2015 06 1

GUYANA

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

Torrential rains flood Georgetown and environs No. 104207 MONDAY JUNE 1, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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– more showers expected over next 72 hours – no school for some children

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Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms Annette Ferguson, and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms Simona Broomes, assessing the damages of yesterday’s deluge in one of the affected neighbourhoods (Photo courtesy of GINA)

Vehicles negotiating the flooded Homestretch Avenue late yesterday at around 17:30hrs (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Torrential rains flood Georgetown and environs – more showers expected over next 72 hours

By Navendra Seoraj HEAVY and prolonged rainfall caused severe and extensive flooding in Georgetown and its environs yesterday, affecting streets, homes and business places, while persons are being urged to expect more rain over the next 72 hours.

Persons in Georgetown were forced to bear the effects of flash flooding, as they were seen bailing water from their houses and businesses.

Some were also struggling to stack sand bags to block as much water as possible from entering their homes.

When the Chronicle caught up with an official from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) yesterday, it was disclosed that only some pumps were in operation, as power outages prevented others from functioning.

This, however, the official disclosed was quickly corrected as they worked assiduously to ensure that all were functioning.

Apart from that, the Chronicle observed that garbage still remains a key contributor to floods as drains were clogged, prohibiting the ready flow of water.

Public transportation was

NDIA officials checking on the functioning of the Kitty pump

pected to persist over the next 72 hours.

The Ministry of Agriculture and other governmental agencies, in a release, announced that they are urging citizens to do all they can to safeguard themselves, their family, property and crops and livestock from being damaged.

“Citizens are urged to protect their children from floodwaters, and to boil all drinking water. If they have to be in the water, they are advised to wear protective boots and to wash their feet with a mixture of bleach and water.”

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scarce yesterday, as some taxi services were under water and unable to work, and minibuses were hardly seen.

Part of the four-lane road leading to the East Coast of Demerara, from the junction at Sheriff Street, scarcely had traffic due to the flooded roadway.

Persons were made to use one side of the four-lane road to travel both to and from the East Coast and Georgetown for quite some time.

MORE RAIN Meanwhile, citizens are advised that heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are ex-

The Rubis Gas station on Vlissingen Road was among places under water yesterday

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Some public schools to be closed today owing to flooding

– CXC, CAPE exams to proceed as scheduled – BHS candidates relocated to QC SOME public schools around Georgetown and on the East Coast of Demerara will be closed today after yesterday’s flooding to facilitate cleaning and sanitisation of the school facilities, but the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) will proceed according to their timetables.

The Ministry of Education in a press release yesterday advised parents and guardians that “due to flooding caused by heavy rains on Sunday, May 31 some schools will not be opened on Monday, June 1, 2015 so as to facilitate the cleaning and sanitisation of school facilities and its environs.”

Those schools that will be closed today are: GEORGETOWN ● Starters Nursery ● South Road Nursery ● Gacestock Nursery ● Sherman Nursery ● St. Agnes Primary ● St. Angela’s Primary ● St. Barnabas Secondary ● Carmel Secondary ● Queenstown Secondary EAST COAST DEMERARA ● Strathspey Primary ● Strathspey Nursery ● Annandale Nursery ● Annandale Primary ● Annandale Secondary ● Mon Repos Primary ● Mon Repos Nursery ● Beterverwagting/Quamina Primary ● Beterverwagting Nursery ● La Bonne Intention Sec-

ondary ● La Bonne Intention Primary ● La Bonne Intention Nursery ● Chateau Margot Primary ● Montrose Primary ● Vryheid’s Lust Primary ● North Vryheid’s Lust Nursery ● South Vryheid’s Lust Nursery ● Better Hope Nursery ● Prince Williams Street Nursery ● Plaisance Primary ● Plaisance Nursery ● Plaisance Secondary ● Plindola Nursery ● Enterprise Nursery ● Enterprise Primary Meanwhile, the Ministry late yesterday issued an advisory saying that due to the inclement weather, which caused widespread flooding in Georgetown,

A view of King Street, in downtown Georgetown yesterday (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

CSEC/CAPE candidates of Bishops’ High School who are scheduled to sit examinations today, Mon-

day, June 1, will now be accommodated at Queen’s College.

As such, candidates

are asked to report to Queen’s College to write their exams as per timetable.

CMO offers health tips for the rainy season

CMO, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

CHIEF Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud is urging persons to promote good health practices so as to remain healthy throughout the rainy season.

Here are a few health

tips prepared by the CMO: ● Keep out of the floodwater.

It contains many harmful germs and substances. ● Use proper footwear, gloves, eyewear, etc. that prevents water from touching your feet, eye and body.

Please don’t let children swim in the water. ● Protect all food supplies from contact with the flood water. ● Secure water sources and start treating your drinking water with chlorine bleach. ● Uses control measures for pests such as rats, mosquitoes, etc. ● If diarrhoea occurs, seek medical advice and take ORS (oral rehydration salts), especially for children and the elderly. ● Be careful with electrical appliances. Plug out and move to higher areas. Remember water conducts electricity. ● Please encourage everyone to dispose of garbage carefully. It may be best to store until the flood goes down and then dispose of all your household waste in the correct way. ● Use bleach in the cleanup and discard contaminated foods and materials that cannot be cleaned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

PPP/C questions spending by new gov’t…

Finance Minister assures of commitment to accountability -- says ‘mountain being made out of a molehill’

By Vanessa Narine SEVERAL questions were posed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on spending over the last few weeks related to the independence and inauguration exercises, as well as on accounting for monies gifted to support the cleanup exercise within the vicinity of the Square of the Revolution.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan in response contends that the party is making a “mountain out of a molehill” – the proverbial exaggeration.

QUESTIONS The PPP/C in its questions called on the subject Minister to: 1. Clarify whether all contributions received from the private sector and other donors in relation to the independence and inauguration events were deposited into the Consolidated Fund as required by law, and withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund in accordance with the laws of Guyana?

2. Clarify by what authority are private citizens known to be affiliated with his party, but holding no Government office authorised to receive donations destined for the Government of Guyana, and what arrangements are in place to ensure accountability for same?

3. Clarify whether he is aware that there are rules governing gifts and donations to Government, including the need to deposit them into and process them through the Consolidated Fund, and whether these rules

are being complied with fully in the current instance?

4. Clarify at what point in time will the Guyanese people be provided with a full account of all the contributions received and how they were used 5. Clarify by what competitive or tender process were contractors selected to execute the works currently being done, naming the newspaper and date of publication of the advertisements of the tenders for the work done. In event the work is being done for free, can Mr. Jordan please clarify what special arrangements are in place to safeguard against the same contractors expecting to have their “favour” to the Government returned at some point in time in the future?

“His (the Finance Minister’s) Government has in fact been running a parallel treasury with no regard for accountability and transparency by soliciting, receiving, and spending moneys on a cleanup campaign and on an unprecedentedly lavish independence and inauguration extravaganza all outside the Consolidated Fund,” the PPP/C declared.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan passed through Government’s accounts.

As such, he assured that an audited report will be done.

“There will be an audited statement of all the donations received and how they were utilised. For the ‘in kind’ donations that were made, these will be recognised because it would be difficult to put a value to such,” he said.

Jordan added that he has been in touch with Colonel Laurie London, who was charged with putting systems in place for the cleanup and grand flag-raising ceremony at the Independence Arch site on Brickdam street, to engage a private accountant to do the audit.

When asked if the services of the Auditor General (AG), Dr Deodat Sharma, would be solicited, he added that the AG can be involved if he wishes to do so, but noted that given that the

CLEANUP EXERCISE MONIES On the first question, the Finance Minister told the Guyana Chronicle that private sector and other donors did indeed contribute to the cleanup exercise and the monies were not

pense,” the Minister said.

