Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 12 05 2016

A good first year No. 104549

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016

Price: $80

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‒ But Granger says ‘mud’ still to be removed; wants to see more progress in job-creation, education P.3

Alliances, funding needed to transform UG ‒ new Chancellor 20

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President David Granger greets Professor Nigel Harris in the presence of his wife Yvette Harris and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Professor Harris was yesterday installed as the ninth Chancellor of the University (Sandra Prince/Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Gov’t pushes GuySuCo records Rodney report to recapture 29.3% shortfall in now with 14 Venezuela ‒ El Niño cited production 13 Speaker 9 rice market P.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

$50 note, new coins unveiled Bank of Guyana on Wednesday launched a $50 bank note and two commemorative coins in honour of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

The launch took place at the Bank’s conference room, Avenue of the Republic.

The $50 banknote carries the 50th Independence Anniversary logo to the right, the crest of the Bank of Guyana in the centre and the people of Guyana standing together as one on the right. The reverse side of the note portrays the National Flag and the Map of Guyana in the centre, Peace Doves on the right and the National Flower on the left.

The Bank of Guyana said too that the public security

The new commemorative coins were unveiled on Wednesday

The impressive $50 note will go into circulation soon

features are easily identifiable, appearing on the right - hand side of the face of the note is a Windowed Security Thread which when held up to the light a complete thread is visible. On the left of the face of the note the watermark of a Macaw and the value of the note (50) will be seen when the note is held up to the light.

The note measures 156mm x 65mm and is similar in size to the existing notes with the main colour on the front and back being

brown. It bears the signatures of Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor of the Bank of Guyana and Mr. Winston Jordan, MP Minister of Finance.

The Bank said too that the two commemorative coins are similar in design with the 50th anniversary logo on the reverse and the coat of arms on the obverse. The $5000 coin is struck in silver and plated in gold while the $2000 coin is struck in a metallic alloy and plated in gold.

Thee coins were struck by the Continued on page 3 ►

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A good first year GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

‒ But Granger says ‘mud’ still to be removed; wants to see more progress in job-creation, education

By Ariana Gordon ONE year into his presidency, Brigadier David Granger yesterday pointed to a “good year” but believes much more needs to be done.

“The dust has settled, but the mud hasn’t been removed,” the President told a panel of journalists during the recording of his weekly television programme “The Public Interest.”

May 11 represented one year since the PPP lost control of the executive after being in power for 23 years.

“We have now a very muscular cabinet of 15 ministries, which is a reduction of what was there before. I am very convinced that the Cabinet members know their roles and are performing quite well,” said the President.

President Granger said over the year, the APNU+AFC government has been able to reduce crime minus interpersonal violence.

“All in all, I think it has been a good year, we have made a lot of progress trying to reduce crime…piracy is almost unheard of now; [but] there is a lot of interpersonal violence -- murderous husband and wife relations.”

Notwithstanding the increase in interpersonal violence, the President said much success has been achieved in the area of crime

President David Granger interacts with children and parents on April 15,2016, at Kuru Kururu where he commissioned a 72-seater bus to be used to take children to school

reduction. Making reference to the hinterland regions, President Granger noted that the relocation of the commander of the hinterland division to Bartica, re-establishment of the mounted police in the Rupununi and the meeting of the National Security Committee that addresses crime on a weekly basis have all aided in the

country’s ability to reduce criminal activities.

The president cited progress too in addressing prison overcrowding. He described the March 3 riots which left 17 prisoners dead as a “bad situation,” but said the executive and the judicial branches of government have since engaged each other to remedy the issue of overcrowding.

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The economy has not been able to produce sufficient new jobs. On one hand, I believe the young people have to stay in schools so they are better qualified and on the other hand, I think investors must allow micro enterprises to flourish, particularly agro-processing.” – President Granger

That move, the first of its kind, is aimed at reducing the

$50 note, new coins...

Mint of Norway.

Meanwhile, speaking at the launching ceremony, Dr Ganga said that it is customary for the bank to issue commemorative coins to mark Guyana’s significant events and achievements. He said the first commemorative coin was the $1 popularly known as the “Cuffy Dollar”, issued in 1970 to mark the country’s Republican status. The second commemorative coin was issued in 1976 to mark the country’s 10th Independence Anniversary followed by a number of commemorative issues between 1979 and 2015. According to him the bank considers the 50th Independence Anniversary as a momentous occasion and is proud to participate in the celebration. “Over the past 50 years, the Bank has been, and continues to play a significant role in the country’s development through the promotion

of financial evolution that encompasses monetary and financial stability, as well as safe and efficient payment system,” Dr. Ganga said.

For his part Minister Jordan said, the occasion was an auspicious one and a fitting way to celebrate the country’s collection, and simultaneously, the Golden Jubilee Independence. He explained that the circulation of the $50 bank note will not impact the volume of currency in circulation, and will not lead to high inflation since the Government has a sound monetary and system framework in place to preserve the value of the currency. Minister Jordan further explained that even though technology has delivered alternative methods of payment, Guyana remains a cash-based economy in which the majority of economic transactions are conducted using cash.

Thus, cash based economies are more exposed to the threat of money laundering activities, “therefore it is imperative for the bank to take an aggressive approach in their financial literacy campaign, targeting residents in rural and hinterland communities,” Jordan said. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, noted that the commemorative coins will allow Guyanese to see their country’s heritage

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and history.

Minister Henry implored the audience to participate in the BOG’s on-going note and coin exhibition since the coins reflect the extraordinary milestone and evolution of Guyana’s culture. The exhibition displays colonial coins from 1969, 250th anniversary of the Berbice slave rebellion and 175th anniversary coins for Indian arrival among other historical coins.

number of persons incarcerated for minor offences and those placed on remand.

An optimistic President Granger described the mood of citizens here and abroad as “good.” He believes that Guyanese have regained lost

confidence and based on the feedbacks he has received, citizens “are very happy with the changes countrywide.”

“We have brought Local Government Elections (LGE) after a long time. I just feel that enthusiasm when I talk to people from Bartica or Mabaruma and other municipalities…they feel that the bad days are behind them and only better can come,” said President Granger. Asked whether he would have done anything differently if he had a chance, the Head of State said, there is nothing he’d

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

Islamic State bombs kill 80 in deadliest Baghdad attacks this year

(Reuters) THREE suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State across Baghdad killed at least 80 people on Wednesday, Iraqi police and hospital sources said, in the deadliest attacks in the Iraqi capital this year.

Security has gradually improved in Baghdad, which was the target of daily bombings a decade ago, but violence against security forces and Shi’ite Muslim civilians is still frequent. Large blasts sometimes set off reprisal attacks against the minority Sunni community.

The fight against Islamic State, which seized about a third of Iraq’s territory in 2014, has exacerbated a long-running sectarian conflict in Iraq mostly between Sunnis and the Shi’ite majority that came to power after the U.S.led invasion in 2003.

Such violence threatens to undermine U.S.-backed efforts to defeat the militant group.

Wednesday’s bombings could also intensify pressure on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to resolve a political crisis that has crippled the government for more than a month.

The first attack, a suicide car bomb at a bustling market in the Shi’ite Muslim area of Sadr City, killed 55 people during morning rush hour and wounded 68.

Two more blasts struck at the end of the working day.

A suicide bomber stormed a security checkpoint leading into Kadhimiya, a northwestern area housing one of the holiest sites in Shi’ite Islam, killing 17 and wounding more than 30.

Another bomb went off at a checkpoint on a commercial

Mourners carry the coffin of their relative, who was killed in bomb attack in Baghdad, during the funeral in Najaf, south of Baghdad, Iraq, May 11, 2016. (REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani) thoroughfare in a predominantly Sunni district of western Baghdad, killing eight and wounding 20.

including several brides who appeared to be getting ready for their weddings, the sources said.

The bodies of two men said to be grooms were found in an adjacent barber shop. Wigs, shoes and children’s toys were scattered on the ground outside. At least two cars were destroyed in

BRIDES AND GROOMS A pickup truck packed with explosives in Sadr City went off near a beauty salon in a bustling market. Many of the victims were women

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the explosion, their parts scattered far from the blast site.

Rescue workers stepped through puddles of blood to put out fires and remove victims. Smoke was still rising from several shops hours after the explosion as a bulldozer cleared the burnt-out chassis of the vehicle used in the blast.

Islamic State said in statements circulated online by supporters that a car bomb had aimed at Shi’ite militia fighters gathered in the area and two fighters wearing explosive vests targeted security forces

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in the later attacks.

Since 2014, Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led air strikes have driven the group back in the western province of Anbar and are preparing for an offensive to retake the northern city of Mosul. A spokesman said on Wednesday Islamic State had lost two-thirds of the territory seized by the militants in 2014.

Yet the militants are still able to strike outside territory they control. The ultra-hardline Sunni jihadist group, which considers Shi’ites apostates, has claimed recent attacks across the country as well as a twin suicide bombing in Sadr City in February that killed 70 people.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12 , 2016

Brazil mining dam reforms unsettle companies, do little for safety (Reuters) Brazilian regulators plan to tighten rules on dams used in the mining industry after a breach last year caused the nation’s worst environmental disaster but the changes, while opposed by struggling companies, look unlikely to improve safety.

Environmental authorities say they will demand an increase in the number and focus of audits for hundreds of dams holding mining waste, known as tailings.

They also want to limit the size of dams and how often their walls can be raised to store more waste.

But engineers, prosecutors and tailings dam experts interviewed by Reuters say the changes will do little to prevent another tragedy if Brazil’s chronically under-resourced regulators are not themselves improved.

When the Fundao dam burst in November at the Samarco mine, owned by BHP Billiton and Vale SA, enough mud to fill 12,000 Olympic swimming pools flattened an entire village, killed 19 people and left hundreds homeless.

The sludge flooded the Rio Doce river, choking fish and spitting them lifeless to the surface.

“Fundao is the Chernobyl of the mining industry.

There is a before and there is an after,” said Geraldo Abreu, head of licensing at the Semad environmental agency for the state of Minas Gerais where the spill occurred.

Abreu and the task force he joined to revise state and national rules for the industry in the wake of the disaster, is focusing on dams built the same way as Fundao, a design known as upstream.

It costs about half the price of other dams but is regarded as having a greater risk of failure because its walls are built on a foundation of mining waste rather than external material or solid ground. It is also the most common, holding back waste at mines across the world.

“We now understand that this type of dam needs to be treated carefully,” Abreu said.

It is still not known exactly why Fundao failed, but

A view of the Samarco mine, owned by Vale SA and BHP Billiton Ltd, in Mariana, Brazil, April 12, 2016. (REUTERS/Washington Alves) Abreu says it was probably the result of a loss of stability in the tailings foundation, a process known as liquefaction. This is usually caused by earthquakes but can result from other factors such as rapidly raising the dam’s walls, which in an upstream design are built inwards on top of more dried tailings.

Under new rules to take effect this month or next, Abreu said miners will have to pay for an extra annual audit to check for liquefaction. Licensing will also set a height limit on the dams and require companies to specify from the outset how much waste the dam will hold and set a date for closure. Existing dams and mines that do not comply could be forced to close.

Abreu said he initially backed an outright ban on upstream dams but others on the task force persuaded him against it, saying it would be an over-reaction.

BAN UPSTREAM A ban is exactly what some experts, like geophysicist David Chambers, say Brazil needs.

Chambers, who heads the Montana-based Center for Science in Public Participation and advises mining communities, says companies should be forced to build tailings dams using other more expensive designs: downstream and centerline. These do not use

tailings for foundations.

“The unpredictability that works itself into the upstream system is just too high,” Chambers said, referring to the way the consistency of tailings can vary depending on factors such as rainfall and the area being mined.

There is precedent for a ban. In 1965, a relatively small earthquake led to the collapse of upstream dams at Chile’s El Cobre mine, killing over 200 people. Five years later a decree was passed banning upstream dams in all but exceptional circumstances. In 2007, this was revised to an outright ban.

Even after Chile’s giant 2010 quake, downstream dams remained standing.

The mining industry has long argued Chile is an exception due to high seismic activity absent from countries like Brazil or Australia.

But Raul Espinace, an engineer and academic who for the past 40 years has been

at the forefront of Chile’s policy on tailings dams, said the rules implemented there would improve safety globally, especially in countries like Brazil that have weak regulators.

“This is precisely the right moment to make changes in Brazil,” he said.

UNDER-STAFFED REGULATOR The proposed regulatory changes appear to have irked Vale, Brazil’s biggest miner and the world’s largest producer of iron ore.

