2014 10 15

GUYANA No. 103981 MONDAY OCTOBER 15, 2014

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

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Attorney-General, Anil Nandlall

Over 5,500 benefit from ‘Because We Care’ initiative to date Page

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Minister Rohee plugs need for hemispheric cooperation

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Alexander Village gold heist...

Known characters among persons questioned

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Ebola crisis...

Education Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand with a Moruca Family

Outbreak death toll rises to 4,447 says WHO Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Over 5,500 benefit from ‘Because We – at the last count, over Care’ initiative to date $12M disbursed in Moruca THE Ministry of Education on Monday continued the disbursement of the Government of Guyana $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ grant in Moruca, Region One. Long before the scheduled time, hundreds of parents waited patiently at the Santa Rosa Secondary School to collect the much anticipated government assistance, designed to ease the burden of the average household in preparing their children for school.

Schools that benefitted

from the more than $12M given in a cluster, included Santa Rosa Nursery; Santa Rosa Primary; Santa Rosa Secondary; Ko-Ko Nursery; and Parakeese Nursery.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand was accompanied by high-ranking education officers and her Cabinet colleague, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

In her address, Minister Manickchand thanked the people of Moruca for gifting the Nation with the woman who is now Foreign Minister.

Education Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand with nursery level children in Moruca, Region One

Noting that Minister Rodrigues-Birkett grew up in Moruca, and attended Santa Rosa Secondary School, just like most of the children there, but “... had far less

opportunities then than what your boys and girls now have,” Minister Manickchand said: “The PPP/Civic believes that education is the only

sure way to improve one’s life, one’s family, and one’s community. As a government, the PPP/C has consistently matched this with solid investments in the education sector over the years. This initiative is yet further evidence of a government that cares for all the people of Guyana.”

She added, “Thirty per cent of a very large National Budget is spent on the social sector. The social sector deals with housing; water; old age pension; women and children’s affairs and education…and in the social sector, education receives the largest sum.”

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, who next then took to the podium, was accorded a warm welcome from fellow Morucans. She told the gathering that throughout the world, there are 58 million children that are not in school because there is simply no school for them to go to. Stressing the need for education and the opportunities offered by the PPP/C government, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said when she entered Parliament in 2001; there was only one doctor in all of Guyana that was of Amerindian descent.

Today, there are more than 20 trained doctors in Region One alone, some of who came from Moruca. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett gave credit to former President Bharrat Turn to page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Attorney-Gereral says...

Press freedom among the PPP’s most significant victories ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall has said that the economic, social, legal, constitutional, and political freedoms Guyanese enjoy today are the most significant achievements of successive PPP/C Governments over the past 22 years.

He also touched on the evolution of the local media, saying that we have indeed come a long way from the days when all we had was one newspaper, and one radio station with two channels.

He was at the time speaking on the television programme “Political Scope” on the National Communications Network (NCN) last evening. On October 5, the PPP/C Government observed 22 years of assuming office in 1992.

“History has shown that all the progress and advances that countries, including Guyana, have made could not have been possible if the people did not enjoy freedom to realise potentials, pursue ambitions and exercise basic inalienable rights,” the AG said.

Guyana’s history is characterised by oppression; from slavery to indentureship to dictatorship, ruled by the People’s National Congress (PNC) regime.

The latter saw Guyanese men and women suffering at the hands of a State that was governed by the principle of

party paramountcy.

FREEDOMS DEPRIVED UNDER PNC Minister Nandlall said that with 80 percent of the economy controlled by the State, there was in every respect, a deprivation of freedoms, so much so, that even the court system was essentially under the hierarchy of the ruling elite of the day.

Often described as the ‘Dawn of a new era”, the year 1992 and thereafter, Guyanese for the first time were exposed to the opportunity of unleashing their potentials, both at the individual and national levels, because they were no longer constrained from doing so.

All of the problems and infringement of rights during that time were compounded by the fact that the Privy Council was abolished in Guyana, so there was no external organ of review in relation to the court system.

The economic, social and infrastructural transformation of the country that is evident today took place in the face of tremendous opposition, violence, street protests, and adverse external economic situations.

Guyana was able to achieve eight consecutive years of real growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of five per cent per annum.

“One only has to look at the evidence which is unfolding at the Walter Rod-

ney Commission of Inquiry to get a vivid idea of the atmosphere that existed at that time and the level of intimidation and fear that permeated this country. After 1992, all of this evaporated and Guyana for the first time in my humble view became truly free, and that is the reason for the phenomenal progress which we have witnessed as a people and as a country,” the AG said.

GUYANA TODAY Today, 22 years later, more focus is being placed on the enhancement of human capital through large investments in the social sectors, particularly education and health.

The private sector, which was almost non-existent, is more vibrant than it has ever been. This is because of the freedoms that are enjoyed in the Guyanese society; people are free to invest without intimidation.

He said that importantly, all of these could only have been possible because “there is freedom in our country and our people feel comfortable… they do not invest in a state of fear, in a state of intimidation, in a state of apprehension and if you look at the time where our economy slowed down are times from 22 years ago, from 1992 to now are the times when we had violence in this country and the time that happened at every elections until 2006,” he explained.

“It’s not that there is not poverty, but we have progress. And as I have said, the history of Mankind has shown that it is a history of a struggle for freedom and justice that is what the history of mankind is and in every epoch of history you see that where ever the human being has been denied freedom there is economic stagnation, there is social degradation, there is anarchy, there is chaos and wherever freedom abounds, progress abounds, prosperity abounds,” the AG stated.

Minister Nandlall noted that with the rising perception that democracy and freedom are under threat as a result of what is taking place in the Parliament, there is a likelihood that economic activities could once again decline in the country as it did during the periods of unrest prior to the 2006 elections.

MEDIA LANDSCAPE In terms of the evolution of the media landscape in Guyana, Minister Nandlall reminded that one newspaper and one radio station with two channels were what constituted the media and these three mediums were fully controlled by the Government and the ruling party.

“You had opposition political parties who faced tremendous pressures, including violence being unleashed on them, some of them killed as they sought to print newspapers, pamphlets

in their attempts to disseminate information to their constituencies and to the people of Guyana,” he said.

The PNC Government had imposed a law that required newspapers to get permission from the Minister of Trade before they could have imported newsprint.

“If you deny a newspaper the right to bring in newsprint,” Minister Nandlall said, “then you are denying that newspaper the right to publish. The Mirror Newspaper had to go all the way to the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal said the right to import newsprint and Freedom of Expression are not the same thing; they are different concepts. What the Constitution of Guyana guarantees the Mirror Newspaper is Freedom of Expression, but not freedom to import newsprint. So, you see the type of justice we had?”

Today, there are four daily newspapers over 20 television stations, and about 13 radio stations operating across the country, with almost no type of monitoring at the level of the Government.

The AG said that the country has moved from one paradigm to another, from a restrictive dictatorial position where freedom of the press was suppressed to one where freedom is abounding.

“If we look at the newspapers and television sta-

ATTORNEY-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall

tions, you will see that most of them are not supportive of the Government; they are highly critical of the Government,” he said.

Turning his attention to parliamentary matters, Minister Nandlall said that the main objective of the constitutional reforms of 2001 in which all political parties, civil society bodies and other stakeholders had inputs, was essentially to remove a concentration of power in Central Government and in the presidency and devolve it to peripheral organs.

“Not only have we won freedom, but we have expanded it. We have entrenched it and allowed it to grow…none of the developmental goals that we have set for ourselves as a nation will be achievable unless we continue to enjoy democracy and freedom in our country,” the AG said. (GINA)

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Hong Kong police use sledgehammers, chainsaws to clear protest barriers, open road (Reuters) – HUNDREDS of Hong Kong police used sledgehammers and chainsaws on Tuesday to tear down barricades erected by pro-democracy protesters near government offices and the financial center, reopening a major road for the first time in two weeks.

But late in the evening demonstrators retaliated by swarming into a tunnel on a major four-lane thoroughfare, bringing traffic to a halt and chanting for universal suffrage.

Riot police tried to push them back with pepper spray and batons, according to a local news channel, but later retreated.

“I think the government doesn’t respect us,” said Kevin Chan, a protester wearing a surgical mask and goggles covering his black glasses, as he stood behind a makeshift wall.

“They have to talk to us and compromise, otherwise we won’t stand down.”

Traffic flowed freely along Queensway Road after the protesters’ obstructions were cleared early in the day, although other major protest sites remained intact in the Admiralty and Mong Kok districts and pro-democracy demonstrators were defiant.

Police with chainsaws cut through bam-

boo defenses and others wielded sledgehammers to smash concrete blocks outside the Bank of China’s Hong Kong headquarters and next to the office of Asia’s richest man, Li Ka-shing.

Office workers streamed onto the streets to watch.

Unlike on Monday, when clashes erupted between anti-protest groups and pro-democracy activists after police removed blockades, there was no immediate confrontation as a result of Tuesday’s operation.

In the evening, however, hundreds of people made a surprise move to occupy the tunnel on Lung Wo Road, an important eastwest artery near the offices of the Hong Kong government and legislature that had been intentionally left open to traffic for most of more than two weeks of protests.

“The police took a road from us today and cleared away tents, so we’re taking this road,” said Kelvin Chor, one of the protesters.

After the police retreated, hundreds of demonstrators swiftly formed several lines of makeshift barricades, setting the stage for another possible flashpoint.

On the road near the tunnel, a replica

Police remove a barricade at a protest site in Admiralty near the government headquarters in Hong Kong October 14, 2014. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria gravestone bearing a picture of the city’s pro-Beijing leader, Leung Chun-ying, was erected with a message: “Even hell doesn’t welcome you.”

The protesters, most of them students,

are demanding full democracy for the former British colony, but their two-week campaign has caused traffic chaos and fueled frustration in the Asian financial hub, draining public support.

Ebola crisis: Outbreak death toll rises to 4,447 says WHO (BBC News) THE death toll from the Ebola virus outbreak has risen to 4,447, with the large majority of victims in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO)

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WHO assistant director-general Bruce Aylward also said there could be up to 10,000 new cases a week within two months if efforts were not stepped

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up,

But the rate of new infections in some areas has slowed down, he added.

Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have been hardest hit by the outbreak.

There have been 8,914 cases overall, including the fatal cases, and the WHO says it expects this number to top 9,000 by the end of the week.

The WHO estimates its figures by taking the numbers of confirmed cases and multiplying them - from Guinea by 1.5, from Sierra Leone by 2 and from Liberia by 2.5 - to account for under-reporting.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Mexican anti-riot police sent to Guerrero after clashes ANTI-RIOT police have been deployed to the Mexican city of Chilpancingo after protesters attacked local government buildings in anger at the disappearance of 43 students on 26 September.

Hundreds of demonstrators set fire to part of the Guerrero state headquarters and demanded the resignation of Governor Angel Aguirre.

The protesters say the authorities are not doing enough to find the students.

They disappeared after clashing with police in the town of Iguala.

The protesters allege that the police rounded up the missing students before handing them over to a local drug gang called Guerreros Unidos.

The students all attended a local teacher

training college with a history of left-wing activism but it is not clear whether they were targeted for their political beliefs.

They disappeared after deadly clashes with the police in which six people died. Eyewitnesses reported seeing them being bundled into police vans.

Prosecutors have detained 26 police officers in connection with the clashes on 26 September, as well as four gang members and four other unidentified people.

Relatives and friends of the missing have become increasingly angry at the perceived slow pace of the investigation.

DNA tests are still being carried out on remains found in several mass graves discovered outside Iguala, some 200km south of Mexico City.

Protesters burnt a portrait of the Guerrero state governor, whose resignation they are demanding

Brazil police break up illegal abortion ring, arrest 47 (BBC News) POLICE in Brazil have broken up an illegal abortion network operating in Rio de Janeiro and nearby suburbs.

Forty-seven people were arrested as part of Operation Herod, which followed the recent deaths of two Brazilian women who had illegal abortions.

Police have arrested suspected leader, Dr Aloisio Soares Guimaraes and issued a further 28 arrest warrants.

Abortion is only legal in Brazil in cases of rape, brain abnormalities or if the mother’s life is at risk.

About 2,000 women are believed to have

Police shut down illegal abortion clinics in and around Rio de Janeiro

40 HRM members in ‘relay fast’ (Trinidad Guardian) FORTY members of the Highway Re-route Movement (HRM), mostly young people, have begun a 40-day “relay fast” outside the Office of the Prime Minister in support of the HRM’s leader Dr Wayne Kublalsingh. They will each fast for a day in turn. The initiative, called the “Project 40 movement,” was kicked off by HRM member Staroi Hassanali from Santa Cruz.

Hassanali, who said he recently joined the HRM, said he felt compelled to do so as he wanted more accountability and transparency from the Government. A psychotherapy graduate who recently returned to T&T, Hassanali said he would be fasting for 24 hours. “It was important to be involved because I recognise that Dr Kublalsingh’s cause impact us all in so many ways. It’s about taking a more active stance,” Hassanali said.

Another supporter, Gerry Williams, said the primary aims of the Project 40 movement was to show solidarity with the broader issues the HRM was highlighting. “We are also concerned for the health of Dr Kublalsingh and want to show we are willing to take up the

baton. Ultimately we want to do what we can to achieve the objective of mediation on the highway re-route issue,” Williams added.

The group said it was important to continue the initiative, as although Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar visited him on the weekend while he was hospitalised, she gave no commitment to agree to mediation on the matter.

In fact, in an interview with the media outside the St Clair Medical on Sunday night, the PM said she remained firm in her position on the matter. Fr Clyde Harvey, who visited the group Monday, said it was important to think about the things which may be sustaining Kublalsingh. “The things which he believes to be prayers, faith and a connection to the ‘source,’ which is how Wayne frequently refers to God and to remember that sustenance could die tomorrow and that Wayne could die,” Harvey said. He said the HRM must think about how it would continue if Kublalsingh died and urged those wanting to support him by fasting should also inherit Kublalsingh’s spiritual values.

used the abortion clinics, paying up to 7,500 reais ($3,100;£2,000) for the procedure.

