2014 11 7

GUYANA No. 104004 FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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

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Dr. N K Gopaul

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AG tells East Coast residents...

Cash grants ‘not simply the sharing out of $10,000’

Gopaul, Williams ‘brawl’ in dramatic face-off Page

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Cabinet approves analog to digital switchover plan Page

Mr. Basil Williams

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Minister Ramsammy...

Guyana becoming more recognised for export-oriented agro-processing industries Page

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Labaria bites miner in Port Kaituma backdam

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Vagrant ordered to do community service for stealing mangoes At workshop closing ceremony...

President Ramotar urges practise of journalistic ethics in State media

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President Donald Ramotar last evening at the Guyana International Conference Centre with State media operatives from the Guyana National Newspaper Limited (GNNL), National Communications Network (NCN) and Government Information Agency (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

At workshop closing ceremony...

President Ramotar urges practise of journalistic ethics in State media FOLLOWING an intensive six-week training session for State media on the Fundamentals of Journalism in the Print and Broadcast Media, P re s i d e n t D o n a l d R a motar has urged media operatives to be more ethical in their journalistic pursuits.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the event last evening, the President recalled lessons learned from

the late Former President, Mrs Janet Jagan, whom he said was mighty with the pen after spending most of her life as a journalist.

“She had one guiding principle,” he said, “to never be accused of printing distortion and lies in particular.” Mr.Ramotar lamented that spinning stories could oftentimes lead to a loss of credibility.

Casting light on what could be called a degener-

ation of culture, President Ramotar urged a change in the culture of “loving to look for the negative news.” Mr.Ramotar highlighted however that he is more convinced that there is more good than bad news to be put out to the public.

The President did all u d e t o G o v e r n m e n t ’s greatest challenge since 1992 as being “the ability to communicate our message to the broader section of the Guyanese people.”

He lamented that this reality has seen some of the efforts of the Government being understated.

Mr.Ramotar called on the media to shed the many perceptions that are “engineered” since it is the job of the state media to bring truth to the frontline and make it part of the national conservation.

President Donald Ramotar with Chronicle General Manager, Mr Michael Gordon; Editor in Chief, Mr Mark Ramotar and several Chronicle reporters

While acknowledging

that this is the first intensive state media training session cutting across all three state media agencies, Presidential Liaison Kwame McKoy noted that this is only the beginning.

In his address, McKoy said: “… it is the start of a

whole new process for us as state media operatives,” further adding, “The onus is going to be on the state media entities themselves to be able to run with this momentum to take it to the next level, to ensure that Turn to page 3

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Guyana to establish diplomatic relations with Fiji HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President yesterday announced that approval has been

granted for the appointment of Her Excellency, Ms Ana Maria Bombau Zappettini as the NonResident Ambassador of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay to Guyana.

Ambassador Zappettini will be resident in Panama.

Additionally, Cabinet has agreed to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and the Republic of Fiji.

Cabinet approves four contracts

HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon has advised that “no objections” were granted to four contracts in the security, legal affairs and housing and water sectors.

The approved contracts are contained within the table below.

Cabinet approves analog to digital switchover plan CABINET has approved the final draft of the roadmap that outlines the process of transition from analog to digital television broadcast, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon announced yesterday.

Cognisant of the necessity for the switchover, the Government had approached the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) seeking the sponsorship of a consultant to draft said roadmap of Guyana’s transition.

The consultant, Dr. Andres Navarro, subsequently arrived in the country, and held engagements with local stakeholders, including officials from the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU).

The recommendations of the committee that was established to review the work of the consultant were also endorsed by the Cabinet.

“Armed now with a roadmap, and with the body that had been established to oversee the implementation of the roadmap, the Gov-

ernment is now assuming the responsibility of the transition of analog TV broadcast to digital,” the HPS said.

Guyana’s transition process is set to commence in 2016, and is projected to be completed in 2020. The time-frame is a matter of great importance, not only because of Guyana’s need to join the worldwide technological revolution, but also because of similar transition processes that will be undertaken by neighbouring countries (Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela).

The Government will now be moving to hold stakeholder engagements to discuss the main issues of the Cabinet-approved roadmap such as the timeframe, technology, market (procuring of digital television) and the regulatory framework governing digital television broadcast.

Digital terrestrial television offers many advantages such as better quality signal and affords tremendous benefits in terms of spectrum usage. When television broadcasters switch

from analog platforms to digital only platforms, part of the electromagnetic spectrum that had been used for broadcasting will be freed up because digital television needs fewer spectrums than analog television.

This worldwide transition releases valuable spectrum which can be used to provide mobile broadband services, among others. The released spectrum is referred to as the digital dividend. The location and size of digital dividend vary among countries due to the factors including geographical position and penetration of satellite/ cable services.

The switchover for individual countries varies; in some countries it is being implemented in stages as in India and the United Kingdom, where each region has a separate date to switch off. In others, the whole country switches on one date, such as the Netherlands, which switched off all analog services in December 2006. (GINA)

President Ramotar urges practise of journalistic...

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built in to their daily work programme is the whole question of training and retraining.”

McKoy,who was the driving force behind organising the programme, called for operatives to challenge themselves by adapting to the changing world of journalism and communication. His final words to the gathering

were: “Keep the momentum, sustain the effort and let us make ourselves and the state media proud.”

While coordinating a programme of this nature was no easy task, Dr.Rovin Deodat who is a veteran to the media fraternity and a valued asset took great pride in his task, although flaked by a few hiccups which came as no surprise,

considering the magnitude of the cross-cutting exercises.

As the curtain fell on the state media training session, if there was something that was more evident now than ever is that there is now a union of three sister agencies, where previously they seemed to function in a vacuum.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Region 2 cash-crop farmers thank Gov’t for helping with fertiliser

CASH-crop farmers in Jacklow in the Upper Pomeroon River, Charity, Dartmouth, Affiance and Golden Fleece are very grateful to the Government for giving them fertiliser to boost production and in-

crease cultivation on their farms.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh accompanied by Region 2 Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo and extension field

Minister Baksh having a one-on-one with farmers at the end of one of his many public meetings

--pledge to do all they can to boost cultivation officers of the Department of Agriculture met farmers at several public meetings last week and apprised them of developments in the agriculture sector, including the use of shadehouse farming and the drip fertiliser system so as to boost agricultural development.

from financial assistance offered by non-government organisations. He told farmers that opportunities are there and they must make use of them.

Speaking about opportunities that are available to farmers through the Ministry of Agriculture, the Minister said the Guyana School of Agriculture and the Technical Institute at Anna Regina are two areas where children of farmers can benefit in pursuing studies in agriculture, forestry or other technical fields.

SHADE-HOUSE FARMING Minister Baksh, who met scores of farmers at the public meetings, encouraged them to venture into shade house farming and to use the drip fertiliser system. He said Guyana is a blessed and fertile country with good soil which is ideal for agriculture development.

He called on farmers to form themselves into groups so as to benefit

FAMILY GARDENS Minister Baksh, in his appeal to residents to develop agriculture, encouraged families to get involved in family gardens. He said Guyana is exporting many cash crops and families can make more income from

their family gardens, especially from shade house farming.

Region 2 Vice-Chairman, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo told farmers that the grow more food campaign started by former Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud is very important to the development of the agriculture sector in Guyana.

Farmers who collected fertiliser said they are very thankful to the Government and Minister Alli Baksh for making the fertiliser available to them. They pledged to use the fertiliser to boost the growth of their cash crop farms and expand cultivation.

Minister Baskh said the fertiliser was made available through the Ministry of Agriculture, and one bag was divided between two farmers.

A happy farmer fetching a bag of fertiliser on his head

Whittaker gifts Region 2 NDCs with brushcutters --to help clear vegetation MINISTER of Regional Development and Local Government, Mr. Norman Whittaker has handed over five new Stihl FS 160 brush cutters to the five Neighbourhood Democrat-

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ic Councils (NDCs) in Region 2 to help the councils provide a better service to residents in terms of clearing vegetation.

The Minister said the brush cutters that were purchased by Government through the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government at a cost of some $500,000 Regional Development and Local Government will help the five NDCs: Minister, Mr. Norman Whittaker handing over a Good Hope Pomona, Anbrushcutter to Chairman of the Charity-Urasara NDC, nandale-Riverstown, Aberdeen-Zorg-en- Vlugt, Mr. Macbool Basir at Anna Regina on Wednesday Evergreen-Paradise and Charity- Urasara to provide improved services to residents in the various communities.

Minister Whittaker also announced that shortly some of the NDCs on the Essequibo Coast will be provided with tractors and trailers to boost the cleanup campaign in the Region.

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Minister Ramsammy...

Guyana becoming more recognised for export-oriented agro-processing industries WHILE high quality agricultural produce will go a far way in reinstating Guyana with the coveted title of the “Caribbean’s bread basket”, the development of infrastructure is equally important to overcome non-tariff barriers that prevent it from competitively penetrating the export market.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that it is precisely for this reason that the Government invested in the state-of-the-art laboratories at Mon Repos; essentially taking agriculture to another level.

A few months ago three multi-million dollar laboratories were commissioned: the Veterinary Services Lab, and the Biological Control and Tissue Culture Labs.

“We have to make sure that we are able to test for pesticides and other chemical residues; we have to able to show the nutritional content of our food… we spend $250M on importing food into the country. Can we eliminate every cent of that?

No, but we can reduce it by exporting some of what we grow,” the Minister said.

Transforming agricul-

ture from the level of subsistence livelihood to wealth generation is pegged as one of the major successes of the sector and in fact, of the country and while many challenges still exist, the evolution process that the sector has gone through thus far, has brought with it tremendous improvements for those involved in it.

curity; fashion, cosmetics and medicine; and furniture, crafts and green commodities.

“We know where we are going, and where we are going will change the aspiration and the potential of being the bread basket of the Caribbean into reality,” the Agriculture Minister said.

BETTER LIVING Minister Ramsammy said that, “you go into the agriculture communities, people work hard, people do struggle but they are living better. It is the farmer’s children who are now our doctors and lawyers and our accountants and our engineers and that is because we have transformed agriculture from one where farmers were only able to put food on the table to now where they are generating wealth.”

Not only is Guyana now being seen as an export-oriented country outside of sugar, but its agro-processing industry has developed and increased by 1,000 percent; both in terms of packaging as well as the quantity and quality of local products in supermarket shelves across

MODERN LEGISLATION Meanwhile, the Ministry is also working to modernise its legislation; ensuring that it remains relevant as the sector transforms. The Food Safety Bill, the Animal Welfare Bill and regulations targeting the fishery sector are all slated for Parliament soon.

As the issue of food security becomes more crucial for the region and the rest of the world, Guyana must position itself to capitalise on the benefits of being not only food secure, but a net exporter of food as well.

With local impetus in agriculture ever on the increase and being backed by increasing modern infrastructure, Guyana has reasons to be optimistic.

(GINA)

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy inspecting local agro-processed products the country.

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL The Agriculture Minister spoke of the overwhelming demands of virgin coconut oil and coconut water and Guyana is looking at making these investments with the support of large conglomerates such as Banks DIH and Sterling Products Limited. However, for this to really take off, the coconut industry has to

be fully resuscitated.

The present level of cultivation of about 25,000 acres has to be increased and varieties have to be improved. Minister Ramsammy explained that most of the coconut trees are 40-50 years old and as such, the industry has to be reinvigorated by planting new ones.

“Thankfully there are many local investors who are looking to double the cultivation… by 2020 Guyana will

have a packing industry for coconut that is of international quality,” he said.

What is now required is the financial investments and technical capacity to drive this industry.

The Ministry’s Agriculture Strategy 2013-2020 provides a road map for the sector as a whole, on the way forward. It entails the F5 approach: food security; fiber and nutrition security; fuel (energy) se-

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

GUYANA

EDITORIAL

Kudos to Sherlock Isaacs

CLERK of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs needs to be commended, as do all professionals and technocrats in the nation serving the people who remain true to themselves and execute their respective mandates, within their given portfolio of designated responsibilities, without any other consideration but to ethically do their job well and with integrity and commitment; and especially those professionals who have the strength of will and fortitude not to succumb to ‘kith and kin’ appeals, blandishments, or threats of any kind.

The great and illustrious Bard, revered for centuries, William Shakespeare, could have learnt a lesson or two from the politicians now occupying Opposition benches in Guyana’s House of Assembly, which has become a place of entertainment and plots galore instead of an august institution where serious consideration of the nation’s business is conducted, with the people’s needs and rights being made a priority.

Today Guyana’s Parliament is no longer respected, because it is a sham – a place where the most unconscionable and dastardly actions and venom-filled, rancorous abuses of a personal nature have replaced sober and insightful deliberations of the nation’s business; a place where personal self-aggrandisement agendas have subsumed national concerns; a place where dissimulation has replaced truth and the pursuit of real justice; where criminals are given unearned rights and respect and law-abiding citizens are victimised and intimidated.

Of recent times the Clerk of the National Assembly, keeper of the gateway to law and order in Guyana, Sherlock Isaacs, has come under fire several times for refusing to subsume his professional integrity to any other consideration; and this courage and strength displayed while under attack for keeping true to his mandated portfolio and guarding the interests of the nation well; instead of surrendering his ethics to a preferred and select few, deserves the nation’s plaudits

and a national award.

The President is doing what the President is mandated to do; the Leader of the House is doing what he is mandated to do; and the Government’s Chief Whip is doing what she is mandated to do.

And Sherlock Isaacs is executing his mandate of ensuring that the Standing Orders of the National Assembly are upheld, disregarding any other consideration but what is right and sanctioned by the laws of the land.

These are veterans who are exceptionally knowledgeable about their spheres of responsibilities and who are tasked with various areas of responsibility peculiar to their mandated portfolios; so an immature, reckless, self-serving Opposition collective cannot sway or dissuade them from their unerring paths of service to the nation.

Until and unless the current crop of politicians occupying the Opposition benches cease their immature, puerile behaviour, reconsider their irrational and intractable positions

Glenn Lall enjoying too much pussy-footing, he should be jailed GUYANA has to wake up. I hope that this headline will jolt us: ‘Ex-Sunday Mirror reporter Graham Johnson admits phone hacking’. This story is most timely and I implore the Gods to make people realise what a debased act Glenn Lall committed; also what a pervert he seems to be.

Details show that a former Sunday Mirror (UK) journalist has pleaded guilty to intercepting voicemail messages in 2001. Now the Westminster Magistrates’ Court will sentence a Mr. Johnson; this to take place at the Old Bailey on 27 November. This Mr. Johnson came forward in March 2013, after hacking a phone, to investigate whether or not a soap star was having an affair with a gangster in autumn 2001.

The man listened to between 10 and 13 messages a day for a period of up to seven days, the court was told.

He confessed to a “short and intense” period of hacking lasting three to seven days. The judge’s words: “… it was a grave intrusion into other people’s business, indeed the history of recent years has shown how serious this kind of intrusion can be.”

I am using this example to shame those who are being lenient with Glenn Lall. His behaviour is the equivalent to a ‘big man peeping two people making

love.’

I read that Minister Rohee is now calling on him to turn in his machinery.

I think we should ‘up the ante’ on Lall.

He should have been raided; and even now it is not that late to do so, although he probably has already tucked away most of his ‘evil tools.’

This hearing revealed that in September, Trinity Mirror (parent company for the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People) admitted that some of its journalists were involved in phone hacking. Former England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson, entertainer Shane Richie and actor Christopher Eccleston are among those to have received compensation from the newspaper group.

This compensation thing now is important. Lall needs to be tried before our courts, and it is not a question of deciding ‘guilt.’ This is clearly established; it must now move to compensation and a jail term. Lall did what only three officers in this country can do, and even so, these three officers must be given a court order to do so.

It is clearly spelt out that none is allowed to record or tape citizens’ private communication, except three officers (Commissioner of Police;

Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority; and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force) and these must first apply to a judge for a 90-day warrant to do so.

Lall invaded a most sacrosanct arena and he must be seriously reprimanded.