In a rare public audience, Vale warned stricter licensing could cost it 100 million tonnes of iron ore production per year, about 8 percent of the global seaborne market. Thousands of jobs are at stake, it said, without specifically mentioning the dam collapse or regulatory changes.

The company has also said the upstream design is as safe as other types.

Experts who oppose banning upstream admit the dams require more careful operation.

Joaquim Pimenta da Avila, a consultant who designed the Samarco dam but says changes were later made against his advice, thinks upstream dams are safe as long as they are correctly monitored. “The key is ensuring regulation works,” he said.

Brazil’s regulator is chronically underfunded.

The Department of National Mineral Production (DNPM)

only has 20 people to monitor Brazil’s mines, including 663 tailings dams.

Just one province in Canada, British Columbia, has eight specialist engineers for 68 tailings dams, and a recent audit said that still was not enough.

“Staffing is a serious issue. We can’t do everything,” said Walter Arcoverde, DNPM’s director of regulation, adding that the government has not committed to improve funding or staffing. “It’s being discussed.”

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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

Urban development and management WITH four new towns added within the last year, taking the number to 10, Guyana is moving into the zone where the importance of urban planning has to be recognised and treated for what it is.

The identification of towns, which carries with it demarcation of boundaries and local governance points to the fact, that those who are given the people’s privilege to manage their affairs are expected to do so. Recent laws added to the Local Government system provide the parameters of the scope and authority for what the councils (political and administration arms) can do.

Making the laws work requires visionary leadership, institutional support and strengthening. It is within this context that urban planning is one of necessity, if the towns are to function.

For some time this country has seen its towns in dire straits. Infrastructures such as the town halls (a basic feature of a town) have been in a state of disrepair, revenue-collection sporadic and unreliable, roads and drainage not properly maintained, zoning laws disregarded to name some. Based on the country’s economic circumstances, internal revenue-collection alone cannot sustain the town’s operations.

The impression, rightly or wrongly given, is that there is an absence of planning in urban development and management. Planning would entail among other things population (size and growth), infrastructure (e.g. roads, traffic light), utilities (e.g. energy and water), transportation (e.g. public, private), social services (health, education, waste management, post office), zoning, land use, and management of resources.

The above is no easy task and requires urban planners, political will and vision working in conjunction. Urban planners will bring the technical expertise and at the political end, the vision to map out objectives (short, medium and long term), including priorities and revenue-sourcing.

In mapping out objectives such have to be realistic, equally as doable. Residents will have to be involved not only in having their inputs at the planning and feedback stage, but also an understanding and appreciation for the vision in order for it to work.

Where the government has embraced the Green Economy, this also has to factor in green-collar jobs. Green-col-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

Urgent need for a national sports policy

I ECHO the sentiments expressed by the President, Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Mr. K Juman Yassin at the annual presentation of the GOA, held on 30. 04. 16 at the Georgetown Club. “A lot of sports organisations are struggling and they need funding. On this Mr. President (David Granger) and Minister (Nicolette Henry) I have been harping for years that there needs to be the implementation of the Sport Policy.” Meanwhile, His Excellency, President, David Granger was equal to the task in outlining.

“I do believe the populist model could emphasise the development of sport at the grassroot level by generating a larger pool of talent from which to select our best athletes; a new model could increase participation of citizens in sports and ensure everyone’s social and recreational development.” Editor, while I hold His Excellency President David Granger in “high esteem”, a man of commitment, dedication, integrity and honesty! And this has nothing to do about his victory at the polls, in May, 2015. Rather way back in the 80s as a former resident of Lodge, jogging five times a week, in the mornings.

It was always a sight to

behold, the brisk pace of the Rtd: Brigadier, traversing Homestretch Avenue, the Botanic Gardens, via Vlissengen Road and Mandela Avenue. While more than often, outpacing Adam Harris with his slow jogging at a snail’s top speed (humour)! However, from a governmental standpoint, are those tasked with the responsibility of charting the way forward for “National Sports development” equally up to the task?

This I publicly question, since “examples are always better than precepts”! By now the underlings should have had a blueprint in place, ascertaining how many Community Centres/Grounds, Public Parks and Recreational Facilities would be upgraded! With the closure of a few Guyusco Sugar Estates, what would be the outcome of the Community Centres, Grounds and the groundsmen ? Additionally, it’s a burning shame and a colossal disgrace that Parade Ground fell into the state of decay under the auspices of the M&CC, led by former Mayor, His Lordship Hamilton Green, in whose honour a football tournament was held for over 20 years! Indeed, Editor, it’s a sad day that Bartica, upon becoming the seventh township with a population over 10,000 people, still relies

lar jobs are new jobs that deal with environmental protection and sustainable development consistent with respecting Labour Policies. Township also carries with it property-value assessment as a determinant in revenue-collection. In evaluating properties, the ability of home and business owners to pay will have to be factored in. These are issues that have to be addressed and determined on the basis of the socio-economic realities of urban residents.

The mayor for the new town of Bartica has shared with this newspaper his vision to build an underground park.

What is important is that ideas are surfacing. Each idea needs to be examined and arrive at what may be feasible. What is needed to buttress vision is technical expertise that will guide prioritisation and necessities. For instance, underground parking in Bartica which is used in other countries as revenue earners may not be economical at this point, based on the size of the community, volume of motor vehicles, and the access to alternative free parking.

Another matter of import in township is that of understanding of the role, functions and responsibilities of policy- makers (i.e. elected representatives/councils)

on the Community Centre Ground, as its only venue for outdoor sports activities, a situation existing probably for 50 years or more.

With football being the most popular sport, producing former nationals, both male and female, once again, how serious are the competent authorities with national sports development? Then, the element of “political patronage and recycled administrative failures” within the hierarchy of the NSC, make national sports development “a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but yet still likely to be attained, with the rightful mechanism in place! Of course, this must include competent and professional individuals functioning as: Regional Sports Administrators, Physical Trainers, Physiotherapists, and Nutritionists. et.al.”

Finally, government’s commitment of $20,000,000 to the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation for hosting the Caribbean Basketball Federation under-16 male and female championship in July!

What would be the yardstick for selection? Does the GABF have adequate numbers of FIBA-certified Referees and Match Commissioners, under its auspices, since the current executive assumed office? With a significant

shortfall of revenue/gate receipts, where will the additional funding come from for the shortfall? Within the budget of income and expenditure, internal transportation, accommodation, meals, laundrying, stipends et.al, are all compulsory expenses that have to be catered for. Is this factor being taken into serious consideration? However, with the astronomical sum of $20,000,000 representing the single largest amount ever doled out to a national sporting fraternity, with the Guyana Basketball Federation as the recipient, is this act of generosity a clear indication of development, since to the best of my knowledge no disciplinary charges were meted out to the defaulting club, players or officials. That with the “Road to Mecca” National Basketball Championship ending in controversy in the first instance, surely, much is left to be desired.

Moreover, with the GABF President assuming the role of “Match Commissioner,” wasn’t this a conflict of interest, albeit, micro-management? Is the individual certified by Regional/FIBA standards to function in that capacity?

Respectfully Yours LESTER SEALEY

and the administrative personnel. The council is responsible for shaping policies and making the by-laws. The administrative team enforces these and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the town. At council’s meeting, the Town Clerk, who is the administrative head, reports to the council on matters pertaining to management, and also any other departmental head the council summons to report.

Within recent times there exists the perception on the council’s part that it is responsible for day-to-day management. The conflating or misunderstanding of duties has to be addressed by the Ministry of Communities, lest it creates unnecessary friction between policy-makers and the administrative arm, which can stymie development. The Ministry of Communities, which has responsibility for local government, may have to examine its role and to what extent it will help the towns develop the necessary political finesse and acquiring the technical expertise to do its job efficiently and effectively. Outside of the older towns, which are also in need of institutional strengthening, the new towns need foundational support.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12 , 2016

Drastic decline in sea piracy Dear Editor,

AN October 30, 2012 headline in one of the daily newspapers screamed: “PIRATES ON THE RAMPAGE, FEAR GRIPS FISHING INDUSTRY” During this period, pirates operated with perplexing impunity on the high seas, from the Waini to the Corentyne, but especially on the waters off the coast of Berbice.

Financial losses amounted to hundreds of millions in lost boats, engines, nets, catch, supplies and personal property. An incalculable number of man hours and profits also went adrift.

The greatest travesty however was that the lives of many fishermen were brutally ended by these rampaging bandits of the seas. Wives were left widowed, mothers were left without sons, children were left without fathers, and families were wrought asunder. Several bodies of hardworking fishermen were never found.

Those who were lucky to have escaped attack were afraid to work. They stayed put on land and scrounged to make a living by scarce, alternative means.

Paralyzing fear stalked the seas, particularly the Berbice seas.

Following is a further sampling of assorted newspaper headlines reporting on piracy: 1. Pirates steal vessel, dump crew overboard – June 10, 2008 2. Fishing crew left adrift by pirates – September 22, 2008 3. Pirates attack two fishing vessels in Essequibo – April 24, 2009 4. Pirates shoot two, abduct two, in C/tyne River – October 30, 2009 5. Boat captain’s body recovered after pirate attack – March 23, 2010 6. Pirates target West Demerara sawmills, cart off $$millions in equipment – July 10, 2010 7. Pirates send victims jumping overboard – December 21, 2010 8. Pirates strike in Essequibo river – December 29, 2010 9. Pirates leave Corentyne fishermen to drift ashore – June 7, 2011 10. Fishermen robbed $2.3M in Berbice pirate attack 11. Pirates hijack boats in Corentyne River – February 27, 2012 12. Four pirates attack vessel returning to Guyana

– October 14, 2012 13. Armed pirates beat, rob two fishermen – November 1, 2012 14. Pirates rob Corentyne fishermen in two separate incidents – September 10, 2013 15. Pirates strike in the Pomeroon – November 24, 2013 16. Fishermen missing after pirate attack – July 15, 2014 17. Pirate attack… Boat captain’s wife claimed that she was threatened – July 19, 2014 18. Pirate attack… Boat captain tells harrowing tale of survival – July 20, 2014 19. Pirates step up activities – July 27, 2014 20. Pirates take fishermen’s engine in Waini River attack – September 5, 2014

Such was the prevalence, that the Stabroek News editorial of January 10, 2007 questioned thusly: “Will Corentyne’s coastal and riverine fishermen ever be safe from the scourge of piracy, or should they accept it as a permanent occupational hazard?”

The same editorial went on: “Artisanal fishermen for years have complained bitterly and frequently to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Home Affairs about their plight. They have besought the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force to provide better protection and, particularly, to help them to recover their engines, nets and other personal property. Recently, eighteen more of them were robbed and terrorized by masked pirates offshore Albion, Bush Lot and Number 63 Villages.

Corentyne fishermen are at their wits’ end. Over 200 of them staged a protest last year (2006) to call attention to their plight…

A large delegation of aggrieved fishermen met Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee last November to seek some relief from the spate of piracy attacks. Predictably, Mr. Rohee responded that “steps were being taken to remedy the situation”…

It would have been a remarkable departure from business as usual if, indeed, the (PPP) Administration actually had a realistic plan “to remedy the situation.”

Editor, I have noted that the April 29th 2016 edition of Stabroek News, reported that: “The Central Corentyne and Berbice Chamber of Commerce have pilloried the government over the crime situation

Ram’s tantrums are not new 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 Correira International Airport. He wrote a letter in Stabroek News, calling on me to answer certain questions, referencing me as former member of the Reform component of the PNCR, in his usual tongue and cheek manner.

Was this necessary to do so? This is the same man who complains when cornered and exposed, about being ‘cussed out’ by others. He likes to dish it out but thin-skinned when countered.

Mr. Ram’s tantrums are not new, he was recently

publicly chided by no lesser 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 today is that Mr. Ram is still nursing his wounds from our exchanges on the legality of any president, including former President Bharrat Jagdeo’s right, 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 the 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 that 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 meant, 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.

saying it seems “powerless, ineffectual, and out of (its) league” in addressing the upsurge in attacks across the country.”

Stabroek News further reported that “the two Berbice business groups also lambasted Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan…”

Editor, I have feverishly attempted to locate the media release from the “two Berbice business groups” commending Minister Ramjattan for his and his team’s work in curbing piracy to such an extent that the Guyana Police Force boasted that there were no piracy attacks for the first quarter of this year.

Regrettably I have been unable to locate any such release or public statement from either the Central Corentyne or Berbice Chamber of Commerce.

Further, editor, with increased surveillance and a slew of other measures piloted by Minister Ramjattan, piracy attacks have been reduced so drastically under the Coalition Government, that they amount to no more than a handful since May 11, 2015.

