Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 30 03 2016

58

No. 104506

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30, 2016

Price: $80

(Vat Inclusive)

‘BK’ booted …Pres Granger revokes advisory appointment of Brian Tiwari

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British Navy to assist GDF Coast Guard Page 11

The HMS Mersey, a UK naval vessel, docked at Port Georgetown on Tuesday morning as part of a military strengthening mission. The visit to Guyana is part of the Navy’s continued efforts to engage with nations throughout the Caribbean and South America, and to support overseas UK territories (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

Security reform back on Page 13

…UK group conducting needs assessment before SSRP roll out

Soldier executed in 10 Albouystown

GRDB inks 21 major rice deals Page

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Dead: Kevon Payne

––with two Jamaican companies

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

‘Prelude to Jubilee’ exhibition

DEEMED a prelude to Guyana’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Guyana United Artists (GUA) will, from today, undertake a week-long exhibition aimed at elevating the image of local artists.

The exhibition, which runs until Saturday, April 9, will feature paintings and sculptures, presenting Guyana’s unique historical experience. The exhibition, which will be held at the Museum of African Heritage in Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown, begins at 5pm.

Artist Desmond Ali told the Guyana Chronicle during a visit to the museum that the exhibition will be a prelude to the Independence Anniversary celebrations, with focus being placed on the country’s rich history.

“We are taking people to the earlier period”, Ali said.

He also said there was work on the Atlantic Slave Trade, music and other aspects of the country’s cultural diversity. “It is to showcase the culture of the country”, Ali noted.

He said that his 15 pieces,

which include paintings and sculptures some of which date back to 2002, will be on display, including a sculpture which focuses on the crime wave and the number of young men who disappeared from society. That sculpture he calls “The Killing Fields.”

According to Ali, the pieces are historical in nature.

He noted that the views conceptualized when creating the artistic pieces were done with history in mind. Some of the pieces cover the British and American influence on this country in the years gone by, and they carry prices under $30,000.

Ali spoke of “The Continental Guardian”, a sculpture which provides strong South American influence and the Chavin culture, one of the more ancient cultures in the Americas. He said that when he took the piece to the Andean nations, it received much

admiration.

Another artist, Philip Joseph, who said he was born into the arts, is banking on exhibiting his pieces, which he said are works dating back as far as 1986. “I do visual and realistic arts”, he noted, adding that the former was deeper in thought than the latter.

He spoke of his painting, called ‘Give up,’ depicting a man at the end of a long tiring journey. Joseph said the names are sometimes given to the art forms after they are completed. His art sells for $20,000 and $30,000.

As regards the exhibition, Joseph said the initiative to host the event at this time was a good one. He said he usually participates in exhibitions across the country.

He possesses pieces such as a nature stand, whereby small pieces of ‘silverballi’ wood stand in creek water.

Musical instruments made from the calabash will also be on display Artist Desmond Ali with his sculpture termed “Continental Guardian”, a piece with much historical reference to the British and Americans influence on this country

Four of several paintings which will be on display at the exhibition

The piece, he noted, stood the test of time.

“This is something good for the artistes, and it’s nice elevation so that we can get

our work out there”, he said of the exhibition.

Some 11 local artists are expected to participate in today’s event.

Artist Phillip Joseph with his painting termed “Give –Up”. He said the man in picture had reached the end of a long journey and cannot find a way further

‘BK’ booted

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

…Pres Granger revokes Brian Tiwari’s advisory appointment

THE Ministry of the Presidency announced yesterday that the appointment of Mr. Brian Tiwari as Ministerial Advisor on Business Development has been rescinded.

The ministry did not provide any details on the appointment, but issued the statement one day after the Kaieteur News revealed that Tiwari had been appointed to the post

by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on January 19.

Tiwari is allegedly a close associate of the former PPP government, and has benefited from major contracts during its 23 years in office.

Political commentators, and some supporters of this present administration, had criticised Tiwari’s appointment because of his

close ties with the previous administration and the damning allegations that have come out in the forensic reports.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, when approached last night on the issue, declined to comment.

“I have no comment; I wish that this matter be raised with the President,” the prime minister told journalists last evening.

But after pressed into making a comment, he subsequently opened up, explaining that an appointment by the President, or even by the Ministry of the Presidency, would not be subject to a Cabinet decision, whether positive or negative.

It was noted that under the previous administration, appointments were made by the Head of the

Presidential Secretariat, who at the time happened to be Dr Roger Luncheon.

With reference to Ti-

City businessman Brian Tiwari wari’s appointment before it was rescinded, the Prime Minister opined that it may have been one of conve-

nience, since a Ministerial Team is currently abroad on government business.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that Tiwari is currently in China with Minister Harmon and team on official duty. But in the interest of clarity, the prime minister advised that Minister Harmon is the one who should speak on the matter.

“The gatekeeper of the Presidency resides with the Minister of State; I would direct these questions to the Minister of State,” he said.

He also indicated that some government officials may have had some concerns with the manner in which the appointment had been done.

Alluding to statements made by Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan that he was shocked when he learnt that Tiwari

had been appointed Ministerial Advisor on Business Development, the Prime Minister said: “I don’t think that he is saying so much as to whether or not he was in disagreement with the appointment; he was addressing the issue of the manner in which an appointment had been made, that he had to know by the media.”

Asked what he thought of the President’s decision to rescind the appointment, the Prime Minister said, “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh…”

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, who was also present at the time of the interview, said he was clueless until the matter was brought to his attention by the press.

“I told you all I knew was what was in the paper,” he said, while stating clearly that he learnt of

the entire matter from the press.

Ti w a r i , o w n e r a n d founder of BK International, had told the Guyana Chronicle last May that the change which has come to Guyana was well deserving, and couldn’t have come at a better time. At the time of speaking, he’d already pledged to work closely with the David Granger administration.

His company had also provided assistance for the restoration of the 1966 Independence Arch. As he’d said back then, he sees this new government as one he could work with.

“It gives us some encouragement, because I see a better future for the children, where they can come out publicly and do things for their country,” Tiwari had told this newspaper.

President meets with Guyana’s envoys to UK, Canada

President David Granger (centre) is flanked by Mr Hamley Case and Ms Clarissa Riehl

PRESIDENT David Granger met on Tuesday with Mr Hamley Case and Ms Clarissa Riehl who have been appointed to head Guyana’s diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Canada respectively.

Ms Riehl, who departs Guyana for Canada on Friday, April 1, said the Head of State has given clear guidelines of what he expects from this new cadre of diplomats, which essentially is to advance the country’s economic interests internationally, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted.

“This is my first time as a diplomat, but I intend to give this position my

best shot and use my office to help push Guyana in every sense,” Ms Riehl said.

Mr Case, according to the release, is scheduled to arrive in the UK in two weeks, said the concept of economic diplomacy which is lobbied by the President is not new to him. As a member of the private sector, he has always worked to attract foreign direct investments into Guyana.

“I plan to extend on my efforts in terms of contacting and befriending potential investors, trying to increase Guyana’s potential as a good host for investment. This is what I have been doing for myself, and to be doing it for the nation is much more fulfilling and gratifying than just doing it for oneself as a businessman,” Mr Case said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Trump aide charged with assault DONALD Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski has been charged with assaulting a journalist at a campaign event.

Mr Lewandowski is charged with simple battery over his encounter with former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields.

Police allege that on March 8, after a news conference in Florida, he grabbed her arm when she tried to ask Mr Trump a question, leaving a bruise.

Mr Lewandowski plans to plead not guilty, the Trump campaign said.

Police in Jupiter, Florida, where he was arrested, have released new footage

of the alleged assault. The security video appears to show him trying to pull Ms Fields out of the way as she walks alongside Mr Trump and tries to speak to him.

“Mr Lewandowksi is absolutely innocent of this charge,” the Trump statement said. “He is completely confident that he will be exonerated.”

Mr Trump himself has defended Mr Lewandowski on Twitter, saying the police footage shows there was “nothing there”.

The charge comes during a difficult time for Mr Trump, just ahead of next week’s Wisconsin primary, where he is

Trump’s campaign manager Corey Lewandowski

neck-and-neck with Senator Ted Cruz.

Early yesterday, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker endorsed Mr Cruz for president.

Mr Trump was scheduled to participate in a CNN town hall event last night, when all three Republican contenders were slated to face questions.

He is currently well ahead in the Republican race, with 739 delegates to Cruz’s 465.

Ohio Governor John Kasich is some way behind with 143, with the 1,237 needed to win the nomination probably out of his reach. (BBC)

US pulls aid to Tanzania

A US Government aid agency has pulled $472M (£331M) of funding for a Tanzanian electricity project after criticising elections in Zanzibar.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) said the vote “was neither inclusive nor representative.”

The October election for president of the semi-autonomous archipelago was cancelled halfway through the count. The opposition boycotted the re-run in March, which incumbent President Mohamed Ali Shein won with 91% of the vote.

The money was intended to be spent on improving the availability and reliability of electricity in rural areas. This was in addition to $700M the US had given to the Tanzanian Government in 2008 to improve transport, energy and water.

Last year, the Africa Development Bank said that as few as 11% of people in rural Tanzania were connected to electricity; and noted that women were disproportionately affected, as they tended to be responsible for getting household food, fuel and water.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Augustine Mahiga, told the BBC that he was surprised that the MCC had not taken into account the huge strides Tanzania had taken in democracy. It was people in villages with no electricity who would suffer most from their cut in funds, he added.

In the statement announcing the cancellation, the MCC said the Tanzanian Government had gone ahead with the re-run of the election, “despite the repeated concerns of the US Government and the international community.”

The opposition Civic United Front (CUF) said the annulment was because it had won, but the electoral commission said there had been widespread fraud.

The MCC also said Tanzania’s Government had failed to guarantee that the newly passed Cybercrimes Act “would not be used to limit freedom of expression and association, in light of arrests made during the elections.”

One of the people arrested ahead of the election was the CUF’s director of mass communication and public-

ity, Hamad Masoud Hamad, although it is unclear what he was charged with.

The Cybercrimes Act makes spreading lies, sedition and pornographic material Online illegal. Critics say it is intended to silence voices critical of the government and ruling party.

Mr Mahiga said the act was necessary to fight terrorism.

This is a blow to President John Magufuli’s efforts on development, as he was expecting this money to bring electricity to more people.

However, he has used this

as opportunity to criticise foreign aid.

“We need to stand on our own; work hard, so that Tanzanians can get rid of donor dependence,” he told a rally yesterday.

President Magufuli has won praise for his anti-corruption crusade since coming to office in November.

Whenever he talks about this, he points out that Tanzania is capable of running projects without any foreign aid, if only corruption could be eliminated and public funds used for their intended purposes. (BBC)

THE largest party in Brazil’s governing coalition, the PMDB, has voted to pull out of the coalition.

The centrist party is calling for an “immediate exit” from President Dilma Rousseff’s government. The move could hasten impeachment proceedings against President Rousseff, correspondents say.

Opposition lawmakers want to remove Ms Rousseff over claims that she manipulated accounts to hide a growing deficit. The decision comes a day after Tourism Minister Henrique Eduardo Alves from the PMDB, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party,

stood down.

Speaking before the vote, Osmar Terra, a lawmaker from the PMDB, said he had little doubt which way it would go.

“It will be a goodbye to the Government,” he said.

Analysts say a considerable number of lawmakers from the PMDB have, for a while, felt uneasy about their alliance with the left-wing Workers’ Party. Their unease has been compounded by calls for Ms Rousseff’s impeachment and a widening corruption scandal involving senior members in the Workers’ Party.

The president needs onethird of the members of the

lower house of Congress to vote against her impeachment for the proceedings to be shelved. Without the PMDB, she could lose as many as 69 votes at once in the 513-member Chamber of Deputies.

Another of Ms Rousseff’s coalition partners, the centre-left Social Democratic Party (PSD), said it had given its lawmakers a free vote in any possible impeachment proceedings.

moves to impeach her to a coup.

But Lula himself is under pressure. The Supreme Court suspended his appointment as Ms Rousseff’s chief-of-staff earlier this month, and is due to take a final decision on the matter next week.

Opponents of the Government said the president had given Lula the post so he could escape investigation and possible proceedings over allegations of money laundering.

Under Brazilian law, cabinet members can only be investigated by the Supreme Court; not by lower courts.

There have been mass

protests demanding the impeachment of President Rousseff in cities like Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

But there have also been rallies in support of the Government by those who say the president is the victim of a campaign to drive the Workers’ Party from government. (BBC)

Brazil’s PMDB party quits ruling coalition ‘GOODBYE’ At a leadership meeting yesterday, the PMDB decided that its six remaining ministers in President Rousseff’s cabinet must resign, or face ethics proceedings.

