investment in the BBCI is almost certain to be negatively affected. Already, the ordinary shares have been impaired to a negative value, the subordinate loans preference shares may also have been impaired. The company’s CEO has already written the Scheme, indicating its inability to pay the dividend on preference shares,” the audit report disclosed.

Should BBCI become insolvent because of its current loss-making position, considering its issues with the Government regarding the lowering of the bridge toll, its inability to generate adequate money to meet its obligations, and the fact that the company does not own a bridge, the investors’ investments will be at severe risk of not being recovered.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

A message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, the Ministry of Social Protection

The growing child How to cope

CAN you, for four minutes, leave whatever you are doing? It’s time you took a break anyway.

QUESTION: What do you think has the biggest influence on how well a child succeeds in life? Is it: a) The environment the child is raised in? b) The amount of money coming into the household? c) The positive input from the parents who are raising the child?

The answer will become clear to you as you read.

Every day, as the earth turns and the sun rises, it means that we are growing. But while some of us are growing older, with our creaky joints and greying hair, a vast section of our population, mainly children and young adults, are at a transitional stage in life, because they are not just grow-

ing, they are also developing.

INTRINSICALLY LINKED Child development is intrinsically linked to the type of adults our children become, therefore grownups should make it their duty to embrace and learn about the developing child; because the more knowledge we have, the better we can interact with children and young people accordingly, to get the best out of them; to nurture them and advise them about life’s goals and possible pitfalls.

Children start learning from the womb; they are born able to express themselves one way, and one way only -- through crying.

An attentive mother soon recognises the different cries of her baby -- if he is hungry; if he needs changing; if he is in pain, or feeling distressed etc.

As children grow physically, their communication skills grow too: their expressions; their intellect; their emotional and social development; and their personality. In fact, from the age of 0 to three years, children grow rapidly and learn so much more than at any other time in their lives. They need as many positive experiences as possible during those crucial years, and consistency, patience and encouragement are important elements that help to enhance their development.

Also, if an open, understanding relationship is built between parent and child during that period, there is a good chance it will last a lifetime.

Children always need someone they can trust; someone they can bond with and rely on. It doesn’t matter whether they are

Please turn to page 12

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Oil and gas The growing … can be major game-changer for local economy, says Gaskin

By Shauna Jemmott APNU/AFC Government has celebrated one year since being elected to office and Minister of Business and Investment Dominic Gaskin is urging that preparation begins for the development of the oil industry.

“We have an oil discovery that has enormous potential and can be a game changer in our local economy and that is something that Government and the private sector have to start preparing for and we are indeed taking steps to prepare ourselves for the eventuality of becoming an oil-producing nation,” Gaskin said in a special anniversary message.

The Ministry is in the final stages of developing a five-year plan, and according to Gaskin, emphasis is being placed on improving the ease of doing business in Guyana.

“We have not done very well on the global ease of doing business index over the years. Our last ranking was 137 out of (over 180 countries) surveyed…. We have done a thorough analysis of the index. It’s a survey based on 10 areas of focus and we

have broken those down into the specific issues that are causing difficulties for businesses and we are seeking to address them one by one.”

A team from the World Bank, publishers of the global index, has assisted Government recently in identifying the cross-cutting issues which must be addressed to improve doing business here.

Gaskin also noted that fixing the country’s economy will take time.

“We need to look at what we inherited… a stagnant economy or rather an economy in decline, falling commodity prices, a filthy capital city, rampant corruption, a dysfunctional local government system, among many other issues affecting people’s lives,” he said.

Within a year in power, the new Government he said has given Guyana “a Capital City that once again resembles a Garden City.”

He added: “We have an economy that is on the rebound albeit still with low commodity prices globally.”

According to the minister, investor’s confidence has increased and more people are investing and expanding their

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin businesses.

Aside from this, he said business is being made easier with Government’s introduction of the Single Windows Automated Processing System (SWAPS) software.

While the software will speed up the process of applications for various business documents among other things, it is also expected to “significantly reduce corruption by simply removing the opportunities for intervention within the system and creating a better record of the process,” the Minister said.

Minister of Public Telecommunications with respon-

sibilities for Tourism Cathy Hughes said she is pleased that her ministry has “taken the strong decision to allocate additional frequency” and moving towards 4G. She contended that Government has moved telecommunications forward by bringing to the fore related legislations which have been dormant since 2012.

“We had legislations that sat in select committee… we are now bringing that legislation to the Parliament,” she said.

Minister Hughes also noted Government’s successes in institution strengthening and fostering infrastructural development.

In terms of tourism, Guyana has embarked on an aggressive marketing plan to attract more tourists and Guyanese in the diaspora to these shores.

Guyana earlier this year was named as one of twelve “must visit” places in the world in 2016 by a well-known British tourism agency.

“That’s marketing we can’t afford to pay for. At the end of the day we’ve had more visitors that have come to Guyana,” Minister Hughes said.

child ...

From page 11

six days old or 16 years old, responsible, caring adults -- wherever they can be found -- are never too many in a child’s life.

INDIVIDUALITY, INDEPENDENCE Through pre-adolescence and adolescence (from about nine to 18 years old), children tend to seek their individuality and independence. Most of them prefer to be with their peers rather than family; this is just a part of the ongoing process of development.

Children would have required a set of analytical skills, like decision-making and coping mechanisms. They sometimes become rebellious and opinionated. They may even say and do things that test the boundaries that adults have set.

Knowing or learning how to cope with these or other changes that may occur is an important part of the parental role, as these years can be ‘trying’ times.

Even when children are as tall as their parents, they still need guidance and understanding, consistency and support like they did in their formative years; but with space enough for them to be themselves. A delicate balance needs to exist, one in which the child has a sense of responsibility and understanding of what is expected from him/her, with clear boundaries and a routine that is always upheld; and where the parent or caregiver is able to supervise, rather than direct the child on the right path.

To cope with our developing children, we need to understand and support their development every step of the way. Every new day, as the earth turns and the sun rises, we are given the opportunity to learn how best to protect, guide and help them. Let us endeavour to do a worthwhile job.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Durban Park Project ‘shaping up nicely’

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson updating the media about the Durban Park Project

By Svetlana Marshall THE Public Infrastructure Ministry is likely to complete Phase One of the Durban Park Project this weekend despite the inclement weather, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has said.

Minister Patterson and Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn, along with several other engineers, on Tuesday updated media operatives on the progress of the project. The project is moving apace, with the spectator bleachers being approximately 96 per cent complete and the VIP stand 73 per cent complete.

Giving reporters another tour of the facility, Minister Patterson pointed to sections of Bleacher No 15 which were reinforced after the project was handed over to the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

Diagonal reinforcement was added to the bleachers for additional support, and as such, the lower half and the intermediate sections were strengthened.

Additionally, the base of the 200-foot flagpole was expanded not only for aesthetics, but for reinforcement purposes as well, in keeping with the specifications.

Once the bleachers and VIP Stand are completed, Minister Patterson said, the ground will be graded and shaped. The facility will then be handed over to the National Commemorative Committee.

“We would like to be out of here by this weekend, and hand everything over to the National Commemorative Committee; we are just the foot soldiers,” the minister declared.

President David Granger handed over responsibility of the project to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) in late April, following several complaints of substandard work being done by officials who were in charge. Some 300 persons have been employed to conduct work on the 30 stands.