From the evidence, it would appear as though the “ineffectual” Minister Ramjattan has led the way in bringing relief from the “scourge of piracy” to Corentyne fishermen who, under the PPP, were “at their wits’ end” and left to contemplate piracy “as a permanent occupational hazard.”

Even considering interpersonal crime, fuelled by family disputes and affairs of the heart, the reality is that crime is lower now than it was for the corresponding period in 2015.

There can be little debate that more needs to be done in the fight against crime, however, it would be disingenuous to ignore that there are significantly more arrests and charges being laid now than ever before in living memory. Gains are being made.

Minister Ramjattan’s leadership of the sector has imbued a confidence and purpose in the Guyana Police Force which was noticeably absent previously. This Minister of Public Security does not use the clout of his office to direct the police force to not pursue favoured persons and political friends who have committed criminal acts. He does not exact political persecution on opponents or those with whom he disagrees.

These are some of the real changes which have taken place and are ongoing in the security sector. Minister Ramjattan has proven himself, beyond doubt, as a more effectual and competent Minister of Public Security than any of his recent predecessors.

Yours sincerely, IMRAN KHAN Director of Public Information

‘Eye on Guyana’ has missed the mark Dear Editor,

WITH reference to the “Eye on Guyana” feature titled ‘Independence Musings’ (By Lincoln Lewis) in the May 8, 2016 edition, I am extremely concerned and upset with this article because it has inadvertently (I hope) omitted the names of successful Indo-Guyanese persons who excelled in the realm of the Arts and Sports, which is the focus of your columnist.

I deem Mr Lewis a tireless champion of, and for, workers’ rights, but I am not sure about the extent of his knowledge and research in the realm of the subject area on which he dwells. In a country that has experienced significant internecine problems Yours faithfully, between the two major ethnic groups, I had hoped that the JEROME KHAN editor would have applied his

editorial brush to this piece of writing by Lewis.

Has Lincoln Lewis ever heard of Rohan Kanhai, Alvin Kallicharran, Sammy Baksh, Neisha Benjamin, Moses Dwarka and others? I personally do not believe that Mr Lewis is a racist, but surely he ought to be much more sensitive and thoughtful when writing, particularly on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of our Independence, when the achievements of all of the peoples of our society should be highlighted.

I respectfully ask that Mr Lewis issue an apology to his Indo-brothers and sisters in particular, who have irrefutably made monumental contributions to the progress of the society in every sphere of activity.

Yours truly, CHRIS PERSAUD

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Youth sets fire to his Agricola house, runs to police station

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

POLICE CORNER

By Rabindra Rooplall

A MAN believed to be experiencing mental health problems is being blamed for starting a fire early Wednesday morning at Agricola, causing a house in which he and his sister lived to be gutted.

The brother and sister who occupied the two-storey concrete and wooden house at Lot 20 Public Road, Agricola, East Bank Demerara are now homeless.

Reports disclosed that firefighters who were stationed at the Gafoor’s Complex at Houston, EBD, promptly responded, resulting in the neighbouring building being saved.

According to Ruth Singh, at 1:30hrs Wednesday morning another neighbour alerted her that there was a fire at the adjacent building.

In shock, she said that three vehicles that were parked in her yard were damaged. “We had to take out one of the buses on the road and we couldn’t have taken out the other two at the time because the fire was so much that all the buses get scorched.”

She further explained that the parents of the brother and sister who lived in the house died several years ago, leaving them there.

“This thing make me so nervy and scared because I never experience nothing like this. Because you know what it is to jump out your sleep so nervous and then have to see all of this, plus your vehicles damage up,” she lamented.

Reflecting on how she reacted on learning of the fire, she said that she alerted her husband, who imme-

INfurther efforts to assist members of the public with their personal security and the security of their property, the Guyana Police Force is using this medium to publicise a few “crime tips.” At the same time we are taking the opportunity to express some concerns in relation to traffic/road safety.

CRIME TIPS:

The building that was gutted by fire at Agricola diately reversed one of the minibuses from their yard and headed to the Gafoor’s Complex, where there was a major fire Monday. He informed the firemen who were still on duty there and they hurried to the scene.

She added that her livelihood would be affected since the minibuses were damaged.

According to another neighbour, Shiwbaran Neville, the young man who started the fire is believed to be mentally unstable and is known for pelting vehicles randomly on the roadway and was even incarcerated for other delinquent behaviour.

One of the damaged minibuses in the neighbour’s yard

Neville said he learnt that the youth had set a mattress alight in the home, causing the fire.

Identifying the youth as Carl James, the neighbour said: “Well, like he trip and went into the house and he go and light the mattress, this caused the fire. Another time when the house had nice windows he break it up, he even pelted cars on the road, he is a little wicked boy.”

Residents in the area disclosed that after the fire the youth was seen running to the Agricola Police Station where he surrendered himself.

> Greater use of cheques or bank cards will eliminate the need for the carrying of large sums of cash and significantly reduce the risk of theft/robbery. > Carry only the money you will need to transact your business on any given day. Don’t carry excess cash and always be alert to your surroundings. Avoid displaying more cash than is necessary to offset your expenditure. > Be very cautious when adorning yourself with jewellery, since this can attract perpetrators who are likely to seize any opportunity to relieve you of your valuables. > As far as practicable, avoid leaving valuables such as lap-top computers, cellular phones, documents, or cash in motor vehicles. > A person who is a licensed firearm holder should never leave it openly unattended at home or in a vehicle. Instead, the firearm should be kept on his/her person or secured in a safe when not in use. > If at all possible, never walk alone. > If you absolutely have to walk alone, walk on well-lighted and well-travelled walkways and plan your route ahead of time, as far as practicable. Avoid places where assailants may hide (spaces between parked cars, overgrown shrubs, and dark passageways) and areas where you might get cornered. Remember that it is best to walk facing traffic. > If anyone follows you, look confident and let him or her know you are aware of their presence. Don’t try to be polite or engage in conversation. If they continue to follow you, cross the street and/or change directions. If this doesn’t work, walk towards other people or occupied buildings and stay away from places where you might get cornered. > Make sure that all of the doors to your vehicle are locked and the windows rolled up whenever you exit same. When returning to your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings and have your keys ready so you can quickly enter. If you have to search a purse or a pocket to find them, it takes extra time and you lose sight of what is around you, which could allow someone to sneak up on you. > At nights, carry a small pocket flashlight in your purse or on a key ring, and try as far as practicable to park in well-lighted areas. > Always activate any auto alarms or anti-theft devices installed in your vehicle. > It is advisable to let someone know when you will be working and when you anticipate returning home. Make sure your family and friends know the phone numbers on which you can be reached at work. Call when you reach your workplace and once again just before leaving to go home.

TRAFFIC/ROAD SAFETY It has been observed that drivers and owners of some motor vehicles are using LED, HID and coloured headlamps. The Guyana Police Force Traffic Department is urging persons to desist from using these types of headlights as they can affect the visionof other motorists and may result in serious or even fatal accidents. The use of such lights is also unlawful.

Regulation 34 (1) (a) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 51:02 states that “every motor vehicle the width of which does not exceed 7feet, other than a two-wheeled motor cycle not having a side car attached thereto and an invalid carriage, on any road during the hours of darkness shall carry two lamps, each showing to the front a white light visible from a reasonable distance.”

The present rainfall has resulted in puddles on the roadways and reports have been made of instances where motorists have driven into them and splashed water on pedestrians and other road users and driving away without any consideration for the person(s) affected.

Motorists are urged to show some courtesy and consideration for other road users in this regard, while at the same time they are advised that such actions constitute a breach of the law under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 51:02 which states that “if any person drives a motor vehicle on a road without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road he shall be guilty of an offence.”

The Guyana Police Force Traffic Department is once more appealing to all categories of road users to use the roadways in a manner cognisant of the five Cs - Care, Consideration, Courtesy, Common Sense and Caution.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12 , 2016

Rodney report now with Speaker

A DAY before a parliamentary motion by the opposition PPP to force the government to hand over the report of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry, Attorney General Basil Williams presented the report to Speaker of the House Barton Scotland.

The handing- over took place in Parliament Chambers some three (3) months after the report was handed over to the government.

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira was scheduled to move the motion calling for the release of the report.

During the simple handing- over ceremony yesterday morning, the Attorney General said the President was working with a roadmap which saw him disseminating copies of the report to “interested parties.”

The copies were given to wife of the late Dr Walter Rodney, the Leader of the Opposition, Members of the coalition and all other interested parties. Williams said after the dissemination to the “interested parties,” discussions were to occur at the level of Cabinet.

Having completed all aspects of the roadmap, the Attorney General said Government now has “no difficulty in laying this report

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams hands over the Commission of Inquiry report into the death of Dr Walter Rodney to Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Barton Scotland on Wednesday in the Parliament Chamber. Also in photo are Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan (left) and Clerk of the National Assembly ,Sherlock Isaacs (centre) led to this bizarre result and over at this time.”

General said too that it must you’d notice that the inquiry Speaking with reporters be recognised that “a lot of was to take four months and after, Williams was asked injustice would have been it ended up taking two years whether it is a mere coinci- done to certain persons who to be exact and we couldn’t dence that government de- would have been named continue with it.”

The Rodney CoI cost the cided to hand over the report during that process and really to the Speaker of the House were not afforded the oppor- government over $400M and one day before the Opposition tunity during the currency of the Attorney General said the Chief Whip moved the mo- the inquiry to give evidence.” spending of such sums in the tion, he said, “We don’t conWilliams spoke specif- absence of contracts between sider that there was a delay.” ically of those who came the commissioners and the He reiterated govern- from Cayenne and Florida government was strange.

“We find that very ment’s position that the find- to provide evidence but were ings in the report which was not given a chance to com- strange that there would be handed over on February 20, plete. “…the way in which such an engagement that were “flawed.” The Attorney the inquiry was conducted would involve the spending

Stabroek crimes down since removal of vendors – Town Clerk

AS displaced Stabroek Square vendors slowly move into the new spot prepared for them, City Hall says crimes around the Stabroake Market have significantly decreased.

Town Clerk Royston King said reports of crime were high in the area, with the council receiving reports of at least 10 robberies being committed daily outside Demico House alone. Ever since the area was cleared, there has been no such report.

While vending created a crowded atmosphere, making it easy for criminals to attack citizens, some vendors also conspired with the criminals in the execution of robberies, King claimed at a meeting yesterday.

King said vendors who once sold within the area will be relocated to the new marketplace opposite Parliament Buildings and the vendors

have named the area the “Parliament View Mall.” The council is also moving along the various pavement- vending locations , including Water Street, to locate vendors in an orderly manner, and King warned the vendors to keep the environment clean.

Taking into consideration the security of bank employees and customers, no selling will be done in front of commercial banks.

“We’ve got to make the city safe [or] we’re losing big business. We have to organise vending,” King said.

He pointed out that some vendors displayed selfishness with an unfair “takeover” of an entire stretch, leaving others in need of selling space.

“Do not bring out a store and you’re taking up space that somebody else can get.

Bring out your goods in manageable amounts,” King told over 100 vendors.

Making the point that

boasting years as a pavement vendor is not good enough, he urged the vendors not to make street- selling their final ambition, but to form themselves in associations and councils so that they can get “properties and real estate.”

Vendors, he suggested, can become owners of big businesses after just a few years’ experience on the street.

“You’ve got to up your game; you’ve got to change that mentality, you’ve got to change that mindset and think about moving on. We don’t want people living on the streets for the rest of their lives.”

Vendors at the meeting raised various concerns and were anxious to know whether or not they will be moved from their current locations and if so, where would be their new locations.

One vendor pointed out that his “jubilee” sales are held up as he had already

designed a “jubilee stand,” painting it green and yellow to take advantage of the season.

The man also said he has children with needs and warned that the delay of vending can have a domino effect on individuals and families. One woman also pointed out that she has to pay a mortgage of $55,000 monthly and while her “honey-roasted peanut” business has been put on hold, the bank is expecting her instalment soon.

The Town Clerk however assured the vendors that the move of City Hall to clear the area is not intended to put anyone out of business, but to make the appearance of the city one of “an excellent standard.

He referred to Trinidad and Tobago among other Caribbean countries, where vending is also done, but in a well-organised manner.

of hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars” and no contracts signed.

“It goes to show as we contended from the onset that the inquiry was merely intended to go after certain people and there was no pursuit of justice,” said Williams.

Asked in his capacity as Chairman of the People’s National Congress (PNC) he could state whether that party would be challenging the findings, the Attorney General could not state with certainty.

“The report went to the central executive of the PNC and had to go to the General Council and the question of challenge hasn’t been determined by those institutions.