Jordan pointed out that in the absence of a national budget, spending for budget agencies is regulated.

The Dissolution Proclamation, which paved the way for elections, activated the provisions of Article 219 (1) and combined the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. It provides that in any financial year the Government is empowered to spend one- twelfth of the Budget of the preceding year in continuing to provide the normal services of the Government of Guyana, until an Appropriation Act is passed.

After Elections, Article 219, paragraph 3 of the Constitution, will be activated to

monies were not passed through the Consolidated Fund, this may not be the case.

RETURNING FAVOURS The Minister named BK International, Cummings Electrical, Puran Brothers, as well as members of the diaspora as some of the parties that supported the cleanup effort.

On the question of the expectation of ‘favours being returned’, Jordan was emphatic that the letter of the law, legal provisions and guidelines, will be followed regarding public spending will be followed, regardless.

“We have to hope that we don’t have to give them anything down the road. I cannot say what is in people’s minds,”

from the Ministry of Culture.

He reiterated that accountability for donations received will be a priority and all funds will be accounted for in an audited statement.

NO SYSTEM IN PLACE On question of accounting for gifts and donations to Government, Jordan told the Guyana Chronicle that the former administration left no system in place.

“Yes, there are rules regarding gifts and donations, but there seem to be no system in place here to account for that,” Jordan lamented.

As such, he reiterated that the private donations will be accounted for in an audited statement.

‘There will be an audited statement of all the donations received and how they were utilised. For the ‘in kind’ donations that were made, these will be recognised because it would be difficult to put a value to such.’ – Finance Minister Winston Jordan regulate expenditure, until a first budget is passed for the 11th parliament of Guyana

INAUGURATION ACTIVITIES Questioned about the funding of the inauguration events, he was unable to say whether private or state funds were used.

However, Jordan stated that if public funds were utilised it would have been expended

he said, “Private citizens make contributions to worthy causes.”

INDEPENDENCE BUDGETED FOR Jordan added that monies for the 2015 independence celebrations were budgeted for in the 2014 Budget, under the Ministry of Culture.

“Last year there were budgeted funds for the next independence, so the monies were there…it was a legitimate ex-

Responding to the call by the PPP/C for a date to be named, relative to the completion of the audited report, the Finance Minister noted that he could not commit to a timeframe since an accountant is still to be engaged.

All considered, Jordan stressed that the APNU+AFC Administration remains committed to transparency and accountability.

GECOM will recount votes if ordered by the court – Surujbally

CALLS from the Indian Arrival Committee for an immediate, impartial and independent International Forensic Audit of the May 11th , 2015 General and Regional elections in Guyana have not been raised officially with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

This is according to the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, who added that the Carter Center, from which the IAC is seeking support to advance its call,

has not contacted the Commission.

“The Carter Center has not approached GECOM,” he said to the Guyana Chronicle, in an invited comment.

However, Dr Surujbally added that GECOM will act relative to an audit, or a recount, if the court calls for such a move.

“Anytime the law says you have to do it we will do it,” he declared.

In the meantime, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

Dr Steve Surujbally

DATE: 27/05/2015 M

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(PPP/C) has publicly challenged the outcome of the May 11th polls and is currently in the process of petitioning the High Court.

The PPP/C has claimed that the problems in the electoral process include: the discovery of falsified Statements of Polls (SoPs); the refusal of GECOM to have public vetting of polling day staffers, many of whom were discovered to be activists of the political Opposition; misdirection

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by some GECOM staffers who advised voters; damaged stamps that saw some ballots not being properly stamped; persons without identification cards being allowed to vote even though their images did not match those in the files of GECOM staff; and the denial of proxy holders to use their proxies, among others.

Recounts were requested before and after the official declarations were made, but these were rejected. Also de-

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nied was the PPP/C request for the SoPs, Tally Sheets and a breakdown of results of each Polling Division or Ballot Boxes.

The current A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Administration scored a close victory in the General and Regional Elections with 207,200 votes, while the PPP/C secured the support of 202,694 Guyanese who cast their votes in support of the party.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Suriname’s ruling party disputes election results

By Ivan Cairo PARAMARIBO, Suriname, (CMC) - The National Democratic Party (NDP), Suriname’s ruling party is disputing the election results in several municipalities in Paramaribo, the country’s largest polling district.

Authorities here confirmed that due to the formal protest, a recount of the results of at least 20 polling stations were to take place yesterday.

At a press conference Saturday afternoon NDP’s spokesman Winston Lackin claimed that party agents who observed the polling and subsequent procedures to declare the results, reported numerous discrepancies between their observation and what has been submitted to the Chief Polling Bureau in Paramaribo.

According to Lackin over 1000 alleged NDP votes could not be account-

President Desi Bouterse and Chandrikapersad Santokhi ed and this which would eventually cheat his party out of at least one seat in parliament.

The spokesman noticed that figures officially submitted to the Chief Polling Bureau were not corresponding with the results party representatives witnessed

Monday night during the counting of the ballots.

Lackin argued that the NDP is sounding the alarm bells in an early stage before the results are officially announced. “Paramaribo is the largest and most important polling district and every vote counts since this could

affect the outcome of the elections and allocation of the seats in parliament and municipalities”, the NDP official argued.

There were too many irregularities which have to be investigated properly, he further stated. He also noticed that Suriname in-

CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors hold inaugural meeting

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) - The CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors, comprising Ambassadors accredited to the regional body by member states, was activated on Saturday with an inaugural meeting at the headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat here.

The Committee, will play a major role in the ongoing process of reforming the integration architecture and its governance arrangements.

The reform process is geared towards achieving greater

efficiency and delivery of the services provided for the development of the Region and its people.

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, said the Committee was an idea whose time has come.

“Colleagues, fulfilling your mandate will advance the integration process, particularly through facilitating the implementation of decisions taken. Your consultations with stakeholders at the national level will help to streamline proposals to the Organs and

Bodies of the Community. It will also help to identify the challenges in implementing decisions arising from those proposals.”

The Secretary-General saw two broad overarching roles for the Committe - “On the one hand, as Ambassadors, you represent the interests of your countries, and the Terms of Reference of the Committee point to specific functions you will undertake.

But of equal importance, or probably of even greater importance, I also see this body as a cohesive whole, acting, as it were, as a think-thank as we shape the future course of Caribbean integration. I see this body operating almost like a board of directors, so to speak, of Caribbean integration providing strategic guidance.”

The inaugural meeting was chaired by Ambassador of The Bahamas to CARICOM,Picewell Forbes who emphasized the Committee’s unique and pivotal role. “…the formation of this Committee provides an opportunity for us to greatly impact the efficiency and effective-

ness of the CARICOM Secretariat and its related agencies.

As Ambassadors we have a unique position in having direct contact with our Heads of Government and Cabinets, as well as with the technical advisors and stakeholders.

“We must therefore maximize these unique positions in actioning our responsibilities to provide strategic advice and support to the Community Council of Ministers and support for the reform of the Community.

“The Committee can truly serve as a Rapid Response Mechanism to get early feedback from Member States on matters of import.”

CARICOM Heads of Government agreed to the establishment of the Committee, and approved its Terms of Reference, at their 26 th inter-sessional meeting in the Bahamas earlier this year.

The Committee will, among its roles, operate as a preparatory body for the Community Council which is responsible for the development of strategic planning and co-ordination.

The Community Council, made up primarily of Ministers responsible for Community Affairs, will meet here today.

ternationally has a positive record regarding the organization of fair and transparent elections. “We want to keep it that way”.

He said - depending on outcome of the investigation,his party will decide whether it will demand a total recount or new elections for Paramaribo. In Suriname’s elections system the official results of each of the ten polling districts, are being declared independently by the Independent Electoral Bureau.