The deadline set for completion of the stands

A section of Bleacher No 15 that has been reinforced by the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the entire project is May 12, two weeks before Independence Day. The outstanding works cover six areas, which are: roofing and remedial works for spectator bleachers; completion of su-

perstructure, walls and roof for the VIP Stand; electrical wiring, lighting and power supply; access driveways and bridges; creation of sanitary facilities; and drainage works.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Cmdr.

Amsterdam disputes crime ‘out of control’ in Berbice COMMANDER of Police ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, has said that contrary to what people are saying, crime is not out of control in Berbice. He said he is certain that armed robbery has spiked in the last two weeks, but even that seems to be on the decline, as ‘B’ Division has been unusually quiet in the last five days.

Amsterdam was careful in explaining that some new strategies have been implemented and will remain in place until the situation returns to normal. He said that mobile patrol has been intensified in the division, and police visibility will be even more pronounced as “we’re returning to a posture where we are having foot patrols from as far as Corriverton and all the townships, including Rosignol, where they anticipate visitors will be for Jubilee celebrations.”

Amsterdam said police are prepared to police all areas where events would be held during Jubilee Celebrations in the Ancient County; and as far as he knows, the police are

‘B’ Division Commander Ian Amsterdam “on top of situation.”

Conceding that the Corentyne Corridor has always presented the police with their greatest problems, Amsterdam said that apart from putting new systems in place, the police have upped their intelligence-gathering capabilities in that area as well.

Patrols, he said, are being manned by a senior rank and an officer, and have the authority and capability to erect snap road blocks and conduct raids and searches.

In hotspots such as Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant, Tain, and the Upper Corentyne areas, patrols are being done by foot.

“Apart from those trouble areas,” he said, “the region has been quiet, and April has been our best month, where we had our lowest serious crimes.

Between April 3 and April 25, 2016, there has been only one incident of robbery-under-arms involving the use of a gun, he explained. Between April 25 and May 1, the division recorded four other robberies in which guns were used, and one person was shot in the process.

“However, (police) know who the perpetrators are, but they have not been arrested (as) yet. (Police) hope to make arrests shortly,” he disclosed.

He said that of the 15 murders committed so far for the year, eight have already been solved and an additional two are about to be cracked. He pointed out that it was noted that crime has been decreasing since April.

He said that the police, at this time, have enough ranks on the ground; have deployed 10 other ranks to different areas; and will pull ranks from stations for patrol purposes.

All Jubilee Celebration spots will be policed, he promised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Ron Robinson new Programme Manager at NCN

THE Board of Directors of the National Communications Network is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members of the network’s management team who will function as Programme Manager and Human Resources Manager, respectively.

In a release NCN said Veteran broadcaster and theatre personality, Mr. Ronald Robinson, assumed the post of Programme Manager, while Ms. Tishikta De Costa assumed the post of HR Manager, both with effect from May 3, 2016.

Based on the current revitalization process underway at NCN, Robinson emerged the most suitable candidate following a shortlist and interview process

conducted by members of the Board and a professional HR consultant. He brings to the network more than 40 years’ of experience in radio and television, cumulatively, and a wealth of knowledge pertaining to Guyana’s broadcast landscape, training and production management.

Prior to her appointment as the new HR Manager of NCN, Ms De Costa, who also went through a similar interview process, had worked in the Human Resources Division of the Audit Office, Guyana Revenue Authority and Unicomer.

She brings to the network approximately eight years’ experience in recruitment, staff welfare, people management and

Vendor drops lawsuit against City Hall THE Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was awarded $40,000 in costs after complainants who had caused a High Court Judge to lay an injunction against the Municipality on Tuesday withdrew their case.

A vendor who refused to be part of the city’s ongoing street vendor relocation initiative approached the High Court last week to halt his removal from where he operated -- in front of the Guyana Stores zinc bond on Water Street. In a report, City Hall said the vendor had claimed that the bond’s owner, businessman Malcom Panday, had given vendors permission to vend in front of his property.

The court ordered the injunction ahead of a hearing of the matter. However, Panday denied giving permission for vendors to occupy the perimeter of his bond, and provided an affidavit to authorities attesting to this information. When the matter was called at the High Court on Tuesday, the complainant withdrew his case and costs were awarded to City Hall. Prior to this, the Council was also able to have the injunction discharged. Lawyer for City Hall, Attorney-at-law Roger Yearwood, had a day earlier presented the businessman’s affidavit to the court, and the injunction was discharged.

The Mayor and City Council says it is currently seeking an organised and healthy vending situation in the city, and welcomes participation of all stakeholders.

HR strategic planning and budgeting among other critical areas. “The Board welcomes both Mr. Robin-

son and Ms. De Costa and wishes them every success in enhancing the operations of NCN.”

Ron Robinson

Tishikta De Costa

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National Day of prayer on today

AS PART of the package to observe Social Cohesion Day today, a National Day of Prayer has been planned, and a service will be held at Durban Park early in the morning.

President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo are expected to attend the National Day of Prayer organised by the Ministry of Social Cohesion.

The event commences at 07:30hrs.

Social Cohesion Day also forms part of the menu of activities being held in observance of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary. It was on May 11, 2015 that the people of Guyana voted the APNU+AFC Coalition into Government, thereby effectively removing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) out of office after 23 years of incumbency.

Social Cohesion Day, the first of its kind in Guyana, will kick-off with an inter-religious prayer ceremony and will culminate with a musical stage performance at the National Cultural Centre.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Top-class show on at NCC today

THE Ministry of Social Cohesion will host “ONE”, a top-class production in celebration of Jubilee Unity Day, at the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday from 20:00hrs, organisers have said.

According to MOSC, ‘ONE’ tells the story of Guyana’s struggles to find collective understanding, and the many forces that have contributed to fomenting division through all the years.

The production chronicles the country’s history, beginning with the First Peoples and going through the annals of slavery and indentureship, highlighting their impact. It then goes on to the struggle for independence, and details events up to present day.

The central theme is the concept of social cohesion; and the social, cultural and ethnic issues that have affected and continue to influence how Guyanese interact with each other are highlighted.

This two-hour production features a cast of 200 dancers, singers, actors and drummers (50) coming from across the country and coming together to create a multi-cultural exposition representing the aspirations of the people of Guyana. It is written and directed

by Russell Lancaster, with Dr. Seeta Roath as Artistic Director and Durwin Humphrey of Merundoi as Production Manager.

Derry Etkins has composed the music for “ONE”, and artistes include Linden “Jumbie” Jones, Chris Gopaul, Mark Kazim, Tashandra Inniss, Nirmala Narine, Mark Luke-Edwards, The Woodside Choir, St. Cuthbert’s Dancers, Buxton Fusion, Otishka Drummers, Dubraj Tassa Drummers, Orin Deodat, National Steel Orchestra, Korokwa Folk Singers, Success Choir and Free Souls Dancers.

‘One’ will be aired live on NCN and streamed on E-Networks at 8pm, and a capacity attendance is expected from schools, religious organisations, civil society groups, and other groups and individuals.

The Ministry of Social Cohesion encourages all Guyanese to view this event.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Govt deeply concerned about Gafoors fire PRESIDENT David Granger and the Government of Guyana have empathised with Sattaur Gafoor, the Gafoor family, and members and staff of the company on their recent loss due to fire at the company’s Houston complex on Monday.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of the Presidency, Government said it regrets “the tremendous financial loss, and is deeply concerned about the hundreds of workers that have been displaced due to this disastrous event.”