You know the PNC has its decision- making bodies, the central executive, the general council and then the highest decision-making level, the

9

Biennial Delegates Congress, so we haven’t dealt with that yet.”

Williams did state that the General-Secretary of the PNC will soon hold a press conference at which time the party’s response to the report would be made public.

Just after the report was handed over to the Government in February, President David Granger said the report was “badly flawed,” noting that his government intended to challenge the findings of the report and the circumstances under which the inquiry was conducted.

The CoI into the death of historian and politician Dr Walter Rodney was established in February 2014 by then President Donald Ramotar to investigate the circumstances under which Dr Rodney was killed on June 13, 1980.

Guyanese diplomats call on Agriculture Minister

BAYNEY Karran, Ambassador to China and Riyad Insanally, Ambassador to the United States of America on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder.

The meeting, which was held in the boardroom of the ministry’s Regent Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive office was centred on pushing agriculture forward through collaboration between the two nations.

According to a Ministry of Agriculture release, during the meeting Minister Holder welcomed investments by China and the United States building on the already existing relations shared. “Guyana’s agriculture sector has great potential for development....Our agricultural base is on the coast and given the geographical make-up of this coastal plain it is not sustainable, “he said.

Both ambassadors expressed readiness to lobby for investment opportunities coming into Guyana to develop the industry. Ambassador Insanally enquired about the cultivation of non-traditional crops in certain regions of the interior savannahs.

With respect to this, Minister Holder pointed out that the Intermediate Savannahs have a very rich and fertile soil make-up that crops can thrive in. The issue of markets and access to the Intermediate Savannahs to develop the agricultural sector remains a top priority for Minister Holder.

He pointed to the fact that, in addition to investments, access remains a major constraint to agricultural development in the region.

Some of the areas the ambassadors will be seeking investments for, as it relates to the agriculture sector, are acquiring processing equipment to further develop the agro-processing industry, alternative energy technology and general advanced technological inputs into the agricultural sector.

Guyana has gone a far way with technological development with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) developing several varieties of rice and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) with their artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer programmes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

TCL joins group of GuyExpo sponsors

TCL GUYANA Inc. joined the group of more than 10 companies which have tangibly shown their support for GuyExpo 2016, which will be held at the Exhibition Centre, Sophia.

TCL on Tuesday presented a cheque for one million dollars to the organisers of the grand trade fair and exposition, demonstrating the commitment of private sector companies to the national event that is geared to showcase Guyanese products and services.

Allison Jardine of TCL presented the cheque to Dawn Holder-Alert, Chair-

Allison Jardine of TCL (left) presented the cheque to Dawn Holder-Alert, Chairperson of GuyExpo 2016

person of GuyExpo, 2016.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony in the Boardroom of the GuyExpo Secretariat, Mark Bender, Plant Manager of TCL Guyana Inc., praised the efforts of the organisers, while noting that his company is always pleased to support events such as GuyExpo.

Meanwhile, Holder-Alert, on behalf of the GuyExpo Committee, expressed gratitude to TCL Guyana Inc. for their significant support of the event.

GuyExpo 2016 is slated for today, Thursday, May 12 to Sunday, May 15, and will

be held under the theme “50 Years, Guyana Means Business – Promoting Enterprise, Driving Productivity”.

This premier trade fair and exposition is organised by the Ministry of Business in collaboration with the Private Sector, and will give many local businesses, as well as foreign exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their products and services.

Thousands of persons who reside here, as well as those living abroad, who will be visiting Guyana for the Golden Jubilee celebrations are expected to flock the venue.

Unlicensed teen driver charged for dance teacher’s death EIGHTEEN-year-old Dwayne Griffith, who was the driver of the car in the recent fatal accident on Lamaha Street, which took the life of Nerisa Spencer, was arraigned on four charges and placed on G$500,000 bail.

Griffith, who is being represented by attorney-at-law Ronald BurchSmith, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

The teen had been released from hospital on Tuesday after suffering injuries to his spine.

The first charge read that Griffith, on April 28 on Lamaha Street, drove motor car PTT 9623 in a dangerous manner to the public, thereby causing the death of Spencer.

He was also charged for taking a vehicle without the owner’s permission; for

The wrecked motor car PTT 9623 being an unlicensed driver ent remembers is waking for the class of vehicle; and up in the hospital after the for breach of insurance. He accident,” Burch-Smith told pleaded not guilty to all the the court. charges.

However, Police ProseAccording to the lawyer, cutor Deniro Jones stronghis client was not the driver ly objected to bail on the of the motor vehicle. He was grounds of the nature, gravity a mere passenger of the said and penalty attached to the car. offences.

“The only thing my cliJones pointed out that a

Teen Driver Dwayne Griffith life had been lost because of the teen’s recklessness. He said according to the police’s facts and eyewitness accounts, Griffith was the only person in the car.

The Chief Magistrate however overruled the prose-

Jubilee Theatre Festival…

House of Pressure for National Cultural Centre THE Golden Jubilee Theatre Festival is offering the opportunity for some to relive memories and the rest just to appreciate the talents of Guyanese performers, doing Guyanese plays.

On Sunday May 15, Godfrey Naughton returns in that signature role to thrill patrons at the National Cultural Centre, a press release stated.

He will be joined by new stars Nicholas Singh (Mr. Pressure), Shevon Henry (Mrs. Pressure), Opara Samuel, Melinda Primo, Fredrick Minty and others. Naughton directs this hilarious play which is said to be Guyana’s greatest ever comedy, the

Godfrey Naughton

Ian Valz

release said.

Tickets can be purchased from Andrews Supermarket, Nigel’s Supermarket, NCC box office and cast members.

The plays in the festival were picked from different eras, depicting those times and the state that spawned their

origins, and The House of Pressure is such a play.

The stage version has set box office records and in its ninth straight night of performance, patrons were paying to stand in the National Cultural Centre. Mr. Pressure played by Anthony Stewart, Mrs. Pressure

played by Margaret Lawrence and Strumbly played by Godfrey Naughton kept audiences going at a “laffa minute.”

At that time, the poor roads, long lines for basic food items spelt of the “pressure” to survive in Guyana.

The radio serial drama, of the name The House of Pressure, was bound to attract instant attention.

However, the quality of the writing by Ian Valz and the superlative acting more than lived up to the hype and anticipation. It is now a theatre legend, helped by its conversion to stage by the same playwright, the release concluded.

Dead Nerisa Spencer cution’s objections and granted the teen bail.The cause of death case was transferred to Court Five, while the other traffic-related offences were moved to Court 7 and adjourned for June 6.

According to reports,

Griffith was speeding along Lamaha Street when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle and struck down Spencer.

The vehicle subsequently collided with two other cars and flipped several times before landing on its side. At the time of the accident, the road was wet from prolonged showers during the day.

The 41-year-old mother of two was said to have been walking west when the car travelling in the opposite direction slammed into her, the impact of which flung her into a nearby yard.

The woman was reported to have died on the spot, but was officially pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Griffith was extricated from the badly wrecked vehicle and transported to the hospital.

Burnham Foundation to host general members meeting

AS part of the events to commemorate the life and works of Guyana’s First Executive President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, the Forbes Burnham Foundation (FBF) will host its general members meeting at Critchlow Labor College this Sunday.

Burnham’s contributions to Guyana in areas of foreign affairs, infrastructural development, self-sufficiency, communication, youth development, and sports and culture, will be shared by former Georgetown Mayor and former Prime Minister Hamilton Green, who shared a close relationship with the late president.

A press release from the Burnham Foundation said a two-day photographic exhibition will also be held starting May 16 from 09:00hrs to 18:00hrs at the National Library to educate students about the life and works of Burnham.

Burnham was responsible for building the National Sports Hall and the National Cultural Centre, taking sports and culture into consideration.

The meeting begins at 14:00hrs sharp.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

Social Cohesion Day…

‘Our diversity is an asset, not a liability’ ‒ President says at National Day of Prayer PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday said that the country’s diversity should be seen as an asset and not a liability, as he marked Social Cohesion Day with a call to reject divisive political culture.

“We are proud to belong to a society of many faiths.

We are proud of the tapestry of ethnicity within our country,” President Granger said, in his charge to the large gathering of people, who braved the rain to assemble at D’Urban Park to mark the occasion.

The President noted that social cohesion does not require persons to abandon their cultural practices and to adopt another. Rather, it accords greater recognition to every ethnic group and encourages the promotion of their practices.

“Social Cohesion Day is about creating a sense of belonging and combating exclusion. It is based on the belief that citizens “… share a moral community, which enables them to trust each other,” [according to Christian Albrekt Larsen’s “The Rise and Fall of Social Cohesion”]. Social Cohesion Day celebrates and appreciates people’s different backgrounds and circumstances.

Social cohesion recognises that our nation is now, and always will be, multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. Miscegenation is forever,” he said.

The President also noted that it was most auspicious that Social Cohesion Day is being observed at the start of celebrations for Guyana’s Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary, as the nation prepares to usher in a new era.

“Social cohesion can prevent social instability, arising from social, economic, political and class divisions between groups, from festering.

Social cohesion can create an environment in which accords and agreements, beliefs and laws are respected and enforced and society is not allowed to degenerate into distrust, disharmony and, worst of all, disorder. Social cohesion can help to build cooperative relationships at all levels of our society among our religious and ethnic groups, among our political parties and among communities and regions,”

he said.

On this note the Head of State, who had been advocating for national unity since during his years in the political opposition, said that Guyana’s diversity is an asset and social cohesion respects the differences between the various social groups. However, if left unattended, he noted, these differences can create distrust and weaken people’s sense of belonging. The Head of State then charged the younger generation to take up the challenge to repair past damage, to restore trust, to rebuild the bases of a ‘moral community’ and to demonstrate how we can cooperate and co-exist with each other.

“We can construct a

said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally remarked that Social Cohesion Day will be recorded in history as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that every Guyanese feels valued and appreciated.

“Never before has such an event occurred. We are about to create history. Since May 2015, our administration has promised to do all that is within its power to ensure that Guyana becomes a functionally transformative and sustainable nation in every aspect. The event, this morning, signifies that we will endeavour to inculcate every complement that will

President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo along with their spouses write their personal commitments to the promotion of social cohesion on white helium filled balloons, which were later released up into the sky.

(Office of the Prime Minister photo)

Roshini Boodhoo, a representative from the Hindu community strikes a pose at the end of her performance

“

Social cohesion can prevent social instability, arising from social, economic, political and class divisions between groups, from festering. Social cohesion can create an environment in which accords and agreements, beliefs and laws are respected and enforced and society is not allowed to degenerate into distrust, disharmony and, worst of all, disorder. Social cohesion can help to build cooperative relationships at all levels of our society among our religious and ethnic groups, among our political parties and among communities and regions,” he said. more cohesive country by doing more to eliminate extreme poverty; to eradicate the worst forms of inequality (including gender inequality); to ensure equal access to education for everyone; to enable greater participation and inclusion at the political level through regular general and regional and municipal and local government elections; to enforce employment and anti-discrimination laws, which ensure the health, happiness and safety of our women, working people and girlchildren and infants,” he

facilitate that process,” Minister Ally said in her address.

Further, she noted, National Day of Prayer will be

integral to the programme of activities to mark Social Cohesion Day and it will be observed in all 10 Administrative Regions.

“Prayers have always been significant in our Guyanese culture. Almost all Guyanese have long turned to prayer to seek protection, peace and exhibit appreciation. Prayer sustains us in moments of great uncertainty and moments of sorrows.

Prayer provides an outlet for reflection and expressing our expectation and desires. On this National Day of Prayer, we must rededicate ourselves a unified and socially cohesive nation,” she said.

Prayers from the Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Baha’i and Rastafarian communities were offered and cultural performances and musical renditions were done by representatives of the Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities.

The event was also attended by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, Attorney General

and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Basil Williams, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder, Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Raphael Trotman, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson, Minister of Public Telecommunications, Ms. Catherine Hughes, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Simona Broomes.

Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Seelall Persaud, members of the diplomatic corps, heads and members of the various religious communities and Government agencies, also attended the event. (Ministry of the Presidency)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

Zeelugt pensioner’s death…

Post-mortem results to decide husband’s fate THE post-mortem results into the death of a 71-yearold woman will decide if her

husband will be charged, Police said yesterday. The post-mortem will be done

Friday.

The pensioner and mother of five, Sohodra Ramkar-

The Ramkarrans in happier times

ran of Lot 4, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo was found dead on Monday with marks of violence about her body, with allegations that she was beaten by her 76-old husband, Bobby Ramkarran. It is reported that the 50-year union ended Tuesday when she took her last breathe; the husband was taken into custody as part of a police investigation.

