2014 12 24 by Guyana Chronicle

GUYANA No. 104051 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2014

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President meets Army, Police Heads on crime situation Page

JAGS Aviation turns things up a notch Page

––adds US$4M ‘Skytruck’ to growing fleet

The M28 Skytruck touching down at Ogle International Airport. Inset is patriarch of the BK Group of Companies, Mr Brian Tiwarie, and his wife (third and fourth right, respectively), and their four children (Photos by Adrian Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

President meets Army, Police Heads on crime situation P

RESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday met with Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips, and Commissioner (ag) of the Guyana Police Force, Mr Seelall Persaud at the Office of the President. Together they discussed the current state of affairs with regards to crime, in the hope of getting on top of the situation. Also present at the meet was Head o f t h e P re s i d e n tial Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, in his capacity as Secretary to the Defence Board. (GINA)

President Donald Ramotar (second right) in meeting with, from left, Commissioner of Police (Ag), Mr Seelall Persaud; Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips; and Secretary to the Defence Board, Dr Roger Luncheon

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Ten more strikes hit Islamic State in Syria, Iraq: U.S. military

(BBC News) A GERMAN author given rare access to territory run by Islamic State has told the BBC that the group is stronger, more brutal and harder to confront than he had expected. Juergen Todenhoefer spent six days in the IS city of Mosul in Iraq, travelling there via Raqqa, in Syria. Mr Todenhoefer said he found IS followers highly motivated and supportive of the group’s brutality. He said the spread of fighters meant they were hard targets for air strikes. A former German politician, Juergen Todenhoefer is the only outsider to have travelled deep into IS territory and back. And, considering that several Westerners have recently been beheaded, he did so at terrifying risk. In Mosul, captured with lightning speed by IS in June, Mr Todenhoefer saw how the group imposes its

Downing North Korea’s Internet not much of a scalp (Reuters) - IF someone did just knock North Korea off the Internet for half a day, it wouldn’t have taken much. With barely 1,000 Internet addresses, one Internet service provider and one connection to the outside world via China, North Korea’s cyberlinks are negligible - barely one percent of that of Afghanistan, a similarly impoverished country with a roughly comparable population. By the same token, closing down the links wouldn’t have had much of an effect within North Korea. For internal online communications it uses a closed Intranet network, but that was apparently not affected, according to officials across the border in the South. North Korea is “one of the least connected countries in the world,” said Matthew Prince, CEO of U.S.-based CloudFlare, which, among other services, protects websites against web-based attacks. It’s also one of the most vulnerable, said Jim Cowie, chief scientist at Dyn, a U.S.-based Internet performance company. “North Korea, historically, is fairly fragile,” he said after Internet access to North Korea was restored at 0146 GMT on Tuesday. Internet links to the country remained snapped for several hours, but Cowie said the country had experienced outages of similar length this year. The country is at the center of a confrontation with the United States over the hacking of Sony Pictures, but several U.S. officials said

Juergen Todenhoefer was the first Westerner given access to Mosul since Islamic State took over extreme version of Sunni Islam. Posters instruct men on the right positions in which to pray and tell women how to fully cover themselves. They must not, for example, wear clothes that “resemble those worn by infidel women or men”. Images on advertising hoardings have been blacked out, and a bookshop displays pamphlets and tomes on religious rulings, including how to treat slaves.

He met child fighters bearing arms for the “caliphate,” and encountered recruits from around the world, including the UK, US, Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago. Rule by fear Mr Todenhoefer said he was struck by their brutal zeal, and the scale of their ambition to carry out “religious cleansing” and to expand their territory. Juergen Todenhoefer: “Terrible to feel that people can be enthusiastic about killing hundreds of millions of people” “There is an enthusiasm that I’ve never seen before in warzones,” he said. “They are so confident, so sure of themselves. At the beginning of this year, few people knew of IS. But now they have conquered an area the size of the UK. This is a one per cent movement with the power of a nuclear bomb or a tsunami.” Filmed by his son - with a permit guaranteeing their safety - his material gives the impression of a group busy entrenching their bureaucracy, relatively unperturbed by the threat of coalition air strikes. “I had the impression that they want to show that the Islamic State is working,” Mr Todenhoefer said.

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the U.S. government was not involved in any cyber action against Pyongyang. Following the hacking, Sony canceled the release of a comedy about the fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. An outage of this kind could have been caused by one of several factors, according to CloudFlare’s Prince. North Korea may have disabled the Internet itself, which could have been as simple as sending one command to a single router possibly to seal the country from access to the movie and news about the confrontation with Washington. It could also have been cut by China Unicom, the Chinese network which connects the country to the outside world. China has denied that it was involved. Another possibility could have been a hardware issue, like for instance, a router breaking down. Then there’s the possibility of an attack - meaning someone directed a flood of internet traffic at websites in North Korea until they, and eventually the country’s entire network, ground to a halt. This is called a distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attack because the flood is spread across hundreds of computers, called a botnet. A PROVINCIAL NETWORK North Korea’s Internet service is run by a joint venture between its Post and Telecommunications Corporation and Thailand’s Loxley Pacific in Thailand. Any at-

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tack on the network would have go through China Unicom’s network, though it would be unlikely to affect it. “This is a provincial network on the back of a provincial network,” said Dyn’s Cowie. It’s not known how much Internet capacity North Korea has - how much traffic its network can tolerate before it is overwhelmed - but Prince reckons it could handle up to a maximum 10 gigabytes per second. DDoS attacks nowadays can marshall hundreds of gigabytes per second. “It’s not particularly challenging for an individual to launch an attack which completely saturated North Korea’s access to the internet,” he said. Last week, by comparison, a 17-year old Londoner pleaded guilty to launching a DDoS attack against internet exchanges and an anti-spam service last year. Traffic during the attack exceeded 300 gigabytes per second. A Twitter account with the handle @LizardSquad, which under similar accounts has previously claimed credit for attacks on prominent gaming websites, said in a tweet it was behind the North Korean outage. CloudFlare’s Prince said the fact that North Korea’s Internet was now back up “is pretty good evidence that the outage wasn’t caused by a state-sponsored attack, otherwise it’d likely still be down for the count”. Dyn’s Cowie said that while the evidence “was not inconsistent with an attack, it was not conclusive”.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Nicaragua launches construction of inter-oceanic canal

Argentine women have a long history of competing in international beauty competitions

Chinese company HKND launched work Monday on a $50bn canal linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans NICARAGUA has announced the start of work on a new canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. At an opening ceremony, Wang Jing, the president of HKND, the Chinese company building the canal, said this moment would go down in history. The 278km (172 mile) waterway will be longer, deeper and wider than the Panama Canal. But critics fear a negative environmental impact and doubt its viability and economic benefits. The Grand Canal of Nicaragua, as it has been called, aims to rival Panama’s waterway and lift the country out of poverty. The opening ceremony was largely symbolic, as

work began on an access road for machinery needed to build a port for the canal on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast. Nicaragua’s Vice-President Omar Halleslevens said the canal would change the history and the economy of Nicaragua, one of Latin America’s poorest countries. “With this great canal, Nicaragua expects to move 5% of the world’s commerce that moves by sea, which will bring great economic benefits and double the GDP (gross domestic product),’’ said Mr Halleslevens. HKND says it expects the project to be finished within five years and operational by 2020, and to cost about $50bn (£32bn). The project is to include

two ports, an airport, a resort and an economic zone for electricity and other companies. But some have questioned the canal’s financial soundness and allege that Wang Jing lacks experience in developing or financing big infrastructure projects. Opponents are also concerned about the impact construction may have on Lake Nicaragua and on poor communities in the area. The route announced in July would pass through the lake, an important source of fresh water. Environmentalists have warned of the risks of damming rivers and moving large amounts of soil. Communities along the route have staged protests.

Argentina town bans ‘sexist’ beauty competitions (BBC News) A TOWN in Argentina has become the first in the country to ban beauty queen competitions. The town council of Chivilcoy, in the Buenos Aires region, said the contests were sexist and encouraged violence against women. It said they encouraged an obsession with physical beauty and illnesses like bulimia and anorexia. In Latin America the beauty pageant often serves as a springboard for a career in television or entertainment.

A number of Latin America’s television personalities have won major beauty competitions and with it, celebrity status and lucrative careers. The council said that from now on Chivilcoy’s festivities and anniversaries would be celebrated by recognising the achievements of young people. They said the contests will be replaced with carnival mask competitions and prizes for volunteering. Correspondents say a debate has been emerging for some time in Argentina

about the validity of beauty competitions. Mariano Anton of Argentina’s anti-discrimination watchdog, the National Institute against Discrimination and Xenophobia, has called for the scrapping of beauty competitions in schools to prevent attacks on participants, Clarin newspaper reports. He said his organisation had seen a large number of cases of violence against young participants in various provinces because “they were too beautiful”.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

GUYANA

EDITORIAL

Great ideas never die A ‘CARIBBEAN Trakker’ news item reported that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the fifth edition of the resolution entitled ‘The role of the United Nations in promoting a New Global Human Order’, sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations. The resolution was agreed by consensus after several rounds of informal consultations and raised more than 50 co-sponsors, including from CARICOM, CELAC, African, Asian and Arab countries. The 2012 resolution builds on the previous resolution adopted

by the General Assembly in 2010 and on the Secretary-General’s Report. The Secretary-General’s Report reviewed recent trends in inequality and their implications for economic and social development, drawing on analytical and empirical research into the causes of inequality. The report concluded with a number of recommendations for addressing inequality at all levels, in particular within the United Nations framework, as a contribution to ongoing efforts to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Develop-

ment Goals. At a session of the General Assembly, Mr George Talbot, Ambassador of Guyana to the UN, introduced the resolution, which had been updated and revised in the context of the current realities. The resolution emphasised the continued and growing importance of the need to address inequalities at the multilateral level and provides a platform for focused inter-governmental consideration of the question of inequality. In that context, the resolution highlighted, inter alia, the need for

mainstreaming inequality in the activities of the UN, agencies and programmes, and the progress in efforts of many Member States to address inequality. It requested the convening of an informal thematic debate of the General Assembly to address the issue of inequality in 2013 and encouraged appropriate consideration to the need to reduce inequality in the elaboration of the post2015 development agenda. After the introduction

of the resolution, the distinguished representatives of Singapore, South Africa and Malaysia delivered statements supporting the adoption of the resolution, highlighting the increasing prominence of the issue of inequality and the need for addressing it. The New Global Human Order is again taking centre stage at the United Nations and other world fora. Great ideas never die, because they are envisioned by great thinkers.