I go back to the post-2006 happenings of former Hollywood private eye, Anthony Pellicano, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for running an illegal wiretapping operation that gathered information for a list of well-to-do clients, including celebrities, attorneys and business executives.

The U.S. District Judge, Dale S. Fischer, was livid and he condemned the once-famed investigator for “reprehensible” conduct that went on for many years as she handed down the sentence that significantly exceeded the five-year, 10-month term recommended by probation officials. “He did this eagerly, sometimes maliciously, and with pride.”

I see Lall here: It is like perversion is consuming the man.

I call for Lall’s denouncement, a swift trial and a concomitant jail term. He must also be made to compensate for his foul deed.

CORINA HARRIS

that are unerringly taking this nation on a retrograde pathway, and begin to deal with the nation’s business in ways that would not propel self-serving impediments to national welfare and development; Sherlock Isaacs has proven, time and again, that he has the courage and fortitude to guard the bastion of Guyana’s laws and the enclave of order of society well.

Kudos to Guyana’s Clerk of the National Assembly for an outstanding performance occasioned by the need to sustain order in the House

and disallowing Opposition’s unreasoning theatrics to prevail.

He is a professional serving the nation who has proven himself worthy of emulation – a noteworthy role model for every member of the public service fraternity. Through protecting and sustaining the imperatives that guard the hallowed halls of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs has remained true to the flag of his country and his personal badge of honour.

These are the depraved souls THE activities of three juvenile bandits who invaded the St. Phillips Anglican Church and robbed the parishioners there of cash and jewellery can be considered a despicable act. However, when you read the comments made by former Police Commissioner, Winston Felix you readily get the picture as to where we have come.

Felix makes the asinine statement that it is the Government’s lack of a crime-fighting plan that is cause for such lawlessness. He has the audacity to blame the Government for such lowlife behaviour.

These are the predictable utterances coming from despicable persons the likes of a Winston Felix.

He is once again rehashing the age-old excuse for his glorified bandits of Region 4.

Now let us, for discussion purposes, accept that statement; then, in like manner I would ask Felix where and what were his crime-fighting skills during his tenure in office? Did his plan address the fact that 26 policemen and other civilians died during

his time in office? What plan did Felix have when so many unexplained deaths occurred? The answer is that he had none. There was no plan in place, whilst a facilitating commissioner is alleged to have openly wined and dined with criminals.

To top it off he has joined a political party that condones this sort of behaviour.

Felix has just demonstrated to the world his deficiencies as a commissioner - doubly guilty for joining a thug-supporting political party. These are the depraved souls of our country.

But even more shocking is the fact that the combined Opposition is in cohorts with the PNC/APNU. They too have lost all moral compasses they ever had to be in company with such a depraved group. I ask my readers who would have to speak at the next general elections to do the honest and morally upright thing and keep them out of Government. For the love of God please keep these people away from the reins of power.

NEIL ADAMS

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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Aishalton youths get information technology training AN Information Technology training course was launched in Aishalton by officials from the Basic Needs Trust Fund on Thursday last.

The Guyana Government through the Ministry of Finance launched the pilot project in the Amerindian community of Aishalton in the deep south to offer basic computer skills for adults, school dropouts, single parents and unemployed youths.

The classes which are being administered by Tutor, Miss Nazima Harrynarine, from the Basic Needs Trust Fund in Georgetown, aims to equip the students for a future that may require computer skills and knowledge.

The programme currently has 16 young people from the community enrolled and they will be trained in MS Office,

At the launch of the ‘Basic Needs’ computer training programme in Aishalton

Office Ethics, Basic English, Basic Math, and Basic Health.

The project will run for approximately one month with classes being held throughout the week, including weekends, at the Government Resource Centre in Aishalton.

Upon completion, additional sessions will be held for other communities but these will continue to be hosted at Aishalton.

According to Community Support Officer working along with the Village Council, Regis James, the hope is that from the current Information Technology (IT) training, there should be some students who are capable of working at the IT training centre to train others, especially students from the secondary school.

Meanwhile, the villagers are grateful to the Ministry of Finance and the Basic Needs Trust Fund for generating the project to provide computer skills training for the young people in the community.

An alternative to the $10,000 education cash grant for school children NOW that we have the benefit of hindsight regarding the recent hand-out of $10,000 to parents of every public school student, we can consider how we perhaps could have done better and in this context I wish to propose a system that is gaining popularity elsewhere, including North America to where our compatriots seem to be flocking

in ever-increasing numbers.

Enough has already been said/ written about the good intentions of the cash-grant scheme which, unfortunately, incurred some criticism because of the manner in which it was implemented; and more particularly, the indignities and personal suffering endured by the poor parents who had to line-up for unending hours in the

blazing sun before they could have collected the cash.

There were also the innuendoes about the money being used for purposes that are not of direct benefit to the students and is in some cases being totally misused.

For all the reasons given above, I propose a more beneficiary-focused, less bureaucratic approach, which guarantees that the students

themselves will directly benefit in more ways than one. My proposal is not ‘original,’ in that it is widely used in some developed countries: it simply involves our Government providing ‘breakfast’ at school for each registered and attending student.

As indicated above, this is done abroad; it is sometimes supplemented by businesses

and voluntary, civic-minded organisations. It has the added advantage of improving regular student attendance, enhancing the health of the students and consequently their concentration and academic performance which, after all, is the raison d’etre for them attending school.

NOWRANG PERSAUD

Guyanese afraid to speak out on Nandlall issue

THIS is the contention of Kaieteur News, which reported “Even though the recorded conversation between Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and a Senior Reporter from Kaieteur News is generating significant debate among Guyanese, many citizens appear reluctant and fearful about speaking publicly on the issues.

There is no doubt that the conversation which contained threats and several damning revelations by the Attorney General is being discussed in almost every office, beer garden and home.

However, not many are willing to voice their opinion overtly, choosing instead to hide behind the fear of victimization.

Guyanese indeed are afraid to speak on this issue for fear of victimization – but not from Government.

They have every right not to talk to KN out of fear that whatever they say will be tape-recorded and might be even recorded on video for public consumption.

Does any right-thinking person think that the Guyanese masses should rush to the aid of Glenn Lall, once he cried for the entire world to see?

I and many Guyanese think that, despite all that K/ News has published about PPP ministers, that tabloid would be left alone to continue to malign Government functionaries and distort the truth.

But in Lall’s head he thinks he is above and beyond the law; so therefore he is entitled to do as he pleases, where none could stop him.

How does Lall feel that the poor are busting their backs and their taxes are taken out by rules and policies, but not his?

Lall is free to gather all his business documents at tax time and declare his earnings and assets, but he showed his cruel and unjust side when he used someone from the Guyana Tax Office to get his elderly parents, at age seventy-three, to cheat the revenue office for him because of his personal greed.

Imagine Lall has his paid stooge, the Peeping Tom, crying for all Guya-

Hard-times Christmas for Kaieteur News big boys THE big boys at The Kaieteur News are now seeing ‘hard times’: A bad ‘present’ for X-MAS. Firstly, reading the controversies now surrounding Mr. Glen Lall, one feels that his entire media agency is probably a poor excuse for a standard newspaper. On the contrary, others see the evolution of a journalistic career.

Choosing a journalistic profession, like politics, one is confronted with a regiment of novices just out to pomp and impress the Guyanese people.

Surely, it is by mistakes one

is corrected and properly moulded by his journalistic or political environments.

It is certainly sad that the local journalistic bodies are silent.

Rather than having professionals from another specialty field having to do all the intellectual calculations and grunt work, one somehow feels that senior, experienced and professional journalists need have a say; but everyone at times are involved in their own self-justifications and glorification to recognise

the plight of the common man.

I bet that many Guyanese would be interested to have a rendezvous with the taped conversation and would like to hear the content and quality of the dialogue.

Politics have an important part to play but it often deprives skilled people from doing their jobs.

Whether we will all evolve from our shameful past is another matter for seasoned professionals to consider.

DEOANAND GEER

nese and the world to rush to the aid of his boss because his boss is the fighting champion for the poor and desolate.

I wonder how the Peeper is feeling now to hear that the working poor’s taxes are being taken out by their employers, but not his boss’ taxes.

Peeping Tom must stop crying and speak the truth, like the Peeper is known for speaking the truth on some

occasions.

Peeper, if your boss Glenn Lall was not this greedy he would not have been in the mess he is in at this time, and it is looking very bleak for him and his businesses.

Lall acts as though he has gotten the blessings of the U.S.A. to say and do as he feels, like so many others whom the U.S. gave the wink and nod and green light

to go full speed ahead with their secret anti-Government activities.

Lall had better hope and pray that his business dealings in the very U.S.A. are all up to date and all his taxes there have been paid since the Americans have a saying, “In politics your today’s friend is your tomorrow’s enemy.”

T. KING

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

RODNEY’S DEATH: AN ENIGMA BEING ANSWERED Special Report on the Rodney Commission of Inquiry by Shaun Michael Samaroo At Rodney COI...

Gopaul, Williams ‘brawl’ in dramatic face-off

WORKERS struggling for livable wages under the repressive People’s National Congress (PNC) administration engaged in industrial action and not political activism, Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Kishore Gopaul said yesterday in a dramatic showdown with PNC Counsel, Mr. Basil Williams at the Rodney Commission.

Under heated cross-examination from Williams, at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry now going on at the High Court in Georgetown, Dr. Gopaul insisted that crippling labour strikes in Guyana in 1977 and 1979 stemmed from the resentment and hardships of workers against the harsh economic policies of the PNC Government.

Williams sought to put it to Dr. Gopaul that the devastating strikes of 1977 and 1979 had more to do with unions’ attempts to engage in political action to unseat the PNC Government.

Dr. Gopaul vehemently denied Williams’ suggestion, noting that the unions only focused on industrial action as a strategy to mobilise workers to protest against the PNC Government’s economic policy of freezing wages of workers in the sugar, bauxite and other PNC State-controlled sectors.

Under the PNC Government, the State practised paramountcy of the PNC Party over the Government, and also absolute State control of the national economy.

With the bulk of the nation’s workers beholden to the political diktat of the PNC State machinery and its draconian economic policies, labour unions played a crucial role in advocating for, and representing and organising workers. Unions also negotiated with the

Williams sought to suggest that the two strikes paved the way for the tense social atmosphere that resulted in Dr. Rodney’s demise, and kept insisting that the unions engaged in political action, thus creating the platform for country-wide instability.

But Dr. Gopaul rejected this, claiming that the unions only focused on industrial action.

Testimonies at the Commission continue to accumulate to showcase the history of Guyana that led to the 1978 to 1980 period, when several political leaders died while engaged in political struggle, including several WPA members, Dr. Rodney, and Father Darke, a Catholic Priest and Journalist.

The Commission is seeking to establish why and how Guyana got to the point of assassinating the world-recognised scholar and social justice leader, Dr. Rodney.

PNC Government for workers’ rights, including wages and working conditions.

At the period in question, Dr. Gopaul was head of the militant union, the National Agricultural and Allied Commercial Industrial Employees (NAACIE), and became a constant thorn in the side of the PNC Government for its shabby treatment of Guyanese workers.

For several decades, he mobilised, organised and agitated for workers’ rights, plunging the nation into a deep struggle for democracy.

He joined political leaders the likes of Dr. Clive Thomas, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Dr. Walter Rodney, Mr. Ashton Chase, and many others in mobilising political, civic and labour organisations into a national coalition that fought the PNC Government tooth and nail to end its authoritarian rule and flagrant rigging of local and national elections.

The effort took more than two decades, but resulted in victory, when Guyanese of all walks of life united under a movement called Guyana Action for Reform and Democracy (GUARD) that current Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Hinds and Dr. Gopaul headed, working along with Dr. Cheddi Jagan

and Mr. Clement Rohee of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to win free and fair elections in Guyana, after 28 years of PNC rule.

Also playing a major role in the restoration of free and fair elections here was former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

In the background of this history of Dr. Gopaul in Guyana’s struggle for democracy, Williams sought to downplay the PNC Government’s repression of Guyanese workers, and referred to a book that Dr. Rupert Roopnarine authored to back up his thesis. However, Dr. Gopaul disagreed with most of the texts Williams chose to put to him from the book.

Dr. Roopnarine is now deputy leader in the political party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and remains a co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), the Party that Dr. Rodney led before his demise on the night of Friday, June 13, 1980, a night that will forever remain etched in the minds of Guyanese of that era, and forever transformed Guyana’s history, as Dr. Rodney’s assassination ranks as the worst political assassination in the history of the Commonwealth Caribbean.

Dr. N K Gopaul

Basil Williams

The case languished in dark secrecy and tragic mystery for 34 years before President Donald Ramotar convened the distinguished Presidential Commission this year to probe how and why Dr. Rodney was assassinated.

Dr. Gopaul’s testimony sought to establish the conditions, political climate and circumstances in Guyana that caused such a horrifying act to occur in Guyana, and he vowed that the nation must “never ever again” commit such a dastardly act against any of its leaders.

Dr. Rodney, a worldfamous scholar and historian, and strong opponent of the PNC Government dictatorship, worked closely with Dr. Gopaul at NAACIE’s headquarters on upper High Street, Kingston in the struggle for democracy.

Dr. Gopaul said the PNC Government controlled the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the umbrella body of all the unions, but four unions maintained their independence and fought the dictatorship.

These four -- NAACIE, the General Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU), the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) -- banded together and cooperated to struggle for workers’ rights.

These four caused the 1977 and 1979 strikes. The 1977 strike lasted for 135 days, and was called off after the workers “were brutally beaten into submission,” Dr. Gopaul said.

Williams sought to suggest that the two strikes paved the way for the tense social atmosphere that resulted in Dr. Rodney’s demise, and kept insisting that the unions engaged in political action, thus creating the platform for countrywide instability.

But Dr. Gopaul rejected this, claiming that the unions only focused on industrial action.

Testimonies at the Commission continue to accumulate to showcase the history of Guyana that led to the 1978 to 1980 period, when several political leaders died while engaged in political struggle, including several WPA members, including Dr. Rodney, and Father Darke, a Catholic Priest and Journalist.

The Commission is seeking to establish why and how Guyana got to the point of assassinating the world-recognised scholar and social justice leader, Dr. Rodney.

The testimonies show a PNC State that commanded the heights of the national economy, destroyed the economic livelihood of workers, banned basic

food, rigged local and national elections, and denied press freedom and basic human rights to citizens, under a 28-year authoritarian rule that, for the first time, is coming under intense scrutiny and microscopic analysis.

But the PNC, which is the main party in APNU, in alliance with the WPA, and its Counsel, Williams, who is also an executive member of the PNC and a Member of Parliament for APNU, portrays a different image of the PNC in 1978 to 1980 than what the vast array of evidence at the Commission is revealing.

Williams sought yesterday to shift the perspective of Dr. Gopaul in describing the severity of the PNC rule, to suggest that the four militant unions, along with leaders like Dr. Rodney et al, were agitating to unseat the PNC Government, which was struggling under international economic pressures such as rising oil prices.

Dr. Gopaul insisted, however, that all he and the unions were interested in was the rights of workers to decent wages and working conditions, along with other workers’ rights.

He resumes the witness stand this morning, with Williams cross-examining him, and today could be heated and dramatic, based on the confrontation and intense flaring up of passions between Witness and Counsel yesterday.

Their exchanges became passionate, and both resorted to raising their voices and venting their frustrations as their perspectives clashed. Williams employed derisive laughter in reacting to Dr. Gopaul’s perspective of what transpired under the PNC Government, while Dr. Gopaul employed visible signs of exasperation.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

9

AG tells East Coast residents...

Cash grants ‘not simply the sharing out of $10,000’ -but ‘the demonstration of a caring government’s commitment’

OVER 1,000 parents and guardians listened attentively to an inspirational speech delivered by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall on Wednesday at the Annandale Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara.

The large second floor of the school building proved much too small for the massive gathering, and many parents had to listen to the AG’s speech from the corridors.