The couple lived together without any form of telecommunication devices for several years at their residence.

Some neighbours are of the opinion that Mrs. Ramkarran was not murdered and she succumbed to natural causes because the couple were known alcoholics who did not take care of their health in the right manner.

However, there are some individuals who are suspicious that foul play might have led to the woman’s demise.

Liloutie Parsram, the dead woman’s grand-daughter who lives a short distance away from her grandparents’ home , said that she first got word of her grandmother’s death when a neighbour telephoned her Tuesday morn-

ing.

She explained that her grandmother was found dead in a locked bedroom in the bottom flat of the house.

The couple would reportedly sleep in the very bedroom.

But according to the young woman, her grandfather said that since Monday evening his wife had locked herself in the bedroom, because they had an argument earlier.

Parsram said that her grandfather related that Monday he travelled to Georgetown to do some business.

It was upon his return home that he and his wife had the argument. Before Ramkarran’s arrival home, his wife had reportedly started to prepare dinner, but because of the argument she decided to imbibe alcohol instead.

The couple would sometimes imbibe alcohol together and would often get into arguments, but according to the woman, her grandfather insisted that he didn’t consume alcohol Monday.

Tuesday her grandmother’s already stiff body was found lying on the floor of a bedroom.

“Grandfather claimed that

after he quarrel on she, she went into the room in the bottom flat and she just lock she self in there.”

Parsram said that her grandfather related that when he attempted to access the room on Monday night it was still locked, which led him to believe that his wife had fallen asleep. As such, he claimed that he decided to sleep upstairs instead.

The following day when he checked on his wife, the door was locked. He started to call out to his wife but got no answer.

Parsram said that it was a male neighbour who helped Ramkarran gain access to the bedroom by prizing open a window in order to gain access to the locked room.

However, it was upon his entry to the room that the man said that he discovered a lifeless Sohodra Ramkarran leaned against another window that was already opened.

The granddaughter explained that her grandfather was the one who placed her grandmother in a lying position in the room since he was reportedly claiming that she was not dead.

Bandits terrorize pensioner at Bourda BANDITS yesterday robbed and terrorized a senior citizen who was traversing the Regent Road, Bourda area.

Chaos broke loose in broad daylight when a number of bandits attacked the pensioner and made way with a bag containing unknown articles.

According to eyewitnesses, the man was walking along the pavement on Regent Street when a

gunman and his associates mugged the elderly man and pushed him to the ground, after which, they proceeded to hit him to the head with a gun.

Subsequent to that, it was alleged that a store owner came out of his shop and released fire on the bandits, resulting in a gun battle in the heavily crowded area.

“I ran for my life when I hear the gun shots, all I see

is everybody start running and ducking… and couple men run through orange walk,” said one eyewitness, who also alleged that the City Constabularies remained tucked away in their outpost, which was a step away from the scene.

Despite the battle between the businessman and the bandits, no one was injured except the elderly man who received injuries to his head.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

GuySuCo records Taxi , minibus drivers receive training in 29.3% shortfall in customer service production‒ El Niño cited HARSH dry weather was blamed for a 29.3 percent drop in sugar production for the first crop, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) said yesterday.

AFTER completing a full review of the first crop, the Corporation reported production at 56, 825 tonnes.

The shortfall in the first crop, according to GuySuCo, was due substantially to the El Nino weather conditions, which severely dried out the canes, drastically constrained cane growth, and also led to reduced sugar content.

Further, the crop coming during the drought was in an unhealthy state, which was worsened by the El Nino

conditions. “Obviously, this has been a great disappointment to all, especially after the promise of the 2015 Second Crop,” lamented the corporation through its release.

The shortfall is bound to have significant financial implications for an already “cash-strapped industry,” necessitating management’s consideration for further strategies of re-organisation of the industry, with a view of making the corporation a viable business entity, the release stated.

The audit of the production, which takes place at the end of each crop, is underway, but it is not expected

that the final figure would vary significantly.

It is as a consequence of this process that categories of workers at Wales Estate have been offered alternative employment opportunities at Uitvlugt Estate, but some have persisted in opting for early retirement, or severance pay, as applicable.

Despite the challenges, GuySuCo said management is sparing no effort in carving out creative and innovative pathways to lift the Corporation out of its current financial state and is strategizing to retain current skills and competencies into proposed diversification projects.

AS Guyana makes preparations to welcome visitors and persons from the diaspora for the country’s independence celebration, the Guyana Tourism Authority has collaborated with Guyoil for a two-day training programme for taxi drivers, dispatchers and minibus drivers.

The training is being conducted at the Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

At the end of the training, the participants are expected to improve the quality of the service they provide to their customers.

At the opening of the training programme yesterday were Indranauth Haralsingh , Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, who dealt with customer service; Health and Safety Officer of Guyoil ,Sauid Husain, who spoke on Health and Safety at the

gas station; and Assistant Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud, who spoke on defensive driving.

Guyoil has also lunched a promotion, “Fuel up for Gold.” Persons can enter the competition by purchasing $3000 worth of fuel and get a chance to be one of 50 persons to win one of the 50 commemorative Golden Jubilee coins.

The competition runs from May 2 – June 16.

Banks launches XM Golden Jubilee Rum

By Navendra Seoraj

BANKS DIH Limited on Tuesday evening launched their “XM Golden Jubilee Special Reserve Rum.” As Guyanese congregate this year for the celebration of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary, they can now enjoy a new burst of alcoholic goodness, thanks to the brewers of Banks DIH. Rum connoisseurs and other distinguished guests were given the honour of being among the first set of people to sample the new addition to the beverage giants’ list.

Taking into consideration the celebrations this month for the Golden Jubilee, the “Master Blenders” as described by patrons and officials, have developed this Limited Edition XM rum for the celebrations.

Sales and Marketing Executive, Carlton Joao, in his remarks to the gathering said, “Indeed Guyana’s Golden Jubilee is a milestone worthy of celebration as it commemorates our diversity, culture, heritage and resilience over the journey of 50 years.”

The commemorative rum is a blend of aged rums, with the youngest being 20 years

old, said Joao, who also alluded to the fact that the rum boasts a robust oak flavour with hints of vanilla with a lingering finish.

The XM Golden Jubilee rum is said to be an attestation to the achievement, “representing our heritage, experience and mastery, which has given birth to this exceptional rum,” emphasised the executive.

Due to its exceptional features and the fact that it’s a limited edition, the rum will be on sale for $240,000 per case (VAT inclusive) at every Banks DIH Ltd outlet.

All smiles! As brand ambassadors showcase Banks’ new introduction to the local market

Participants at the training session

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

Gov’t pushes to recapture Venezuela rice market PRESIDENT David Granger said that his administration is still actively pursuing the Venezuela rice market which ended shortly after his government took office.

Although still constrained by strained diplomatic relations with the Spanish-speaking country, President Granger said that he has instructed both his ambassador to Caracas, Cheryl Miles and Finance Minister Winston Jordan to pursue the rice market there.

Venezuela did not renew its oil-for-rice deal with Guyana under the PetroCaribe agreement following a flare-up last year of the decades-old controversy over the Essequibo. The President told reporters on Wednesday during his weekly televised programme, ‘The Public Interest’ that while the country is exploring new markets, it is also in pursuit of a new rice deal with its South American neighbour. He said he met with Ambassador Miles before she departed for Caracas and “did say we are interested in recovering that

PPP/C MP, Irfaan Ali

market.” The President said, “That agreement came to an end and we need to have a new agreement.” The Head of State explained that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance are currently working on securing a new agreement with the Spanish-speaking country. “… but we are also examining new markets particularly in Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico,” said President Granger who noted that all Ambassadors have a clear objective and mandate and that is to “sell rice and rum.”

Guyana's Ambassador to Venezuela, Cheryl Miles

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge

Last year, before the expiration of the rice agreement between the two countries it became clear that Venezuela had no intention of renewing the oil-for-rice barter under the PetroCaribe deal. That deal ended in November 2015. As such, Guyana was forced to search for new markets for its rice.

The decision by Guyana’s neighbour to the West followed its claim of sovereignty over a significant part of Guyana’s territory. The Guyana-Venezuela border

controversy erupted early May after American oil giant ExxonMobil discovered substantial amounts of oil in the Stabroek Bloc, located 120 miles offshore Guyana. Guyana strongly objected to the country’s claim and lobbied the international community in its bid to have Venezuela recant its position.

Last year, during a visit to Venezuela, Jordan said Caracas claimed that it had hinted to the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/c) administration along with senior officials of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) that Guyana needed to look for new markets.

Minister Jordan said evidence illustrates that Venezuela had been reducing the volume of rice it was taking from Guyana over the past three years. Last July, just four months before the end of the PetroCaribe Agreement between the two countries Venezuela instructed Guyana to cease all paddy and rice shipments to that country immediately. Some 270 containers of paddy worth over US$5M was left stranded on the wharves.

PPP MOTION Granger’s comments come even as PPP/C front bencher Irfaan Ali is slated to move a motion today in the National Assembly calling on the Government to re-engage Venezuela on the rice deal.

In one of his Whereas clauses, Ali pointed out that both rice farmers and rice millers are facing tremendous financial and economic hardships and many of them are unable to meet their obligations under loan contracts with commercial banks for which their homes and other assets have been

lodged as collateral by way of mortgages and as a result, many of these properties are now in jeopardy of being the subject of foreclosures and sales.

He is asking that the National Assembly calls upon the Government of Guyana to implement the following measures with every convenient speed: resume negotiations with the Government of Venezuela with the intention of selling rice and paddy to that country; immediately remove all forms of taxes and duties on fuel for the industry; remove all taxes and duties on inputs for the industry including machinery, equipment and spares; commence discussions with all the commercial banks lending to the industry to review terms and conditions of loans, taking into account the low prices farmers are getting in order to ‘soften’ repayment conditions; suspend payments for land leases and for drainage and irrigation; lay supplementary provisions in the National Assembly to provide financial support to farmers in order to aid in the purchase of seed paddy and fertilizers; immediately implement minimum export prices for rice and paddy; implement an aggressive marketing strategy in order to enhance current prices and secure new lucrative markets; and withdraw its pronouncement that the rice industry’s crisis “is a private matter” and give support to the industry, especially the farmers.

President Granger has repeatedly assured rice farmers that their problems have not gone unnoticed and that his government has been seeking viable solutions where reducing operational costs and creating new market opportunities are concerned.

President Granger even raised the issue of finding new markets with colleague Heads of Government at both the regional and international levels.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, continues to search for international markets for Guyana’s rice, ever since closure of the Venezuelan market. Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had also said that Guyana currently sells rice to 50 countries around the world.

Additionally, only re-

cently the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and two Jamaican companies signed agreements that would see Guyana exporting rice to Jamaica — 48,000 tonnes in 2015 — almost doubling in 2016.

The two agreements were signed between the GRDB and the Jamaica Rice Milling Company Limited and Musson (Jamaica) Limited for the importation of a total of 80,000 tonnes of rice from Guyana during 2016.

The agreements seek to organise the supply of rice to the Jamaican market, and prevent underpricing and under-invoicing by suppliers. The agreement allows the Jamaican companies to buy rice from licensed rice millers/exporters in Guyana, and minimum orders of 1,500 tonnes will be given to mills for export. In addition to committing to import increased volumes of rice, the companies have also established a price schedule with the minimum price to be paid for white rice being US$400 per tonne. Prior to these agreements, the Agriculture Ministry noted, Guyanese exporters were receiving prices ranging from US$345 to US$370 per tonne. This means that Guyanese millers will earn between US$30 and US$55 additional per tonne of rice exported to Jamaica, or between US$2.4 million and US$4.4 million additionally per annum. With the increased price for rice, millers are expected to offer a higher price for paddy. For the first (spring) crop of 2016, some mills have been paying between G$2,200 (grade C) and G$ 2,700 (grade A) per bag of paddy.

Millers have already begun to receive orders. One rice miller which has received a 3,000-tonne order hailed the agreement as a very positive step in the development of the rice industry of Guyana. Its owner has stated that he is “very happy with the agreement that the GRDB has signed with the two companies in Jamaica.” The GRDB will continue to provide marketing and business facilitation services to all stakeholders in the industry in its efforts at building a strong and sustainable rice industry.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

President, PM invited for Investment Conference

PRESIDENT David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo are among invitees advertised to attend the Guyana Investment Conference in New York next month.

The conference is designed to bring investors together to explore opportunities in Guyana.

It will be held on June 10 at the Harvard Club of New York City.

The Conference will cover various investment opportunities, key sector profiles, incentives, regulations, services of Go-Invest and the enabling macro-environment.