I will do my part to ensure APNU, AFC do not misrepresent Guyana’s history

RECENTLY an Afro-Guyanese professional visited my home on my invitation to treat my dog. I must say I am very pleased with the treatment and response of the dog. However, during the process of looking after the dog we got into a conversation of politics. What he said to me was the same thing that would be expected from anyone who digested the venom fed to them by the APNU and AFC: - Corruption, discrimination, victimisation and Guyana going nowhere. He honestly believes that a single slate with APNU/AFC is the best thing for Guyana since, in his mind, the PPP will be defeated. Having listened to this young man I realised the slimy character of the Leaders of the AFC and the subtle ‘race game’ they are playing. The young people of Guyana are not being told the true history. Instead they are being told of corruption and Jagdeo-phobea. Upon enquiry he told me all

he knows about politics is what he reads in one newspaper and listens to when the Opposition politicians are on television. When asked about ‘proof’, he reluctantly said Freddie provides the proof.

He was shocked to learn the following:1. That as the Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge was very often picketed by all the Trade Unions in Guyana, GTUC and PSU included. In fact, the WPA used to say ‘time for Carl to go’. I said ask Freddie. 2. The PNC built a Cassava factory that never worked. A bicycle factory that flopped. A glass factory that never produced. A barge to produce electricity that never worked. I said ask Ramjattan. 3. The PNC built Silos but there was no rice. Under the PNC Guyana imported rice for local consumption. The members of the GDF, acting under the instructions of President Burnham, went under

Rice Farmers Houses and at gun point seized all seed paddy so as to meet export market because of low rice production. I said ask David Granger. 4. Guyana could not meet its sugar quota and supply local market under the PNC. So sugar was imported into Guyana from Panama for local consumption. I said ask Moses. 5. Guyanese had to form lines for soap, salt, kero, water, rice, etc. I said ask Clive Thomas. 6. When the PNC demitted Office there was not one cent in the treasury. I said ask Goolsaran. 7. There was not one Secondary school in an Amerindian area. I said ask Amna Ally. 8. The PNC controlled the distribution of all basic food items through a chain of stores name KSI (Knowledge Sharing Institute). They had Party Offices with someone designated as Party Co-ordinator. That person made the determination of who got quo-

tas for the distribution of cooking oil, matches, sugar, milk powder, etc. Ask Hamilton Green. 9. During the PNC administrations, People who wanted to purchase a cutlass, file or grass knife a special permit was sought from the Ministry of Agriculture. Then they made their purchase at GNTC. I said ask Henry Jeffrey. 10. President Burnham did not honour his promise to increase wages from eleven dollars ($11) a day to fourteen dollars ($14) a day for two years straight. He said: Do you want $14 a day or Hydro”. I said ask Patrick Yard. 11. On the economics side Carl Greenidge used to talk of negative growth in his budget speech. We had Guy-Lines, rice flour and Beriberi. The Land to the Tiller programme failed. The Feed, Clothe and House programme failed. The cassava bread and milk programme failed. The Hydro project failed. The Leguan Stelling project failed. The soya bean project failed. The

Alakyee Agri Project failed. I said ask Roopnarine. Today Guyana is progressing. We are seeking new markets for rice; and sugar production is on the increase. Coconuts and other agricultural products are in demand in overseas market. Under the PPP/C administration, Guyana has a treasury reserve. Life expectancy has increased but more work is necessary for the reduction of infant/mother mortality. Our crime rate is still high. We still have a far way to go and with the PPP, all the positive signs are there. We know there are short-falls and some sectors cannot expand. Guess who cut the budget two years and brought difficulties? I will do my part to make sure that the APNU and AFC do not misrepresent the history and consider the Guyanese people as being a tool to be used. PANDIT CHRISHNA PERSAUD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

JAGS Aviation turns things up a notch

--adds US$4M ‘Skytruck’ to growing fleet By Clifford Stanley JAGS Aviation, a member of the BK Group of Companies, yesterday took possession of a new PZL M28 Skytruck cargo and passenger aircraft, which has been described as “a

game-changer” for the local domestic aviation sector. The twin-engined M28 Skytruck, acquired at a cost of US $4M, touched down at Ogle International at 12.53 hrs to a traditional water salute by the Guyana

Fire Service. It was received by owner, Mr Brian Tiwarie, members of his family, and a welcoming committee of dignitaries, including Ministers Robeson Benn, Irfaan Ali, and Robert Persaud; former President Bharat

JAGS Aviation Accountable Manager, Ms. Briony Tiwarie addresses the gathering at the welcoming ceremony for the M28 Skytruck. At the head-table are, from left, Tagman Media’s Mr Alex Graham; Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Robeson Benn; and Tourism Minister (Ag), Mr Irfaan Ali

Jagdeo; Opposition Member of Parliament and shadow Aviation Minister, Joe Harmon; and senior officials of the local aviation community and the private sector. The arrival of the M28 Skytruck now makes it the

largest aircraft operating out of the Ogle International Airport, and the second aircraft acquired by JAGS Aviation for commercial operations in the domestic aviation sector in recent months. JAGS Aviation, a sub-

sidiary of BK International Group of Companies, was launched as an airline in August last when it received its first aircraft, a brand new Cessna Grand Caravan 208B EX. Turn to page 16

Mrs Tiwarie and her children trying out the passenger section of the aircraft (Photos by Adrian Narine)

At the welcoming ceremony for the M28 Skytruck. Seated from right are: Opposition Member of Parliament and shadow Aviation Minister, Mr Joe Harmon; Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Mr Zulficar Mohamed; the two pilots that flew the plane in; Mr Brian Tiwarie; and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Mr Robert Persaud and his children

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Big challenge lingers in USA/Cuba ‘peace’ bid

Analysis by Rickey Singh ON THIS day before Christmas, I take the opportunity to share some brief thoughts with readers on a few of the more significant regional/international political developments that undoubtedly would impact on our own ways of life in this western hemisphere, perhaps from as early as the latter half of 2015. Foremost among them would be the announcement last Thursday by President Barack Obama of his authorised decision for ending 53 years of political, economic and cultural embargo by the USA against Cuba. That’s the four-letter name of the small, proud revolutionary island nation which a quartet of Caribbean Community States (Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica) had initially succeeded in rescuing from the punishing diplomatic cold to which it had been ruthlessly relegated by superpower USA under the presidency of John F. Kennedy. The objective of this unique embargo was to crush the Cuban Revolution. It has proven to be a monumental failure. However, as the governments and people of

CARICOM and Cuba continued to officially mark that historic friendship initiative of 1972, amid U.S.-orchestrated assassinations and

and Havana. The harsh reality is the really big challenge is yet to come. STIFLING EMBARGO The reality is that

President Barack Obama terroristic activities (Recall the mind-boggling Cubana aircraft tragedy in Barbados’ airspace?), it was the USA that increasingly became isolated, diplomatically, over its ruthless anti-Cuba politics. A sobering distinction must now be noted; one that contrasts with President Obama’s smooth announcement last week of the accord reached with Cuban President, Raoul Castro, on the renewal of full diplomatic ties between Washington

of Cubans have declined to genuflect to Uncle Sam’s mix of political bribery and terrorism. Currently, President

Pope Francis

both Houses of the U.S. Congress must be willing to lift the stifling, iron-clad legislation governing the trade, economic and financial embargo against Cuba. The embargo, routinely overwhelmingly condemned annually at successive meetings of the United Nations General Assembly, has caused losses of enormous billions of dollars over 50 years to Cuba amid much human suffering. Yet, to their eternal credit, the great mass

However, despite the reassuring rhetoric from President Obama’s White House, the reality is that the conservative an-

President Raoul Castro

Obama is understandably the recipient of some deserved credit for the resumption of diplomatic relations between the USA and Cuba. This development has been enabled by Canada (which has maintained a special relationship with Cuba since the Fidel Castro-led revolution in 1959) as well as a significant role played by Pope Francis (Latin America’s first Pope) in influencing the “peace” dialogue between the administrations in Washington and Havana.

ti-Cuba Republican hawks, whose Party now controls the majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate, seem anxious to demonstrate a political defeat for the current tenant of The White House by opposing any initiative to lift the embargo. For his part, President Raoul Castro has firmly declared that Cuba’s communist-oriented political system of governance would remain “non-negotiable” while “obectively” coop-

erating with Washington to improve relations and promote international peace and economic cooperation. ISRAEL-PALESTINE PEACE In the New Year, this column would focus on another quite important political issue of international concern for peaceful development that dates back four decades, and one about which CARICOM governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) continue to maintain active interest: That is the elusive quest for peace between Israel and Palestine for a two-State solution, with defined borders, including the return of Palestinian territory taken by Israel during the 1967 war (a conflict that continues to remain bloody and costly), and with the USA and Britain, historical allies of Israel, currently revealing sentiments in favour of new peace initiatives that could unravel in 2016, if not late next year. Currently, diplomatic envoys from both Palestine and Israel are engaged in lobbying initiatives, including with Caribbean counterparts, on a draft resolution by Jordan. (Rickey Singh is a noted Barbados-based Caribbean journalist.)

Police confident of apprehending Tuschen triple-murder suspect By Michel Outridge THE Police Commander of ‘D’ Division (West Bank/West Coast Demerara), Ian Amsterdam yesterday said it is only a matter of time before they apprehend the prime suspect in the Tuschen triple murder. The suspect, Joshua Franklin, is being sought for the brutal murders of his mother-in-law, Bibi Zalima Khan; Floyd Drakes, the alleged lover of his reputed wife, Geeta Boodhoo; and his nine-yearold stepdaughter, Ashley Boodhoo, last week. Amsterdam said the Police have checked several places where they received word that Franklin was spotted, and that they have those places under surveillance,

just in case he shows up again. He noted that members of the community are cooperating with the police, and he is optimistic that they will find him soon. Asked about security for the injured woman in the hospital, Amsterdam said there is a police outpost at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and they have a hand on things there, but they are hoping he does not reach there. Amsterdam said since they learnt that Franklin had contacted a section of the print media via telephone, their intelligence sleuths are working to have that telephone number traced in an effort to locate him. Geeta Boodhoo’s five remaining children are staying with her