The ministry said Gafsons Industries Limited is an iconic member of Guyana’s corporate community, and its presence is extremely important to the economic health of the nation.

“The Government of Guyana is profoundly saddened (by the event) and extends wishes for a speedy rebuilding process.”

The massive fire, said to be electrical in origin, gutted the Gafoor’s business Complex at Houston, Greater Georgetown on Monday afternoon just as staffers were preparing to sign off work for the day, leaving in its wake billions of dollars in losses and hundreds of persons jobless.

Recorded as one of the largest and most costly fires in recent years, the conflagra-

tion reduced to rubble several bonds and electrical and other departments, including an administrative block of the hardware giant.

call at about 15:50hrs, detailing that thick smoke was emanating from the roof of the complex. Fire units were dispatched from the Central

“It’s a bond with various types of combustibles,” he said as he explained why the fire was generating such tremendous heat.

Staffers of Gafoors Houston Complex resorted to intense prayer as fire ripped through the bonds on Monday Thick black smoke swirled in the air as the fire ripped through the bonds, seven of which it devoured as it did the offices and hardware departments at the front of the complex.

A section of the complex which was under construction was at one point threatened by the flames before the fire was contained some three hours later.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told the media that the Guyana Fire Service received a

Fire Station at Stabroek and the West Ruimveldt outpost, but when the units arrived at Houston, the firemen reported that the fire was beginning to spread rapidly.

“We went up to second and third alarm and ramped all of the available resources in Georgetown that are here right now,” Gentle said. He told the media that the firemen were in control of the fire, at around 19:00hrs last evening, but the heat was intense.

Gentle noted that there were some safety concerns at the scene of the fire, one of which was the layout of the building while the other was the items stored therein, both of which were preventing the firemen from reacting to the situation as readily as they would have liked.

He said the firemen were working to prevent the fire from reaching the wharf aback the complex and close to the Demerara River.

Gafoors fire a major setback - PSC THE Private Sector Commission has extended heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Sattaur Gafoor and the Gafoor family on the devastating losses suffered in Monday’s fire; and commiserates with all workers who have been rendered jobless by the conflagration.

“This is not only a severe blow to the Gafoor family and their employees, but it is a national loss”, the commission has said.

“Gafoor’s was one of the foremost businesses in this country, and it will take a significant amount of time for them to recover from this setback,” the PSC said.

The body has assured the Gafoor family and the displaced workers that “our prayers will be with them as they seek to come to terms with this disaster.”

The massive fire, said to be electrical in origin, gutted the Gafoor’s business Complex at Houston, Greater Georgetown on Monday afternoon just as staffers were preparing to sign off work for the day, leaving in its wake billions of dollars in losses and hundreds of persons jobless.

Recorded as one of the largest and most costly fires in recent years, the conflagration reduced to rubble several bonds and electrical and other departments, including an administrative block of the hardware giant.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Conjecture, rumours and gossip THE People’s Progressive Party has not only denied allegations of infighting for leadership positions in the Robb Street-based party, but has labelled media reports on the issue as conjecture, rumour and gossip.

During a press conference on Monday, that party’s general secretary, Clement Rohee, told reporters that the article which appeared in the Stabroek News is speculative and was being viewed by the party with "utter disgust".

He declared: "The PPP remains united and strong as ever, as witnessed in the successful campaign recently waged prior to the holding of the local government elections and resulting in the PPP winning 48 of the 64 Local Authority Areas."

At an executive level, there are a number of healthy, robust and lively debates on a number of prominent issues which the party deems necessary to address, Rohee said, adding that "if this is what the Stabroek News interprets as in-fighting, then they can’t be helped….

“Stabroek News behaves like a stray dog going by the smell of things," Rohee said. “The Central Committee members are free to express their views on any matter; however, at the end of the debate, the majority view prevails,” he said.

"The Party will continue its struggle to return to office, notwithstanding the challenges ahead,” Rohee declared. “The Party will view each challenge as an opportunity to strengthen itself and to improve its methods of work among the masses, utilising its cadres and outstanding leaders from top to bottom to achieve its objectives to the benefit of the Guyanese working people," he concluded.

Subsequent to the 2015 General Elections, the PPP/C reverted to former President Bharrat Jagdeo to occupy the space as Leader of the Opposition, although other former President Donald Ramotar served as the Presidential Candidate for the party at the elections.

Wednesday May 11th, 2016 - 08:30 hrs Thursday May 12th, 2016 - 09:00 hrs Friday May 13th, 2016 - 10:00 hrs

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Timehri residents had enough of the stench - say feed processing plant’s a nuisance

MORE than 20 residents of Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara are asking the authorities to address the stench, dust pollution and noise nuisance being caused by a nearby feed processing plant and power generator.

Residents told this newspaper that the feed processing plant is housed in a large, flat concrete building where they use by-products from fish and chicken to make feed and the stench is unbearable.

STENCH It was reported that it is so pungent that sometimes nearby villagers have to leave their houses and return when the plant is out of operation. It is also a health hazard and children have been suffering from various outbreaks ranging from itching to rashes and a burning sensation on their skin.

Residents reported that this is the third owner of the feed processing plant, but the business was opened a few years ago. Although residents have openly voiced their concern with the current owner, nothing is being done to address their complaints but they have been rudely brushed off while business goes on as normal.

The place operates two to three times per week and in addition, there is a chimney which belches out thick black smoke.

Villagers of Timehri Public Road said they have even approached the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and officials had visited the feed processing plant.

They learnt that a report was prepared but every time they telephone the EPA to get an update, they are told that it is with the manager to determine the way forward.

Residents told the Guyana Chronicle that they need the authorities to visit and get a first-hand view of what they are going through and rectify the situation.

The owner of the business could not be reached for a comment yesterday despite several attempts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Guyanese link seen in NY cocaine bust

UNITED States authorities busted two alleged drug smugglers in Brooklyn after hooking some fish stuffed with cocaine.

Triston Daniels and Troy Gonsalves were reeled in after 20 kilos of cocaine were discovered stashed inside a shipment of frozen fish.

They were arraigned last Saturday in Brooklyn Federal Court and released on US$150,000 bail.

The fish tale began May 4, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized an air cargo shipment of "large, frozen fish" from

Homeland Security Investigation special agents seized a shipment of large fish with cocaine secreted inside

20 kilos of cocaine were discovered stashed inside a shipment of frozen fish

Suriname at Miami International Airport, according to U.S. Homeland Security special agent Ryan Varrone.

Agents filleted the fish and removed the cocaine, which has a street value of about US$600,000, according to authorities. The fish was replaced in the shipping boxes and transported by truck to a storage facility in Queens, which was kept under surveillance, Varrone's complaint states.

Daniels, 32, and Gonsalves, 33, showed up at the warehouse on Friday in a white van. They

picked up the boxes and drove to another storage facility in Brooklyn, where they were arrested as they unloaded the van.

Gonsalves admitted that Daniels told him that the shipment contained drugs, the complaint alleges. The unidentified importer of the fish is located in Queens and was previously associated with a shipment of 82 kilos of cocaine from Guyana that was seized at the Miami airport in February, according to the court papers.

(NY Daily News)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Dookie distances self from Panama Papers leak …two others with Guyanese link named

THE explosive Panama Papers affair has snared three businessmen with Guyanese links and has opened up new speculations as to who else might have been involved.