The BBC’s Laura Bicker, in Sao Paulo, says President Rousseff could now be temporarily suspended from office by Congress, as early as May. She would be replaced

by Vice-President Michel Temer, leader of the PMDB, while the Senate decides if she should permanently leave her post, the correspondent adds.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Falkland Islands lie in Argentinian waters

ARGENTINA’S Government is celebrating a decision by a UN commission to expand its maritime territory in the South Atlantic Ocean by 35 per cent to include the disputed Falkland Islands and beyond.

The Argentine Foreign Ministry says its waters had increased by 1.7 million square km (0.66 million square miles), and that the decision will be key in its dispute with Britain over the islands.

Argentina lost a brief, bloody war in 1982 with Britain after its troops seized the South Atlantic archipelago that Latin Americans call ‘The Malvinas’.

The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf has sided with Argentina, ratifying the country’s 2009 report fixing the limit of its territory at 200 to 350 miles from its coast, the

UK Guardian reports.

It quotes Argentina’s Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra as saying, “This is a historic occasion for Argentina, because we’ve made a huge leap in the demarcation of the exterior limit of our continental shelf.

“This reaffirms our sovereignty rights over the resources of our continental shelf.”

Oil exploration is already pumping millions of dollars into the Falkland Islands’ economy.

Many islanders remain concerned about Argentina’s claim, as well as the potential for problems from rapid change brought by the new industry.

The UN commission’s finding includes the caveat that there is an unresolved diplomatic dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands.

The Falklands are internally self-governing, but Britain is responsible for their defence and foreign affairs. The British Government says islanders cannot be forced to accept Argentinian sovereignty against their will.

According to the UK Mirror, Downing Street has played down the UN ruling, saying it had not yet been received by Britain, and that “speculation” about what it says “has come from Argentina”.

It quotes the Prime Minister’s official spokeswoman as saying: “At this stage we have yet to receive details of that report.

“It’s important to note this is an advisory committee -- it makes recommendations; they are not legally binding and the commission doesn’t have jurisdiction to consider sovereignty issues.

“What is important is

–– UN commission rules

The Falkland Islands have asked the UK to clarify the meaning of an international commission judgment that would leave the islands surrounded by Argentina’s territorial waters

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, then Argentina’s president, throws flowers in the Beagle Channel, in Ushuaia, Argentina, during 2012’s commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Falklands war. Photograph: Leo la Valle/EPA

‘what do the Falkland Islanders themselves think’?

“They have been very clear that they want to remain an Overseas Territory of the UK and we will continue to support their right to determine their own future.”

The Falkland Islands’ Government said the UN did not make changes in sovereignty in areas where the territory is disputed.

The Guardian reports that the Falkland Islands Government said on Monday it was seeking clarification from the British Government on “what, if any, decisions have been made, and what implications there may be” for the territory in relation to the UN ruling.

“As soon as we have any firm information we will make it available,” Mike Summers, Chairman of the legislative assembly of the Falkland Islands, said in an emailed statement.

“Our understanding has always been that the UN would not make any determination on applications for continental shelf extension in areas where there are competing claims,” Sum-

mers said.

According to the BBC, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf is a group of experts established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but it is not a United Nations’ Commission.

The Commission notes that the islands are the subject of a dispute between the UK and Argentina, who went to war over the group in 1982.

Tuesday marks the anniversary of the ordering of the naval task force to the Falkland Islands by the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

The UK has held the Falklands since 1833, and the vast majority of its 3,000 citizens want the islands to remain a British overseas territory.

Drilling for oil in the territorial waters around the Falklands has been carried out despite opposition from Buenos Aires.

Shares in one of the companies drilling in the region, Rockhopper International, were down nine per cent on Tuesday.

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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

Elimination of racial discrimination

ON March 21st of each year, the United Nations (UN) annually observes International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Racial discrimination continues around the world, for while discrimination exists in various forms, race has always been a major factor that influences this act.

Consequently, countries, within and among themselves, have established policies, programmes and laws, and have agreed to universal declarations, conventions and charters with a view to addressing this problem.

As the world reviews the progress made in addressing the problems that emerge from racial discrimination, the UN Durban Declaration of 2001 is used as the barometer in assessing where the world is, and what progress has been made. The theme this year is “Challenges and Achievements of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action–15 years after.”

This Programme of Action includes the role of government, non-governmental actors, and citizens in putting systems in place to combat racism, prevent racial discrimination, and secure effective remedies, recourse, redress and compensatory measures.

Racial cleavages will always exist, given man’s nature to seek comfort and solace in the community in which he feels secure. For instance, the record will show there are more marriages/unions along racial lines than other diversity. This is not because of hatred for another group, but more about commonalities that can arguably be considered comfort zones and shared value systems. If our local reality were to be examined in the context of the handling of racial issues to bring about equality, it would be accurate to say there remains lots of work to be done.

On becoming an independent country, national holidays were put in place, reflecting the racial and cultural diversity of Africans and Indians primarily, because they were seen as the two major groups and warring factions in search of having a say in the political, economic and social life in society in furtherance of their wellbeing.

Where every nation has limited resources and ours has emerged out of a system of racial discrimination and divide-and-rule policies, a high level of insecurity and mistrust exists.

While systems were put in place to start the appeasement of both groups with a view to bringing them together to work towards theirs and the national good, attention was not lost in seeking to recognise the importance of the smaller groups.

For instance, our Coat of Arms has the Amerindian headdress at its crown. Chinese, Portuguese, European, Indian, Amerindian and African cultural uniqueness, inclusive of religion, names, artefacts, building and food were embodied national policies in shaping the Guyanese identify.

There still exists the need for structures to build on the architecture that has been established at post-independence and the early years. Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution enshrines the right to freedom of

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Merely satisfying a political end Dear Editor, “The fear of the PPP’s cry of witch-hunt by the government has backfired with the LGE results. In what ways did the slow movement towards the prosecution of Jagdeo help the APNU-AFC regime?

PPP supporters went out and voted in a contest in which the PPP got 29,000 more ballots than the Coalition in the total LGE. Did it occur to the Coalition that if Jagdeo was in the court with all the sordid revelations laid bare, then maybe the voters would have been disgusted?

“The longer the Government takes to haul Mr. Jagdeo before the courts, the easier it will become for PPP supporters to think that the regime is bluffing and that they haven’t got evidence against Jagdeo and that they are trying to intimidate the PPP. It is possible that kind of thinking was a factor in the LGE results?

In most countries of the world, charges would have been laid against

Jagdeo in the Pradoville 2 scandal. What is the Government waiting for?

After ten months in power, the evidence is still not there? Now a new twist has entered the radio licence scam.”

The above is an extract from Freddie Kissoon’s column in Tuesday’s (yesterday) on-line edition of the Kaieteur News, headlined ‘Charge Jagdeo with abuse of power’.

This is yet another call for the Government to pursue legal action to satisfy a political end. Why should bringing charges have anything to do with elections’ results? Many of these calls have come from political scientists, who have never yet produced a single job for any Guyanese, but who wax poetic about their concern for the plight of the poor.

How can these “opinion sharers” be allowed to continue publicly encouraging the Government to pursue legal action against persons in pursuit of political support, rather than on the basis of strong evidence and sound legal

advice?

Let me make it clear: Those for whom there is solid evidence of corruption must be made to face the law. But it is not for a few political scientists to decide on the evidence and the timing of charges, if any are to be brought.

That is for the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide on.

In fact, political operatives, including elected officials in Government, should, and must, have no say in who gets charged and when. Rather than wax poetic continuously about charging “this and that body”, these opinion sharers should focus some attention on how the Guyana economy can be improved; how we can create jobs for our young people, provide training in new and relevant skills for our workforce, attract investment and bring modern and appropriate technology to the country.

I am also tired of reading in the press what are apparently leaked reports of the findings of various audit reports, CoIs

and SOCU and SARU investigations. The President needs to bring the hammer down on those suspected of leaking these reports to the media. It makes a mockery of the Government when you read in the press that a vice president says he learnt of the appointment of a business advisor to Government by reading it in the press a day or two after that same advisor was named among persons who may have illegally and profitably disposed of land acquired from the former Government for housing development.

I am tired of all these leaked media reports of findings of wrongdoing. The only announcements there should be are those that inform that “today the DPP has advised that charges be brought against X, Y and Z for A, B and C.” Any reports of findings should be of jobs for our young people.

Regards, WESLEY KIRTON

The NIS search for investment opportunities Dear Editor, I READ in the K/ News of Sunday, March 27th, on page 9, that the N.I.S, as an entity, is looking for prospective investment opportunities.

Please advise if this closing date of April 8th is correct, and whether this NIS search for investment opportunities has been advertised before, as it would not be pos-

association. In the eliminating of discrimination based on the grounds of race, which Article 149 guarantees protection, it is evident that racial association is honoured, acknowledged and respected. Ipso facto, one does not have to give up identity or association with his group - political, religious, etc. - in order to ensure equitable benefits of the national patrimony and protection under the constitution.

Of concern is that the society is yet to move towards establishment of laws to strengthen, deepen and protect what the Constitution has set out. Though the Constitution makes provisions for the establishment of Human Rights Commission, Ethnic Relations Commission and Indigenous Rights Commission, their physical existence and laws to guide their business and authority are absent.

In such an environment it is far from enough to bring an end to racial discrimination when the society is still relying on the institutionalisation of efforts to forge racial equality in the immediate post-independent period.

The nation has to move beyond marking these landmarks, though significant, as ultimate

sible for any serious potential source to prepare papers of this magnitude in 8 working days.

Regards, ROY BEEPAT

Chairman Giftland Group Plantation Pattensen,Turkeyen Georgetown, Guyana.

Tel: 592- 222-7334 to 50 Ext 110

achievements when in fact they represent the foundation to build on. The racial and cultural holidays celebrated today were achieved in that era. Beyond these, there is an absence laws to protect issues burning to racial groups, such as addressing ancestral land rights in the African and Amerindian communities, equal opportunity laws on access and allocation of resources, and addressing claims of discrimination in jobs and economic opportunities among racial groups.

The Durban Declaration must work for Guyanese.

Fifteen years has gone, and Guyana has not moved any distance. This nation, given our divided history, should not be proud of its inaction. Given that the Constitution enshrines principles of racial equality, the nation needs to move beyond mouthing racial unity and equality and holding expectation that such can be achieved through superficial appeals and means which are not grounded in universal respect for diversity and freedom of association.

There must be concerted movement to strengthen and deepen the immediate post-independence achievements through laws buttressed by actions.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Prioritise trial of sexual offences cases Dear Editor, WE, the undersigned, call on the President, the Ministers of Public Security, the Sexual Violence Unit of the Ministry of Social Protection, the Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, the Chancellor of the Judiciary, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director of the Childcare & Protection Agency to ensure that, in addressing the huge backlog of court cases, priority is given to the large number of children and adolescent survivors of sexual offences, who frequently spend up to 7 years awaiting trial of the perpetrators.

We call on those responsible to immediately do the following: * Release the number of pending child sexual offences cases that fall under the old legislation governing sexual offences * Release the number of pending child sexual offences cases that fall under the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) of 2010 * Release the number of child sexual offence reports received by the Police Force for investigation since enactment of the SOA

* Release the number of child sexual offences’ cases in which charges have been instituted by the police after investigation since enactment of the SOA * Release the number of SOA cases that have been taken to court * Release the number of SOA cases that have been taken to court that have resulted in convictions.

While we welcome the CoI investigation into the deaths of 17 inmates of the Georgetown prison, we feel that the entire justice system, including access to justice, is broken and favours the wealthy; the well-connected, politically and otherwise; and those in positions of power and authority over the least powerful and most vulnerable, such as child sexual offences’ complainants who are usually the last to be afforded any priority in this system.

Since rape and all other sexual offences are bailable, the majority of offenders tend to be at liberty, rather than on remand.

If the APNU+AFC government is serious and genuine about freedom of information, the figures called for above must be released.

Farmers up in arms

––as Bosai oil spills continue

By Vanessa Braithwaite FARMERS in riverine communities up the Demerara River in Region 10 are calling on the relevant authorities to have the issue of oil spills in the river, creeks and waterways dealt with promptly, as they are losing their livelihood to this environmental hazard.

The oil, allegedly coming from Bosai’s Kiln 14, is polluting the waterways that residents depend on for domestic purposes and, most importantly, for farming.

One farmer who identified himself as Rambarrat said complaints were made to the Bosai officials several times in the past, but the matter has been dealt with casually, even though he has lost thousands of dollars in crops.