At large: Joshua Franklin sister at this time, and she has since been alerted about the suspect’s presence in the community. Boodhoo, who is still hospitalised and who lost her left hand

from the wrist down in the cutlass attack, has since undergone a surgery and was in need of ‘O’ positive blood. Franklin has reportedly confessed to the killings, via telephone to a private newspaper, and said he will “finish off” his reputed wife and her sister, whom he blames for his domestic problems. Last week, the seemingly “quiet” cane-cutter, in a fit of rage, broke into the home he once shared with Boodhoo and hacked her, her alleged lover, his motherin-law, and stepdaughter. Boodhoo managed to escape though she was chopped several times, and secreted herself in her neighbour’s verandah. The body of Floyd Drakes was found at the rear of the yard be-

hind a toilet, while that of nineyear-old Ashley was discovered in the kitchen; Ashley’s grandmother was found in the living room where the attack started after Franklin broke into the house. Ashley and her grandmother were laid to rest Friday according to Muslim rites following a post-mortem. Police reported that Khan, Boodhoo and Drakes all died as a result of multiple incised wounds to the body. The surviving children, including twins, escaped the brutal cutlass attack by hiding under a bed. Franklin’s son, who resides in a cottage in the same yard as the Boodhoos, remains in police custody assisting with investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

President joins forces with Cane Grove Reunion team --to fete senior citizens for Christmas

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar on Sunday joined members of the Cane Grove Reunion team to spread Christmas cheer to residents of Cane Grove, Mahaica and Strathavon. As has been the norm for years, the Cane Grove Reunion team returned from the United States and presented hampers to approximately 80 persons. Each hamper consisted of groceries and other items, with an estimated value of $6,178. Meanwhile, the President, who took time out to express Christmas Greetings to the large gathering, laud-

ed the efforts of the Cane Grove Reunion group as he noted that this coincides with Government’s effort of giving support to vulnerable groups in society. He noted that over the years the PPP/C administration has put systems in place to assist the elderly and the less fortunate through their many programmes and policies. Mention was made of the pension scheme from which thousands of Guyanese continue to benefit. The President also spoke of the excellent healthcare services provided to the elderly through the Ministry of

President Donald Ramotar assisting with the distribution of food hampers to residents of Cane Grove during the annual Cane Grove Reunion senior citizens Christmas party Health and other partners. Funding for the event at

hand was made possible by the annual Cane Grove

Reunion Dinner and Dance Fundraising event and raffle which was held in the United States. Throughout the years, this group has been giving support to the less fortunate through

their many programmes. Some of these include the distribution of pharmaceuticals and health supplies to health centres, clothing, and footwear, as well as hampers. (GINA)

Some of the residents who turned out to be a part of the treat for senior citizens at the annual Cane Grove Reunion senior citizens Christmas party

Software engineer bailed, bonded for assault, threatening behaviour

SOFTWARE Engineer Joseph Hoyte of 725 Penny Lane, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer a charge of assault. Details of the charge are that on December 14, at Penny Lane, South Ruim-

veldt, he unlawfully assaulted Donnet Miller. A second charge Hoyte faces detailed that, on the same day and time, he made use of treating language to Miller. Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones told the court that the parties live as reputed

husband and wife, and on the day in question, at about 08:00 hrs, the defendant and the virtual complainant had a misunderstanding which led to an argument, which led to Hoyte chucking Miller in her head and threatening to harm her and their children. Miller became afraid and reported

the matter to the police, and Hoyte was arrested and charged. Hoyte was placed on $10,000 bail, and was bonded to keep the peace. The matter has been transferred to Magistrate Fabayo Azore’s court for January 9, 2015.

Camp St prisoner remanded BVI national pleads guilty to narco-possession for drug trafficking MUSICIAN Keith Bailey appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Ann McLennan on a drug trafficking charge which detailed that on December 9, at Camp Street Prison, Georgetown, he had in his possession 197 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijua-

na) for the purpose of trafficking. Representing the 34-year-old Camp Street prisoner, Attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Fung-a-fat told the court that the illegal substance was found on the ground, and the police have claimed that it belongs to his client since he is

the leader of the music band. The court also heard that Bailey has been a convicted prisoner since 2012. Bailey was remanded to prison and the matter was transferred before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on January 9, 2015.

Lad bonded for verbally abusing mother, aunt over $500 SEVENTEEN-year-old Ceon Gittens of 191 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Ann McLennan, accused of using abusive language to his mother Nelly Gittens at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown on December 23.

Another charge the gold miner faces detailed that, at the same place and time in question, he used threatening language to his aunt Shelly Gillis. Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones told the court that on the day in question, the defendant asked his mother for $500; became annoyed

when his request was refused; and began cursing his mother as he demanded the money. And when his aunt intervened, she was also verbally abused, hence she reported the matter to the police. Gittens pleaded guilty to verbally abusing his mother, but denied that he had abused his aunt.

After hearing the matter, the Magistrate told the unrepresented lad that he has to learn to respect his mother, because if he could not respect his own mother, how could he respect anyone else? The magistrate dismissed both charges laid against him, but bonded him to keep the peace.

--fined, ordered to do community service

FORTY-eight-year-old Denzil Williams of the British Virgin Island of St Thomas was yesterday fined $20,000 by City Magistrate, Ann McLennan for possession of narcotics. A default in paying the fine would result in four months’ imprisonment for Williams. He was also ordered to perform two weeks of community service. The unrepresented man pleaded guilty to the charge which detailed that on December 22, at Ituni Street, Bel Air Park, Georgetown, he had in his possession four grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana). Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones told the court that on the day in question, at

about 11:30 hrs, police, acting on information, went to the Bel Air Park address where Williams was staying and informed him that they wanted to search his person, since they suspected that he was trafficking narcotics. When a search was carried out on the house, leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found in a wardrobe. The substance was weighed and the defendant was arrested and charged. After completion of his ordered service, Williams would remain in police custody until he reaches the nearest port of exit, from where he would be deported out of this country.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Plethora of winners for GT&T ‘All I Want for Christmas’ promotion both earned themselves smart faltscreen television sets. Kendal and Sami also both won IPads with one year free data service from GT&T. Media operatives were, moreover, given opportunity to fill coupons with the aim of selecting five persons to win $20,000 each. One journalist each from Kaieteur News, National Communication Network (NCN), MTV News Update

and Demerara Waves were fortunate to win $20,000 each, like Guyana Chronicle’s Shivanie Sugrim, as part of this exciting GT&T promotion. Additionally, persons who had participated in the weekly promotion were also present to uplift their $50,000 cash alongside other prizes. The “All I Want For Christmas” promotion was launched on Novem-

ber 1st last, and has given Guyanese the opportunity to win amazing prizes. Over the years, the GT&T has embarked on notable promotions to enhance the Guyanese society, and this year was no different. The company held promotions on the basis of persons “topping up” their cell phones and subsequently winning free minutes and credit among other prizes. (Shivanie Sugrim)

Terry DeFrietas (at centre) happily poses with his $1M cheque alongside Bibi Raiwapan and Jewan Seenarine, who both won smart flatscreen television sets in the GT&T “All I Want For Christmas” promotion yesterday M A R V E L L O U S LY spreading Christmas cheer with the aim of showing appreciation for citizens as well as media operatives, the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) staged its finale of the “All I Want For Christmas” promotion on the lawns of its Blackberry Store on Brickdam yesterday.

The event saw performances from Calvin Burnett alongside Ryan Hoppie, who both enthralled the audience with their Christmas renditions and had them singing along as they belted out renditions. There was also a plethora of winners and media operatives who were fortunate to receive prizes in both cash and electronic

devices. Ideally, the floor was opened to five selected persons who competed to win $1M. Those selected were: Terry De Frietas, Bibi Raiwapan, Kendal, Jewan Seenarine and Mahendra Sami. DeFrietas won the $1M, but Rawaipan from Corriverton, in Region Six, and Seenarine from D’Edward Village in Region Five

Media operatives (right), alongside $1M winner Terry DeFrietas and other winners, pose with their cheques and on-spot prizes

No confirmation that UG Law Paper was leaked --says Lecturer, Christopher Ram

The final ‘Company Law’ examination paper which was titled ‘Final (2) Examination’ FOLLOWING reports al- there is “no confirmation” bility that the paper had been leging that the Company that the exam paper had leaked. This came against Law examination paper in indeed been leaked. the backdrop of a student the University of Guyana The Company Law exam writing the same paper the Law Department had been paper, written on December Saturday prior. leaked, course lecturer 22, 2014, was the topic of One student who spoke Christopher Ram, in an ex- conversation after students to ‘SPLASH’, an Online clusive interview with this in the final year law class Campus news website, publication, revealed that had speculated on the possi- explained: “What we do

know is that one student who had to leave the country wrote the examination on Saturday”. He explained that the final paper written on December 22nd had been titled “final (2) examination”. Wishing to remain anonymous, that student said: “We were assured that, owing to the breach, we did not write the same paper as that student, hence our paper being titled ‘final (2) exam’. The lecturer told the class that the examination was breached, and a full investigation is on the way.” Mr Ram, however, assured this publication that there has been no confirmation that the paper had indeed been leaked. As regards the investigation hinted to by the student, Ram explained that he is about to leave the country, but would launch an investigation into the matter when he returns. The attorney-at-law noted that after he had been

alerted to the possibility that the paper had been leaked, he drafted a “new paper” overnight. If reports of a leak had indeed been accurate, he said, precautionary measures had to be in place so as to reduce the likelihood of an examination defect. “It was purely pre-emptive and precautionary… The students weren’t even aware that they were writing a different paper,” he said. One student in the Final Year Law Programme who spoke to this newspaper seemed highly annoyed at the revelation. That student said, “If the incident is indeed true, it’s very unfortunate, since the lecturer was very good to us and prepared us very well for the exam.” However, reports by ‘SPLASH’ also revealed that Ram had threatened to discontinue teaching the final year class if it were found that the paper had been leaked.