Police said the abortions were performed in “unsanitary places and without any hygienic conditions, putting the physical integrity and health of the patients at risk”.

The investigation lasted 15 months before arrests were made on Tuesday. Those detained include four civil police officers, two military police officers, three doctors and a firefighter.

Arrest warrants have been issued for eight civil and four military police officers, 10 doctors, a fake doctor and three lawyers among others.

Police have also issued 118 search warrants.

The deaths of two women who sought abortions made headlines recently in Brazil.

In August, Jandira Magdalena dos Santos, aged 27, died during an illegal termination in Rio. Her body was found burnt in a car, and for which nine people were later arrested.

A month later, Elizangela Barbosa, 32, died following an abortion in a suburb of Rio. Pathologists said a plastic tube had been left in her stomach.

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Editorial

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Guyana

PPP/C’s excellent stewardship of national affairs GUYANA stands today poised on the threshold of greatness; if only the nation’s destructive elements would stay their hands and stop making the Guyanese people the ‘collateral damage’ of their power-seeking histrionics; and it is fitting that, as the PPP/C celebrates its 22nd year in government, one reflects on its achievements thus far.

The current administration has undoubtedly provided excellent stewardship in Guyana over the years of the Party being the first democratically elected government since Independence. Since 1992, things have become so much better, that most of the people take the existing benefits and improved services for granted. The greatest gift to the people of Guyana from the PPP/Civic however, is freedom.

This means freedom from political dictatorship; from domination by a small clique bent on racial and political oppression; social marginalisation and the widespread violation of human rights. The PPP/Civic, led by Father of the Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, won the first free and fair elections after decades, in October 1992, and put a stop to consistently rigged elections by the PNC, now re-configured as APNU. Free and Fair elections in Guyana were won by the PPP being in the vanguard of that struggle.

Besides free and fair elections, there is due process of law, respect for the Constitution of the Republic, strict observance of human rights, freedom of association, freedom of expression, full freedom to travel, and unfettered freedom of worship.

Under the PPP-Civic Administration, the national economy has performed well, generating positive GDP in most years. Guyana today has substantial foreign reserves, single digit inflation, booming economic indicators, a thriving construction industry and sector, bumper rice harvests, increasing exports of agricultural produce, along with timber and mining products. A new wave of prosperity has gripped

the hinterland, largely where gold mining is concerned.

Government’s sustained battle at home and overseas to rescue the sugar industry against formidable odds is being gradually won, despite the constraints and occasional hiccups. Massive gains are being made in the fishing sector, as well as the manufacturing sector. The commercial banking sector is thriving and expanding and is solvent in every way.

Apart from the looming threat of FATF blacklisting because of Opposition recalcitrance in supporting the vital money laundering bill, there is no economic crisis in Guyana under the PPP/Civic Government and the country has largely escaped the economic downturn that is still gripping most of the world, caused by recession in the USA, Western Europe and Japan. Through the instrumentality and vision of the Government, Guyana has been spared the ravages of foreign recession.

Today the ordinary people are better housed, better clothed, better fed, better educated; are provided with better medical and health services and are better paid where wages and salaries are concerned. The transport system is rising to the challenges posed by increasing numbers of people acquiring vehicles of their own, with which to commute daily. Our highways are being overhauled and expanded to 4-lane status.

In addition, sustained efforts are being made to overcome flooding caused by seasonal rainfall and the inadequacy of drainage systems, taking into consideration, huge swaths of land under cultivation, animal husbandry, housing schemes and industrial estates. It is confidently expected that the Hope Canal, now under construction, will help to put an end to this flooding problem in the agriculturally strategic East Coast Demerara area.

Social harmony and tolerance in Guyana have been nurtured and are being encouraged in all spheres of life. All our people, especially our Amerindian brothers and sisters,

are an integral part of our development agenda and share equally in the nation’s prosperity.

The rights of and opportunities for our women have been expanded and are celebrated here and aboard as a model. The protection of our children and the enhanced welfare of our elderly and other vulnerable groups are today among the proud achievements for our country.

In the international sphere, including the United Nations and other such agencies, Guyana’s reputation is considerable. Under the PPP/Civic Administration, Guyana has maintained cordial relations with our next door neighbours (Brazil, Suriname, Venezuela) and further afield (U.S.A., UK, Canada, India, Russia, China, Japan). Cordial relations and economic ties have been forged with influential Middle East and African countries, even as we deepen ties with South and Central Americas. Guyana’s work in advancing initiatives such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy has won our country and people international accolades and greater respect.

It is a known fact that several main developmental initiatives have been stymied by the joint Opposition, especially the massive hydro electric project at Amaila Falls, which was intended to lay the foundation for major industrial take-offs in the economy and to secure Guyana’s unchallenged superiority in the Region, where industrial productivity is concerned. It was projected that, coupled with this project, should oil and gas be found, the social and economic situation for the Guyanese people would be tremendously enhanced. Further, with the modernisation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the construction of the Marriott Hotel project, Guyana’s prospect for tourism and other long standing potential will be realised.

Guyana today has never been so advanced and well-positioned as one of the Region’s shining examples of good governance.

Alcohol on sale at Mash launch sends wrong signals to children I HAPPENED to be at the corner of Main and Quamina Streets last Friday, Oct 10, at the same time the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was setting up the launch event for Mashramani 2015. There were many children in the audience, as well as on the programme of this event. I was appalled, therefore, to see large Banks Beer banners prominently displayed near the Ministry and stage, as well as by a tent selling Banks beer in the public avenue.

I know that Banks DIH is one of the major sponsors of Mashramani programmes, and I have no problem with adults consuming alcohol in a responsible manner. However, I find it extremely disturbing and irresponsible for alcohol advertising and sale to be done at what was effectively a Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport event.

It is no secret that alcohol abuse is sadly rampant in the Guyanese society. It is a major contributor to many societal ills such as domestic and other inter-personal violence, traffic accidents, suicide, etc. I have personally witnessed children consuming alcohol, in the

presence of adults and their parents, many of whom seem not bothered by such behaviour.

Children learn from adults and environment around them and mimic the behaviour they see. We adults have a responsibility to teach young people how to think critically, make good choices, and contribute positively to society. Unfortunately, the sale and consumption of alcohol is a common feature of the Guyanese landscape and something that children are exposed to in a variety of formats - from songs that celebrate drinking, to massive billboards about which drink is more manly, etc. A Youth Ministry, however, should never be party to the promotion of alcohol. Some may say that I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but it is small instances like these that add up over time to shape attitudes, behaviours, and cultural practices.

When the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport allows alcohol advertising and sale at their events, the message transmitted to the youth of Guyana is that alcohol consumption is sanctioned by the authorities, part of the ‘normal’ way of doing things, “we culture”,

and nothing to question. Banks DIH makes a variety of products - not just alcoholic beverages, and if the Ministry of Youth and the Banks DIH corporation were committed to social responsibility principles, they could have made sure that alcoholic beverages were not offered at this event.

It is disappointing and disturbing to see persons who should theoretically be caring for the youth of this nation so unthinking and clueless in their actions. Such serious lapses in judgment also bring into question their overall commitment to the youth of Guyana and their ability to provide proper guidance. With mis-leaders like these at our helm, sadly, the only direction is down. I call on those responsible for decision-making at the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport to seriously re-examine their practices and to make a public commitment to not promote alcohol consumption at their events in the future.

S. NAGEER

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Impregnated 12-year-old…

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Child’s HIV-negative test does not vindicate accused stepfather

By Leroy Smith DIRECTOR of the Child Care Protection Agency, Ann Green has strongly dismissed the notion in some quarters that since the man accused of impregnating the 12-yearold claims he is HIV-positive, and she tested HIV-negative, then he is not guilty as charged.

Speaking with this newspaper yesterday morning, Green confirmed that the accused was at her office, and that he has since been handed over to the police.

Green said that given that there is an incubation period to determine if someone has contracted HIV, then if the girl is not positive at this stage, that does not mean that she did not contract the virus so the man should not be allowed to walk, based on his claims.

She said the Department she heads has no option at this stage but to believe the girl’s story, until such time that evidence is provided to prove otherwise.

She said the child recalled travelling to the city, where she came to visit her mother, and that since her mother was out, the man whom she described as her stepfather entered the room and

raped her.

According to the young child’s story to the Child Protection Agency, she was afraid of the man, and did not report the matter to anyone and when she travelled back to the Interior where she originally resided, her belly began showing indications of pregnancy.

“Enough is enough in this country!

We cannot have people raping and sexing children and walk with impunity it is wrong, it is against the law. We have laws and we will get to the bottom of this story - the things she is saying are making sense,” Green told the Guyana Chronicle in a telephone interview.

This newspaper was told that based on the information which the department has received the mother tried to cover-up the matter by claiming that the child got pregnant for a young man in the interior area of Lethem, Region 9. However, this ignores the child’s report to her mother and other relatives, identifying her stepfather as the person who interfered with her.

The mother told officials of the Child Care and Protection Agency that after the child began to show signs that she was pregnant, the matter was reported to the police in the interior location.

––Child Care Protection official

However, yesterday police sources could not find any evidence that the woman had reported that her 12-yearold daughter had been impregnated.

“This thing is becoming disgusting; we have to listen to the child that is our job, we cannot ignore her.

Someone has to take responsibility for what has happened,” Green told the Chronicle during her interview.

DOUBLE JEOPARDY Green said further that when the window period has passed and it is found that the child is HIV positive it would be double jeopardy for her and that is a very sad situation to think about.

She reminded that in rape cases there is no provision for bail of the accused but that comes at the discretion

of the magistrate who would have to take several things into consideration.

Green spoke of the possibility of the accused intimidating the accuser, among some of the considerations.

Yesterday Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that the stepfather of the child is in custody to assist in the police investigations. The Crime Chief also reported to this publication that based on his last update of the mater on Tuesday afternoon, the child who had initially indicated that she was impregnated by her stepfather began recanting her claims.

According to the Crime Chief, when these things happen where victims of such crimes recant their initial stories, the work of the police and all other agencies involved become extra difficult.

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CIOG, new Turkish ambassador discuss areas of cooperation

By Navendra Seoraj METHODS to advance the development of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) was the focus of discussions between the organisation’s executives and the recently appointed non- resident Ambassador of Turkey to Guyana, Mrs. Sule Oztunc.

The meeting was held yesterday in the boardroom of the CIOG, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

Upon her arrival at CIOG Oztunc was greeted by the President of the CIOG, Mr. Fazeel Ferouz, General-Secretary Hakam Ramjohn, and the Director of Education at CIOG, Sheikh Moeen Ul Hack. During her visit there the ambassador took some time to tour the classes and facilities, which the CIOG has.

collaboration would not be new.

The Turkish ambassador explained that the meeting was useful because it provided her a better opportunity to listen to some of the CIOG’s views from a first-hand perspective.

She disclosed that in recent times, Turkey has been paying more attention to the lesser developed countries, hoping to assist them more in whatever way possible.

Ambassador Oztunc noted, from what she has seen in Guyana has made her proud because she can see that Guyana is developing and she will definitely assist in the development of the country in the near future.

She also pointed out that she is happy to be in Guyana for the first time ever, and she takes pride in being the Turkish ambassador to Guyana.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Speaking to the ambassador, the Director of Education at CIOG stated that the organisation would welcome any education-related assistance, which the Turkish people are ready to offer.

Moeen Ul Hack added that he would welcome the assistance of any Turkish scholars, lecturers or other trained personnel who possess knowledge of the teachings of Islam – an effort that would allow the students of CIOG to have a more advanced learning experience in the teachings of Islam.

The Turkish ambassador, in brief remarks, committed to providing support to assist in the development of CIOG and lauded the state of the facilities and the programmes offered by the CIOG According to her, the CIOG is more than capable of continuing the good work they do and reiterated her expression of support for the organisation.

Ambassador Oztunc explained that she will be addressing some of the requests for assistance, which officials of the CIOG have put forward.

She also disclosed that she has worked with the CIOG already on many occasions and further

CLOSER TIES Additionally, the Director of the CIOG, during the meeting, expressed his gratitude for the expression of support from the Turkish ambassador.

He stated that since the organisation’s establishment, it has been able to advance the “noble teachings” of Islam to the Muslim community in Guyana, as well as work with the Government of Guyana on other social development initiatives.

The CIOG Head expressed the organisation’s desire for closer ties with Turkish Humanitarian Organisations, an undertaking that the Turkish ambassador could facilitate.

He bemoaned the lack of easier air transit between Guyana and Turkey and pointed out that in order to travel from Guyana to Turkey, one needs to take a flight from Guyana to Canada, the United States of America (U.S.A) or England, then take another flight to reach Turkey.

On this note, he suggested that the famed Turkish Airways should be brought to Guyana, making travels to Turkey easier.

The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana was formed on the 1st July, 1979 with its primary focus on helping local Muslims through an organised body; over the years of its existence, the CIOG has grown and expanded to the extent that it now also assists non-Muslims.

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

22 days on...

Police still to identify headless corpse

By Leroy Smith CRIMINAL Investigation Department ranks in ‘C’ Division are calling on members of the public to assist with identifying the remains of the headless male corpse found on September 22 by workers clearing a cemetery at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

Senior police sources told the Guyana Chronicle last evening that the remains are still stored at an unnamed funeral parlour, and there has been no move to ship any samples for DNA testing, since it first needs to be identified.

According to investigators, the police have scanned their list of missing persons, but nothing seems to fit the cadaver. Neither has any post-mortem examination been done as yet, and based on information received by this newspaper, the reason for this is that to date, no one has come forward to identify the body.