The three businessmen are: Edris K. Dookie former Vice President of CGX; Yucatan COUTINHO REIS, a Brazilian who has business interests here and Chetwynd R.F. Bowling another local businessman.

According to the data released on Dookie is a shareholder of Oyster Oil And Gas Limited and active company located in British Virgin Island that was registered in September, 2010.

Back in 20013 CGX had announced that Dr. Dookie was no longer an officer of any subsidiary of the Canadian firm including the positions of Executive Vice President, CGX Resources Inc., a 100% owned subsidiary of CGX and President, ON Energy Inc., a 62% owned subsidiary of CGX. Commenting on the change in a statement, back then Kerry Sully, President and CEO stated, “Dr. Dookie was the co-founder of CGX and has played an instrumental role with the Company since its inception in 1998. He is a talented individual who we wish the best in his future endeavours.”

However, in a statement issued through Guyenterprise on Tuesday Dookie said he has no legal, financial, banking relationships etc. with Panama-based Mossack Fonseca or any other entities, companies and institutions in Panama. He said too that Oyster Oil and Gas Limited is a Publicly Traded Company, Listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, Toronto, Canada: OYSTER OIL & GAS LIMITED – AN INTERNATIONAL OIL AND GAS COMPANY Oyster Oil and Gas Limited is an international energy group focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in underexplored hydrocarbon basins. “Oyster has a vision to build a world class portfolio of Edris K. Dookie oil & gas assets primarily in Africa, through high potential exploration programs. The strategy is centered upon the negotiation of value-enhancing equity positions in a spectrum of under-exploited hydrocarbon basins which will enable the company to optimize its risk profile.” Dookie asserted that the board and management of Oyster has a proven track record of finding and developing world class oil and gas assets in emerging market economies, primarily in Africa and Middle East, noting that Oyster’s shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “OY” Bowling’s address is listed as 20 Main and St. John Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana. He is a director and shareholder of Alinga Consulting Group LTD- located in New York. The company is listed as active. Reis was a director of Muri Brasil Ventures Inc, the controversial company that was handed a permit to conduct survey and prospecting in the New River Triangle for rare earth elements, bauxite, limestone, nephelene, syenite, gold, diamonds and granite stones. According to the Panama Papers data Reis is a beneficiary of Equatorial Project Management and Engineering Enterprises Ltd- a company that was incorporated in The British Virgin Islands on January 18, 2013. The company is listed as “bad debt account.” Also its address is given as Calle Oeste 12 Esq. De Puente Nuevo A Quebrada ED1F64 1 Apt. 11. Urb. Parroquia San Juan, Caracas Distrito, Capital Venezuela.

In a release the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists that publishes the Panama Papers said that the investigation is the largest ever release of information about offshore companies and the people behind them. This includes, when available, the names of the real owners of those opaque structures. The database also displays information about more than 100,000 additional offshore entities ICIJ had already disclosed in its 2013 Offshore Leaks investigation. ICIJ said it is publishing the information in the public interest. It said too that new data that it is now making public represents a fraction of the Panama Papers, a trove of more than 11.5 million leaked files from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca, one of the world’s top creators of hard-to-trace companies, trusts and foundations.

ICIJ said it is not publishing the totality of the leak, and it is not disclosing raw documents or personal information en masse. The database contains a great deal of information about company owners, proxies and intermediaries in secrecy jurisdictions, but it doesn’t disclose bank accounts, email exchanges and financial transactions contained in the documents. The data was originally obtained from an anonymous source by reporters at the German newspaper Süeddeustche Zeitung, who asked ICIJ to organize a global reporting collaboration to analyze the files. More than 370 reporters in nearly 80 countries probed the files for a year. Their investigations uncovered the secret offshore holdings of 12 world leaders, more than 128 other politicians and scores of fraudsters, drug traffickers and other criminals whose companies had been blacklisted in the US and elsewhere.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

Golden Jaguars stand to benefit from encounter with Canada U-23s - Shabazz HEAD coach of the Guyana Jaguars football team that will face Canada’s Under-23 Olympic qualifying team, Jamal Shabazz, is of the firm opinion that the locals stand to benefit regardless of the outcome on Sunday.

The two teams will meet in an international friendly at the Guyana National Stadium and Shabazz told Chronicle Sport that the positive for Guyana is the fact that they can learn from playing against a team that is at a higher level.

“This game on Sunday will be a great opportunity to play a team that is at a higher level, so we need to see what we can get out of it,” the Trinidadian stated.

Asked what are the Golden Jaguars’ chances against the Canadians, Shabazz said, “We are playing at home for Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary, so we want to do good for our country, so we’ll go into the game with great ambition.”

The 25-member Golden Jaguars squad began a one-week encampment starting yesterday and had their first training session at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Camp Ayanganna ground.

Training sessions will be held everyday at the GDF and Guyana National Stadium until Saturday.

Asked how yesterday morning’s session went, Shabazz said it was a good session and there was a good turnout. He said they concentrated on possession play and the pattern of attack.

He informed that the new members of the squad gelled well with the more seasoned players and he is satisfied with what he saw in them (new players).

Asked what weakness he saw in the team prior to yesterday’s workout and what he plans to do about it, Shabazz said: “The team need to improve on their defensive strategy. We got to be able to take pressure from superior opponents and this we know we’ll get from the Canadians,” the head coach stated.

According to Shabazz, the team need to do more on defensive organisation since their next game in the Caribbean Football Union tournament will be against Curacao, who, according

to the coach, will be an uphill task for the Golden Jaguars as they (Jaguars) will be playing away from home. “So we need to play possession football and get results,” Shabazz stated.

The Canadians are expected to arrive in Guyana on Friday and that same night, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Pierre Giroux will host a press conference at his residence.

Sunday’s game is made possible through the efforts of Guyana’s Alex Bunbury who is also a Canadian football Hall-ofFamer.

It was reported that the Guyana Football Federation informed Bunbury that football has been included in Guyana’s 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations and Bunbury immediately made contact with the Canadian High Commissioner, seeking to have the Canadian Olympic Qualifying team play Guyana’s Golden Jaguars in an international friendly. The High Commissioner readily agreed and made the necessary arrangements.

In brief remarks, High Commissioner Pierre Giroux said he and his country welcome the initiative, as Guyana celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent nation it is also the 50th year that Guyana and Canada share diplomatic relations.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:20 hrs Shezaleader 08:55 hrs Never Settle 09:30 hrs Triple Beat 10:05 hrs Forbidden Duel 10:40 hrs Nuntius

09:40 hrs Flaming Spear 10:15 hrs Magical Memory 10:45 hrs Best In The World 11;20 hrs Cast;e Harbour 11:50 hrs In First Place 12:20 hrs Appeared

ENGLISH RACING TIPS Lingfield 08:50 hrs Marshgate Lane 09:20 hrs Karam50 hrs Athlon 10:25 hrs Bookmaker 11:30 hrs Blackthorn Stick 12:00 hrs Aleef WORCESTER 09:00 hrs Thoonavolla 09:30 hrs The Backup Plan 10:00 hrs Discay 10:35 hrs Jaunty Inflight 11:10 hrs Athou Du Nord 11:40 hrs Hold Court 12:10 hrs Miss Crick 12:45 hrs Wolftrap YORK 09:10 hrs Pacify

IRISH RACING TIPS Naas 12:05 hrs Cuff 12:40 hrs Ambiguity 13:10 hrs Blood Moon 13:40 hrs Pretty Perfect 14:10 hrs Stellar Miss 15:10 hrs Firecrown 15:40 hrs Heartful AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race 1 Conquest Prankster Race 2 Rare Eagle Race 3 Northern Screamer Race 4 Cloontia Race 5 Protection Race 6 Indukgent Race 7 St. Louie Race 8 Elysea’s World

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

Whistleblowers at top of packed WADA agenda in Montreal

By Steve Keating (REUTERS) - A new policy to encourage and protect whistleblowers will feature at the top of a jam-packed agenda when the World Anti-Doping Agency meets this week in Montreal as drug scandals swirl around world sport.