The Attorney-General said he was pleased to be associated with the event because of what it signifies: “This is not simply the sharing out of $10,000,” he said, adding: “Of course, it manifests itself that way, but in reality, it is the demonstration of a caring government’s commitment to the education of all of Guyana’s children.”

The Government of Guyana’s “Because We Care” education grant is yet another subsidy given by the PPP/C Administration to make it more affordable for parents to send their children to school.

When the PPP/C came into office in 1992, Old Age Pensions were given to only those who were destitute. Within a year, that policy was changed to allow all Guyanese over 65 years of age to receive Old Age Pensions. That amount grew from $300 to the $1300 given monthly.

When the Uniform Voucher Programme started, the assistance was given only to poor people; now, every child in the public school system gets a uniform voucher.

The School Feeding Programme started out in the hinterland; now, every child, from Nursery to Grade Two gets either a hot meal or a snack.

This $10,000 education initiative is being added as an additional benefit to the existing ones given because the economy can now afford it.

Attorney-General Nandlall was quick to admit that although the $10,000 per child may not be significant, in total, it adds up to billions of dollars that the Government is now distributing nationwide. As the economy continues to improve, this amount will also be increased.

The AG hopes that children will take advantage of this investment by the Government to increase their attendance, and to make full use of all the facilities and opportunities available to them, “so that each child can receive the benefit of a proper education.”

“Our Government,” he said, “ensures that the highest budgetary allocation is given to the education sector. The second [highest] budgetary allocation goes to the health sector; followed by the housing and water sector, because these are sectors that directly impact the lives of all of our people, but most importantly, our young people.”

The disbursement process was well organised, and the large gathering of parents and guardians were quickly served, much to the delight of everyone.

More than 13,000 children from the East Coast and the East Bank benefited Wednesday from the Government of Guyana’s “Because we Care” $10,000 cash grant. Parents have until the November 30, 2014 to en-cash their vouchers at any Western Union or Bill Express location throughout Guyana.

The scene at Annandale Secondary on Wednesday as everyone tried to hear what the Attorney-General had to say

These kids were bold enough to ask the AG to take a photo with them; and he graciously complied

Attorney-General Mr Anil Nandlall tried to meet and have a chat with as many parents as possible

APNU, AFC meet on No-Confidence Motion

What a surprise it was for the Attorney-General to see his old Common Entrance teacher, Mr. Reo Chanali

THE combined Opposition parties, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), met Wednesday and agreed on their positions related to the AFC-led No-Confidence Motion against the Government.

In a brief statement, the AFC said: “The parties used this opportunity to concretise their position on the no-confidence motion.”

The meeting was held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Representing the APNU were Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier (Rtd)Mr David Granger; Dr. Rupert Roopnarine; Ms Amna Ally; Messrs Basil Williams, Carl Greenidge, Joseph Harmon, Ronald Bulkan, and Winston Felix; and Dr. George Norton.

Representing the AFC were Messrs Khemraj Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo, David Patterson, Michael Carrington; and Ms Cathy Hughes.

The Parties were expected to continue their talks yesterday.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Stanley Greaves to be honoured on 80th birthday --with art exhibition, ‘Dialogue with Wilson Harris’

THE National Art Gallery will tomorrow recognise the 80th birthday of celebrated Guyanese and Caribbean artist, Mr Stanley Greaves. The paintings and sculptures of Greaves have been exhibited in Brazil, Cuba, Columbia, The Dominican Republic, and London. Some are held in private collections in Guyana, Venezuela, Barbados, Cuba, Jamaica, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Renowned Guyanese artist, Mr Stanley Greaves

“Dialogue with Wilson Harris” will feature a series of 24 paintings inspired by the legendary Guyanese writer Sir Theodore Wilson Harris. Harris, who initially wrote poetry, has become a well known novelist and essayist. Harris was born in New Amsterdam and after studying at Queen’s College, he became a government surveyor, before taking up a career as lecturer and writer.

His time as a surveyor gave him in-depth knowl-

edge of the savannahs and rainforests, forming the setting for many of his books, with the Guyanese landscape dominating his fiction.

Harris has been awarded honorary doctorates by several universities, including the University of the West Indies (1984) and the University of Liège (2001).

He has twice won the Guyana Prize for Literature. He was knighted in June 2010

by Queen Elizabeth II and

in 2014; Sir Wilson Harris won a Lifetime Achievement Prize from the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards.

Stanley Greaves, who is a man of music, has also received high awards from the people of Guyana and Barbados for his excellence as a painter, sculptor, and teacher.

During 2003, the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, recognised him as an Honorary Distinguished Fellow of the Faculty of Humanities and Education.

The visual artist—or, as he prefers to be known, “a maker of things”--- is known for his distinctive vision of Caribbean realities, much like Wilson Harris.

The exhibition of paintings will commence on Saturday November 8 at 5pm at Castellani House, the Guyana National Gallery of Art situated on the corner of Vlissengen Road and Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown. Admission is free.

Debra Blackman murder...

Police release more video footage of suspect

Debra Blackman THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday released more video footage of the suspect in the fatal shooting of Delicious Chinese Restaurant cashier on D’Urban Street, Georgetown, in an effort to have

the gunman identified.

The police, in a brief statement, has said they are seeking assistance in identifying the man in the video footage wearing a black and red cap.

The video showed a man dressed in a greyish jersey and cap at the cashier’s cage apparently making a purchase, since he had submitted a note and while there two other male customers entered the restaurant.

In an earlier publication in this newspaper, the GPF had appealed to citizens seeking assistance with information which would have aided the investigation.

Crime Chief Leslie James had disclosed that since they issued a wanted bulletin for a suspect on September 6, 2014, they had arrested more than two persons, who were later released; as such, they are seeking information from

members of the public.

He said, “There is always someone out there who saw or know something which I believe will aid in the probe and we ask that they assist us in bringing the perpetrator to justice.”

The GPF in a press release on September 6 said they are seeking the assistance of members of the public in identifying the person whose image is displayed below.

The images show the young man at the cashier counter in a brief conversation with Blackman just before he pulled out a gun, pushed his hand through the grillwork at the cashier’s cage and fatally shot her.

Debra Blackman, 54, was in the cashier’s cage at her place of work, Delicious Chinese Restaurant on D’urban Street, Georgetown, when

The image of the suspect issued by the Police two men arrived on a Jialing motorcycle and one of them entered the restaurant; shortly after, there was a loud explosion and the man who entered the restaurant was seen run-

ning to the very motorcycle before it sped off.

During Blackman’s 14 years of service to the eating house, there had been several armed robberies there.

No motive for the killing has as yet been established, since no cash was taken that day when the gunman entered the restaurant and fatally shot her.

Guyana featured,promoted in World Travel Market Catalogue

DURING the World Travel Market (WTM) conference, “Guyana, South America Undiscovered” was featured and promoted in the official catalogue. This catalogue is distributed to thousands of exhibitors in 150 countries participating in the WTM. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mr Indranauth Haralsingh, who is currently in London attending the WTM conference, explained: “The WTM is the Bible for travel and tourism, and everyone uses it for appointments, networking, and reference.”

Noting that this is the sort of mileage Guyana needs, Mr Singh said: “The Who’s Who in travel and tourism is listed in the official catalogue, and we are part of it.”

He said that it was only recently at the conference that Guyana’s new brand was launched. “Guyana’s new destination brand logo and tagline will reach the world through this catalogue,” he said, adding that this will further boost the new Guyana brand as we seek to create more awareness of Destination Guyana.

Haralsingh in collaboration with the Guyana High

Commission to London will be launching the new Guyana brand to a select audience, including prominent Guyanese, tour operators, media, CTO, Commonwealth members and travel writers among others.

This will be done today at 18:00hrs and over 100 persons are expected to attend.

The Guyana delegation is headed by Haralsingh and includes Sanchia Persaud, Senior Tourism Development Officer and Tosheika Logan, Research and Planning Analyst. WTM was held from 3rd-6th November 2014.

Destination Guyana being marketed in the WTM Catalogue

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

More than $130M in cash grants given East Coast, East Bank parents THE Ministry of Education, through the Government’s ‘Because we Care’ cash grant, on Wednesday distributed more than $130M to parents of children attending public schools on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara.

The following schools were serviced at the Diamond Secondary School: Diamond Secondary, Grove Nursery, Diamond Primary, and the Special Needs School.

During her address to some 1,164 parents and guardians at the Diamond Secondary School on the East Bank of Demerara, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand stated that when the Government of Guyana started planning

for the cash grant initiative in 2013, its main objective was to ensure that parents receive additional support to send their children to school.

IT WILL HELP She noted that while the $10,000 is not meant to meet all the needs a family might have, it will certainly help some parents to materialise a few plans to effectively help their children.

Manickchand said that they wanted to issue the grant before the new school term, understanding the predicament some parents might have faced.

“We wanted to make sure that we are able to reach more students, if we had

done it before we would have been leaving out over 4,000 students.” She further said that the ministry had requested from all schools across Guyana the list of names on the register in order to determine the numbers collectively as well as at individual schools.

REGIONS 7 and 8 The Education Minister said that this distribution across Guyana should be finished “by Saturday of next week where we would have served over 200,000 students, one of the biggest services to be given across the entire country.” She also said that next week the ministry will be doing their

Education Minister speaking to one of the teachers working to ensure that the process goes smoothly

Education Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand greets parents as they come to uplift their grant vouchers with the money which will the public school system distribution in Regions 7 indirectly benefit their chiland also similar progress and 8. dren since they would have has been made in other proManickchand explained gotten all their school supgrammes such as the School to those gathered that acplies. The Minister said, Feeding Programme. cording to local statistics as “this grant is more income well as international reports in your house so you can ATTENDANCE written about the country, make your child’s life betCONDITION Guyana is doing better as a ter” in whatever way necThe Education Minister country and because of this essary. called on parents to do more the Government of Guyana She added that like to ensure that their children can invest in giving parents other programmes implesucceed at school. She added the additional support. mented by the Governthat next year the Ministry is ment, the ‘Because We seriously considering applyECONOMICALLY Care’ $10,000 cash grant ing a condition to the Cash ABLE initiative will grow. She Grant Programme where “We are able to give made reference to the Unionly children with a certain $10,000 as a grant this year form Programme, which percentage of attendance at because we can do it ecowas started to provide asschool will benefit. nomically and because we sistance to only underParents have until Nocare about your families’ privileged children. She vember 30, 2014 to en-cash welfare.” She observed related that the Uniform their vouchers at any Westthat some parents said they Programme has expanded ern Union or Bill Express will be doing other things to include every child in location.

President Ramotar to address Armistice Day Parade Sunday

THE traditional Armistice Day Parade will be observed on Sunday at the cenotaph, outside the Bank of Guyana Building, Company Path and Avenue of the Republic, beginning at 07:00 hrs.

The ceremony, held worldwide, and referred to locally as the “ Poppy Day Parade” is held in Guyana on the second Sunday of November every year, to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the two World Wars (1914-1918 and 1933-1945) so that others left behind, might live in peace.

Head of State, President Donald Ramotar will attend the ceremony and make a statement, acknowledging their gallantry and the supreme sacrifice they made in the cause of peace and freedom, as well as express gratitude to those who, through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and prosperity for all peoples.

That being done, the Head of State will lay the first wreath at the foot of the cenotaph, followed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Heads of the Disciplined Services; Leader of the Opposition; Mayor of Georgetown; President of the Guyana Legion; Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Heads of other international and regional organisations, doing likewise.

This ceremony is usually characterised by a spectacular display by ranks of the military and paramilitary, smartly and immaculately attired in ceremonial dress, marching with pomp and ceremony to the sounds of the drums, then taking up their positions with precision on the tarmac.

Following the ceremony, ranks of the disciplined services will march north along FLASHBACK: President Donald Ramotar placing a wreath at the foot of the cenotaph Avenue of the Republic, where President Donald Ramotar will take the salute in front of last Armistice Day State House.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Culture Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony...

Education key to escaping poverty – as disbursement of education grant continues

MINISTER of Culture,Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony on Wednesday joined the Education Ministry in distribution of the “Because we Care” cash grant at Lancaster Secondary and Lusignan Primary Schools on the East Coast of Demerara.

During his remarks, Min-

ister Anthony emphasised that the Government is interested in the continued promotion of education and this is evident in the programmes being initiated.

He explained that over the years the education sector has been the recipient of the Government’s investment in the construction of new

schools around Guyana. He noted also that this effort is intended to ensure that every school-aged child has access to an education.

Dr. Anthony noted that the education sector has seen not only an improvement in infrastructure, but schoolchildren are provided with exercise books and

Minister Anthony presenting a voucher to a parent at Gibson Primary School

The distribution of vouchers Wednesday at the Lusignan Primary School

text books, hot meals, vitamin-fortified biscuits and fruit juice and also uniform vouchers.

He acknowledged that “The projects undertaken by both the Government and the Education Ministry have resulted in Guyanese students doing exceedingly well at the CSEC and CAPE examinations.” He told parents that this year, Ms. Elisa Hamilton – a Queen’s College student-- not only topped Guyana but topped the Caribbean as well.

“There is no doubt that Guyanese students can do well; however there is a need for parents to spend more time with their children,” the minister posited.

He encouraged the parents, both fathers and mothers, to be more involved in their children’s education. Additionally,the minister told parents that regardless of their locations, he is confident that they could achieve tertiary education and be successful.

In this regard, he emphasised that this is where the payback, from their children’s education could be had. He further added that parents should want better lives for their children than what they had.

Minister Anthony reiterated that education is the key to escaping poverty; that was a philosophy of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Recording of private conversation was done by Gildharie KNews concedes...

– admission now raises questions about professional ethics

“THE recording of the conversation was a decision by the reporter for whatever reason he chooses,” the Kaieteur News admitted Wednesday.

The admission was by way of an article published in the Wednesday edition of the paper, amidst widespread speculation about the circumstances in which the leaked 19-minute telephone conversation was recorded.

One of the questions being asked is whether it was indeed recorded by the reporter, Leonard Gildharie; another is what if it was obtained by way of wiretapping, in which case we could be dealing with a legal infraction.

The answer given has now raised new questions related to the professional ethics of Mr. Leonard Gildharie, a senior Kaieteur news reporter.

The 19-minuute recording of the private conversation on October 25, between the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, and a senior Kaieteur News reporter, Mr. Leonard Gildharie, was released last Monday.

The release was done by publisher of the Kaieteur News, Mohan Lall, also known as Glenn Lall. He subsequently made a re-

port to the Deputy Police Commissioner, Mr. Balram Persaud, premised on the contention that the contents of the recording indicated that his life, the lives of his family and staff members are under threat.

However, Gildharie’s admission that he recorded the conversation without the consent of Mr. Nandlall has not answered how Lall came into possession of the recording; and if the reporter did not hand over the recording, this could possibly constitute a legal infraction.

Meanwhile, international code of ethics for practising journalists set the benchmark for ethical standards in the press. It covers four main areas: accuracy, newsgathering, protecting the vulnerable and privacy.

GLOBAL STANDARDS United States of America Code: Code of Ethics of the Media Council states that journalists should respect people’s privacy.

The Standard for Canadian Excellence in Electronic Journalism states that journalists will respect the dignity, privacy and well-being of everyone with whom they deal, and will make every effort to ensure that news-gathering and reporting does not infringe

Glenn Lall

Leonard Gildharie

privacy. The very standard also denounces the use of clandestine news-gathering techniques that are in contravention of the human right to privacy.

In India, the Code, according to the country’s press council, says that the Press shall not intrude or invade the privacy of an individual and things concerning a person’s home, family, religion, health, sexuality, personal life and private affairs are covered by the concept of privacy.

Similarly, the South African Press Code stipulates that the press shall exercise care and consideration in matters involving the private lives and concerns of individuals.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), New Zealand, in its Journalist Code of Ethics, makes two strong points: one, that in all circumstances, they shall respect all confidences received in the course of their occupation; and two, that journalists must respect every person’s right to personal privacy and journalists must resist compulsion to intrude on them.