“This here is a normal thing, like every three months it does happen. Early last year I had this problem, and when Bosai authorities decide to come was like two weeks after, and the damage already done and I already plant back,” he revealed.

After noticing the oil in the river, Rambarrat travelled on Tuesday from Dalawala, six miles up the Demerara River, to seek the intervention of Regional Chairman Renis Morian. He described the situation as “sickening”, as the residents use the water

to wash, bath, and undertake other domestic purposes. As a farmer, Rambarrat said, he is seriously affected, especially during this dry weather, when water sources are already limited.

Regional Chairman Morian has said he is “fed up” with Bosai’s environmental

holding them guilty for that,” the Regional Chairman said.

He also told this publication that Government needs to be more robust in handling environmental health issues, as these matters were brought to the attention of the Ministry of Natural Resources on several occasions.

A section of the waterway at Constabulary Compound shows pollution by the oil spill practices, as several complaints from his office were made to the company but the situation remains the same.

“We now nurturing agriculture from a small level, and the water that the people dipping from the pan full of oil. Bosai supposed to compensate the farmers, or to do a cleanup exercise, and I am

That Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie, when contacted on Tuesday, said a team from the Environmental Protection Agency will journey to Linden today to investigate the matter.

Efforts to reach Bosai’s Public Relations Officer proved futile.

If none of the above ministries or agencies is able to supply this information, then systems must immediately be put in place for them to be able to do so.

We know this information is on record, is essential to the APNU+AFC government fulfilling its commitment to ensure that the SOA is fully implemented, and is critical to an assessment of the justice system in relation to child sexual offences.

Finally, we remind the APNU+AFC government that it is in violation of the Sexual Offences Act for having failed to convene the Sexual Offences Inter-Agency Task Force, which is mandated by the Act to develop and

implement a national plan for the prevention of sexual violenc.

Child survivors of sexual offences have already waited 11 months for the government to make good on its commitments.

How much longer must they and future child survivors have to wait?

DANUTA RADZIK & JOSEPHINE WHITEHEAD for Help & Shelter KAREN DE SOUZA & WINTRESS WHITE for Red Thread PAT SHEERATTAN & RENUKA ANANDJIT for Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association

RESURRECTION TIME! Dear Editor, I WAS happy to see, in a letter in the Stabroek News of March 25, entitled: ‘Amerindians were not the first people on the continent’, that this discussion is finally gaining currency.

However, my interest is not only that the case authenticating the presence of Africans being here before Amerindians should be made; I’m not interested in playing takedown, one-up games. For me, it’s all about the illumination of the true facts of my history (utilizing all documented evidence available), proving I’m not just the descendant of enslaved Africans…brought here by force;

my DNA is that of a questing, adventuresome people who arrived on these shores before Amerindians, Columbus, or the slave trade.

It’s a matter of self-esteem and pride that these buried facts of my/our Guyanese history should be resurrected and specifically pursued with determination and passion; especially in this United Nations-designated ‘DECADE FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT 2015-2025’.

JOAN CAMBRIDGE Member, George G.M. James Institute.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

The culture of domestic violence

By Akola Thompson

CLOSE to two years ago, on my way home after late university classes, I was robbed and beaten. My shouts for help were loud, and the next morning, when my cousin went around to the different houses on the street, we realised that those shouts could have been heard very far away.

Despite that, no one came to my aid, and it was only after the robber had grabbed my bag and run to his waiting vehicle that anyone come out. There are very few things that could amuse me when I am upset, even moreso if I am hurt and drenched in blood and dirt. That night however, through the pain of my busted lip and broken tooth, a smile inadvertently escaped me as the first question I was asked by a woman who ran out with a bucket of water to rinse the blood off

asked, “Is you boyfriend? Y’all getting problems?”

While I have been aware of inter-spousal abuse all my life -- as neighbours and even irate visiting family members were not very quiet -- the question made me realize that domestic violence has become extremely normalized in our society.

The women who had run out to me afterwards were perfectly content to have let the matter go had it been a case of spousal abuse, but as soon as I said “thief”, everyone sped into action. The police were called, men were sent out on their bicycles to see if they could spot the offending vehicle, and I was escorted home by a throng of women. God bless those caring souls.

The police did not come; so, accompanied by my cousin, I caught a cab and went to the nearest station, which was at

La Grange. There, I was flippantly told to write what was stolen from me in a ledger book, and was asked at least twice by a drowsy officer whether I knew the person. In all honesty I did not, but the officer seemed to believe I did, and that was the end of the case. No follow-ups were made, I was not asked for specifics, nothing. To them, it was a simple case of either spousal abuse or revenge abuse for breaking up with a spouse.

Women and men become so accustomed to being abused that they not only protect their abusers when it comes time for them to be charged, but they blame other women who are abused for being responsible for their abuse. That experience was a strong eye-opener for me, because it made me realize that very few legitimately care about domestic abuse; and instead, its perpetrators are protected, and even idealized.

I was recently sent a link to a Facebook page in which the wife of a popular Trinidadian auto dealer had hacked his account and uploaded several photos of injuries she sustained from beatings.

While the photos were gruesome and disturbing, spanning several months and years, some of the comments were even more disturbing.

While some applauded her for her strength in finally leaving her husband and exposing him, others wondered why she would do such a thing to a respected man; and some even wondered why she was trying to bring down her race (she is Indian). Unfortunately, I believe that Guyana is full of people who are usually on the side of the abusers, and not the victims.

Growing up in a rural village in Berbice, I know too well of communities which view outsiders and anyone speaking to outsiders as untrustworthy. Elders, who have been conditioned to believe that that is just the way relationships work, further condition their children to believe same, and the cycle continues. Girls are taught to be dependent on men, which further cements their doom, as lack of financial stability causes many women to stay with their abusers.

These communities, which are largely patriarchal, have developed an unspoken haven for abusers, so much so that even the abused begin blaming themselves for the punishments meted out to them.

Too often, society chooses to blame the victims for staying, rather than blaming themselves for encouraging such behaviours.

Having once been a victim of domestic abuse, I have seen both covert and overt perpetuation of domestic violence from my friends, family members and my partner’s family. I am not usually one to write personal bits about myself, but when I do, it’s because I don’t believe I have the right to keep my experiences away from others who may benefit from them in some small way or the other.

I became a mother at 16, during which time I lived with my then boyfriend and his family. Often, abuse starts in the smallest of ways, and continuously escalates as the offenders become more emboldened. In my case, it first started as verbal abuse, but quickly escalated.

Various forms of abuse would often be meted out to me in the presence of his family members, who would never utter a word of reprimand, but would later tell me to try not to anger him.

At the time, I was a high school dropout who felt as if she had no other option. It was not until a belt was wrapped around my throat in an effort to strangle me that I realised it was either I leave or become a casualty of domestic violence.

I left, and refused to return despite encouragements from both my family and his. Sometimes even a young person knows what is best for him/her self.

Shortly after, I re-enrolled into high school, successfully completed it, and then enrolled into University, where I am now in my second year.

Domestic abuse needs to be dragged out from under the blankets of ‘family matters’, and be criticized by the public so that its transgressors can be punished.

I wrote in a recent column that we, as a race, do not really hate rapists; what we hate is the idea of them. I have come to think the same of abusers also.

In order to effectively tackle domestic violence, I believe that the cycle of impunity must be broken and a ‘zero-tolerance’ stamp placed on domestic violence. Do not be swayed by partners suffering from battered wife syndrome, stating that they have forgiven their wrongdoers. Remaining stoic in the face of such forgiveness can often be a matter of life and death.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

surviving cancer

in GT

Just another thread ––in a magnificent, maleficent web of mystique

TODAY we begin a series called “Surviving Cancer”. This weekly feature will chronicle the experiences of a breast cancer survivor who has volunteered to share her story with the public.

While her identity would not be revealed, the writer will give a candid account of what it’s like living with breast cancer, as well as a word of advice to those who have been diagnosed with the disease. The writer is an alumnus of The Bishops’ High School, and holds a BSc in International Relations from the University of Guyana.

THIS is not the kind of journey one hopes to make ever in one’s lifetime, but it’s said that sometimes we choose the battles, and sometimes the battles choose us.

So here I am, a chosen one; not hand selected like Harry or Neo, but chosen to join some 1,074 brave women living with Breast Cancer in Guyana.

My story is just another thread in the magnificent and maleficent web woven by cancer globally, and yet I hope that sharing my experiences, tiny in the general sphere of things but tremendous to one person, will help others diagnosed with cancer and their families find strength in our shared struggle, and to remind everyone that cancer may be a minute away from affecting you (or someone you love) if you are not proactively making healthy choices.

STRICTLY ACADEMIC I’m not trying to give anyone medical advice; any medical information shared is strictly for your academic knowledge, and is only meant to educate rather than instruct; to be used for reference when discussing your own situation with your doctor, as each woman is different, and no two cancer cases may be alike.

I hope that in sharing my experiences I can make someone else’s journey a bit smoother.

It’s no secret that I have breast cancer. I have a wonderful support group of family and friends, but it’s not important to know my name. It could be Mary, it could be Jane. It could be Bibi; it could be your mom, your aunt, your sister. It could be any one; it could even be you, because if there’s one thing about breast cancer, it is that IT DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. I am not married. I do not have children. I haven’t even hit the ‘dirty thirties’.

So, when in 2014 I felt a marble-sized lump in my right breast, I visited a Cuban doctor and was diagnosed as having a “Fibroadenoma”.

JUST A CYST She advised me that it was nothing to worry about, unless it became painful or grew larger; that I shouldn’t be alarmed, as it was a very common cyst

among women in my age group (I was 27 at time).

Whew! Sounds great to me! Thanks Doc! But of course you know I rushed home to Google that Fibro-ad-some word.

Note: So says the person who can say supercalifragilisticexpialidoshious without missing a beat, but is reduced to spittle to this day when saying Fibroadenoma.

The following is taken from a few online medical dictionaries, and should give you an idea why I was not alarmed by the cyst, and why I didn’t get a second opinion, which I should have done.

Remember: Question EVERYTHING, and ALWAYS get a second opinion: 1: Fibroadenomas are benign breast tumors commonly found in young women.

Fibroadenoma means “a tumor composed of glandular (related to gland) and fibrous (containing fibers) tissues.”

2: Breast fibroadenomas, abnormal growths of glandular and fibrous tissues, are most common between the ages of 15 and 30, and are found in 10% of all women (20% of African-American women).

They are found rarely in post-menopausal women. I would share Guyana’s ‘stats’, but currently, there is no research available.

3: Described as feeling like marbles, these firm, round, movable, and “rubbery” lumps range from 1-5 cm in size.

Giant fibroadenomas are larger, lemon-sized lumps. Usually single, from 1015% of women have more than one.

4: While some types of breast lumps come and go during the menstrual cycle, fibroadenomas typically do not disappear after a woman’s period, and should be checked by a doctor.

CAUSE UNKNOWN The cause of breast fibroadenomas is unknown. They may be dependent upon estrogen, because they are common in premenopausal women; can be found in postmenopausal women taking estrogen; and because they grow larger in pregnant women.

Fibroadenomas usually cause no symptoms, and may be discovered during breast self-examination or during a routine check-up.

The doctor asked me when I discovered the lump, and about my family histo-

ry. I had found the lump about two months before visiting her, and my genealogical information wasn’t too helpful in painting a better picture of what I should expect medically.

I did an ultra-sound at the St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, but here are a few of the diagnostic tests that your doctor may ask for: • Mammogram: An x-ray examination of the breast.

• Ultrasound scan: A technique that uses sound waves to display a two-dimensional image of the breast, showing whether a lump is solid or fluid-filled (cystic).

• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: A minor procedure wherein fluid or cells are drawn out of the lump through a small needle (aspirated).

• Core biopsy: A procedure wherein a larger piece of tissue is withdrawn from the lump through a larger needle.

• Incisional biopsy: A surgical procedure wherein a piece of the lump is removed through a cut (incision).

• Excisional biopsy: A surgical procedure wherein the entire lump is removed through a cut (incision).

TREATMENT Fibroadenomas are removed by lumpectomy or surgical excision under local or general anesthesia. Surgery is generally recommended for women over 30 and for lumps that are painful or enlarging.

Alternative treatments include a low-fat, high-fibre vegetarian-type diet; a reduction in caffeine intake; supplementation with evening primrose oil, flax oil, or fish oil and Vitamins E & C; and the application of hot compresses to the breast.

In addition, a focus on liver cleansing is important to assist the body in the conjugation and elimination of excess estrogen. Botanical remedies can be useful in hormone balancing, as can acupuncture and homeopathy.