WADA’s meetings of its executive committee and foundation board today and tomorrow have taken on new urgency after whistleblower Vitaly Stepanov said the former head of Russia’s drug testing lab told him that at least four Russian gold medal winners at the 2014 Olympics were using steroids.

Stepanov and wife Yuliya, an international runner for Russia once banned for doping, were the whistleblowers who provided key evidence that led to the establishment of a WADA independent commission that uncovered widespread doping in Russia and led to the country being banned from all athletics competition.

“We (WADA) are hampered by two things,” former WADA chief Dick Pound, who headed up the inde-

ing them once they do.”

Stepanov, a former employee with the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSA-

Whistleblowers Yuliya and husband Vitaly Stepanov pendent investigation, told Reuters. “One is an insufficient budget to do the kind of things that we want to do and are expected to do and we are hampered that our powers of investigation acting alone are limited.

“And we have to find a better way of encouraging whistleblowers and protect-

DA) told Reuters on Monday that he had over 200 emails exchanges with WADA and nearly aborted his efforts to expose doping in Russian athletics when they were slow to act on the information he provided.

Vitaly and Yuliya provided key evidence for a German television docu-

Amir Khan vows to fight on

AMIR Khan will box on after his devastating defeat by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and says a rematch against Danny Garcia is top of his wish list.

The Briton, 29, was knocked out in the sixth round when fighting for Alvarez’s WBC middleweight crown in Las Vegas.

one big punch.”

The morning after the fight, Khan was in a surprisingly relaxed mood talking to the assembled media from the comfort of his hotel room.

Even the prospect of climbing into the ring with Garcia again did not seem to faze him, despite the American knocking

Canelo Alvarez, left, is hit by Amir Khan during their WBC middleweight title fight last Saturday in Las Vegas.

Khan, who jumped two weight divisions to fight Alvarez on Saturday, is the mandatory challenger for Garcia’s WBC welterweight belt.

“It is the easiest fight to make and it’s at my natural weight,” said Khan.

“It would be nice to make that fight in the UK but I don’t think he’d come. But we have the same adviser in Al Haymon so we’ll chat and take it from there.

“I’m in the peak of my career, my stock has definitely risen and I still have a lot left in me. I didn’t really take a lot of punishment, just that

him out when they met in 2012.

Garcia, who remains unbeaten in 32 professional fights, stepped up to welterweight last year and won the vacant WBC belt with a points victory over Robert Guerrero.

Other potential opponents mentioned were former four-weight world champion Miguel Cotto, who also lost to Alvarez last November, American Timothy Bradley, a former welterweight world champion, and former stable-mate and Philippine legend Manny Pacquiao, who Khan believes will fight again.

Reflecting on his fourth defeat in 35 professional fights, Khan said he did not feel cheated, despite his opponent entering the ring almost 20 pounds heavier.

The match was made at a catchweight of 155lb, five pounds under the normal middleweight limit, but there was no rehydration clause in the contract, meaning the champion could pile on the weight before fight night.

“I’m not going to blame anyone or say they cheated in any way,” said Khan. “I knew what I was getting into. I wanted to go in with the best and give the fans a big fight, but I jumped up a bit too high.

“Up until the sixth round everything was going my way.

I was leading the fight. But I was hitting him and he wasn’t moving - I didn’t expect him to be that big.

“And if you make a little mistake against someone like Canelo, he’ll make you pay.

I’ve never been hit by a guy that hard before. That shot would have put down a lot of people.”

Commenting on the judges’ scorecards - two had Alvarez ahead when the end came, one by four rounds to one - Khan suggested the early knockout might have been a blessing.

“In a way I’m glad I got knocked out rather than went 12 rounds, took a lot of punishment and got cheated at the end of it,” said Khan.

“I’m safe and healthy and can fight another day.” (BBC Sport)

mentary called “Top Secret Doping: How Russia Makes Its Winners” that led to the establishment of a WADA independent commission.

WADA has acknowledged that it must get better at protecting and collecting information from whistleblowers and hopes to approve a new policy tomorrow that will provide safeguards and make it easier for people to bring forward

credible information that can be put to their investigative committee.

The foundation board will also hear from a group examining an IOC proposal to have the Montreal-based agency set up an independent unit to take over drug-testing from federations.

The board will also hear from WADA’s compliance committee and a report on Kenya, which had faced a

possible ban from the Rio Olympics if it did not comply with the WADA code and sign an anti-doping bill into law.

WADA will also get a progress report on the overhaul of the troubled Russia Anti-Doping Agency.

RUSADA has been suspended since November after an investigation found evidence of widespread doping in the country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

Curry named NBA’s MVP for second straight year NEW YORK, United States (AFP) – Golden State superstar Stephen Curry was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year yesterday following his record-breaking contribution to the Warriors’ historic season.

Curry, who returned from injury on Monday to score 40 points in Golden State’s

overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers, earned the MVP award in a landslide, sweeping all 131 first place votes to earn 1,310 points, a statement said.

It is the first time in the National Basketball Association’s 61-season history that a player has been the blanket first pick for the award, the league said.

San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard was a distant second with 634 points while the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James was third with 631 points.

Curry is the 11th person to win back-to-back MVP awards and joins an illustrious club which includes the likes of James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,

Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

The award caps a remarkable year for the 28-year-old guard, who played a starring role as Golden State compiled a 73-9 record, surpassing the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls’ 72-win campaign for the most victories in the regular season.

Curry’s personal statistics

Golden State superstar Stephen Curry

for the season rewrote the record books.

He shattered his o w n re c o r d f o r m o s t three-pointers, which had stood at 286, with 402. He also led the NBA scoring charts with an average 30.1 points per game and extended his own record for scoring at least one three-pointer in consecutive games to 152.

Zampa heroics in vain as Sunrisers go top of IPL table ADAM Zampa claimed the second-best bowling figures in Indian Premier League history but was unable to prevent Sunrisers Hyderabad from sealing a tense four-run victory over Rising Pune Supergiants which put them top of the table.

Spinner Zampa took 6-19 - including three wickets in the final over - to restrict the Sunrisers to 137-8 in Visakhapatnam after David Warner’s side had been going well on 96-2.

Zampa was brought back down to earth when he was out first ball from the final delivery of the match in a dramatic last over after captain MS Dhoni (30 from 20) had threatened to guide Pune to a victory which they really needed to keep

Player-of-the-match Adam Zampa celebrates one of his six wickets. their slim play-off hopes alive.

The prolific Warner went for only 11 after being given out caught behind off RP Singh so it was left for the inform Shikhar Dhawan (33 off 27) and Kane Williamson (32 from 37) to set the platform.

Dhawan made an unbeaten 82 and 47 not out in his last two innings, but was finally dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin (1-16) after clubbing two sixes and as many fours.