The remains were partly clothed at the time of the discovery. On the day in question, a plastic bag containing a head, suspected to be that of the corpse, was also found a short distance away. It is believed that it was fetched there by dogs which were eating away at the body.

It was also observed that the head had heavy-duty plastic seal around it and a car mat was found at the same location.

The discovery of that corpse came weeks after the remains suspected to be that of secondary school teacher Nyozi Goodman was found about half a mile down a lonely alleyway at Turkeyen on the lower East Coast. The woman’s mother has since identified the remains as that of her daughter’s while the police have dispatched samples to Trinidad for DNA testing. Those samples are still being awaited here.

Following the discovery of the remains of the man at the cemetery, there was the case of another body of a man that was found decomposed in his home in Albouystown. He was suspected to have died of natural causes.

Welshman assault update...

Police preparing file for DDP chambers

By Leroy Smith ‘A’ DIVISION Commander, Clifton Hicken yesterday confirmed that the police are still actively pursuing the persons who may be responsible for the beating of Johnny Welshman on Sunday evening after he joined a taxi at the Georgetown seawall.

Hicken, when contacted, said that the police are in possession of the medical report, based on the information he received, and the file is being prepared to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Commander said that the police were not able to arrest anyone for the beating of the young man on Sunday, but a statement was taken from him. They are calling persons who may have witnessed the incident to come forward and assist the police in their investigations.

On Sunday, based on information received, Welshman was attacked and beaten by two men, after he was picked

up by a man driving a car. The man, who saw him walking on the seawall, reportedly asked him if he was interested in a taxi, and he responded in the affirmative.

As Welshman entered the car, the driver reportedly travelled in the vicinity of Kingstown where he asked to be excused from the vehicle for a few minutes.

During that period, two men reportedly came up to the vehicle and began beating Welshman, demanding certain objects and information.

The driver of the vehicle then returned and sped off from the area with the men still in the car beating Welshman as they made their way to Alberttown.

Welshman said he managed to jump out of the moving vehicle, and made his way to the Alberttown Police Station, where he informed the police of the incident. The police there then directed him to the Brickdam Police Station.

The young man was then advised to seek medical attention, and according to information reaching the Guyana

Chronicle, he suffered lacerations to the face and also sustained a broken tooth.

Welshman, who is said to be mentally ill, is accusing Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman of molesting him several years ago when he resided here in Guyana.

Persons have been questioning the validity of the claims, given the length of time that Welshman took to bring the matter to light. He, on the other hand, said that he was going through a period of healing, and was bracing himself for the day when he would go public with the information.

Johnny Welshman currently has a matter engaging the High Court, where the lawyers for Trotman moved to bar him from making public pronouncements and disclosures on the matter and posting that on his Facebook page. He has since been trying to have that decision quashed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Our condolences to the Harris family

THE Board of Directors, Management, and Staff of the Guyana Chronicle extends its deepest condolences to former Chronicle Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Adam Harris, on the passing of his son, Allan.

Allan, 42, died at a city hospital yesterday morning after going into a coma

from which he never recovered.

His dad indicated during an interview with this newspaper that Allan suffered from high blood pressure, and was hemorrhaging in the brain when he went into the coma.

Allan Harris leaves to mourn his two sons, a

grandchild, his parents, and other relatives and friends.

It is the wish of this newspaper and its management that the Harris family finds the strength to carry on at this their hour of bereavement.

May Allan's soul Rest in Peace. (Leroy Smith)

Over 5,500 benefit from...

From page 2

‘D’ Division police donate water pump to St Lawrence Nursery THE Guyana Police Force ‘D’ Division, which covers the entire West Demerara and East Bank Essequibo, in collaboration with the Community Policing Group (CPG) last Friday donated a water pump, and treated the students of St. Lawrence Nursery School, East Bank Essequibo to hot meals.

Spearheading the exercise were Deputy Commander, Superintendent Stephen Mansell and CPG Divisional Vice Chairman, Mulchand Rampersaud The donation of the water pump was timely since parents and teachers were complaining about the slow flow of water which puts the health of the students at risk since they hardly get water to wash their hands and do proper cleaning.

Speaking with the Chronicle, Deputy Commander

The school’s headmistress receiving the pump from Deputy Commander Mansell

Mansell said that after they had visited the school and did various checkups they saw the need for the water pump to ensure a constant water flow.

“Children are our future, they are the future leaders and we the police will work hard in order to develop not

only this school but schools throughout our division,” Mansell said.

After the donation of the pump, hot meals were served to the students as they enjoyed themselves talking with the deputy commander about their needs. (Asif Hakim)

Hugo Chavez Rehab Centre now ready to serve the homeless

By Clestine Juan

Foreign Minister, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Minister of Education, Ms Priya Manickchand with residents of Moruca, Region One

Jagdeo, who had, during his presidency, secured about 1000 scholarships for Guyana, and insisted that 10% of all students going to Cuba, must come from the hinterland region, and in particular, Amerindian communities.

Parents were high in praise for the government’s initiative, and expressed the hope that the programme will continue. One parent with seven children in the public school system took home $70,000.

T h e ‘ B e c a u s e We Care’ cash grant initiative continues this week and next week throughout the rest of the Administrative Regions.

The initiative was officially launched on Saturday, at the Bartica Community Centre in Region 7. Head of State, Donald Ramotar and several Members of the Cabinet and Members of Parliament were in attendance.

Immediately following the launch more than 3000 children received their $10,000 vouchers, some of whom proceeded to en-cash at the local Western Union/Bill Express.

The following day, Sunday, the Ministry of Education distributed the grant

to parents and guardians of more than 1,100 children in Leguan and Wakenaam Islands, Essequibo River, Region 3. Parents expressed appreciation and welcomed the opportunity to be served by the Minister of Education, and teams of educators from their respective communities and the Central Ministry.

Parents from more than 16 schools received their 10,000 grant that day.

The cash grant initiative was announced by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during the presentation of budget 2014. As explained by the Minister, this programme is meant to provide more support to parents with school age children and increase the disposable income of parents with school age children with a view to raising enrollment and attendance rates. This is in fact the first programme of its kind in the Caribbean and indeed anywhere else in this part of the world where every public school child is entitled to this benefit.

Cognisant of Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana, which recommends inclusionary democracy and because of the Government’s deep commitment to

making decisions based on the desires of the people of Guyana, the Ministry of Education engaged in consultations all across Guyana to hear from Guyana’s parents what systems they believe would serve them best. More than 55 public consultations were held where the following questions were examined whether parents would prefer to be able to receive cash or exchange a voucher for goods in the manner that the uniform voucher programme is currently operated; and if en-cashing were the preferred option, which service would parents prefer to use to be able to en-cash their vouchers (choices ranged from the Banks, Mobile Money, Western Union/Bill Express, the Post Office, Moneygram).

Almost unanimously parents chose to receive cash as opposed to goods and an overwhelming majority chose to be able to en-cash at Western Union/ Bill Express money services. Where, geographically, there is a limitation of financial services different arrangements shall be made. (The Ministry of Education)

THE Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and re-integration of 180 indigent Guyanese is now ready to offer its services, according to Human Services and Social Security Minister Jennifer Webster.

The Centre, located at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, was commissioned on August 10 last year. And it was expected to begin accommodating homeless persons by the end of August 2013, and was expected to cater for the accommodation of 100 males and 80 females.

Minister Webster said the Centre will serve less fortunate persons, a purpose for which it was built, to help them turn over a new leaf.

HOMELESS PERSONS Homeless persons from across Guyana will be housed at the centre, which has separate dorms for males and females, a kitchen, recreational, medical, training and dining facilities and conference rooms.

Additionally, Webster highlighted that a therapist to aid in medical assistance and treatment will also form part of the centre’s staff complement. Residents will also benefit from a sixmonth medical assessment

‘The Centre endeavours to transform the lives of its occupants, so as to enable them to become disciplined and productive members of society… Being that it is named after the late former president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, it’s only fitting that we try to maintain a certain standard’ -- Minister Jennifer Webster. and dental check-up via a partnership with the Ministry of Health. Minister Webster said, too, that the Hugo Chavez Centre will also offer vocational skills training.

The Centre, she added, will be self-sufficient, by means of a special area allocated for agricultural purposes and a fish pond.

The Minister stated that a full staff is in place but a management board is still to be decided on. The board, she noted, will oversee the operations of the facility.

AIM OF OPERATIONS Webster pointed out that the aim of the centre’s operations is to work, counsel and train the individuals housed at the centre to help them support themselves.

“The Centre endeavours to transform the lives of its occupants, so as to enable them to become disciplined and productive members of society... Being that it is named after the late former president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, it’s only fitting that we try to maintain

a certain standard,” she said.

The Minister disclosed that the Venezuelan Government, through the local embassy, has indicated that it will provide training for the staff of the centre.

The Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Re-integration constructed with US$2M funding from Venezuela comes with recreational, medical, kitchen, conference room, training and dining facilities. Also, a section of the land space is dedicated to meaningful occupation of residents in agricultural practices.

Construction of the facility started in January 2010 and was billed for commissioning in May during the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic, ElíasJaua Milano, but was postponed because of unforeseen circumstances.

The commissioning came five months after the death of Venezuela’s much respected President Hugo Chavez, after whom the facility is named.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Caribbean Statistics Day…

Message from CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin Larocque TODAY marks the sixth observance of Caribbean Statistics Day in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The first observance of Caribbean Statistics Day arose out of a decision of the Thirty-Third Meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS) which agreed to this Day being commemorated on 15th October 2009, as a mechanism to garner a greater profile for statistics in the Community and promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making in the Region.

The commemoration is also a means of recognising the crucial role of statistics across a wide spectrum of activities – from daily decision-making of individuals, businesses and students to planning, policy-making and research among governments, academia, scientists and other users.

This year’s commemoration of Caribbean Statistics Day follows from

the conduct of the Second High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics in May 2014, and has as its theme: “Data Revolution for Sustainable Development in CARICOM – Designing and Operationalising a Framework for Statistics in the Post-2015 Development Agenda”.

That agenda has already begun to take shape with the establishment by the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The report of the panel expressed the intention of finishing the job started through the Millennium Declaration. Further, it called for “a data revolution for sustainable development, with a new international initiative to improve the quality of statistics and information available to citizens”. It further emphasised the need to take advantage of new technology, crowd sourcing and improved connectivity to empower people with

information on the progress towards targets.

INVESTMENT IN STATISTICS Statistics is a vital part of the development agenda but investment in statistics remains a challenge. The CARICOM Secretariat continues to work with Member States to improve the coverage, reliability and quality of the traditional areas of statistics and to develop frameworks to measure new and emerging issues.

That Second High-Level Advocacy Forum on Statistics, referred to earlier, issued a call for commitment by governments of the Community to strengthen the national statistical systems as a key means of sustaining the development and availability of timely, high-quality and relevant statistics for decision-making, and for the empowerment of citizens of the entire Region.

Among the major issues raised by the keynote speaker and host, Prime Minister of

Grenada, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, a number of participants and other contributors at the forum were the following: ● Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has to be the tool that powers the data revolution that will be used for the sustainable development of regional economies, since ICT had the potency to help countries move forward quickly and effectively through making available timely and high quality data to empower our citizens and make progress towards building resilient and highly adaptable societies: ● Decisions to enable improvements in the lives of our citizens and the mitigating of the challenges of low economic growth, high unemployment, particularly among the youth, and the reduction of poverty must be guided by statistics; ● Countries need to ensure that they have a fully-fledged National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) that is aligned with

their national economic and social development plans as well as the inclusion of financing options; ● Investing in regional approaches to building statistical capacity will help to optimise the use of scarce public resources of countries; ● Monitoring of both compliance of regional integration at the national level and of the impact of integration in CARICOM are critical issues that depend on the availability of key statistics.

The demand for statistics is expected to increase in the post-2015 development era and therefore a data revolution will require intensified efforts to address the deficiencies that still exist.

ESTABLISHING CAPS Statisticians of the Region must be commended for the strides that they are making to improve statistics, including the establishment of the Caribbean Association of Professional Statisticians (CAPS) in May this year, which would redound to the benefit of all

CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Ambassador Irwin Larocque

the people of CARICOM. Research and Development and Innovation has been identified as a key area of intervention in all the strategic priorities of CARICOM’s first ever Five-Year Strategic Plan (2015-2019), which was approved by Heads of Government last July. The role of statistics is therefore fundamental to achieving the goals and objectives of the Plan.

With that in mind, I wish that this year’s observance of Statistics Day proves to be a catalyst for the data revolution to aid sustainable development of our Region.

Hundreds pay tribute to Norman Sue in Toronto – Consul General Sawh lauds late Guyanese’s contribution

The immediate family of the late Norman Sue

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – FRESH memories were evoked at the Rembrandt Banquet Hall here on Sunday when close family members, friends, customers and special invitees paid tribute to Norman Augustus Sue, the late Guyanese businessman who passed away one year ago after a prolonged illness.

Having served the Scarborough community with distinction for several years under the Norman Sue Bakery banner, the late Sue was remembered as a fond and loving husband, father, grand-father, giver and teacher among other glowing accolades.

Among the hundreds attending the impressive Ap-

preciation and Tribute to the stalwart Guyanese, who migrated here in 1971 and made a name for himself and family in the baking industry, was Guyana’s Consul General to Toronto, Sattie Sawh, who lauded the outstanding contribution Sue made to the community.

According to Sawh, the late Sue had left an undeniable and wonderful mark “on all of us and this to me is symbolic and significant of the wonderfully positive, bright and friendly demeanour of Norman Sue. He was a friend and a supporter to many; and as we look back on his time with us, we feel the warm and pleasant nature of his presence here today.”