The Conference will also feature networking sessions where investors, consultants, executives, finance specialists and decision makers can interact and network.

The all-day Conference will also provide a forum for investors who are looking at Guyana with time for oneon-one with Ministers and Go-Invest Executives. Investors are therefore encouraged to bring an executive summary and overview of their investment plan.

Doing business in Guyana is now easier with the implementation of comprehensive investment policies to deliver higher efficiency, responsiveness and services to investors.

Opportunities abound in the rich and vast land of Guyana, now is the best time for investors. By the year 2030, Guyana is expected to be the primary investor destination in the region, featuring a well-diversified economy.

A good... want to change. However, he made it clear that he would have liked to do much more in the areas of education and job creation for young people.

“We just have to get more young people in schools and keep them in schools. Only yesterday in Cabinet we received proposals for improving the hot meals so that children will go to school and get something to eat.

Keeping children in school is something we’d like to work harder on,” he said. The President believes that with the assistance provided by the Government of Guyana to children across the country in the form of buses, bicycles and boats, there is no excuse for children to be absent from school.

Once children remain in school, President Granger said, it will become easier for them to become employed as they mature. “The economy has not been able to produce sufficient new jobs. On one hand, I believe the young people have to stay in schools so they are better qualified and on the other hand, I think investors must allow micro enterprises to flourish, particularly agro-processing.”

He observed that indigenous communities have been producing much more and the marketing of their produce has expanded.

From page 3

President Granger, who recently returned from the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, believes much more also needs to be done on the environment and noted that changes will be forthcoming in this regard.

He said he will be making suggestions to his Cabinet and in the near future changes are likely.

During its campaign, the APNU+AFC six-party coalition had promised Guyanese to have many of their problems addressed within the first 100 days.

Indeed, many of those issues were fulfilled; however, the promise of immediately implementing a phased reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) is yet to be realised. The president noted that while government has not been able to fulfil its promise of immediately implementing a phased reduction of VAT, Guyanese can “expect something in relation to VAT.” He said “We are trying to investigate first before we pontificate and we will be advised by the Tax Reform Committee when it presents its report.”

The President said, once the report is assessed, his government will “make modifications in the public interest.”

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Police engage Vergenoegen youths

Commander Stephen Mansell and his team of ranks at the Vergenoegen Community Centre ground on Tuesday

COMMANDER of ‘D’ Division Stephen Mansell on Tuesday afternoon met with more than 40 youths of Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, in an effort to foster better relations between the police and villagers.

The meeting was arranged by Cops and Faith Network Pastor, George Orville-Stuart, who encour-

aged the youths to accept the lifeskills training programmes being offered by the police, free of cost.

Stuart told the gathering that even though it rained heavily, the good turnout was an indication that they wanted to get involved in the educational activities spearheaded by the police in that region.

The youths, who are al-

ready part of the village’s sports club, thanked the police for bringing the initiative to them.

Some of them took the time to collect the various forms which were handed out for courses at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Institute, cookery classes at Medina Restaurant and computer training at the Commissioner of Police Seelall

Persaud Computer Training Centre at the Leonora Police Station.

After a friendly chat with Commander Stephen Mansell and a team of ranks who visited the Vergenoegen Community Centre, the youths indicated their need for sports gear.

Mansell has since promised the youths to assist in that regard.

The senior officer spoke of the various courses offered by the police in that division, which targets youths from age 16 who are school drop-outs and unemployed.

He talked about the educational and sports programmes, which they have at Bagotville and Leonora and from which scores of youths have since benefited.

Mansell told the group on Tuesday that 180 youths are on course to complete the one-year training programme at the Leonora Technical and

Vocational Institute and will graduate in September.

The senior superintendent said that the police want to equip youths with lifeskills, so they may be gainfully employed and contribute to society, as part of their social crime-prevention programme.

He urged them to get enrolled in the motor mechanic, mechanical engineering, information technology, masonry and welding and plumbing courses, which will qualify them for careers.

Mansell asked the youths to reach out to the police, since they are there to help them, rather than for them to “lime” at street corners and idle, instead of getting involved in meaningful activities.

The youths were involved in a friendly game of cricket and football on Tuesday after the meeting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

UG Transformation Plan

‒ Alliances, funding needed to transform UG, says new Chancellor

By Svetlana Marshall A VIBRANT alliance with good financial backing is needed to transform the University of Guyana, Professor Eon Nigel Harris said minutes after he was installed as the Ninth Chancellor of the University yesterday.

Notwithstanding the negative narratives written about Guyana, he said the country must push to create a vibrant education system that is driven primarily by a vibrant university, which will continue to produce a plethora of professionals that can fulfill that dream of a Guyana that leaps far beyond being the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

“That leap can only occur if university academics and administrators, representatives of the private sector, leaders of government, civil society and academics in the diaspora join to create a vibrant alliance to transform the University of Guyana,” Professor Harris said during his inaugural speech.

According to him, baby steps have been taken to kick start the process, explaining that

in February the University Council convened a Transformation Task Force (TTF) charged with reviewing the status of the tertiary institution.

In addition to the task force meeting with a wide cross section of specialists, President David Granger, who was present at the installation ceremony along with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other Ministers of Government and Dignitaries, met with Professor Niles to discuss the transformation effort.

Governance, financing, quality assurance, student experience, research, and problems with infrastructure and maintenance were among the challenges highlighted by the President.

Like the President, the task force underscored the importance of placing emphasis on governance and finance and resource mobilization in addition to quality assurance and student services.

“The task force recognized the urgent need for a major change in the governance of the university, if it is to progress and recommended a re-writing of the University Act and Statutes,” he explained.

Professor Harris delivers his inaugural speech (Sandra Prince/Ministry of the Presidency photo)

According to the Chancellor, these changes are intended to create a more independent council, with clearly articulated responsibilities for policy formation, oversight of planning and finances. The affairs of the University, he posited, are the responsibility of the university’s leadership and staff.

“The task force also called for a comprehensive operational manual, which outlines proper procedures of all aspects of the university’s operations,” he added, while noting that the institution is moving swiftly to implement

these recommendations, hopefully with a grant from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Resource mobilization to finance the enterprise was also recognized as critically important with the task force recommending an increase in government’s subvention.

Notably, he said, the funds provided for in this year’s budget are being used primarily to improve the abysmal compensation of university staff.

But the task force in its recommendation acknowledged that the institution cannot rely solely on the Government. “…with the best will in the world, government subventions alone cannot enable the transformation UG requires,” he posited.

As such, it is recommending a moderate increase in tuition fees to ensure that students who cannot afford to pay have access to loans with a solid system in place to collect re-payment of those loans.

“Other recommendations, including a contribution to tertiary education from the Lottery and like funds; creation of an Education Levy; enhancement of corporate philanthropy; building relations with alumni, that among other things must include enhanced alumni giving; partnerships with other universities to access major funding opportunities from international donor agencies; a contribution of US$1.00 for incoming Turn to page 22 ►

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All set for Linden Town Week 2016 GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

LINDEN will be hosting its 20th Town Week celebration in the next four days and Chairman of franchise holder Vybz Entertainment, Devin Sears, said all is set for an exciting 10 days of activities.

Celebrating under the theme “Reflection, resilience, rediscover Linden and celebrate who we are,” the events will kick off with its official opening ceremony this Sunday at the Georgetown bus park and will see performances from several Guyanese artiste and cultural activities.

This year’s celebrations will see the merging of the 50th anniversary activities and Lindeners will benefit from “first time events” such as a boat cruise from Georgetown to Linden and back.

Other first time events

added to the calendar include a reggae gospel concert with performances from Jamaican artists, the Super Nova school singing competition and the focus on showcasing heritage sites to visitors, especially those residing in the diaspora. “They’ll get to see the blue lake and get to visit the Waterwheel and Cenotaph, the old aluminum plant, the mined out areas,” said Mr. Sears.

These new events will, of course, complement the signature events such as the Big and Bold pageant, Wismar Night and the All Black Party, which is expected to see up to 16,000 persons in attendance.

Vybz Entertainment Chairman reiterated that while this year’s Linden Town Week franchise was bought for $1.5 M, he said

his organization’s main aim is not to make a profit, but to have the “small man” benefit.

“The main focus is not on making a profit as it is, but ensuring that we have a successful Linden Town Week.

It is an important year for us; my only concern is that every vendor that comes out to sell makes something tangible. We want to bring about economic stability to Linden, which would encourage visitors to come to Linden,” Sears told this publication.

Visitors, Sears said, can be assured that strict security measures have been enacted to ensure all events take place in decency and free from crime. He alluded to the previous years, where no serious crime was recorded during the celebrations. “Security has been boosted; we have the Police involved,

the Rural Constables, Village Policing Groups, the Town Council Constables involved as well and we have our private security firm to ensure that everyone is safe during that period.”

He also added that there will be heightened patrols from the joint services and various road blocks.

Vybz Entertainment will also be giving back to the community by building a

boat and constructing a bus shed. They have also worked out an arrangement with the Town Council to have cleanup activities after every event so that the town can be returned to normalcy. “We are encouraging the entire Guyana to come out and be a part of Linden Town Week, it is going to be amazing; what Linden has to offer nowhere else has to offer,” he urged all Guyanese home and in the

diaspora.

Linden had its first town week celebration in 1999 and it was previously called Linden Town Day. It was founded by Norvelle Frederick and lasted for three days. Over the years, the events got bigger and more recognized and the then franchise holder extended it to one week. Linden is the first town to have an event of this nature.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

UG Transformation... and outgoing passengers at all ports of entry; and grants or government-guaranteed loans from various development banks,” he added.

Professor Harris emphasised that urgent and aggressive measures must be taken to implement the recommendations. But said without appropriate financing the university cannot achieve the transformation necessary to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving world.

In offering congratulatory remarks, Prime Minister Nagamootoo hailed Professor Harris as a son of the soil.

Like Professor Harris, the Prime Minister said he is looking forward to the transformation of the university

into a world class institution.

Describing him as one of Guyana’s distinguished sons, Professor Clement Sankat, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, said Professor Harris made tremendous contribution to the development of tertiary education in the Caribbean as a scholar, researcher, administrator and a true university leader.

Placing on recording the contributions made to UWI, Professor Sankat pointed out that Professor Harris “saw the unprecedented growth of enrollment at the University of the West Indies from 29,000 students to 50, 000 students serving all 17 countries of the university’s flock.”

According to Professor Sankat, the Chancellor also

From page 20

enhanced UWI’s global visibility and had also placed major emphasis on accreditation. “He insisted as Vice Chancellor on one thing we must always maintain, i.e. a rigorous attention to quality and under his leadership, the accreditation of all our four campuses…were accredited.”

Professor Violet Barriteau, Pro Vice-`Chancellor and Principal , University of the West Indies, Cave Hill and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Bibi Shadick were among those who offered congratulatory remarks to Professor Harris on his appointment.

Professor Harris recently demitted office as Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, a position he held from October 1, 2004 to April 30, 2015.

Thursday, May 12, 2016 - 09:00 hrs Friday, May 13, 2016 - 10:00 hrs Saturday, May 14, 2016 - 11:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12 , 2016

Renowned West Indies commentator ...

From Backpage

for the game deeply and absolutely, and his heart bled for West Indian cricket, which he served as a broadcaster, writer and conscience-keeper for five decades. His was

the most credible voice from the region and, in the last decade-and-ahalf, an anguished one.

He gave the game as much as he got from it and it can safely be said that he will be impossible to replace, on ESPNcricinfo

and elsewhere.”

Cozier is survived by wife Jillian, his daughter Natalie and his son Craig, who had returned from India where he was working as a television producer for the IPL to be with his father.(ESPN Cricinfo)

Battle looms for ...

From Backpage

and transparency, was arrested last year on charges which included money laundering, racketeering and fraud. Alfredo Hawit, who replaced Webb as interim president, was then arrested

in December.

Initially, the contest for the CONCACAF presidency was a three-horse race but general secretary and president of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), Gordon Derrick, was prevented from contesting the election

by the FIFA ethics committee, despite passing all the integrity checks put forward by the association.

Both remaining candidates have again pledged transparency and reform for the new administration. (Sportsmax.com).

Notable Dates

RAUL Frank was a tough welterweight who could take and give punishment.

Frank fought the early part of his professional career in Guyana but migrated to the USA in the early 1990s.

On May 12, 2001 Frank made his second attempt at the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title.

He came up against undefeated American Vernon Forrest at the Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and lost via Unanimous Decision. It was the fourth defeat in 28 fights for the 31 year old Guyanese while Forrest (29) picked up his 32nd victory.

The two orthodox boxers first met in August of the previous year at the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas. An interesting affair was halted at one minute and 45 seconds of the third round and declared a No Contest after Frank was cut from an accidental head-butt.