The United Kingdom’s National Union of Journalists (NUJ) says journalists must obtain news material by honest, straightforward and open means.

Also, on the issue of privacy, the Press Complaints Commission, reg-

ulatory body for British printed newspapers and magazines, consisting of representatives of the major publishers, makes it clear that everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.

In all these codes of ethics, it is clear that there must be a balance in news reporting, when it comes to breaching the human right to privacy.

UN OBLIGATIONS This expression is in line with several United Nations (UN) policies.

First, the United Nation’s (UN) Universal Declaration Of Human Rights, which is applicable to all member states, makes it clear, in Article 12, that: “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.”

Secondly, the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was ratified by Guyana in 1977, in Article 17, reiterates the same message.

Thirdly, last December, the UN General Assembly, of which Guyana is a party, unanimously voted to adopt a resolution calling for online privacy to be recognised as a human right – ‘The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age’. For the first time, the General Assembly established that human rights should be applicable both offline and online. The resolution has been introduced

by Germany and Brazil after the revelations of the extraterritorial extension of US surveillance in cyberspace.

The resolution calls upon the 193 UN member states to “respect and protect the right to privacy, including in the context of digital communication” and “to review their procedures, practices and legislation on the surveillance of communications, their interception and collection of personal data, including mass surveillance.”

Additionally, Guyana’s Constitution, Article 154 (A), makes it clear that local functionaries in the judicial system, including judges, are required to take into account international law and Guyana’s treaty obligations in their deliberations. Article 154 (A) addresses the protection of human rights.

AFC No-Confidence Motion on Order Paper for Parliament Monday IN line with the announcement by President Donald Ramotar that the next sitting of Parliament will be on Monday, Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, has given notice to all Members of Parliament (MPs), in addition to the Order Paper, the agenda.

And the Alliance For Change (AFC) sponsored no-confidence motion is included on the agenda of matters up for consideration.

The motion, brought in the name of AFC MP, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, reads, “Be it resolved that this National Assembly has no confidence in the Government.” It was seconded by AFC Executive Member and Member of

Parliament (MP) Mrs. Cathy Hughes.

As stated in Section 106 (6) of the Constitution: “The Cabinet and President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of the majority of all Members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.” This is made even clearer in Section 106 (7), which states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months or such longer period as the National Assembly shall, by resolution supported by no less than two-thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly, (approve); and shall resign after a new President takes the oath of of-

fice following the election.”

Additionally, Financial Paper No. 1/2014, a Statement of Excess (Current and Capital Estimates), totaling $4.6M for the period ended 16th June, 2014 is also expected to be considered.

The Education Bill 2014, Land Surveyors Bill 2014 and the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014 are up for a second reading.

Among the Bills scheduled for a first reading are: Food Safety Bill 2014 and the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) (Amendment) Bill 2014.

ORAL QUESTIONS Some 19 oral questions, without notice, are on the agenda related to several

issues, including expenditure incurred by the Office of the President; advances made from the contingencies fund; the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry; the University of Guyana student loan fund; work permits issued to foreign nationals; land allocation to private home developers and the public-private turnkey initiative, among others.

REPORTS Several reports are also expected to be laid in the House on Monday, including the report of the Auditor General to the National Assembly on the Public Accounts of Guyana and on the Accounts of Ministries, Departments and Regions

for the fiscal year ended 31st December, 2013; the MidYear report on the economic performance of the country; the Annual Report of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission for the year 2013; the Annual Report of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission for the year 2013; the Annual Report of the Guyana Gold Board for the year 2012; the Annual Report of the Environmental Protection Agency for the year 2013; the Annual Reports of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission for the years 2004 and 2006; the Annual Report of the Guyana Forestry Commission for the year 2013; and the Audited Financial Statements of the Environmental Protection

Agency for the years ended 31st December, 2012 and 2013, among others.

Also the seventh report of the Committee on Appointments in relation to the Appointment of Members of the Women and Gender Equality Commission is to be laid in the House.

The appointment of members for the Rights of the Child Commission (ROC) and the Women and Gender Equality Commission is also on the agenda for consideration.

The House has not met since it came out of recess on October 10 and prior to going into its annual twomonth recess on August 10, there had been no sitting since July 10.

14

CPG members helping stem crime in Berbice MEMBERS of the B-3 Division of the Community Policing Group (CPG) continue to work in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in an effort to reduce the incidents of crimes in Corentyne, Berbice area.

Liaison Officer Radica Ramanandan told this publication that on November 2, 2014 they received information following the break and enter and theft of 11 computers from the Line Path Secondary School and managed to retrieve one at a residence in East Canje, Cumberland, Berbice.

Several CPG members including Ramanandan, Public Relations Officer, Latchman Narine and Chairman Abdool Nasar went to Reliance Police Station where an officer was told about the information received and volunteered two ranks to accompany them to the house they were told contained one of the stolen computers.

There she explained that the occupants handed over the computer which belongs to the Line Path Secondary School and claimed they were given it by a relative and were not aware it was unlawfully obtained.

The computer was lodged with the Reliance Police Station and subsequently four of the six suspects were charged when they appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court and were placed on $250,000 bail each.

Police have recovered four of the stolen computers.

COMBINE BATTERY In a separate incident, on October 26, 2014 members of the B-3 Division received a report from rice farmer Rajkapoor Dyaljee stating that his combine was tampered with and several parts including the battery was removed from his residence at No. 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Ramanandan explained that members of the No. 56, No. 74 and No. 65 CPG teamed up after they got in-

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Luncheon: US$150M received to date for LCDS environmental services FOLLOWING the need for post-2015 engagements with the Government of Norway, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon reports that Guyana has received US$150M of the agreed US$250M from their Norwegian counterpart under the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

At his weekly post-cabinet press briefing, Dr. Luncheon yesterdasy lauded the work of former President Bharrat Jagdeo in devising the strategy that would see not only Guyana’s economy benefiting from “the payments for environmental

services,” but similarly the rest of the world.

He also recognised the importance of continued relations between the two countries as he made note of a recent visit by a delegation from the European country, which saw the satisfaction of both parties.

“I think the statement that fundamentally crystalised what drove the process was the assertion by the Norwegian Minister of their conviction that Guyana continues to safeguard its forests... and that the Government will continue that engagement,” Dr. Luncheon said.

Defining the role of the Government in maintaining close ties with Norway, Dr. Luncheon made clear the administration’s willingness to keep the Amaila Hydroelectric Project alive, despite widespread condemnation from the combined Opposition in the National Assembly.

Further recognising the many ‘roadblocks’ to fully achieving the vision of the current Administration, Dr. Luncheon said: “This Government remains inflexibly committed to renewable energy... in the form of the hydropower facility at the Amaila Falls.”

Man remanded on robbery, assault charges A MAN of lot 58 Werken -Rust, Georgetown, yesterday was remanded to prison by Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan for a series of robbery and assault charges.

Jason Adams, age 24, was not required to plead to three of the four offences which he was alleged to have committed in the vicinity of Bourda within the space of two months.

Particulars of the offence stated that on Wednesday, October 29 at Bourda, Adams robbed a Chinese national Chow one shoulder bag valued $3,000,which contained two Chinese and one Guyanese passports, three cell phones valued at $100,000 and $50,000 cash, a total value of $153,000.

The second charge stated

Some of the stolen items that were retrieved by CPG members and turned over to the police

formation that the suspects, who tampered with Dyaljee’s combine tossed it into a trench at No. 68 Backdam and visited the area.

There, she said, they retrieved the combine battery in company with ranks from the No.51 Police Station and lodged it with the police.

However, after a probe the two suspects, who were fingered in the incident from the said village, fled the jurisdiction one week after.

STOLEN PADDY Ramanandan also reported that on November 1, 2014

B-3 Division CPG members were on a mobile patrol at No.64 and No.65 area at about 7:00pm when a farmer, Patrick Da Silva, of No.64 Village informed them that he suspected that an employee had taken away three bags of paddy from his premises.

They acted on the information and went to the home of the suspect and confronted him with the report after which he confessed and was handed over to the Springlands Police Station, where the three bags of paddy retrieved were lodged.

that on Sunday, October 2 at Robb & Cummings Streets, Adams unlawfully assaulted Chinese national Lee Jang with intent to rob, and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The third charge read that on the same day at North Road, Bourda, being armed with a dangerous weapon, a scissors, stole one blackberry cellular phone worth $30,000 and 18,000 cash,property of Iftekar Aziz.

It is also alleged that on Saturday, October 1 the defendant in Bourda Market broke and entered the stall of Jermaine Fernandes and stole four bird cages worth $26,000 and 100,000 in cash, bringing the total cost to $126,000.

The defendant was repre-

sented by Attorney-at-Law, Paul Fung-A-Fat,who told the court that his client suffers from a nervous problem and an examination should be done; he also stated that his client helps his mother out at her stall at the market.

The attorney stated that Adams was assaulted by the police and that his client still has the lacerations on his hands and back to show.

The police prosecutor, Dinero Jones objected to bail on the grounds of the offence’s nature, gravity and prevalence.

The magistrate was informed that the defendant, while in court, threatened to kill Mr. Fernandes.

However the accused was remanded to prison until the matter is called again on November 20.

Alberttown/Queenstown Community Policing Group elects new executive THE Alberttown/QueenJollian Knights stown Community Policing ► Chairman Jonathan Noel Group now has a new ex- ► Vice Chairman ecutive body to manage its ► Secretary Beverley London affairs for the fiscal year ► Treasurer Marlon Primo 2014/2015.

The elections were con- ► Asst Sec. Treasurer - Sheldon George ducted during the group’s Annual General Meeting held ► Public. Relations Officer - Ricardo Wilson at Calder’s Hall, Albert Street, ► Sports Organiser Stanley Gilgeous Alberttown on October 28, ► Committee Members: Nizam Khan, Olinda Mc Ar2014.

The presiding officer for thur, Harris Ramjohn, Harris Ramjohn, Charles Gilmore the elections was Retired Ser- and Afzal Baksh. geant Rawle Blyden and the results were as follows: Also present at the meeting were Divisional Executives of ‘A’ Division and the Officerin-Charge of Sub-Division No. 3, Ms. Denise Griffith Jacobis.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Health Ministry launches strategic plan to counter disability – over 50,000 Guyanese stand to benefit THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), on Wednesday launched their National Rehabilitation Services Strategic Plan (NRSS) 2014-2020 at the Pegasus Hotel, here in Georgetown.

The plan was launched under the theme: “Towards improved health, partnerships and inclusiveness for all persons with disabilities”.

Present at the launching were Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Guyana’s World Health Organisation (WHO) and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, Director of Rehabilitation Service (ag) Ms. Debita Harripersaud and a number of medical doctors and health officials.

ACTION PLAN Ms. Harripersaud in her remarks noted that the Action Plan is a part of the Health Vision 2020 which the MOH launched in the year 2013, which aims to ensure that all Guyanese are among the healthiest in the Caribbean and Americas by 2020.

She noted that based on a population census in Guyana in 2002, it was discovered that persons living with a disability are poor, old, uneducated or unemployed.

INCREASE IN DISABILITIES She also stated that the prevalence of disabilities in Guyana is on the increase due to the growing incidence of chronic diseases, accidents and violence.

Ms. Harripersaud noted that national health outcomes have been steadily improving but information on outcomes for persons with disabilities is not as well known.

She added that the NRSS 2014-2020 will comprise stricter measures in order to counter disability in Guyana.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES ● Advancing the wellbeing of all persons with disabilities. ● Reducing health inequalities for persons with disabilities. ● Strengthening the capacity of the health system to deliver quality, effective and responsive disability services.

DISABILITY HEALTH CARE Health Minister Dr

Ramsaran in his address noted that in Guyana there are two prevalent aspects of health care - mental health and disabilities.

Dr. Ramsaran noted that over 50,000 Guyanese citizens are living with a disability, and now with the proper funding and plans, they can work towards reducing that number.

He noted that for several years the MOH has been working on developing the disability health care aspect

and although they have today officially launched their action plan there is still a lot more work to be done.

Dr. Ramsaran stated that the MOH will also be administering the NRSS at the University of Guyana in the near future.

He added that the MOH will be looking into more health systems, in terms of ways they can be developed.

NATIONAL DISCUSSION Dr. Ramsaran also stat-

ed that a national discussion will soon be made with various agencies across the country to make them aware about the various health issues and how they can assist in the fight against them.

He noted that human disability is not only a health issue but it is also a social problem, hence several other Ministries will also be involved in the fight against disability.

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Police receive requests to broaden DARE Programme RESIDENTS of Linden and other areas in the Police ‘E’ Division have been calling on the police to broaden its Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Programme, according to Divisional Commander, Superintendent Calvin Brutus.

The Guyana Police Force under Commissioner Seelall Persaud has adopted the DARE Programme as a policy initiative which is being rolled out in every police division across the country.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle recently, Commander Brutus said that in addition to visiting schools

and youth groups to conduct the DARE Programme, they also have a one-month programme on television in collaboration with the National Communications Network (NCN) where security tips and laws pertaining to offences are publicized.

At present, police in ‘E’ Division are targeting five schools for the DARE Programme and the focus is primarily for students in 3rd and 4th forms while some attention is also given to 5th form students following requests by the head teachers.

The DARE programme was recently extended to the Parent Teacher Associations

in a few of the schools on the request of the head teachers.

Brutus said that the point was made that the students are exposed to the training and lectures but when they return home they end up in the same environment which to some extent diminishes the real objective of the programme.

SCOUTS AND OTHER GROUPS The ‘E’ Division has also been extending the DARE Programme to scout groups and other youth groups, according to Brutus who said that while it is not part of the initial strategy, the police

have found that it has been successful.

Meanwhile, the police in the division are stretching out to areas such as Wismar, Wisrock and Blueberry Hill. The police have already launched several youth groups within the central area as well as outskirt locations, according to Brutus.

Among the other initiatives being pursued with the young people is the training in playing the steel pan.

Moreover, within a few days, a private security service from Georgetown would be traveling to the mining town, upon the request of the police, to do some work on a building which would be converted to an indoor sports facility for the young people.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Vagrant ordered to do community service for stealing mangoes A MAN accused of stealing mangoes from the Thirst Park compound was on Wednesday ordered to perform 10 hours of community service by Georgetown Magistrate, Ms Geeta Chandan–Edmond.

Rabindra Singh, a vagrant, pleaded guilty to the charge which said that on Monday, November 3 at Banks DIH Thirst Park, around 08:45 hrs, he gained unauthorised entry into the compound where he stole the mangoes.

Singh was caught by a security guard on duty, and when questioned as to how he had gained entry, said he was hungry, so he just

jumped the fence and made his way up the mango tree.

The defendant was arrested and taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station, where a charge was filed for the offence committed.

Singh pleaded with the court that he is homeless and was evidently hungry; all he wanted was the mangoes.

T h e m a g i s t r a t e o rdered that he perform 10 hours of community service around the Georgetown Magistrates Court, or serve seven days imprisonment. Singh accepted the community service order that took effect yesterday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

‘Because We Care’ Programme marked by order, civility and efficiency Minister Manickchand...

– more than $130M distributed on East Coast, East Bank additional support. “We are able to give $10,000 as a grant this year because we can do it economically and because we care about your families’ welfare,” she said.

She added that like other programmes implemented by the Government, the ‘Because We Care’ $10,000

Education Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand with two students at the Diamond Secondary School Wednesday

MORE than 13,000 children from the East Coast and the East Bank Demerara on Wednesday benefited from the Government of Guyana’s ‘Because we Care’ $10,000 Cash Grant.

Addressing a gathering of approximately 1,164 at the Diamond Secondary School, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand stated that when the Government of Guyana started planning for the Cash Grant Initiative in 2013, its main objective was to ensure that parents receive

additional support to send their children to school. She noted that while the $10,000 is not meant to meet all the needs a family might have, it will certainly help some parents to materialise a few plans to efficiently help their children.