Sawh pointed out that it was always difficult to

address gatherings of such nature as they usually evoke feelings of sadness, “while there is a natural tinge of difficulty as we are also here to cherish, celebrate and memorialise.”

Reminding the audience that the late Sue “was a man who left quite an impression on his family and friends and on the community at large,” the Consul General said his name was synonymous with many positives and worthwhile community initiatives from the delicious Guyanese treats that his bakery provided to the many laudable causes that he and his family have supported.

Sawh echoed the view that “In our community in Toronto, his name is exceptionally well known and respected and the goodwill that he has shown has brought an undeniable sense of popularity to the Norman Sue name.”

Reflecting, Sawh mentioned that she had personally worked with Sue and his wider family for a number of years. “I count it as a personal and special relationship that we share and I am truly thankful to share their friendship and support for the community. I know that his wife

and children are tremendously strong and positive people and I am proud that they have always shown great resilience and courage in the face of challenges.”

Observing that while the Guyanese community in Toronto is much poorer for the loss of a great man like Norman, “In our midst, we celebrate the fact that he did so much for so many and that his legacy will continue to live on through his business and his family’s community spirit.”

Eldest daughter Kim, who along with sister Natasha now head the business, remembered her father as a man who touched many lives, cared less about material things and one’s colour or religion didn’t matter to him.

Kim opined that her father had re-defined the words humility and forgiveness and was responsible for touching many lives. Speaking briefly on his humble beginnings in Guyana, she said she was proud to be one of his five children and her mother Lynette, who hails from The Pomeroon, was also a tower of strength before and after the passing of her dad.

Natasha described her late

Consul General Sattie Sawh addresses the audience

father as an honest and simple man who never wanted recognition and his satisfaction was being able to help the less fortunate. She reasoned that his rewards were evident in the attendance at the Thanksgiving Day ceremony.

Intimating that her father wasn’t a Christian but “was God-sent, Natasha declared that “I am sure that some of you here today can attest to that. He offered employment when no one else would; he offered a place to rest your head when you were tired; he gave his last dollar when you were broke or a glass of water when you were thirsty.”

Natasha alluded to the fact that, “Not only has their business become a legacy, but so has the name Norman

Sue. “It’s not only a name. it’s a home, it’s a community, it’s not only Guyanese, not only West Indian, it’s international.”

An emotional Nadia, the youngest daughter, described how her dad took a piece of her heart with him, but she was nevertheless grateful for the experience and for having “such a wonderful daddy.”

Norman jnr, the only son of five siblings, and who also served as the Master of Ceremonies, said he remembered his father for being a very jovial individual and he’s glad to be classified by persons for being of the same ilk as him.

The ceremony was interspersed by renditions from popular musicians Martin Grimmond and Victor Shim, while the late Sue grand-daughter Nyssa also shone while performing a solo on her trumpet.

Among those in attendance were members of the Guyana Ex-police Association of Canada (GEPAC); Ontario Softball Cricket Association (OSCL); Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA); and Scarborough Cricket Umpires Association.

The late Sue lived in Georgetown and Linden, Upper Demerara, before migrating to Canada in 1971.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Scoping study underway to increase transparency in mining sector – a pre-requisite for Guyana’s EITI membership

By Clifford Stanley

of revenues from natural resources.

A STUDY for the potential Under EITI, the governadoption of internation- ment will work hand-in-hand al standards for account- with the company and civil ability and transparency society representatives to in the extractive industries, produce reports that help specifically the mining sec- citizens understand how the tor, began last week. government manages its exDuring an inception tractive sectors. workshop held at the HerdThe reports include paralmanston Lodge Friday last, lel public disclosures by both Minister of Natural Resourc- governments and companies es and the Environment of the payments that compa(MNR&E) Robert Persaud nies have made to governannounced that the study is ments for their oil, gas, and being conducted by Moore mining development.

Stephens International LimThese figures are then ited, a leading global ac- reconciled by an independent countancy company at a cost administrator. of $17M, provided by the In addition to increased Government. transparency, EITI strengthens accountability and emEITI powers citizens by enhancing The scoping study is the accessibility of informaa pre-requisite for Guy- tion available about the revana’s participation in the enues generated from natural Extractive Industries Trans- resource development. parency Initiative (EITI ), The EITI does not ada global coalition of gov- dress transparency and acernments, companies and countability in forestry since civil society working together this sector is regulated by to improve openness and the Forest Law Enforceaccountable management

ment, Governance and Trade programme of the European Union (EU FLEGT).

The inception workshop was attended by several stakeholders in the mining industry, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of indigenous organisations, Transparency International (Guyana), and the Guyana Human Rights Association, among others.

The scoping study will allow Guyana to determine to what extent it needs to prepare for EITI and what measures should be put in place to adopt its standards.

BECOMING EITI-COMPLIANT Minister Persaud said that funding of the study was a demonstration of Government’s political commitment and political will to the principle of transparency and its willingness to accelerate the process of getting on board the EITI. He noted that one of the definite benefits of being

Sandspring raises CDN$2M

by Private Placement Equity Financing

By Clifford Stanley

CANADIAN mining company Sandspring Resources Ltd has announced continued progress towards the development of its Toroparu mines in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

The company said it sold CDN$2.0 Million worth of shares by Private Placement Equity Financing last week and net proceeds from the sales will be used to continue the definitive feasibility study of the Toroparu Gold Project in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and for general working capital purposes.

The company disclosed that it had closed a non-brokered private placement (sale of) 10,327,000 units of the company to individuals and corporations outside the nor-

mal market at a price of CDN$0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of CDN$2,065,400.

Each unit consisted of one common share of the company and one common share purchase warrant.

Each purchase warrant gave the holder the right to acquire one additional common share of the company at a price of CDN$0.30 per share until October 7, 2017.

“We are pleased with the continued progress toward completion of the Toroparu feasibility study,” commented Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rich Munson.

“However, like many other gold companies, we are aware of the potential effect on our project of the current gold price environment and are looking at var-

ious optimisation strategies to enhance the profitability of the Toroparu Gold Project in an extended lower gold price environment.”

The securities issued are subject to a hold period expiring on 8th February 2015, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and the rules and policies of the Canadian Stock Exchange (TXSV) and such other restrictions as may apply under applicable foreign securities laws.

The offering remains subject to the final approval of the TXSV. Sandspring Resources Ltd. is focused on bringing into production its 100%-owned Toroparu Gold Project.

The mine has estimated reserves of 4.1 million ounces of gold.

EITI-compliant was that this status for Guyana would attract larger amounts of private and international investors.

“These will come to a country where there are gold standards being pursued for accountability and transparency and they will feel very comfortable in doing so,” he said.

He disclosed that Government through the MNR&E had signalled to the EITI Secretariat that it wanted to join the EITI in May 2012 and has been guided by the Secretariat in its actions from the formation of a Multi-Stakeholder Group since then to Friday’s launch of the scoping study.

He assured that every effort will be made to ensure that all stakeholders and every other Guyanese understand what is involved in

membership of the EITI, not only to allay suspicions but to achieve buy-in and support for the initiative.

Bobby Gossai Jnr., Senior Policy Analyst and Advisor at the MNR&E, disclosed that there is a timeframe of two and a half years from the time of application to Guyana becoming EITI-compliant.

“So,” he added, “from the time you announce your intention there is this time frame which you must work towards because you are being tracked to see whether you will actually implement EITI or its just a talk shop.”

Moore Stephens International staffer, Mr. Ben Toorabally who will be conducting the study said that it will be done in three phases starting this new week.

PHASE 1: activities to promote general awareness

among stakeholders and the wider society.

PHASE 2: a comprehensive study of the mining sector, including identification of all the companies and individuals who are involved in mining; the agencies that are involved and the preparation of a report which will represent a snap shot of Guyana’s status, including the constraints the country might have with respect to becoming EITI-compliant.

“Then we will compare Guyana with other countries that have implemented the EITI and adopt a best practices guide to implement the EITI here,” he said.

He told participants at the inception workshop that his company intends to present its report on the results of the scoping study by the third week in January, 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Registrar says...

UG in dire need of constitutional reform

By Navendra Seoraj

THE University of Guyana (UG) is calling for a constitutional reform as the constitution is too weak, says UG Registrar, Mr. Vincent Alexander.

Mr. Alexander last Friday at the Installation programme of the UGSS President and Executive Council stated that because of the weak constitution which UG has, the council could only last for a single semester, after which there will be another election to select another set of students to make up the council.

He further stated that he is calling on students and officials of the university to support this development so that the elected body could last longer and also things could run smoother.

Mr. Alexander said that he hopes his call for a better constitution “does not fall

Vincent Alexander

on deaf ears” and hopefully with the help of the newly-elected University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) the university could work towards achieving this goal.

MAJOR GOAL Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, newly-elected President of the UGSS, Joshua Griffith stated that constitutional reform is one of their main aims.

Griffith noted that there

will be a general meeting with one-third of UG’s student population, whereby the matter will be further discussed.

He further stated that he and his executives have already met and discussed some of the matters, and there will be some changes that are expected to be made as soon as possible.

Griffith also said that the task ahead will not be an easy one because there will have to be constant debates, meetings, etc. in order for this venture to be a success.

He added that with the support of the student population and other UG officials, they intend to work assiduously towards achieving this goal.

Meanwhile some minor changes are being made at the moment and as soon as this venture is publicised and finalised the major changes will be made.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

CGX acquires short-term loan prior to drilling next exploration well

By Clifford Stanley CANADIAN oil company CGX Energy has entered into a short-term loan agreement with petroleum exploration and production giant Pacific Rubiales Energy Corporation for Cdn.$7.5 million to cover certain expenses generated in Guyana in connection with its work commitments here.

The company expects to spud the exploration well on the Corentyne Block by October 2015.

Dewi Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the company, commented: “The bridge loan allows CGX Energy to continue discussions with potential joint venture partners and also commence purchasing long-lead items required to drill our next exploration well on the company’s 100%-owned Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana.”

The bridge loan has a term of twelve months and annual interest payable of 5%.

OPERATIONAL UPDATE The company has also provided an operational update on its activities in Guyana.

Jones disclosed that as previously announced, the company has entered into a seismic contract with Prospector PTE. Ltd to conduct a 3,116.74 km2 3D seismic survey on the company’s 100%-owned Demerara Block, offshore Guyana.

The seismic survey which is ongoing is expected to be completed in approximately 60 days.

After the completion of the survey, Prospector will be issued common shares in the capital of the company representing approximately 16.6% of the company.

The company, Jones said, is also continuing to work with the technical team at Pacific Rubiales to secure a joint venture partner on its company’s 100%-owned Corentyne Block, offshore Guyana.

Jones noted: “We have been working closely with the technical team at Pacific Rubiales to delineate a prospect on the Corentyne

Block and expect to announce the further details on our next exploration well by year-end.”

AMENDING CLAIM Additionally, on September 29, 2014, the Arbitral Tribunal of the London Court of International Arbitration granted CGX Energy a procedural order amending its claim against Repsol Exploracion, S.A. to include a claim for amounts owing by Repsol to CGX Energy in the amount of U.S.$889,663 in connection with the drilling of the “Jaguar” exploration well on the Georgetown Block, offshore Guyana, Jones disclosed.

CGX and Repsol Exploracion, S.A. were partners exploring the Georgetown Block when the well had to be abandoned in July 2012 due to safety concerns.

The new claim will be taken up after the January, 2015 hearing during the damages phase of the proceedings, if any, Jones said.

CGX Energy is a Canada-based oil and gas exploration company which remains focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin.

LAW OF THE SEA AWARD In June 2000, CGX was forced to halt a drilling programme it had started off the Corentyne Coast after gunboats from the Suriname navy ordered the crew and hired rig out of the zone.

Suriname had long claimed part of the border region with Guyana as its territory, and after high-level missions, led by then President Bharrat Jagdeo and then Foreign Minister Clement Rohee, failed to convince the government of then President Jules Wijdenbosch to settle the matter, Guyana took its case to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea. The Tribunal sitting in the Hague in the Netherlands, after almost three years of deliberations, in 2007 handed down an award in Guyana’s favour, preserving 93 per cent of the CGX Corentyne licence as being in this country’s territory.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Fire Service launches community projects

– in observance of 57th Anniversary

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Fire Service (GFS), in observance of its 57th anniversary, embarked on a community service project last Sunday.

Thirty-five officers accompanied by the Chief Fire Officer, Marlon Gentle, visited the Gentle Women’s Home at Cemetery Road and D’urban Street, Georgetown.

There, the male officers de-bushed the yard, cleaned the drains and re-painted the building, while the female officers groomed the elderly and served them sumptuous lunches.

The Chief Fire Officer

said they also installed several smoke detectors in the home of the elderly and overall had a merry time with the elderly folk.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast of Demerara, the Leonora Fire Station firefighters, including officers, sanitised the public bus sheds between Leonora and Uitvlugt as part of their celebratory activities.

Gentle said they will continue to do similar community- oriented projects.

On October 12, 1957, the GFS became an independent organisation, separate from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and it has been 57 years since.

GFS officers grooming the elderly at the Gentle Women’s Home on Sunday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

GWI seeks ISO accreditation of Scientific – in bid to enhance efficiency Services Laboratory of water-quality testing G U YA N A Wa t e r I n c .

(GWI) on Monday reported that it has commenced the process to attain ISO 17025:2005 accreditation of the company’s Scientific Services Laboratory.

A press statement added that the laboratory is pivotal to water- quality testing, since it is utilised to monitor the output of GWI well stations and water- treatment facilities countrywide.

GWI said ISO accreditation of the laboratory is a primary objective of GWI. Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, stated that efficiently monitoring the quality of the product GWI provides to its customers is a key priority of the company.