Meanwhile, the V7-combination, the main opposition block, lodged a formal complaint with the authorities over the protest of the NDP. V7 coordinator Chandrikapersad Santokhi told reporters that NDP expected a better result in Paramaribo and since such is not the case that party is trying to delay the official declaration in order to commit fraud and manipulate

the outcome. Unofficial results from Monday’s general elections give V7 18 seats in parliament, NDP 26, Alternative Combination 5 and DOE and PALU each respectively one seat.

The National Assembly has 51 seats.

Suriname’s elections laws stipulate that the new parliament should convene no later than 30 days after the members were elected.

T h e n e w p re s i d e n t should be sworn in no later than August 12, 2015 since that date is exactly five years later when the incumbent Desi Bouterse was inaugurated. Bouterse is positioned for a new term but he needs to secure at least 34 votes in parliament to be re-elected. If that fails, the president will be elected in the People’s Assembly -made up of the national parliament and local councils- by a simple majority.

China bets on strategic ties with the Caribbean

SANTIAGO, (CMC) – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says his country is “prepared to deepen its cooperation” with Latin America and the Caribbean “in order to mutually learn from each other and forge together a new path for the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Comprehensive Cooperation Association.”

In a keynote lecture here at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Li Keqiang said China is “prepared to join forces with Latin American and Caribbean countries to contribute in a small but meaningful way to the construction of our happy home and to work together for a more beautiful world.”

Li Keqiang said that the promotion of cooperation between China and the Region, in terms of productive capacity, “will boost development in such a way that everyone wins,” according to ECLAC. He proposed that both parties explore a new “3 x 3 cooperation model,” focused on the joint construction of the three major pathways of logistics, energy and information technology; the virtuous interaction between companies, society and government; and the broadening of three financing channels – funds, credits and insurance.

Li Keqiang urged China and the Region to “intensify even more their international collaboration and strengthen their coordination to speak with a common voice on transcendent issues, such as the reform of the international financial structure, the negotiations for a new agreement on carbon emissions, the development of the post-2015 Development Agenda, as well as cybersecurity.”

In addition, the Chinese Premier reiterated the country’s commitment to keep boosting cultural exchanges between the two sides, as well as broaden cooperation to “maximize the results of the First Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum.”

According to ECLAC’s figures, between 2000 and 2014, bilateral trade between Latin America and the Caribbean and China expanded 22 times over.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Policing the police OVER the years, nefarious practices by security ranks have been exposed, generating great distrust in the nation’s security services.

Recently, the headlines blared “Ex-cop charged with conspiring to murder businessman”.

This newspaper reported that “An ex-police Sergeant, accused of conspiring to murder businessman Mohamed F. Khan, appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates Court to face criminal charges. Leon Lindo, who hails from Lot 220 Belle West, Canal No. 2, West Bank Demerara, was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Particulars of the charge stated that Lindo, between July 8 and 10, 2014 at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Eve Leary, Georgetown, conspired with Lennox ‘Two

colours’ Wayne and others to murder the popular businessman.

According to the prosecution, Lindo was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and the deceased was a businessman. The court heard that Khan was shot between July 8 and 10, 2014, and he went missing on August 21. Later, on September 22, 2014, a headless body was found at a dam in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

A DNA test was carried out on samples taken from the body, and the result revealed that it was Khan’s.

Lindo was arrested on the basis of statements given by Wayne that a plot had been hatched between he and the accused to murder Khan.

Further investigations were carried out and advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before Lindo was charged.

Instead of executing their mandate “To Protect

and Serve” the Guyanese people, police ranks often join underworld ‘dons’ to drive fear and discourage citizens from seeking their constitutional rights to freedom of choice, of any kind and in any dimension.

The victims of the lawless prevailing dynamic range across every divide, because Guyanese of all ethnic compositions often fall prey to the oppressors in uniform.

Corruption has become endemic to the national psyche and has infused every aspect of national life, to the extent that every transaction, no matter how small, is many times an exercise in futility unless a bribe is paid.

Living above their means through partying, having multiple partners, dressing high fashion, going to every show that sells tickets for thousands of dollars, eating out more than in, etc, etc, etc, has corroded the conscience of ser-

vice-sector employees, so that ‘more’ and ‘more’ and ‘more’ is never enough; so the get-rich-quick schemes and dishonest acts never stop.

A few years ago, residents of Upper Corentyne Berbice met at the Number 48 Primary School with then Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell and the top brass of the Police Force and those from the Police ‘B’ Division following protest action to express their dissatisfaction with the modus operandi of the police in the division, especially those on the Corentyne, and their contention was that police ranks are in collusion with the criminals, and even engage in criminal activities, using their police paraphernalia, including arms and uniforms.

Supporting the Berbicians was General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), Mr Dharamku-

mar Seeraj, who iterated that Berbicians don’t trust certain police. He called on the Guyana Police Force to launch a full investigation into the allegations by the Corentyne residents, and noted that the visit of Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell to the Corentyne was an indication that the spike in crime has caught the attention of the police.

Seeraj at the time warned, “We have to nip this problem in the bud to ensure that it does not escalate,” and said that the commissioner should not take the reports from the residents lightly, alluding to remarks by the former commissioner wherein he mentioned that some members of the community who were making allegations against the police were under the influence of alcohol.

But the general problem is trust issues the public at large have with the police force, members of whom,

right across the country, citizens are convinced are colluding with criminal elements; even committing criminal acts, including armed robberies themselves.

So who will police the police? The police will have to do it themselves so as to re-generate trust in the public once more.

The truth is that most police ranks are honourable and patriotic, working with diligence and commitment to “serve and protect”, and it is up to them to weed out the rotten apples because the taint and mistrust is spreading to encapsulate the entire force. Many policemen have laid their lives on the line and have worked beyond the call of duty to “protect and serve”, and it is unjust and de-motivating to label them with the actions of the corrupt ranks; so it is incumbent upon them to eliminate this scourge from their august sector.

A six-pronged approach to better city drainage A LONG sustained shower has again inundated the city despite the commendable effort of the government, the city council and well-intentioned citizens and businesses.

The problem with drainage in the city is more deep-rooted, and although we’ve had some work done, our shortcomings have been cruelly exposed again.

I want to suggest that we need at least a six-pronged pace attack, as follows: 1. DESILTING OF THE OUTFALLS. Immediate work must be undertaken in

desilting the outfalls. In this connection, the assistance of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) should be sought.

I remember when I was involved in the clean-up, both as a member of the IMC in 1994 and in one or two task forces with then Minister Xavier, we were ably assisted by miners. Mr Stanislaus Jardine, ‘aka Chungy’, readily comes to mind. I believe they have the necessary missile pumps that they can deploy in clearing the outfalls.

2. DESILTING OF THE

CANALS. This exercise needs to be accelerated, and the President should make an appeal to persons with hymacs, excavators and trucks to throw their weight behind the project. The Government should undertake to pay at least for the fuel and labour.

Also, the NDIA may be able to assist with equipment. I also believe that we need to start concreting the drainage canals around the city, and this will not only accommodate better parking arrangements, but will allow for better use of the carriageways.

If we do one block in each ward every year, in ten years all the canals within the boundaries (Lamaha Street/ Sussex Street/ Vlissengen Road/ High Street) of old Georgetown should be concreted.

3. CLEARING OF CULVERTS AND REHABILITATION OF KOKERS. This is rather self explanatory, but there is an intricate network of culverts that is knowledgeable only to a few persons.

The late George “Boyblue” Cumberbatch was well in-

formed in this regard, and I know that both Mr. Egbert Carter and Mr. Lloyd Alleyne are up to speed with this network.

4. FIXING OF THE PUMPS. All pumps should be checked to ensure that they are working, and there is availability of fuel and operators.