The two were battling for the IBF title made vacant after Felix `Tito’ Trinidad moved up to junior middleweight. The result gave Frank the permission to join Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis as Guyanese to have No Contest results in a world title fight.

Lewis, the first from

Guyana to win a world title, was defending the World Boxing Association welterweight title for the second time when a clash of heads at seven seconds of round two, caused the

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Lewis and Mayorga would again meet eight months later in March 2002.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

Australia toughens helmet standards after Hughes review

By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE, (Reuters)-Australia’s cricket board will make it compulsory for players to wear helmets when facing fast and medium-paced bowling in line with recommendations from a review into the death of test batsman Phillip Hughes.

Wicketkeepers and players fielding close to the wicket will also have to wear helmets in first class matches in accordance with the David Curtain review, which was released on Wednesday.

The helmets, mandatory in games and during practice, must adhere to the highest British standard, Cricket Australia (CA) said.

Hughes was struck on the

A tribute to former Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who was the 408th player for Australia, is displayed on a screen during the first day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in South Australia, November 27, 2015. (Reuters/David Gray). back of the head by a rising 25.

“There’s not a day that delivery when batting for South Australia in a domestic goes by where we don’t think of Phillip,” CA boss James match in November 2014.

He died two days later Sutherland told reporters in a Sydney hospital aged at the Melbourne Cricket

Ground on Wednesday.

“This report won’t bring him back and it won’t do anything to ease the pain of his family or his loved ones who miss him most.

“But we have a responsibility and a duty to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”

Hughes’s death shocked the cricketing world and ignited a debate about safety standards, particularly for batsmen, who face fast bowling that can exceed 150 kilometres per hour (93 mph).

Hughes was wearing an Australian standard helmet when he was struck but the Curtain report said even the newer British standard helmet available at the time would not have afforded him extra protection from the blow.

Pollard, Buttler secure win for Mumbai

TWO of the biggest hitters in world cricket, Kieron Pollard and Jos Buttler, produced some spectacular pyrotechnics to carry the Mumbai Indians to an impressive six-wicket victory against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday.

West Indian Pollard finished unbeaten on 35 from just 19 balls with three fours and two sixes but Englishman Buttler was even more ruthless with three sixes in a remarkable 29 not out from just 11 deliveries as a target of 152 was reached with eight balls to spare.

Rohit Sharma (25 from 24 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (44 from 47) put the run

chase under pressure, but an asking rate of 12 runs per over proved to be inconsequential to Pollard and

Kieron Pollard Buttler who were especially harsh on RCB’s specialist death bowlers, Chris Jordan (3-0-37-0) and Shane Watson (3-0-38-0).

The home side were under pressure early on after being asked to bat first but

Lokesh Rahul finished with an unbeaten 68 from 53 balls with three fours and four sixes on an unusually slow surface at the traditionally high scoring ground as the home side posted their lowest score on home soil this season.

Virat Kohli (7) departed to the first ball of the second over when Kiwi left-armer Mitchell McClenaghan had him caught at slip while Chris Gayle (5) hoisted fellow New Zealander Tim Southee to Rohit Sharma on the long-off boundary.

AB de Villiers made a patient start reaching 24 from 27 balls before mistiming a pull against the excellent spin of Krunal Pandya (4-0-15-1) to deep mid-wicket and Shane Watson completed a quartet of

disappointment when he was run out for 15 from 14 deliveries.

But Rahul took advantage of a strange gamble by Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma who gave a solitary over – the 17th of the innings – to Kieron Pollard and saw it disappear for 22 runs.

Sachin Baby also boosted the total towards respectability in the final couple of overs with a pair of fours and sixes in his 25 not out from just 13 balls.

Harbhajan Singh (3-0-19-0) was also highly effective.

Mumbai’s victory means they now need to win two of their three remaining matches to reach the playoffs while RCB will need to win all of their final four matches to have a chance of featuring in the knockout stages.

The report also said an apparent delay in the arrival of the ambulance team that treated Hughes played no part in his death.

“I am of the opinion the attention received by Phillip after being struck had no role whatsoever on his subsequent demise, due to the nature and severity of his injury,” it said.

The report also recommended wicketkeepers play with protective eye-wear but stopped short of endorsing the clip-on neck guards on the back of helmets, which some players have worn after Hughes’s death.

Sutherland said CA still encouraged players to wear the guards but conceded, like the report, that more research was required to determine whether they

actually increased safety.

“We’re certainly taking up the running on that to make sure we understand it better,” he said.

Sutherland said the board had also sought approval from the International Cricket Council to trial the use of injury substitutes who could bat and bowl in domestic games.

Substitutes have been permitted to replace injured or ill players in matches for over 100 years but are not allowed to bat, bowl or act as wicketkeepers or captains, according to the laws of the game.

Initially the substitutes would replace players ruled out by concussion but in future their use could be expanded to include other forms of injury, Sutherland added.

Sri Lanka’s Perera cleared to play

(REUTERS) - Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Perera has had all anti-doping charges brought against him dropped by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the Qatar-based laboratory that conducted the test withdrew its initial finding.

Perera was sent home from Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand in December after it was announced he had failed a test during the series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last July.

He had faced a four-year ban from cricket.

“We wish to make it clear that there is no evidence that Mr Perera has ever used performance-enhancing substances and we wish him well in his future cricketing endeavours,” ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said in a statement.

Sri Lanka are currently in England preparing for the first match of their three-test series in Leeds next week.

Richardson said cricket’s governing body would talk to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which had accredited the laboratory, about the case.

“Whilst I am confident that this is an isolated incident in respect of tests commissioned by the ICC, we are seeking an urgent explanation from WADA and the laboratory in an attempt to understand what has transpired and what will be done to ensure it does not happen again,” Richardson said.

SS Jaguars, G Square Cavaliers toplay Kelly Andrews T20 final SANS Souci Jaguars and G Square Cavaliers will oppose each other in the final of the Kelly Andrews T20 tournament after both teams recorded contrasting victories in the respective semi-final matches played recently in Wakenaam.

Sans Souci Jaguars de-

feated Good Success by four wickets at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground.

Batting first Good Success were bowled out for 80, with only Gurnauth Khemraj managed a top score of 20.

Nokta Moses claimed 2-10 and Siddiq Mohamed 2-15 were the beat bowler on

show for Sans Souci Jaguars The Jaguars in reply reached 81-6 in 14.3 overs.

Moses top scored with 24.

Vickram Ramnarine picked up 3-18.

In the other semi-final game, G Square Cavaliers edged Sans Souci by two wickets. Batting first, Sans Souci

were bowled 117 all out in 18.2 overs.

Wayne Osbourne struck 24 and Devon Rambarran 23.

G Square Cavaliers in reply scored 118-8 in 19.2 overs in reply. Bali Scott made 35, while Kamal Khan contributed 25 to the winning total.

Kusal Perera

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12 , 2016

Sunderland joy as Newcastle and Norwich go down

By Toby Davis

LONDON, (Reuters)-Sunderland secured their Premier League survival yesterday with a 3-0 victory over Everton that condemned bitter local rivals Newcastle United and Norwich City to relegation and sparked wild scenes of celebration at the Stadium of Light.

It was the fourth season in a row that Sunderland’s fans had to endure a gruelling relegation battle before popping the champagne corks, and their victory was a crushing blow for Newcastle and Norwich, whose 4-2 win over Watford on Wednesday proved in vain.

Sunderland’s win, which came courtesy of two goals from surprise hero Lamine Kone, moved them up to 38 points with

Lamine Kone celebrates scoring the third goal for Sunderland with Younes Kaboul and Jermain Defoe Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff fans in celebration, pulling one match remaining, four off his jacket and flexing his clear of Norwich and New- muscles to the crowd after the final whistle. castle.

“There were a long few Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce, a master months winter months,” he of steering teams clear of said. “We became a team danger, led the Sunderland that was difficult to beat,

who did not like losing and continued the run constantly for the last few months.”

Sunderland came into the game knowing victory would secure their survival regardless of other results and they dominated a lacklustre Everton from the start.

They took the lead six minutes before halftime when Patrick van Aanholt’s free kick was completely misjudged by Everton keeper Joel Robles before nestling in the net.

It was 2-0 three minutes later as Kone lashed home a lofted ball into the box before the Ivorian started the celebrations in earnest 10 minutes after the interval when he converted from a corner which Robles palmed straight to him.

It was a painful end for

Norwich, who had lost their previous four league matches without scoring, but found goals easy to come by in a comfortable win over Watford that came too late.

They fell behind to an early strike from Troy Deeney but goals from Nathan Redmond and Dieumerci Mbokani and a Craig Cathcart own goal put them in command.

Odion Ighalo pulled one back for Watford before Mbokani dinked in Norwich’s fourth.

The win, however, counted for nothing and left boss Alex Neil cursing an endof-season collapse that condemned his team to the second tier.

“It is severe disappointment,” he said. “In recent matches we have known it

was going to be a difficult match. We had it in our hands five matches ago but we came up short.

“The story for us is that as a club, we have dropped short for a variety of reasons.

We have made vital errors in games at crucial times and the recruitment has not been as good to strengthen the squad.”

In a very different atmosphere to the intensity of the relegation battle, Liverpool’s Christian Benteke headed a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw against last season’s champions Chelsea at Anfield.

Belgian Eden Hazard had earlier lit up a mid-table clash between the division’s eighth and ninthplaced sides with a superb individual goal.

DDL, Ansa McAl partner for Golden Jaguars friendly

BEVERAGE giants Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and Ansa McAl have combined for this weekend’s international friendly football match between Guyana’s Golden Jaguars and Canada’s Olympic side.

DDL, through it’s Pepsi and Gatorade Brand,and Ansa McAL ,through it”Stag brand will keep the football flag flying high at the National Stadium.

During yesterday’s morning press conference, DDL brand executive Larry Wills contended, “This is the time for getting together and showing support for our own. We are celebrating our 50th Independence anniversary.”

“We want people to come out and give the Guys support and let them know that you were behind them 100%,”

(L-R)GFF director of marketing and communications Debra Francis, DDL Brand Executive Larry Wills, Ansa McAl PRO Darshanie Yusuf and GFF vice- president Rawlston Adams sit during a press conference on Wednesday morning (Samuel Maughn Photo) continued the DDL representative.

“Stag beer will assist them (the jags) in celebrating when

they win,” a smiling Darshanie Yusuf, the Public Relations Officer of Ansa McAl, told the media yesterday morning.

She chronicled the work that the beer brand has done for football locally adding that, “the last couple

of friendlies, we have done amazing and that is one of the direct results of being able to play league football.”

Meanwhile, the Federation through vice president Rawlston Adams, said that the federation is always happy to have sponsors like DDL and Ansa McAl on board, adding “this is the GFf’s participation in the 50th anniversary celebrations.

He continued by thanking the government and all those stakeholders who made the game possible.

The Guyana vs Canada friendly which begins at 19:00hrs will be preceded by a match between Chase academy and Christiansburg Wismar secondary school, which begins at 16:00hrs Meanwhile, tickets are available for schools and the GFF vice president has urged business to come on board for the initiative.

Regal Sport onboard for GSCL Inc/NSC Independence T20 REGAL Sport has thrown their support behind the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc for the staging of its Independence T20 softball tournament slated to commence on May 20.

Sherryann Persaud of Regal Sport recently presented a cheque to GSCL Inc. Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer Russel Jadbeer at the entity’s location 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville.

She stated that the company is pleased to be associated with the tournament, since the tournament coincides with Guyana’s

Regal Sport Sherryann Persaud (left) presents the cheque to GSCL Inc Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Russel Jadbeer in the presence of Sunita Charan of Regal Sport

50 th Independence Anniversary.

In response, Jadbeer thanked the entity for their assistance.

The three-day tournament is billed for May 20, 21 and 22, and will be played in the Open and masters categories.

The first six teams will be accepted in the Open division while the first and the eighth will play in the Masters category.

The winning team in the Open segment will pocket a trophy and $100 000, with the runner receiving half of that price.

The first-place team in the Masters segment will take home a trophy and $150 000 while second-placers will attract a trophy and $50 000.

Entrance fee is $50 000, with the official launching draw billed for May 17 at 17:00hrs at GNIC Sports Club. Entries will be closed on May 13.

Teams can contact Mahendra Hardyal on 6107902, Samuel Kingston on 619-5103 or Russell Jagbeer on 225-4802 for more information.

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12, 2016

Cozier hailed as a West Windies cricketing czar

RENOWNED West Indian commentator and journalist Tony Cozier died yesterday in his native Barbados after a prolonged illness.