“Due to massive investment by the Government, we have significantly improved access to potable water countrywide with over 25 water- treatment facilities,” stated the CEO. “Now our customers desire improved quality. Testing the output of our water-production sites is a key aspect of quality improvement; hence ISO 17025:2005 ac-

creditation is a strategic move to enhance the quality of water GWI provides to customers.”

Quality Management is pivotal to GWI as the government of Guyana has invested US$31M under the “Programme to Improve Water and Sanitation Infrastructure and Supply,” which will result in the further expansion of access to potable water services in Regions 3, 4 and 6. “It is absolutely vital that as access to safe water expands, our capacity and efficiency in quality management must also improve,” stated Chief Executive Shaik Baksh.

The accreditation is being managed by GWI’s Scientific Services Manager, Donna Canterbury and implemented by consultant Dr. Edgar F. Paski of Analytical Solutions, Canada. Dr. Paski met with GWI’s CEO today, Monday October 13, and provided assurance that every aspect of preparation for accreditation will be effectively implemented.

Dr. Paski possesses a Ph.D in Analytical Chemistry and has extensive

knowledge in Quality Management and Laboratory Management.

The ISO 17025:2005 accreditation of the GWI laboratory will involve ensuring that the facility is deemed technically competent by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This will encompass ensuring that instruments and equipment used for quality testing and calibration meet the required standard of the ISO. The process will also involve training of GWI laboratory employees by Dr. Paski. GWI personnel involved in testing for water quality, including those responsible for collecting samples from the homes of customers, will also receive specialised training in ensuring reliable samples.

“We hope that through this process our customers are enlightened on how pivotal quality is to the operations of GWI,” stated Chief Executive Shaik Baksh. “The safety of our customers is the main thrust of seeking this type of ISO accreditation.”

Dr Edgar Paski poses with GWI Scientific Services Manager, Donna Canterbury, accompanied by GWI Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Pensioner beaten unconscious, robbed of CG motorcycle

By Leroy Smith

THE police are investigating an incident in which a Mc Doom pensioner was beaten and robbed of his CG motorcycle on Monday afternoon at approximately 13:30 hrs as he was about to enter his yard.

Speaking with the Guy-

ana Chronicle yesterday, 60-year-old Parmanand Jaggernauth told this newspaper that he was out transacting business and returned home. The man said he drove through the alleyway leading to his house at lot 17 Public Road, Mc Doom and parked his CG motorcycle CG 2503 as he attempted to open his

gate.

He recalled that as he was opening his gate, two men came up and one of them jumped on the motorcycle.

Jaggernauth said that he immediately realised that it was a robbery and he attempted to take the keys out of the motorcycle, but the men began beating him until he became

dizzy and fell down.

According to him, while he was being beaten by the men to his face and head, one of them continued encouraging the other to shoot him; however Jaggernauth confirmed that he did not see any weapon on any of the men and they inflicted the beating with their fists.

Jaggernauth lives with his wife, and according to him, the woman was not at home at the time of the incident.

Following the incident, the man made a report to the

police and was also advised to seek medical attention, which he did. The police are said to be in possession of the medical report.

Meanwhile, the pedal cycle that the two men used to make their way to the man’s home was left on the scene as they made off with the motorcycle. The pedal cycle was handed over to the police, who have since lodged same at the Ruimveldt Police Station.

Mr. Jaggernauth said that his motorcycle is fairly new

and has just about a 300 mileage on the meter, since it was not being used owing to a medical condition and operation he had to undergo shortly after purchasing the mode of transportation.

Persons who heard of the incident and converged on the scene told this newspaper that the response of the police was very prompt, but they came from a different direction since the two men who fled with the motorcycle went in the direction of the city.

Security guard pleads not guilty to robbery under arms A SECURITY guard of Chapel and D’Urban Streets,Lodge, Georgetown, was on Monday placed on $100,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a charge of robbery under arms.

Ryan Lowe pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on September 26 at D’Urban Street, Lodge, being armed with a bottle, he robbed Orin Durkett of $35,000 cash.

The unrepresented defendant told the court that

he was convicted in October 29, 2009 for trafficking in narcotics.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant did not oppose bail and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Faith McGusty for November 7.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Court cashier gets 60 months for $3M theft

By Geeta Rampersaud

A 24-year-old Georgetown Magistrates’ Court cashier, who was on the run for over a year for allegedly stealing from the court’s Maintenance Department, was on Monday convicted by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Tiffany Peters was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment for the offence, particulars of which said that during the period February 7, 2012 – September 11, 2012, in Georgetown, being employed as a clerk at the court, she stole $3,045,000, property of the State of Guyana.

The matter was first called before Magistrate Faith McGusty, but was then transferred to Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Subsequently, it was finally transferred to Magistrate Latchman for trial.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman told the Court on the first court appearance that Peters was employed as a cashier in the court’s maintenance section; her duties entailed writing up maintenance/affiliation cards and cash composition books, as well as collecting cash from persons paying monies.

Blackman told the court that during the period mentioned in the charge, Peters made changes to receipts and records and stole the afore-mentioned sum of cash from her employer.

He said that from the time the offence occurred, the defendant went on the run and acting on information , the police set up a sting operation which eventually led to her arrest.

The prosecution had objected to bail on that appearance, on account of the sum of money involved and stated that, the fact that Peters had been on the run for such a long time indicates that she is a flight risk who, if granted bail, will not return to court.

H o w e v e r, h e r a t t o rney-at-law Mr. Adrian Thomp-

son managed to secure her bail.

Representing the prosecution was Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunt. A number of witnesses inclusive of clerks, a supervisor and the principal clerk of court were called to testify on behalf of the prosecution.

Peters was informed by Magistrate Latchman that a prima facie case had been established against her and she chose to lead a defence

and gave unsworn statements Friday last.

The defendant said, “Madam, no handwriting assessment was taken from me. No document was presented in court where I made a mistake while being a cashier to compare whether the initials are same or look like or totally different.”

She noted that she is not the last person to hold the cash on a day- to- day basis and also she found it relevant to say the

she is not the first person to handle the cash everyday.

Peters further told the court that when she finished with the cash and documents in the afternoon, she would hand same over to the supervisor to verify that all is correct and corresponds. If these documents are correct, the supervisor would sign off each of the documents, indicating that they were correct; otherwise he would have brought it to her attention.

The defendant said that after the supervisor had finished signing up the cash and documents, the cash is then placed in a sealed envelope in the presence of the cashier and the supervisor to be taken to the High Court, where it would be lodged overnight. She emphasised that the supervisor would carry the cash to the Supreme Court.

However, she said that she does not deal with the cash that is returned the following

morning; It goes to the banking clerk who deals with it, plus any documents pertaining to banking.

She explained her task: after collecting the cash, she would then issue receipts to the person lodging. She said that while she was a cashier, nobody ever came to her to query or complain that they had paid her a specific amount of cash and received a different amount.

Turn to page 21

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

GWI offering tamperers ‘Free-Pass’ reconnection with no penalties ––offer good until next month-end

By Michel Outridge THE Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is offering free reconnection with no penalties for tampering until November 29 in its ‘Free Pass’ campaign which is tar-

geting 10,000 domestic customers.

During a press conference yesterday at GWI headquarters, Vlissengen Road and Church Street, Georgetown, Customer Services Manager Jeannette

Thomas said the water company is offering huge incentives before the massive countrywide disconnection for non-payment.

‘GWI FREE PASS’ Thomas announced GWI staffers, PRO Timothy Austin; Billings Manager, Julie Ragnauth; Customer Services Manager Jeannette Thomas; and Executive Director Finance Jaigopaul Ram at the press conference yesterday (Photo by Michel outridge) that, starting today, domestic customers who were disconnected can apply at any GWI commercial office for a ‘GWI Free Pass’ which entitles them to a reconnected service without paying the usual $6,000 reconnection fee.

She added that the ‘GWI Free Pass’ is also for domestic customers whose service connections were entirely removed for large debt and customers who would be required to pay $25,000 for reconnecting their service will also receive exemptions under the ‘GWI Free Pass’ programme.

Thomas said that in addition, customers whose entire service was removed for tampering can save $10,000 with the ‘GWI Free Pass’ for the replacement of their water service.

END-OF-YEAR DISCONNECTION She explained that to benefit from the limited time offer, customers must visit a GWI commercial office and apply since the ‘GWI Free Pass’ promotion ends November 29 and the programme is being launched prior to the company’s annual large scale countrywide disconnection campaign which commences on December 1.

Thomas told the press that the campaign is geared towards providing disconnected customers with the opportunity to pay all outstanding arrears without the burden of reconnec-

tion or tampering fees.

She pointed out that the goal of the ‘GWI Free Pass’ is to provide customers with a chance to settle all arrears before they begin their end-of-year countrywide disconnection campaign.

Thomas said, “We urge all disconnected customers and those with illegal connections to apply for the ‘GWI Free Pass’ and avoid paying additional money in penalty fees.”

She explained that after November 29 all penalties will be in effect and most disconnected customers will find it difficult to pay all arrears plus penalty fees which can be as high as $25,000.

Thomas said, “We are urging every disconnected customer to apply for a ‘GWI Free pass’ while it is still available.”

She noted that following the ‘GWI Free Pass’ promotion, the company will embark on a heightened countrywide disconnection campaign which will employ the use of enforcement teams.

The GWI Customer Services Manager said, “It is vital that persons with illegal services apply for the ‘GWI Free Pass’, noting that the enforcement teams will be policing communities from December 1 to remove all illegal services as well as those services which were illegally reconnected.

“This is a chance for these customers to regularise their GWI service with zero penalty payments required.”

guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

At Defence Ministers meeting in Peru…

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Minister Rohee plugs need for hemispheric cooperation HOME Affairs Minister, Mr Clement Rohee has given fellow Defence Ministers meeting in Peru every assurance that Guyana is supportive of the call to modernise and adapt the Inter-American Defence System to make it more relevant to the multi-dimensional challenges facing the nations individually and collectively.

He made the pledge Sunday at the opening of the XI Conference of Defence Ministers of

are also greatly concerned with those posed by climate change,” he said.

Rohee told the conference that his delegation, therefore, supports the Five Thematic Axes of this 11th CDMA and all the proposed mechanisms aimed at improving collaboration and coordination of efforts in the areas of defence and security in general.

He pointed out that they “support the specific proposals

Home Affairs Minister, Mr Clement Rohee (left), with GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips at the conference the Americas (CDMA) ended yesterday in Arequipa, Peru.

He told his colleagues that in Guyana, “we practise inter-agency coordination in a civilian-led integrated approach to the various security and defence-related threats to our country, with the participation of our Defence Forces as a necessary and indispensable component.”

related to the coordination of military conferences on defence issues, the mechanisms to collaborate on military health systems, the coordination of our efforts in the area of search and rescue, the defence sector involvement in environmental protection, sharing of lessons learned and information on the participation of women in the armed forces and the support

‘Any discussion on security in our hemisphere would be deficient unless attention is paid to the special security threats faced by the small islands and low-coastal states of the Caribbean’- Minister Rohee

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Noting that any discussion on security in our hemisphere would be deficient, unless attention is paid to the special security threats faced by the small islands and low-coastal states of the Caribbean, Rohee said that as a consequence, nowhere is the need for such hemispheric cooperation more necessary than in the threats related to environment protection.

“We in Guyana not only recognise the threat posed by environmental degradation, but

for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.”

CHALLENGES Rohee said Guyana is pleased to join the hemispheric discussion on the best ways to meet the challenges we face, which include narcotics, arms and human trafficking; climate change; illegal mining and logging and the resultant environmental degradation; natural disasters; health care; terrorism and other povertyrelated issues.

He noted that “all the above threats serve to extend the remit of our defence sector leading to

––in face of threats to environment protection the need for their involvement in forensic sciences training and application, for example, in the identification of human remains and curbing the small arms trade through exporter/production

identification.”

Rohee said, “Guyana, as an active Member of UNASUR fully supports and uphold the decisions to ensure that our hemisphere remain a zone of peace and hemispheric cooperation.”

The minister explained that Guyana supports the view expressed by Brazil that the CDMA in pursuit of its objectives and in keeping with its by-laws must adopt the necessary flexibility with a view

to encouraging all countries of the hemisphere who have an interest in being part of CDMA to join in this important and august forum for the exchange of each other’s views and experiences.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Mechanic refused bail for unlawful possession of firearm, ammo A THIRTY-year-old mechanic of Lot 178 BB Eccles, East Bank Demerara was on Monday refused bail for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Leon Ramroop, a father of two, pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on October 10 at Eccles, he had in his possession one 9mm pistol with four matching live rounds of ammunition, when he was not a the holder of a firearm licence.

The defendant told the

court that he resides with his sister at the Eccles address.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Funga-Fat, who requested bail after telling the court that his client resides in the United States.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant informed the court that the police had linked the defendant’s fingerprint to a break and enter scene. During investigations at the defendant’s home, the weapon was found. He added that the defendant is likely to

face more charges.

The chief magistrate asked that if the defendant lives in the United States, how would he guarantee to the court that he will return for his trial.

The prosecutor’s objection on the grounds that no special reason was given to the court and the defendant being a flight risk, was upheld.

Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Magistrate Ann McLennan for October 31.

Court cashier gets...

Peters also told the court that she does not write on the affiliation and maintenance cards. She added that when she is sick or absent from work, someone else would be subsituted for her. And she went on mentioning some of the names of persons that would work for her.

The convict said that she could not recall working

at any specific time when $400,000 was paid to the collecting office.

The defence submitted that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendant , saying that the prosecution’s case was tenuous.

On Monday, the prosecution told the court that after the supervisor had checked off,

From page 17

the defendant made changes.

After considering the seriousness of the offence and the need to deter others from contemplating and or perpetrating such an offence, Magistrate Latchman handed down the sentence.

Defence counsel gave notice of his intention to appeal.