5. AUDIT OF RECENT CONSTRUCTION. I recommend an audit be done of all the recent construction, maybe going back at least 5

years to ensure that persons did not build up their parapets (for parking etc) at the expense of the flow of the water. I believe that such an audit will reveal that there is a lot of restricted flow around the city, and the City Council may need to intervene under the bylaws to clear these stoppages.

6. REMOVAL OF ALL GARBAGE FROM THE PARAPETS. This is self explanatory.

BISH PANDAY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

The revolving door of literacy and numeracy PERHAPS, we lesser mortals identified for the sacrifice inherent in the altruism of public appointment ought to expect antipathy from some quarters. In so doing, we must endure the reactions of the self-inflicted imperfections and inadequacies of the civic and political epigone, some of whom are luxuriating in current media houses; and the general consensus is that these latter are staffed by a less than proficient cadre of reporters, and sometimes, editorial expertise.

This is not surprising, given the standards prevailing at the public examination level, and the rush to give equality of opportunity a public face, without the concomitant rigorous demands for appropriate skills.

Evidence of this national ailment is not confined to the media, and it would appear to have afflicted a greater percentage of the social and commercial sectors, and, most of all, the legal profession. One only needs to scan the reports of Court decisions pronounced by some magistrates to confirm the dearth of learning and expertise infecting the present Bench. In my fifth decade as a professional lawyer, it is not virtually impossible to recall the weekly intervention of the Chief Justice in relation to the grant of bail. This is the more distressing, since this needful exercise addresses an enshrined fundamental right of the personal liberty of an individual. It has become a constitutional cottage industry, humorously referred to as the CJ’s “Happy Hour on Friday.� Had Magistrates been more sensitive to the discharge of their duties, this extra burden could have been obviated. Perhaps, with the appointment of an appropriately qualified Registrar of the Supreme Court in place, the administrative status quo ante would be restored.

This experience manifests itself at most, if not all, levels of the burgeoning infrastruc-

ture we encounter in our daily interactions. An expectation of improvement is the only option, and this is surely dependent on an immediate scrutiny and sanitisation of the ill-equipped bureaucracy responsible for training and certification of the community at large. Herein lies the revolving door of literacy and numeracy, or rather, the lack of them both.

A major nub of discomfort, if not discontent, with respect to the public dissemination of information is the motley collection of Broadcasting Agencies which provide the avenues for elocution by way of a variety of programmes, both audio and video. Skilled and experienced professionals need to implement and oversee the current crops of personnel selected to discharge these mundane yet important functions. This training exercise by the former must seek to firstly identify, and then transform the patina of competence, if not eloquence, of the latter in a significant way for the building blocks of progress to produce expected standards. It may be moot whether the prime centralization of these efforts would achieve the desired elevation envisaged, and major consultation must be undertaken for the results to become universal.

Tradition cannot now be relied upon to provide the complement of ideas, nor can it be summoned to perform this most important task.

Broadcast-material aspirants ought to have, at a minimum, a tincture of versatility in diction and general savoirfaire so that, with further exposure to the requirements of the profession, incremental improvement will be fashioned by on-the-job training.

The experience will manifest itself in a graduated way, and supervisory oversight will commensurably diminish, inexorably. It is fair to state that notions of justifiably

elevation beyond the point of entry can only be sustained by intense dedication of the assigned beneficiary of the programme of education.

An axiom of commonsense is an acknowledgement that not every person who wears a suit is suitable for the position he seeks, and, God forbid, is allowed to occupy.

In the unenlightened eye of the aspirant, this self-evident adumbration may become a source of contention and, possibly, discontent.

Contaminants in the system must be resolutely flushed out in the interest of the public weal. However, with equal embrace, one must lend acceptance to the notion that it is never too late to commence the journey of improvement and reconstruction.

Be that as it may, and now that the problem has been essentially identified, a solution must be found to meet its exigencies. The answer may very well lie in social engineering, in much the same way that an engineer seeks to resolve the difficulties encountered in the use of second-hand, or, in a Guyana context, reconditioned machinery.

With the skill he possesses, there is an expectation that the efficiency of that machine would be once again optimised over a graduated period by his dedicated and practical servicing. As the sound of machine improves, there is a noticeable incremental increase in its production, and, once comparable maintenance is undertaken apace, its proficiency will attain the desired constancy. In essence, the workforce must aspire to recognise that knowledge is the chief currency, and premature acquisition of easy money matters little, if the global expectations are to be achieved.

This form of social transformation may yet provide the springboard for a contented community and, until the ideal is attained, the benefits to the service provider in the interregnum must be allowed

to grow in an evolutionary manner. With appropriate planning and management, our vast human resources of experience, skill, technical knowledge and untapped

goodwill, homegrown or acquired overseas, can be translated into an enduring well-spring of national transformation from its potential to the hitherto elusive reality.

JUSTICE CHARLES R. RAMSON, S.C O.R (Retired Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs)

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A question of adhering to guidelines

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Man killed attempting to break into cousins’ home

Dead, Jason Edwards

By Leroy Smith

SCORES of persons who worked on Elections Day in the employ of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)were lined up at Croal Street on Friday because of noncompliance with guidelines.

A GECOM official explained to the Guyana Chronicle that varying groups of E-Day staffers were told to turn up at the GECOM office to be paid for their services; however, persons did not turn up at the allotted time and, consequently, the lines swelled.

It was made clear that Friday’s confusion was in no way connected to the Commission’s ability to advance the payments owed. (Photo by Adrian Narine)

Father of three shot dead through bedroom window TWEN TY-six-year-old taxi-driver Dennis Narine of Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara, was yesterday morning fatally shot to the chest at his home after he was aroused by noise at a glass window and was making a check.

It is unclear what the motive of the shooting was, since family members feel that it was not robbery-related as the gunman made no attempt to enter the house.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday afternoon at La Grange Police Station, the dead man’s father, Eddy Narine, said that his son had been living in the Onderneeming home with his wife for the past five years.

He said he was at home when he received a call from his daughter-in-law informing him that his son had been shot while in his bed.

The man said he and his

Taxi driver, Dennis Narine

wife raced over to the house and found their son lying on the bed. His mother placed him on her lap and began speaking with him. They then summoned a taxi to take him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but unfortunately, he died on the way and was pronounced dead on arrival.

Eddy Narine told this

publication that he is not aware that his son had any enemies or issues with anyone. He said his son does not drink, smoke or party, and the idea that someone would want to harm him is a total shock to the family.

He did say, however, that since his son bought a vehicle sometime back, he was having issues with it, so he parked it on the road in front of his home. One night someone came along and smashed the window of the vehicle, and the matter was reported to the police.

Dennis has been working as a taxi-driver for some time with a taxi service in his community. Police are continuing their investigations into the murder.

Yesterday, statements were taken from the man’s wife, and she was also taken to the morgue to identify her husband’s body. (Leroy Smith)

JASON Edwards, 24, was yesterday morning stabbed in the throat and later succumbed after he and three accomplices reportedly attempted to invade the Kaneville home of his cousins. The incident reportedly occurred around 03:00hrs.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, Edwards was earlier in the evening drinking at the very premises along with other family members as one of his cousins was hosting a birthday ‘drink’ (celebration).

After the invitees left, the persons in the home retired to bed, but shortly after, they realised that the electricity to the home was disconnected. Upon further examination, it was also determined that the telephone wire which took phone service to the house was also disconnected.

Jimmy Thomas reportedly heard someone trying to gain entry to the home, and alerted another male family member. The two then ventured outside and began checking around the house.

One of them observed that someone was in the yard,

A relative points to one of the windows through which the men tried to gain entry

and the intruder reportedly attempted to attack him, but he whipped out a knife and inflicted a stab wound to the man’s neck.

