2014 11 13

GUYANA No. 104010 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 13, 2014

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

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Guyana will head to ‘snap’ elections if dialogue unsuccessful

President underscores importance of education - as “Because We Care”

– Dr. Luncheon

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initiative goes to Paramakatoi Page

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Government to increase monitoring 3 offshore exploration Page

Rober Persaud

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Debating no-confidence motion would not have softened ‘pharaohs’ hearts’

– Dr. Luncheon Page 9

President Donald Ramotar sweeps up a toddler as he arrives at Paramakatoi to lead the cash grant distribution

With national Upstream Oil and Gas Policy...

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‘SHOWDOWN’ POLITICS IN GUYANA Page

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– Opposition outfoxed

by Gov’t ahead of no-confidence motion

Following meetings with senior Gov’t officials…

Diplomatic corps assured ‘dialoguing’ is intent of prorogation Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

President underscores importance of education - as “Because we care” initiative goes to Paramakatoi

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday led the distribution of the $10,000 education grant to parents and guardians of public school children at Paramakatoi in Region 8. In the Amerindian community, the Head of State underscored the need for children to be educated and outlined Government’s investments in the sector to ensure there are opportunities for all children.

He was accompanied by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, and Minister in the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill.

The Head of State stressed the need for people to be educated as children, pointing to a World Bank review which measured poverty in Guyana. He noted that this has been turned around and Guyana is no longer a poor country. The President also emphasised Government’s investment in education which has produced top scholars in the Region annually, through the CXC examinations.

He also observed that when the move was made to bring Amerindian students to attend President’s College, the Opposition objected, stating that the standard of the school would be lowered. However, he said that the move was justified when an Amerindian girl from the North West District topped the school three years ago.

There are several programmes put in place by this Administration to assist in educating the children of Guyana, to which the $10,000 grant has now been added. Describing what scope education would allow for persons, he pointed to the way in which lives could be improved and guided.

To further Amerindian children’s education, the government has provided solar panels so they can study at night.

The President

pointed out too that with concentration on the social sector, there are also other areas which are being focused on. Agriculture in the hinterland is one such area.

Pointing to the projects proposed by the PPP/C Administration, and which were voted against by the political Opposition, the President stated that all manifestos had called for hydropower in Guyana, yet when the project was brought forward it was rejected by the Opposition. “Judge us by our actions,” he urged.

Pointing to the proroguing of Parliament, he noted that it was not a dictatorial move, but instead one to preserve the Parliament, as he explained the reasons for this action.

On Monday, the President issued the proclamation to prorogue the Parliament, in face of a no confidence motion by the Opposition.

Despite calls for the Opposition to work with the government, they remained adamant that they were not talking, as the only thing of interest to them was the no confidence motion.

He pointed out the lies which have been told by the Opposition to the Amerindians. “Look at our actions for all the people,” he insisted, comparing what existed in the past to what exists today.

He pointed to the budget cuts perpetrated by the Opposition which slashed the entire capital budget of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, and which affected the development of Amerindians.

Speaking of the Opposition’s claims of corruption, the President pointed to the methods which are in place to prevent that and prove that this is not so.

“They have not been our partners in development,” he declared.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that the way to rise out of poverty is

President Donald Ramotar addressing recipients of the education cash grant vouchers in Paramakatoi, Region 8

President Donald Ramotar and Education Minister Priya Manickchand overlook the distribution of the $10,000 cash grant for parents to prioritise and give their children the life they never had. She declared that education is the future; the educational status of the parents has nothing to do with the future of their children.

The Minister also focused on the fact that top students of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) came from Guyanese homes where their parents were cane harvesters and housewives. She emphasised the work being carried out to improve hinterland education which she described as of utmost importance to Amerindians.

The ‘Because We Care’ initiative was approved in the 2014 national budget and targets each child in the public school children. Over 188, 400 families are to benefit overall from the Juan Edghill initiative that will

cost $2B. The Minister said the grant is meant to be an assistance and an addition to the resources parents already have available.

The Education Minister encouraged parents to continue to invest in their children, to make the necessary sacrifices so that they can become adults who can meaningfully contribute to Guyana and the world. “Our duty as adults, as a government is to ensure that our children have the opportunities we never had, what we couldn’t do,” she said.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, explaining the reasons for the distribution of the cash grant, pointed to the belief of Government that education is the way to a prosperous future. This, he said, has been ongoing for the past 20 years

in Guyana through provision of more schools and teachers and programmes to keep children in school.

The ‘Because We Care’ $10,000 grant programme was launched on October 11, 2014 in Bartica.

Meanwhile, the cash grant was welcomed by parents in the community. Nurse Matilda Saigo Williams, who uplifted the grant for her nephews, said, “They will be able to use it to buy their school things…it’s a very nice programme because it will help to offset expenses.”

Lambert John indicated that he “…will buy some clothing and crayons and what they use in school. It’s quite a good programme for parents who don’t earn.

It’s a great thing the Government is doing and they should continue.”

Odessa Paul, a teacher, stated that the parents are elated and that her students understand that the money is to be used for them, adding that it was distributed in a timely manner for parents.

Christopher Sandoval stated that he was grateful for the grant which he will use to assist to buy a laptop for his son, and he is thankful to government for giving it.

“I am studying to put it in my children’s bank account,’ said one male parent with four children in school.

Another explained that the grant “…has come in very handy and will serve a great purpose. I haven’t had aid from anywhere…it will help me with their books and that kind of thing.”

Yet another parent stated that she would use the grant towards her child’s examination fees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

With national Upstream Oil and Gas Policy...

Government to increase monitoring – Natural Resources Minister, offshore exploration Robert Persaud IN an unprecedented move to create a vibrant oil and gas sector by increasing governance and monitoring of offshore explorations, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister, Robert Persaud last evening, at the Pegasus Hotel, announced the approval,

by Cabinet, of Guyana’s Upstream Oil and Gas Policy.

This comes at a time when, according to Minister Persaud, Guyana’s “potential [of producing]... more than 15.2 billion barrels of oil” has seen the country “considered to be the second most attractive exploration basin in the world.”

Explaining the ‘across the board’ potential for Guyana’s new policy, Persaud said, “It must be recognised that Guyana’s legal, regulatory and contractual framework is attractive for petroleum investors, while simultaneously ensuring that there are

maximum benefits accruing to the people of Guyana.”

The Minister was keen to note this as he alluded to an already developing oil and gas sector which is expected to pump much needed revenue into the country. The oil and gas policy, which the Minister spoke extensively on, was approved by Cabinet with assistance from the Commonwealth Secretariat in developing the document.

“The new policy provides the Government with a strong platform for effective development and governance of exploration and developmental activities, both onshore and offshore,” Minister Persaud added.

Through the policy, the Natural Resources Minister made clear the Government’s position to have a “detailed articulation of our objective of ensuring that we create an internationally competitive upstream oil and gas sector.”

This, he said, could only

President Donald Ramotar and Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud, at left, engaging with representatives of Exxon Mobil

be possible by re-engaging partners like the U.S. Geological Survey through the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, as well as the Canadian High Commission “on the development of a complete and

comprehensive framework for the management of the sector.”

The Minister similarly called on Guyana’s Private Sector to buy into the policy as they become part of the

driving force “contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.”

Guyana is rapidly progressing as a nation to be recognised in the energy industry. Minister Persaud

outlined a number of bilateral programmes with the U.S. and Canada. He similarly alluded to “a number of multilateral programmes with organisations such as UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] to address many of the complex issues critical to a sustainable oil and gas sector and one that deals with the challenges.”

The Minister conclusively noted, “Guyana is confident that companies, including Exxon Mobil, will see this policy, as well as other initiatives, as laying the foundation... of an oil and gas sector.”

Venturing some 100 miles off of Guyana’s shore, Exxon Mobil, through their subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, has invested some US$200M into offshore operations. Expected to begin in 2015, the exploration exercise could run for as long as seven years.

GDF honours outstanding CSEC performers

COS, Brigadier Mark Phillips (left) with awardees Ramroop, Simon and Telford and Deputy COS, Col Kemraj Persaud (Photo courtesy of the GDF)

THE Chief of Staff Award for Academic Excellence was yesterday conferred on children of members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Doing the honours was none other than the Chief of Staff himself, Brigadier Mark Phillips.

The recipients, David Ramroop, Keiann Simon, and Jemimah Telford were awarded certificates of achievement and monetary incentives for their sterling performance at the June 2014 sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC).

Ramroop, the son of civilian worker Sharon Sookhoo, is a former Queens College student. This budding Computer Programmer wrote 10 subjects at CSEC and earned 9 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Keiann Simon, daughter of Lieutenant Colonel and Magistrate Ann McLennan, and also

of Queens College sat 12 subjects and earned 6 Grade Ones, three of which were distinctions; 5 Grade Twos, and one Grade Three. This 16-year-old and budding Forensic Scientist has moved on to pursue studies at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level while preparing for SAT’s.

The third recipient, Jemimah Telford, formerly of the

Mackenzie High School and a prospective Lawyer and Psychologist, wrote 11 subjects and earned 5 Grade Ones, 5 Grade Twos, and one Grade 3.

She is the daughter of civilan worker, Odetta Telford.

At the presentation ceremony, held at his Office, Brigadier Phillips stressed how proud the Force was of the students performance and how happy he was to hand over the award, which was started by his predecessor, Rear Admiral(Ret’d) Gary Best.

“This award presents an opportunity for us to show appreciation for the hard work of the children of our Officers, Ranks and Civilian employees, and also to recognise the sacrifices which your parents would have made,” he told the students.

He also pointed out that while the award was a one-off

incentive, payment, it does not represent a one-off interest in the future performance of the children. “We want to see you further develop yourself,” he said, adding:

“The new limit is Space; so I encourage you to aim as far as you can.”

The Chief of Staff Award for Academic Excellence is the Force’s way of rewarding

the children of its members who have performed outstandingly at the CSEC examinations. The minimum eligibility for this award is Five Grade Ones at one sitting.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

U.S., allies conduct 23 air strikes in Syria, Iraq: military (Reuters) - U.S.-led forces conducted 16 air strikes in Syria, most of them around Kobani near the Turkish border, and seven in the oil-producing northern region of Iraq since Monday, the U.S. Central Command said.

Ten air strikes conducted by the United States and its allies near Kobani hit eight small Islamic State units, damaged three

Iraqi PM sacks 26 army commanders for incompetence and graft (Reuters) - IRAQI Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi sacked 26 military commanders on Wednesday for corruption and incompetence, in an apparent effort to improve the army’s performance against Islamic State militants.

“The military leadership should have competence, and this is an important thing, as it is not possible for someone who is not efficient to do his work properly,” Abadi said in comments to army officers broadcast on state television.

“The second thing is integrity, as efficiency without integrity produces a vacuum.

The third is courage, so that the soldier will fight in a proper way when he sees his commander has such qualifications.”

A Kurdish man mourns next to gravestones of Kurdish fighters killed during clashes against Islamic State in the Syrian town of Kobani, at a cemetery in the southeastern town of Suruc, Sanliurfa province November 12, 2014 (Credit: Reuters/ Osman Orsal)

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advances plunged the country into crisis.

The performance of the army, recipient of $25 billion in U.S. training and funding, is crucial to the long-term stability of Iraq.

“There are widespread accusations of corruption inside the military institutions,” said Abadi. “Nobody should be afraid to fight corruption. Whoever is fighting corruption, I will stand with him absolutely.”

Islamic State gains and the beheading of Western hostages triggered U.S.led air strikes which have slowed down the group in recent weeks.

“After we defeat Islamic State the army will move away from a domestic conflict and will defend the country,” said Abadi.

Turkish nationalists assault U.S. sailors in Istanbul

fighting positions and destroyed a logistics facility, Centcom said Wednesday in a statement.

The town has become a test of the U.S.-led coalition’s ability to halt the advance of the hardline insurgents. It is one of the few areas in Syria where it can co-ordinate air strikes with operations by an effective ground force.

Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga have helped take some villages around Kobani but the lines of control in the town remain the same.

In Iraq, five air strikes near Baiji, home to an oil refinery, struck one large Islamic State unit, three small ones and destroyed two buildings, two vehicles and a sniper position used by the militants, it said. The other two strikes hit near the oil city of Kirkuk in Iraq’s Kurdish dominated north.

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Abadi, who heads a Shi’ite-led government, did not elaborate and officials in his office were not immediately available to comment on which commanders had been removed.

Islamic State militants have taken control of large areas of Iraq in recent months, facing little resistance from the U.S.-trained army. The Sunni Islamists also hold territory in Syria.

Iraq’s most influential Shi’ite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said on Friday corruption in the armed forces had enabled Islamic State to seize large chunks of Iraq, in criticism that added to pressure for reforms.

Sistani has become increasingly critical of Iraqi leaders since Islamic State’s

(Reuters) - A GROUP of Turkish ultra-nationalists attacked three U.S. sailors on a crowded street in Istanbul on Wednesday, shouting “Yankee go home” and trying to pull hoods over their heads in an assault condemned by the United States.