Brothers accused of stealing cows TWO brothers accused of stealing cows were on Monday released on $125,000 bail each

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Seon Garraway, 22, of Lot 540 East La Penitence, Georgetown, and 29-year-old Leon Garraway both denied two counts of simple larceny charges.

Particulars of the first charge said that on October 9 at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, they stole two cows valued $500,000, property of Ramkellawan Ramnauth.

The other charge alleged that on the same day at Sophia, they stole a cow valued $180,000, property of Collin George.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question, Ramkellawan took his cows to graze at Sophia for about 30 minutes and went home in the meantime. On his return, he noticed that two of his cows were missing and subsequently reported the matter to the police.

Grant said that all the cows were branded and two were

found at Garraway’s home with one of the throats slashed and the third cow was not recovered.

The duo was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Funga-fat, who requested bail in a reasonable sum.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the ground of the nature and gravity of the offence and the fact all the animals had not been recovered.

The prosecutor did not oppose bail and the case was transferred to the Sparendaam Court for November 7.

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guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Alexander Village gold heist...

Known characters among persons questioned

By Leroy Smith THE police between Thursday last and Monday questioned approximately 12 persons in connection with the robbery at the Alexander Village gold establishment of Theresa Imtikhab Ali where six persons were robbed.

Approached for a comment on Tuesday, Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken told this newspaper that persons were arrested and taken into custody, with some of them being kept overnight as the matter continues to be investigated.

He told the Chronicle that among those questioned and placed on identification parades were persons who are known to the police, but when they were placed on either of the two identification parades none of them were identified by victims

of the robbery.

On Thursday last, six persons including a husband and wife were held up at gunpoint by three bandits who entered the establishment even as another one waited outside in a car. One of the bandits was identified as a female, while the others were said to be male.

Theresa Ali, 38 years, a housewife and her husband Imtikhab Ali, 39, a goldsmith, were pounced on by the bandits just around 11.30 hrs on Thursday morning while customers were in their establishment, Kumar Jewellery. The woman was upstairs in her living quarters while her husband was downstairs with workers and customers.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Friday, Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that the incident did take place and that during the incident, the

wednesday october 15, 2014 – 10:30hrs thursday october 16, 2014 – 12:00hrs friday october 17, 2014 – 13:00hrs

couple were relieved of millions, while other goldsmiths who were in the shop working at the time as well as customers were relieved of their belongings and valuables.

The bandits also took away a .32 firearm, according to the crime chief.

Asked if any of the bandits were masked, James related two of the bandits were unmasked while the other was masked. He said that while the men robbed the persons who were present at the Lot 4 First Street, Alexander Village property which houses the businessplace and living quarters of the couple, the woman used duct tape to bind her victims.

By Friday two males and a female had been detained, but at this point no one is in custody since the 72- hour detention period is over and the police do not have much to tie the suspects to the crime. The police did profile those who were brought in for questioning and some fingerprints were taken.

In addition to the husband and wife who were robbed, the four other persons whom the bandits took items from included 30year- old Charrandat Paul of Block 12 Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara; he was robbed of a Nokia cellphone worth $66.000. Thirty- yearold goldsmith Ricky Ronald of 93 First Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was robbed of two gold rings valued at $70.000 and a Samsung mobile phone.

The other two persons who were also present in the goldshop and were robbed are Latiff Persaud, a 22-year- old goldsmith of 18 First Street, Alexander Village, who was robbed of a mobile phone and a silver band.

Pooran Ramoutar on the other hand, 32- year- old manager of another gold establishment and of 19 First Street, Alexander Village, was robbed of eight pennyweights of 14- karat gold, valued at $40,000 and three pennyweights of 12- karat gold, worth $16,000.

Aries

You probably think of yourself as a curious intellectual, but a recent expansion in career and finance has brought out talents for business and money that you didn’t know you had. This has been a time not only of success and good fortune but also of learning more about yourself. Don’t fall back on old fears or underestimate yourself. You’re capable of accomplishing more than you know.

Taurus

Your natural warmth is enhanced by a new sense of self-confidence. Group activities and social events might bring you into touch with people who prove to be valuable business contacts. Whatever goals you’ve attempted to reach may finally show signs of materialising, possibly through the efforts of others who believe in you. This should be a very fortunate and enjoyable day for you. Make the most of it!

Gemini

Today you might pinch yourself to see if what you’re experiencing is real. Success and good fortune are coming thick and fast, with only minor setbacks and irritations to complicate matters. Business, money, and career success are likely to be at an all-time high, although you might find yourself feeling a little fearful of what comes next. Don’t worry about that. Go with the flow.

Cancer

Career and financial success might have paved the way for you to fulfill some of your fondest dreams. Perhaps you’ve wanted to return to college and get an advanced degree, take a trip around the world, or try writing and publishing. Whatever it is, your schedule should be freer and more flexible than ever, so this is the time to go for it. Start planning today!

Leo

Now that you feel more secure regarding your business and financial situations, you might be looking for ways to feed your spiritual and metaphysical interests. Your intuitive and psychic abilities should be operating at a very high level, causing you to experience some vivid dreams and visions and receive the insights that come from them. Books and lectures might prove especially enlightening.

Virgo

Just about every department of life should be going very well for you now. Business, finances, and partnerships are likely on their way to success, while personal relationships of all kinds, particularly romantic ones, should also be more rewarding.

You might be thinking of expanding your horizons through new enterprises or study.

Don’t be shy - go for it.

Libra

Whatever you’re working on at the moment, whether business related, personal projects, or volunteer work, it’s likely to bring you increased satisfaction on many levels. You’re enjoying what you do, making a difference, and meeting new friends.

Your health continues to glow. You may feel as if nothing can stop you. Watch out for minor upsets, but nothing that will burst your bubble.

Scorpio

It’s likely that your personal and creative horizons are expanding. Your or another’s artistic enterprises might pay off big today. You could be introduced to people who prove to be valuable contacts as well as new friends. Your love relationships are going well. Your new feeling of enthusiasm and self-confidence certainly doesn’t hurt!

Sagittarius

A huge get-together of some kind could take place today either at your home or the home of someone close to you. It’s possible this may turn into more than just a fun party. You might become involved in conversations with people who become valuable business or social contacts. Expect to have a wonderful time no matter what you do today.

Capricorn

Expect many advantageous changes to take place in your community. New businesses could open their doors, interesting neighbours could move in, or some necessary repairs could finally get done. You might spend a lot of time in the car or on the phone and spreading the news. An exciting proposition may come to you or someone close to you through a letter, email, or phone call.

Aquarius

You’ve probably had few periods when business and finance have gone well for you. Now this trend seems to be coming to a head. Today you might start or close some type of agreement that will make a big difference to your finances. Your money situation should not only improve but also stabilise at a level higher than it’s ever been. As long as you’re diligent, this growth should continue.

Pisces

You tend to be practical and businesslike by nature, but the tremendous growth you’ve experienced may increase your desire to be as sensible and efficient as possible in order to continue this trend. You’re feeling upbeat and positive. You’re likely to continue to feel this way. The only downside is that you’re probably going to be working very hard. You will like the results, though, so go for it.

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Hamilton and Rosberg can fight despite distant threat of Ricciardo LEWIS HAMILTON and Nico Rosberg have been told not to change their approach to racing each other, even though Mercedes has not yet secured the Formula 1 drivers’ title.

The pair’s 1-2 finish at the Russian Grand Prix was enough to secure Mercedes the constructors’ crown with three races remaining, and all but guarantees one of them will be drivers’ champion.

Hamilton is 92 points clear of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo in the championship which means, with only 100 points available, freak circumstances are the only thing that can topple him.

But after a season that has witnessed several tense moments between Hamilton and Rosberg - and a clash on track at the Belgian GP - Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff says the team’s rules of engagement are unchanged.

“Of course 92 points means Daniel would need to win all three remaining races and Lewis not to score eight points,” said Wolff. “So even though I am a pessimist that would be a black swan, black swan, black swan event.

Lewis Hamilton “However, I don’t think corner and he just missed we are going to change some- the braking on the dirty thing in our approach, be- line. Lewis was very cold cause we want them to race blooded and it was good.

So it will not change the each other respectfully.

“We saw that in Russia. approach. We don’t want Probably that was Nico’s it to end in some kind of

circumstance with events on the track.”

Although Hamilton is now 17 points clear of Rosberg following the Russian GP, he said it is far too early to feel that he is in control of the championship.

“It is a very positive feeling to have points and obviously be finishing ahead of Nico, but history has shown this year that the gap can never be enough,” he said.

“I guess the really important thing is the gap at the end of the year. At the moment, nothing changes.

We have to keep on fighting and pushing as hard as I have been up until now, and if I can bring any more then I will.”

Lewis upsets Sinclair as GDF take unofficial lead in Inter-Service...

From Backpage ahead of Carlisa Atkinson and Alicia Jack, both of the GDF. Back on the field, Patrick King (GDF) recorded a leap of 6.95m to take the gold and ten points, the GPF’s Yoel Benjamin’s 6.61m for silver and eight points and Carlos Haynes with 6.57m and 6 points, finished third for the GDF. Tracey Moses of the GPF won the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.57m, with Letita Myles 2nd and Aniqua Powley third - both of the GDF. Powley, however, impressed in Heat 1 of the women’s 100m, clocking 11.9 seconds. On Friday she will meet GPF’s Onika Eastman who also stopped the clock at 11.9 seconds in Heat 2. They were the only females to run below 12 seconds on the day.

The men’s 100m final will be keenly contested as well with GDF sprinters claiming the top spots in both heats. Davin Fraser recorded the fastest time in Heat 1 – 10.4 seconds, with his team mate – Akeem Stewart clocking 10.5 seconds in Heat 2.

O l y m p i a n Wi n s t o n George of the GPF won his 400m Heat comfortably and

looks on course to run away with the gold, while GDF ran away with the top spots in male and female 4 x 100m Ranks relays.

Action continues today from 10:30hrs with 10 finals and the heats in the male and female 200m at the same venue.

American Racing Tips

12:15 hrs Stormbound Nottingham 08;40 hrs China Club 09:10 hrs Referendum 09:40 hrs Spindle 10:10 hrs Banzari 10:45 hrs Flight Officer 11:20 hrs TY Gwyr 11:55 hrs Mutafaakir 12:25 hrs Dream Catcher

Keenland Race 1 Unrivaled Race 2 Visionary Ruler Race 3 Northern Luck Race 4 Sayler’s Creek Race 5 Island Fever Race 6 Unbridled Explosion Race 7 Kitten’s Queen Race 8 Areed

Greyville 08:50 hrs Estidraaj 09:25 hrs Royal Tree 10:00 hrs Le Forti 10:35 hrs Rich Girl 11:10 hrs Storm Surf

Wetherby 09:20 hrs Final Countdown 09:50 hrs Dunowen Point 10:25 hrs Tidal Way 11:00 hrs Scotch Warrior 11:35 hrs Cut The Corner 12:05 hrs Abbey Storm 12:35 hrs Nexius

English Racing Tips

Irish Racing Tips

Lingfield 08:30 hrs Sarsted 09:00 hrs Foreign Diplomat 09:30 hrs Castle Talbot 10:00 hrs Koptoon 10:35 hrs Darnathean 11:10 hrs Anglo Irish 11;45 hrs Alba Verde

Punchestown 09:15 hrs Lord Scoundrel 09:45 hrs Orgilgo Bay 10:15 hrs Batchelors Walk 10:50 hrs Its All An Act 11:25 hrs Un Beau Matin 12:00 hrs Old Supporter 12:30 hrs Bon Chic

South Africa Racing Tips

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

Sir Alex Ferguson: Louis van Gaal needed to make Man Utd signings (BBC SPORT) - Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted the squad needed “a big injection” of players.

Ferguson retired in 2013 but successor David Moyes was sacked in April as United struggled to seventh last term, their lowest Premier League finish.

Six new players were brought in at a cost of £150M, including Angel Di Maria for a British record fee of £59.7M “It was really important because you need quality at Manchester United, you need the best players,” Fer-

Sir Alex Ferguson guson said.

The 72-year-old Scotsman, who won 38 trophies

in his 26 years at United, told MUTV: “That’s the way the game is going to-

day with fees like £85M for Gareth Bale.

“When you can identify ability like that needed by Manchester United, they have the resources to do that. Those are fees I never quite equalled but nonetheless they needed quite a big injection this year.”

Also in the summer transfer window, United sold Manchester-born striker Danny Welbeck, who had progressed through the youth ranks, to Arsenal for £16M, leading to criticism the club were neglecting their youth policy.

But new boss Louis van

Gaal has introduced several home-grown players into the senior squad in his first season at the helm, including defenders Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett.

“What has pleased me about Louis is he’s given seven young kids their debuts this year, which falls into line with the history of our club,” Ferguson said. van Gaal, who signed a three-year contract with United in May, has won titles with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar but has seen his new team lose to Swansea and Leicester, and suffer a 4-0 thrashing

by League One MK Dons in

the League Cup. Asked about the new manager’s start, Ferguson added: “Maybe he’s doing the right thing to clear the decks and build his own team, because he’s got the experience and coaching ability to do that. I think the way he’s approached (it) is brilliant.

“He’s not been getting the results that are expected but when I came to the club I didn’t get the results I expected myself at the beginning. Louis is going through that same process and there’s no doubt in my mind he will sort it out.”

Windies must treat fourth ODI as a final, urges Williams

NEW DELHI, Indi(a (CMC) – West Indies assistant coach Stuart Williams believes the Caribbean side need to treat this Friday’s fourth One-Day International as a final, if they are to find their edge and beat India in the series.