After the man was stabbed, his three accomplices fled the scene, leaving him behind. On realising the quandary he was in, the injured man began crying out, while identifying himself as a relative of those who lived at the house. It was then that the folks at the home became aware of the intruder’s identity.

The relatives immediately called the man’s aunt, his father and other relatives and informed them of what had happened. However, that side of the family is not buying the story that Edwards was attempting to break into the home of his own kin, and according to an aunt and the father of the dead man, he was murdered by his cousin’s husband.

Felice Edwards, who

spoke with the Guyana Chronicle, related that her nephew does not get into any such activities, while other relatives are of the view that the man was influenced by the persons who were also in the yard.

Jason Edwards is the father of one child, and according to his relatives, his financee is pregnant, and expected to give birth anytime soon.

The Chronicle understands that the now dead man usually worked in the interior with the same relative whose home he attempted to invade.

This newspaper was told that Jason had been out of the interior for about three months, while the other relative, who is now in police custody, has been out of the interior for the past five days.

The police investigations are ongoing as the search continues for the other three persons who were with the man during the attempted break-in.

RAPE OF THREE-YEAR-OLD ON C/TYNE

Twenty-year-old further remanded

TWENTY-YEAR-OLD Yoganand Ramnarine, who allegedly sexually penetrated a three-year-old toddler on April 17 last at his home at Number 60 Village, Corentyne, was further remanded to prison following his appearance at the Springlands Magistrates Court, where he was not required to plead to the charge.

Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh refused the unrepresented labourer bail, and further remanded him until June 8.

Police Inspector Godfrey

Playter, prosecuting, informed the court that the victim and her three older brothers had gone, as customary, to the suspect’s home, where they would normally pass the time playing. At time of her visit, just after 07:30hrs, the suspect and his father were consuming alcoholic beverages in the yard. Thereafter, it began to rain, and as a result, the parties entered the suspect’s home.

At 14:00hrs, the suspect’s wife left caring for the children to go make a purchase at

a nearby shop. On her return home 15 minutes later, she heard cries emanating from a room; and, on checking, she saw the suspect pulling up his pants whilst the toddler was standing in a corner trembling, as blood flowed from between her legs.

The witness raised an alarm, and the child was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where she was medically examined. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with the offence of rape.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Goldsource Mines to commission 1,000-tonnes-per-day plant by yearend

By Clifford Stanley

ing on schedule and on budget for the recovery of an FOLLOWING Guyana estimated 980,000 ounces of Goldfields Inc last week, gold (188,000 ounces indianother Canadian min- cated and 792,000 inferred) ing company, Goldsource with strong potential for Mines Inc this week re- expansion. ported satisfactory progThe plant has estimatress in construction of its ed pre-production capital own gold mine located at costs of US$5.9 million but Eagle Mountain in Re- post-commissioning cash gion 8 (Potaro/Siparuni), operating costs of under disclosing that it is tar- US$500 per ounce of gold. geting the commissioning Yannis Tsitos, President of a 1,000 tonnes per day and Director stated, “We are open pit gravity plant by pleased with Eagle Mounyear end. tain’s construction progress Goldsource Mines said with the first shipment of that construction is proceed- processing plant equipment

on budget and schedule in June. This new equipment will include two SB2500 Falcon concentrators, gold recovery room, refinery, pumps, electrics and on-site laboratory. We have assembled a strong team of experienced professionals to manage the construction of Eagle Mountain and fully expect to deliver Phase I ontime and budget.”

Tsitos said further that several significant construction activities are currently on-going at Eagle Mountain.

The detailed engineering of a Sepro gold processing

CH&PA issues stern warning to land-grabbers

One of the signboards placed aback Diamond Housing Scheme-‘Trespassers will be Prosecuted’

INTERESTED persons are advised to apply to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) for houselots, as the Government of Guyana seeks to reassure the public that everyone will have fair and equitable access to land.

In a press statement, the CH&PA stated, “It has been observed that persons in large groups have been demarcating vacant lands from Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara to Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, for the purpose of squatting under the pretext that President David Granger instructed same.

“The Authority reiterates that squatting is an illegal act and such acts would not be condoned by the Government of Guyana. The Central Housing and Planning Authority declared that lands squatted on after January 1st

1998 would not be regularised. That is to say, persons attempting to occupy those lands would not have the opportunity to legally own the lands. In addition, they may be liable for prosecution under the relevant Act.” According to reports, “persons began demarcating plots on May 15, 2015, one day before President David Granger would have been sworn in as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. And, over the weekend of May 16 and 17, 2015, the systematic land- grabbing activities intensified. “[The area]behind Diamond Housing Scheme, where there is empty land, has been the most sought area for land grabbers,” the Authority stated. CH&PA has since placed a signboard on the open space notifying the public that trespassers will be

prosecuted.

Land grabbers have also targeted Government reserves, leased lands and plots earmarked for playgrounds and schools. The targeted areas include Sophia, Mon Repos, Enmore, Haslington, Nabaclis, Hope Experiment, and Bush Lot. Officers of CH&PA are and will be closely monitoring these areas to ensure that persons do not unlawfully occupy the lands.

The Government of Guyana has urged persons “not to be misled into committing unlawful acts; Guyanese will be given fair and equitable access to land under the Government’s land-distribution policy.”

CH&PA is requesting persons to desist from squatting and to have patience, as Government implements its policy.

plant has been completed while delivery of the first package for the gold processing plant from Sepro Minerals Systems from Canada and the United Kingdom is 95% complete.

Delivery of Package No.2, another section of the said processing plant from Canada and Mexico is 20% completed.

10K ROAD, EIGHT NEW BRIDGES Rehabilitation of the existing 10-kilometre road between Mahdia town and Eagle Mountain camp including

construction of eight new bridges is 75% completed while procurement and purchase of mining equipment, including the most recent acquisition of a new excavator and loader, is 50% completed.

Other works in varying stages of completion include pre-production auger drilling program for confirmation and condemnation (75% completed); recruitment of key operations personnel (15% completed).; camp facility rehabilitation and upgrades (15% completed); site preparation of plant and

initial mining area (10% completed) and procurement and purchase of secondary gold processing plant for exploiting existing old tailings area (10% completed).

The Eagle Mountain project, located close to Mahdia is a joint venture between Goldsource Mines and local company Kilroy Mining Inc. The two companies decided to collaborate in August last year since under Guyana’s laws a medium scale mining permit can only be held by a Guyanese national.

Education Minister plugs counsellors in schools – to help reduce drop-out rate GUYANA has been recording a relatively good reduction in the number of school dropouts over the last few years. On this note, Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has called for the implementation of counsellors in schools countrywide to further reduce the number of school dropouts.

This statement was made in a recent interview conducted by this publication at the Ministry of Education’s main office, situated at Brickdam.

Dr. Roopnaraine boldly indicated that Guyana does not have sufficient trained and motivated social workers, hence the upsurge in school dropouts across the country.

A recent study done by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), reported that alcohol, drug abuse,

early and/or unprotected sex, low academic performance, crime, school desertion, delinquency and violence are all “risky behaviours” that gradually pull in the direction of school dropouts.

“Children are going through stages in their development and the movement from one stage from the next can be traumatic, physiological, psychological, dislocations and interruptions that need to be dealt with professionally and that is counselling,” proclaimed Dr. Roopnaraine.

Guyana compared to other countries, preferably the United States of America and its nearby counterparts, has failed to build a foundation of social intervention in its schools. With this in mind, Dr. Roopnaraine stressed that counselling is a vital area in

the staffing of schools to garner and mend the difficulties faced by students.

“A troubled child needs somebody who is trained to deal with him. I want to see much more training of our counsellors and much wider distributions of counsellors,” said the minister in his final delivery of the situation.