Video footage posted on the website of the ultra-nationalist Turkish Youth Union showed the attackers surrounding the sailors, calling them “murderers” and throwing orange paint at the men.

The attackers’ actions were an apparent reference to an incident in Iraq in July 2003, when U.S. forces detained a Turkish special forces unit, leading its members away for interrogation with hoods over

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their heads.

“Because we define you as murderers, as killers, we want you to get out of our land,” one of the attackers said in English, before the group chased the soldiers down a street lining the Bosphorus on the edge of Istanbul’s historic peninsula.

The U.S. embassy described the video, apparently filmed by one of the gang, as “appalling” and condemned the attack. “(We) have no doubt the vast majority of Turks would join us in rejecting an action that so disrespects Turkey’s reputation for hospitality,” it said in a statement on its Twitter account.

Colonel Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said it

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appeared to be a one-off incident carried “by some local thugs.”

“We’re working closely with Turkish authorities to have this investigated and to get to the bottom of exactly what happened,” Warren said, condemning what he described as an “ugly, disturbing” attack.

Officials said the three sailors were unharmed and back aboard the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer, USS Ross.

Shore leave had been cancelled for other U.S. sailors from the ship and the Ross was expected to leave Istanbul on Thursday.

“We enjoy a strong relationship with our NATO ally …

We don’t see this as something that will disrupt that strong relationship,” Warren said.

Turkey has long been one of Washington’s key allies in the Middle East and is a member of the NATO military alliance, but anti-American sentiment runs deep in parts of society, particularly since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

A poll by the Pew Research group released at the end of October showed only 19 percent of Turks had a favourable view of the United States.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Mexico missing case: Attack on governing party offices (BC News) PROTESTORS in Mexico have set fire to the governing PRI party’s offices in south-western Guerrero state to vent their anger at the official handling of the case of 43 missing students.

Their disappearance more than six weeks ago from the town of Iguala has sparked a series of sometimes violent protests.

Officials say local gang members have confessed to killing the students and burning their bodies.

But remains found nearby have not yet been matched to the missing.

About 1,000 people marched in the Guerrero state capital, Chilpancingo, before unrest broke out.

A group of protesters fought running battles with police, throwing stones and petrol bombs.

Officials said three police officers and two journalists were injured in the clashes.

The disappearance of the 43 trainee teachers and the

At least five people were injured after being hit by rocks during the violent protests outside the ruling PRI party headquarters in Chilpancingo

links it has revealed between the local authorities and a gang calling itself Guerreros Unidos (United Warriors) have triggered mass protests.

Investigators said that municipal police officers confessed to seizing the students, who had been protesting in Iguala on 26 September, and later handing them over to the gang.

Iguala Mayor Jose Luis Abarca is under arrest on suspicion of ordering police to intercept the students.

Iguala’s police chief is still on the run.

But residents say they suspect links between the gang and officials reach higher levels than that of the local town council.

Relatives of the missing are also angry about the way the search for the students has been conducted.

MASS GRAVES The search uncovered a series of mass graves in the hills surrounding Iguala.

Scotiabank on regional branch closures: Severed employees and the impact of will be treated fairly security the regional closures, said,

(Trinidad Guardian) SCOTIABANK says employees will be treated fairly when the Canadian bank closes 35 of its Caribbean offices. Paula Cufré, Scotiabank’s senior manager, International Banking Communications, stated this on Friday to the T&T Guardian in an e-mail response to concerns raised over the looming closures. Last week, Scotiabank, ahead of announcing the bank’s fourth quarter performance, said it would close 35 of its more than 200 branches in the Caribbean and sever 1,500 full-time employees, including 500 in its international operations.

Scotiabank, in a release, said it is expected to record certain charges in its fiscal 2014 fourth quarter earnings, aggregating to a total of approximately $451 million pre-tax. In the e-mail, Cufré explained, “Across our international business, we are reviewing our branch network to minimise overlap and provide

customers with the right mix of options. For example, in the Caribbean, Scotiabank will be investing in ATMs and online banking to meet the demands and expectations of our customers.” She said the bank is at present reviewing its operations and these proposed changes “are being reviewed carefully and will take place over two years.” Scotiabank, she said, “is always looking at ways to improve the speed and quality of our customer service while reducing structural costs.”

Cufré, in response to concerns raised about job

“Scotiabank has a long track record of treating our employees with fairness and respect in times of change.

We expect that will be able to manage some of the reduction in positions through attrition and place some people in markets where we are expanding.” Diane Flanagan, Scotiabank’s vice president of corporate communications, when contacted by the T&T Guardian, said she would not be able to answer any questions on how many of the bank’s branches will be closed.

Truancy cops back in schools (Trinidad Guardian) THE Ministry of Education will go to Cabinet to ask for truancy officers for schools, CCTV cameras will be introduced next month and parents will be placed on a database, all in an attempt to solve school violence. The decisions were made after Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh, National Security Minister Gary Griffith, national co-ordinator of the Citizen Security Programme Gregory, SloaneSeale, and staff from the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development, the National Operations Centre (NOC) and the police met yesterday to discuss strategy to deal with school violence.

The meeting, at the Education Ministry, Alexandra Street, St Clair, lasted twoand-a-half hours. Gopeesingh said it was called as a result of issues of indiscipline and violence but the majority of the schools were doing very well. He added: “There is no chaos in the education system. “There is a well behaved population.

It has been highlighted and it goes viral. We are leaders in education. We have good performers in the SEA,

Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh

CSEC and CAPE getting world prizes.”

Nevertheless, he listed a number of measures to be taken to reduce violence in schools. Schools would have access to the Cadet Force, a crisis management support team, mentors, truancy officers, social workers, counsellors, police youth clubs, student enhancement learning centres, community and parenting counselling, he said. They would also partner with the chuch and 18 denominational school boards, he added.

Gopeesingh said the CCTV cameras would be put in every school after a tendering process and the National Operations Centre would monitor the systems and respond to any occurrences of violence. He said

there were over 600 members of the Student Support Services who would assist in counselling students and parents during the initiative. He said they would create a massive database of parents and they would communicate with them on issues within the schools.

Truancy officers, he said, would be re-introduced and would meet with parents. He added: “The Ministry of Education will now go to Cabinet to ask for truancy officers — they have been there in the past, but in the past ten years there were no truancy officers — who will go to the homes of parents when their students are not at school or are dysfunctional and will meet with those parents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Requiem for a Motion THERE will always be questions as to the real reason behind the Alliance For Change (AFC)’s intended no-confidence motion against the Donald Ramotar administration.

And this is particularly so on account of the instances that warrant such an action. Generally, a motion of no–confidence, specifically in this instance -- which is parliamentary in nature -- conveys the understanding that the elected parliament, or some sections of it, no longer has confidence in the appointed Government.

But the question here should be: For what good reason?

Since such an attack is premised on reasons that have to do with the Government’s performance of its mandate. Now, here is a Govern-

ment that, despite the numerous challenges since assuming office in 1992, has done what is widely acknowledged as a highly commendable job in reconstructing the entire socio-economic infrastructure of a country that had been virtually ruined after 28 years of political tragedy, under the dictatorial rule of the People’s National Congress(PNC) regime.

Those who would have fled this oppressive clime by 1992, would be more than surprised now at the monumental changes that have been taking place throughout our country, compliments of a modernisation process commended by all of the international multilateral financial institutions. Even some of those within the parliamentary Opposition have acknowledged the

positive developmental changes that have taken place here, not to mention the tens of thousands of lives that have been positively impacted by these changes.

Just look at the huge success of the national housing programme, with tens of thousands now housed; the exponential motor vehicular ownership; the increase in wages and salaries, as well as pensions for the aged, which latter category is now even subsidised with their payment of monthly energy bills; the vast improvements in our education system; and the gradual modernisation of the State health sector.

These are just a microcosm of the many gains that have benefitted the Guyanese people by way of the PPP/C Government’s devel-

opment process. Therefore, it is fair to say that they have not failed the Guyanese people, whose mandate they have been fulfilling.

This brings us to the circumstances of what has led to this Alliance For Change Party’s Motion, unfortunately supported by the senior opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

We ask the question, How can a Minister be accused of the unauthorised spending of a budgetary sum that, although initially cut from the Estimates for 2014, had ever since prior been

deemed unconstitutional by way of judicial decision?

Where was the illegality in such a ministerial action that was fully sanctioned under the Constitution?

In neither instance as outlined is such a Motion necessary, as the Government continues its mission of serving the Guyanese people, and no impropriety has been committed.

Therefore, the Motion of no-confidence, as supported in its entirety by the combined Opposition, is another attempt by the latter at grabbing power under false pretences.

Disgusted by the garbage spewed by this ingrate I STARTED reading a letter captioned, “PPP is like an ungrateful dog to the people” written by the Vice-Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Moses Nagamootoo, and my temperature surged to almost boiling point.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, Nagamootoo said the Government “... will be spending. They will probably commit themselves to activating certain programmes to show that they care. So what is going to happen is a campaign of social bribes. They will focus on Amerindian areas and other communities, for it is all about catching as many votes as it can now. They will also use state media to the maximum to sell the party, because at this point, the Government is terribly wounded. The PPP is more concerned about recovering lost ground.”

These accusations are baseless, reckless, irrespon-

sible, and cannot be further from the truth; and I’m disgusted by the garbage spewed by this “ungrateful dog”. Long before he aspired to run for President, Donald Ramotar had built the distinguished reputation of being a people person. That did not happen overnight; nor did he suddenly begin caring for the underprivileged in our country after he won the Presidency.

And the PPP has always been the Party that fought to secure a better quality of life for every Guyanese. They have a proven track record to be proud of. Unfortunately, people like Moses only see the progress that’s taking place throughout Guyana as a threat to their own political ambition and aspirations.

Nagamootoo knows only too well that it is the PPP that he was part of that rescued Guyana from bankruptcy under the PNC. Nagamootoo knows that the PPP is the same

caring Party that he was a part of most of his adult life. But Nagamootoo is a bitter man; he believes he was robbed of his inheritance to lead the People’s Progressive Party; an inheritance bestowed upon him by the late former President and Founding Father of the PPP, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

But he lied! This never happened the way he described it, and when the leadership of the PPP was not bestowed upon him, this egotistic opportunist jumped at the opportunity to team up with Khemraj Ramjattan, a disgruntled former PPP member who had been kicked out of the Party, to form the Alliance For Change (AFC), in the hope of taking votes from the PPP. This they managed to do very successfully in 2011.

‘Neemakharamism’ is a recurring theme in the speeches and writings of Moses Nagamootoo, ever since

he decamped, and disembarked the PPP Juggernaut, and jumped aboard the AFC ‘Balahoo’.

The PPP is indeed the Juggernaut of Guyana’s Politics, from its inception in 1950 to the present, and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future.

The Party is grounded in the trials and travails of the ordinary Guyanese People the poor; the voiceless; the down-trodden; the under-privileged; the workers; the farmers; the fishermen; and the market-vendors. It was not until the coming of the PPP that a voice was given to the Guyanese people, first

by Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and then by the Party itself, which he helped to found.

The AFC, on the other hand, is like a make-shift ‘Balahoo’; set up to shelter the opportunists, the discarded and the rejects. The specific task of this entity is to eat into the support base

of the PPP, causing them to lose its governing majority, thereby helping to usher in the PNC, now calling themselves APNU; the same Party that ran the affairs of the country for 28 years, and by 1992, ruined the economy, the country and caused greater division among our people.

The AFC knows that it stands very little chance of winning power legitimately through elections, but Ramjattan is hopeful that he can outfox David Granger, and become the next Leader of the Opposition. Thus, the opportunists in the AFC are more interested in feathering their own nests, rather than looking after the interests of the Guyanese people.

For Moses Nagamootoo to be calling the PPP “an ungrateful dog” is himself displaying all the qualities of an “ungrateful dog”. Moses Nagamootoo has drawn his strength and sustenance for more than 50 years from the

PPP. It was the PPP that took this ingrate under its wings, cajoled and nurtured him, given him name-recognition, exposure and chances in life that he otherwise would never have had.

Like the character in his book, he would have been fetching a basket on his head, going from house to house, village to village, selling fish, returning to his shack in the evenings, dancing to the beat of the ‘Tappu’ in his drunken stupor. He owes his everything that he is today to the PPP. Who is the ungrateful one here? You decide.

Nagamootoo must be a very a troubled soul. Hendree is long overdue for his cure! He has betrayed the people of Whim, and has now given back to the PPP that which they had lost in 2011: Overwhelming support for the PPP/C Administration.

HARRY GILL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

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A Tribute to Dr. Myles Munroe THE sudden and tragic demise of world renowned Pastor, Dr. Myles Munroe, International speaker, friend to world leaders and dignitaries from all walks of life is like a giant tree that has fallen into a verdant forest; but the luscious green and immortal beauty of the forest never dies. Dr. Munroe’s life was his message and the immortal books he left to posterity will remain as a legacy in the ages to come.