Williamson also failed to go on as Zampa took centre stage with a magnificent spell in only his second IPL game, taking the important wickets of New Zealand captain Williamson and Yuvraj Singh (23) before striking three times in an incredible final over.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1-20) denied Ajinkya Rahane (0) a third successive half-century, but Bailey (34 from 40) and Ashwin (29) - promoted to number four - steadied the ship.

Kumar thought he had Bailey caught behind but umpire Virender Sharma kept his finger down. However Pune lost their way and fell agonisingly short after Dhoni smashed a six but was also one of three wickets to fall in an eventful last over from Ashish Nehra (3-29).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

Ganguly wants India’s cricket selectors to prepare for post-Dhoni era FORMER captain of the Indian cricket team, Sourav Ganguly, has urged the selectors to plan for the future as MS Dhoni is currently 34 years old and is in the twilight of his career.

Speaking during a sports show, Ganguly said: “Every cricket team in the world plans their future. But my question to the selectors is: three or four years down the line, do they see Dhoni as the captain of India?”

“Dhoni has been fantastic in the way he has gone about his job as captain, but does he have the ability in the next four years to see India into the World (Cup) in 2019?”

Dhoni has been skipper of the team since 2007. In the nine years he has been around, he has led India to the ICC World Cup title in 2011, the T20 World Cup title in 2007, ICC Champions Trophy 2013 and was in charge

Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni

when India topped the world Test rankings in 2010.

“I am not saying he needs to quit cricket, I feel he should continue to play in the shorter formats of the game. India still needs him in limited-overs cricket. He has been captain for nine years, which is a long period. Does he have it in him to go for another four years?

“So the selectors need to find an answer whether they see Dhoni leading India in the 2019 cricket World Cup. If the answer is no, then find a new captain. If the answer is yes, which I will find very, very surprising if Dhoni continues.”

Dhoni’s retirement from Test cricket led to Virat Kohli being handed the captaincy with many tipping him to take over from Dhoni in the shorter formats of the game when the keeper-batsman decides to hang up his gloves.

Manohar quits as Indian board chief ahead of ICC election Crawford takes top podium place in FACC/ Region 6 Jubilee 50-mile cycle race TROJAN Cycle Club’s Jebon Crawford took the top podium position of the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC)/Region Six Jubilee Committee’s 50-mile cycle road race which was staged in Berbice last Sunday in observance of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

The event, which was coordinated by FACC coach Randolph Roberts and which was open to Berbice cyclists only, saw Crawford out-sprint Andre Hicks in a keen tussle to win the race. Third was Brian Harris while Syborne Fernandes finished fourth overall but first among the veterans.

According to reports, after the 12 senior and veteran starters were sent on their way from Number 47 Stanleytown by Region Six Councillor Eusi Smith, the riders proceeded to Bush Lot gas station before turning back to finish at the corner of Main and Alexander Streets New Amsterdam.

There were also five Under-16 cyclists in the event and they were given a five-minute head start while the females started at Number One Road, Corentyne to finish at the same place where the other riders were to finish.

Under-16 rider Aman Khan took advantage of the five-minute head start and won three of the eight prime prizes that were up for grabs, while Crawford took three also and Hicks two.

Ralph Rampersaud finished second in the Under-16 age group while Dalwin Bowman placed third.

Whitney Poyer won the Ladies category.

The event was used by the FACC as a warm-up for this weekend’s Golden Jubilee three-stage Independence road race.

Among the sponsors for last Sunday’s race were Payless Variety Store, Hand-in-Hand Mutual Insurance Company, Arokium Funeral Home and Pompey Chicken Enterprise.

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - Shashank Manohar resigned as president of the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yesterday eyeing a second term as chief of the sport’s global governing body.

A respected administrator with a clean image, Manohar has been the most powerful man in cricket, heading the world’s richest cricket board as well as being chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“He has also resigned

Shashank Manohar is eyeing a second term as ICC president.

as the BCCI representative on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council,” board secretary Anurag Thakur said in a statement.

Under reforms Manohar himself initiated within the ICC, the next chairman, to be elected later this month, must be an independent candidate with no formal links to any other country.

Manohar was also instrumental in overturning the constitutional changes made in 2014 that gave India, En-

gland and Australia almost total control of the cricket’s administration.

As BCCI president, Manohar brought significant transparency into the functioning of a board traditionally perceived as an efficient but opaque body, which has often incurred the wrath of India’s top court.

Thakur confirmed Manohar has filed his application for the ICC’s top post and said the BCCI would soon elect its next president.

Smith not worried about burnout STEVE Smith has allayed Ricky Ponting’s fears that the captain could suffer

Steve Smith is Australia’s captain across all three formats from burnout if he continues to lead Australia across all three formats.

Unlike other countries, Australia have the same

skipper for Tests, one-day and Twenty20 internationals.

Smith has continued to flourish in all three despite the burden of command, but predecessor Ponting is concerned it “may catch up” with the 26-year-old.

However, Smith is confident he can handle the pressure and continue to contribute to the team’s success.

“I guess he (Ponting) is entitled to that (opinion),” he told Fox Sports. “He captained Australia for a long period of time.

“Obviously I’m only 26.

Still at the moment, hopefully, I’ve got a fair way to go left in my career.

“I guess you won’t know until you’ve experienced it. I guess ev-

eryone is different, the way they operate. At the moment, I’m going OK, I don’t feel burnout at all so hopefully I can keep that up.”

Australia face West

Indies and South Africa in an ODI tri-nation series next month before touring Sri Lanka from late July to September.

Smith’s side then travel to South Africa.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday May 11, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 6 centuries (2) 3 bowlers

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who scored most runs in IPL 2012?

(2) Who claimed most wickets in IPL 2012?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

Samuels lauds WICB on coaches course BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – When Robert Samuels played as a left-handed batsman for Jamaica and West Indies, he gave all he had. Since walking away from the ‘middle’, the passion has not diminished.

Today, at age 45 – 13 years after he played his last List A match for Jamaica, Samuels is contributing in a meaningful way as a coach at the junior levels.

He has been the Jamaica Under-19 coach for six years and had aided with the develop-

ment of several players – some presently at the international level. He was assistant coach of the West Indies Under-19s to the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2004.

“Cricket has given me everything and more, and I want to give all,” said Samuels. “I love coaching and would coach anybody anywhere to help with the development of the game.”

From his days as a teenager, Samuels was identified as a future international player. He represented the historic Melbourne Cricket Club

WDFA/STAG Beer League

Pouderoyen batter Vege Boys 9-2, Young Achievers blank Jetty Boys 3-0 POUDEROYEN United battered Vege Boys of Vergenoegen 9-0, while Young Achievers blanked Jetty Boys 3-0 when play in the West Demerara Football Association’s (WDFA)/STAG Beer League continued at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara last Saturday.

In the Pouderoyen versus Vege Boys match, two players scored hat-tricks for the winning side, while another registered a double.

Morgan Denny scored in the 9th, 25th and 40th minutes for his hat-trick, while Troy `Rampant’ Allicock scored his with goals in the 20th, 22nd and 40th minutes.

Kwesi Alleyne netted a brace in the 30th and 43rd minutes. The other goal came off the boot of Dwayne St Kitts in the 27th minute.

Scoring for the Vege Boys were Alvin Benjamin and Shemar Marcus in the 32nd and 36th minutes respectively.