Although the IDB has recorded a worrying 20% higher school dropout rate than other countries in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Region, Guyana on the other hand is on the road to improvement as far as school dropouts are concerned.

The Ministry of Education is nevertheless pleased with the consistent decline in the number of students dropping out and is working on the implementation of counsellors in schools across Guyana.

Abolishing corporal punishment in schools on Education Minister's agenda NEWLY-appointed Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has declared that the abolition of corporal punishment in the nation’s schools is high on his agenda.

“The environment cannot be a learning one if the problem of corporal punishment persists,” asserted Dr. Roopnaraine in a recent interview. Corporal punishment,the minister posit-

ed,serves only as a demonstration of psychological scarring; additionally, he asserted that it is time classrooms are transformed into ideal places of learning.

Further, the minister revealed that he intends to do whatever he could to adjust the relevant legislation and will, with every fibre of his being,strive to eradicate this problem from schools.

The Ministry of Educa-

tion in 2007 had conducted a survey on the use of corporal punishment in schools.

The survey revealed that 53% of schools use corporal punishment as a means of maintaining discipline.

Article 37 under the Rights of Children (ROC) in Guyana dictates that “No child should be subject to torture or other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Albouystown resident Remanded for discharging remanded on capital charge loaded firearm T H I R T Y- t w o – y e a r old Steve Allicock of Albouystown was on Friday remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for the 2009 murder of Wendell Tappin, 23, of 88 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which read that on December 31, 2009 at Albouystown, he murdered Wendell Tappin. Allicock appeared in Court One and sat quietly as the charge was read to him.

The matter was transferred before Magistrate Ann McLennan for commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on June 17.

According to reports,on December 31, 2009 about

Murder accused, Steve Allicock

The deceased, Wendell Tappin

16:00hrs at Hill Street, Albouystown, Tappin was involved in an argument over a cellphone with another man who inflicted stab wounds to his chest and escaped. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Allicock’s father, Leon-

ardo Allicock, and his uncle Randolph Allicock, were also charged with Tappin’s murder. However, Leonardo Allicock was freed from the murder charge before Justice Diana Insanally on September 16, 2014, after a mixed jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

THE alleged armed bandit who attempted to rob a Brazilian national, but was disarmed and later arrested by the police, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on Friday.

Dellon Emanuel, 21, of Alberttown pleaded not guilty to three charges, one of which said that on May 27 at Light Street, Bourda, he discharged a loaded firearm at Hilton Carlos Souza, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Particulars of the second charge alleged that on the same day he was in possession of a 9mm Taurus pistol, when he was not a licensed firearm holder.

The third charge said on the same day, he also had in his possession five live matching rounds of ammunition.

According to the prosecution, the Brazilian national was a guest at Rockie’s when Emanuel proceeded to the victim’s room and knocked on his door.

Subsequently, an argument ensued between the two parties and Emanuel allegedly whipped out a gun

and pointed it to Souza; Emanuel pulled the trigger, but the bullet missed Souza,who managed to disarm his assailant. Souza subsequently summoned the police.

Bail was denied for the unrepresented man after the prosecution objected on the basis that a firearm was used in the commission of the offence. Bail was further objected to on the ground that no special reason was given by the defence for bail to be granted.

Bail was refused on all three charges and Emanuel was remanded to prison until June 15.

Farmer accused of stealing goats VIJAY Singh of Lot 209 Martyrsville, East Coast Demerara, accused of stealing two goats was on Friday released on $20,000 bail

by Chief Magistrate Priya

Sewnarine-Beharry after answering to two counts of simple larceny.

Singh denied the charge that said between November 1, 2014 and May 27 2015, at

Alleged goat thief, Vijay Singh

Monday, June 1, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Tuesday, June 2, 2015 - 05:00 hrs Wednesday, June 3, 2015 - 05:00 hrs

Number 7 Village West Coast Berbice, he stole one goat worth $80,000, property of Kalandar Pooran.

The farmer also denied that between January 1 and May 27, 2015 at Berbice, he stole another goat valued at $45,000, property of Lloyd Sahadeo.

According to the prosecution, the animals were recovered and identified by the owners through a mark on the horns. The unrepresented man was granted $10,000 bail on each count and the matter was transferred to theFort Wellington Magistrates’ Court for June 8.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Equality News celebrates 34th anniversary

– to begin publishing in Trinidad and Guyana in near future

By Shirley Thomas THE Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Equality News, Canada’s largest multi-cultural weekly newspaper, is Guyanese Bhaskar Sharma. On the occasion of his newspaper’s 34th anniversary, he has announced plans to establish an arm of this publication in Trinidad, while also unveiling plans to establish a presence in Guyana in the near future.

Equality News was established on May 30th 1981, and thus celebrated its 34th anniversary on Saturday.

Hours ahead of that signature occasion, Mr. Sharma and his Managing Editor for the Caribbean, Mr. Leon Saul, who has always been supportive of the establishment and enhancement of this newspaper, paid a visit to the Guyana Chronicle, where they met and held brief discussions with Managing Director Mr. Michael Gordon and Editor-in-Chief Mr Mark Ramotar.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Mr. Sharma said: “I think it’s a proud moment, not only for us but for our readers, over the years, and (for our) advertisers and Heads of State.” He said many regional governments of the past and present, including those of Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica and even Canada and the United States, have all -- at some stage -- had some interaction with Equality News.

Stating that, as publisher, he has been invited to start a publication of the Equality News in Trinidad and Tobago, Sharma said all systems are in place for launching of the publication on June 15.

It will be a weekly 36page tabloid which will make for sound reading. What is unique about the paper, Sharma said, is that it will also be put on site, so that if one goes to www.EqualityNews. ca they can see the entire publication there.

The publisher said he believes one reason why Hon. Prime Minister Kamla Persaud-Bissessar is interested in having the publication in Trinidad and Tobago is because she knows the value and strengths of the diaspora, or her diaspora in particular.

Reaching out to them, he said, would encourage their bringing business in the areas of tourism and other lucrative

Mayor Hamilton Green is flanked by Ras Leon Saul and Mr. Bhaskar Sharma at the Guyana Chronicle

Mr. Bhaskar Sharma, publisher of the Equality newspaper, and Managing Editor Ras Leon Saul point to a photo in their publication where Sharma is seen congratulating President Granger on his accession to the presidency

ventures.

Sharma also told of having clinched a deal where the Bhaskar Dainic (Daily Sun), which has an average daily circulation of approximately 10 million copies in India.

That publication, he said, will be advertising the Equality’s news site; and, in return, the Equality will advertise in the Bhaskar Dainic.

Managing Editor for the

Caribbean (Equality), Ras Leon Saul, noted that Equality News has been a pioneer in promoting Guyana’s tourism in North America as long ago as in the 1980s.

Saul, whose involvement with Equality News dates back to 1989, declared: “That’s what started me in my career upward in terms of media in Canada. I have been associated with Equal-

ity News since 1989. I am still associated with it; and now we’re going to work towards establishing its profile in Guyana, Suriname and the wider Caribbean.”

Taking pride in Equality News’ progress and impact over the last 34 years, Saul recalled that initially he worked with Canada’s Contrast newspaper, before taking up appointment with

Equality. He said he has since had no regrets.

He noted that Equality has, thus far, been very successful, in that it has carried advertisements for a Caribbean Airlines’ tourist board, Les Jet, a Canadian outfit, and Fly Jamaica. Having done a study, those advertisers had determined that they could reach the diaspora while piggy-backing on the exposure of Equality News.

Saul expressed the view that, because of the nature of the publication, it is sorely needed at this juncture of Guyana’s history. “Equality!

The name says it for itself.

It’s a balance, and that’s what the motto of this newspaper is: Maintaining the perfect balance.”

Additionally, he said, Equality affords opportunity for ordinary people to express their views, and for people in power to also get their thoughts over to the masses.