DEALING WITH NIS The National Insurance Scheme’s medical plan covers some of the costs of diagnosing and treating fibroadenonmas/cysts. It is important to distinguish between medical benefits and sickness benefits if you are not seeking both.

Sickness, as I understand it, refers

to the days that you missed work due to being ill, and as such you are compensated for days missed (if eligible by NIS).

Medical, on the other hand, refers to the costs of your care (doctor’s fees, exams, medications), as long as you have enough contributions in the system.

My claim at one time was held up for processing because the Scheme thought I was asking for a sickness benefit (I was unemployed at the time), when I was only trying to get reimbursement on my medical bills. So it is important that you state specifically which benefit you are seeking, or alas! Your claim may be in processing for a few months (as was mine) because of such technicalities.

Here’s a tip: Always take the name of the officers with whom you speak should you have a query, so that the next time you call, that officer would have been familiar with your situation. This, in itself, will save you lots of grief from having to repeat yourself over and over and over again.

I generally do this everywhere that I call for information, because I think when people know their names are at stake, there is some amount of accountability to provide you with the correct information that may not have been there before.

LOOKING BACK In retrospect, I would have done a few things differently: I would have gotten a second opinion and/or a fine-needle aspiration biopsy to determine it was indeed just fibroadenonoma.

But given my age, what else could it be? I relaxed and continued on with my normal life in GT. I attended my 8-4 job daily; had bacon-filled sandwiches for breakfast; a ‘dutty chiney’ for lunch; frozen margaritas on Fridays; and, like the conspiracy theories I’m often fascinated by, my own DNA was conspiring against me.

It was mutating a gene fault rapidly, multiple times, replicating this code throughout my blood.

And I slowly sauntered over to help my friends set up tents for our outdoor excursions, clueless that a war had been declared on my body. **To be continued next week.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Soldier executed in Albouystown A GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal was killed execution-style in front of his Sussex Street, Charlestown residence on Tuesday by gunmen.

Dead is Kevon Payne of Lot 36 Sussex Street, Charlestown. The father of two is said to be in his early 20s.

According to reports, at about 21:00h on Tuesday, two gunmen opened fire on Payne in the presence of his family, shortly after he had returned home from duty.

When Guyana Chronicle arrived on the scene, scores of residents had swarmed the street as they expressed anger over the shooting. There was also a high police presence, with ranks keeping a close watch on the many spent shells that were scattered all over the scene of the crime. Payne’s brother, Vellon Thorne, told Guyana Chronicle that he was with his brother at the time of the shooting. “We were sitting

in front of the house, two guys came up on a motorcycle and start shooting at my brother,” he recalled. According to him, it was not long after a vanload of police ranks arrived on the scene. “The police pull up in a split second and start a shooting too, along with the guys them on the bike,” Thorne alleges.

He said he is very familiar with one of the policemen.

Meanwhile, Thorne and other residents are alleging that police ranks had aided the gunmen. Thorne, like many of the other family members and residents who were around at the time, managed to escape unharmed. The enraged young man spoke openly about the shooting, and went into a fit of rage when he raised his head and noticed one of the policemen whom he alleged shot his brother. “Look the man who killed my brother!” he screamed as he advanced towards the rank. It was not long before the accused rank was

One of the spent shells on the scene of the Sussex Street shooting

Being comforted by a close family, Payne’s mother Evette (only name given) holds her granddaughter close to her heart as she weeps uncontrollably

surrounded by fuming friends and relatives who cried murder.

The rank was escorted off the scene after seeking advice.

Payne’s aunt, Pauline Paris, who wept bitterly on the scene, said she not only witnessed the shooting, but after running to safety, was able to see the licence plate of the vehicle the alleged killers were in. “When the police started to ring out the

heavy bullets, I had to run,” the woman said. Payne’s mother was too distressed to speak to Guyana Chronicle.

The Guyana Police Force is, however, maintaining that ranks were in close proximity when they heard gunshots and quickly responded. But there they were met with resistance and the shooters managed to escape.

East Canje teen shot while resisting cops EAST Canje, Berbice teen Malcolm Henry was on Tuesday night shot by a police after he allegedly resisted lawmen who were carrying out a search on his person.

The 18-year-old, of Lot 319 Welfare Street, Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, was allegedly with his mother, Roxanne Prince, on their bridge when the lawmen pulled up in a vehicle.

They approached Henry, whom his mother said refused to allow them to

search his pockets.

“They carry he to their vehicle and put his hands in the air. They then search him; but when the one police go to put his hand in his pocket, he tell them that they can’t do that,” Prince related.

Prince alleges that police have been targeting her son for some time now. She contends that some 13 charges were stacked against him last year, but they were all dismissed for the lack of evidence.

Most hotels fully booked for Independence celebrations ADVERTISEMENTS for the Bedand-Breakfast programme will continue, as more lodgings are needed for visitors.

Director General of the Department of Tourism, Donald Sinclair, during an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), said that most hotel rooms are already reserved for May for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations.

Sinclair said that the advertisements will encourage property owners who are interested in using parts of their properties for Bed-and-Breakfast (B&B) purposes to register with the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority.

“More persons will be registering.

In fact, all week they’ve been calling

the Department of Tourism, calling the Tourism Authority, to find out how they can become registered with the Bed-and-Breakfast programme,” Sinclair said.

According to Sinclair, the Guyana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism have been inspecting potential B&B properties, and what they are seeing is very encouraging. He said some property owners have done quite a lot to ensure that their properties comply with the standards required.

The B&B programme is aimed at creating accommodation for visitors during the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations. A large influx of visitors is expected for the 50th Jubilee Festival, which will commence on May 19 and end on May 22.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

British naval vessel to assist GDF Coast Guard

By Michel Outridge

THE British naval vessel, the HMS Mersey, docked in Port Georgetown yesterday morning as part of its continued efforts to engage with nations throughout the Caribbean and South America and to support UK overseas territories.

Members of the ship’s company will conduct training with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard to improve understanding of each other’s capabilities.

Mersey will host an evening reception, tours for local dignitaries and several sailors will proceed ashore on a community outreach project, while also paying their respects at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves.

The visit will culminate in a sunset ceremony at the British High Commissioner’s residence.

The Commanding Officer of HMS Mersey, Lt Cdr Richard Hewitt said, “It is an honour to be the first Royal Navy ship to come alongside here in 20 years and I am looking forward to the opportunity for my

sailors to work with the Guyana Coast Guard.

I hope the visit establishes new links between the Royal Navy and Guyana.”

The Commanding Officer told reporters during a brief interview that they are in Guyana to exchange information with the GDF Coast Guard and conduct exercises along with training of local Coast Guardsmen.

Commander Hewitt stated that the HMS Mersey and the Guyana Coast Guard Essequibo will manoeuver in close proximity to assess how they operate locally.

COUNTER-NARCOTICS As it relates to Guyana’s plan to buy additional Coast Guard vessels, Hewitt said his team could share its experiences with local counterparts. Meanwhile, the team will also participate in counter- narcotics exercises during the four-day visit.

According to Hewitt, his team has been successful thus far in its patrol of the Caribbean as it relates to countering narcotics.

Mersey left the UK in early January and will be deployed on Atlantic Patrol Task (North) until July. The ship will provide security and

The British Royal Navy’s HMS Mersey berthed in Port Georgetown (Photos by Cullen Bess-Nelson)

British High Commissioner to Guyana James Gregory Quinn flanked by the ship’s crew including Lt Cdr Richard Hewitt yesterday assurance to the UK’s overseas territories in the Caribbean, visiting all six during its time in the region.

The British Royal Navy patrol vessel will also reinforce trade links with Central America and reaffirm relationships with foreign partners, including the Mexican Navy.

The ship will also conduct counter-narcotics patrols with a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment team embarked for board-

ing operations.

Throughout the deployment Mersey will be on standby to assist with disaster relief operations, carrying emergency relief stores, including food and water. Among her 48-member crew are a doctor and medical team.

The ship can make ten tonnes of fresh water per day and is also able to carry shipping containers of aid and equipment if required, using her own cranes.

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‘Women of Kaieteur’ on empowerment mission

By Shirley Thomas

A GLOBAL empowerment network which seeks to get Guyanese women around the world together to boost employment and enterprise will be officially launched at Herdmanston House on Thursday at 18:15 hrs.

Registered under the name “Women of Kaieteur”, this initiative, born of the need to do more to progress gender equality in Guyana, was engineered by a group of successful Guyanese women, with the involvement of men now living abroad who would have made their mark as professionals of substance.

The initiative was birthed about one year ago when a few passionate Guyanese

women and men living in the United Kingdom started a series of conversations aimed at developing a vehicle to effect change in Guyana and beyond.

The organization, “Women of Kaieteur”, will be launched by change agents Ms Roianne Nedd, Chairperson, who resides in the United Kingdom; and Board Member Ms Amanda Wilson, currently living in Switzerland. They are both in Guyana for this purpose.

Nedd is a Chartered Accountant and Gender Specialist with the UK Government.

She has been involved in Gender Policy for the last 10 years. She currently works with one of the Prince of Wales’ Charities on Gender.

Amanda Wilson is a young and tenacious documentary film-maker with strong Guyanese roots. She is among the new breed of independent film-makers seeking to inspire and inform their audiences by recording the cultural memories and legends of the Caribbean before those stories fade into obscurity.

Now living in Switzerland, Amanda is the last of three children raised in Georgetown, Guyana. She has travelled the world as a print and TV journalist, having started out as a reporter at the Guyana Chronicle, completed a short stint in the Virgin Islands, and has worked for radio, magazines, newspa-

pers and television stations across the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa as an intrepid journalist, presenter, director, producer and editor.

A former Media Director for a UK media firm, with media associates including BBC, UK’s Channel 4 News, Sky News and Mail on Sunday newspaper, Amanda has spent much time in Africa as the editor of the bilingual (English and Spanish) newsmagazine Ceiba, which focused on developments in Central Africa and how decisions in the West impact the continent’s progress.

Amanda has also produced political and financial stories on African leaders, including Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe; Nigeria’s post controversial military President Ibrahim Babangida; and Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang. She now heads her own London-based media company, Green Mango Media.

Commenting on the objective of “Women of Kaieteur”, Chairperson Roianne Nedd said: “We want to create and build networks with Guyanese women across the globe, encouraging them to share their skills and experiences to positively impact and unlock the potential of women and girls in Guyana.

“We are aware of some of

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

From left: Chairperson of “Women of Kaieteur”, Ms Roianne Nedd, and Board Member Amanda Wilson.

At centre is Roianne’s daughter, Christianna Nedd the issues in Guyana, such as gender disparities, domestic violence, depression, suicide -- that all impact women negatively.”

To this end, she said, the network is of the view that improved opportunities and outcomes for women have a positive impact on the economy and society as a whole.

“We believe that it isn’t just about the women. Therefore, we want to collaborate with and educate men about the importance of gender equality,” she said.

Meanwhile, Wilson, who sees the need for establishing a database that will give specifics on frequency of incidents that bedevil rela-

tionships, such as domestic violence, murder and rape of women, and suicide, said the network would also like to work with Government in this regard.

“We launch with a very clear concept that women are disadvantaged, and we want to collectively address that. We want to say it is time that we put data out there and try to drive policy change,” Wilson affirmed.

A special item on Thursday’s programme will be the honouring of women on whom will be conferred the “Women’s Empowerment Awards” in observance of Women’s History Month, which ends on March 31.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Security reform back on …UK group conducting needs assessment before SSRP roll out

A GROUP from the United Kingdom is currently conducting a needs assessment survey to help craft recommendations to advance a British-funded security sector reform plan, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said.

In an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Ramjattan said the Security Sector Reform Action Plan (SSRP) is being advanced. He said following a meeting between President David Granger and Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron, an agreement was reached for the programme to finally go ahead.

The minister said that because of objections raised by the previous PPP/C Government, the programme was shelved. “It would appear that the Government of Britain wants that thing to go on now, because they see in the new administration a different approach,” Ramjattan told GINA. He added that a new as-

sessment of needs will be undertaken, as the programme was due to be initiated some eight years ago. The needs assessment is being undertaken by the Olive Group, which has been contracted by the UK Government.

Ramjattan explained that interviews have already been conducted with him, several other ministers and officials in the sector, including the Police Commissioner, Prison authorities, and key Judiciary members.

“They have even asked how we can have a better parole system,” Ramjattan said. He said the process is to be completed soon and the Olive Group will advise on how the money allocated by the UK over the five-year duration, 2017 to 2022, should be spent.

British High Commissioner Gregg Quinn had told reporters here last year that steps are underway to ensure that the programme is revived, but he could not state the amount of money to be

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan allocated to the programme.