Questioned on his decision, Ram neither denied nor acknowledged the allegation, but stressed that, upon his return, the investigation would be launched. ‘SPLASH’, administered by former law student, Sherod Duncan, disclosed that an incident of this nature had also occurred in 2013 in the Department of Law, wherein exam papers were leaked and were being sold for “huge sums [of money].” “SPLASH was reliably informed that when the scheme was uncovered, it led to the termination of employment of one of the non-academic staff attached to the Department. Students surmise that, this time around, possible access to the paper could have been had through the Department’s network database by some students who were recently granted access to the building’s Internet,” the website reported. (Ravin Singh)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

Belizean soldier shot during attempted robbery in Kitty EMIL Mendez, a solider attached to the Belizean Army, sustained four gunshot wounds to his body, including to his abdomen and thigh, on Monday night during an attempted robbery in the vicinity of Stanley Place and Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown. The Guyana Chronicle was told that a lone gunman approached Mendez with a demand that he hand over his valuables. The soldier put up a fight in defence of his possessions, and was injured when the gunman opened fire on him. The would-be robber was not able to relieve Mendez of any of his personal items, and fled the scene after shooting him. Mendez, who is presently in Guyana attached to a Ministry of Health

orthopedic technician programme, has been staying at the Guyana Defence Force Base at Camp Ayanganna in Georgetown. Sources indicate that he had earlier put his girlfriend in a vehicle to send her home, and was walking back to the GDF base from a Kitty nightspot when he was attacked. Contacted yesterday morning, GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips confirmed that the solider had been shot during an attempted robbery. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the welfare arm of the GDF was scheduled to visit the injured man later in the day at a city hospital, where he has been warded. (Leroy Smith)

Shot Belizean solider, Emil Mendez

Achievers Academy donates cash, items to GPHC paediatric ward Fifth form students of Achievers Academy visiting the paediatric ward of the GPHC. At left is Mrs. Carol Ann Munro, and at right is Departmental Sister Rhonda Henry

Students of Achievers Academy come with boxes and bags, bringing cheer for the patients

FIFTH-form students of Achievers Academy in Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara donated boxes of Christmas cheer to the patients of the Paediatric Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), making Christmas bright for them last Friday. Accompanied by proprietrix of the school, Mrs. Carol Ann Munro, at whose initiative the donations were made, the group brought items which included toys, books and crayons, pillow cases and coverlets proudly made by the students themselves. Mrs Munro said the students were all upbeat and enthusiastic about the effort, and willingly pooled money and produced handicraft which they were excited to hand over to the children. Commenting on the initiative, she said, “I think a whole lot of people get carried away with the fantasy that Christmas has to do with decorations and such attractions. But, for me, I think it’s an opportunity to give back, especially to those who are not able to celebrate and be with their families, for

whatever reason.” Achievers Academy has been in existence since September 2005, and Ms Munro says she is passionate about giving to the less fortunate. She said she has been making donations to deserving cases for the last four years. Such activities include preparing and serving hot meals to vagrants around Bourda Market. In order to inculcate in her students an attitude of sharing and caring, especially for the less fortunate, Ms Munro said, she came up with this idea of bringing the patients Christmas cheer. She recalled that two years ago, two of her students had been admitted to the paediatric ward; one was the son of a teacher from Achievers Academy, who passed away last January. It was a traumatic experience, but it put the other students in a good position to empathize with the suffering of others who are ill and are hospitalised. That teacher has also been one of the key movers of the humanitarian initiative. (Shirley Thomas)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Laparkan rewards its ‘GTPAK’ customers LAPARKAN yesterday awarded its customers who won in their promotion by using their Private Mail Box service (PMB/ GTPAK). They handed over a Smart TV, a Surround Sound System and a hefty hamper of goodies at their Laparkan Trading lobby on Lombard street. Marking the holiday season, Laparkan launched a ‘GTPAK WIN A TV’ promotion on September 26, 2014 for their customers making international purchases Online, using their Credit Cards and shipping to a unique “Laparkan Assigned” address in the USA for subsequent forwarding to Guyana. Laparkan also shops for customers who do not have personal Credit Cards, using the Laparkan Credit Card and Internet Shopping facilities. The customers who utilised the services from October 1 through December 19 were automatically entered to win a prize. The winners were subsequently selected in a vir-

First-prize winner, Justin Singh (second right), with (from left) Laparkan members of staff, Sherry Singh, Parbattie Singh, Nirmala Singh and Sales Manager, Yonette Jeffers tual and random drawing at Laparkan’s Corporate Office in Miami. Receiv-

ing the 50” Samsung Smart TV was Justin Singh, while Elon Leach won the Sur-

round Sound System, and Ayaknand Changa the food hamper.

An ecstatic Justin Singh expressed his gratitude and pleasure at being associat-

ed with Laparkan. He said he has been using their services for a number of years, and would certainly recommend the company to anyone desirous of total customer satisfaction. Sales and Marketing Manager, Yonette Jeffers highlighted Laparkan’s unique blend of knowledge, expertise and flexibility is deeply rooted in its foundation and structure, offering unparalleled service and products. She said the promotion was an effort to give back to their loyal customers for their support throughout the year and the company is highly motivated and encouraged through their continued support. Laparkan opened its first office in Toronto, Canada in the summer of 1983. Through hard work and a focused approach, they quickly established offices in other locations. Today, Laparkan can be found in the midst of the Caribbean Communities across the USA and Canada.

Robbery suspect found Lamaha Park residents dead, with apparent thwart would-be robbers bullet wound By Shirley Thomas

A MALE of African descent was yesterday found with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the face. The man was found aback Good Hope, on the East Bank Essequibo. The Guyana Chronicle learnt that the man appears to be one of four suspects who were being sought by the police for an armed robbery which was committed on the home of a woman last week Friday in the Ruby area. Investigators were called to the scene of the discovery by persons who were traversing the area yesterday and stumbled on the decomposing re-

mains of the man. The bloated body was discovered in a striped jersey and his underwear bloated and floating just at the corner of canal in the “Backdam.” The police are convinced that the man was part of the robbery since the mobile phone of the woman’s whose home they invaded was found close to the body of the man yesterday when the discovery of the body was made. On his right arm bore a tattoo “God bless. The police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the identity of the man to come forward. (Leroy Smith)

RESIDENTS of Lamaha Park are continuing to live in fear for their lives following last Tuesday’s indiscriminate discharge of gunfire by seemingly amateur would-be robbers whose bullet hit and carved a hole in the glass door of an Internet café in the neighbourhood. Shortly after 02:00 hrs on Tuesday, about five young men swooped down on the home of a Lamaha Park family who had been expecting a crate from overseas as they prepared for a wedding. Two of the men forced their way into the bottom flat of the building, while others positioned themselves at strategic points around the building. However, the would-be robbers were intercepted by family members

The bullet hole left in the glass door of an Internet Café in Lamaha Park by would-be bandits and hotly pursued by public-spirited neighbours who hurled sticks at them to keep them at bay. Incensed, the men opened fire at the residents, and in the process hit the glass door of an Internet café. What is strange is that the bullet ended up hitting that ob-

ject, which was “wide of the mark” and exactly on the opposite side of the road from where the action was taking place. This development has raised serious concerns about the capability of persons into whose hands weapons are ending up, and the impend-

ing threat posed to innocent lives. And following that shooting, on one night that fire crackers were discharged, children jumped out of their sleep, hysterical, fearing that guns were being used once more in the street.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

Minister Whittaker ...

2014 saw a packed year of operations for Local Government Ministry AFTER recording a successful 2014, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, wishes to assure the Guyanese public that they will be working towards bettering the quality of services they provided in 2014. They will also be looking for new ways in which they can improve Guyana’s infrastructure and cleanliness, he told the media Monday during his traditional end-of-year report. Whittaker noted that in the coming year, his ministry will be aiming to widen the areas of service which they provide to the public. He said that in 2014, they embarked on a number of projects which they intend to continue in 2015, with the hope to successfully complete some of them so that they can look towards investing into new projects which will prove beneficial for Guyana. NEW VENTURES

Minister Whittaker during his briefing of the media Monday

Minister Whittaker stated that in the new year they will be intensifying their investigations into buildings which have been illegally built on the Government’s reserves, so that order can be restored and the reserves used for their initial purposes. He also noted that they will be looking into the issue of the parking of trucks on the roads, which has proven to be a nuisance to road users throughout 2014. “Noise, dust and odour nuisances continue to trouble persons within their communities, so as of 2015 we will be increasing the ways in which they tackle these nuisances with hopes to limit them as much as possible,” said Whittaker. In addition, more emphasis will be placed on solid waste management, because this is not only a major issue in Guyana, but it is also complained about across the globe. He further added that the ministry

will continue to promote cleanliness in Guyana, through the “Clean up my Country” campaign and other means. Minister Whittaker noted that they want to urge the Guyanese public to stop littering and assist the ministry in keeping the environment clean, so that whatever work the ministry does will not be a waste of time. That apart, he stated that the ministry has channelled a lot of funding into the development and maintenance of market spaces and tarmacs across Guyana, “Yet market vendors continue to use the roadsides to carry out business; therefore, we will be hoping to see more of these market spaces being occupied by the vendors so that road users can get more space to do their daily travels,” stated Whittaker. He noted that the ministry will be working towards these goals and also new ones, so that they can continue to contribute to Guyana’s development in time to come.

Foreign Minister reports ...

Talks on Corentyne River Bridge making headway THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has endorsed the project to construct the Corentyne River Bridge, which will physically link Guyana to Suriname after its completion. This was according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett at the ministry’s annual end-ofyear meeting on Monday. Minister Birkett noted that after resolving the border issues earlier in 2014, when the border committees of both countries met, talks pertaining to the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge continued. She added that the Surinamese have so far approached the Chinese with the hope of negotiating for a Chinese construction team to begin

works on the project. “We have recently approved, at Cabinet, some of the construction to be done on our side in terms of access, because we have to be prepared; we don’t know if it is an ‘if-or-when’ situation.” UNASUR PROGRAMME Minister Birkett said: “I think it’s the final physical linkage, linking all of South America together. That is why it is also under the Union of South America (UNASUR) programme of infrastructure, as one of the major projects to be done.” DESIGN OF THE BRIDGE In February, the Foreign Affairs

Minister, had noted that plans were well under way, in that engineers are presently working on what the bridge will look like in terms of design. In February she also noted that “Guyana, at the request of Suriname, has informed the Chinese Government that we are supportive of the bridge across the Corentyne River,” she said. She added that the Guyana Government has also sent “No Objection” letters to the Foreign Ministries of Suriname and China in support of the construction of the bridge, so it is a perfectly legal project. In 2010, then President, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and his Surinamese counterpart, Mr. Desi Bouterse

signed an accord for the undertaking of a feasibility study on bridging the Corentyne River, with both countries pledging to pursue a closer working relationship. During a meeting in Suriname in 2012, Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar and Suriname’s President Bouterse had agreed to move to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to seek joint financing for construction of the bridge. At that meet, the two heads reiterated the significance of building the structure, noting that it would considerably enhance trade and economic relations and cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two nations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

Guyana, Brazil working on developing hydro-power –Foreign Affairs Minister plants here COOPERATION continues to be strengthened between Guyana and Brazil as consultations were recently held with the private sector and residents in the Upper Mazaruni on the development of hydro-power plants in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni areas. This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett who made the announcement Monday at the ministry’s annual end-of-year press conference. “We are at a stage of feasibility studies, and what we are currently working on is a Treaty with Brazil on the sale of energy,” Minister Rodrigues told reporters. She said the Treaty of which she spoke is very important for the countries to progress with the operations, because “if we are going to develop hydropower facilities and sell energy to Brazil, we must have a treaty that will be the overarching framework for doing that.” IMPORTANCE OF TREATY She further added that this will be the first time- if the project is successful- that Brazil will be doing such a project outside of their country, so this is also why the treaty is important. Additionally, Brazil will be submitting a draft treaty shortly, which the ministry will be looking at with the prime minister and also other expertise, because this is the first time Guyana will take part in such a project as well. “I am hoping that we would be able to see this project to fruition in the not-so-distant future,” according to the minister; she noted that this will be a major step towards developing Guyana’s economy. But she stated that this treaty is what we are working on at this time, because no consortium is going to invest in such a major project without knowing that there will be some security of the sale of energy to Brazil. ORIGIN OF THE PROJECT

According to Minister Birkett, efforts at joint collaboration between Guyana and Brazil are not new, having commenced soon after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1968. She said that several Memoranda of Under-

the current feasibility study possible. Minister Rodrigues at a meeting in March had stated that the hydropower station in Upper Mazaruni would have an installed capacity of 3,000 megawatts and the other in Middle Mazaruni would have an installed capacity of

Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett addressing members of the media Monday (Photo by Sonell Nelson) standing have since been signed by successive Governments. After being approved in the National Assembly earlier this year, a Brazilian consortium undertook a pre-feasibility study to determine the potential of hydropower in the Upper and Middle Mazaruni. The US$45M study began in April and had a duration of one year but ended before, thus making

1,500 megawatts. According to Mahender Sharma, Head of the Guyana Energy Agency, at the meeting in March it was stated that the feasibility studies for the Upper and Middle Mazaruni are intended to identify the social, environmental and economic impacts of a hydropower plant in the areas.