“It’s about bridging cultures and establishing better relationships among ethnicities.

That is what has happened in Canada, and that is what we hope to do right here, in Guyana and the Caribbean,” Saul outlined.

Substantiating his claim to be promoting Guyana overseas, Mr. Sharma said Equality newspaper, which also owns the ‘Equality Travels’ and is part of the Equality Group, has developed six tourism videos on Guyana with ‘Discover our World’ as the theme.

Managing Editor for the Caribbean (Equality), Mr. Leon Saul, noted that Equality News has been a pioneer in promoting Guyana’s tourism in North America since way back in the 1980s. He took pride in the progress and impact Equality has had over the last 34 years, and reiterated that he has not regretted his decision to work with Equality.

Saul said the platform this collaboration affords Guyana at this time is solely needed the platform of equality.

Saul also functions as a script writer on several of Mr. Bhaskar Sharma’s tourism videos. He comes from a background of journalism, and, several years ago, worked as a reporter with the Guyana Chronicle before migrating to Canada. But he credits ‘Equality’ with making him who he is.

“Because of the influence

of Equality, I spun off and published my own newspaper, ‘Uprising international’, for 17 years; and that was because of what I had learnt in terms of community publishing from Equality. When it comes to the media and journalism, Bhaskar and I have a vision that we can change the landscape of reportorial involvement in Guyana,” Saul said.

CULTURAL EXPLOSION Both Mr. Bhaskar Sharma and Ras Leon Saul are cultural activists. Mr. Sharma plays the harmonium and Saul plays the African Djembe drums. Saul is a playwright/ producer/director, and they work well together.

The publisher revealed having plans, as part of the Equality Group, to set up a multi-cultural orchestra by which the six races of Guyana would be able to express their music in different ways and styles. He added: “And we are hoping that the new president and the administration, in the interest of culture, can help us get started; because if it is done in Canada, it will be funded by the Canadian Government.”

Sharma said that on this short trip he is looking to determine whether he would get the needed help from Government to establish the orchestra, and he firmly believes that musicians can bring the people together better than any politician. He added: “Music reaches the soul, and it does not see the so-called colour and the demarcations on it.”

Mr. Sharma also boasts a wide collection of CD recordings, some being Guyanese-Indian music being played on All-India Radio.

“So that’s an achievement of which I am proud,” he declared, “being assured of a listenership of 10 million people.

“So we have reached somewhere, and Equality News has been telling a story of happenings at home and abroad; and we wish to continue to do that through my sons, who are taking over,” he said.

Sharma congratulated His Excellency President David Granger on his assumption to the highest office in the land, and Mayor Hamilton Green for being conferred with the Order of Roraima.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Argentine Embassy celebrates 205th Anniversary of 1810

By Alex Wayne

CLINKING champagne glasses, merry laughter, dazzling glitz and glamour were the order of the evening when on Friday last the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic in Guyana celebrated their 205th Anniversary of the May 1810 Revolution at the new Marriot International Hotel.

The Ando Baramba Room was abuzz with lively conversation as the elite guests enjoyed Argentine grapes and berries, various select wines and the succulent snacks that were prepared in their honour.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Guyana, Luis Martino said that it was a great honour for himself and embassy to be hosting the event, marking the beginning of a long road in the country’s struggle for national independence which came with the declaration in July 1816.

He added that it was

a coincidence of events that Argentina has been the last foreign mission to open an embassy in Guyana in 2011, and being the first to have the enormous privilege to welcome the newly- elected of this country at an official national celebration.

He said that their President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has congratulated the new President, His Excellency David Granger on his attaining office.

Ambassador Martino was keen to acknowledge the essential role Guyana has in acting as link between the Caribbean and South American Regions. He added that Guyana plays a fundamental role as a bridge in the integration process, for paving a path in regional integration through CARCIOM and UNASUR. Mr Martino added that the Argentine Government’s recent offer to CARICOM to open a regional office in the country’s capital, Buenos Aires, through the organisation’s secretariat in Guyana is a forum that dictates a continued effort in achieving greater regional cooperation.

Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge and Ambassador of the Argentine Republic Luis Martino toast to better relations between their two countries Diaspora to actively pursue

He acknowledged the support Guyana has given Argentina in relation to his country’s sovereign claim over the Islas Malvinas, and expressed his gratitude at the gesture He further emphasised Argentina’s “firm intention” to start a new phase

of bilateral cooperation between Guyana and the southern nation, citing that his country is eagerly looking to become involved with all Government agencies as well as Guyana’s private sector. He identified areas for strong bilateral integration in the agriculture,

The guests as they enjoyed the festive atmosphere at the recent 205th Independence celebrations

Argentine

health, sports and cultural sectors among others.

TANGO DANCERS Speaking on the issue of culture, Ambassador Martino announced that his country will be sending a team of tango dancers to tour Guyana, with a feature production at the National Cultural Centre on June 07, 2015, and declared that admission will be free.

The Argentine official reiterated that this move is a step towards achieving closer bilateral ties between his country and Guyana.

Representing the Guyana Government was newly-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, who expressed his excitement at the introduction of the Tango team to this country.

He congratulated Argentina on attaining their prestigious milestone in their history, adding that the country remains one of Guyana’s major friends in the South Americas. He also reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to working closely with all sectors of society, and the

attractive foreign investment for the country.

Mr Greenidge noted that improving the participation of regional bodies like UNASUR and CARICOM, is the intention of the new Government to make way for avenues for national and international partnership to achieve political, economic and social objectives. He noted that Guyana also seeks to strengthen relations with its traditional partners to build new and beneficial relationships.

In joining in the celebration of Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary, the Argentine Embassy will be bringing a group of distinguished tango musical performers from Argentina to perform. The group will tour Guyana for one week, and comprises three very talented guitarists from Buenos Aires, accompanied by a fine pair of tango dancers. Their feature concert will be staged at the National Cultural Centre on June 07, 2015 from 20:00hrs. The event is sponsored by the Government of Argentina.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Torrential rains flood...

From page 2

The Hydrometeorological Department predicts that today, cloudy to overcast skies are expected over all regions, while moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms can also be expected over Regions 1 (Barima-Waini) to 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) and some parts of Region 8 (Potaro-Siparuni).

Northern Guyana, including Georgetown and East Coast Demerara, can expect between 20mm to 60 mm of rainfall. All other locations can expect frequent light rain. Tuesday through Thursday, rainfall is expected to reach 20 to 50mm.

A close-up of one of the pumps in full operation

Police ranks monitoring traffic on part of the four-lane East Coast Carriageway

The state of the Chronicle compound early yesterday

A driver ‘boating’ his way through the flood waters on Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, just outside the Guyana Chronicle yesterday morning

At yesterday’s meeting, headed by Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr David Patterson and Minister of Agriculture, Mr Noel Holder, with key stakeholders from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC); the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA); and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Work Services Group (WSG) and Force Account Unit (FAU) to strategise options in an effort to remedy the situation Turn to page 14 ►

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APGI honours Guyana’s first president, Arthur Chung MEMBERS of the U.S. chapter of the Association of the Presidential Guard and Immigration Services (APGI) on Thursday held a wreath-laying ceremony for Guyana’s first president, Mr Arthur Chung, at the Place of the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens.

President of the APGI, Mr Errol Lewis, pointed out that the Association has embarked on a mission to honour and pay homage to a former president as part of an annual event.

Meanwhile, Organising Manager of the APGI, Bonita Montaque, revealed that the Association plans to honour former executive president, Mr. LFS Burnham next year on its second tribute anniversary, since he was one of the faces behind Guyana’s Independence.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Torrential rains flood...