Mohandas Gandhi said, ‘’My life is my message and you must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean, if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.’’

These profound words of wisdom immaculately fit into the life of this great Man of God, Dr. Munroe, whose life was his message and his love and concern for humanity will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on hundreds of generations to come, including the Christian communities and those from other religious faiths.

Dr. Munroe was a man of dignity and impeccable character who lived a life of moral integrity and practised what he preached. He was known internationally and spoke in over 80 countries worldwide, addressing millions of people, face to face, as well as on international television. His elegant and eloquent style in speaking and preaching influenced thousands across the world and many Pastors, Bishops, and International scholars in a great many academic circles are still trying to imitate his charismatic style in speaking, and his versatile and prolific prose style in writing.

Our own National Poet Martin Carter wrote, ‘’Death must not find us thinking that we die’’; but what does he mean by his last few words ‘’thinking that we die?’’ Can a dead man think after he has been dead? Carter understood that the real person after death is the immortal soul that shall never die, like Jesus when he said: ‘’For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’’

For the spiritual minded, our brother Dr. Munroe is not dead, but his life is transformed into the heavenly world with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though he dies.’’ John 11:25 Dr. Munroe believed the words of Jesus, and today he is absent from this mortal world where his journey has come to an end, but he is present with the Lord in heaven.

Myles Munroe, (20 April 1954 - 9 November 2014), was a Bahamian Evangelical Christian evangelist and ordained Pentecostal minister who founded and led the Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) and Myles Munroe International (MMI). He was Chief Executive

Officer and Chairman of the Board of the International Third World Leaders Association and President of the International Leadership Training Institute, as well as the author of numerous books.

Born in 1954 in Nassau, Bahamas, Munroe grew up poor in a family of eleven children. Raised in the Nassau suburb of Bain Town, he was a lifelong resident of the Commonwealth.

Munroe became a Christian during his teenage years, later attending Oral Roberts University (ORU) where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Education, and Theology in 1978, and a Master’s degree in administration from the University of Tulsa in 1980.

Munroe was also the recipient of honorary doctoral degrees from various schools of higher education and served as an adjunct professor of the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University.

(Quote From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) Dr. Munroe travelled the world to preach the Gospel and to unite and advise world leaders. He was the next Billy Graham in the Caribbean. His passing is not only a great loss to The Bahamas but a great loss to the world as a spiritual leader and mentor to thousands.

The Poet Kahlil Gibran wrote: “Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”

(Khalil Gibran, The Prophet) Another poem by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore best described Dr. Munroe’s final journey into immortality.

“On the day when death will knock at thy door, what wilt thou offer to him?

Oh, I will set before my guest the full vessel of my life; I will never let him go with empty hands.

All the sweet vintage of all my autumn days and summer nights, all the earnings and gleanings of my busy life, will I place before him at the close of my days when death will knock at my door.”

Dr. Munroe loved the world and the world loved him. We mourn his death as an Apostle of a living Christian Legend. Dr. Munroe was a man of wisdom and wit, a gracious and elegant personality, a versatile literary scholar and author, a unique and fascinating figure. The quality of his messages will be remembered and immortalised. Let us comb through his sermons of truth and life and remember them for posterity.

REV. GIDEON CECIL

AFC imagination exceeds its ‘mini-party’ reality THE Combined Opposition, led by the AFC, is on a No-Confidence mode, and they are very enthusiastic about it. It is their mistaken belief that come the No-Confidence vote, there will be an automatic “expulsion” from office of the ruling party. They are of the opinion that their No-Confidence Motion would have meant an immediate end to the PPP/C Party.

This Anansi Story has never occurred anywhere in the civilised world, and most certainly cannot happen here. So, I do not know who gave Moses Nagamooto that bright idea. Nevertheless, we cannot take their threat as idleness, because, as I write, consultations are most likely being held with a superpower to overthrow the Government and seize power by force.

I say no more, until such time when I will unveil that plan. First and foremost is the fact that a minority party, that is the AFC, trailing in the rear with seven seats can command a majority and take hold of the Government. They cannot accomplish this extraordinary act of accomplishment alone, hence their many backstreet discussions as to the way forward.

The question is, How could we navigate our way through this? How could the AFC and PNC/ APNU be accommodating of each other without some degree of confusion being generated out of it all? This is the plight of these two over-ambitious, rabidly-obsessed, power-hungry parties. This is the real issue.

NEIL ADAMS

Show enough evidence to support NIS claim -and benefits will be paid

THE Guyana Chronicle, dated November 01, 2014, carried an article captioned, ‘Sixty-twoyear-old retiree on run-around for NIS Pension’.

Please be advised that Mr. Bidiadhar Deokaran was paid an Old Age Grant in March 2013, and has since filed an appeal with the National Insurance Scheme.

An investigation into his matter is currently being conducted.

In the article, it was stated that “he learnt that a contributor is required to have 352 contributions before he/she can qualify for Sick Benefits.” Please be advised that in order to qualify for Sickness Benefit, an Insured Person only needs 50 contributions.

The National Insurance Scheme regrets any frustration caused by the non-payment of this pension, and wishes to reassure the writer that once the scheme has enough evidence to support his claims, his benefit will be paid.

DIANNE LEWIS-BAXTER NIS Publicity & Public Relations Officer

8

Guyana will head to ‘snap’ elections if dialogue unsuccessful – Dr. Luncheon “Elections, the President is absolutely categorical.

He has absolutely no intention of proroguing and re-re-proroguing. He has said that on umpteen occasions and he has said this to the Opposition.”

– HPS, Dr. Roger Luncheon

By Vanessa Narine PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has no intention to prorogue Parliament a second time, after having done so on Monday, but will move straight into “snap” elections if another genuine attempt by his Administration at dialogue with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) fails.

This was according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, who made it clear that the reason for the prorogation was to attempt dialogue in the interest of the Guyanese people.

“Elections, the President is absolutely categorical. He has absolutely no intention of proroguing and re-re-proroguing.

He has said that on umpteen occasions and he has said this to the Opposition,” the HPS said, at his weekly press conference, yesterday, held at the Office of the President.

As a result of prorogation, the first session of the 10th

by the President’s constitutional intervention.”

The effect of ending a session by prorogation is to terminate business. Members are released from their parliamentary duties until Parliament is next summoned.

All unfinished business is dropped from or “dies” on the Order Paper, the National Assembly’s agenda, and all committees lose their power to transact business, providing a fresh start for the next session.

No committee can sit during a prorogation. Bills which have not received Royal Assent before prorogation are “entirely terminated” and, in order to be proceeded with in the new session, must be re-introduced as if they had never existed.

As a result, the AFC’s no-confidence motion was not considered. The main Opposition, APNU had, prior to Monday, signalled its intent to support the motion.

Had it not been for the proclamation to prorogue Parliament, and had the no-confidence motion been passed, Guyana would have been

“I think the Opposition feels thwarted in that their option…was thwarted by the President’s constitutional intervention.”– HPS, Dr. Roger Luncheon Parliament, is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution.

FEELING THWARTED Dr. Luncheon acknowledged that the leaders of APNU and AFC have made clear that there will be no dialogue without the reconvening of Parliament.

However, he contends the combined Opposition clearly feels “thwarted” in moving to the dissolution of Parliament, via the passage of the AFCsponsored no-confidence motion against the Government.

He said, “I think the Opposition feels thwarted in that their option, the one to which their language and their public exhortations suggested that they would have engaged, this is the involuntary dissolution of the 10th Parliament after the passage of the no-confidence motion, was thwarted

headed to early general elections within three months.

According to President Ramotar, the move to prorogation was intended to pave the way for greater dialogue among political parties, while keeping the 10th Parliament alive.

OPTIMISTIC OF CHANGE OF HEARTS The HPS, regardless, expressed optimism that there could be a change of heart in the Opposition camps.

He added that the initial, negative reactions were expected, but urged that they “should not be taken to the bank.”

“I don’t believe (however) that the initial and immediate reactions should be assumed to constitute the more permanent and more mature positions….unless time proved otherwise, I do not believe that these initial reactions should be taken to the bank. I would

President Donald Ramotar

Dr. Roger Luncheon

hesitate,” Dr. Luncheon said.

The HPS stressed that the “big picture” is the fact that the President has made another genuine attempt at dialogue with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)

gressed from its initial sitting in 2012 and to irrevocably and irreversibly rub that out was something none of us in the Administration could have stomached, not without a fight, not without another

“I don’t believe (however) that the initial and immediate reactions should be assumed to constitute the more permanent and more mature positions…. unless time proved otherwise, I do not believe that these initial reactions should be taken to the bank.”

– HPS, Dr. Roger Luncheon and the Alliance For Change (AFC) in the interest of the Guyanese people.

“Voluntary and involuntary dissolution of the Parliament are both constitutional provisions…similar circumstances over time have not prevented a reasonable outcome…I think this is what the six months is what was included by the drafters of the constitution,” he said.

Dr. Luncheon reiterated that the exercise of President Ramotar’s constitutional right was in the interest of preserv-

effort…the records will show that the PPP/C Administration did all that was constitutionally possible and all that reasonably could have [been] done, we went the extra effort, to avoid such a situation,” he said.

The prevailing situation is not “world war three” as is portrayed, the HPS contends; however, he conceded that it could be termed a “min-crisis” of sorts.

“Time will tell…I will concede that the hype, the language, will have us think

“There are a whole host of unfinished business that this 10th Parliament has progressed from its initial sitting in 2012 and to irrevocably and irreversibly rub that out was something none of us in the Administration could have stomached, not without a fight, not without another effort…the records will show that the PPP/C Administration did all that was constitutionally possible and all that reasonably could have [been] done, we went the extra effort, to avoid such a situation.” – HPS, Dr. Roger Luncheon ing the life of the 10th Parliament to address the many outstanding issues of national importance, including several important Bills and consideration of matters current in parliamentary committees.

“There are a whole host of unfinished business that this 10th Parliament has pro-

we are on the verge of world war three, but I am willing to recognise that similar circumstances over time have not prevented a reasonable outcome, eventually,” he said.

The developments in the success of dialogue, Dr. Luncheon concluded, will have to be monitored over time.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Speaker should be mediator rather than instigator THE OFFICE of Speaker of the National Assembly is a time-honoured one that is unique for the grave responsibilities that are reposed therein. Primarily, it is about being neutral in the conduct of the nation’s affairs, as mandated by the people.

But there is an even graver function in this regard, and that is about being above the fray of the adversarial parliamentary environment, and maintaining order and decorum in the conduct of House members, with the reminder that he/she must at all times be neutral.

The current holder of this the third highest office in the constitutional order, definitely forgot this critical aspect of his sacred function, conveniently perhaps, when he joined in the many statements in the aftermath of President Donald Ramotar ’s announcement that the National Assembly has been prorogued.

OBSERVER is of the view that rather than make statements that did convey a partisan tone, apart from some inflammatory content, the holder of such an office ought to be instrumental in guiding the process of creating a conducive environment, as it relates to moving the Opposition to parley with the Government.

This Honourable Gentleman must know that Guyana is at another high mark emanating from a Tenth Parliament over which he has managed, and privy to scenes that he himself would have concluded, has not aided the national interest, materially or spiritually. And that the Executive’s intervention by proclamation is meant to guide the country away from a continuous pathway of legislative time-wasting, for a re-focus on the issues that are relevant to all our wellbeing.

OBSERVER is certain that conscientiously, he understands what has been done; and that he has the best interests of the nation at heart, but that at crucial times, he is torn between taking a principled stand, as he ought to have done when he allowed an Opposition motion to gag Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, until overturned by judicial decision; and the radicals’ demands in the opposition.

At this critical moment in the country’s journey, the Speaker must take a stand in reining in those within the Opposition, letting them understand that dialogue is still the accepted way forward, and not adding to entrenched positions from which no one, will benefit. How can he, as reported in the private press, convene a meeting of the Opposition within the Halls of the August Assembly, already aware that it has been prorogued?

His mission should be to mediate; not to instigate!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

‘SHOWDOWN’ POLITICS IN GUYANA

– Opposition outfoxed by Gov’t ahead of no-confidence motion Analysis by Rickey Singh GUYANESE now anxiously monitoring political developments between the Government and the parliamentary Opposition following last Monday’s dramatic suspension of the country’s parliament by Head of State, Donald Ramotar, in the face of a then looming ‘no confidence’ motion against his People’s Progressive Party-led administration.

With a one-seat majority in the 65-member National Assembly, the combined Opposition of the main People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the minority Alliance For Change (AFC) were in readiness to debate their long-threatened no confidence motion at last Monday’s scheduled meeting of the National Assembly.

But they were aware of the governing People’s Progressive Party’s firm opposition to any such move and of the constant warnings from President Donald Ramotar himself to authorise dissolution of parliament for new general elections, unless sober dialogue fails to move from a confrontational path.