The Minister also noted that according to local statistics as well as international reports written about the country, Guyana is doing better as a country, and this is why the Government can invest in giving parents the

Prosecution closes in Mahaica slaughterhouse murder PROSECUTRIX Tashana Lake in the Mahaica slaughterhouse murder trial on Wednesday closed the prosecution’s case, after calling a number of witnesses.

Presiding Judge, Mr. Brassington Reynolds called on the accused, Mark Major, for a defence for the murder of Orin Forde on January 6, 2012.

Attorney-at-Law Mr. George Thomas will begin his defence on behalf of his client this afternoon.

The accused has already decided that he would begin his defence with an unsworn statement from the dock.

According to the facts

of the case, the accused, Mark Major and the deceased, Orin Forde, are cousins.

On the 6th January, 2012, they were arguing at the Mahaica slaughterhouse and a fight ensued.

Wilston Forde went to part the fight when the accused pushed him and stabbed the deceased.

The accused, in a caution statement, said that the deceased was coming at him with a wood, and he stabbed him to defend himself.

Chief Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, who performed the post-mortem, gave the cause of death as perforation of the liver.

Cash Grant Initiative will grow. She made reference to the Uniform Programme, which was started to provide assistance to only underprivileged children. Today, the Uniform Programme is expanded to include every child in the public school system.

Similar progress has been

made in other programmes such as the School Feeding Programme.

The Minister asked parents to do more to ensure that their children succeed at school. She added that next year the Ministry is seriously considering applying a condition to the Cash Grant Programme, where only children with a certain percentage of attendance at

school will benefit.

The following schools were serviced at the Diamond Secondary School yesterday: Diamond Secondary, Grove Nursery, Diamond Primary, and the Special Needs School.

Parents have until November 30, 2014 to en-cash their vouchers at any Western Union or Bill Express location.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

‘Int’l Day of

Mormons, volunteers render GUYANA was among Caribbean countries joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in performing massive community service last Saturday as part of the church’s designated “International Day of Service”.

The Day of Service is part of a worldwide programme sponsored by the Church to provide communities with a vital resource: Donated human labour. On that day, literally thousands of members teamed up with community organisations to engage in community clean-ups and other humanitarian initiatives.

Volunteers of all ages, including Mormons from The Dominican Republic and other Caribbean territories, last Saturday, decked in yellow vests emblazoned with the slogan “Mormon Helping Hands,” joined hands and hearts with various community organisations, to render service to benefit the various communities in which they were undertaken.

The yellow-vested volunteers, wielding shovels, pickaxes, hammers, brushes, brooms, plastic bags and other tools, engaged in community projects organised by over 200 Mormon congregations throughout the

respective countries. In many cases, projects were undertaken with partner organisations and individuals nationwide that share a common interest in community service.

Regionally, the projects included cleaning public parks; removing litter from beaches; beautifying community buildings; gathering food for the poor and needy; vaccination campaigns; blood donation drives; reforestation; medical clinics; assisting the elderly; and many other community-oriented activities.

Guyana Projects

But here in Guyana, the

service was largely centred on community clean-up initiatives. Five projects were undertaken and in a fine show of solidarity, volunteers braved a heavy downpour to get the job done. ● Middleton/Duncan: Cleaning of Middleton Street, all the way down to Duncan Street

by Church members, in collaboration with the Lions Club of Georgetown. ● Queenstown: Cleaning of the area around the Demerara Cricket Club ground in Queenstown – undertaken by the Caribbean Youth Environment Network along with members of the church ● Houston: Cleaning the area along the main Houston thoroughfare, all the way to

Members of the Georgetown branch working on Middleton Stre

Banks DIH agre – over 1,000 employees to BANKS DIH Limited and the General Workers Unions (GWU) on Tuesday inked a collective labour agreement in the Banks DIH conference room, which will see 1,103 employees of the company Banks DIH who are members of the GWU benefiting in several ways.

After three weeks of discussions and negotiations, the officials of Banks DIH and GWU have decided to sign a collective labour agreement for the benefit of the employees which will last for the remainder of 2014 up until 2017.

Present at the signing ceremony yesterday were General President of the GWU, Norris Witter, Chairman for the Board of Directors for Banks DIH, Clifford Reis, Chief Labour Officer (CLO), Charles Ogle, other officials and employees of the Banks DIH. Reis in his address noted that they recently put together meetings with the various departmental managers

Banks DIH Chairman, delivers his address

of Banks DIH to reso issues affecting the em They then carried the departments to a view of what the wo

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

f Service’…

massive community service

the Houston School: done by the Bernice Mansell Foundation. ● Canje Bridge: The Canje branch worked along with the Police Traffic Department, painting over the lines along the Canje Bridge. ● At New Amsterdam: The Fire Department teamed up with members of the church to repair the swing and seesaw and also cleaned up the compound of the St Mary’s Nursery School.

The “Hands and Hearts” International Day of Service is a Caribbean-wide, community tradition that was initiated in The Dominican Republic last year. The goal is to provide help wherever needed.

eet, Campbellville

“As Christians, we are called to follow Christ’s example of serving others,” said Rafael G. Gutierrez, Director of Public Affairs of the church.

He added: “The vision for this day of service was to partner with like-minded individuals and organisations, uniting efforts to meet community needs.”

The release said 74 projects of various kinds have been submitted. All are to be carried out with labour and materials donated by members of each local community, including church members, local authorities and a wide range of partner organisations.

“The only compensation volunteers will receive is seeing the smiling faces of those

that have been helped, a sense of satisfaction in knowing that pressing needs have been met, and a feeling of shared accomplishments as fellow citizens of the community,” added Mr. Gutierrez.

About the International Day of Service In 2011, during the 75th anniversary celebration of the Church Welfare Programme, Henry B. Eyring —one of the global leaders of the Church—issued a challenge to all Mormons throughout the world to spend one day in a massive effort to serve others and provide help wherever it is needed; indeed, a Day of Service.

Since then, the more than 29,000 congre-

gations of Mormons worldwide devote a special day of service each year to voluntarily help others in their communities. Millions of hours are donated annually.

In The Dominican Republic, the first Day of Service was held in 2013 with more than 50 long-term projects initiated, and this year more than 100 additional projects are expected nationwide.

The “Mormon Helping Hands,” a volunteer initiative that partners with other community organisations to carry out the Day of Service projects, is one of the largest volunteer organisations in the world, with some 15 million members. It is known for its disaster-relief work worldwide.

Members of the Canje Branch, in Berbice, work with the Police Traffic Department on painting markings on the Members of the Demerara Branch cleaning the area around the Demerara Cricket Club ground bridge

ees collective labour agreement with GWU benefit

, Mr Clifford Reis

olve some of the mployees. d out a survey in a get a firsthand orkers were expe-

riencing over the past three years at Banks DIH. He further stated after the signing of the collective labour agreement that workshops will be held to inform the workers of what they are entitled to and what they must abide by.

Reis in closing noted that he fully supports the agreement and he was positive that all the workers will be pleased with the benefits they will receive.

In remarks, Witter stated that the agreement although not legally binding, will be treated as such.

He noted that the parties will have to abide by the “spirit of the document” and therefore proceed in favour of what is stated in the agreement.

Witter assured that he is in full support of the agreement because the GWU and Banks DIH share a long lasting relationship spanning 53 years.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Witter added that the agreement entails a hike in wages, fringe benefits, optical benefits, performance incen-

Holding a copy of the agreement, following the signing are: GWU’s Mr Norris Witter (third right); Banks DIH Chairman, Mr Clifford Reis (centre); and Chief Labour Officer, Mr Charles Ogle (second left) (Photos by Sonell Nelson)

tives and much more which will come as a huge plus to the employees.

He noted also that coming on to the Christmas season workers will receive additional benefits once they remain as members of the GWU. REDUCTION IN STRIKES

In brief remarks, CLO Charles Ogle noted that for the past two and a half years there has been a reduction in strikes among workers.

Ogle stated that this reduction is due to the fact that more businesses are treating their workers well and the recent minimum wage law now allows

workers to receive an adequate wage.

He noted that this agreement is a great step forward for Banks DIH in terms of satisfying their workers.

Ogle in closing urged Banks DIH to continue with the good work that they are doing when it comes to the satisfaction of employees.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

MARAD DG execution plot...

Alleged hitman can’t be found

– file for DPP

NOW that the police are seeking to send the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice regarding the alleged confession of a would-be hitman, the man cannot be located, and it is felt he may no longer be willing to cooperate with investigators.

Senior police sources

earlier this week confirmed that they have been unsuccessful in locating the man, who already supplied them with a signed statement, which, in essence alleges that he was hired by his cousin, Earnestine Mars Vigilance, to murder her boss.

Vigilance is the Administrative Officer at the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), while her

boss, Ms Claudette Rogers is the Director General of the organisation.

Yesterday Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed to this newspaper that the file pertaining to the confession of the would-be assassin including the statements of Rogers and other evidence gathered by the police would be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution.

The advice from the DPP would instruct the police if there is enough evidence to press charges against either the alleged mastermind or anyone else who may have played a part in the plan to carry out the murderous plot on the senior public officer.

Meanwhile, this publication was able to confirm that the woman at the centre of the allegations who has since

MARAD Director-General, Ms. Claudette Rogers

been sent on administrative leave by Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn has been making visits to several prominent persons in society to plead her innocence and ignorance of the plot.

On Tuesday she reportedly visited a very senior police officer from whom she sought advice on the matter and indicated that she is innocent and the developments and revelations are affecting her.

Sources who saw the woman entering the office compound of the senior police officer indicated that the woman was advised by him that he cannot interfere with a police investigation.

He also advised her to seek legal representation. Sources also told this newspaper that her husband is a serving inspector in the Guyana Police Force.

Contacted yesterday Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn refused to comment on the decision to send the officer on administrative leave and when asked if she is likely to return after the police investigation is completed, the minister said he would not be able to comment on that also as an internal investigation is underway.

The Guyana Chronicle was the first newspaper to report on the plot against the director general which according to persons close to her has left her quite shaken.

Among the information shared with the police and Rogers by the man who was reportedly hired by his cousin to carry out the hit included the issuance of money to him by his recruiter to purchase a weapon and a drive-by at the house of the director general for the purpose of familiarisation.

A source, who spoke with

the Guyana Chronicle indicated that the gentleman who was allegedly paid by the woman to carry out the act is her relative, and recently served time in prison for an offence.

It was reported that the officer approached the man and told him of her plan and enquired of him if he had a gun to which he responded in the negative. The woman then reportedly asked the man where he could get one from and how much it would cost and he told her that a weapon would cost about $60,000 and she gave him half of the money to secure it.

The man, however, did not act on the woman’s offer but instead took the money and went to Suriname where he transacted personal business. The woman reportedly paid the man to carry out the act while she was out of the country so that there would be no connection to her and the dastardly act, which was to have occurred sometime in April last.

However, it was only several days ago that the plan came to light after the hired man showed up at the home of his target and questioned her if she was familiar with him to which the woman, Rogers, responded in the negative.

The man, in the presence of Roger ’s brother, then identified himself and told of the plan to kill her as was organised by her junior officer. The man reportedly told the Director General that Ms. Vigilance brought him to her village in a vehicle and showed him the home where she lived.

The act was to be committed in April but when Ms. Vigilance was away and did not hear that anything had happened to Rogers, upon her return she began questioning the relative who informed her that he was not interested in the job. The woman then requested that the man return the money he had taken to carry out the act.

After being briefed on the plan to have her executed, staff members from MARAD said that Rogers became very uneasy and shaky and asked the purported hitman if he would be willing to give a statement to the police and he responded in the affirmative.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Telephone Contact # 616 0301 or 699 6156

Flashback!!!

‘Carlsberg Fever’ engulfed the city last weekend

Paul Charles blazes trail to win first ever Mr. Guyana International title

GEORGETOWN city was seized last weekend by a scorching fever that engulfed its victims with heady, golden bubbles that left quite an exhilarating flavour on the tongue.

As word spread around, persons began to rush to the various venues where the ‘Carlsberg Beer Fever’ was unleashed by Southland International and served up on golden platters at breath-taking prices by ‘delectable’ sirens.

It was such a sight to see the dons and divas gulping down the ‘golden drink of the Gods’, and basking in its smoothness and the refreshing zing it brought with its consumption.

The news circulated like a whirlwind, and the crowds grew bigger and bigger as the ‘Carlsberg Fever’ spiralled in its intensity.

Rude interruption All was going well, until a certain competitor marketing another brand became jealous and turned up at a few of the venues and began to give away an older flavour for free!!! That was a good move, but it looked like the strategy was certainly not working, since the majority of drinkers had already seemed hooked on the Carlsberg flavour.

Well talk about sales and marketing tactics…. This is becoming all so amusing. I am thinking it has now become the clash of the ‘Beer Titans’, so may the better beer win…

Below we feature the locations where fans can enjoy the ‘Carlsberg Experience’ tomorrow Rabbie’s at New Market & Thomas Street s from 6pm-7pm; Seepaul’s in Kitty from 7pm-8pm; Seeta’s in Kitty from 8pm-9pm; 704 at Lamaha and Albert Streets from 10pm-11pm; Baroom Bar at North Road from 12am(midnight) to 1am; Jerries in Waterloo Street from 2am-3am.

EVERYBODY wanted to win, so everybody brought their ‘A’ Game to the competition; but Paul Charles was comfortable in his skin; he did his best and received top honours.

Everyone is unique and different in their own way, so everyone’s performance was stellar. Paul Charles had determined that he was competing against himself, hence he pushed himself to the utmost limits. Knowing that he is very competitive and will bring his best performance to the party, Paul Charles refused to see others as a threat, but as motivational factors to work even harder.

Pageantry is a forum wherein participants use their initiative to bring awareness and a difference to the subject that is their platform. Paul was comfortable with his platform. Being once a school dropout, he wanted to create and spread hope for other victims.

Being a naturally talented individual with a diverse personality, it was relatively easy for Paul to fuse his talents of dance and acting, among other gifts, to go for attainment of his ambition. He has an adventurous streak and just loves to challenge himself.

This 28-year-old Taurus individual plans to use his new reign as a forum to educate youths on the values of attaining a proper education. He plans to eventually move on to better things, in that he has his sights set on being a part of the Ivan Ailey Dance Company in USA, so he can share his talent and knowledge with youths in Guyana.

Paul has been dancing for the past 11 years with the Classique Dance Company. He now plans to have his own dance school. His advice to youths is: “Live the life you love, and love the life you live!

Dream! And never stop dreaming!”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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Ruqayyah Boyer off to Miss International in Japan FORMER Miss Guyana Universe and Miss Guyana World, Ruqayyah Boyer, just recently winged out of the USA for Japan to prepare for the 54th Miss International Beauty Pageant, which will be held from October 29 to November 11, 2014 in Tokyo.

This pageant is considered the third largest and most popular pageant in the world, is run by the Japanese, and will be the first of the “Big 4” pageants (Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Earth) to be held this year.

Eighty-nine contestants from around the world have confirmed their participation in this prestigious quest, but it will be the first time that Guyana would be represented.

Our ambassador promises to bring her ‘A Game’ to the forum and her vast reservoir of experience attained from the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants in which she has participated.

Boyer, who has recently undergone training in the Philippines, said this is the

first time she has received intense training for an international contest of such stature, and she believes that the training will greatly impact her presentation and projections of self image on stage.

She recalled that all contestants had to undergo training as a team, and she was a part of the Gouldian Camp, which focused on hair and makeup, catwalk, evening and swimwear presentation, interviews, wardrobe styling, Japanese etiquette and culture.

Boyer will be pre-judged overall at the pageant, but the segments that will be focused on are evening wear, talent, swimwear, international forum, and final speech.

On pageant night she will be wearing evening gowns designed by Filipino designer Leo Almodal, while her national costume, dubbed Goddess of the Lost City of Eldorado, was put together by Guyanese designer Michelle Cole of ‘ColeFacts’. Boyer’s swimwear was designed by another Guyanese designer, Roger Gary.