Funding for the project in the past had come from the Department for International Development (DFID).

The US$4.7B project was scrapped in 2009 after the British Government had requested to have oversight of the programme to ensure that there was ‘value for money’.

The former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)

Administration had disagreed with the manner in which the British Government had wanted the programme to be run, and had stated that the British had sought to intrude upon Guyana’s sovereignty.

In its defence, the British Government had said the Guyana Government had submitted a different proposal, which had focused on police modernisation rather than holistic approach to reform, as originally requested.

The British had proposed to build a workable basis for improving national security while reducing crime in Guyana by 2011. As a result, the British Government proposed the putting together of a national security plan with the aim of increasing public confidence.

Notwithstanding the many challenges faced during that period, Quinn is optimistic that the project would get off the ground. The Guyana Government has said it has interest in the recommencement of the Security Reform Programme.

Meanwhile, Ramjattan said: “The Security Sector Reform Action Plan is welcomed by the Government.

We would really love to have that kind of support from the British, and we know that we are getting support from others, such as the Americans, the European Union, and Canada through the Justice Education Society -- training our police men and women and so on.”

The UK security reform plan had sought to build

the operational capacity of the Police Force in terms of a uniformed response to serious crime, as well as augment forensics, crime intelligence and traffic policing capabilities. The plan had also sought to strengthen policy-making across the security sector to make it more transparent, effective and better coordinated.

Bringing financial management in the security sector under the umbrella of public sector financial management reform, creating substantial parliamentary and other oversight of the security sector, and building greater public participation and inclusiveness on security sector issues were the other components of the plan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Gouveia: Medivac’s a manageable risk ––not a reckless operation

By Shauna Jemmott

MEDICAL evacuation (Medivac) takes passion, determination, selflessness and a deep love; a willingness to risk it all.

When a man is most comfortable resting in his bed, and is called out to help a stranger hundreds of miles away, it takes sacrifice to get up. In the midst of getting out, he is walking out on everything he has worked to build and walking into the unknown, unsure of a safe return.

Captain Gerry Gouveia and a fleet of pilots with the Roraima Air Services brand take the risk as often as they receive the call to save a

life in the distant hinterland, which lacks adequate access to medical care.

But as much as living for them is necessary, the former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) captain and current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roraima Group of Companies said he has learnt, long ago as a member of the disbanded Guyana National Service (GNS), that it is vital to “put country before self.”

“When I went into National Service, they promised me…. They said that this National Service is going to evolve the new Guyana man; this National Service is going to make people put country before self… And I would say National Service

succeeded….

“Throughout my life, my whole philosophy is to give back. Every time we save a person’s life, the normal satisfaction we get from doing it is amazing,” Gouveia told the Guyana Chronicle in an interview.

The GDF taught him everything in medivac operations, he says, and while he was the last of such pilots in the 1980s, he resigned and started private operations, establishing Roraima.

The company’s name has become an inscription into the Ministry of Health’s medivac programme, and into the life stories of thousands saved just “in the nick of time”,

FLASHBACK: A medevac operation spearheaded by Roraima Airways and the Ministry of Health back in 2013. The mission was to bring a teenager who’d been bitten by a venemous snake from Kamarang to the city to seek urgent medical attention as Gouveia puts it.

CONCERNS “Our search and rescue system is so bad that, if something does happen to our planes, we know that we are also in difficult time because the ability to respond…and get through it if you survive is so limited.

They don’t have the kind of helicopters to come and get you if something goes wrong… They need to get the search and rescue system up and running. We need to get security for our runways, both physical security and fencing…the government needs to be able to appoint an airport or an airstrip manager on every runway,” Captain Gouveia said.

While he praised gov-

ernment for installing solar-powered lights on some runways, he is recommending that all of the hinterland runways should receive such lightings, in order to improve the medivac rescue system.

FLAMBEAU CHALLENGE Runways in the hinterland were, for decades, being lit by flambeau lamps, as the team collaborated with the villages in creating an illuminated landing atmosphere. Twenty of the lamps were placed on each side of the runway to guide pilots. It still happens, and it is challenging!

Gouveia told Guyana Chronicle, “Sometimes you get overhead and you see See page 15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Gouveia: Medivac ...

From page 14 the flickering of these flambeau and then it rains and then the flambeau are all extinguished in the middle of the rain; or you line up to land on final approach and then it starts to rain and it outs the flambeau.”

At this time the pilot’s skills are put to the test, and “either you bite your lips and you keep the aircraft in a straight line, or you remember where you were going,” he said. Or the plane has to turn around and depart without a successful attempt to land.

WE ALWAYS TRY “In the military we did this, and we had a philosophy in the military that it did not matter if we landed or not.

The objective is to land, but what is more important is that the people all across Guyana must have the confidence that if they have a problem and they call, we will respond; and you will hear the plane overhead. We must never be in a position where people would call and we say that we’re not going. If we come overhead and we can’t land, they will know that we tried,” Gouveia pointed out.

He said that though many aircraft operators may not want to risk their airplanes, the risk for Roraima is a manageable one.

“You have the pilots with the skills and ability to do it, and an operator that is prepared to risk his plane… It’s a manageable risk; it’s not a reckless operation. A lot of operators don’t wanna risk (their) plane and pilot.”

MORE EQUIPMENT According to him, more navigational equipment is needed in Guyana. Before the advent of the GPS, he said, “We had to fly by two procedures. One is called “dead reckoning” and the other one is called “pilotage”. It required pointing the airplanes in the right direction and doing your calculations with speed, distance and time.

And when approaching particular areas, pilots had to use their knowledge of the location of villages and heights of the mountains.

Participating in a medical mission is dangerous, with pilots exercising bravery and excellence in skill, he concluded.

Wednesday March 30th, 2016 - 09:00 hrs Thursday March 31th, 2016 - 10:30 hrs

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Regional commanders coming

THE Guyana Police Force could undergo major transformation with a proposal to move from divisional to regional commanders, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said.

Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Ramjattan, also Second Vice-President, cited the example of Division F, whose commander he said is responsible for regions One, Eight and Nine. According to

Ramjattan, the changes being considered would see that commander being responsible for only one region.

“Each region will have a police division. We’ll have a commander for each of those regions, which is going to be synchronised with divisions,” Ramjattan explained.

The exception, the minister said, may be Region Four, which he said is so large that it may need two divisions. “Though we have ten regions, we’ll have elev-

en police divisions, Region 4 being divided into two divisions…. For example, when they go to Lethem, there would be a commander in that region to take care of all the problems, security-wise, in that region,” Ramjattan was quoted by GINA as saying.

He said the commander for the regions would communicate with the commissioner and assistant commissioners at administration, so as to get the assistance they need to execute the policies of the Government.”

According to the minister, such a move would not necessarily result in more

assistant commissioners, as senior superintendents or superintendents could hold the position of commander.

The GINA report stated that the Government is implementing several measures to ensure that the Guyana Police Force can better serve and protect citizens. These include more local and overseas training for ranks, and having them better equipped so they can execute their duties.

Police stations and other facilities are also being built or rehabilitated as part of the effort to improve conditions of service for ranks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Cinderella City fire victims get help

By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE family of Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, whose home was destroyed in a Good Friday fire on Tuesday, has received a courtesy visit from Region 10 officials who gave family members vinyl, mattresses and curtains in a bid to help them get back on their feet.

The Regional team consisted of Chairman Renis

Morian, Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph, newly-elected councillors of Constituency 1 and councillors of the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Nadia Johnson, who collected the articles on behalf of the affected family, was very emotional, especially during the tour of what remained of her home.

The young mother said she did not know where to start, as she had a fully furnished home that was built

less than three years ago, and everything was lost in a matter of minutes.

Now staying with her three children -- aged two, three and four -- at her mother’s home, Johnson plans to occupy the bottom flat of the building and gradually rebuild the entire home.

On Saturday, the councillors and members of the community will take part in a cleanup exercise at Johnson’s burnt-out build-

Regional officials inspecting the burnt home of Nadia Johnson on Tuesday ing, as plans are to rebuild the home with the help of the corporate community.

In consoling Johnson, Regional Chairman Morian told her of his neighbour’s house which was burnt down but was rebuilt with help from the community. “By the time that man house rebuild, he got a better house than the one

he had before it burn,” he told her.

Councillor Rawl Friday offered to provide Johnson’s children with school uniforms in time for schools’ reopening on Monday.

On Good Friday morning, Johnson left her three children at home to sell eggs, and in less than

five minutes, her children were rescued from the burning home. Efforts to save furniture from the home were unsuccessful.

Johnson’s husband, who last Wednesday returned to work in Suriname, is trying to get a flight back to Guyana to be with his family during this trying time

Nadia Johnson (centre) being presented with one of the curtains by Regional Chairman Renis Morian (right), Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph (left) and two newly-elected councillors

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

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Scenic Lethem ––where variety is the spice of life

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By Michel Outridge AT a glance, Lethem may seem unattractive and overly dry, given the prolonged dry season that has taken a toll on the area. But after some exploring, the place is one of sheer beauty.

The people are hospitable, and the village is very picturesque. There are never-ending mountains surrounded by endless savannahs, large anthills, grazing cows and huge trees.

The commercial hub of Lethem is clustered with large buildings owned by Guyanese but

rented to foreigners, and there are countless shops, including eating houses and Brazilian restaurants to choose from.

There is everything in Lethem and more; and although it’s hot during the day, the howling wind that punctuates the atmosphere makes it bearable, and in the night it gets cooler.

The modes of transportation there are bicycles, motorcycles, ATVs and other motor vehicles of various makes and models.

Lethem is a very safe place to live, as one can go to bed without locking one’s doors, or even leave the doors of one’s vehicles

One of the many anthills in Region 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

unlocked. Being alone at nights isn’t quite a bother, since no one would interfere with you, regardless of whether you are a stranger; and the few bars are all up to standard and fully air-conditioned.

SHOPPING If you feel the urge to shop, it will be difficult to make a choice because there is a wide variety, and the Brazilians make use of the opportunity to shop in Lethem while Guyanese go over to Bonfim and other parts of Brazil to shop.

Life in Lethem is somewhat stress-free, with little to worry about. The place has good roads, street lights and potable water in most sections.

There is a hospital, a police station, churches, and many large and small buildings. Cable television is a must in many homes, and the electricity supply is quite stable.

The people of Lethem are very welcoming and full of questions; they can also spot a stranger from a mile off. But they are accommodating, and will make your stay worth the while.

One of the many houses in Lethem

Miss Regatta on a ‘green’ mission

By Svetlana Marshall EIGHTEEN-year-old Kimberly Paul is on a mission to develop a green project, after being crowned Miss Regatta 2016 in the wee hours of Sunday.

Though she was not the people’s favourite from the inception, Paul made an impressive dash to the finish line in the last leg of the pageant – blowing the judges away with her response during the Question and Answer Segment.

“Heaven! Because that is the only place you will find peace and no war, and we will be able to live up to our motto: ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny,’” was the answer that landed the 18-year-old in the queen’s chair.

She had been asked to name one place she would like to visit, and why.

In an interview with Guyana Chronicle, the Four Miles Housing Scheme ambassador, who had secured 11 subjects at Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in 2014 and now works at the GTM Bartica Branch as an Insurance Clerk, said the win came as a major surprise.

“I had been praying about it since I entered the competition, but when it was down to the top five, I never thought it would have been me walking away with the crown,” she said.

“But I am thankful. I am thankful to God, my family and all the persons that supported me,” Miss Regatta 2016 added. The newly-crowned queen said it was always her childhood dream to participate in a pageant.

Her mother, Dawn Paul, had shared the Miss Regatta stage with other delegates many years ago, but did not space.

Today, the teenager is celebrating her win with her first love. “For me, this is her dreams

come through, through me,” she said. The beauty queen is now in the process of planning a project to be done within the Municipality of Bartica, in keeping with President David Granger’s vision to transform the mining hub into the country’s first ‘Green Town,’ even as she continues to promote her platform: ‘Safe and Sustainable Mining.’

In addition to the crown, which was a gift from the First Lady Sandra Granger, Miss Regatta 2016 received a cash prize of $500,000, a bouquet of flowers; a plaque from the Ministry of the Presidency; a smart phone compliments of Digicel Guyana; designer dress and shoe; a trip for two to Aruwai White H20 Resort; a gold chain; a day at the spa and a beauty hamper.

Though she did not secure the crown, 19--year-old Sherryann Simmons said she has no regrets. The One Mile Housing Scheme representative was, from all indications, the people’s favourite, her presence on stage sending the audience “wild.”