GWI working to resolve service disruptions in Linden areas THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) on Monday advised that due to urgent repairs at the LPC Water Treatment Plant, some areas in Linden are experiencing reduced levels of service and intermittent service disruptions. The affected areas are Central and North McKenzie, Retrieve, Kara Kara Housing Scheme and Old and New Kara Kara. The disruption, which occurred on December 20, was caused by electrical damage which affected pumps at the L.P.C facility, GWI added. GWI’s Linden team is current-

ly working to repair the damaged pumps with the aim of restoring normal water service in the swiftest manner possible. An advisory informing affected residents of the urgent repairs needed at the L.P.C. facility was issued on Saturday via the local television station. Affected residents can call 4442551, 444-8118, GWI’s Customer Services Call Centre on 227-8701, 227-8703 or 227-8704 or e-mail customercellcentre@gwi.gy GWI apologises to affected customers for any inconvenience caused.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

Former city magistrate displeased with police handling of her accident

FORMER City Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton has expressed dissatisfaction at the manner in which ranks at the Vigilance Police Station have handled the initial investigations into an accident in which her car slammed into a parked pick-up on Monday night. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle at the Vigilance Police Station yesterday morning, after making a return visit to the police traf-

arrived on the scene after a while, and talk emerged that she should be subjected to a breathalyzer test, to which she agreed. Ms. Hamilton said she was then taken to the Vigilance Police Station to have the test done, but that did not happen because there was no testing kit at the station. She said she was then advised that she needed to go to Georgetown to have the test done.

Ms Hazel Octive-Hamilton speaking with the Chronicle at the Vigilance Police Station fic department, Ms Hamilton said that on Monday night she ended up slamming her car into a parked vehicle after another car that was heading in the opposite direction appeared to be heading for a head-on collision with her. “I was going east and, on both sides of the road there were parked vehicles encroaching on my side and the other (so the road became narrow to vehicles travelling in opposite directions). A car overtook (another) and was coming to me, so my reflex action was to turn to my left; and when I turned to my left, I touched the vehicle,” the now attorney-at-law explained. She said that immediately after the accident, popular businessman Buddy Shivraj emerged from a drinking spot and gave her the impression that the vehicle was his, and there were a lot of persons who began hurling all sorts of remarks at her, including that someone should call ‘Carl Singh’, the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary. Ms Hamilton said she admitted hitting the vehicle, but explained how the accident was occasioned, and even offered to have the vehicle fixed. She said the police

She said she was taken to Brickdam Police Station, then to Kingston (Eve Leary), and again to Brickdam Police Station, but was still not tested, as the kits were not available. “They had me gallivanting all over the place! I am very disappointed with how they dealt with these issues. (They) can’t be pushing people around like that!” the attorney stressed. Asked if she had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, or if she had had any alcohol in her system then, the former magistrate responded in the negative. She said she has been making moves to have both the vehicle that she had hit and her own vehicle fixed. Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, commenting yesterday on the absence of the testing kits at the station, and moreso in the division, said the Force is now embarking on a campaign to concentrate the kits in specific areas at specific times. He said, however, that in event an accident should occur, persons are taken to the nearest location where the kits are available. On Monday night, former magistrate Hazel Oc-

tive-Hamilton crashed her Aventis motor car into a parked Hilux open back pick-up, causing minimal damage to the vehicle but extensive damage to hers. Claims mysteriously began surfacing that she had been heavily intoxicated at the time of the accident. (Leroy Smith)

Former Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton’s vehicle being placed on a crash truck

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

JAGS Aviation turns...

Must be some joke former President Bharrat Jagdeo is telling to have both Brian Tiwarie and Tourism Minister, Mr Irfaan in stitches as they whiled away the time yesterday until the aircraft touched down at Ogle International The Cessna Grand Caravan was acquired at a cost of US$3M. It was said then that JAGS will be providing domestic services to interior locations with the brandnew aircraft recently added to its fleet. JAGS Aviation Accountable Manager, Ms. Briony Tiwarie said yesterday that the

arrival of the ‘Skytruck’ was evidence of the company’s commitment to continuously pursue investment in quality aircraft. She noted that the domestic aviation sector had tremendous capacity for growth diversification and innovation, and that JAGS recognised that the local conditions for do-

From page 7

An anxious Brian Tiwarie (centre) checks the skyline as he awaits the arrival of the ‘Game-changer’ at the Ogle International Airport yesterday. With him are Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Mr Robert Persaud (left), and newly appointed Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga mestic aviators required greater fleet diversity and different and specialised equipment. She disclosed that the Skytruck is a multi-mission aircraft, which will deliver the versatility that is necessary but has not been available in the past in the market. A feature of the aircraft is its ability to

take off and land in relatively short and undeveloped airstrips, a veritable game-changer in the current state of affairs in the local domestic sector. Ms. Tiwarie disclosed that expansion of the JAGS Aviation fleet will continue next year.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

Guyana still pushing for UN Security Council reform ––Foreign Minister, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues -Birkett By Derwayne Wills “YOU cannot have a body like the United Nations Security Council without some sort of democracy, and then want to indicate that there is democracy at the level of the UN.” The foregoing quote is that of Foreign Minister, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to the decade-long process of reforming the UN body. The question of Security Council Reform at the 193-member international organisation has dragged on for nearly a decade. There has been some disagreement at that level on whether the reform would happen anytime soon, but Birkett reassured the media that Guyana “will continue to work with like-minded countries to see that there is reform.” “Guyana’s position is that both the permanent and non-permanent membership should be extended,” Birkett told reporters yesterday during the year-end review of her ministry. “This subject has been engaging the UN for a number of years [and] some people are very pessimistic.” The Security Council was set up under the United Nations Charter and has the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, according to the Council’s website. The Council has 15 members, of which five are permanent and 10 are non-permanent. Non-permanent countries are elected from their regions. A s a n a d d e d re sponsibility according to the website, “The Security Council also re c o m m e n d s t o t h e General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and the admission of new members to the United Nations. And, together with the General Assembly, it elects the See page 20

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

Guyana still pushing for UN Security ... From page 19

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

judges of the International Court of Justice.” Ahead of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014, Bolivian President Evo Morales, in an exclusive interview with Russia Today (RT), minced no words as he

denounced the Security Council as an exclusive 15- member group that he said caused more harm than good. “I don’t believe in the Security Council. For me, the Security Council remains a council of insecurity for humanity,” the Latin American leader told RT. He saluted the work of Russia and China, who are permanent members, but denounced the Council saying “[it] still acts under the power of imperialism and capitalism without taking into consideration the decisions of the United

Nations. The best we could do is end the security council.” The 11th Round of Inter-Governmental Negotiations on the reform of the Security Council has seen Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Courtney Rattray appointed Chairmanship of those talks, the NY Carib News reported in November of this year. That report further stated that CARICOM in a joint statement delivered by Menissa Rambally, St. Lucia’s UN Ambassador, hailed Rattray’s appointment, expressing the hope that as Chair, he would

“lead us forward on this important debate. The appointment is a welcome development as it brings not only fresh leadership, but hopefully innovative ideas to what has been a stalled process so far.” Further, it said that Guyana and her sister countries in CARICOM expressed concern that after 10 rounds and seven years of inter-governmental negotiations, “nothing has changed on this subject, except for the momentum placed by the leadership of the General assembly, who did their utmost in this regard.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

CRMA launches project to enhance responsiveness, productivity By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

THE Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) has embarked on a project that aims to provide information upgrades software development, and technical support services to enhance responsiveness and productivity. The CRMA is a division of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security. This agency, formerly known as the Employment Exchange, was established by the Government of Guyana in October 1944 for the purpose of collecting and furnishing information to employers who wish to recruit workers and to persons who are seeking employment. Since that time, the Recruitment and Manpower Division has had its offices strategically located throughout the country. The service offered by this division caters for both juveniles and adults, and its purpose is to ensure the effective recruitment and placement of unemployed persons by assisting them with suitable employment, and to assist employers in obtaining suitable workers.The agency registers applicants for employment, taking specific note of their occupational qualifications, experiences and desires, interviews them for employment and evaluates, if necessary, their physical and vocational abilities. Minister of Labour, D r. N a n d a G o p a u l , during his remarks at his year-end review held at Park Vue Hotel, explained that the CRMA has started on a series of workshops in order to meet the knowledge and information needs and demands to serve potential employers and Labour Minister, prospective employees. Dr NK Gopaul He explained that this situation derives from a daily manual operation of its services and the CRMA has sub-units in Regions 2 and 6. The sharing of information was, however, difficult, as persons in the other regions had to visit the main office in Georgetown to have access to the service. So to be able to alleviate any issues that might have stemmed from this current situation, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we at the ministry sat and came up with new ways to make the process effective,â&#x20AC;? he noted. Dr. Gopaul asserted that the CRMA has had many accomplishments for 2014, with 2,385 persons successfully filling vacancies through the programme. He noted too the development of a software which is currently operational, and is now accessible to persons in all regions that have internet access. For the better functioning of the CRMA project, the Labour Minister explained, some additional equipment was needed such as computers and accessories to execute the functions of the agency, purchasing of office equipment and networking connectivity devices. One of the most important aspects of the project was the training of staff to use the new software effectively. The labour ministry, the minister noted, visited the different regions such as Regions 3, 5, 8,9 and 10 to put mechanisms in place to extend the services offered by the CRMA in those administrative regions. With the training of staff to use the new software and the visits to the regions, the team was able to collect and store relevant data, inclusive of job descriptions, positions and specific requirements for available positions to be filled within organisations.