This flight attendant who is currently based in the United States continues to be an advocate of domestic violence. The Miss International Beauty pageant is Boyer’s third major international contest. She personally thanked her director Ms. Natasha Martindale, who also manages the reigning Ms. World Guyana, and all the sponsors and persons who have invested in this endeavour.

To follow Boyer’s journey, tap into info @ Miss International Guyana Facebook page… Ruqayyah Boyer’s Facebook page, or her website: www. ruqayyahboyer.com

The mesmerising Ruqayyah Boyer

Gizmos and Gadgets presents Samsung tablet to Miss World Guyana

M

ISS World Guyana 2014, Rafieya Husain, received a Samsung tablet from Gizmos and Gadgets in a presentation ceremony held at the store on October 27, 2014.

Gizmos and Gadgets owner Ravi Mangar disclosed how very pleased he was with the Miss World Guyana committee and its representative this year, Miss Rafieya Hussain: “Here, at Gizmos and Gadgets, we strive to give back to our country and our beautiful people; therefore we are pleased to join hands with the Miss World Guyana Committee and Miss World Guyana 2014 to help eradicate domestic violence and conquer the international stage simultaneously.

“With this Samsung tablet, the Miss World Guyana Queen, Rafieya Hussain, will be able to continue her research, make calls, take pictures, update her fans and followers via social media, and spread awareness for her campaign against domestic violence among many other things”.

The ladies corner…

Bombshell’s Hottest dudes

Christopher Boyer is every woman’s dream come true

Come get him, ladies, before anyone else does WITH a show stopper’s face, pearly white teeth and a dazzling smile, Christopher Boyer packs a wallop on the ever roving senses of the wanton divas out there.

In a brief tete-a-tete, our Bombshell dude mentioned that, apart from his dazzling good looks, he possesses a mystical cauldron of molten desires that are designed to make every woman’s dreams come true.

This no-nonsense dude has an eye for fakes in the feminine gender, and vows that he can instinctively foretell when a woman is out to set her clutches on the material things of life.

He desires a woman who is creative, sensual, has great cooking skills, and loves to travel. He guarantees this lucky lady a lifetime of love, security, and unrelenting blissful romance.

If you out there think you have the qualities that Christopher is looking for, then call him up on phone number 681-7926! But, my dears, you would most certainly have to hurry, because I have just received word that the proverbial vultures are already ‘on the prowl’.

Do let me know how things went down my ladies.

Quote of the Day Miss Guyana World, Rafieya Husain, and a representative of Gizmos and Gadgets

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”

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Tommy Lee to perform at Champion of Champions football knockout competition

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Local model management agency takes American fashion world by storm

A

JAMAICAN dancehall artiste Tommy Lee, also called “Uncle Demon”, will be the headThe artiste recently creline act for the after-party of the Champion of Champions football knockout competition ated a storm at the Guyana slated for the National Park on November 8.

National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara where he was applauded by his many fans who had turned up to witness his stellar performance. Come November 8 at the National Park arena, Tommy Lee is expected to thrill his fans once more.

As usual, there will be strict security in and around the venue. The football competition, which is being held for the second year, is being promoted by Trinity Promotions. The event will see eight teams competing for $150,000 as the first prize and $75,000 as the second prize.

The teams will be placed into two groups. Group ‘A’ comprises Tiger Bay, Leopold Street, West Front Road and Broad Street; while Group ‘B’ comprises Albouystown, Sparta Boss, Festival City and Back Circle.

Teams have to pay a fee of $5000 to enter the competition.

Admission to the event cost $1500, and tickets are available at Vinu Shoe Box, German’s Restaurant and Chetson Clarks. Tickets will be available from Monday. Remember, it’s one night, eight teams, and non-stop football action, with a great dancehall artiste performing after the games.

S summer wound down, the fashion industry showcased its Spring/Summer 2015 Collection at the most prestigious fashion event this side of the globe - the Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week; and taking part in this monumental fashion display was the newly formed Guyanese modelling agency Traits Model Management.

September 4th-11th 2014 saw more than 80 fashion shows and presentations, and “Traits” had a front row seat.

Traits made its presence known when its model Natasha Harper took to the runway for several renowned designers from diverse corners of the world. Amidst countless other models, Ms. Harper was casted to walk for African designer Diarra Bousso, Project Runway runner-up designer Korto Momolu, and Colombian-born celebrity stylist and mainstream designer Edwing D’angelo. Ms. Harper was also mannequin-esque for Ceasar Gallindo’s “CZAR” presentation, and modelled for Perth designer Mauricio Alpizar.

As expected media presence was at an optimum, and Ms. Harper took a media spot on “Fashion Bomb Daily” and also graced the cover of Spanish newspaper “El Diario New York.”

“I am very pleased with the progress Traits has been making in breaking the barriers on not only the local, but international, modelling scene. I am looking forward to partaking in the New York Fall/Winter Fashion Week in February, 2015” said Managing Director Hugh George when asked about his agency’s participation in a fashion event of that magnitude.

Not only did Traits participate in the New York Fashion Week, but that agency capitalized on the opportunity to take Ms. Harper and another Traits model, Kimberly Niles, on other casting calls.

Both girls sparked the interest of some of New York’s top modelling agencies, including APM Model Management, Soul Artist Management, New York Model Management, and Major Model Management.

“Our models are doing very well in this environment.

We are looking to foster Traits’ relationship with other modelling agencies in New York, so that we can better access the international market for Traits models” Junior Kennedy, Agency Manager, said.

Traits Model Management is a new modelling agency aimed at discovering and developing talent in Guyana.

Although formed in April 2014, Traits is already a force to be reckoned with in the modelling world, judging from its involvement in the BVI Summer Sizzle and New York Fashion Week.

Even locally, the faces of Traits representatives were seen at a recent cocktail hosted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission at the Rorima Duke Lodge. Models Reesa Sooklall, the current Ms. Guyana Talented Teen, and Avishaun Munroe showcased Sanjay’s Jewellery Gold and Silver 2014 Collections.

Guyana needs to be on the lookout for this agency.

It has already raised the bar in the modelling industry.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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Bulletin!!! Bulletin!!! Bulletin!!!

Guyana’s Stacy Ramcharran leads in online voting at Miss Earth 2014 Pageant

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HE’S hot; she’s irresistible, and downright provocative.

Guyanese beauty Stacy Ramcharran is proving herself to be all that and more as she presently ranks at # 1 in the ratings after yesterday’s online voting for the 2014 Miss Earth Pageant.

Our raging siren aims to secure the prestigious crown, and is presently leading with 5638 votes as she prepares to blaze a trail on November 29, 2014 at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City, the Philippines.

The staging of Miss Earth 2014 would represent the 14th edition of the Miss Earth Pageant to be hosted, and 87 contestants from all over the world will be competing for the crown. Alyz Henrich from Venezuela will crown her successor at the end of the event.

The pageant´s theme this year is “Promoting Ecotourism”, which aims to raise the tourists’ and travellers’ awareness of ecological conservation, in order to directly benefit the economic development and to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights.

Bombshell’s Hottest Babes…

Ernesta Nelson is Bombshell’s ‘Scene Sizzler’ E

RNESTA Nelson is hot and electrifying, with vocals that impress with their ‘seismic power’. She’s captivating, unforgettable, bubbly, and has an infectious personality and a sizzling body that creates an adrenaline rush.

Ladies and gentlemen, Bombshell is pleased to presents the saucy and provocative Ernesta Nelson as our choice for this week’s ‘Scene Sizzler’. This hottie is no stranger to the entertainment world, and has already made a name for herself in the music arena, after showcasing at several local and international ventures.

From staking high claims at the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition to blazing a trail on stages in Barbados and other Caribbean countries, Ernesta has almost done it all musically.

Today she is flaunting her sauciness on our Bombshell pages, mouthing her favourite quote, “I got it from my momma, so I will flaunt it!”

Ernesta enjoys singing, dancing, reading, travelling and song writing, and aspires to one day bring a Grammy to Guyana through her vocal exploits.

I am sorry to say, guys, that Ernesta did not leave a contact number, because “she done get ah boi-friend areddy!”

Joke of the Day!

Ernesta is so full of Caribbean fire

A teacher wanted to teach her students about self-esteem, so she asked anyone who thought they were stupid to stand up.

One kid stood up, and the teacher was surprised. She didn’t think anyone would stand up, so she asked him, “Why did you stand up?” He answered, “I didn’t want to leave you standing up by yourself.”

Way to go girl! Guyana loves you.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Man gets 48 months for robbery under arms A FORMER employee of Cevon’s Waste Management was yesterday sentenced to 48 months imprisonment on a charge of robbery under arms .

Seron Skeete, 33, of Broad Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, was found guilty as charged for the offence by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Details of the charge said that on August 23 at Saffon Street, Georgetown, being armed with a knife, he robbed Nandkumarie Maraj of one Nokia cellular phone, one handbag and one kitchen bowl, together valued $7,500.

The matter was first called before Magistrate Latchman on August 27 and Skeete was denied a pretrial liberty.

The prosecution stated that on the day in question, the virtual complainant

(VC) and her family were trying to get their mini-bus started. She then borrowed a knife from the defendant who was nearby to cut a bottle and make a funnel to pour gas into the fuel compartment of the bus.

The knife was returned to the convict who was near the bus and sometime later Skeete pushed his hand in the bus and took the victim’s lunch bag, which contained the articles mentioned in the charge. It was around 18:00 hrs, when the VC asked him to return the bag and he pushed the knife in front of her; she became fearful for life and left him alone.

Subsequently, the VC saw the police on patrol and quickly reported the matter after Skeete had made good his escape. He was however pointed out by the VC to the police patrol and

was arrested with the articles in his possession.

In his defence, Skeete,who was unrepresented by counsel, elected to give an unsworn statement and declined to call any witness on his behalf. In his oral statement, he denied committing the offence; he said he had gone to a shop to purchase several items, when the police vehicle came up and a lady accused him of robbing her.

The convicted man had been working with Cevon’s Waste Management for over three years. Magistrate Latchman before passing sentence took into consideration mitigating factors such as the convict’s age; that he did not have any prior or pending matters and is the father of three minors .

Rasville man on narcotics trafficking charge A 31-year-old man of Lot 4635 Rasville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown, was yesterday remanded to prison for trafficking narcotics.

Andrew Williams appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on November 3 at Rasville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown, he had in his possession 28 and a half grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose.

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant told the court that on the day in question around 22:10 hrs, the police were on patrol around Roxanne Burnham Gardens, when they received infor-

mation. As a result they contacted the defendant and a search was conducted of his person.

The court heard that ranks found a transparent bag containing the illegal substance in the zip lock bag parcels.

He was told of the offence and arrested and charged.

The police prosecutor successfully opposed bail on the basis of the nature and seriousness of the offence and the fact that no special circumstances had been raised by the defence for bail to be granted.

Representing the defendant was Attorney-at-Law Mr. James Bond. He requested bail in a reasonable sum for

his client, who is a father of three.

Bond during his application for bail said that on the day in question his client was with a group of persons standing at a corner, when a police vehicle with four officers came. He said everyone ran “helter skelter, “ but his client remained where he was standing and did not run.

Defence counsel argued that the alleged substance was not found on his client but in a corner.

However, the matter was transferred before Magistrate Ann McLennan and the matter stands adjourned to November 21 for report and fixture.

GNRSC: Drunk driving among major causes of road accidents, fatalities THE Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) has highlighted that drunk driving, inattentiveness, speeding and bad use of the roads remain the leading contributors of road accidents, including fatalities.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) Traffic Department, Eve Leary, reported that this year they recorded 106 accidents with 115 deaths, including 14 children while for the corresponding period last year they had 80 accidents with 86 deaths, including nine children.

Traffic Headquarters added that in the categories of road users killed are: towing on bicycle - one, pedestrains - 51, passengers in motor cars - 11, motorcycles - 21, pedal cyclists - 16, drivers of motor buses - 11 and occupants of motor lorries - 3.

During the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC) press conference last Friday, the Chairman, Dennis Pompey urged all road users to play their roles while using the roadways, adding that drivers between the ages of 25-35 are more prone to fatal accidents which ultimately result in the loss of lives.

He stated that “the loss of one life on our roads is too much and we could ill afford any more victims of road accidents.” Therefore, he encouraged drivers to have a designated driver when imbibing or to park and make alternative arrangements to go to their destinations.

Pompey said that drunk driving is serious and has equally serious consequences once you decide to get behind the wheel and drive while intoxicated.

Early Tuesday morning 26-yearold Gavin Bachan, of 181 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara was killed when he lost control of his speeding motorcar PNN 7981 which slammed into the metal guard rail at Clive Lloyd Drive, in the vicinity of Celina Resort.

It was reported that the young man was on his way home after a bout of drinking in observance of his birthday which was the same day he was killed.

Police said the accident occurred at about 03:30hrs on November 4, 2014 when Bachan was allegedly driving a motor car at a fast rate and lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a metal guard rail.

He received injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at the GPHC.

Fisherman on $50,000 bail for smoking ganja A 31-year-old fisherman of Lot 7 Block 200 Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast, was on Wednesday last placed on $50,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for smoking marijuana.

Terry Anrood pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on November 3 in the North West District, he

was caught smoking cannabis-sativa (marijuana).

Police Prosecutor Michael Grant said the facts are as charged and did not oppose bail.

The unrepresented man was granted surety and the case was transferred to the Mabaruma Magistrate Court for November 17.

Scrap metal dealer remanded for break and enter, larceny A 42-year-old man of Lot 119 ‘B’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was yesterday refused bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan on a break and enter and larceny charge.

Vernon Primus pleaded not guilty to the charge that said between November 2 and 3 at Lot 33 Sheriff and Dadanawa Streets, Section ‘K’ Campbellville, Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Waynewright Orderson and stole therein two television sets valued at$160,000; one stereo set system speakers valued at $ 66,000 and other items valued at over $2.4M. Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones opposed bail on the grounds that the defendant gave the court conflicting addresses, since he told the police he resides at Lot 123 ‘B’

Field Sophia. Jones also objected on the basis of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the charge and the fact that he was caught inside the house.

Primus told the court that he is a scrap- iron dealer and on Monday he was passing the yard when the gate was open.

He said he was admiring some of the scrap metal in the yard when a truck with some Tactical Services Unit police officers (TSU) pulled up. He said the ranks asked him what he was doing there and carried out a search on him.

The unrepresented defendant said no one took any fingerprints from him and nowhere had been broken into.

However, the prosecution’s objection was upheld and the matter stands adjourned to November 24 for statements.

Labaria bites miner in Port Kaituma backdam A 26-year-old miner, Jairam Samsundar, known as “Papo” was bitten by a labaria snake while walking through the jungle with some other miners about one week ago.

According to reports from Port Kaituma, the father of four, who is an experienced fisherman from Paradise, Essequibo Coast, recently left the Coast with his second wife and son and moved to the North West District.

Reports are that he had decided to venture into gold mining and was on his first trip with other miners when he was bitten by the labaria deep in the jungle.

Relatives on the Essequibo Coast said they heard that he was urinating near some bushes in the trail and stood on some dry wood and leaves, when the dangerous

“white tail” labaria sprang up and bit him on one of his feet.The miner who ran and screamed for help was quickly rescued by the other miners. Reports said the snake was hunted down and killed.

The seriously injured man was given medication and rushed out the interior to the Port Kaituma hospital. He was subsequently rushed to the Georgetown Public hospital where he was admitted.

Reports from relatives of the injured man said he is constantly crying out for pain and even bled from his ears, nose and mouth. His feet is said to be swollen.

However, relatives said his condition is improving as doctors and nurses are very attentive to him at the Public Hospital. (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

Competition will be stiff, but I will be ready - Irfaan Kalamadeen

By Rawle Toney COME Sunday, November 16 when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) hosts the final leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC), one driver; Irfaan Kalamadeen, is aiming to stand out.

Behind the wheel of his turbo-charged Ultra Lubricants/Jiffy Lube-sponsored

Mazda RX7; Kalamadeen is projecting to finish on top of the podium in Group 4 but confesses that this year, the competition is stiff. We got a lot of guys who will be ready and racing at their best, but I know my car will do well.”