A well-known name in cricketing circles, Cozier, who was dubbed by many as the “voice of West Indies cricket”, was born in July 1940 and covered nearly every West Indies series since 1962.

Cozier was hailed for his smooth voice, approachable demeanor and vast knowledge of the sport.

Former GCB president Major general( retired) Norman Mclean has hailed his passing as ‘bad news for Caribbean Cricket.’

Mclean,who was president of the GCB from 1980-1991, was saddened by the news of Cozier’s death, because,as he says, the veteran commentator, writer, journalist and historian had a vast wealth of knowledge.

Recalling memories of the 75 year old, Mc Lean said, “I remember playing with him during a tour

would always remember the knowledgeable cricket writer as a “gentleman with a wry sense of humour”.

He said it was always a distinct honour to sit with Cozier in the Press Box

along with Tony Becca of Jamaica while covering West Indies Test matches for close to ten years.

“I feel a great sense of loss,” Wray lamented.

Commentator, Inderjeet

Inderjeet Persaud here. The Board (WICB) used to have matches here between its members and the media. I am deeply saddened by this news.”

“My condolences go out to his family and to those in Barbados; this is truly bad news for West Indies cricket. He was really a connoisseur of the game and knew it inside out. We have lost an Icon,” the former GCB president said.

Former Guyana Chronicle Sports Editor, now the newspaper’s Editor, Godfrey Wray ,was shocked when he got the news of Cozier’s passing.

Wray mused that he

NSC extends sympathy on the passing of Tony Cozier

ON behalf of the Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, I extend deepest condolences to Tony Cozier’s wife ,Jillian, children Craig and Natalie, relatives, friends, Government and people of Barbados, West Indies cricket and the global cricket family on the passing of the legendary Tony Cozier.

Cozier was unquestionably the leading cricket commentator and writer in the Caribbean. His passing will leave a void that will not be filled.

He was a cricketing institution who graced our shores annually to report and commentate on cricket.

He loved Guyana and our people and the Guyanese cricketing fraternity and cricket fans everywhere will certainly miss his insight into the game.

He had a lifelong passion and love for cricket that exuded in his commentary and writings.

We pray that his soul rest in peace and his rich legacy lives on forever.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

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Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Chris Gayle-733 (RCB) (2) Morne Morkel-25 (DD) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who is the captain of ‘Gujarat Lions’?

(2) Who is the captain of ‘Rising Pune Supergiants’?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Persaud described Cozier as a simple professional and honest broadcaster and cricket writer.

“Tony Cozier became an idol to so many youngsters in the Caribbean, those you aspire

Norman Mclean to do cricket commentary wants to be him because he was very wise on cricket matters,” Persaud stressed.

At the age of 75, the West Indian cricket czar published his last piece on May 1 before he was admitted to hospital on May 3 for Tests related to infections in the neck and legs.

A second generation writer and the son of former editor Jimmy Cozier, Tony was also the author of The West Indies: 50 Years of Test Cricket and was also a

Godfrey Wray gifted television and radio commentator whose career spanned five decades.

He edited the West Indies Cricket Annual between 1970 and 1991, and in 1978 wrote the acclaimed book.

In 2011, the MCC awarded Cozier life membership for his services to the game.

It is estimated that Cozier was among the most prolific watchers of Test cricket anywhere as Wisden in 2003 reported that he had viewed 266 Tests in his 40odd years of covering the game up to that point.

Tributes pour in for Tony Cozier

THE tributes for Tony Cozier have poured in thick and fast as the cricketing world woke up to the news the veteran commentator had passed.

Cozier, 75, was the most pronounced broadcasting figure in the West Indies over the last half-century.

Known widely as the ‘the Voice of West Indies Cricket’, even fellow commentators have called the loss, sad.

Jonathan Agnew, a fellow commentator, called Cozier his “favourite cricket commentator in the world”, saying his voice provided “the perfect soundtrack to any cricket match”.

“Tony Cozier was one of the finest writers and broadcasters in the game,” Agnew wrote for the BBC. “He was a wonderfully descriptive and disciplined com-

mentator, his melodic Bajan accent the perfect soundtrack to any cricket match,” Agnew said.

According to Test Match Special producer, Adam Mountford, “He had a voice which instantly transported you from wherever you were in the world to the sun-drenched beaches of Barbados”.

“Tony, or Winston Anthony Lloyd Cozier to give him his full name, was cricketing commentary royalty.”

Cozier worked on BBC’s Test Match Special for the better part of 50 years, and according to Mountford, was one of the most popular overseas commentators throughout.

The administration of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), set to begin this June, has also said, through its CEO, Damien O’Donohoe, it has been hit by the loss.

“It was with great sadness that we learned of Tony’s sad passing,” said O’Donohoe.

“On behalf of the CPL I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his wife Jillian, children Craig and Natalie and his family and friends at this difficult time.

May he rest in peace,” said the League’s CEO. The West Indies Cricket Board,(WICB with whom Cozier, in recent times, was always at odds, also lauded the contribution of the journalist to the sport in the region.

“On behalf the WICB and the various stakeholders in West Indies Cricket we offer sincere condolences to his wife Jillian, his son Craig, his daughter Natalie, his grandchildren and other family and friends,” read a statement from the WICB.

“The lifelong work of Tony Cozier centred around West Indies cricket and he made a lasting contribution to the game.

He ensured that West Indies cricket fans all around the world received information and knowledge about their beloved team and their favourite players . His life was dedicated to the game in the Caribbean and we salute him for his outstanding work.”

According to the WICB, Cozier was more than just a journalist but an ambassador for the region.

“He represented West Indies wherever he went. He educated people around the world about our cricket, our people, our culture and who we are. His voice was strong and echoed around the cricket world,” said the WICB. (Dportsmax)

WIPA sends condolences to Cozier family

THE West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has extended condolences to the family of cricket writer Tony Cozier who died yesterday at the age of 75.

“The executive and members of the West Indies Players’ Association would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of esteemed cricket journalist Winston Anthony Cozier,” WIPA said in a statement.

“Mr Cozier was considered by the many, the voice of Caribbean cricket. He commentated on almost every West Indies series since 1962.

He was renowned for his knowledge of cricket history and statistics.”

“Mr Cozier worked in radio and television all around

the world, and wrote numerous articles about cricket. He continued having articles published with one as recent as last week, mere days before his passing,” WIPA said.

“He was a pioneer in his field, at the beginning of his career he was usually the only West Indian on the commentary team.”

Cozier was the author of The West Indies: 50 Years of Test Cricket, he also received the honour of having the press box at the Kensington Oval in Barbados re-named for him. In 2011, for his contributions to the game the Marylebone Cricket Club named him an Honorary Life Member.(Sportsmax.com)

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday, May 12 , 2016

Minister Ally commissions Volleyball court at Redeemer Primary School Rajiv Bisnauth

AIMED at promoting Physical Education within its school curriculum, the Redeemer Primary School yesterday commissioned a spanking new outdoor volleyball court.

The official commissioning was done by retired Headmistress of the Redeemer Primary School and Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally.

Ally, who served as headmistress for nearly ten years before her retirement in July 2010 ,told the gathering that sport contributes significantly to physical health, adding that sport can foster teamwork, strong body and healthy mind.

Ally also acknowledged

that with the availability of the Volleyball Court, students can now interact more together in order to achieve a common goal, which is to promote sportsmanship.

She urged the students to make full use of the Court, since the government will work to ensure that the education system is effectively structured which will promote national unity, togetherness and solidarity.

Also making brief remarks was D.E.O Primary, Adrian Elgin, who mentioned that sport should be included in each school curriculum.

With this in mind, Elgin pointed out that Education without Sport is incomplete.

Junior Pan American hockey team named

THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has made its final selection of the 18 players, who will be representing the Golden Arrowhead at the Pan American Junior Championships,scheduled for Toronto,Canada from May 20th to 28th.

The team will now be at full strength after senior national players Hilton Chester, Daniel Hooper and Kareem McKenzie, were facilitated by the Ministry of Education Exams Division through an arrangement with the University of Toronto’s Athletics Department to write their CAPE and CXC exams that take place during the tournament, in Toronto.

Outstanding striker Aroydy Branford has also returned from his stint at Bishops Storford in England to add the cutting edge to a team full of talent.

The majority of the team is scheduled to depart on Monday, while the three players presently writing their CXC and CAPE examinations will join the team on May 19.

The core of the team has been together since August of 2014, competing in local tournaments as well as two warmup tours of Trinidad & Tobago.

On their first developmental tour in December of 2014, the team won three of their four matches, while during their second tour in August of 2015 they won seven of their nine matches, placing second in the Player Tournament.

Eight players were also part of the senior national team which drew 2-2 with Olympic qualifiers Brazil, on their way to a semifinal berth at the Pan American Challenge in Peru last year. Experienced midfielder Mark Sargeant, will captain the side which also includes defensive stalwart Andrew Stewart and senior national goalkeeper Medroy Scotland.

There are three newcomers to the team who are all multitalented athletes: 14-year old goalkeeper Michael Hing holds a black belt and has represented Guyana in Karate, while both Jael Gaskin and Nyron Joseph are also squash players, with the latter a multiple national and junior Caribbean champion.

The school organised a well-planned programme, where students displayed their techniques in dancing, poetry and singing.

The Volleyball Court was made possible through National Hardware and GAICO Engineering. (Rajiv Bis- Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally about to cut the ribbon to officially nauth) declared the Volleyball Court open. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

Minister Ally commissions Volleyball court at Redeemer Primary School (See story on page 31)

FLASHBACK: Tony Cozier at ‘Cricket World Cup 2007 Bangladesh v West Indies at Kensington Oval on April 19, 2007 (Photo by Patrick Eagar/ Patrick Eagar via Getty Images)

T

ONY Cozier, the West Indian cricket writer, commentator and journalist, has died in his home country, Barbados, at the age of 75 after an illness. He had been admitted to hospital on May 3 for tests related to infections in the neck and legs.

Cozier began writing on cricket as a teenager in 1958 and, despite not having played the game at a

high level, he became one of its most distinguished voices. His last column on these pages was published on May 1.

“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Cozier today,” the ICC said on Twitter.

“One of the truly great voices of cricket. A huge loss for the cricket community.”

The WICB’s tribute hailed Cozier’s service to the game: “The life-

Renowned West Indies commentator Tony Cozier dies at 75 long work of Tony Cozier centred around West Indies cricket and he made a lasting contribution to the game.

He ensured that West Indies cricket fans all around the world received information and knowledge about their beloved team and their favourite players. His life was dedicated to the game in the Caribbean and we salute him for his outstanding work.

“He was not just a great journalist, but also a great ambassador. He represented West Indies wherever he went. He educated people around the world about our cricket, our people, our culture and who we are. His voice was strong and echoed around the cricket world.

He enjoyed West Indies victories and shared the pain when we lost. He gave a lifetime of dedicated service and will be remembered by all who came into contact with him.”

Cozier, whose father Jimmy was also a cricket writer, began his commentary career during Austra-

lia’s tour of West Indies in 1965. Over five decades, Cozier grew into an accomplished media professional across mediums all over the world. He worked in radio and television, wrote books, and was published in newspapers, magazines and on the internet.

He edited the West Indies Cricket Annual between 1970 and 1991, and in 1978 wrote the acclaimed book, The West Indies: 50 Years of Test Cricket. In 2011, the MCC awarded Cozier life membership for his services to the game.

It was estimated that Co-

zier was among the most prolific watchers of Test cricket anywhere. Wisden in 2003 reported that he had watched 266 Tests in his 40-odd years of covering the game up to that point.

Sambit Bal, ESPNcricinfo’s editor-in-chief, said Cozier was one of the most credible voices in West Indies cricket.

“To say Tony loved cricket would be somewhat shallow: cricket was his life, and it was a life of great distinction. He cared See page 27

Battle looms for CONCACAF hot seat

Beleaguered by corruption accusations for the past several years CONCACAF will begin its quest for transparent governance anew when it meets to elect a new executive in Mexico City today.

Two candidates, Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani and Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden will go head to head for the top job in regional football, a proverbial hot seat that has amazingly seen the last three officials serving in that capacity arrested on

corruption charges.

The region’s woes began in 2011 when then CONCACAF president Jack Warner and several other regional officials were involved in the cashfor-votes scandal.

Warner and the other CONCACAF executives were accused of taking cash bribes from then FIFA presidential candidate Moham m ed Bi n Ham am .

Warner was given a life ban from the sport.

Jeffrey Webb, who replaced Warner, with promises of a fresh start Larry Mussenden (left) and Victor Montagliani will go head to head today.

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216.

See page 27 THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016