Minister Gopaul noted that the agency has done well even with the challenges that have arisen, but with this said, he noted that in 2015, it is expected

that the CRMA would be fully staffed and the division would be able to deliver its services in all the regions.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24 2014

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Rest of the World emerge champions in Golf Club tournament WITH their love for the game and their spirits undaunted by the recent arson that destroyed valuable club equipment, golfers turned out with high enthusiasm last Saturday for the club-sponsored Rest of the World versus Lusignan Golf Club tournament. At the end of the day’s play, the Rest of the World emerged champions defeating Lusignan Golf Club 12 points to eight, with three prizes being awarded in the day’s play, namely Team prize, the Best Net Pair prize and the Most Honest Pair prize. The competition was played in a ‘pairs format’ – the simple average of handicaps and scores of pairs of members of each team were calculated and the pair with the Best Net awarded the appropriate prize, while the Team prize was determined by the sum of the net points awarded each pair in the team. In the end, the Best Net pair was Kishan Bacchus (handicap 16) and Kalyan Tiwari (handicap 20) whose average handicap of 18 and average gross of 76 resulted in the best net of 58 with the Most Honest Pair being Hilbert Shields (handicap 18) and Mohanlall ‘Santo’ Dinanauth (handicap 4) whose average handicap of 11 and

The victorious Rest of the World team, minus Roberto Grisi, from left: Hilbert Shields, Ian Gouveia, Mohanlall ‘Santo’ Dinanuth, Kalyan Tiwari, Nick Jackson, Richard Haniff, Kishan Bacchus, Fazil ‘That’s it’ Haniff and Parmanand ‘Max’ Persaud.

average gross of 75 resulted in a net 64. LGC captain Chatterpaul Deo expressed his pleasure at the turnout, the keenness of the competition and the high morale with which golfers participated. He was also grateful for the efforts grounds supervisor Mike Gayadin and foreman Avinash Persaud expended to ensure that the greens were in fine condition despite the loss of the valuable equipment that would normally be used to provide easy preparation of the greens.

Seubarran looks to bridge gap between BCB and GCB By Calvin Roberts BACK in 2008, when Paul ‘DJ Stress’ Bonar approached Vicram Seubarran to sponsor a team for his then annual ‘DJ Stress T20 Festival’, readily the ardent cricket fan and enthusiast said yes, throwing his full and unflinching support into the Universal DVD Club Berbice Titans. Six years later, Seubarran is the proud president of a re-energised Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) and, come this Sunday at the Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam-based office of the Berbice Cricket Board, Seubarran will be throwing his hat into the race for the presidency of that entity, competing against present vice-president Anil Beharry. One of his main concerns and reasons for doing so is to bridge the gap between the BCB and its parent body the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), who over the past five years or so has had strained relations. “Cricket needs to be played on the fields and not in the courtrooms as was evident during a period of time, wherein the BCB was the one suffering, which the clubs and their players were feeling the strain, because of personal vendetta between mature persons.

… targets playing of cricket at all levels “My aim is to ensure the BCB and the GCB enjoy a great working relationship and once I am elected to the presidency of the BCB, I will be looking to create a harmonious working relationship between the GCB, the BCB and the clubs affiliated to the BCB,” said Seubarran. He added, “Everyone knows I am all for cricket and certain mediocre excuses that were once given by cricket officials in the past would not be tolerated by me. Our mandate as stipulated by the Constitution of the BCB is to provide competitions for the clubs and their players on the field and that is my aim (intention).. Humanitarian work is not a problem, as everybody needs help sometime, but as a cricket board, the playing of cricket on the field, upgrading of your coaches and umpires and ensuring you produce national players at all levels should always be your number one priority and certainly you will be seeing that from me as the new president of the BCB.” He reminisced on the massive support shown to the females during their exhibition matchup at the Albion Community Centre ground last Sunday, prior to the playing of the third place and final in his Company’s

anniversary celebrations and felt touched. “The response shown first by the players - and I must thank the two key figures in Tremayne Smartt and Shemaine Campbelle for the work they did - was heartening,” said Seubarran. “These two players rallied over 26 young ladies, some of whom never played cricket before and they had a wonderful time on the field, sharing camaraderie amongst themselves and the talent shown by some players should not be put to waste. “Having said that, it is my intention to ensure female cricketers enjoy their fair share of attention like their male counterparts, while the youths from Under-15 to Under-19 will not be left out, with some senior players being asked to impart their knowledge to the younger ones on weekends.” Quizzed on how he would be achieving all his programmes, Seubarran said, “Some business personnel were already approached with my ideas, and while some of them have said they have lost faith in the present executives of the BCB, I give them all assurances that whatever is said by me will be done by me with transparency and accountability

being my watchwords at all times. For example, my first act as president of the BCB would be to organise a special commemoration ladies match with the aim of keeping the females active, while the senior players can expect a three-day competition which will commence on Fridays and end on Sundays, with batting and bowling points up for grabs along with the usual points for a win.” According to Seubarran, cricket in Berbice must go back to the days of yore, when players complained of having too much to play, as he is looking to take heed from the words of Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) president K. Juman-Yassin. At the last GCB awards ceremony held last week Thursday, Juman-Yassin in his keynote address charged cricket officials to ‘Put cricket first’ and that is what Seubarran has in mind, putting the gentleman’s game of cricket on the front burner, with the players’ interest at heart. Will Seubarran be given the opportunity to do so, only time and the electorate of the Berbice Cricket Board can tell, when they go to the polls on Sunday to elect their new line of office-bearers.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

WICB broke promise, claims players attorney

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Attorney Ralph Thorne has accused the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) of breaking its promise to issue a statement making it clear that the players involved in the controversial abandoned India tour would not have been victimised. Thorne, a high profile Queen’s Counsel who represented most of the players during the recent impasse with the WICB and players union, WIPA, said the board had given its word following a meeting between the parties in Trinidad but had failed to follow through. With no assurance coming from the board, Thorne said this paved the way for players to be targeted. This, he argued, was reflected in the selection of the 15-man squad for the one-day tour of South Africa with Dwayne Bravo axed as captain and dropped from the squad, and Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy also overlooked. Fast bowler Jason Holder, who has replaced Bravo as skipper, was also on the tour of India but Thorne said while he had been spared, the senior trio had not been as fortunate. “While Jason himself has not been victimised, the three gentlemen have been victimised. We left the Hyatt Hotel (in

Dwayne Bravo

Trinidad) with the WICB promising not to victimise. We left the Hyatt Hotel with the WICB promising to issue a statement saying that they would not victimise the players. To this day, they have refused to issue that statement,” Thorne charged in an interview with CBC Sports Radio here. “ N o w t h a t re f u s a l speaks volumes. Is it to say that they did not wish to say publicly something they intended to do in any event? This is cynical and an insidious form of victimisation visited on these three players.” However, investigations by CMC Sports revealed

that the problem with the release of a statement on the issue stemmed from the inability of the parties to agree on the appropriate language to be used. A WICB official, who requested anonymity, told CMC Sports this lack of agreement had frustrated the process. “The WICB had every intention of issuing a joint statement with both the players represented at the meeting (in Trinidad) and WIPA but regrettably an agreement on suitable language could not be reached in spite of several days of drafting and re-drafting,” the official said.

“There is documented evidence of a slew of emails back and forth attempting to reach agreement on the joint statement but a final version did not come to fruition due to the inability of the parties to reach agreement on a mutually agreeable version.” The absence of Bravo, Sammy and Pollard has been a major talking point, since the squad was announced by the WICB on Saturday. Among them, the players boast 370 One-Day Internationals although their records are all unflattering. While no explanations were given for their omission, chief selector Clive Lloyd said with regard to the captaincy, that his selection panel had decided it was the right time to look to more youthful leadership. Holder, 23, has played only 23 One-Day Internationals and a single Test, but is widely regarded as having strong leadership qualities, and had been tipped for captaincy in the future. Thorne said while legal action was not currently on the cards, he believed the WICB needed to explain its actions in relation to the identified players. “I have to ask the WICB – since I believe in doing things in the proper manner in the realm of public law – to give ex-

Ralph Thorne

planation for its conduct. I (also) believe there is room for further recourse within the channels of the International Cricket Council,” Thorne said. “This is a very awkward time to contemplate legal proceedings. I’m not trigger-happy and I don’t think that the players are trigger-happy. “Of course, the ideal recourse is to continue to play good cricket – these three gentlemen – to continue to represent the region with pride and in spite of the adversity, to do all that is required of them on the cricket field and cooperate with the proper rules as they apply to cricket.” He said he had spoken

to the affected players, all of whom were upset by the recent developments. “Obviously they are disappointed. Obviously they are somewhat devastated but we trust that the way forward is going to give us some kind of an outcome that will serve the best interests of all West Indians who love cricket.” Windies players walked off the one-day tour of India last October in protest over the terms of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Their actions led to a flurry of meetings between themselves, the WICB and WIPA, which also involved St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Board gave unanimous support to change Bravo as one-day captain S T. J O H N ’ S , A n t i g u a (CMC) - West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron says that the decision by the board to approve a recommendation for rookie fast bowler Jason Holder to be appointed new oneday captain was unanimous. WICB selectors, chaired by Clive Lloyd, recommended the 23-year-old Barbados pacer as captain of the ODI squad ahead of the five-match series against South Africa and just two months before the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Holder takes over the

Dave Cameron

reins of team from seasoned all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who has been sacked after just 19 months in charge and also dropped from the 15-man squad named to face the South Africans. “I don’t have anything to say. I think you should speak to the selectors,” said Cameron. “I don’t pick the team...You will have talk to the selectors and they will give you their philosophy on why they picked the team. It is not for the president to talk about”. Holder has played one Test and 21 One-Day Internationals since making his international debut in

February last year. He has been widely viewed as having leadership qualities, having already served as vice-captain of the West Indies A team as well as of the Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League. “The captain of the team has to be approved by the Board,” declared Cameron.“ The recommendation came (from the selectors) and the Board (members) were unanimous in their approval.” Meantime the Trinidad and Tobago director on the WICB, Baldath Mahabir, has weighed in on the de-

bate saying that it is very rare the board would dispute the recommendations from the selectors. “What we were asked to do was to approve the change in captaincy. The Board does not get involved in team selection at all...You would have seen Mr Lloyd’s justification and the Board approved it. It did not come with a removal,” Mahabir explained. “It came with a recommendation for Jason Holder to captain the team and it is very rare that the Board will turn down a recommendation from the selectors.”