West Indies won the opening game by 124 runs last Wednesday in Kochi but went down by 48 runs last Saturday here at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Adverse weather from a dangerous cyclone forced the cancellation of the third ODI carded for Visakhapatnam on Tuesday and Williams said with the series reduced to four matches it

Stuart Williams is important West Indies “The fourth game place maximum emphasis you’ve got to play like a on the next game.

final. If you want to win the World Cup, these are the games that we have to win and first of all we would like to win this fourth game,” said Williams.

“We want to keep that self-belief – we’re stressing on keeping that self-belief – and play this game like a final.”

The fourth game is set for Dharmasala with the fifth scheduled for Kolkata next Monday and the West Indies have not won a one-day series in India in a decade but Williams said his side’s aim was to break this trend.

“Obviously we want to win the series. There are

some points (to be had) in terms of the ranking so we want to win the series, we came here to win the series,” he stressed.

“No disrespect to India – they are number one – but we want to win against these good teams so we can be in good stead for the World Cup. “As a unit, both batting and bowling, we’re doing well. We’ve exceeded our expectations. A lot of people thought India would have just come and roll over us but we are showing that we have some fight in us and we’re up for the challenge.”

In the last ODI, West Indies seemed en route to vic-

tory in pursuit of 264 set by India but suffered a now-familiar batting collapse to be bowled out for 215 runs.

Williams said despite this performance, he believed West Indies were still playing good cricket and simply needed to re-focus.

“The guys are batting well, bowling well and fielding well, it’s just to get everything (together). There was a little blip in the second game but we will get it back together,” he said.

“We as a management group are charged with getting the guys together and we will try and keep them together as much as possible.”

Tiger Woods & Phil Mickelson in US Ryder Cup task force ( B B C S P O RT ) - Ti g e r Woods and Phil Mickelson will be part of a group examining the state of the United States Ryder Cup team, who were beaten 16½-11½ at Gleneagles in September, their sixth defeat in the last seven contests.

Former captains Raymond Floyd, Tom Lehman and Davis Love are also on

the 11-man panel, which will explore areas including captain and player selection.

However, Paul Azinger, who captained the US to their last victory in 2008, chose not to be part of the group.

“I’m not ready to jump on a task force,” Azinger, 54, told ESPN. “I have a scheduled meeting with the PGA of America in early No-

vember and I just think it’s too soon for me to commit to jumping on a task force.”

Azinger did not elaborate on the subject of next month’s meeting but, speaking in the aftermath of the latest defeat, he did not rule out returning to the captaincy at Hazeltine in 2016.

In a media conference held immediately after the conclusion of the loss at

Gleneagles, Mickelson appeared to criticise captain Tom Watson by stating his support for Azinger’s winning formula at Valhalla in 2008.

Jim Furyk, the world number four, and world number 10 Rickie Fowler, who both played at Gleneagles, are also included in the group, along with veteran tour player Steve

Stricker, PGA vice-president Derek Sprague, PGA chief executive officer Pete Bevacqua and PGA secretary Paul Levy.

Also debated will be the qualifying system, the dates by which the team is determined and the timing of wildcard selections.

Woods, who has not played in a tournament since August because of injury

and asked not to be considered for a wildcard place at Gleneagles, said: “I think this is a great step by the PGA to accomplish what we all want - to win the Ryder Cup. “The Ryder Cup is very important to every player who has the honour to represent his country. I’m excited to be part of this group.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

What Guyana Football needs is unity - says Jerome Champagne, FIFA Presidential candidate

By Rawle Toney WITH THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and its president Christopher Matthias still being one the of heavy criticisms for the state of Guyana’s football, Jerome Champagne believes that what the sport really needs is unity and a breath of fresh air.

While to some Guyanese Champagne might be a stranger, the 56-year-old Frenchman is a popular figure in world football, having served in FIFA from 1999 to 2010.

However, these days Champagne is commonly known as the only man (so far) brave enough to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency at the May 2015 FIFA Congress.

Joseph ‘Sepp’ Blatter, a 78 -year-old Swiss, is sitting at the helm of the world’s most popular and richest Sport for the past 16 years, having taken office in 1998 when he ascended to the presidency over former EUFA president Lennart Johansson.

Blatter announced in September of this year that he would definitely stand for a fifth term, a reversal of his previous insistence that he would stand down.

During the eleven years spent in FIFA, Champagne follows sport-political issues, relations with FIFA member associations as well

Jerome Champagne as specific projects, such as the FIFA Centennial, FIFA’s relations with governments and the European Union including the defence of the specificity of sport at the EU, the win in Africa with Africa initiative.

FIFA’s support for Palestinian football, the improvements in FIFA’s relationship with FIFA Pro for the good of the governance of world football, the development of CIES Football Observatory and FIFA’s relations with the International Olympic Committee and other international federations are also under his radar.

He is also credited for having contributed to the reelection of Blatter in 2002, so his input on Guyana’s football is one which is treated with grave importance.

“We need stability, because trust me, with the experience I have and the years I’ve worked in FIFA and after I left FIFA, when

you have no stability at the top and more concerns between the leaders of football, you cannot have a strong national federation,” Champagne told Chronicle Sport in an exclusive Interview via Skype.

“So we need stability, we need a top league and that’s important. When I think of Football in Guyana and when you’re 150 something in the ranking, for a country like Guyana, that’s not normal,” the Frenchman said.

As a Presidential Candidate at the FIFA Congress, asked what he would do to help member associations like Guyana, Champagne said that on an institutional reform level, “you need to give back the power to the National Federations. As you know, the Football Federations belong to FIFA and FIFA belongs to the football federations at National Level.”

He added “The confederations play a big roll and are not members of FIFA; the Confederations are to FIFA like the English Premier League is to the English FA. But I want to give back the power to the federation at the national level”.

“Secondly, I want to increase funds for development programmes because FIFA has the financial assistant programme for US$40 000 a year and I want to increase it. I also

Christopher Matthias want to create a specific programme for football federations in the Caribbean and Oceana.”

According to Champagne, despite the financial assistance given by FIFA in a number of areas to help its member associations, “a lot of people believe that when a Football federation or F.A is from a small country, they need less money but it’s actually because the country is smaller, they need more money because they are less private companies, their travelling costs will be more expensive it’s the case of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana that I know well when they want to travel to participate in CFU competition its expensive”.

Meanwhile, football pundits in Guyana and regionally believe that FIFA and its Confederation; CONCACAF are equally

Windies-A suffer 10-wicket loss to Sri Lanka-A

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka (CMC) – An impressive century stand for the eighth wicket between Shane Shillingford and Nikita Miller averted an innings defeat but offered little hope of a significant comeback as West Indies-A suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss to Sri Lanka A on the fourth day of their opening four-day ‘Test’ yesterday.

Shillingford and Miller spearheaded a tail-end rally to reverse a batting slump before Sri Lanka mopped up the remaining resistance and coasted to an easy target without losing a wicket in the morning session at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium.

Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Jehan Mubarak got the 34 runs required for victory in only 4.3 overs after West Indies, resuming from an overnight 267 for seven, were bowled out for 285 in their second innings.

Shillingford and Miller help the visitors avert an innings defeat on the third day with a powerful half-century stand

for the eighth wicket which matured into a 106-run stand on the final day.

Shillingford, 56 overnight, was bowled by Vishwa Fernando for a well-played 63 highlighted by three fours and five sixes while Miller, 37 overnight, also perished from the bowling of Fernando.

Miller struck four fours and a six in his knock of 46 as the West Indies-A were only able to add 18 more runs on the fourth morning, with the tail-enders seeking to consolidate on a top score of 77 from Test batsman Kirk Edwards while Jermaine Blackwood contributed 39.

Dimuth Karunaratne, whose century in the first innings had helped to put on a strong total, and Seekkuge Prasanna, who returned with a match-haul of nine wickets were the outstanding players for Sri Lanka who lead the three-match series one–nil while the next match is scheduled to start on Saturday in Matara.

to be blamed for the situation in Guyana given the fact that several letters and other correspondence were written to the hierarchy asking for their input.

But after two failed congresses and a call for the resignation of Matthias from office, both FIFA and CONCACAF have failed to directly reach out to quell the dilemma before further escalation.

Nevertheless Champagne said “It’s a FIFA responsibil-

ity to take care of the Federation and it’s very important that we know what’s taking place.

“I worked in FIFA for 11 years and a lot of things that take place in Guyana never reached Zurich so we need know more ... the federations are members of FIFA and they have a right to go to their confederation to resolve a problem but it’s also FIFA’s responsibility to deal with issues in their federation.”

Flintoff set to sign Brisbane Big Bash deal

(BBC SPORT) - FORMER England allrounder Andrew Flintoff is close to joining Brisbane Heat for the Australian Big Bash T20.

Flintoff, 36, returned to professional cricket after almost five years in retirement in July, helping Lancashire to the final of the T20 Blast.

“We’ve had discussions and hopefully we will be able to confirm next week,” Heat coach Stuart Law told the Manchester Evening News.

“Fred is a proud man.

He is not after the cash, he wants to contribute.”

Though Flintoff was limited to only two regular-season T20 Blast games by injury, he returned for the final against Birmingham Bears.

He took the important wicket of Ian Bell with his first delivery and hit two sixes off eight balls en route to a quick-fire 20, but his side fell four runs short of victory.

A n d L a w, w h o played alongside Flintoff at Lancashire, believes that the all-rounder’s starring role in England’s Ashes wins over Australia in 2005 and 2009 have added, rather than detracted, from his popularity down under.

Andrew Flintoff “We know we will not be getting Freddie at his best from 2005, but if he is anywhere close then he will be great for us,” Law added.

“The Australian fans will love him. They won’t get on his back.

He will create a following here and will love it in Brisbane. If he helps us win the tournament, he could then play in the Champions League with us and that could open up more doors for him in India.”

Since announcing his retirement in 2009, Flintoff has been involved in broadcasting and made a documentary about his one-fight professional boxing career - a points win over American Richard Dawson.

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

2014 BCB/CARIB BEER FIRST DIVISION T20

Bramble dominates in Albion’s double-header victories with 54 and 82*

NATIONAL wicketkeeper/ batsman Anthony Bramble dominated Albion Community Centre Cricket Club’s batting show last weekend, when action in the 2014 Berbice Cricket Board/ Carib Beer first division T20 cricket competition continued with three Zone C (Corentyne) matches.

In Albion’s first match of their double-header last Sunday, they faced Port Mourant Cricket Club and opting to bat first scored 147 all out

Anthony Bramble

off 19.5 overs, with Bramble who opened their batting hitting seven fours and two sixes in the topscore of 54.

Left-arm spinner Bisham Deolall took 4 for 17 and Yudendra Harrinarine 2 for 25 for Port Mourant who in reply, found the going tough against the all-spin Albion attack on a spinners-friendly wicket and could muster only 69 for 9 in 20 overs, as Shiraz Ramcharran, Jonathan Foo and Veerapen Permaul

took two wickets each.

In their second match of the day, this time against Skeldon Community Centre, Bramble again dominated, hitting an unbeaten 82 (7x4, 4x6), which together with Berbice opener Kandasammy Surujnarine saw him add 103 for the first wicket, and 78 for the third with Foo, as Albion rattled up 208 for 3.

Of that score, Surujnarine made 24 and Foo 68 which included five

fours and four sixes, before the home team bundled out Skeldon for 82 in 13 overs, In reply, Skeldon CC were bundled out for a meagre 82 in 13 overs in reply.

Ta m e s h w a r R a m o u tar topscored with 22, as Veerasammy Permaul took 2 for 0 from 5 balls, Gudakesh Motie 2 for 19 and Veerapen Permaul 2 for 28 from 4 overs for the victorious Albion lineup.

In the other match of the day, GuyTrac Upper Coren-

tyne off-spinner Lakeram Latchman took 4 for 17 from 2 overs in Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets’ 95 for 7 made in the 12 allotted overs.

Delbert Hicks top scored with 41 and Royston Crandon supported with 26 for RHTGG, even as medium pacer Lakeram Roopchand supported Latchman with 2 for 24, bowling for GuyTrac Upper Corentyne who replied with 65 for 6 in 12 overs.

Keon Sinclair took 2 for 8.

United Insurance Golf Tournament

Sukhram siblings, Deo and Mohamad top categories

COMING back to the fore after a good win in her category in the Ladies section of the Suriname Open competition on October 7, Christine Sukhram took the winning spot among the ladies last Saturday, at the Massy United Insurance Golf tournament which was held at the Lusignan Golf Course.

Her brother Rishi Sukhram, who performed creditably a month ago at the Barbados Open competition, continued his winning streak in Guyana, by winning in his 0-9 handicap category for the fourth consecutive

competition.

After his win, Rishi, who had been off golf play for a few years due to work and other commitments, said, “I find the win easy. I expect to play regularly now, and would like to even improve my play.”

The tournament was played on the medal-play flights system, a format which sees unless a special prize is awarded for the Best Net, a single winner for the tournament is not declared but rather winners are declared for the respective flights.

For the day’s play the

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1) Albion, 1983 (2) 116 deliveries; 11 fours & 4 sixes Today’s Quiz: (1) How many ODI centuries Chris Gayle has made against India?

(2) India’s Kapil Dev made 3783 runs in ODIs. How many wickets he took?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

winning lineup was as follows: Ladies category Christine Sukhram 9/72; A-Flight (0-9 h/cap) – 1st Rishi Sukhram 8/71, 2nd Sunil Loutan 8/72; B-Flight (10-18 h/cap) – 1st, Chatterpaul ‘Chen’ Deo 15/70, 2nd, Roy Cummings 10/71; C-Flight (19-28 h/cap) – 1st, David Mohamad 20/66, 2nd Balgobin Ragnauth 26/67.

The Nearest to The Pin was also won by Roy Cummings and if there had been a prize for best net it would have gone to Mohamad.

Ms Gail Robinson, Administrative Manager of John Fernandes Insurance Services Ltd (JFISL) the local agents for Massy United Insurance, a Barbados-based Insurance Company, was on hand at the prize-giving ceremony and expressed her pleasure at the day’s activity.