However, obsessed with the desire to debate their ’no confidence’ motion against the Government, both the PNCR—which leads the Opposition in parliament under the umbrella of A

a multi-party parliamentary democracy, as citizens of Jamaica and other CARICOM states would know.

President Ramotar has been holding “consultations” with the PNCR leader, David Granger, in his position as parliamentary Opposition Leader, on a range of issues, including much overdue local government elections— an opposition demand--as well as the growing apprePresident Donald Ramotar hension by the Head of State Partnership for National about the dangers being Unity (APNU), by which it posed to social and ecohad contested the last gen- nomic progress by divisive, eral election in November non-cooperation and even 2011---may have overlooked hostile opposition politics.

However, following their a critical factor.

This weakness in their manoeuvres over recent strategy was fully exposed weeks to move the no conhours before Monday’s fidence motion---including scheduled meeting of par- with the office of the Speakliament when President Ra- er of Parliament, Raphael motar announced, in a sur- Trotman---a former defector prising national broadcast, of the PNC and first leader that, in accordance with his of the AFC---the Opposition constitutional powers, he decided to move ahead with had issued a proclamation the “no confidence” motion to prorogue (suspend) the at Monday’s meeting of the National Assembly.

National Assembly.

Previously a long-servPRE-EMPTIVE ing General Secretary of the STRIKE? PPP, Ramotar had warned T h e y d i d n ’t g e t t h e the Opposition that should they persist with their “no chance for so doing. Hours confidence” motion, he before the Assembly was could be compelled to ar- scheduled to meet on Monrange for new general elec- day afternoon, President Ramotar resorted to a pre-emptions.

Prorogation (suspension) tive strike with a national and dissolution (terminal broadcast.

Via that medium, the ending of the life of a parliament) are different factors in President informed the na-

tion he had exercised his constitutional powers to authorise the prorogation (suspension) of the National Assembly.

The Opposition’s political gamble had apparently overlooked this vital alternative, also available to the President, to that of dissolution of parliament. It frustrated the formal introduction of the proposed no-confidence motion against his

Opposition Leader David Granger

Government.

The crucial difference is that, constitutionally, prorogation of parliament is effectively a temporary suspension in contrast to a dissolution in preparation for fresh elections.

According to established parliamentary norms, prorogation and dissolution have become a way of multi-party political life across the entire Caribbean Community, with the latter associ-

ated with readiness for new elections—as happening currently in a few sates of CARICOM NEW ELECTIONS New general elections are not due in Guyana before November 2016.

The November 2011 poll produced the surprising results that gave the incumbent PPP/C 32 seats to 33 for the combined APNU (read PNC plus) and AFC. O u t f o x e d , A P N U ’s chairman and PNCR leader, Granger, an ex-Brigadier of the Guyana Defence Force for a period under PNC governance, was to declare President Ramotar’s prorogation of parliament as “the darkest day for democracy in Guyana”.

Those familiar with Guyana’s post-independence governance under the PNC, could easily mark one for political hyperbole against Granger’s “darkest day” claim.

The PNCR leader had also urged organised picketing demonstrators outside parliament building on Monday to be ready for “mass protests” against the Government.

For his part, the President was to link his broadcast statement on suspension of the current 10th parliament with an assurance to use the period to engage the Opposition for “a return to normalcy” prior to moving for “early

general elections…”---not due before November 2016.

Early reactions have included the Opposition’s expected rejection of the President’s call for new dialogue to resolve outstanding governance issues, as well as expressed support of cooperation from leading private sector and labour movement officials.

OAS RESPONSE For his part, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Jose Miguel Insulza, noted in a media statement that the prorogation of the Guyana parliament was done within the framework of the country’s constitution. He, however, expressed the hope that resumption of the 10th parliament would occur “in the shortest possible time”.

Meanwhile, the crucial question remains: “For whom the bell tolls”? With the combined Opposition having much of their own internal problems to resolve, and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) still to be in complete readiness for a snap poll, new national elections should not be realistically expected before the first half of 2015. And it could well be combined with the much overdue local government poll. So, stay tuned.

(Rickey Singh is a noted Barbados-based Caribbean journalist)

Debating no-confidence motion would not have softened ‘pharaohs’ hearts’ – Dr. Luncheon ALLOWING the sitting of the National Assembly on Monday, the first post-recess sitting, and having the combined Opposition fulfill their promise of passing a no-confidence motion against the current Administration is not a risk the President would have taken.

This was according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, who stated that even if a debate had ensured on the Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion the outcome of a dissolved Parliament would not have been altered.

“The President was not interested in taking the risk

of trying to persuade the pharaohs, whose hearts had already been hardened,” he said.

The HPS underscored the fact that the President acted in the interest of the people of Guyana to ensure the life of the 10th Parliament, which has a number of critical issues that are of national importance before it.

“The likelihood of an adequate defence would more than likely not altered the outcome…we have strong reason to believe that there wasn’t any likelihood that reason would prevail and a well argument against no-confidence, in the face of the one-seat majority and the verbiage that greeted Guya-

Dr. Roger Luncheon

nese and the administration… the outcome was certain,” Dr. Luncheon said.

With the decision to pro-

rogue Parliament, there is a chance that through dialogue Parliamentary normalcy can return and the important issues can once more engage the attention of the Members of Parliament.

The effect of ending a session by prorogation is to terminate business. Members are released from their parliamentary duties until Parliament is next summoned.

All unfinished business is dropped from or “dies” on the Order Paper, the National Assembly’s agenda, and all committees lose their power to transact business, providing a fresh start for the next session. No committee can sit during a prorogation. Bills which have not received Roy-

al Assent before prorogation are “entirely terminated” and, in order to be proceeded with in the new session, must be reintroduced as if they had never existed.

“If parliamentary normalcy is restored to the Parliament, the issues before it can return to the agenda,” he said.

Dr. Luncheon stressed too that prorogation, like the President’s option to dissolve Parliament, are all constitutional provisions, of which he chose prorogation.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS “There are a whole host of unfinished business that this 10th Par-

liament has progressed from its initial sitting in 2012 and to irrevocably and irreversibly rub that out was something none of us in the Administration could have stomached, not without a fight, not without another effort…the records will show that the PPP/C Administration did all that was constitutionally possible and all that reasonably could have been done, we went the extra effort, to avoid such a situation,” the HPS concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Counsellor Turpin Diplomatic corps murder trial continues assured ‘dialoguing’ is at Demerara Assizes Following meetings with senior Gov’t officials…

intent of prorogation

“BEHIND all of the actions taken, it is the expectation that dialoguing would be an outcome of this period of prorogation and allow parliamentary normalcy to be restored, that is the big picture and that is the intention of President Donald Ramotar when he made the decision to prorogue Parliament.”

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon gave this explanation as he disclosed that the Head of State over the last two days had met with representatives of the diplomatic corps – meetings in which his intent to prorogue Parliament on Monday was made clear.

DONOR COMMUNITY He added that members of the donor community were also involved in the meetings and stated that the Government’s plan of action during the period of

prorogation, particularly on the issue of dialogue, was discussed.

“We shared mutual concerns, one about the act of prorogation and all parties have conceded and accepted the constitutionality of the President’s act,” Dr. Luncheon said.

He highlighted too that the comments made by politicians from the combined Opposition before and after the move to prorogue Parliament were the basis for the discussions on ‘what ifs’ relative to the way forward for Guyana.

“Where concerns were mooted, it probably had more to do with ‘what if,’” Dr. Luncheon said.

The HPS explained that the ‘what ifs’ related to matters of security, stability of the economy, investments, among other matters. “We have sought to provide a context,” he assured.

Dr. Luncheon contended

that were it not for a move to prorogation, the discussion could have been about the next parallel, dissolution of Parliament, whether it was involuntary via the Alliance For Change (AFC) no-confidence motion, or voluntary via President Donald exercise of his constitutional right.

DIALOGUING OUTCOME Regardless, the HPS reiterated that behind all of the actions taken, it is the expectation that dialoguing would be an outcome during the period of prorogation.

President Ramotar’s proclamation to prorogue Parliament essentially means that the current session, the first session of the 10th Parliament, is suspended up to a maximum of six months – a move that is provided for in Section 70 (1) of Guyana’s Constitution.

Maria van Beek shooting still a cold case after four years

Maria van Beek

THE shooting of the then CLICO Judicial Manager/ Commissioner of Insurance, Maria van Beek has remained a cold case even after four years.

Police yesterday reported that since the prime suspect in the crime was shot and killed in Robb Street some time ago, nothing new has come up.

Sleuths said after that person of interest was identified, they had been hunting him but never got to question him due to his death so the case came to a standstill.

Van Beek was driving along Lombard Street in Georgetown on her way to work on April 16, 2009 and had slowed down, owing to the traffic congestion, when a lone gunman came up and shot her through the driver’s side of her vehicle, a police release had stated.

According to information, the bullet struck van Beek to her chest and then the shooter escaped on a waiting ‘CG’ motorcycle ridden by an accomplice.

The police said they were alerted and patrols dispatched to the scene while roadblocks were set up and several searches carried out in efforts to locate the two suspects but to no avail.

Police then reported that they were treating the shooting as attempted murder, because no attempt was made to rob van Beek. The attacker just walked up to van Beek’s car and fired once before escaping.

HEAVY DOWNPOUR At the time, there was a heavy downpour at about 08:15 hrs but later a truck driver, who wished to remain

anonymous, claimed that van Beek’s car had slammed into the back of his vehicle after she was injured.

The man said the traffic was moving at a snail’s pace when he saw two men cut across in front of his truck and head south on Lombard Street. It was shortly after that he heard what sounded like a gunshot.

He said he heard the sound and concluded it could not be a tyre blowout. When he looked in his rear view mirror, he saw the woman clutching her chest and then he felt an impact as her car collided with the rear of his truck.

Meanwhile someone close to the family, who declined to be named, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that since the incident van Beek fled Guyana in fear for her life. She is trying now to get along with life.

When asked whether she would return here the relative said, “Maybe if they tell her who did it and who paid.”

The source criticised the police for appearing to show little interest in further investigations.

JUSTICE Brassington Reynolds is presiding at the Counsellor Ralph Tu r p i n m u r d e r t r i a l which began on Tuesday.

Turpin was allegedly shot to death in the forehead at Stabroek Market

by Sherwyn Smith, the accused.

A t t h e t i m e Tu r p i n was a counsellor attached to the Infinity Transition House, which is an institution dedicated to the rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug addicts.

The shooting reportedly took place following a heated argument between the accused and the counsellor, now deceased. The incident occurred between the

14th and 15th of September, 2011 at the Stabroek Market, where persons had gone to purchase food.

The prosecution is being conducted by Mrs. Tashana Lake while Mr. Glen Hanoman, in association with Miss Tanicia Daniels, is appearing for the defence.

The prosecution is alleging that during the a rg u m e n t t h e a c c u s e d was seen to push Turpin on the forehead before shooting him to death.

Eyewitness Karen Busby Girad, owner of the Infinity Transition House, said that she was present at the Stabroek Market on the day when during an argument she

saw Smith shoot Turpin, her employee.

But under cross-exa m i n a t i o n b y M r. H a noman, the witness was asked whether she could recall giving a statement to the police stating that on the night in question an East Indian woman who was armed with a gun was hurling remarks and cursing Turpin, and she heard the sound of gunshots.

The witness admitted telling the police about the woman with the gun but denied saying anything about hearing gunshots.

When the hearing continues today the witness will be further cross-examined.

Motorists pleased anti-crime unit banned from traffic duties M A N Y m o t o r i s t s a re pleased that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Anti-Crime Unit was banned last month from performing traffic-related duties following numerous complaints.

It was long observed that the lawmen were more interested in performing regular traffic duties rather than participating in more intelligence-led activities.

Members of the public were very disgruntled but now the regular traffic p o l i c e h a v e b e e n p e rforming traffic-related duties, including directing traffic on our roadways.

Last month this publication spoke to ‘A’ Divison Commander, Clifton Hicken who said that the duty of the members of the Anti-Crime Unit entails intelligence-led activities and so they are usually in groups of

twos patrolling strategic locations in the city on motorcycles, in order to respond promptly to incidents of crimes.

Hicken had earlier indicated to this newspaper that the difference in their approach will soon be recognised, because they have been banned from executing regular traffic duties.

He said they can still stop and search any vehicle at any given time, but they are not supposed to make impromptu traffic stops asking motorists to produce their documents and so forth, as regular traffic ranks, whose duties entail all traffic-related issues.

The senior superintendent added that they are aware of what was happening and they have put measures in place. Those ranks on the GPF-issued motorcycles dressed in dark blue uniforms are

members of a special unit set up to deal with crimes in specific areas of the city.

He said the ranks have since been thoroughly briefed on their duties and instructed not to participate in regular traffic duties.

It was long observed that members of the Anti-Crime Unit were harassing motorists on a daily basis, according to reports received by the t o p b r a s s o f t h e G P F, which prompted a meeting to effect a review of their operations.