Simmons not only secured second place in the Miss Regatta Pageant, but emerged the winner of the Intelligence Segment, which was held days ahead of the actual event on Monday, March 21.

Although the crowd seemed to have favoured her response during the Question and Answer Segment, critics are of the view that she fell down during this aspect of the competition.

Simmons had been asked what was her idea of happiness and success, and in response said happiness means being around the people you love and being loved by them. Success for her is “knowing one’s self and being confident in yourself.”

Despite losing the crown to Paul, Simmons

Eighteen-year-old Kimberly Paul being crowned Miss Regatta 2016 by the 2014 Queen said, it was just the beginning. “It was my first, it was new, it was exciting; and I could see myself in future pageants,” she said.

In the lead up to the pageant, Simmons had been promoting eco-tourism, in keeping with her theme: Developing Bartica into an eco-friendly Environment,” and though the pageant has now ended, she will continue to promote Bartica as a Green Town. She won herself $200,000 and a smart phone, among other gifts.

In addition to Paul and Simmons, 12 other

Barticians had participated in the Regatta Pageant, with Ariell Ganie, Ackema Thomas and Kittona Fredrick coming in third, fourth and fifth respectively. The pageant had been divided into five categories: Intelligence, Talent, Swim Wear, Evening Wear, Costume, Extravaganza.

Ganie won in the Best Costume category, while Fredrick captured the top spot in the talent segment and the Miss Body Beautiful title went to Angelica Williams. They were all awarded gifts for their outstanding performance in the competition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Workshop assesses money laundering, terrorist risks

EVEN AS Nigeria, Brussels and Paris continue to grapple with the after-effects of acts of terrorism, a thorough assessment is needed here in Guyana to determine the money laundering and terrorist financing risks that exist, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams said yesterday.

The Attorney General, at the time, was delivering remarks at a Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (ML/FT) National Risk Assessment Training Workshop organised by the World Bank and the Legal Affairs Ministry. Currently, Guyana has an Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act in

nancial Action Task Force (CFATF).

But even with the requisite legislation in place, the Legal Affairs Minister said, this was just the first step.

“The solutions needed to combat these crimes will only become manifest through a thorough assessment to determine what risks exist and the nature of these risks. We will be able to uncover any threat and our vulnerable areas, and what consequences exist because of these vulnerabilities and threats,” he explained.

Once a risk assessment is done, the partners in this fight will be able to formulate plans and strategies to mitigate the money laundering and terrorism financing risks.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams delivering remarks at the National Risk Assessment Training Workshop place, along with other connected legislation governing supervisory bodies, financial institutions, law enforcement and foreign affairs.

The National Assembly in 2015 had also passed the Anti-Terrorism and Terrorist Related Activities Bill, the AML/ CFT (Amendment) Bill No. 1 and 2, and the AML/CFT Regulations. Currently, a draft amendment bill to the AML/ CFT Act is being prepared to ensure that the assets and funds of terrorists or terrorist organizations are immediately frozen by the Court.

The Legal Affairs Minister said those steps were important for the country to have a strong regulatory framework in place. “A strong AML/CFT regulatory framework will contribute to the protection of the integrity and economic stability of our financial institutions. It will also strengthen governance and financial administration.

This is important, not only at the national level, but also at the international level,” he said.

These amendments are in keeping with recommendations of both the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as well as the Caribbean Fi-

“It will assist us to improve our existing regulatory framework by using the empirical data that the assessment will provide. We will be more able to understand what problems exist, allowing us to target our resources where it will be most effective,” the Attorney General further explained.

The need for a risk assessment was highlighted in the first recommendation made by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The international financial watchdog had called on countries to identify, assess and understand the money laundering and terrorists financing risks within their jurisdiction.

Williams said it was important for all stakeholders to get on board. “Each stakeholder plays an integral role in exposing threats and vulnerabilities and their consequences. All of you bring to the table various perspectives and solutions on how to deal with these crimes. Not only are you finding solutions, but throughout the entire process, you are building capacity which will enable us to undertake future risk assessments without support.”

The crimes of money

laundering and financing of terrorism, though different, hamper the effectiveness of the financial system in any country and render it vulnerable.

Senior Financial Sector Specialist with the World Bank, Stuart Yikona, and Finance Secretary Dr. Hector Butts were among the officials present at the Princess Hotel for the forum yesterday.

A section of those present at the workshop

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Post-mortem today for toddler killed by speeding car A POST-MORTEM examination is scheduled for today on the body of the three-year-old who was struck down by a car at Haslington, East Coast Demerara on Easter Monday.

Ashton Sears was reportedly on his way to the Haslington seawall for an Easter outing with his family when he was hit by the car. It is believed that he died on the spot as a gaping wound was visible on his head and he was picked up motionless.

Meanwhile, the driver of the car involved in the accident is still in police custody as investigations continue.

Police in ‘C’ Division said charges are likely to be made sometime after the post-mortem report is submitted.

Reports are that the child’s mother, Samantha Murphy, and his father, Kevin Sears, were with him and two other siblings at the time of the accident.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Bartica schoolboy drowns during Easter outing EASTER Monday ended tragically for a Bartica family when their 15-year-old relative drowned during an outing with friends at Agatash in the CuyuniMazaruni, Region Seven.

Dead is Lenon Fredrick of One Mile, Bartica.

The Grade Nine student of Three-Mile Secondary School was fished out of the water a short

Dead: Lenon Fredrick

distance from where he went swimming and was pronounced dead at the district hospital.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the lad was visiting ‘Dog Point’, in Agatash, with friends and did not heed his mother’s advice that he should not venture into the deep, since he could not swim.

Suspect held in Essequibo road fatality

ASHTON SEARS

A MAN has been arrested, and is in police custody assisting with the investigations into a hit-and-run accident on the Johanna Cecelia Public Road, Essequibo that left a pedestrian dead on Monday night.

According to a police report, Lionel King, 26, of Maria’s Lodge, Essequibo Coast died after he was struck down by a speeding car,

which drove away from the scene of the accident.

King was walking along the public road at about 23:45hrs when he was struck down by the car. He was taken to the Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations led to the motorcar being located at a residence at Good Hope, Essequibo Coast.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

GRDB inks major rice deals

––with two Jamaican companies THE Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and two Jamaican companies recently signed agreements that would see Guyana exporting rice to Jamaica -- 48,000 tonnes in 2015 -- almost doubling in 2016.

An Agriculture Ministry press release has said 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 organize 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 estab-

lished 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.

HIGHER PADDY PRICE 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.

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Victoria take charge of Sheffield Shield final NO MATTER what happens on the final day, South Australia will know they had enough opportunities to emerge victorious in their first Sheffield Shield final for 20 years. Instead it is Victoria who hold a position of strength with one day remaining, having been the beneficiaries of spurned chances and the Redbacks’ misfortune with bat and ball.

Scores: Victoria 399 and 2 for 95 (Dean 54) need 98 runs to beat South Australia 340 and 251 (Weatherald 96, Ross 71, Holland 5-76) Older and wiser, the Bushrangers have taken advantage of South Australia’s naivety at times, never more so than when the young opener Jake Weatherald was on the brink of what would have been a terrific hundred.

The visiting captain Matthew Wade had held Fawad Ahmed out of the attack until Weatherald was close, and the temptation to crack a boundary became too much for the left-hander, resulting in a skied catch and the day’s most pivotal wicket.

Until that point, Weatherald and Alex Ross had been in complete control of proceedings, but the left-hander’s exit was to be swiftly followed by that of wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who attacked Jon Holland injudiciously to be dismissed for a duck in the very next

over. Holland’s wiles were to be justly rewarded with five wickets, while the Bushrangers’ target of 193 was appreciably less than it might have been.

To add to that, South Australia’s missed chances in the field made their task of defending a small total all the trickier. Travis Dean survived one difficult dropped catch

like big ones. At 8 for 345 on the third afternoon, the Bushrangers led by only five runs, but a 54-run stand between Cameron White and Holland created an advantage that became critical when the left-arm spinner struck thrice after tea.

They have also prospered through durability and selection - a full complement of

JON HOLLAND

by Joe Mennie at wide midon, Marcus Stoinis was turfed

by Sam Raphael in the gully and by Weatherald at short leg, and Peter Handscomb edged Daniel Worrall at a perfectly catchable height into a gap where second slip might easily have been.

These misses contrasted with the fact that Victoria have dropped only one catch in the match, while at the same time winning the little moments that can later look

bowlers has remained intact throughout the match, with Holland and Fawad offering priceless variety to Wade. By contrast, the hosts have been hit by the sight of a hobbling Chadd Sayers, clearly restricted when he batted at No. 11 and unable to bowl after the second day of the match.

Nevertheless, South Australia’s efforts have remained persistent and dogged, epitomised by the unflagging spells of Worrall

and Mennie in particular.

Up until his ill-fated swing for the fence, Weatherald batted with enormous promise, while Ross’ pair of 70s showed considerable composure and a sound technique.

When the Bushrangers commenced their chase, Worrall and Mennie found plenty of useful movement in the air and off the seam, testing Dean and Rob Quiney at some length. Quiney completed a quiet match when Worrall straightened one down the line to pin the former Test opener lbw, and Stoinis’ defence was soon being challenged in equal measure.

Dean meanwhile pushed along impressively, following up his first-innings hundred with more smart strokes and sound defence. The pull shot that scorched through Mennie’s fingers was very well struck, and it was a surprise when the same man gained another lbw verdict nearing stumps.

In addition to the missed chances, South Australia have had an enormous number of deliveries beat the bat, suggesting either they have been a fraction too short for the conditions or that the luck they were looking for to win a first Shield tittle since 1996 is not with them just yet. The match, of course, is not quite done, but it is very much Victoria’s to lose.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Bowling coach fined for ball-tampering in Sheffield Shield final

SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - The bowling coach of the Victoria state cricket side, Mick Lewis, has been fined for ball-tampering after raking it over concrete during the final of Australia’s domestic Sheffield Shield competition on Monday.

Lewis, a former seamer who played seven one-day internationals for Australia, had already cost his team a five-run penalty against South Australia but yesterday he was slapped with a A$2

266 ($1 710.60) fine.

The incident came in the 10th over of South Australia’s second innings when Lewis “kicked the match ball into the gutter beyond the boundary rope and raked the ball across the concrete whilst retrieving it,” read a Cricket Australia (CA) statement.

“Ball-tampering is a very serious offence and simply won’t be tolerated at any level of the game,” CA’s Head of Operations Sean Cary said.

“We acknowledge that he has apologised to the South Australian team and the match officials and hope the matter deters others from doing anything like this in the future.”

Victoria are chasing a second successive Sheffield Shield title against South Australia, who have not won the annual domestic interstate competition since 1995-96.

The five-day match in the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg is scheduled to conclude today.

Victoria bowling coach Mick Lewis accepted a fine equal to 50 per cent of a player’s fee.

‘Don’t fire, Virat’ - Gayle hopes Kohli form subsides

CHRIS Gayle has no problem with Virat Kohli scoring runs in West Indies’ World Twenty20 semi-final meeting with India, as long as he does so for the losing side.

India lost their Super10 opener to New Zealand but recovered to book a place in the final four at the expense of Australia on Sunday, with Kohli’s sensational unbeaten 82 from 51 balls securing a six-wicket victory.

Gayle is hoping his Royal Challengers Bangalore team-mate does not carry that form into their semi-final in Mumbai tomorrow, but won’t mind if he scores runs for the losing team.

“I have said it over the years that he is going to be the world beater he is today. I am hoping, please don’t fire, Virat,” said the destructive left-hander.

“He can still get runs but for a losing cause. We’ll be happy with that as well.”

However, Gayle insisted the Windies will not be concentrating solely on Kohli and are primed to cause an upset.

“We are not going to focus on only Virat, there are so many match-winners there and anyone of them can actually fire on any particular day,” he continued.

“It is very difficult to pinpoint one particular player in the Indian team. It is a very good all-round team, a good fielding team as well.

“That’s why India are the favourites. It is always going to be difficult to beat them here. But like I said, West Indies are ready for an upset.”

Gayle smashed a 47-ball hundred in the Windies’ opening win against England but a hamstring injury limited his contribution in their last two games.

After mustering just four runs against South Africa he was rested in the final Super10 match against Afghanistan, which ended in defeat, but the 36-year-old is hopeful of returning to the top of his game.