In the Young Achievers versus Jetty Gunners match, Lloyd Prince opened the scoring for Young Achievers in the 15th minute and made it a double in the 62nd minute, while Stephen Jupiter found the back of Jetty Gunners’ net in the 66th minute.

The win for Pouderoyen takes them to the top of the point standings with four points from two matches. They won one and drew the other. They have so far scored ten goals and conceded three.

Young Achievers are on three points from one match and are tied with Beavers who also have three points from one match.

Wales United have one point from a draw and are currently placed fourth.

The other three teams in the league are yet to register a point after completing one match.

The League will continue this weekend at the Den Amstel ground.

ROBERT SAMUELS and from there into the Jamaica Under-19s and West Indies Under-19s.

He played among several legends in the Jamaica first-class team and was picked for six Tests and eight ODIs in 1996 and 1997.

He was in Barbados as part of the Level III coaching course staged by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), among 25 regional coaches who also participated in “Identifying and Rehabilitating Suspect Bowling Actions” — the aim to assist coaches with another aspect in their roles of developing players.

“It is really good to see the WICB and ECB are putting on this Level III coaching course for the coaches of the West Indies,” said Samuels. “I believe this is a step in the right direction as we look to strengthen game in the Caribbean. This is the way to go and I am really pleased to be part of it.”

“One of the key areas we have focussed on is ‘individuality’ and how to enhance the individual player’s game. We have looked at what’s best for the player and how to get the best out of that

player.”

Full list of coaches that attended the course: Samantha Lynch, Colin Stuart, Rayon Griffith, Esuan Crandon, Julian Moore, Glen Dwarika, John Pollard, Tony Gray, Rydell Ramsarran, Robert Samuels, Cleon Smith, Junior Bennett, Gibbs Williams, Irvin Warrican, Fernix Thomas, Clifford Thomas, Steve Liburd, Pern e l Wa t l e y, C o u r t n e y Walsh, Winston Benjamin, Philip Service, Dexter Toppin, Ezra Moseley, Rohan Nurse, Henderson Bryan.

Local marksmen step up preparations ahead of WIFBSR c/ships

LOCAL marksmen have stepped up their preparations ahead of the West Indies Full Bore Short Range Championships set for Antigua from May 16 to 22.

The locals have been practising at the Timehri Rifle Ranges since the beginning of the month and, according to Guyana National Rifle Association’s (GNRA) team captain Mahendra Persaud, preparations have been going well and he is confident the locals will make a successful defence of the title they won in Jamaica in 2014.

According to former

LENNOX BRAITHWAITE West Indies Full Bore individual champion Ransford Goodluck, there was no

competition last year since Guyana had fielded a team to the World Championships in Ohio, USA. Last Saturday, the locals were divided into two teams – Team Lion and Team Jaguar – and Team Lion came out on top by a single point shooting over the 300-, 500and 600-yard ranges in a fiercely contested shoot.

Team Jaguar had defeated Team Lion one week prior by three points (399.26 to 396.21).

The only possible scores on Sunday were made by reigning Caribbean and Guyana individual champi-

on Lennox Braithwaite and Goodluck of Team Jaguar and Team Lion respectively at the 500-yard range.

Goodluck missed the cut at the 300-yard range by a single point, with Leo Ramalho (500 and 600), Ryan Sampson (500), Full Bore captain Persaud and vice-captain Dylan Fields, both at the 500 and 600-yard ranges, missed a possible by a single point.

The 2016 championships will be contested by teams drawn from Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad &Tobago and Guyana.

West Ham farewell marred by attack on Man Utd bus

By Martyn Herman LONDON, England (Reuters) West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground farewell party turned sour before kickoff yesterday when Manchester United’s team bus was attacked by bottle-throwing home fans, causing a 45-minute delay to the kickoff.

Huge crowds, many without tickets, congregated outside the stadium for the sell-out Premier League clash, West Ham’s final home game before moving to the 60,000-seat Olympic Stadium after 112 years at Upton Park.

Man Utd’s team coach became bogged down within sight of the stadium in Green Street where West Ham fans began pelting the windows with bottles and glasses while a smoke canister was also set off, adding to the chaos.

The visiting side’s blacked-out coach suffered minor damage with at least one window shattered.

Police eventually managed to escort the Man Utd squad to the entrance less than an hour before the scheduled 1845 GMT kickoff, which was delayed by

45 minutes.

“It wasn’t nice, the coach got smashed up,” said captain Wayne Rooney.

Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal, whose team went on to lose the game 3-2, looked visibly shaken by the incident as he walked towards the dressing rooms.

“The way we have been received is not the proper way of course,” the Dutchman said. “That makes all the influence on the players and that is a pity.”

There was little sympathy for Man Utd from West Ham’s co-chairman David Sullivan.

“I think the police and officials have been kind, I would make them kick off at 7.45 (1945 GMT) if it was up to me. Manchester United know the score, they should have been here at four o’clock,” he said.

FA PROBE London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement that one officer and a member of the public sustained minor injuries but no arrests were made.

The Football Association announced that it would launch a full investigation.

“The FA strongly condemns the unsavoury incidents this evening,” it said in a statement.

West Ham have played at the 35 000-capacity Boleyn Ground since 1904 but will begin next season in the £700M Olympic Stadium after agreeing a 99-year lease.

A special farewell party was held after the final whistle yesterday.

Before kickoff a marching brass band played the traditional football hymn Abide With Me while images of the club’s favourite son, England’s 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, were displayed on video screens.

So desperate were some West Ham fans to attend the historic fixture there were reports of tickets being sold online for £2 000.

Supporters are buying the stadium’s fixtures and fittings, including seats, urinals, office doors and goalposts, in an auction.

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 11, 2016

IGG Games may go on without Grove Hi Tech demolish Mocha French Guiana STAG/EBFA Senior League 2016

Champs 11-0 to defend title

GROVE Hi Tech successfully defended their STAG/ EBFA Senior League title ending the one-round league emphatically with an 11-0 demolition of Mocha Champs when the league ended last Sunday at the Grove Playfield.

Also ending on a high note as runners-up, capping a dream season were Herstelling Raiders who defeated Diamond United 3-0 in the final match of the league.

Grove, the undisputed senior champions of East Bank football once again showed their prowess with a clinical display against a Mocha side that cracked under relentless pressure from the champs.

Former National Under-17 forward Joel Dick, who missed most of the season due to a knee injury, returned in style to lead Grove with a hat-trick of goals, scored in the 13th, 21st and 26th minutes.

Opening for the champions who lost a single match to Kuru Kururu Warriors who ended third was Mervin Squires in the 5th minute of the match.

Denzel Crawford (24th, 37th), Lloyd Matthews (28th, 39th) and Nicholai Matthews (51st, 58th) each scored a brace while the other goal came off the boot of Moses Fraser in the 41st minute.

Mocha did not stand a chance against the airtight

STAG/EBFA senior league champions Grove Hi Tech defence of Grove.

The surprise package of the league, Herstelling Raiders closed out with a comfortable 3-0 win over Diamond United who ended the season without a point.

Scoring for Herstelling were Kevin Rose in the 3rd minute, Ijaz Cave in the 15th and former National

Under-17 goalkeeper and Herstelling captain Quazim Yussuf from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

The presentation of prizes which will be held shortly will see the champions Grove pocket $300 000, Herstelling will receive $150 000, Kuru Kururu Warriors will collect the

3rd place prize of $100 000 while fourth-placed Agricola Red Triangle will be $50 000 richer.