Meanwhile, Crime Chief, Leslie James said if ranks of that unit are observed performing other duties instead of patrolling hotspots and engaging in intelligence-driven probes regarding crimes such as armed robberies, etc., they should be reported to the GPF for redress.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Man remanded over looting No financial impropriety affording Cabinet members of Waterloo Street dwelling medical allowance - HPS THE practice of a medical allowance entitlement being afforded Cabinet members was addressed yesterday by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, who stressed that there is nothing irregular about the matter.

“Most of the Cabinet members benefit from the provision of expenses; this is a provision where expenses are met, incurred by the cabinet member and the members of their immediate family. They essentially present cabinet with documentation, based on which the authorisation is provided by the Cabinet for the Ministry of Health to cover those expenses,” he said, during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing, held at the Office of the President.

Dr. Luncheon’s comments were in response to misinformation being peddled in connection with statements made by the

Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, on an impugned recording of a private conversation.

“The rule of thumb is once it is a medical expense and the documentation is made available, the Cabinet office authorises payment,” he told reporters.

In a subsequent public statement, Nandlall had said as much, when he said, “I wish to set the record straight on that issue. The reference relates to the reimbursement I received for monies I expended on medical treatment.

This reimbursement was approved by Cabinet in a written Cabinet decision dated 20 June 2013. This is, and historically has been, an entitlement of every member of Cabinet long before my appointment.

Additionally, on the controversial recording, the AG is heard making clear that he did make use of this entitlement, but

subsequently repaid the monies.

Unfortunately this comment on repayment of monies has been distorted by sections of the media.

Opting out of making use of the allowance, according to Dr. Luncheon, is not a strange practice. “Some Cabinet members, I know, have rather zealously avoided a resort to public funding for medical expenses…others haven’t,” he told the media yesterday.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, the Attorney-General reiterated that there is a need for the peddling of misinformation on the issue to be stopped.

I am happy that this matter has been clarified by the Secretary of the Cabinet and hopefully persons would stop peddling misinformation about this issue and would direct their energies into endeavours that would benefit the people of this country,” Nandlall said.

JUSTIN KERGER who is facing a break and enter charge was yesterday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

It is alleged that between October 26 and November 10 at Waterloo Street, Kerger broke and entered the dwelling place of Khemraj Khani and stole one HP desktop computer, one electrical iron, two suitcases, one pair of Clarks, one gas stove, one fan, spare parts, clothes and a spray

painting machine, a total of $920,000.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that the virtual complainant (VC) on October 26 at about 12:00hrs secured his house and left for Bartica. While he was there he received a call on November 10 from the police informing him that his house had been broken into, and upon his return he noticed that the front door was open and the articles mentioned were missing.

Additionally the defendant was found sleeping in the house but he assisted in the recovery of some of the stolen articles.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence, the fact that the defendant already has another matter in court and was charged for an offence of a similar nature.

The magistrate refused bail and the defendant was remanded until November 28.

Prison inmate with ganja fined $3,000, ordered to do community service A PRISONER was yesterday charged for being in possession of two grams of cannabis sa tiva (marijuana) at the

Camp Street prison by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Anand Baldeo was subsequently fined

$3,000 and sentenced to six months community service at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Contracts for major Public consultations on more parking infrastructural works spaces in capital imminent get Cabinet’s no-objection THE rehabilitation of several roads within Georgetown, as well as the rehabilitation of 12 kilometres of the East Bank of Berbice, Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) are among several contracts that received Cabinet’s no-objection on Tuesday.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, made this disclosure at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference held at the Office of the President, yesterday.

He stated that the contract for road works in Georgetown is valued at $23.9M. The second contract, D r. L u n c h e o n s a i d , i s worth $393.9M and will see works on the East Bank of Berbice, starting south of Stanleytown and running for 12 kilometres.

Also, a $75M contract was approved for renova-

tion of the Sparendaam Magistrates' court.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, a $307.6M contract was approved for the procurement of transportation and landclearing equipment, which includes 45 tractors, 45 trailers, flat-bed trailer and five mini-excavators.

Section 54 deals with C a b i n e t ’s i n v o l v e m e n t in reviewing the award of procurement contracts and the phasing out of its functions with the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission (PPC), in the interest of decentralising the procurement process.

Currently, the procurement process is decentralised at the level of ministry, regions, district tender boards and the Ministry of Finance’s tender board.

Contracts above the $15M mark are taken to Cabinet for its no-objection.

A PROPOSAL by Acting Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali, to construct temporary, load-bearing, structures across canals in the capital city which will function as parking spaces was considered by Cabinet on Tuesday.

And public consultations on the matter are expected to commence soon, according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Lun-

cheon.

His remarks were made at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference, held at the Office of the President yesterday.

Dr. Luncheon noted that the move was premised on the fact that there is increasing traffic congestion and limited parking spaces in Georgetown, given the massive influx of vehicles into the country.

Notable is the fact that

within less than a year, the PSS vehicle licensing series, which caters for 9,999 vehicles, has ended and a new series, PTT, is expected to start soon. The ‘P’ series relates only to private vehicles and does not count the other significant number of vehicles used for hire, both cars and minibuses, as well as those used for transporting goods.

Dr. Luncheon noted that the canals at Avenue of the

Republic and South and Croal Streets have been identified as the first two areas, where the initiative could be introduced.

He explained that because the proposed structures will be temporary ones, there will be no encumbrances to cleaning and dredging the canals when needed.

“The consultations are expected to start soon,” the HPS assured.

After flooding caused by koker breach…

Gov’t will provide support to Peter’s Hall residents – HPS assures

THE current Administration has responded to pleas for support by residents of Peter’s Hall, as well as some from West Providence, whose properties were damaged after the Peter’s Hall koker was breached.

“Cabinet has decided to provide support to residents,” the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr.

Roger Luncheon, said yesterday at his weekly post-cabinet press briefing, which was held at the Office of the President.

According to him, the “form of the support” and the “vehicle by which the support” will be provided are currently under cabinet consideration.

The koker was damaged in mid-October during high

tides. The door of the main koker that separates the two villages had collapsed, causing the entire western part of the villages to be flooded, with water reaching one metre high in most homes.

Hundreds of residents residing in West Peter’s Hall and West Providence reported losses of millions, as a result of damaged property.

Among the damaged items

were fridges, television sets, couches, poultry, glass wares, carpets, etc.

There were immediate responses from the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and other stakeholder agencies and the flooded areas were completely drained out using a mobile pump and other mechanisms.

The koker has since been repaired.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Heir to wealthy gynecologist killed in early morning motorcycle accident

Dead: Jonathan Validen (L) and his father Dr. Charles Clarence Validen who died in 2012

A FATHER of one was killed yesterday morning when he fell off his motorcycle while reportedly riding at a fast rate.

Dead is 43-year-old Jonathan Validen of Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara. Police sources said that the man died sometime around 16.30 hrs

when he lost control of his motorcycle, CD 7919, while heading home along the Montrose Public Road.

The man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Sources close to the dead man said that he is married and has one daughter.

Jonathan Validen’s presence in Guyana came about when his father 76-year-old Specialist Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Dr. Charles Clarence Validen’s partly decomposed body was found in his Agricola Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara home by his maid in 2012.

After his death, the remains of the doctor were kept at a popular funeral home in Georgetown as the administrators there awaited the next of kin to come forward and identify the remains so that it could be laid to rest.

Prior to the arrival of Jonathan Validen from Canada to Guyana, several persons began showing up at the funeral home, including persons outside of Guyana, claiming to be relatives of the man but their schemes did not succeed.

When the young man got word that his father in Guyana had died he travelled here to identify the remains and arrange the burial.

However, the man was not in constant contact with his father at the time of his death but was still able to present the authorities with legitimate documents to prove that he was indeed the son of the doctor.

Jonathan Validen remained in Guyana and got married to a woman and they had a daughter. The wife and the daughter are the only two

persons here who are immediately related to the now dead man.

Following the death of his father, Jonathan Validen

was able to inherit several estates and other wealth his father had, including a bank account with more than a hundred million dollars.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

QC holds traditional Remembrance Day Service QUEEN’S College yesterday held a Remembrance Day Service in honour of soldiers who fought in the first and second World Wars.

A teacher at the school told Guyana Chronicle that this is an annual event of the school that is held on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour.

There was a flag-raising ceremony and then a formal ceremony in the school’s auditorium.

QC Headmistress, Ms. Jackie Benn in brief remarks noted that they always take time to remember those who were killed in both World Wars and to also pray for the well-being of Guyana and other countries so that no wars should

occur among the nations.

Ms. Benn during her address to the gathering took time to make everyone aware of what Remembrance Day entails.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Head Prefect of QC listed some of the Old Boys and Masters, who died in the Second World War. Among them were C.A.E Birtles, H.N Edmonds, R.J Greathead, L.O.H Harding, W.W. Merriman, just to list a few.

The ceremony concluded with students and teachers taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony.

A wreath was placed over the plaque that has the names of all the fallen soldiers from QC in order to pay their respect for these brave souls.

A student places the wreath above the plaque which has the names of the fallen soldiers from Queen’s College

A view of the gathering yesterday

Students taking part in the flag- raising ceremony

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

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Mash Calypso/Chutney auditions slated for November 22 WITH the Mash 2015 festivities launched recently in Georgetown, folks at the Mash Secretariat are already plugging several initiatives in keeping with plans for the occasion.

In a brief interview yesterday with Mash Coordinator, Lennox Canterbury, this publication was informed that on November 22, 2014, the secretariat would be staging auditions for the Calypso and Chutney Competitions. Auditions are expected to commence from 09:00hrs.

While auditions for the Calypso will be staged at the Mash Secretariat Office, Middle Street, Georgetown, the Chutney segment will be hosted at the Music School on Brickdam.

CALYPSO AND CHUTNEY WORKSHOPS In addition, the Mash Secretariat will be hosting two separate workshops for

the Calypso and Chutney contestants on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Music School and all potential participants are urged to attend. Both workshops will commence from 09:00 hrs.

Meanwhile the secretariat was unable to shed light on whether the

much anticipated HIV/AIDS Song Competition will be staged this year since they have not yet received word from the authorities tasked with spearheading this competition.

Last year several persons who were keen about this leg of the competition were angry when authori-

Roshan Khan invited to QOM Seminar in Iran ROSHAN Khan, Chairman/Founder of The Electric Mosque’s: Teachings of Islam, and Chairman/ Founder of the International Islamic Peace Network, has been invited by the Qom Seminary of Iran to present a paper and chair a session of the international conference.

A press release indicated that the invitation is of VIP status, which shows the high ranking of Guyana in the minds of the leaders of the QOm Seminary.

Hundreds of Islamic Scholars and leaders from around the world are expected to gather for the conference.

The Topic of the Conference is Non-Sectarianism and the Philosophy of Universal Love and Goodwill.

Haji Roshan Khan is famous for his educative lectures, critiques and literature on the divisive Islamic Sectarianism principles and philosophies used by certain sects to ferment hate and violence amongst Muslims, and which create internationally an arena of disrespect and even hate for Muslims. He has proven in various articles in the local magazine Al-Irshad (The Guidance), in newspapers and dozens of television discus-

Winfield James raves that his entry this year in the Calypso genre will demolish the competition. ties at the last moment informed the year around, plans will be put in Mash Secretariat that they would be place to ensure that the competiunable to stage the forum because of tion is hosted so persons will have an opportunity to participate. lack of sponsorship.

Persons are hoping that this

Edward ‘Young Fyah’ Perez vows to take the Calypso stage by storm this year

sions and lectures that sects are the bane to Islam. He has now taken the principles and philosophies of Islam as a Non-Sectarian religion on FaceBook and Youtube for international consumption and guidance.

Refer to youtube: The Electric Mosque’s: Teachings of Islam

by Haji Roshan Khan.

Mr. Khan claims that Sectarian philosophies are foreign to true Islam, and were invented by ambitious men hundreds of years after the passing of the our Beloved Master of Peace and Prophet, Muhammad (On Whom Be the Peace and Blessings of Allah). These men wished to control minds and wealth of peoples by fermenting division and creating insularity and hate among the faithful of Allah.

The Religion of Islam is one of Universal Harmony, Brotherhood and Respect for all faiths, which are all from God Almighty. Haji Roshan Khan will also present a supplementary document on the topic: Islam – The Religion of Universal Love and Goodwill.

Haji Roshan Khan, intends to present a most dynamic lecture filled with Quranic quotes and those of Al-Hadith (The Traditions).

ROSHAN Khan

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Resumption of work on Specialty Hospital being addressed THE stalled works on the Specialty Hospital, after the contractor was found in breach of the contract for works on the facility, is under active discussion and consideration.

According to Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, discussions are ongoing at the Guyana level, but no new contractor has

been identified.

“We are engaged in discussion at the Guyana level to firm up positions and we will re-approach the Indian Exim Bank and the Indian Government to put a new contractor in place,” the HPS said, yesterday at his weekly post-cabinet press briefing, which was held at the Office of the President.