When Chronicle Sport visited his garage, Kalamadeen and international tuner and ace technician Omar Crespo were all busy putting in some much needed work

on his machine.

“Omar is one the best tuners out there and he brings a lot to the team and helps to make you better in so many ways,” Kalamadeen said, while stating, “I did some work on the cooling system, the suspension and work on the balance because that’s an area I was lacking recently.

So the intention is to be very fast out of the turns.

WICB dismisses reports that Richardson was fired ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) - The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) yesterday denied media reports that Richie Richardson was fired as manager of the West Indies Cricket team.

A report appearing in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper said Richardson, a former Windies captain, was axed as manager and replaced by his former teammate and former

manager Joel Garner.

However, a WICB statement released following a meeting of the Board of Directors by teleconference yesterday afternoon said the report was inaccurate.

“The WICB wishes to make it explicitly clear that contrary to media reports, Sir Richie Richardson has not been removed as Team Manager of the West Indies

Pakistan stick with same squad for NZ Tests KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan selectors have retained the 16-member squad that whitewashed Australia in the recent two-Test series for this month’s Tests against New Zealand.

“No changes have been made to the side that won the second Test against Australia. This is to ensure there is consistency, which will bring more stability and strengthen team-bonding and combination,” chief selector, Moin Khan said in a statement.

Pakistan, after scoring their first Test series win over Australia in 20 years, take on New Zealand in three Tests, five one-day internationals and two T20 matches in the United Arab Emirates.

The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 9 in Abu Dhabi.

Khan said Pakistan were proud of their achievements against Australia but the New Zealand series would also be tough.

“We need to put this success behind us and switch our focus on the series against New Zealand. It will be a fresh start and we will need to keep the momentum going.

“Obviously, this is another opportunity for the youngsters to test and hone their skills in this series,” he added.

Team,” the release said.

Richardson was the manager of the team that aborted the tour to India recently, a decision which angered the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) forcing it to cancel tours to the Caribbean and to demand compensation of US$42M. The WICB says that a debriefing of the Windies team management following the shortened tour of India has been carded for Tuesday in Antigua.

Meantime the WICB says dates will be provided next week for releasing Test and one-day squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

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The car will now have better handling, will corner better. Fast acceleration, so all-in-all, I’m very excited about the races.”

Meanwhile, the car #91 driver believes that unlike recent years, this time around, Guyana will have most of, if not all of their premier cars and drivers on

show; something he says is good for the sport since persons come out on race day to see some of the cars that are familiar to them.

“It’s going to be great! I know Andrew King will be there, I see Kevin and Kristian (Jeffrey) also and that’s what is needed, you know, people actually come out to

see big names compete and that’s why I think this year will be one of the biggest,” Kalamadeen said.

With the influx of overseas competition, Kalamadeen is more than certain that not only will his Mazda RX7 stand out, but also it will match pound for pound, any car in its class.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

Tigers build lead against Zimbabwe

Rayudu guides India to second win with maiden ODI ton

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH 1st innings 433 (S. Al Hasan 137, T. Iqbal 109, M. Mahmudullah 56) ZIMBABWE 1st innings S. Raza lbw b T. Islam 11 B. Chari c Iqbal b T. Islam 25 H. Masakadza b Al Hasan 158 B. Taylor c M. Haque b Al Hasan 37 C. Ervine c Rahim b Al Hasan 17 E.ChigumburacM.HaquebAlHasan 1 R. Chakabva lbw b T. Islam 101 M. Waller c Rahim b Al Hasan 6 T. Chatara c & b R. Hossain 0 N. M’shangwe c Rahim b R. Hossain 0 T. Panyangara not out 1 Extras: (b-2, lb-7, nb-1, w-1) 11 Total: (all out, 135.1 overs) 368 Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-84, 3-151, 4-181, 5-189, 6-336, 7-350, 8-351, 9-351.

Bowling: S. Hossain 11-2-240, T. Islam 32.1-6- 96-3. S. Al Hasan 41-11-80–5, J. Hossain 19-2-64-0 (nb-1), R. Hossain 22-6-55-2 (w-1), S. Hom 7-027–0, M. Haque 1-1-0-0, M. Mahmudullah 2-0-13-0.

BANGLADESH 2nd innings T. Iqbal c & b Panyangara 20 Sh. Rahman c Taylor b Waller 23 M. Haque c Chakabva b Waller 54 M. Mahmudullah not out 63 S. Al Hasan lbw b Waller 6 M. Rahim c Chakabva b Waller 0 S. Hom not out 23 Extras (b-4, lb-4, nb-1, w-3) 12 Total: (for 5 wickets, 64 overs) 201 Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-75, 3-131, 4-145, 5-145.

Bowling: E. Chigumbura 6-213-0 (nb-1, w-1), T. Panyangara 8-2-34-1 (w-1), T. Chatara 7-319-0, M. Waller 21-4-48-4, S. Raza 6-0-22–0, N. M’shangwe 16-1-57-0 (w-1).

BANGLADESH hold the upper hand heading into the final day of their second Test with Zimbabwe in Khulna.

The Tigers closed day four on 201 for five in their second innings - an overall lead of 266.

Victory today would help them take the threegame series with a Test to spare, and they could have been further on their way had it not been for Regis Chakabva making his maiden Test hundred.

He scored a brilliant 101, boosting his side up to 368 all out, backing up Hamilton Masakadza’s 158.

Masakadza will actually be disappointed, having added just four to his overnight score before being cleaned up by Shakib Al Hasan to leave his side six down.

Malcolm Waller came and went for six and then Rubel Hossain had Tendai Chatara caught and bowled for a duck.

Wickets were starting to fall around Chakabva and, when Natsai M’shangwe departed to Hossain for nought, he looked like being stranded shy of the milestone.

But he got the job done

in 221 balls and then went himself, lbw to Taijul Islam.

Bangladesh’s innings ticked along nicely, with only Waller doing anything to threaten them.

He was on a hat-trick at one stage, removing Shamsur Rahman, Monimul Haque, Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim for his figures of four for 48.

When Waller started to take effect, Tamim Iqbal had already gone for a quickfire 20, caught and bowled

by Tinashe Panyangara, and Rahman and Monimul had put on 47 for the second

wicket.

He had Rahman caught at first slip for 23 and then, after Monimil - passing 1 000 Test runs in the process - had got his 50, he removed him for 54, caught behind via bat and pad.

Shakib was trapped for six, playing across the line, and, when Mushfiqur was taken behind the stumps the next ball, he was on a hat-trick.

Mahmudullah (63no) and Shuvagata Hom steadied the ship to the close, though, putting on a sixth-wicket stand of 56.

(PA Sport)

Regis Chakabva celebrates his maiden Test century against Bangladesh on the fourth day.

Johnson, Sangakkara on Cricketer of the Year shortlist SYDNEY, (Reuters) - Australia bowler Mitchell Johnson and Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara could both match Ricky Ponting’s feat in being named ICC Cricketer-of-the-Year twice after being included in the shortlist for the 2013-14 award.

Johnson, who won the award in 2009, and Sangakkara, the winner in 2012, were joined on the shortlist

by Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews and his South African counterpart AB de Villiers.

Former Australia captain Ponting won the title in 2006 and 2007.

Left-arm quick Johnson’s remarkable rejuvenation fired Australia to a 5-0 Ashes sweep of England and 2-1 series win in South Africa between August 2013 and September this year, taking 59 test wickets at

average of 15.23.

Left-handed batsman Sangakkara was the leading run scorer in the period, notching up 1,502 runs in 11 Tests at an average a shade over 75 and 1,046 runs in 26 one-day internationals.

Mathews trailed in just behind him in test runs with 1,292 runs at an average of 92.28, while de Villiers scored 932 runs at an average of 54.8.

The South African was the only one of the quartet to miss out on a nomination for the ICC Test Cricketer-of-the-year award with Australian opener David Warner joining Johnson, Mathews and Sangakkara on that shortlist.

The ICC teams for 2014 were also announced yesterday. The winners of the individual awards will be announced on November 14.

ICC teams for 2014 (in batting order) TEST David Warner (Australia) Kane Williamson (New Zealand) Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) AB de Villiers (South Africa) Joe Root (England) Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka, captain) Mitchell Johnson (Australia)

ONE-DAY

Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan) Quinton de Kock (South Africa) Virat Kohli (India) George Bailey (Australia) AB de Villiers (South Africa) MS Dhoni (India, wicketkeeper, captain) Dwayne Bravo (West Indies)

Stuart Broad (England)

James Faulkner (Australia)

Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka)

Mohammad Shami (India)

Tim Southee (New Zealand)

Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Ross Taylor (New Zealand, 12th man)

Rohit Sharma (India, 12th man).

Ambati Rayudu leads India to victory with an unbeaten 121.

AMBATI Rayudu’s maiden international century guided India to a comfortable victory in the second one-day international against short-notice tourists Sri Lanka.

Rayudu finished 121 not out as the home side sealed a six-wicket success with 33 balls to spare in Ahmedabad, establishing a 2-0 lead with three to play.

For Sri Lanka, drafted in for an unscheduled series due to the cancelled West Indies trip, it already seems to be an exercise in damage limitation.

India, though, are benefiting handsomely from the fixtures, with Shikhar Dhawan (79) and Virat Kohli (49) also finding some good form following a 169-run win in the series opener in which Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane hit centuries.

Sri Lanka, having opted to bat first, batted out their 50 overs but a total of 274 for eight never looked likely to contain a hungry Indian batting card.

Kusal Perera kicked things off with a duck, Umesh Yadav striking with the last ball of the first over, before experienced duo Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara restored balance with a 50-stand.

Dilshan hit Ravichandran Ashwin for four successive boundaries in the 10th over but was gone moments later, Akshar Patel bowling him off the inside edge for 35.

Sangakkara’s hopes of yet another big stand with Mahela Jayawardene died when the latter uncharacteristically picked out mid-wicket to gift Ashwin a vital scalp.

Angelo Mathews was able to dig deep, though, adding 90 with Sangakkara for the fourth wicket.

The pair scored at a decent rate for almost 19 overs until Sangakkara, having made a sensible 61, hit a Yadav full toss straight to the waiting long-on.

Sri Lanka’s progress nosedived from their position of 154 for three, Seekkuge Prasanna and Ashan Priyanjan both dismissed in the 36th over, while Thisara Perera and Suraj Randiv each made just 10.

Mathews was still battling, taking three consecutive fours from Ravindra Jadeja’s ninth over.

A ninth-wicket stand worth 54 between Mathews, who finished 92 not out from 101 balls, and Dhammika Prasad, who added a breezy 30 not out, then gave Sri Lanka something to bowl at.

Prasad quickly removed Rahane to maintain momentum but that merely brought Rayudu to the crease - a position he only left after hitting the winning runs.

Rayudu and Dhawan were in tandem for 20.1 overs and chalked off 122 runs along the way.

Between them they milked an underpowered bowling attack for all it was worth, Dhawan with seven fours and a six before slogsweeping Prasanna to deep square leg.

By that point Rayudu already had 51, with four boundaries and two sixes, and he duly climbed into another century stand with Kohli.

This time the pairing was worth 116, at more than seven an over, as frequent bowling changes failed to halt the inevitable.

Rayudu’s hundred came from his 101st delivery but Kohli was denied his own lesser landmark when Prasanna had him caught for an eye-catching 49.

Suresh Raina hit his second ball for four and his third for six before Prasanna struck again, leaving him with three for 53.

It was left to Rayudu to finish it two balls later with his 10th four to go with four maximums. (PA Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday NOVEMBER 7, 2014

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Clarke backed by predecessors as World Cup nears

By Stuart McDill

SYDNEY, Australia (Reuters) - Australia’s three World Cupwinning captains are unified in their belief that under-fire skipper Michael Clarke is the right man to lead the team to a potential fifth tournament victory next March.

A disappointed Clarke arrived home from United Arab Emirates on Wednesday eager to shake off Australia’s Test series loss to Pakistan and was surprised to face questions about whether he was worried about losing the captaincy ahead of the World Cup. Former captains Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, who all guided Australia to World Cup titles, dismissed the possibility of Clarke being sacked from the job.

“I think that was quite ridiculous, to tell you the truth,” Ponting told reporters at an event in Sydney yesterday, to mark the start of a 100-day countdown until the 2015 World Cup begins on February 14.

“The team has done some amazing things in the last couple of years,” he added.

“We know that out of the last couple of weeks the guys didn’t handle the conditions that well over there but ... it’s two Test matches, a bit of a blip on what’s otherwise been a pretty good copybook for the last couple of years.”

Clarke’s side were hammered in the two-Test

Michael Clarke series, losing the first match in Dubai by 221 runs and second in Abu Dhabi by 356 runs for a first series loss to Pakistan in two decades.

The 33-year-old Clarke also struggled with the bat - amassing just 57 runs in four innings - but Waugh said that was nothing to be worried about as Australia prepare to co-host the one-day

international tournament with New Zealand.

“I can’t understand that. I mean, every player goes through a time where they’re not scoring runs,” Waugh said. “But he’s had an incredible run (and) I think he has done a fantastic job.”

HADLEE ENDORSEMENT Border, who led Australia to

their first World Cup triumph in India and Pakistan in 1987, admitted he was surprised by the criticism aimed at Clarke.

“They’ve got short memories,” he said. “A couple of weeks of poor cricket don’t change the quality. I think he’s definitely the right bloke.”

Clarke’s next assignment is to lead his side in a fivematch one-day series against South Africa, which starts next week, though both Australia and New Zealand put any match preparations aside to acknowledge yesterday’s countdown milestone.

Former New Zealand fast bowler Richard Hadlee, still the highest Test wicket-taker for the Black Caps with 431, attended a ceremony with the World Cup trophy on Auckland’s waterfront as it began a tour of the country.

Taking a lead from the 2011 rugby World Cup organisers’ pledge to deliver “a stadium of four million” to encourage fans in New Zealand to welcome teams from across the globe, Hadlee said it was imperative the country got behind the tournament.

“Here is an opportunity to showcase New Zealand to the whole world by being cohost of the 2015 World Cup,” Hadlee told reporters.

“We have to do it right, we have to do it well, we have an opportunity to support our team on home conditions.”

PMCC, BSA forge alliance for fund-raising activity on Sunday … to purchase gym equipment WITH THE aim of raising funds to purchase gym equipment for its members and even those persons in the community who visit the venue to conduct cardio exercises, the Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) will be partnering with the Berbice Softball Alliance (BSA) this Sunday to host a 10/10 softball tournament from 09:00hrs.

Eight Open teams, among whom are Young Achievers, Berbice Titans, Amazonian Boys and Belvedere Pitbulls, two Over-35 including Grill Masters XI and two female teams namely Karibee Rice Girls and Universal Solutions Tigresses, will be doing battle on the day.

While the two female teams will be competing free of cost, the Open and Over35 teams have been asked to

pay an entrance fee of $8 000 to compete, which they duly did and will now battle for the top prize of $100 000 in the Open category with the winners of the female and Over-35 clashes uplifting $50 000 each.

Several side attractions such as Granny Ivelaw and her dancing girls, trampoline, bouncy castles, musical entertainment and a barbecue will also be on hand, as the organisers seek to make the day a fun-filled one for softball fans and enthusiasts alike.

No member of PMCC will be encouraged to represent any of the teams competing on the day, hence teams are asked to note carefully, that PMCC members are debarred from the tournament.

An entrance fee of $200 will be charged to witness the day’s event.

England name Citizens Bank/GT Beer Golf Classic Ramprakash as set for Sunday batting coach BANKS DIH Limited and Citizens Bank will team up to host the Citizens Bank/ GT Beer Golf Classic on Sunday at the Lusignan Golf Club, East Coast Demerara.

It is the second time the Foursome tournament will be played this year and will feature some of the top local players and several overseas golfers who participated in the just concluded Guyana Open.