Zimbabwe all-rounder Waller banned from bowling (REUTERS) - Zimbabwe all-rounder Malcolm Waller has been suspended from bowling just seven weeks out from the World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. The off-spinner was reported after the second Test against Bangladesh in Khulna last month and analysis performed by the ICC’s accredited team of Human Movement Specialists at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. “The analysis revealed

Malcolm Waller that all of his off-spin deliveries exceeded the 15-degree

level of tolerance permitted under the regulations,” the ICC said in a statement. Waller, 30, will have the opportunity for re-assessment but faces a race against time with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand starting on February 14. The middle-order batsman has been used as a bowling option more often in the last 12 months and in his last one-day international against South Africa in September bowled a full complement of 10 overs.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Malinga to return from injury during New Zealand ODIs

(REUTERS) - SRI LANKA pace spearhead Lasith Malinga is recovering well from his ankle surgery and should be back in action during the later stages of the one-day international series in New Zealand next month, according to coach Marvan Atapattu.

Shane Watson okay after bouncer blow to head AUSTRALIA all-rounder Shane Watson took a blow to the head during training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday and is said to be “a bit shaken, but okay”. The 33-year-old was hit on the helmet from a James Pattinson delivery in the nets session as Australia prepare for the Boxing Day Test against India, while Mitchell Starc also suffered a nasty blow while batting at the MCG. Pattinson’s short ball floored Watson as he landed on his backside before slowly removing his helmet and walking out of the nets. Following the incident the New South Wales fast-medium bowler was said to be visibly shaken before being

Shane Watson assessed by team doctor captain Brad Haddin later confirmed his team-mate Peter Brukner. A Cricket Australia had escaped unscathed. He told www.cricket. spokesperson said the dazed Watson was “shaken but com.au: “I had a chat to otherwise okay” while vice- him - he’s a bit shaken, but he’s okay. It’s just getting hit in the head - he’s just a bit shaken. He’s shaken as anyone would be. I can’t really go into any more details because there are no more details to give.” Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda In light of Phillip Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & Hughes’ untimely death CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 last month, Watson’s knock Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) underlined the heightened emotional reactions to batsAnswers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Pakistan/Australia men being hit in the head or (2)WI vs AUST, Lord’s, 1975 helmet at this time. Watson was playing Today’s Quiz: for NSW on November 25 (1) How many Test matches SA played before they when Hughes was struck were sanctioned by the ICC because of the by the ball that led to his country’s apartheid policies? tragic death and he spoke earlier this month about (2) How many Test centuries have been scored by the difficulties he faced WI players against SA to date? in preparing mentally Answers in tomorrow’s issue for the Test series against

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

India. He said: “It’s been the most challenging, mentally, couple of days I’ve had to go through in my career. Trying to process everything that happened, especially being there at the SCG. “Some guys are a bit more affected than others, but every session we were out there you can see everyone starting to gradually find his feet and getting back to what we love doing. There are a lot of inner demons we’ve had to find our way through.” The pressure is mounting on Watson to make runs during this fourmatch series which Australia now lead 2-0 - he has made 72 runs at an average of 18 in two Tests - and there will be more expectations on his broad shoulders given his fellow all-rounder Mitch Marsh has been ruled out of the third Test due to injury. Just 10 minutes earlier batting in the nets alongside Watson - Starc was hit on his knee, and limped out of the nets. But Haddin joked: “I think he’s trying to get out of having to bowl. He’s all right. He just hit the ball onto the inside of his knee.” Australia take on India in Melbourne starting on Friday before the final Test of the series in Sydney from January 6.

Lasith Malinga The mercurial Malinga underwent surgery on his left ankle in September and missed the team’s one-day series against India and England. The 31-year-old, whose yorkers delivered with a sling-shot action at times make him almost unplayable, will be crucial for Sri Lanka’s chances in the 50-

over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. “Malinga is still recovering from surgery and everything is going well according to plan,” former Sri Lanka batsman Atapattu said. “He will return for the last two ODI games in New Zealand.” Malinga, who has taken 271 wickets in 177 ODIs, has been named in Sri Lanka’s provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup. Sri Lanka, who finished runner-up to India at the 2011 World Cup, will play seven one-dayers in New Zealand to warm up for the February 14 - March 29 tournament. The Island nation will also play two warm-up matches, against South Africa and Zimbabwe, before their opening match of the tournament against co-hosts New Zealand on February 14.

GDF upstage Pele 2-1, ... From Back Page maine Somerset in the 70th minute. As the GDF defenders failed to properly clear the ball after a goal-mouth scrimmage between the teams, a loose ball landed at the feet of Somerset who made good of the opportunity to level the score at 1-1. The goal apparently brought out the killer instinct of the GDF team as they created several goalscoring chances from raids on Pele’s defence, but did not finish off the job. Phillips grabbed the go-ahead goal and what turned out to be the game-winner in the 86th minute, flying a supposedly offside trap and collecting a well-timed pass which he, calmly, using his skills, evaded a rushing Pele goalkeeper and easily guided the ball into the back of the net and, despite they tried to level the score, Pele’s effort was thwarted by the Army’s resolute defenders. Meanwhile a hat-trick from Shem Porter (12th, 16th and 82nd minutes) helped propelled a goalhungry Flamingo FC to a

well deserved 7-1 win over Black Pearl to pick up their only win in the competition in what was ultimately their last game. Flamingo’s other goals came from Dwayne Layne who netted a double in the 20th and 30th minutes while Fabian Crawford and Orin Parris scored a single goal each in the 56th and 59th minute respectively. Black Pearl’s only goal came as an own goal as they failed to make an impact in the tournament and lost all their matches. Despite the loss, Pele advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament and would play Riddim Squad on Christmas Day (tomorrow) in game one of the double-header which also features national champions Alpha United coming up against a Trayon Bobb-led Georgetown Football Club (GFC). GDF booked their quarterfinals berth with the win over Pele and will now play Sunburst Campton on Boxing Day (Friday); the same day Western Tigers face the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Top cricket executive blasts the appointment of Holder as new one-day captain PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - An executive member of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), Patrick Rampersad, has blasted the appointment of 23-year-old fast bowler Jason Holder as the new captain of the West Indies one-day side. Rampersad has described the appointment of Holder, who has played one Test and 21 One-Day Internationals since making his international debut in February last

Patrick Rampersad

year, as the wrong choice at this time. Selectors, headed by legend Clive Lloyd, chose the Barbadian all-rounder to lead the regional team for the upcoming limited overs series against South Africa, a decision which reportedly had unanimous support from the board. “Changing captains now is not the right thing and even if they had to do it, they should have gone back to Darren Sammy,” said

National Basketball Association roundup

(THE SPORTS XCHANGE) - The Detroit Pistons waived 29 year old veteran forward Josh Smith who still had two years and at least $26 million remaining on his contract after this season, on Monday last. The 6-foot-9, 225-pound Smith has averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season. In 105 games with the Pistons, he averaged 15.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. “Our team has not performed the way we had expected throughout the first third of the season and adjustments need to be made in terms of our focus and direction,” coach Stan Van Gundy said in a statement.

“We are shifting priorities to aggressively develop our younger players while also expanding the roles of other players in the current rotation to improve performance and build for our future. As we expand certain roles, others will be reduced. “In fairness to Josh, being a highly versatile 10year veteran in this league, we feel it’s best to give him his freedom to move forward. We have full respect for Josh as a player and a person.” If Smith clears waivers, he will have the right to go elsewhere as a free agent. --New York Knicks center Samuel Dalembert was fined $15,000 for elbowing Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors in the face during

Sunday’s game. Dalembert’s actions, which resulted in a flagrant-foul 2 and his subsequent ejection, occurred with 10:59 remaining in the third quarter of the game, won by the Raptors 118-108. --The Atlanta Hawks recalled forward/center Adreian Payne from the Austin Spurs of the NBA Development League on Monday last. Payne has appeared in 11 D-League games this season (six with Fort Wayne and five with Austin), averaging 13.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29.1 minutes. In Sunday night’s win over Rio Grande Valley, he had 18 points and nine rebounds.

Tahir in, as Peterson becomes latest injury casualty (REUTERS) - Left-arm slow bowler Robin Peterson has become the latest player ruled out of the ongoing Test series between South Africa and West Indies after he was injured in practice yesterday. He will be replaced by leg-spinner Imran Tahir for the second Test that starts in Port Elizabeth on Friday. He was struck on the left index finger while fielding a ball during training, a blow that required stitches. Tahir, the only slow bowler in the squad, now looks almost certain to play

Imran Tahir with South Africa suggesting they will go into the Test with a recognised spin option after using an all-pace attack

in the innings and 220-run victory in the first Test in Pretoria. It means a return to the side for the Pakistan-born bowler after he lost his place to Dane Piedt, also recently returned from injury, following the series in Sri Lanka in July. The Proteas have already lost wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for the series with an ankle problem, while West Indies have sent home fast bowler Kemar Roach and batsman Assad Fudadin after they too picked up injuries. The third Test will be played in Cape Town starting on January 2.

Rampersad. “I always thought that he was the right choice for the 50 overs and T20 versions of the game. I am glad to see that they have kept him as captain of the T20 team.” The Barbadian pacer takes over the reins of the team from seasoned allrounder Dwayne Bravo who has been sacked after just 19

months in charge and also dropped from the 15-man squad named to face the South Africans. Holder, who made his international debut in February last year, has played one Test and 21 One-Day Internationals. “I don’t think that Holder is the right man for the job at this point in time especially

with a tough South Africa tour that leads to the World Cup,” Rampersad pointed out. “In the circumstances I don’t think you would want to appoint a new captain. Given the fact that he is so young, I don’t know that he will get the support of the players”. Holder is expected to lead the West Indies to the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next February.