Guyana had partnered with the Indian Exim Bank and to some extent the Government of India to get the project off the ground. That engagement produced a procurement exercise and from that exercise a contractor was selected. The Indian Exim Bank, as part of its conditionalities, shortlisted a number of contractors who

were required to submit bids.

That process produced Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL) as the most suitable contractor for this job CONTRACTOR SUED Government, however, has sued the contractor that was initially awarded the contract for works on the facility, for

breach of contract.

SECL has been taken to court by the Government for over GY$100M and US$4.3M, which includes US$4.3M for the design and construction of the proposed Specialty Hospital, and other costs.

SECL’s contract for the design and construction of the proposed Specialty Hospital began in September 2012, after a bid of US$18.1M. VIKAB Engineering Consultants Limited, held a 12-month contract as a consultant on the project.

VIKAB Engineering, according to Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, was working with a local evaluation team when irregularities and contract violations were uncovered.

The administration announced its intention to move against SECL after citing what it termed “deep concerns” over the execution of the contract, both as it relates to technical shortcomings and suspicion of fraud.

The Government of Guyana, since June this year, had been engaging SECL on a number of issues regarding allegations of fraud and financial irregularities. Initially, the Government’s concerns were related to delayed milestones, and inadequate accountability by SECL for public funds the company had received on signing the contract with the Ministry of Health.

Subsequently, the Government of Guyana discovered that SECL’s representative in Guyana had submitted a fraudulent document, purporting to emanate from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. The fraudulent act by SECL has since been confirmed by the T&T Central Bank.

The start of the investigation came after a dossier was submitted to the police by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, with a letter requesting such a procedure.

When the contract was terminated, Nandlall noted that the course of action to be taken will include: termination of the contract and engaging the police; and requesting an investigation into the alleged fraud, both of which steps have already been taken.

He had stated too that there was the likelihood of pursuing civil litigation against the company for compensation, damages and breach of contract.

Reports indicate that to date, structural designs for the project have been completed, while the architectural designs are currently being reviewed.

Physical progress has been seen on the essential site preparation which is some 75 per cent completed. On the building foundations, 361 piles have been supplied and 235 piles have been driven.

The current administration has made it clear that it has lost confidence in the capability of Surendra Engineering Company Limited.

Thursday, November 13, 2014 - 09:30 hrs Friday, November 14, 2014 - 11:00 hrs Saturday, November 15, 2014 - 12:hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Three West Ruimveldt men caught after EC robbery

The shop which the men robbed before three were captured and one got away

A QUICK response from the police on the East Coast of Demerara on Tuesday night saw the arrest of three men in the East Coast village of Success.

Reports are that the men travelled to the village from a community in Georgetown, where they robbed a shop using cutlasses and a gun.

Captured are Cleon Horshan, 20, of 430 West Ruimveldt; Anthony Cha, 31, of 437 West Ruimveldt and Kevin Anthony, 22, of 271 West Ruimveldt. An accomplice who was also with them managed to escape in what residents say was a car with which they had travelled to the location.

According to information reaching this newspaper from persons who live in the vicinity, the men showed up at approximately 21.40hrs at the “Peter Rum Shop� in Success, where they proceeded to attack occupants of the shop.

The bandits also robbed the occupants by taking away cash and other valuables before they fled the scene.

However, the victims raised an alarm and residents came out in their numbers and cornered the bandits forcing them to seek cover in neighbouring premises and trenches, while the police were summoned to the location.

The police reportedly arrived promptly and upon seeing the police vehicle, the bandit who was armed with

the gun reportedly opened fire in the direction of the ranks who returned fire hitting him to the left foot in the process, as the other surrendered and another fled.

Members of the Community Policing Group which has a base nearby, reportedly also assisted in cornering the bandits.

According to reports, angry residents inflicted a beating on one of the suspects, while the police were able to rescue the other from the same fate. The Guyana Chronicle was told that one of the injured bandits was scheduled to undergo surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital, while the other was admitted and is under police guard. The third suspect is in police custody assisting with the investigation.

When the Guyana Chronicle arrived at the location yesterday morning, residents were loud in their praise for the police and members of the Community Policing Group for their timely response that saw the capture of the men.

The police are working on the theory that the fourth bandit who managed to escape is living in the vicinity of the other and as such searches were conducted in the West Ruimveldt community, even as they depend on the suspect who is in custody to inform them of who the fourth man is.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

Trio held by police after high speed trailing of radio personality

Radio announcer, Ossie Rodgers

QUICK police response on the West Coast of Demerara early yesterday morning saw the interception and arrest of three men who were reportedly trailing popular radio and television personality, Ossie Rodgers.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the men had trailed the radio announcer for almost one hour through several communities on the West Coast of Demerara

before he eluded them and telephoned the police who were able to nab the men.

Rodgers at the time of the incident was travelling from Georgetown to his home when he suspected that the white Spacio motorcar, PSS 1626, was trailing him.

He made several manoeuvres to confirm his suspicion and found that the men were stopping and turning in accordance.

Rodgers, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle by telephone, said that he was very fearful for his life and began driving at a very fast rate to avoid the men who also increased their speed until they were apprehended by the police.

When the police in tercepted them, the driver of the car appeared to be under the influence and the other two occupants also seemed to have consumed some alcohol.

The police recovered a golf club in the vehicle and Rodgers believes that the men would have used it if they had caught up with him.

He told investigators that the men are strangers to him but they acknowledged knowing the radio announcer by seeing him driving along the West Coast from time to time, where he recently took up residence.

The men also told the police that they “were just looking to pick a little trouble and were not aware that the man they were trailing was the popular radio an-

The vehicle the men were in while trailing Rodgers

nouncer Ossie Rodgers.�

The men apologised to the announcer in the presence of the police and a statement was signed by Rodgers indicating that he did not wish to press any charges against them.

He cautioned the men that the outcome could have been different had it been someone else or worse if the police had felt threatened when intercepting the men.

Meanwhile, family members of the men

showed up at the Leonora Police Station where the suspects were held until day clean. After realising the seriousness of the offence, the men approached the radio announcer and begged pardon.

Rodgers has been a very outspoken voice for the ruling People’s Progressive Party until recently when he found himself embattled in a matter which was later dismissed by a magistrate.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday November 13, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

Racing Tips English Racing Tips

Dancing

Southwell

American Racing Tips

08:20 hrs Royal Marskell

Aqueduct

08:50 hrs Royal Bajan

Race 1 Big Lute

09:20 hrs Little

Race 2 Melville

09:50 hrs Vivre La Reve

Race 3 In Kelly’s Defence

10:20 hrs Tasaaboq

Race 4 Island Candy

10:50 hrs Toto Skyllachy

Race 5 Thundering Gale

11:20 hrs Delightful Sleep

Race 6 Genre

11:50 hrs Poyle Vinnie Taunton 09:10 hrs Aaly 09:40 hrs Queen Spud 10:10 hrs Chinatown Boy 10:40 hrs Zulu Oscar 11:10 hrs Powerful Action

Race 7 Party Now Race 8 Spider Roll Race 9 Simple Love South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:30 hrs Kings Consent 09:05 hrs Excalivar 09:45 hrs Park Ridge

11:40 hrs Kings Apollo

10:25 hrs Lady Ky

12:10 hrs The Outlaw

11:00 hrs Bold Approach

Kempton

Irish Racing Tips

12:20 hrs Shell Bay

Clonmel

12:50 hrs Ragtime Dancer

08:55 hrs Killultagh Vic

13:20 hrs Dalgig

09:25 hrs The Bold Beckey

13:50 hrs Winning Hunter

09:55 hrs Clara Mc Cloud

14:20 hrs Perfect Orange

10:25 hrs Champagne Fever

14:50 hrs Lady Sylvia

10:55 hres Une Artiste

15:20 hrs Pour La Victoire

11:25 hrs Pumbaa

15:50 hrs Diamonds A

11:55 hrs Pearl Diamond

Riddim Squad, ...

From back page In the other quarterfinal affair of the night Randolph Wagner fired in a double to pilot

Western Tigers to a 3-0 win over Beacons.

Joshua Britton netted the other goal. The two teams now await the winners of tonight’s two quarter-final games.

Santos will face Pele in the opener at 21:00hrs while defending champions Fruta Conquerors match skills with tournament favourites Alpha United.

The winner of the latter game will meet Western Tigers in the semi-final scheduled for Saturday, Alpha United will rely heavily on Ronson Williams, Daniel Wilson and Dwight Peters to lead them into the final.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

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Pakistan on brink of big victory against NZ Scoreboard

PAKISTAN 1st innings 566 for 3 decl. (A. Shehzad 176, Misbahul-Haq 102 not out, Y. Khan 100 not out, M. Hafeez 96, A. Ali 87) NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 262 (T. Latham 103; R. Ali 4-22) PAKISTAN 2nd innings M. Hafeez not out 101 Az. Ali lbw b Sodhi 23 Y. Khan lbw b Sodhi 28 A. Shehzad not out 13 Extras (b-6, lb-2, w-2) 10 Total: (for 2 wickets decl., 39.2 overs) 175 Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-139.

Bowling: T. Boult 7-2-25-0 (w-2), T. Southee 9-0-33–0, I. Sodhi 131-66-2, C. Anderson 5-1-11-0, M. Craig 5-0-29-0, B. McCullum 0.20-3-0.

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings (Target: 480 runs) T. Latham c Shah b Babar 20 B. McCullum lbw b Shah 39 K. Williamson stp. S. Ahmed b Hafeez 23 R. Taylor lbw b Shah 8 C. Anderson lbw b I. Khan 23 J. Neesham c S. Ahmed b R. Ali 0 B. Watling b R. Ali 0 M. Craig not out 27 T. Southee b Babar 5 I. Sodhi not out 27 Extras: (lb-2) 2 Total: (for 8 wickets, 54 overs) 174 Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-61, 3-69, 4-111, 5-112, 6-112, 7-121, 8-138.

Bowling: R. Ali 9-1-38-2, I. Khan 7-0-34-1, Z. Babar 18-6-30-2, Y. Shah 13-1-49-2, M. Hafeez 7-021-1.

Pakistan set tourists 480-run victory target (REUTERS) - Pakistan are two wickets away from a comprehensive victory over New Zealand in the first Test after the tourists slumped to 174-8 in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

After their first-innings run feast of 566-3, Pakistan declared their second innings at 175-2 to set New Zealand a nominal 480-run victory target in the first match of the three-Test series.

Openers Brendon McCullum (39) and Tom Latham (20) made a bright start before Pakistani spinners Yasir Shah (2-49) and Zulfiqar Babar (2-30) wrecked their top order.

The only possible consolation for New Zealand is that they were not beaten inside four days.

The contest could have been over yesterday but Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi,

Mohammad Hafeez

First contingent off to CAC Games

By Leeron Brumell GUYANA’S first set of athletes to the Central American and Caribbean Games in Vera Cruz, Mexico departed these shores on Wednesday.

Athletes in the disciplines of hockey, table tennis and swimming left early Wednesday morning. The cyclists were expected to depart on a similar early morning flight today.

Travelling with president of the Guyana Hockey Board, manager Devin Hooper and third official Peter DeGroot, the ladies - vice-captain Ulrica Sutherland, Tiffany Solomon, Ashley DeGroot, Trisha Woodroffe, Kerensa Fernandes, Aliyah Godron, Maria Munroe, Shebiki Baptiste and Princessa Wilkie, will join captain Chantelle Fernandes, Alysa Xavier, Leigh Sandison, Marzena Feidtkou, Samantha Fernandes and Tekeisha DeLeon in Venezuela. They will have two days of practice before getting into action on Saturday at noon, Guyana time.

The ladies are ranked 4th going to the games. Their first match is against the Dominican Republic, a team they are ranked above on paper.

They will also come up against

Trinidad, Cuba, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and hosts Mexico.

Fernandes believes the team has what it takes to turn in good performances at the event.

The table tennis players are Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings and Akecia Nedd along with coach Idi Lewis. They are expected to connect with overseas-based Trenace Lowe.

Lewis believes it will be an uphill task for the ladies on the tables. He said the Central American teams are strong units but says the quartet of ladies have been playing together for sometime.

Brittany Van Lange and Hannibal Gaskin are the swimmers under coach Isabel Couso Fals.

In the saddle for Guyana will be Geron Williams and Raynauth Jeffrey.

They will take their cues from Dwayne Gibbs.

The Central American and Caribbean Games run from November 14 to 30.

Still to depart are athletes in the disciplines of athletics, squash, judo and taekwondo and badminton.

Guyana’s Chef de Mission Deion Nurse departed earlier this week to receive the athletes as they arrive in Mexico.

both unbeaten on 27, showed the kind of fighting spirit that was lacking in some of their team mates.

They will return at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium today hoping to delay an imminent defeat.

Earlier, Pakistan declared their second stint in the middle as soon as opener Mohammad Hafeez (101 not out) brought up his sixth Test century.

This was the fifth successive occasion when Pakistan declared their innings, underlining their new-found batting depth on the slow, turning pitches in the United Arab Emirates.