Teams of four players will compete against each other in the foursome and the team with the best combined net score will be declared the champions.

The individual player with the best net will be crowned the Citizens Bank Players Championship winner.

When the tournament was first held in February this year George Bulkan shot an impressive net 63 to win the Citizens Bank Players Cup and piloted his team, the Underdogs which also comprised Ronald Bulkan, Troy Cadogan and Kassim Khan to victory.

Guyana Open men’s champion Avinash Persaud had won the Best Gross prize.

There will also be individual prizes for second and third best net scores.

In addition several other attractive prizes will be at stake.

Bank DIH Limited has already announced its team for Sunday with Clifford Reis - Chairman of both Banks DIH Limited and Citizens Bank playing

LONDON, (Reuters) - England have named former middle-order batsman Mark Ramprakash as their batting coach, the England and Wales Cricket Board said yesterday.

Flashback, George Bulkan (with trophy) and members of the Underdogs team pose with officials of Banks DIH and Citizens Bank at the Presentation Ceremony in February. alongside Christine Sukhram, Gavin Todd and Mark Lashley.

Citizens Bank Managing Director Eton Chester is expected to perform the symbolic tee-off of the players at 09:00hrs. Players have until today to register with the Lusignan Golf Club.

Officials of both companies will witness the tournament and assist in the presentation of prizes.

Communications Manager of Banks DIH, Troy Peters, said the first tournament was a success and players can look forward to another exciting day of golf on Sunday.

The 45-year-old, who played 52 Tests between 1991 and 2002, replaced his former international team mate Graham Gooch who stepped down from the role in May. Ramprakash averaged a modest 27.32 in tests but enjoyed a prolific career at county level with Middlesex and Surrey, scoring 114 first-class centuries.

“I will draw on my 25 years of experience as a cricketer but also am open to learning all the time,” Ramprakash said.

“I feel we have a very exciting group of players and am relishing the opportunity to continue working with them.”

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

GRFU conducts beep test for NACRA 7s hopefuls GUYANA’S domination in Rugby regionally in recent years was achieved as a result of being a fit unit. This was echoed last Wednesday when the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) held its first Beep Test for the national men’s squad in preparation for the NACRA sevens in Mexico from December 3 to 4.

Fitness instructor Barrington Brown described the test as fair, with most of the fifteen players tested on Wednesday failing to pass the 11-mark. Leading in the test were Patrick King (14.4) while Rickford Cummings and Joseph Rahaman did 13.2 - below what was expected. The three top finishers were

awarded with medals compliments of Titan table tennis club.

According to Brown another test would be held in two weeks’ time and he would be looking for a 14mark from the players. He said a similar exercise would be done on the overseas players upon their arrival.

The beep exercise was witnessed by officials of the GRFU and Patron Kit Nascimento who reminded the players of the seriousness of the Championship ahead and charged the players to up their game in preparation for the tournament.

The national team will Theodore Henry (first from right) and his teammates during Wednesday’s Beep Test

St Angela’s Primary says ‘Thank You’ to Kevin Jeffrey THE name Kevin Jeffrey is synonymous with motor racing in Guyana and the Caribbean but what the dapper race car driver is not known for is his passion for sports in general.

St Angela’s Primary found out how generous Jeffrey is when the Champion driver outfitted the school with football uniforms to aid their participation in the on-going Petra Organisation/COURTS Pee Wee

Football tournament.

The school’s coach and teachers lauded Jeffrey’s ingenuity and benevolence and said that his contribution is one that the students and the school will cherish.

The competition is currently in its semi-final stage and will continue this Saturday at the Banks DIH Thirst Park.

Jeffrey is currently in preparation for the final leg of the Caribbean Mo-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday November 07, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALLBourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Australia (54 ODIs) (2) Devon Thomas & Gavin Tonge Today’s Quiz: (1)Which WI has played most ODIs without ever taking an ODI wicket?

(2) Against which current Test playing nation, Viv Richards never played an ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

St Angela’s Primary School

tor Racing Championship (CMRC) on Sunday

November 16 at the South Dakota Circuit.

depart for Mexico on November 27 on a quest to secure their seventh NACRA 7s championship. The twoday tournament will be held in Mexico.

The national squad would continue to train every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 16:30hrs and on Sunday from 09:00hrs.

NOTE: The beep test is a multistage 20-metre shuttle run test for aerobic fitness. It is employed by many international sporting teams as an accurate test of cardiovascular fitness, one of the more important components of total fitness.

Atwell challenges for Oriental title CLIVE Atwell could be considered a lucky boxer, as it is not usual for fighters to get a shot at two titles in a row.

Months after losing a challenge for the World Boxing Association featherweight title, Atwell has travelled to Australia to try his luck at the World Boxing Organisation Oriental super featherweight crown.

Atwell is booked to match gloves with Kye MacKenzie next week Wednesday for the vacant title. The contest would be held at the Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and is scheduled for 12 rounds.

The move takes the Guyanese one step above his 126 pounds comfort zone.

The 25-year-old Atwell, who resides in Dominica, has not entered the ring since losing a world title challenge to WBC champion Jhonny Gonzalez last May. He an-

Clive Atwell nounced his retirement from boxing soon after following disagreement with his management team However, he rescinded soon after, paving the way for next week’s bout with the undefeated Australian who is three years his junior.

MacKenzie has won 10 of 12 fights by way of knockout. The upcoming fight would be Atwell’s second outside of his homeland and will take place one day after his 26th birthday.

Dharry back in the hunt ELTON `The Real Coolie Bully’ Dharry would return to the ring next month for the most important fight of his career.

The 28-year-old Dharry is scheduled to battle the once defeated Nicaraguan Jose Rios on December 6, for the vacant International Boxing Federation

Inter-Continental bantamweight title.

The fight is scheduled for L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium in St Maarten, boxing website BoxRec reported and New York-based boxing aficionado, manager and promoter Seon Bristol believes that the time is ripe for Dharry to make a major im-

pression or the world stage.

“In Elton Dharry we have a boxer who is gritty, committed and disciplined. Those ingredients are apposite when in the hunt for success. This fight will play a pivotal role in his career,” Bristol said.

Dharry is one of many Guyanese boxers based in the U.S. and has won his

last 13 fights. His last defeat came in September 2009 when he dropped a fourround decision to Puerto Rican Isander Beauchamp.

All of his 17 professional fights have taken place in either the USA or Guyana.

Dharry’s opponent for next month’s encounter has only fought in his homeland.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday November 7, 2014

WICB names Task Force to probe Windies pull-out of India … Prominent attorney Michael Gordon QC is the chairman ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) A prominent attorney, a leading businessman and a former West Indies cricketer have been appointed on a Task Force set up to probe the circumstances that led to the dramatic pull-out by the senior West Indies cricketers from their tour of India.

Michael Gordon QC has been named as Chairman of the Task Force that includes chartered insurer Dennis Lalor and Wes Hall, the former pacer, the West Indies

Former West Indies pacer Wes Hall has been included on the Task Force.

Cricket Board (WICB) announced following a meeting of the Board of Directors by teleconference yesterday afternoon.

WICB attorney Alanna Medford has been named as Secretary to the Task Force which may include additional members pending the agreement of the current members, a WICB statement released after the meeting said.

The Task Force is expected to meet with all parties including the West

Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the players, before reporting its findings to the board.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has cancelled tours to the Caribbean and has demanded compensation of US$42 million after striking West Indies players left their tour to India with five fixtures still to be played, including three Tests.

“The WICB confirms receipt of a letter from the BCCI. The WICB will con-

tinue to use its best endeavours to meet with the BCCI to discuss all relevant matters pertaining to the premature end to the tour of India,” the WICB statement said.

“The WICB respects the decisions of the BCCI but continues to trust that discussions can result in a mutually agreeable resolution. The WICB reiterates that the events which led to the premature end to the tour of India were extremely unfortunate and the WICB is committed to

ensuring that such events do not recur.”

West Indies players pulled out of the tour of India because they were angry with WIPA over a change in their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the WICB. The players claimed that the new agreement has resulted in a drastic reduction in their earnings.

Reports suggest that a resolution has now been reached between the players and WIPA.

Second four-day BoxRec confirms Harris challenge practice match heading for a draw UNLESS something dramatically occurs overnight from Vishaul Singh’s XI, the second four-day practice match, organised by Cricket Guy Inc. ahead of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League against Leon Johnson’s XI at the Guyana National Stadium, will peter out into a tame draw.

Having enjoyed a lead of 53 after bowling out Johnson’s XI for 293, five overs after the tea break yesterday, Singh’s XI increased that to 84 at the close of play, as they reached 31 for 2, losing first-innings centurion Shimron Hetmyer (7) who was bowled by Devendra Bishoo off the final delivery of the day’s play.

They had earlier lost Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who was also bowled by Bishoo in the fourth over of their second innings for 12, while Kandasammy Surujnarine is unbeaten on 9 and his team has eight secondinnings wickets in the bag, with Bishoo picking up 2 for 10 so far.

Earlier in the day, Johnson’s XI whose composition is made up of 90% of the players who were retained and drafted for CPL, started the day on 106 for 4 with Narsingh Deonarine on 23 and Christopher Barnwell 4.

The duo added 76 for the fifth wicket, with both batsmen hitting boundaries off Raj Nannan and Jeremy Gordon,

Narsingh Deonarine even as they also got boundstrolled to the wicket to join aries in one over off Anthony Anthony Bramble.

Adams, pushing the score to Permaul looked comfort172 before Barnwell, who able during his 46-run ninthstruck five fours in his 42, was wicket partnership with Bramcaught by Kandasammy Suruble, hitting Nannan for six to jnarine off Royston Crandon. go along with his two fours, At lunch, Johnson’s XI before he holed out to Johnson were 187 for 5, with Deonarat wide long on off Steven ine on 51, having posted his Jacobs just before tea which 50 from 157 balls with five was taken with Johnson’s XI fours, while Raymon Reifer on 279 for 9 off 110 overs with was on 2 and after the break, Bramble on 36 and Bishoo 2.

Deonarine and Reifer pushed Nannan closed off Johnthe score to 197, before Amir son’s XI innings when he Khan struck, having Reifer trapped Bishoo lbw for 8 at smartly stumped by Jason 293 off 115.5 overs, leaving Sinclair for 9.

Bramble unbeaten on 43 His wicket was followed - an innings that was decoby that of Deonarine who rated with four fours, while was caught by Khan off Raun Jacobs ended with 3 for 53, Johnson for 65 (175 balls, Nannan 3 for 74 and there 7x4) and Jonathan Foo (5), was a wicket each for Raun leaving Johnson’s XI on 223 Johnson, Khan, Crandon for 8, as Veerasammy Permaul and Anthony Adams.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L LYrespected boxing website BoxRec.com has confirmed that Guyanese `Vicious’ Vivian Harris is scheduled to enter the ring on November 29 for his second fight this year.

Harris is down to clash with Mexican Ramon Alvares in Mexico for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior middleweight crown.

The fight would be the second in the junior middleweight division for the former World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion.

On the other hand, the 28-year-old Alvarez, hails from Jalisco, Mexico and has never fought outside his home country. He has been defeated four times in 26 fights, the last being a 12-round decision to Mario Alberto Lonzano on October 10, 2012.

Harris was crowned champion in October 2002 following a second-round Technical KO of champion Diosbelys Hurtado in Huston, Texas. He would have three successful defences but was then dethroned by little known Colombian Carlos Maussa via seventh round knockout.

The talented Guyanese secured three victories before unsuccessfully challenging Junior Witter of England for the WBC junior welterweight title. Thereafter Harris’ career plunged into a tailspin with him losing six of his next nine fights over a four-year period.

The 36-year-old re-

Vivian Harris turned to winners’ row in 2013 and has had a threefight victory streak since.

Last month, Harris was scheduled to fight Raul Carrillo, another Mexican, for the USNBC welterweight

title. That bout fell through after Carrillo pulled out less than a week before the event.

At present Harris is in Las Vegas preparing for what could be considered a career-defining encounter.

NOTABLE DATES ANTHONY `The Pearl’ Andrews pursued Anoury Moguea for eight rounds before finally earning a ninth-round Technical Knock Out (TKO) in a scheduled 10-rounder at the-then National Sports Hall on November 7, 1993.

Andrews was high on confidence after earning a points decision over Glenwood Brown in his previous fight. It was a busy year for `The Pearl’ who engaged in four fights, winning all.

On November 7, 1980 junior welterweight Guyanese Derek `Teacher’ McKenzie’s attempt at winning a Commonwealth title ended in the second round of a scheduled 15-rounder when he was schooled by Nigerian Obisia Nwankpa. The fight ended in a TKO victory for Nwankpa.

On November 7, 1993 light heavyweight Andre `Stone’ Purlette needed only two rounds to dispatch Ivor `Baba’ Simmons.

Purlette had knocked out three of his previous four opponents.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

WICB dismisses reports that Richardson was fired See Story on Page 31

100-day countdown to World Cup 2015 begins CELEBRATIONS on both sides of the Tasman have marked 100 days to go until the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

The tournament begins in Christchurch and Melbourne on Valentine’s Day next year but there will be little love lost when the world’s best 14 one-day international teams go head-to-head for cricket’s greatest prize.

In Auckland, ex-New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming joined former teammate Chris Harris on top of the Auckland Harbour Bridge for an unusual cricket match against exAustralia pair Andy Bichel and Damien Fleming In Sydney, the captains of Australia’s four winning World Cup teams, Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, joined current captain Michael Clarke to celebrate the milestone and to launch the Australian leg of the World Cup Trophy Tour.

The Trophy Tour will give fans in Australia and New Zealand a chance to get up close and personal with the prize over the coming months.

Australia’s tour, featuring the perpetual trophy, kicks

Former Australia World Cup-winning captains Ricky Ponting, Allan Border and Steve Waugh are joined by current captain Michael Clarke. licate the team’s successful

off tomorrow in Western Australia.

The New Zealand leg of the tour, featuring the replica trophy the winning team will take home next year, started in Auckland yesterday and will travel the length of the country before finishing in Invercargill on November 27.

To celebrate the countless magic moments since

the first World Cup held in England in 1975, the ICC has also launched its 100 Greatest World Cup Moments Countdown.

Between now and the beginning of the tournament, the top 100 moments in World Cup history will be unveiled daily and fans will have their chance to vote for their favourite on www. cricketworldcup.com.

The top 10 will be unveiled when the tournament starts on February 14 before a final vote to determine the No.1 moment.

In honour of the milestone, Australia revealed their new uniform for the World Cup yesterday and Australia captain Michael Clarke said he hoped a return to a predominately yellow strip would see his side rep-

campaigns from 1999, 2003 and 2007.

“We’re back in Australian gold, which we hope will bring us luck like past World Cup-winning teams,” Clarke said Fans who missed out on tickets to key World Cup matches have a second chance today after organisers released extra tickets for three matches in Austra-

lia including the India versus Pakistan blockbuster at Adelaide Oval on February 15, the India versus West Indies match at the WACA on March 6 and the battle between Australia and Sri Lanka in Sydney on March.

Extra tickets are also being released for in-demand matches in New Zealand including the battle between the two host nations in Auckland on February 28.

The official television commercial for the Cricket World Cup was also released to celebrate the milestone.

The commercial was filmed in various locations around the world and features Black Caps skipper Brendan McCullum and Aussie quick Mitchell Johnson.

The Cricket World Cup will begin on February 14 when New Zealand play Sri Lanka in Christchurch and Australia meet England at the MCG. The tournament is being played across 14 host cities over 44 days, culminating in the final at the MCG on March 29. (Cricket Australia)

Competition will be stiff, but I will be ready - Irfaan Kalamadeen See Story on Page 31

Irfaan Kalamadeen poses next to his Mazda RX7 while ace tuner Omar Crespo (first from left) ponders his next installation.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and other officials from his Ministry along with US Track Star Kristi Castlin during her visit to the Leonora Synthetic Track on Wednesday . Castlin is expected to leave Guyana tomorrow. (Sonell Nelson photo)

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2014