UDFA/BANKS GT BEER SUPA 16 KNOCKOUT TOURNAMENT

Botofago, Eagles record victories over Peacemakers, Blueberry Hill A SOGGY FIELD and rainy night did not put a damper on balls finding the back of respective nets, when play in the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA)-organised, BANKS DIH GT BEER-sponsored SUPA 16 football tournament continued to work its way to a January 1, 2015 final, as another high scoring night unfolded in front of an appreciative crowd last Monday night. In the evening’s first encounter, fans were almost treated to another comeback and possible penalty shootout situation as Peacemakers of Ituni fought valiantly to claw their way back from a trailing position to salvage a win against Botofago Football Club. But it was not to be this time around, as Botofago had ensured they completed the job, by putting in their four goals in the first 45 minutes of play, leaving Peacemakers with the task of coming from behind to claim the win - one they could not accomplish. In the feature encounter of the evening, Eagles Football Club braved some steady downpour of rain

to put on a clinical display in disposing of a hapless Blueberry Hill lineup 6-1, to advance to the next round in the competition. In the first game, Donovan Francis fired Botofago into the lead with his 20th minute goal, which doubled one minute later when Mark Hope scored the first of his two goals, even as Lawrence Rogers reduced the deficit for Peacemakers, with his 33rd minute goal to make the scoreline 2-1 in favour of Botofago. Tevin Thompson then handed Botofago a twogoal cushion, with his 36th minute goal, scored from the penalty spot, but Oneel Murphy made it a one-game possession for Peacemakers with his 41st minute strike. With Botofago leading 3-2, Hope completed his double in the 44th minute to make it 4-2 in favour of the eventual victors who saw Trevon Archibald score an own goal to hand Peacemakers a slim hope, reducing the deficit 4-3 in favour of Botofago who held on for the win. But while the first game was close and exciting for the fans who braved the

inclement weather, Blueberry Hill were no match for Eagles United, who came out of their nest in a devastating mood in search of their meal. Kendolph Louis started the hunt with the first goal in the 2nd minute, which was complemented by Randy Small’s 31st minute goal that gave the Eagles a 2-0 cushion at lemon-time. On the resumption of play, Dellon Charter (56th), Kellon Primo (78th) doubled their team’s lead, before Louis completed his double in the 80th minute and before Jason Cobena pulled one back for Blueberry Hill in the 81st minute. But their joy was shortlived as Delon Albert completed the rout with his 83rd minute goal that turned out to be the final goal of the contest. With the win, Botofago will go onto to face defending champions Winners Connection on Boxing Day and Silver Shattas will match strides with Eagles United also on Boxing Day at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. The action will continue tomorrow with another double-header at the same venue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

Hussein clocked CARIFTA ‘C’ qualifying time at ASATT Invitational NATIONAL SWIMMER Antonio Hussein clocked a CARIFTA ‘C’ qualifying time while Amy Grant landed a gold, to close off their performances for the year with impressive display at the recently concluded Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT) Invitational Swimming Championships, held at the Marlins Pool, in Westmoorings, Trinidad. Also picking up medals at the inter-club, FINA-sanctioned meet which ran from December 11 to 14 was Banks DIH Sports Brand Ambassador, Soroya Simmons, who swam in the Girls 15 and over category and walked away with a total of five medals from the annual event - three silver and two bronze. Guyana swimmers also garnered silver medals in the Boys 8 and under 4x50m freestyle relay and 4x50m medley relay, where the team comprised Noel Raekwon, Ethan Gonsalves, Elliott Gonsalves, and Vladimir Woodroffe. Hussein clocked 28.15 seconds in the Boys 11-12 50m freestyle to capture a CARIFTA ‘C’ time, picking up a bronze medal in the

process. Representing the Dorado Swim Club, Hussein finished behind Trinidad’s Gabriel Bynoe (27.87s), while the ultimate win for the race was captured by St Vincent’s Shane Cadogan who finished in 27.27 seconds. Hussein also participated in the 50m backstroke (35.03s), 100m freestyle (1:04.73s), 50m butterfly (34.60s), 200m freestyle (2:26.77s), and the 50m breaststroke (40.28s), while finishing eleventh overall out of 24 swimmers in his age category. Simmons took silver in the 200m backstroke but her time of 2:46.98s was bettered only by the 2:39.76s clocked by Barbados’ Ariel Cape. There was another silver for the 17-year-old in the 800m freestyle, where she was trumped by Shania David who clocked 10:36.76s to overcome Simmon’s 10:51.28s and in the 100m backstroke, Simmons once again had a hard time overcoming the speed of Cape who finished in 1:10.26s, to settle in second place with her 1:15.19s. Simmons’ bronze

came in the 200m freestyle (2:24.42s), and 1500m freestyle (20:49.97s) events, while she also participated in the 50m freestyle (31:11s) and 100m freestyle (1:06.34s) events, to finish fifth overall in the Girls’ 15 and over age category. Hussein and Simmons were among a number of Guyanese swimmers who travelled to the Twin Island Republic to participate in the annual event which is usually attended by scores of swimmers from across the Caribbean. The meet was attended by swimmers from three different swimming clubs in Guyana - Dorado Speed Swim Club, Silver Sharks Aquatic Swim Club and Orca Speed Swim, with Grant representing Silver Sharks. In other notable performances Raekwon who had several near misses in medalling, managed to end fifth out of eleven swimmers in the Boys 8 and under age category. The team express gratitude to Banks DIH who extended sponsorship towards their travelling to Trinidad, along with John Fernandes Ltd, Guyana Oil

Respect the Game Inc. supports Guyana Sickle Cell Association AS PROMISED, Respect the Game Inc. yesterday made a significant contribution from the proceeds of its ‘Respect the Game’ Charity basketball held on December 13 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, to the Guyana Sickle Cell Association (GSCA). GSCA president Errol London collected the substantial amount of cash on the entity’s behalf from Respect the Game Inc. directors Rawle Toney and Attorney-at-Law James Bond, who have made this second charitable donation - the Mahaica Girls Home being the first to benefit.

Respect the Game director James Bond makes a presentation to GSCA president Errol London in the presence of fellow director Rawle Toney.

Swimmers from the Dorado Swim Club pose with their banner on the opening day of competition at the ASATT Invitational Championships. Second from left is Soroya Simmons. Company, C & V Shipping, P & P Insurance Brokers, CCS Guyana

Ltd, Mr Orlando Rogers, Movement Auto Rentals & Bus Service, Rawle &

Dwight Ferguson, Channel 72, Jiffy Lube and Ramchand Auto Sales.

Raekwon lands gold at Suriname swim meet YOUNG National swimmer Noel Raekwon ensured that the Guyana team did not return without a gold medal from Suriname after he ended with three gold medals and one bronze at the Vos Dasani swim meet, where Guyanese swimmers Onika George and Nathan Hackett also medalled. The two-day meet which was held over the weekend featured competition in seven age categories from the 6 and under to 18 and over, and saw the participation of eight swimmers from Guyana, with the above-mentioned three swimmers managing to medal. The youngest member on the Guyana team, Raekwon was without a doubt also the most accomplished of the swimmers, dominating in the Boys’ 7-8 categories. In the 100m IM, Raekwon faced 20 other swimmers and emerged victorious after clocking a com-

… George takes silver

manding 1:28.30s, with his nearest competition coming from Sven Moeljodirjo who had a time of 1:32.55s. The eight-year-old Raekwon was once again at the helm in the 50m freestyle where a time of 34 seconds was enough to surpass the 35.35 seconds recorded by Jaydon Croes, while Keyel Benschop was third in a time of 36.39s. Covering the distance in 42.31 seconds, he defeated Jadon Gooswit in the 50m backstroke after Gooswit finished in 44.04 seconds; third place went to Doron Chundro who had a time of 44.32 seconds. H o w e v e r, h i s 4 8 . 1 9 seconds finish in the 50m breaststroke was only good enough for third after he found himself overwhelmed by Chundro and Croes, with Chundro ruling the race with his time of 46.39 secs, Croes swam in for second after finishing one second ahead of Raekwon.

George took silver in the 200m IM, while Hackett managed a third place in the boys 11-12 100m breaststroke. Participating in the girls 15-17 category George clocked 2:54.44s and finished behind Valery Amstelveen who won the race in 2:36.49s, Marion Soeradi finished two seconds behind George to take third place. Hackett gained his bronze after finishing in 1:25.39s, just enough to edge past Muler’s 1:25.76s. The race was championed by Touw Ngietjouw with a 1:13.52s finish, over five seconds ahead of Hendrik Powdar took second in 1:19.60s. The other swimmers from Guyana who participated at the event were Danielle and Jadyn George and Amber De Goeas, all of whom were in the Girls 9-10 category, Trumaine Cole in the Girls 15-17, and Leon Seaton Jr in the Boys 9-10.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday December 24, 2014

GFA/BANKS BEER CUP

GDF upstage Pele 2-1, Flamingo trounce Black Pearl 7-1 By Rawle Toney WITH GOALS from Rayon Morrison and Eusi Phillips, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) remained unbeaten in this year’s Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Banks Beer Cup, following their 2-1 victory over Pele when action continued last Monday at the Georgetown Football Club ground. On the same day, Flamingo Football Club also picked up their first win of the tournament with a 7-1 rampage over Black Pearl but too late, too late shall be the cry since the team found themselves out of the quarterfinals and the competition. Morrison opened the scoring 30 minutes into the game, sending the Army men into the lead when the defender, using sublime speed, made his way into the penalty area down the left flank and

Shem Porter

Eusi Phillips

latched onto a ‘through ball’. Making no mistake, Morrison, with a one-time touch, let loose a booming left-footed shot that went zooming into the top right hand corner of Pele’s goal, giving GDF a 1-0 cushion at the end of the first half; but Pele didn’t fold to the Army’s relentless attack and equalised through Ju-

See Page 28

Rayon Morrison

Sport CHRONICLE

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Seubarran looks to bridge gap between BCB and GCB See Story on Page 26

Mackeson ‘King of the Rim’ Pitbulls receive spoils … Stephney named MVP

Pitbulls captain Ryan Gullen (right) receives the $500 000 cheque from Ansa McAl Mackeson brand representative Jamal Douglas while teammates Jermaine Slater and Akeem Kanhai look on. THE QUARTET of Akeem ‘the Dream’ Kanhai, Ryan Stephney, Jermaine Slater and Ryan Gullen, going by the alias ‘Pitbulls’, yesterday received the winner’s purse of $500 000 for this year’s Ansa McAl Mackeson ‘King of the Rim’ tournament that wrapped up last weekend. Pitbulls, who had claimed the tournament last year and won the $1M attached to it, defeated Pacesetters ‘A’ 17-15 in a comefrom-behind victory. The quartet owed their victory to point guard Ryan Stephney who scored almost half of the team’s total, including the last five baskets of the game when Pacesetters were threatening to dethrone them.

Stephney was later named the tournament’s M o s t Va l u a b l e P l a y e r (MVP) and took home the beautiful silverware and $25 000, while for their effort and finishing as runners-up, Pacesetters ‘A’, made up of Royston Siland, Stephan Gillis, Travis Burnett and Naylon Loncke, collected $300 000. For being named joint Georgetown Zone winners, the company awarded both teams with an additional $25 000, even as Mackeson brand representative Jamal Douglas congratulated both teams for reaching the final and Pitbulls for winning the tournament for the second successive year.

Raekwon lands gold at Suriname swim meet See Story on Page 30

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Guyana’s gold medallist Noel Raekwon (right) and Nathon Hackett pose with their medals. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2014