Hafeez, who fell four runs short of his hundred in the first innings, made amends in the second and celebrated the landmark by kissing the turf.

His unbeaten 130-ball knock included 12 fours and two sixes.

Younus Khan (28), who has recorded three centuries and a double ton in his last five innings, was trapped leg-before by leg-spinner Sodhi, who had earlier dismissed Azhar Ali (23) in similar fashion.

McCullum and Latham, who scored his maiden Test century in the first innings, added 57 runs for the opening stand before Pakistan’s slow bowlers took over.

Yasir sprinted to take a diving catch off left-arm spinner Babar to dismiss Latham before the legspinner trapped McCullum leg-before to jolt New Zealand.

Ross Taylor became Yasir’s second victim of the innings, departing in the same fashion at the stroke of tea.

Once Kane Williamson (23) fell to Hafeez in the day’s final session, New Zealand’s middle-order also caved in with leftarm paceman Rahat Ali dismissing Jimmy Neesham and BJ Watling off successive deliveries.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

Fifth annual `Big Ride’ billed for November 23

THE 5th Annual `Big Ride’, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S)) in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) will be held on Sunday, November 23 beginning at 16:00hrs.

The event, which is being coordinated by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed and which wheels off from the University of Guyana road, is open to anyone who has a bicycle, be it a racing bike, mountain

bike or just an ordinary cycle.

According to Mohamed, the event is not a race but just an activity to promote healthy lifestyles among the Guyanese populace.

From the University of Guyana entrance, the cyclists will journey to Carifesta Sports Complex, formerly Guyana National Service, ground for the finish and prizes will be awarded to 12 categories of cyclists.

The categories are: the village/community with the most riders, the organisation (nongovernmental) with the most riders, the best uniformed group, the Ministry with the most riders; the school with the largest turnout, the largest youth group, the youngest rider, the oldest bike in terms of when made, the youngest female rider and innovation and creativity (fancy colours, decoration and lights etc).

Bangladesh openers compile record stand against Zimbabwe

highest score for the first wicket was 185, set by the same pair against England at Lord’s in 2010.

The 224-run stand was Bangladesh’s third best for all wickets in a Test match.

The hosts won the first Test in Dhaka by three wickets and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with a 162-run win at Khulna.

Scoreboard Tamim Iqbal hit his second century in two Tests against Zimbabwe.

(REUTERS) - Tamim hosts firmly on course to Iqbal and Imrul Kayes complete a 3-0 series sweep set a new record against Zimbabwe. opening partnership for Part-time off-spinner Bangladesh when the left- Sikandar Raza finally broke handed duo added 224 for the partnership shortly the first wicket in the third after the tea interval when Test against Zimbabwe at Tamim (109) danced down Chittagong yesterday. the track but misdirected Opting to bat first after his shot and was caught by winning the toss, the Hamilton Masakadza. impressive stand put the Bangladesh’s previous

BANGLADESH 1st innings T. Iqbal c H. Masakadza b Raza 109 I. Kayes c sub. b H. Masakadza 130 M. Haque not out 46 M. Mahmudullah not out 5 Extras: (b-2, lb-5, w-6) 13 Total: (for 2 wickets, 90 overs) 303 Fall of wickets: 1-224, 2-272.

Bowling:: T. Panyangara 14-146-0, E. Chigumbura 10-3-290 (w-4), S. Masakadza 15-350-0 (w-2), N. M’shangwe 253-85-0, S. Raza 21-0-74-1, B. Chari 2-0-9-0, H. Masakadza 3-1-3–1.

ICC to trial broadcast Fourth Annual Power Ade 50-mile cycle road race billed for Sunday of umpire THE Banks DIH 4th Annual Power Ade Cycle Road Race will be staged on Sunday in the West area beginning at 08:00hrs outside communications for fans Demerara the Wales Police Station, West Bank Demerara.

(REUTERS) - Cricket fans will soon be able to experience what their rugby counterparts enjoy after the game’s governing body decided to trial the broadcast of conversations between match officials for important decisions.

Viewers and spectators will be able to hear the consultations between the on-field and television umpires during the upcoming one-day international series between Australia and South Africa, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday.

The umpire communications during referrals, consultations and player reviews might be extended to some matches during next year’s World Cup if the trial was successful.

“For years, viewers have enjoyed seeing the same pictures as the TV umpire and making their own decisions during a referral or review,” Geoff Allardice, ICC general manager cricket, said in a statement.

“Now they will be even closer to the game, hearing what the umpire is saying when making those decisions.”

Australia and New Zealand will co-host the 50-over World Cup from February 14 to March 29.

The event, which is being coordinated by national cycle coach Hassan Mohamed, will see the senior and junior riders journey to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo and return to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish, while the veterans, females and mountain bikers turn back at Uitvlugt and finish at the Demerara Harbour Bridge also.

The first six finishers will receive cash prizes and trophies as well as the top three juniors, the first three veterans, the first three mountain bikers and the top three females.

The defending champion in the senior category is Raynauth Jeffrey who clocked one hour 51 minutes 02.60 seconds last year.

Michael Anthony is the defending champion of the junior category while Talim Shaw, Julio Melville and Taswana Doris are the defending champions of the veterans, mountain bike and female categories, respectively.

Last year, the Over-60 category was won by Montgomery Parris who will be absent since he has returned to Canada on official business.

This now paves the way for Maurice Fagundes to dominate this age group.

The open category is wide open as most of the country’s top cyclists are all in good nick with the outstanding one for the year being Marlon `Fishy’ Williams who has won most of the races staged in the National Park and on the road.

Others to watch are defending champion Jeffrey, national road race champion Geron Williams, Paul DeNobrega, Mario King, Alanzo Greaves and Orville Hinds.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

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Scores participate at launching of the modernised Mackenzie Sports Club

By Joe Chapman A SENSE of unity was evident as over 125 Lindeners showed up to do self-help work at the launching of what is termed the ‘Modernisation Project’ of the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), last Sunday.

They included regional councillors from the various political parties namely the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic, People’s National Congress, Alliance for Change and the Working People’s Alliance, various sports associations and clubs, youth, sport and social organisations and residents who have a yearning to see the ‘rebirth’ of the MSC as one of this country’s premier recreational institutions.

Commitments and pledges for logs and building materials have been given by Bai Shan Lin and the Loggers Association of Region Ten. The ‘Modernisation Committee’ which was formed to spearhead this unique effort with the Executive Committee of the MSC, is chaired by Linden businessman Phillip Bynoe and among those in the mix are Chief Executive Officer of the Linmine Secretariat Horace James, who is the treasurer for the Modernisation Committee, and president of the Mackenzie Sports Club Avery Trim and

Modernisation Committee treasurer Horace James fourth from left is seen handing over the $271,000 cheque to Beresford Harry. The donation was from the Chinese loggging compnay Bai Shan Lin for materials to be purchased from Bella’s Lumber Yard whose owner Beresford Harry in black top while Mr. Bynoe second left, Aubrey `Shanghai’ Major at left, Ms Sandra Adams second right and Avery trim right look on.

secretary Robert Langevine.

Following what was a successful day one for the project which is intended to transform the structure, built in 1956 by the Demerara Bauxite Industry for the communities in this sprawling town, Bynoe quipped, “We have cleared down, we have been able to do measurements for the roof in the main pavilion and by mid-week we are going to get the quantities, so that by this weekend, between Friday and Saturday we will have received those materials to do the ceiling for the entire downstairs, also the electrical

items and we want to install some more fans in the roof of the dressing rooms.

“So we are going to work on Saturday and Sunday and by the afternoon of Sunday at this time we want to have installed all the ceiling and the entire roof.

“Only recently the zinc roofing in a large section of the main MSC pavilion was lost and remains exposing spectators at events to the weather and which also is targeted for repairs in this first phase of reconstruction.”

Bynoe, never at a loss for words noted, “I

will tell you what you did by your presence.

“You demonstrated that positive thinking and positive thoughts about the community in which you live is better than the negative thinking, and those who say ‘don’t go nowhere’.

“I am going to assure you that when this sports club is finished and when we put in the fancy seats and we finish the roof, every single Llindener will take pride in this facility. It will be a facility second to none.”

The sometimes controversial logger continued, “Don’t worry with the naysayers.

Don’t worry with them. We are going to do this, by our own sweat we are going to do this. And all those who thought nothing good can come out of Linden and all those who thought that Linden could only picket and bruk down and burn up, you must prove them wrong. You must let them know that Linden is a glorious town. It is the best town in Guyana and whatever is happening to us we shall rise like the phoenix from the ashes.”

The self-help Modernistion Project will continue this weekend and the committee is calling for especially persons with certain skills in construction like carpenters, electricians and pipe fitters to turn up.

Change or Perish

By Dr Rudi Webster DEBRIEFING is one of the most powerful tools in performance improvement. And yet, it is perhaps the most neglected.

Debriefing is used to review performance, monitor standards, recognise the good things that are done, identify mistakes and their root causes, learn from mistakes, and incorporate lessons into the next planning and preparation cycle to do things better.

India captain M.S. Dhoni once told me that the main difference between good teams and average teams is the interval between mistakes.

Good teams make mistakes, learn from them and hardly ever repeat them. Lesser teams repeat them at regular intervals.

I have lost count of the number of conflicts and disputes the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has had with its players in the last 20 years, the number of player strikes that were threatened or carried out, and the number of court battles that the Board has lost with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

One can only assume that the debriefing process is not a priority since the Board is not learning from its mistakes and keeps repeating them with monotonous regularity.

In a recent article, Dr Claude Denbow an attorney-at-law hinted that when the Board is confronted by a crisis its members delude themselves into believing that a few meetings, where the main actors are pictured smiling and shaking hands, followed with a news release saying that the problem has been resolved, (or that a task force has been set up), will actually end the matter. But the Board has not only been smiling and shaking hands.

According to journalist Tony Cozier it has had 6 presidents, 7 CEOs, 8 captains and an “enormous” turnover of players

since the year 2000. And yet West Indies cricket remains in the doldrums and is in a state of constant turmoil.

The Board has rejected the first-class reports of P.J. Patterson and Charles Wilkins that called for substantial structural

Dr Rudi Webster reform. The Board’s resistance to meaningful and constructive change indicates that it is not yet ready or willing to alter its thinking, attitude, behaviour, and bad habits. But performing better is often more about unlearning or removing bad habits, poor attitudes, and outmoded traditions, systems, processes and structures than about learning or adding new ones.

To embrace and capitalise on the rapid changes in today’s highly competitive world, the WICB must as a matter of urgency transform itself into a learning organisation, since continuous learning and improvement are two of the most powerful

forces behind successful change.

To be specific, the Board must, among other things, create and articulate a clear vision of what it wants to achieve and become, and then design a simple but intelligent strategy to achieve that vision. But its strategy will be useless if it is not well implemented.

Its execution plans should therefore encompass things like wise and sensible leadership, motivation of staff and players, improvement of its standards, and the creation of a levelheaded contract of expectations with its players so that both sides will know exactly what to expect from each other.

In addition, the Board should build harmonious and cooperative relationships and focus on teamwork, competence and skill development, discipline and follow through, measurement and feedback, effective alignment of structures and systems, education and communication strategies, and good reward and recognition practices. But these things will only work well in an environment that is relatively free of egotistical and selfish attitudes and behaviour.

In humans, the epitome of selfishness and egotistical behaviour is found in the cancer. The cancer is not concerned about the goals or priorities of the body - health, growth and the reproduction of the species. It is only interested in itself - its own growth and power to spread and control. It usually gets its way and in the end destroys and kills the body. But in the process it kills itself since it can only survive in a living body.

Unfortunately, there are lots of undiagnosed cancers in many of today’s organisations.

The Board is unlikely to voluntarily change its behaviour, its self-protective habits and its satisfaction with mediocrity. Let’s hope that pressure especially from its sponsors, and from the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and the governments and people of the region will force it to do so because failure to embrace substantial and immediate change could very well result in its demise.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

CFU Caribbean Cup

Jones double hands T&T points, French Guiana steal late draw MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Cardiff City striker Kenwyne Jones scored two second-half goals as Trinidad and Tobago outlasted a spirited Curacao 3-2 to open their CFU Caribbean Cup campaign on a high note here Tuesday.

The former Stoke and Southampton front-man got on the scoresheet first in the 26th minute to level the scores after T&T had fallen behind 0-1 thanks to a Rihairo Meulens 18th minute strike.

Jones’ second goal came seven minutes before halftime, handing the multiple-time champions a

2-1 lead at the break.

Afterwards, Gianluca Maria levelled for Curacao in the 48th minute but Kevin Molino broke the headlock four minutes later - a goal that proved to be the winner.

The victory lifted T&T to the top of Group A as title-holders Cuba conceded a stoppage time goal to draw 1-1 with French Guiana in the other game played.