“As the representative

In picture standing L to R: Captain C. Deo, R. Sukhram, B. Ragnauth, S. Loutan, R. Cummings V. Austin and S. Sahid. Seated: C. Sukhram, president D. Mohamad, and Ms G. Robinson. positive attention has now of Massy United Insurance, Deo, in his remarks as been given to it, due to the formerly United Insurance, Club captain, congratu- direct involvement of the of Barbados, I am very lated golfers for their keen Club’s president.”

Mohamad later had an happy at the publicity that and competitive perforunusual presentation to today’s activity and Massy mances, adding “I would make to Ms Robinson, in United Insurance received. like to give special thanks the form of a special golf It has always been a plea- to our Club president for sure for us to support golf his initiative with regard ball which was brought in Guyana, and we shall to getting the Government back from Barbados by continue to do so.” to improve the access road. Rishi Sukhram with the Present with Ms RobThe road has so far been brand ‘United Insurance’ inson were Claims Officer scraped and levelled. Though labelled on it. He thanked Vibert Austin and an officer it is now nearly three years her for her and United in the Clerical Department after the Government’s ini- Insurance’s great support of JFISL, Sarfraz Sahid and tial promise to improve the of golf in Guyana and the his family. road, we are all happy that Lusignan Golf Club.

India call up spinner Patel for ODIs MUMBAI, India (CMC) – Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel has been called up to play for India against West Indies in the remaining two One-Day Internationals (ODI), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced

yesterday Patel who plays with Gujarat and Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been included in the squad to play West Indies on Friday and Monday.

Akshar and Manish Pander have also been

called up for the one-off Twenty20 international to be played after the ODIs. Akshar made his debut for India against Bangladesh in June claiming eight wickets from five matches in the Champions League T20 while Manish Pander is

yet to make his international debut.

S u re s h R i a n a w a s named the Board President’s XI captain for a three-day match in Kanpur against the West Indies, ahead of the Test series.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

2014 DIGICEL ‘BREAST CANCER AWARENESS RIDE

Cyclists to do battle from Rosignol to Georgetown for $250 000 top prize … Veterans, Ladies and Juveniles will journey from Mahaica

By Calvin Roberts HAVING pedalled off from Five Corners and David Rose Street in Linden for the past two years, cyclists competing in this year’s third annual Digicel-sponsored Breast Cancer Awareness cycle road race for the top prize of $250 000, will be taking a different route on Sunday October 26.

This year’s event which was launched yesterday at the telecommunications service provider boardroom will see the senior and junior cyclists who are all asked to pay an entrance fee of $1 000, journey from Rosignol to Carifesta Avenue, a distance of 60.4 miles.

They will circle the out-

Flashback! Last year’s four category winners, from left: Raynauth Jeffrey, Junior Niles and Michael Anthony, along with the lone female Hazina Bharrat collect their spoils after topping their respective categories in the Digicel ‘Cancer Awareness’ road race.

(Photo by Adrian Narine) with the second- to sixther perimeter of the National Park for two laps,

similar to last year’s event, before completing the race,

place finishers rewarded with cash prizes and

Hetmyer is Banks DIH Aqua Mist Water brand ambassador GUYANA and West Indies youth cricketer Shimron Hetmyer is the newest sports personality to join the Banks DIH Limited Sports Brand Ambassador Programme.

The prolific 17-year-old left-handed opener was inducted into the programme at a ceremony held October 13 last at Thirst Park and will be the Brand Ambassador for Banks DIH’s Aqua Mist Water, pure artesian water.

The former Berbice High School student who hails from Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice has represented Guyana at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and senior levels respectively, making his debut in the latter at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence against Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year.

He was named in the West Indies Under-19 team for the Bangladesh Junior team tour of the Caribbean last year and travelled with

Youth cricketer Shimron Hetmyer (second left) receives his sponsorship package from Errol Nelson, Banks DIH Limited Brand Manager (Water) while his father Gladston Hetmyer (left) and Banks DIH’s Communications Manager Troy Peters look on. the WI Junior Team to the United Arab Emirates earlier this year for the youth World Cup. The aggressive opener, who can also deputise as a wicketkeeper, has scored several centuries in his career, the first (118) at the age of 13 years in the Berbice

Under-19 Inter-Zone competition and also chalked up against Windward Islands, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago in regional competition.

He is a member of the Young Warriors Cricket Club in Berbice and when informed of being chosen as

the Aqua Mist Water Sports Brand Ambassador by Banks DIH Limited, expressed elation at the news.

His father Gladstone Hetmyer also expressed gratitude and praised the company for investing in Shimron’s cricketing development.

“I know he has the potential to be an outstanding cricketer and I would like to thanks Mr Clifford Reis, Chairman and the management of the company for showing the confidence in him,” he added.

Communications Manager Troy Peters said Banks DIH Limited has been following Hetmyer’s career and decided to select him to the Brand Ambassador’s Programme. He is the seventh Brand Ambassador named by the company.

Peters offered congratulations to the young cricketer and encouraged him to remain disciplined and dedicated in his cricketing career.

trophies, while veterans, juveniles and female competitors will journey from Mahaica Bridge to the finish line, going around the outer perimeter twice as well.

Speaking at the launching, Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Manager Gavin Hope said an invitation has been extended to all clubs in Guyana to compete in the event, which is being coordinated by the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC) and has the blessings of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF).

He called cycling enthusiasts to line the route of the event, not doing so only to cheer on the cyclists as they pass through the various villages in West Berbice and on the East Coast of Demerara, but also to help spread the message on Cancer Awareness.

“We know that the country’s top cyclists will be in top shape for this event, since many of them would have competed in several races held before, so the battle for supremacy in this event, which Digicel intends to make a calendar one, is certainly anticipated,” said Hope.

President of LBFCC Okel Arthur thanked Digicel for choosing his club as the coordinating one, since in the last two editions they used Roraima Bikers Club for that purpose and he disclosed that at least three foreign competitors will be among the list of starters.

Such names according to GCF president include 2014 National Sports Commission (NSC) Independence three-stage champion Darren Matthews of Barbados and Reuben Companioni of Colombia, who will be competing in this year’s five-stage cycle road race.

The Digicel ‘Cancer Awareness’ cycle road race can be termed the larg-

est one-day cycling event in Guyana, since it totals $1.3M in cash prizes, with the second- to sixth-place finishers pocketing $200 000, $150 000, $80 000, $50 000 and $20 000 respectively.

In the Junior category, the top three finishers will pocket $80 000, $50 000 and $30 000; the top two finishers in the Veterans and Ladies categories will pocket $50 000 and $30 000 each respectively while the top three finishers in the Juvenile category will receive trophies.

Reigning national Time Trial champions Raynauth ‘Obeah Man’ Jeffrey is the defending champion in the Open category, having won last year’s event in a time of 3h. 03m: 05secs, beating an illustrious field that included Marlon ‘Fishy Williams, Alanzo Greaves, Geron Williams, Robin Persaud and Orville Hinds.

Junior Niles successfully retained the Veterans title last year, and the vast-improving Michael Anthony, who recently won the Victor Macedo ‘Ounce of Gold’ race last Sunday, won the Junior category, even as Hazina Bharrat turned the tides on Naomi Singh to take the female category.

At the conclusion of yesterday’s launching, Digicel Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara presented a cheque for an undisclosed sum to Judita DaCosta of the Avon Community Health Fund (ACHF) which works along with the Guyana Cancer Society.

Hope also said the entrance fees paid by all cyclists to compete will go towards the Guyana Cancer Society. Thompson vowed to have the GCF continue to have the event, held in October, as a calendar event with the cyclists assisting more with the fight against the silent disease

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday October 15, 2014

35

Benjamin looking to preserve Guyana’s boxing history F O R M E R B O X ER-turned-journalist Michael Benjamin is on a drive to preserve the history of Guyana’s boxing. Benjamin, in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association, has begun a programme to document the history of the sport in Guyana and has commenced work on the creation of a boxing archive.

The programme is being hailed as an enhancement to the entire boxing fraternity and according to GABA boss Steve Ninvalle, is long overdue. The archives would be housed at the Andrew `Six Head’ Lewis gym in Albouystown when opened later this year.

“Mr Benjamin should be applauded for coming up with this sound and timely initiative that would serve and enrich both amateur and professional boxing. It is important that we preserve the history of our beloved sport. This is indeed a shot in the arm,” Ninvalle said.

Guyana has had several world, Commonwealth and FECARBOX champions at the professional level. The country’s lone Olympic medallist came through the sport.

Pointing out the timeliness of the initiative, Ninvalle disclosed that he was shocked that several members of the Michael Parris Fitness Centre in the National Park when asked, knew nothing about the person after whom the facility was named.

“There is a history bottleneck in boxing. It has happened for too long and needs to be cleared now.”

Michael Benjamin Benjamin has already started gathering pictorial images of Guyana’s world champions.

These images would be displayed at the Gym alongside brief bio data and achievements of the fighters. In addition, a log book with information of Guyanese fighters would be created.

“We would start with world champions but eventually it will include every person who has made a significant contribution to our boxing. This cannot be an overnight accomplishment but rather would take some time,” Ninvalle added.

“Benjamin’s idea is to make the Gym truly a home for boxing where video footage of Guyanese fighters would be shown and local fighters can have a place to better know and interact with each other.”

Benjamin is a former national and WBC Continental of the Americas lightweight champion who went on to graduate from the University of Guyana with a degree in Communication.

The archive and photograph gallery will be opened with a ceremony in December.

‘Vicious’ Vivian Harris departs for Colorado WORLD-RANKED Guyanese junior welterweight boxer `Vicious’ Vivian Harris departs his training camp in Phoenix, Arizona this afternoon for Colorado where he will fine-tune preparations for next week Friday’s fight with Raul Carrillo.

After weeks of drills in the Grand Canyon State, Harris declared himself to be in “excellent shape” which should allow for victory when he steps into the ring at the Memorial Hall in Pueblo.

“I am just happy at the chance to get back into the ring. I have sparred just over 30 rounds and I am in excellent shape. I am leaving for Colorado a very confident man,” Harris told Chronicle Sport yesterday.

The 36-year-old Guyanese puncher is scheduled to battle Carrillo for the USNBC title. The winner of the bout is guaranteed a World Boxing Council top-ten ranking. Harris’ aim is to win convincingly against the Mexican to better align himself for another attempt at a world title.

“God has given me a second chance in my career as a boxer. I now take nothing for granted. I am going to do what it takes and

at the end of this Vivian Harris will be a world champion again.”

A veteran of 41 fights, Harris was crowned World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion on October 19, 2002 following a second-round Technical Knock Out of champion Diosbelys Hurtado in Houston, Texas.

He had three successful defences but was then dethroned by little-known Colombian Carlos Maussa via seventh round knockout.The talented Guyanese then secured three victories before unsuccessfully challenging Englishman Junior Witter for the WBC junior welterweight title.

Thereafter Harris’ career plunged into a tail spin with him losing six of the next nine fights over a four-year period. He resurfaced on victory valley in 2013 and has had a three-fight winning streak since.

“I know what I have to do and I am gonna do it. I know this guy Carrillo is a tough kid. I expect a tough fight and have trained for a tough fight. My goal is to be a world champion again and that means that I’ll have to move some folks who are standing in the way,” Harris said.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

What Guyana Football needs is unity See Story on Page 32

Lewis upsets Sinclair as GDF take unofficial lead in Inter-Service Athletics Championships

In this composite photograph from Leeron Brumell, GPF’s Julio Sinclair (left) gets ready to make what was deemed the winning throw, until he was upstaged by eventual champion Troy Lewis (right).

Leeron Brumell

T

H E G U YA N A D e fence Force (GDF) hold a slight advantage, unofficially, going into today’s second day of track and field action in the Inter-Service Annual Athletics Championships which got under way at the Camp Ayanganna ground yesterday.

According to Chronicle Sport’s tally, with eight finals completed, the GDF have 134 points, leading the defending champions Guyana Police Force by four points, with Guyana Fire and Prison Services and City Constabulary being the other competing teams.

Not often is a field event considered the ‘hot ticket’ at a local athletics championship, more so, a throwing event, but the men’s discus capped off day one’s ac-

tion. With six throwers and five throws down, the GPF’s Ronald Payne was in gold position with 39.11m, a distance he recorded in his 2nd attempt.

Two athletes would, however, dig deep in the sixth round, to relegate Payne to third.

Favourite Julio Sinclair, after fouling throws 4 and 5 with the spin technique, opted for a stationary stance in the sixth and he registered 40.15m, making his set for gold, but the GDF’s Troy Lewis held nerve and heaved the plate 40.26m, snatching victory and sending his small band of supporters into an uproar.

The multi-talented Natasha Alder took gold with a throw of 30.72 metres – recorded in the first round of her six throws. Her GPF teammate Sophina Vanderstoop finished second with 28.28m as Wonnetta Wayne

of the GDF took third with 27.45m.

Eight finals were contested on the day. In the men’s 5 000m - GDF’s Cleveland Forde, proved he is still in a class by himself, coming home alone after running a tactical race from the start.

He maintained a steady pace, watching the race leaders and as the laps dwindled, Forde got stronger. Four laps to go, Forde’s, teammate Tyshon Bentick and GPF’s Nathaniel Giddings were the three to watch, but with two laps to go the army athletes made a break and on the final lap it was Forde who comfortably won in 15 mins 52.02 seconds. Bentick finished 2nd and Giddings third.

Janella Jonas of Police won the women’s 3 000m in 11 mins 14.02 seconds

See Page 30

National long distance king Cleveland Forde gets ready to stop his watch before crossing the finish line to take the Men’s 5 000m final yesterday. (Photo by Leeron Brumell)

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014