“This is a perfect opportunity to actually start the tournament and try and pick up where I left off, get a big one for the team and put them in a winning position,” added Gayle. (Omnisport)

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Greyville 08:20 hrs Tanjiro 08:55 hrs Cutting Edge 09:30 hrs Team Guys 10:05 hrs Sovereign Reign 10:40 hrs South Paw 11:15 hrs Reactive ENGLISH RACING TIPS Exeter 09:00 hrs Mother Meldrum 09:30 hrs Space Oddity 10:05 hrs Cloudy Beach 10:40 hrs Mountain Of Mourne 11:10 hrs Shoofly Milly 11:45 hrs Allchilledout 12:15 hrs Big Fella Thanks LINGFIELD 09:10 hrs Kelly’s Finest 09:40 hrs Theydon Thunder 10:15 hrs Aldair 10:50 hrs Bridge Builder 11:20 hrs Itimately 11:55 hrs Siri 12:25 hrs Honcho

SOUTHWELL 09:20 hrs Spice Mill 09:50 hrs Red Touch 10:25 hrs Pearl Nation 11:00 hrs Spowarticus 11:30 hrs Pirates Treasure 12:05 hyrs Down Time IRISH RACING TIPS Downpatrick 09:55 hrs Buyer Beware 10:30 hrs Steel’s Cotton 11:05 hrs Scenic Star 11:35 hrs Pointview Gale 12:10 hrs Aminabad 12:40 hrs Bingo Conti AMERICAN RACING TIPS Gulfstream Park Race 1 Sassy Spirit Race 2 Bagema Race 3 Ven Holiday Race 4 SWtrike Me Down Race 5 Por Favor Race 6 Blue Harbor Race 7 B L’s Wagon Race 8 Royale Rose Race 9 Remembering Richie Race10 Chia Ghost

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Peaking England meet soaring Kiwis in Kotla humdinger

By Amlan Chakraborty

NEW DELHI, India (Reuters) - England skipper Eoin Morgan would like to believe his team peaked at the right time at the ongoing World Twenty20 while New Zealand were slightly premature going into today’s semi-final at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Kane Williamson and his Kiwi team mates have not put a foot wrong since landing in India, winning all four group matches without really breaking a sweat to qualify for the semi-finals as the tournament’s only unbeaten team.

For a side boasting an explosive batting order and a balanced attack to go with, England’s passage proved bumpier.

Even before they could soak in the atmosphere, England were blown away by a Chris Gayle century in their tournament opener against West Indies in Mumbai.

Joe Root sparked their

recovery in the 230-run chase against South Africa but the narrow victory against Afghanistan’s

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson modest resources exposed their frailties against spin bowling.

They looked a significantly better side, however, in Saturday’s 10-run win against

champions Sri Lanka.

Jos Buttler underlined his limited overs worth with a belligerent fifty; the pacemen made regular inroads, Ben Stokes delivered a tidy final over and the team held their nerve to secure a victory that seemed to tick most of the boxes.

“In these tight tournaments you can’t get through to the semis unless you are playing good cricket, and that’s what we set out to do to give ourselves a chance,” coach Trevor Bayliss said.

“But it’s about peaking at the right time. I wouldn’t say we’ve played the perfect game yet -- coaches are always looking for that absolutely perfect game, I don’t think it’s ever been played -- but it’s what any team is striving to do.”

Having played their last two games at Kotla, England would also hope to cash in on their familiarity with the venue in contrast to their opponents who

GCB U-17 Inter-County bowls off today THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-17 Inter-County Championship 2016 is set to bowl off today. Essequibo will take on Berbice at GCC ground while a Selected Under-15 team will go up against Demerara at Wales ground.

Round two which is billed for April 1, will see Essequibo and Demerara clash at Enterprise ground while a Selected U-15 team will battle Berbice at Wales ground. On April 3 in round three, there will be action between Essequibo and a Selected U-15 team at DCC ground and Demerara and Berbice at GCC ground.

The teams are as follows: Demerara: Bhaskar Yadram (captain), Joshua Persaud, Mark Ramsammy, Rajendra Singh, Alphius Bookie, Kurt Lovell, Ashmead Nedd, Pradesh Balkishun, Sagar Hatheramani, Tameshwar Motiram, Bhojnarine Singh, Anthony Antonio, Colin Barlow and Chandrapaul Mohabir. The coach is Garvin Nedd and the manager is Latchman Yadram.

Berbice: Kevin Sinclair (captain), Alex

Algoo, Junior Sinclair, Javid Karim, Steve Deonarine, Kevlon Anderson, Garfield Benjamin, Chandra Dat Veerasammy, Keith Simpson, Kevin Omroa, Karran Rajpaul, Brandon Stewart, Steven Kalamadeen, and Syaad Peerbaksh.

The coach is Andre Percival and the manager is Rabindranauth Saywack.

Essequibo: Joshua Jones (captain), Orlando Jailall, Bomesh Ramdahin, Joel Fortune, Besham Moses, Rayon Venture, David Charitar, Kevin Christian, Chanderpaul Mohabir, Trevor Collins, Shamar Dusraj, Quintin Sampson, Ramnarine Chattergoon, and Randy Rooplall.

The coach is Forbes Daniels and the manager is Nazeer Mohamed.

Selected U-15: Sachin Singh (captain), Mohamed Shaw, Jarron France, Seon Glasglow, Lance Roberts, Yeudistir Persaud, Gevon Schultz, Amos Sarwan, Dwaine Dick, Nickeem Noble, Sheldon Charles, Leon Swamy, Nigel Deodat, and Daniel Paul. The coach is Julian Moore and the manager is Andy Ramnarine.

Brazil court blocks funds for Olympic project, suspects fraud - source RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) A court in Rio de Janeiro has blocked funding from state lender Caixa Economica Federal (CEF.UL) to the consortium building the Olympic Deodoro complex where 11 sports will be held in August, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters yesterday.

News site G1 reported earlier yesterday that the suspended funds totalled

128.5 million reais (£24.5M). Prosecutors in Rio claim to have found evidence of fraud in earthmoving services at the complex based on documents they have seen, G1 said.

Deodoro is the second-largest cluster of Olympic venues. The Rio prosecutors’ office, the regional court, Rio mayor’s office and Caixa would not confirm the blocked funds.

were on a mini-tour of India playing each of their four group games at different venues.

KIWI ADAPTABILITY The trouble for England, however, is that New Zealand won all of them as the team, finalists in last year’s 50-over World Cup, strive to shed the tag of being cricket’s perennial bridesmaids.

Leading from the front, Williamson has also displayed the tactical flexibility needed to win a tournament like this.

New Zealand sprang a surprise in their tournament opener, picking three spinners in a gutsy gamble and went on to beat India, renowned for their batsmen’s comfort against the turning ball, in their own game.

Williamson repeated the ploy against Bangladesh in their final group match for a similar result, his immaculate pitch assessment in stark contrast

to most of the visiting captains who struggled to read the track as if it was in Braille.

England captain Eoin Morgan Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi have already forged a formidable partnership for the Kiwis, claiming 17 wick-

ets between them in four matches.

And if Williamson has noticed England’s struggle against Afghanistan’s slow bowlers, the Kiwi captain will be tempted to harness Nathan McCullum’s control and accuracy in a threepronged spin attack.

As demonstrated by Martin Guptill, the Kiwi batting does not lack firepower but what was more heart-warming for the fans is how batsmen like Colin Munro have tempered strokes according to situations.

“It hasn’t been the wham, bam ... sort of way that T20 cricket has been,” batting coach Craig McMillan said after the victory against Bangladesh in their last group match.

“They have had to assess it ... and have done a really good job of putting the runs on the board to give the bowlers something to work with.”

Women’s World T20 semi-final

In-form England gear up for defending champions’ mojo IT’S A CLASH between two powerhouses of the women’s game, one that elicits excitement, passion and the urge to win at any cost.

Not that some of the other sides don’t, but England v

England captain Charlotte Edwards Australia anywhere in the world, be it in men’s or women’s cricket, is a contest of nerves, frayed tempers at times, anticipation, and plenty of verbal volleys.

That Meg Lanning and her Southern Stars are within two wins from adding their fourth World T20 title into their burgeoning trophy cabinet should fire them up.

Equally keyed up on the

other side will be Charlotte Edwards, England’s talisman, best batsman, reputed leader, legend of the game, who would want to make, perhaps, her last World T20 appearance a memorable one. But that won’t be a walk in the park by any means.

England go into the clash with an all-win record in the group stages. The misfiring batting unit somewhat found remedial measures in demoralising Pakistan - Edwards leading the way with an exuberant half-century.

In comparison, Australia’s campaign has been a topsy-turvy one with the top order continuing to come under scrutiny. Their meltdown against superior attacks in New Zealand and South Africa is something England would have done well to note.

Both England and Australia know what it takes to win the title, but the similarity ends there. Since winning the inaugural edition in 2009, England have somehow slipped under pressure - losing to Australia on three occasions in a knockout clash at a world

event.

Australia, who won two titles under Jodie Fields in 2010 and 2012, seemed to have carried forward the

Australia captain Meg Lanning mantle even in the absence of some stalwarts like Lisa Sthalekar. The transition has been seamless as the side lifted the trophy under Lanning in 2012 and 2014.

While England have played their matches in Bangalore, Dharamsala and Chennai, that Australia have been based in Delhi for more than a week now could give them an edge come today. (ESPN Cricinfo)

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

West Indies set to host India for four Tests

INDIA will travel to the Caribbean later this summer to play a four-Test series, Dave Cameron, the WICB president, has confirmed.

The announcement puts an end to the uncertainty that has surrounded the series listed on the ICC’s Future Tours Programme - ever since the BCCI suspended bilateral engagements as a penalty for West Indies’ abandoning of their tour to India midway in late 2014.

Although no dates have been fixed, Cameron said the Test series would be spread over July and August. What that means, however, is that the tour would clash with, and disrupt, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which is likely to begin in late June, and finish in the first week of August.

“The official word is that the tour is on,” Cameron told Cricket Radio in Nagpur on Sunday. “We are just awaiting confirmation of the venues now. And once we have done that, we will send out a release with the dates, the venues and everything.”

Cameron said it was unfortunate that the play-

ers featuring in the Test series will miss out on the CPL. According to Cameron, there was no choice left for the WICB but to agree

WICB president Dave Cameron to the dates despite the clash. “Yes, it will (clash with the CPL).

The unfortunate thing is that the international calendar is packed. And the only window for this tour to come off is during that time. So, there will be a clash, but we

are working with CPL to ensure there is no clash of venues so times of the matches won’t be hampered.”

In January the WICB had shortlisted 15 names for retainer contracts with the emphasis being on those players featuring in Tests.

Some of the prominent names in that shortlist include Marlon Samuels, Jason Holder, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Bravo and Kemar Roach. All-rounder Carlos Braithwaite, who is not part of the contracted list but made his Test debut in Australia, the last bilateral long-format series West Indies played, will also miss out on the CPL along with the rest, should he play India.

“The (CPL) draft did not include the Test players simply because it was always anticipated it would clash with the Test series. So the players are already aware of that,” Cameron told ESPNcricinfo yesterday So far, the CPL, which is into its fourth edition, has already organised the player draft, and even announced that six matches will be

played in the USA, but it is yet to announce the dates.

Unofficially, it is understood that the CPL will begin in the last week of June and run till the first week of August. According to the FTP, the India tour is scheduled to be played between the months of July and August.

Cameron also took the opportunity to insist that the relations between the BCCI and WICB were absolutely cordial, and that he failed to understand where the reports of perceived differences came from. “You know, the truth is I am not sure where the talks of bad relations with the WICB and the BCCI have come from,” Cameron said. “We have always maintained good relations.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the leadership of the BCCI has changed, and as you know, Mr Shashank Manohar is now the president, BCCI, and chairman of the ICC, and he has made some changes there as well, and we’ve been able to move forward in an efficient way.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

Football legend Pelé sues Samsung over image in newspaper ad

By Jonathan Stempel (REUTERS) - BRAZILIAN football legend Pelé has sued Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS) for at least $30 million, claiming that the Korean company improperly used a look-alike in an advertisement that ran in the New York Times without permission.

According to the complaint filed this month in federal court in Chicago, Samsung placed the October ad for ultra-high definition televisions after breaking off negotiations in 2013 to use Pelé’s identity to promote its products.

Pelé, 75, is widely regarded as the greatest

football player ever, and among the world’s most famous athletes in any sport.

Though the ad does not mention Pelé, it includes a portrait-sized image of a

making a “modified bicycle or scissors-kick, perfected and famously used by Pelé,” the complaint said.

Pelé relies on endorsements for much of his income, and the ad will hurt the value of his endorsement rights and confuse consumers into believing he endorses Samsung products, the complaint added.

Samsung spokeswoman Danielle Meister Cohen declined to comment.