Starting their bid for their ninth Caribbean Cup title, T&T suffered a relatively early shock when Meulens ran on to a ball played over the top and volleyed into the back of the net, leaving diving goalkeeper JanMichael Williams without a

NCN to bring live ball-by-ball commentary AFTER A FEW years of absence, live Regional fourday cricket will be back on National Communications Networks’ Voice of Guyana (VOG) from 10:00hrs tomorrow when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League four-day competition starts with Guyana Jaguars facing off with the Leeward Islands franchise at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

An initiative of NCN’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Molly Rampersaud, Marketing Manager Raymond Azeez and NCN’s cricket producer John Ramsingh, the local station has committed to bringing live ball-by-ball commentary for all of the home games this year with support from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

Some of Guyana’s most experienced radio cricket broadcasters have been assembled including Sean Devers, who has done commentary in the 2007 World Cup ODIs and at Test level and Inderjeet Persaud, who has done work in ODIs, while former cricket commentator Naim Chan has also been recalled.

Devers returns to the local airwaves after a successful surgery and treatment for brain cancer and, along with Matthew Kissoon and Berbician Anthony Khemraj, has been selected to call play in the opening game with the analysts being former Test player Travis Dowlin and former Guyana wicketkeeper Sydney Jackman.

Inderjeet, Chan and TVG Channel 28 News Anchor Avenash Ramzan will describe the action in the Jaguars’ second match against the Windwards Volcanoes from November 21 to 24 at Providence with the analysts being former national cricketers Neil Barry and Roderick Lovell.

The final game against Barbados, also at Providence from November 28 to December 1, will be broadcast by the International team of Barbadian Andrew Mason, Devers and Persaud with Jackman and Dowlin doing the analytical work.

The Voice of Guyana is heard throughout Guyana and companies interested in providing sponsorship for the cricket can call NCN’s Marketing Department on telephone numbers 226-1382 or 223-7549 for more information.

Striker Kenwyne Jones scores twice to lift T&T to victory. chance.

T&T, however, held their nerve and were back on level terms.

From a right-sided corner kick, Jones was

pulled down in the box by Shelton Martis and referee Trevor Taylor had no hesitation about pointing to the spot.

Jones then made no mistake from the spot, drilling home his first goal of the final and fourth of this year’s competition.

T&T continued to press and were rewarded for their enterprise in the 38th minute with Jones the key man again.

The outstanding Molino, who was voted player of the game, fired in a low cross from the left side of the box which goalkeeper Jarzinho Pieter failed to navigate and Jones was on hand to tap in

MacKenzie quells Atwell

Clive `The Punisher’ Atwell GUYANESE worldranked featherweight Clive `The Punisher’ Atwell received a birthday gift from the devil, following a 10th round TKO defeat at the hands of Australian Kye MacKenzie last night.

According to website Boxrec.com, MacKenzie stopped Atwell at one minute, 11 seconds of the round to claim the vacant WBO Oriental super featherweight title in a fight scheduled for 12 rounds.

The contest was held

at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne, Australia and came one day after Atwell celebrated his 26th birth anniversary.

Atwell, who previously resided in Dominica, had moved up from his 126 pound featherweight comfort zone to grab the chance to fight the undefeated MacKenzie.

He was entering the ring for the first time since losing a world title challenge to WBC champion Jhonny Gonzalez last May. In a bizarre twist Atwell announced his retirement from boxing soon after, following disagreement with his management team However, he rescinded about two months later, paving the way for the bout against the Australian who is three years his junior.

MacKenzie has won 11 of 13 fights by way of knockout.

Yesterday’s defeat is the second in the professional career of the Guyanese and is sure to boot him from the number 17 ranking he held in the WBC featherweight division.

from close range.

T&T could have added to their tally on the stroke of halftime but Pieter produced a superb point-blank range save to deny Molino.

Curacao were not deterred and bounced back immediately after the break.

Gevaro Nepomuceno went close at the near post but it was half-time substitute Gianluca Maria who found the equaliser.

However, the Dutch celebrations were short-lived as Molino struck moments later at the far post to seal full points for the Trinidadians.

The twin-island republic will be in action again today when they face French

Guiana while Curacao meet Cuba.

In the feature game, Cuba and French Guiana battled to a nil-all scoreline at halftime before Ariel Martinez broke the deadlock with a delightful chip over advancing goalkeeper Donovan Leon in the 57th minute.

Cuba appeared headed for full points when the game entered stoppage at the end but second-half substitute Michael Solvi struck with seconds left in four minutes of added time, to steal a point for French Guiana.

No offence meant!

WITH REGARD to the article headlined ‘Normalisation Committee in place but tournament still in limbo … despite verbal commitment from Urling’ that was published in our Tuesday November 11 edition of Chronicle Sport, it must be noted that certain statements which were quoted in the said article, were not attributed to the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

While many may feel that the article intended to damage the good working relationship between the K&S Organisation and the Clinton Urling-chaired Normalisation Committee, such was not the purpose, as both entities share a good and cordial working relationship in the interest of football and its development in Guyana.

With that in mind, Chronicle Sport wishes to apologise to the members of the Normalisation Committee and the K&S Organisation for any discomfort the said article may have caused.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday November 13, 2014) 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) 154 (2)RamnareshSarwan; Shiv Chanderpaul; Chris Gayle; Dwayne Bravo Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI spinner has taken most Test wickets?

How many?

(2)How many runs Brian Lara scored in his very first innings in Test cricket?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday NOVEMBER 13, 2014

27

PETRA ORGANISATION/GUINNESS ‘GREATEST OF DE STREETS

Queen Street Tiger Bay eager to defend title in this year’s tournament

… Skills competition to be contested

Banks DIH’s Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (3rd left) presents Petra Organisation’s Troy Mendonca with the championship trophy for this year’s Georgetown leg of the ‘Greatest of the Streets’ tournament. From left are Wayne Griffith, Brian Choo, Troy Peters and Mortimer Stewart.

By Calvin Roberts ITS THAT time of the year when street football teams such as Back Circle, Broad Street, West Front Road, Tiger Bay and Alexander Village, just to name a few, would be getting their act and players together to do battle in the Petra Organisation-organised/ Banks, DIH-sponsored Guinness ‘Greatest of De Streets’ Futsal Football competition.

For the past six years, the beverage manufacturing

giant has been joining forces with Petra Organisation to bring to Futsal footballloving fans, the Guinness tournament which is played among City teams in various wards throughout Georgetown.

Last year, close to G$1M in cash prizes was up for grabs, with the top team taking home $500 000, while the second-, third- and fourthplaced teams received $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000 respectively along with trophies and same can be expected this year.

In addition to the

abovementioned prizes, teams competing out of the preliminary round pocketed $25 000, $20 000, $15 000 and $10 000 each, according to their placing, which meant all teams were winners, even if they did not go on to compete for the top prize.

It also meant that no team went home empty-handed from last year’s tournament, but this year, instead of receiving such cash prizes for their placing in the preliminary rounds, teams will be receiving Guinness items and products.

Urling, CONCACAF officials meet to discuss way forward MIAMI, United States (CMC) – The interim head of Guyana’s football, Clinton Urling, met with CONCACAF officials here last week, to begin charting the way forward for the sport in the country.

Urling was recently named to lead the Normalisation Committee, appointed by football’s world governing body FIFA, in the wake of the recent bitter dispute among officials of the Guyana Football Federation.

“The objective of this courtesy visit by Committee Chairman Urling was to determine the next steps in the progression of football in Guyana and to keep it on solid and stable footing,” said CONCACAF president Jeff Webb.

The committee will run the day-to-day affairs of Guyana’s football and has been given full executive powers by FIFA in decision-making.

More importantly, the committee has been mandated by the constitution to organise fresh elections by September next year, when their tenure ends.

Urling, a Guyana businessman, said it was important that all key sectors in the country work together to rebuild the sport.

“Faith in Guyana football must be restored,” said Urling.

“However, the cooperation and involvement of all football stakeholders and the country as a whole will be required. Guyana is a country with amazing football potential.”

This was disclosed by Banks DIH’s Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, who told Chronicle Sport the tournament will kick off on November 18 at the Banks DIH’s Demerara Car Park, which can be called the ‘Home of Guinness Street Football’.

According to Baptiste, Street Futsal Football teams in West Coast and West Demerara along with Berbice can commence their preparations since the tournament will be coming their way next year, along with the traditional one that is held on the East Coast of Demerara and Linden and the national playoffs.

“We are looking to spread our wings with this tournament which has gained international recognition thanks to Digicel SportsMax, so three new areas in West Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara and Berbice can expect our presence next year.

Not forgetting also, we

host the tournament in Linden and on the East Coast of Demerara, with all the various winners coming together to do battle in the national playoffs for a chance to see who will represent Guyana in the Caribbean ‘Guinness Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football competition,” said Baptiste.

He called on City teams to look at the bigger picture, which is representing Guyana in the Caribbean tournament, even though the prize money at stake for the Georgetown championships is great.

“I think for them, the big prize should be representing Guyana in the Caribbean championships.

When I look at some of the players who have represented Tiger Bay in the Caribbean tournament this year and hear how they speak of their experiences, it is enthralling.

Queen Street Tiger Bay won the Georgetown and national

championships and placed second in the Caribbean tournament to Trinidad and Tobago for net earnings of G$1.3M and already they are talking about doing well in all tournaments to go back to Trinidad and avenge that loss and have commenced training to that effect,” said Baptiste.

Venues such as Burnham Court, California Square in East Ruimveldt, Albouystown, National Cultural Centre and the National Park are regularly used to host matches in this tournament, attracting a large turnout.

As was done in previous years, the winner will go on to represent Georgetown in the national playoffs among other Guinness ‘Greatest of De Streets’ winners, for a chance to represent Guyana in next year’s Caribbean ‘Guinness Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

Banks DIH to be main sponsor for UDFA’s year-end tournament PRESIDENT of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Collis Gift has disclosed that his association will intensify plans for the staging of its year-end football tournament after they were given assurances by beverage giant Banks DIH of sponsorship commitment.

Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Gift said, “From the UDFA perspective we have our year-end tournament planned and it is scheduled to start November 29 and is expected to feature 16 teams from within the association.

It starts with the preliminaries where the teams will be divided into four groups and each team play each other on round robin basis and the top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage and the final is set for January 1, 2015.”

Speaking of the main sponsors Gift said, “We recently confirmed sponsorship from Banks DIH for the tournament. Later this week we expect to collect the documentation to formalise everything; but the verbal commitment was made by the Banks DIH officials

UDFA president Collis Gift because we did not only send them the year-end proposal, we sent them proposals for our league and another tournament following the league.”

He said based on the league format which will run for a period of time after starting in February, there will be a break, so that another tournament can be played, probably another knockout.

He said for now there will be full concentration on the year-end promotion.

Sport CHRONICLE

Urling, CONCACAF officials meet to discuss way forward See story on page 27

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

Windies name full-strength Test squad for SA tour … Denesh Ramdin retained as captain

DENESH Ramdin has been retained as captain of a full-strength West Indies Test squad for their upcoming tour of South Africa, but the players have been given a deadline of November 18 to sign tour contracts.

The squad is the first to be named since West Indies walked out of their tour of India last month due to a pay dispute between the players, the WICB and the West Indies Players’ Association.

“Of course at all times the selection panel aims to select the best and strongest team available,” chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd said. “We look forward to this squad giving a good account of themselves for the three Tests in South Africa.

“There is a significant amount of international cricket to be played over the next six months, including Test matches against some of the higher-ranked teams in world cricket and as such it would be critical for the squad to get off on a positive note in South Africa

Denesh Ramdin will be in charge on the tour of South Africa.

“Specifically we have selected young fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell who is a good prospect. The selection panel is looking to

introduce players such as Cottrell who can contribute in moving West Indies cricket forward.”

First contingent off to CAC Games See story on page 23

Guyana’s first contingent to the CAC Games in Mexico shortly before leaving Olympic House. At right is Philip Fernandes.

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The three Tests are scheduled for Centurion, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town from December 17 through to January 6. The West Indies squad is due to depart the Caribbean on November 30, but the WICB said in a statement that tour contracts still had to be signed.

“All players selected have been notified of their selection and that their selection is contingent upon their signing of the Match Tour Contract which was sent to each player selected on Tuesday, November 11,” the statement said.

“The deadline for the return of signed Match Tour Contracts to the WICB is 17:00hrs (ECT), Tuesday, November 18.”

Test squad: Denesh Ramdin (capt.), Sulieman Benn, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton.

Riddim Squad, Tigers into semis WESTERN Tigers and Riddim Squad drove into the next round of the Georgetown Football Association Stag Beer Futsal competitions with exciting wins at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Tuesday evening.

The victories allowed the two clubs to park on Semifinal Street.

Amos Ramsay became a crowd favourite when he sent in three goals as Riddim Squad Dwight Peters turned Black Water green with envy with a 6-1 Colin Peters was the demolition. Teon Jones, lone striker for Black Ceon Hope and Dorville Water.

Hope scored one goal Turn to page 22 each for the winner.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2014

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