Individual prizes will go to the Highest Goalscorer, Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper while the Fair Play Trophy is at stake for the Most Disciplined Team.

Final Points Standings Team P W D L GF GA GD Points Grove 6 5 0 1 25 5 +20 15 Herstelling 6 4 1 1 10 7 +3 13 Kuru Kururu 6 3 1 2 15 7 +8 10 Agricola 6 3 0 3 15 11 +4 9 Soesdyke 6 3 0 3 13 13 0 9 Mocha 6 2 0 4 9 19 -10 6 Diamond 6 0 0 6 2 27 -25 0

GHB eyeing indoor league THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is eyeing the prospect of establishing a local indoor league in order to ensure the growth of that section of the sport.

According to president of the GHB, Philip Fernandes, the body through its tournament committee has been mulling the concept in an attempt to gain more positive results among the various classes.

“We (the tournament committee) have been looking now at going to indoors. Usually when the rains come we start our indoor hockey season

GHB president Philip Fernandes

and we are trying for the first time to see if we could organise a league, an indoor league,” said the GHB boss.

He continued, “Usually what we do is we have tournament over a span of three or four days in a row; with the league concept we will have one or maybe two days a week for several weeks.”

He noted that the benefits of having the league far outweigh the costs, adding, “Teams then will have the opportunity to adjust tactically to train and prepare better for the next match.”

“We should probably see

some exciting competition in both the women and men sides of the game,” continued Fernandes.

The hockey board head says with the current thrust and willingness of the new executives, he anticipates an even more successful year for the sport.

“I expect a good year for hockey, a good year from an administrative standpoint and I think we should be able to get some things achieved even if we don’t manage all of those things in one year.” (Stephan Sookram)

By Tamica Garnett INTER-Guiana Games organisers from Guyana and Suriname will consider the possibility of hosting the tri-nation Games without the participation of the French Guiana team, if correspondence to the French nation continues to go unanswered, as has been the case since earlier this year.

According to Director of Sport Christopher Jones, a meeting between the three nations had been set for earlier this year in French Guiana to discuss the planning of the multi-sports Games.

H o w e v e r, t h a t meeting never happened, reason for the cancellation was attributed to the French nation’s recent elections held in December of last year.

Following the cancellation subseq u e n t c o r re s p o n dence has not been forthcoming from the French nation.

Director of Sport “We are still awaitChristopher Jones ing confirmation from French Guiana. We (Guyana and Suriname) were scheduled to meet in French Guiana on January 19 earlier this year, but that was cancelled. Both (Guyana and Suriname) sides are waiting to hear from French Guiana. We have been sending correspondence to French Guiana but no response,” Jones said yesterday.

However, if French Guiana continues to be unresponsive the probability stands that the Games will go on without them. It is expected that the event, which usually involves two stages in two different countries will be relegated to just one and that one would be in Guyana.

“We are set, in terms of Guyana we are set to host the Games, it is likely that we would have one leg, though,” Jones said.

What remains uncertain, however, Jones pointed out, is when the event would be held as well as which sporting disciplines would be done.

The annual Games, last held in 2014, after several hiccups and continued cancellation, resulted in no Games being held last year.

The fact that all three nations held their general elections last year played a part in the continued sidelining of the event.

Guyana was set to host the first leg of the Games last August but it was cancelled after Suriname was without a Sports Minister having recently concluded their elections.

Subsequently the second stage of the Games, set for French Guiana in October was also cancelled, again because of pending elections.

The Inter-Guiana Games is an event between Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana that began in 1967. The Games usually involves competition in basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, chess, athletics, swimming, and table tennis.

Grove Hi Tech demolish Mocha Champs 11-0 to defend title see story on page 39

Golden Jaguars stand to benefit from encounter with Canada U-23s - Shabazz see story on page 34

FLASHBACK: The Golden Jaguars players take a break from training ahead of their Barbados game earlier this year.

CONCACAF sells sponsorship rights, unfreezes funds

By Brian Homewood MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters) - The CONCACAF confederation which runs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean has chosen Soccer United Marketing (SUM) to sell its sponsorship rights for five years, it said yesterday.

The announcement came as FIFA said it had agreed, subject to conditions, to reverse its decision from February to cut off funding to the confederation.

CONCACAF, due to elect a new president tomorrow, has been at the centre of a corruption scandal that has engulfed world football and seen 42 individuals and entities charged in the United States on a variety of graft-related offences.

SUM is the marketing wing of Major League Soccer (MLS) and will have the right to sell sponsorship for competitions such as the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League.

… elects new president tomorrow

Bermuda FA Larry Mussenden puts his name in the running for the CONCACAF hot seat.

“CONCACAF is delighted to have reached this agreement with SUM, one of the most highly recognised marketing companies within the sport,” said CONCACAF acting general secretary Ted Howard.

“We are confident that SUM’s global network and expertise will play a vital

role in negotiating innovative sponsorship opportunities for our tournaments and events.”

CONCACAF said in a statement that the decision followed a five-month bidding process where 24 “international, experienced and reputable firms” were invited to take part.

Three of CONCACAF’s most recent presidents, Trinidad and Tobago’s Jack Warner, Cayman Islander Jeffrey Webb and Honduran Alfredo Hawit, are all among the 42 indicted in the U.S. The candidates for tomorrow’s election are Victor Montagliani, head of the Canadian FA, and Larry Mussenden, head of the Bermuda FA. In February, CONCACAF voted for wide-ranging reforms which included the introduction of a representative Council, charged with policy formulation, separate from a General Secretariat, which will handle day-to-day business matters.

A new independent

ethics committee will be formed and a series of positions will be held over on committees for independent figures without links to the game.

However, three weeks before the vote on reforms, FIFA said it had put contributions to CONCACAF “on hold”.

A source close to CONCACAF said the amount came to around $10M in payments, including expected World Cup revenues and money from the global body’s Financial Assistance Programme.

FIFA said yesterday that this decision had been reversed.

“The Audit and Compliance committee has acknowledged the measures taken by CONCACAF and has agreed to lift the suspension on the frozen funds,” said FIFA in a statement.

“However, the release of the funds is still subject to the fulfilment of the requirements cited in the FIFA development regulations.”

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U.S. court grants Webb leniency to care for son FORMER CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb has been granted some amount of leniency by the U.S. court in order to provide care for his two-yearold son.

Webb, who is currently under house arrest at his home in Atlanta, Georgia, will see the conditions of his incarceration amended.

Previously Webb had only been allowed to travel within 20 miles of his Loganville home, but the new arrangement will allow the former FIFA official to travel 50 miles between 08:00hrs. and 17:00hrs. seven days a week “for the purpose of running errands and to facilitate care of his infant son.”

Webb’s attorney’s argued and presented the case that he was the sole caregiver of his son while his wife Dr Kendra Gamble-Webb is at work. In addition Gamble-Webb, who was not charged in reF o r m e r C O N C A C A F lation to her husband’s president Jeffrey Webb case, has had her travel documents returned.

Webb will face sentencing next month for charges that include racketeering and corruption in relation to his time as a FIFA official.

The former FIFA vice-president is accused of taking millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for awarding commercial rights for certain football tournaments in the region. His sentencing is set for June 3. (Sportsmax.com) WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2016