The lawsuit was filed by Pele IP Ownership Brazilian soccer legend LLC, which owns Pelé’s Pele trademark and publicity rights. It is dated March man who “very closely re- 16, and was reported earsembles” him, and a small lier by the Chicago Sunphoto of a football player Times.

Pelé is represented by Frederick Sperling, a lawyer who helped former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan win a $8.9 million jury verdict last August against the former Dominick’s Finer Foods over the grocer’s unauthorised use of the basketball Hall of Famer’s identity in an ad in Sports Illustrated.

Jordan later settled for an undisclosed amount.

Sperling did not immediately respond yesterday to a request for comment.

Pelé’s given name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

The case is Pele IP Ownership LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, No. 16-03354.

Simmons to replace Fletcher in Windies T20 squad LENDL Simmons has been called up to the West Indies’ World Twenty20 squad in place of the injured Andre Fletcher ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final against hosts India at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, tournament organisers said yesterday.

The 31-year-old Simmons pulled out of the squad with a back injury before the tournament and was replaced by the uncapped Evin Lewis, but he has since recovered.

Fletcher pulled his right hamstring during the Windies’ six-run defeat by Afghanistan in their final Super 10 match on Sunday and has been ruled out of the rest

LENDL SIMMONS of the tournament.

Simmons was part of the West Indies side that won the 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

NOTABLE DATES GUYANA’S first world champion Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis tasted defeat for the first time as a professional on March 30, 2002.

Lewis had won the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title just over a year before and was making the third defence of the crown when he was stopped by a wild swinging Nicaraguan named Ricardo Mayorga.

Referee Rudy Battle halted the fight, held at the Sovereign Centre in Reading, Pennsylvania, at one minute eight seconds of the fifth round. Lewis had won the vacant WBA title after stopping American James Page in round seven in February 2001.

In his first defence, `The Albouystown Cyclone’ survived an early scare from Larry `Laser’ Marks to win by unanimous decision. In his second defence, Lewis retained the title after the bout against Mayorga was ruled a No-Contest.

An accidental head butt resulted in the Guyanese receiving a gash over his eye in the second round and the ringside doctor advised that the fight be stopped. Lewis later challenged World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight champion Antonio Margarito in February 2003 but was stopped in the second round.

The bout was the last in the USA for Lewis who returned home for three epic battles against `Deadly’ Denny Dalton. The first ended in a draw and Dalton won the second. Lewis prevailed in the last.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday March 30, 2016) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & the City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 35 matches (2) 23 matches

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which team was the first to score over 200 runs in a single game of the current ICC Men’s T20 World Cup? (2) Who is captaining India in the current ICC Women’s T20 World Cup?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday March 30, 2016

Pele FC gives back to community with donation to schoolchildren PELE Football Club yesterday gave back to two depressed communities in Georgetown by donating backpacks and school supplies, as the club celebrates its 45th anniversary since its formation on July 18 1971.

The club handed out over 23 backpacks and school supplies to youths attending school drawn from the Tiger Bay, Georgetown community and a similar number to youths drawn from the Werk-en-Rust area (Leopold Street).

Chairman of the Pele Alumni Association, Dennis Carrington, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia, told Chronicle Sport the Alumni’s focus is on empowering youths to achieve a good education through sports and academics.

Carrington explained that the Pele Alumni, under the 2016 theme: `Making a better life through Education and Sports’, thought it wise to donate school supplies to youths in depressed communities and that is why they (Alumni) chose Tiger Bay and Werken-Rust.

He went on to say that during the 1970s when Pele was founded, education was a low key subject and many youths with the ability to pursue a sporting career did not get a chance to do so, even though they were talented sportsmen and women.

The reason he cited was the fact that they (sportsmen and women) were not

given that opportunity to complete their education and this resulted that even though the athletes possessed tremendous talent and potential, they were denied scholarships.

“So what we Pele as a club have been doing over the years, is ensuring that the less fortunate with the ability to excel in sports, get the opportunity to achieve his or her dreams.

Treasurer of the Pele North American Alumni, Patrick `Labba’ Barton, told Chronicle Sport that yesterday there were children who did not receive backpacks and school supplies, since the Alumni did not cater for so many youths. However, those youths were the recipients of other stuff. He did not elaborate.

Barton said before donating school supplies to those recipients, checks were made to ascertain that they were in fact attending school.

When asked who is funding the donation of gifts to the local youths, Barton informed that corporate sponsors of the California City are doing so.

He named CBRE, Richard Ellis Real Estate, Iskander and Associates and TIS as the major sponsors. These sponsors he said have Guyanese roots.

Meanwhile, today the 45th Anniversary celebrations will continue with a Coaches seminar at the Georgetown Football Club

Former national footballer and treasurer of the Pele Football Club’s North American Alumni, Patrick `Labba’ Barton (right), distributes slippers and backpacks with school supplies to the less fortunate youths drawn from the Werk-en-Rust community. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo) starting at 10:00hrs.

This seminar has been organised for 25 specially invited coaches.

There will also be a football camp for

youths from primary schools and every participant will receive a football and a backpack with school supplies as well as meals and refreshments.

GCB discusses specifics of Jamaica win 86 medals tri-series with Sports Ministry at CARIFTA Games 2016 … sweeps 4x400m relays

The GoG and GCB delegations at the meeting - Minister Nicolette Henry is sitting at the head table.

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has met the Government of Guyana (GoG) over the specifics of the ODI tri-series involving West Indies, Australia and South Africa later this year.

According to a release, the GCB’s team included president Drubahadur, secretary Anand Sanasie, technical development officer (TDO) Colin Stuart and administrator Savitri Persaud.

Minister responsible for Sport Nicolette Henry, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, and Permanent Secretary Alfred King represented the government.

Guyana has not hosted more than two international teams at the same time since the 2007 50-Over World Cup and to pull the tri-series, there needs to be collaboration between the GCB and Ministry of Sport.

Some of the particulars discussed were the availability and usage of the Guyana National Stadium, partnership between the GoG and the GCB, and security of the players and delegations throughout their stay in Guyana.

Secretary Sanasie briefed all on the logis-

tics, prices of tickets and concessions.

Minister Henry expressed her Government’s support for cricket especially this particular event as it is being held in our Jubilee Independence year.

The delegation on both sides expressed the need for communication and collaboration to host a successful event.

The event is likely to attract a large influx of visitors from the North American Diaspora.

The series will consist of ten matches, scheduled for June 2016. The first leg will be played in Guyana with all matches played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, with South Africa vs West Indies on June 3, Australia vs South Africa on the June 5, and West Indies vs Australia on the June 7.

The second leg is billed for St Kitts while the final four ODIs, including the final, will be held in Barbados.

Australia’s last limited overs match in the Caribbean came in March 2012 when they played five ODIs. The two sides split the ODI series - with two wins each and a tie in the third ODI at St Vincent.

JAMAICA swept the 4x400m relays as the curtains came down on the 2016 CARIFTA Games in Grenada on Monday.

Like they did in the sprint relays, the 2016 champions were untested to claim four more gold medals from the relays during the championships in which they were totally dominant.

The unofficial medal count at the end of the relays saw Jamaica winning 86 medals - 42 gold, 28 silver and 16 bronze.

The Bahamas were the next best country with 34 medals - six gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze, with Barbados’ 20 medals - six gold, six silver and eight bronze, following them.

Hosts Grenada were fourth in the medal standings, winning 13 medals, made up of three gold, four silver and six bronze. Trinidad and Tobago rounded out the top five with three gold, two silver and nine bronze accounting for their 14 medals.

As the championships came to a close there was

no letting up from Jamaica who won the Under-18 Girls mile relay in 3:39.31s with the Bahamas, 3:43.08, and the British Virgin Islands, 3:47.43s second and third respectively.

Among the Under-18 boys, it was much the same

with Jamaica taking the gold medal in 3:12.54s to defeat Barbados, 3:13.16, and Trinidad, 3:15.33.

Jamaica was once again the winner in the Under-20 Girls section. Junelle Bromfield blew a close race wide open on the third leg to see Jamaica win in 3:34.84. The Bahamas were a distant second in 3:48.06, while Grenada got the bronze in 4:11.10.

The Under-20 Boys followed suit and smashed the competition to win in 3:10.55. The Bahamas, who briefly challenged, were a further two seconds back in 3:12.99. Barbados claimed the bronze in 3:19.63.

Earlier, a mix up with the lap counter seemed to have denied Benjamin Najman of the Bahamas a deserved title in the 5000 metres.

The counter caused the Bahamian, who was leading by almost a lap, to stop one lap short of the complete distance.

Because of the blunder, Shane Buchanan was declared the winner. However, after the matter was reviewed Najman was restored to his rightful position as gold medal winner and was awarded a time of 15:24.25, Buchanan, 16:51.76, was awarded the silver medal. Garfield Gordon, another Jamaican was third in 16:59.05.

In the field, Jamaica won another two medals in the Under-20 Triple Jump.

Obrien Wasome won the event in a personal best 16.09m while his teammate Jordan Scott mined silver.

(Sportsmax.com)

Pele FC gives back to community See story on page 35

Steely Solomon needles Puerto Rico …Golden Jags top Group 5

By Stephan Sookram A STEELY finish from King Solomon Austin helped the Golden Jaguars weather Puerto Rican’s El Huracán Azul (The Blue Hurricane) 1-0 in last evening’s Caribbean Football Union Scotiabank 2016 Men’s Caribbean Cup first round.

On a night when the combination of Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Neil Danns looked the most threatening at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, it was Austin that showed the ferocity of the Jaguars.

The first half ended scoreless as the prowling Jaguars, led by the Chan/Danns, failed to put their side in the lead.

It took the King’s intervention in the 64th minute to put the Jags ahead as a mad

scramble to clear the box of a corner ended up putting the ball on the foot of the scorer, who held his nerve to finish the play.

From the outset, the Jaguars side realised that the pitch was not playing as quickly as they expected and moved for a more aerial approach into the box, several passes between Danns/Chan resulting in near misses.

It was not all rosy for the South American side, as they had their share of scares, Samuel Cox breaking up a number of threatening plays that could have resulted in an equaliser.

The biggest scare came when keeper Anthony White managed to block a closerange shot but only pushed the ball back into Puerto Rico’s possession before Quincy Adams, bracing the

‘Don’t fire, Virat’ - Gayle hopes Kohli form subsides

See story on page 32

The victorious Golden Jaguars team celebrate beating Puerto Rico 1-0. goal-line, blocked the second shot.

Coming down to the close, the Puerto Ricans upped the pressure on the Jags, creating numerous chances but the Jags, under

the captaincy of Christopher Nurse, weathered the storm to the final whistle The Jags starting line-up last evening featured Anthony Whyte in goal as well as Cox, Adams, Austin and

Kester Jacobs, Dwight Peters, Nurse, Tischard Joseph, Walter Moore, Danns and Richardson.

The subs were Alex Murray, Devon Millington, Eon Alleyne, Vurlon Mills,

Marcel Barrington, Brandon Beresford, and Clive Nobrega.

With the win, the Jags progress out of Group 5 atop the table leaving Puerto Rico second.

Five medals for Team Guyana at CARIFTA Games IN HER final year at the event, Guyana’s Andrea Foster ensured that she did not leave the CARIFTA Games empty-handed. She picked up two bronze medals, while Linden’s Chantoba Bright snagged two silver, and Natricia Hooper collected a silver, to see the Guyana team to the 45th CARIFTA Games return today from Grenada with five medals.

Bright won her medals in the Girls’ Under-18 long and triple jumps, while Hooper earned hers in the Girls’ Under-20 triple jump.

In her long jump Bright covered a distance of 5.94m, just enough to outdo Jamaica’s Annia Ashley’s 5.91m, while the event went to Ashley’s compatriot Britany Anderson who cleared 6.02m for the win. In the triple jump Bright managed 12.39m, just inside the 12.53m jumped by Bahamas Charisma Taylor.

Hooper, who clocked 56.61 seconds in the 400m, bagged her silver off a 12.19m jump, to just outdistance Jamaica’s Tissanna Hickling (12.17m), but not enough to overcome the 13.13m from Guadeloupe’s Yanis David.

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

ANDREA FOSTER Foster landed Guyana’s first medal on the track when she clocked 4:45.53s in the Girls’ Under-20 1500m. The race went to Jamaica’s Asshani Robb in a time of 4:39.2s, second place went to Barbados’ Elizabeth Williams in a time of 4:40.28s.

She was back at it again in the 800m, clocking 2:12.53s for her second bronze. Also in this race was Guyana’s Jevina Sampson who came fifth in this race in a time of 2:22.47s.

Meanwhile, after bringing second place in the Boys’ Under-18 400m, Guyana’s Daniel Williams was disqualified.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016