From page 13

Boys will be boys. These two youngsters were in their element yesterday as they enjoyed the rain, flood and all, on Lamaha Street

Even President Granger’s humble abode on D’Urban Backlands was not spared the inundation

APGI President, Mr Errol Lewis, and its Organising Manager, Ms Bonita Montaque paying tribute to Guyana’s first president (Photos by Delano Williams)

APGI members at Thursday’s wreath-laying ceremony for Guyana’s first president, Mr Arthur Chung

An elderly man tries to make the best of an already bad situation as he sits on an abandoned stall on Regent Street, near Bourda Market, contemplating his next move (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Notable Dates

WELTERWEIGHT Ivelaw Stephenson started out in professional boxing on June 1, 1951. Stephenson TKOed Cleveland Bagott in the fourth round of a six-round fight.

Stephenson won two other fights before meeting Sugar Boy Nando at the Swingsters Square Garden in Aruba.

Nando, who hailed from the Dominican Republic, won the 10-rounder by points. Stephenson soon after travelled to Brazil to tackle Fernando Baretto but was TKOed in round five. His next two fights were in Chile ending with a draw and a win respectively.

Stephenson became the welterweight champion of British Guiana when he won against Cyclone Kid on June 16, 1961. The Kid was disqualified in the seventh round of the scheduled 15-rounder to had Stephenson the vacant title.

In August 1965 he lost a title match to Lennox Beckles and his last fight was in November of the following year against Tony Gray in Trinidad and Tobago.

SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Flamingo Park 08:20 hrs Sartorius 08:50 hrs Tudor Star 09:25 hrs Latino’s Jet 10:00 hrs Wendy Mae 10:30 hrs Boston Legal ENGLISH RACING TIPS Lingfield 09:00 hrs Paint The Star 09:35 hrs Cyflymder 10:05 hrs The Reel Way 10:35 hrs Lajjah 11:10 hrs Jersey Cream 11:40 hrs May Queen 12:10 hrs Kerrymerry 12:40 hrs Rustique LEICESTER 09:15 hrs Palawan 09:50 hrs Amber Crystal 10:20 hrs Light Ans Shade 10:50 hrs Risen Sun 11:25 hrs Outlaw Torn 11:55 hrs Kakapuka 12:25 hrs Quick Defence 13:00 hrs Bonjour Steve WINDSOR 12:55 hrs Besharah 13:25 hrs Atletico 13:55 hrs Divine Law 14:25 hrs Naadirr 14:55 hrs Boy In The Bar 15:25 hrs Twirtch 15:55 hrs Curbyouren thusiasm IRISH RACING TIPS Naas 09:05 hrs Mulkeyya 09:40 hrs Father Frost 10:10 hrs Trinity Force 10:40 hrs Argentero 11:15 hrs Great Page 11:45 hrs Toscanini 12:15 hrs Sacrificial AMERICAN RACING TIPS Parx Racing Race 1 Miss Celeb Race 2 Sunny Mills Race 3 Chief Energy Race 4 Smart and Sensible Race 5 Old Fashioned Song Race 6 Performance Bonus Race 7 Talent Seeker Race 8 Bond Vigilante Race 9 Sacred Ground

21

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Tsonga lights up Paris to reach GCC Ladies hockey last eight, Cornet out Frenchman team continue to excite at T&T’s women’s downs Berdych in four sets

By Martyn Herman

PARIS, (Reuters) - Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga illuminated a grey day in Paris with a thrilling win over Tomas Berdych to reach the French Open tennis quarter-finals yesterday but Maria’s Sharapova’s title defence was put on hold by the rain.

Roger Federer, the 2009 men’s champion, was another player kept waiting by the weather and although the Swiss did get on court, he walked off in the gathering gloom unsure about his last eight prospects, locked at one-set all with Gael Monfils.

After home favourite Alize Cornet’s run petered out in a bitter 6-2 7-6(9) defeat by Ukraine’s 19th seed Elina Svitolina in a match held up for three hours by the rain, home eyes turned to Tsonga on Court Philippe Chatrier.

All seemed to be going well when the local favourite led by two sets against bad-tempered Czech fourth seed Berdych, who seemed unhappy to be playing in on-and-off drizzle, but when he served for the match at 5-4 in the third the dampness seemed to get into his circuitry and he fluffed his chance.

Berdych pounced to take the third set on a tiebreak and, as French cheers from fans huddled under colourful umbrellas in the stands turned to near silence, the Czech moved a break ahead in the fourth and looked favourite to go on and win.

Out of nowhere, however, the spring returned to Tsonga’s step and with an onslaught of heavy hitting he reeled off five games in a row to win 6-3 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3.

The injury-plagued Tsonga sealed victory when Berdych wafted a backhand long and the Frenchman danced

for joy before conducting the crowd’s “Oles” with his towel.

It was only the third time in nine meetings that 30-year-old Tsonga, seeded 14, had beaten Berdych and his reward is a quarter-final against Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

Title tip Nishikori had not struck a ball in anger since his second-round

JO-WILFRIED TSONGA win over Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci on Wednesday after his third-round opponent Benjamin Becker of Germany pulled out with an injury.

If there was any rust, however, he soon shook it off to outclass Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3 6-4 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time.

He also became the first Japanese man to get this far at the French Open for more than 80 years and he sounded like he had no intention of stopping yet.

“I think quarter-final that’s the first goal for this week,” the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up said. “I hope it’s just the start of my journey, and I hope I can keep going.”

Notable Dates MICHAEL Benjamin suffered his third consecutive stoppage when South African David Potsane won by TKO in the fifth round.

The fight was staged at the DLI Hall in Durban, South Africa on June 1, 1994. In his previous fight Benjamin was Knocked Out by Pascal David in round nine.

That contest was held on October 1, 1993 at the National Sports Hall and had the Guyana welterweight title at stake.

Prior to fighting David, Benjamin had travelled to Cardiff, Wales to challenge Irishman Eamonn Loughran for the Commonwealth welterweight title.

The Irishman Knocked Out the Guyanese in the sixth round.

After losing to Potsane, the stocky Benjamin took a three year hiatus from the sport and returned with a bang in February 1997 with a third round Knock Out of Mexican Armando Ramos.

Benjamin became a pro in August 1986 and rallied to 8-0 before meeting American Victorio Belcher in Canada on August 1, 1987.

Referee Harry Davis stopped the fight at two minutes and 31 seconds of the fifth round to save the Guyanese fur-

Eighth seed Stan Wawrinka made up for lost time as he blew away Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-1 6-4 6-2 to set up a last eight encounter with either fellow Swiss Federer or Monfils.

MATCHES POSTPONED Two of the scheduled women’s fourth-round matches were postponed -- Sharapova’s clash against Czech 13th seed Lucie Safarova and Italian Flavia Pennetta’s meeting with Spain’s Garbine Muguruza.

Those matches will be wedged into today’s schedule when better weather is expected in the French capital.

French number one Cornet’s first appearance in the last 16 of her home grand slam got off to a terrible start as she went 5-0 down to Svitolina in the first set before the rain arrived.

She fought tooth and nail after that but her 20-year-old opponent was too far ahead. Although Cornet saved five match points and dragged the second set into a tiebreak, she was unable to continue her quest.

The home hope was left seething after a tight call went against her on break point down at 5-5 in the second set -- the umpire climbing off the chair to confirm Svitolina’s claim that Cornet’s shot had landed fractions long.

“It’s a scandal,” Cornet told a news conference. “It’s shameful. I don’t know how she could look me straight in the eye and tell me the ball was out.”

Svitolina will next face former champion and world number one Ana Ivanovic after the Serbian seventh seed beat Russian Ekaterina Makarova 7-5 3-6 6-1.

Ivanovic will be appearing in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time since winning the title in 2008.

ther punishment. Later on Benjamin won two epic battles with Raul Frank and decisioned former world champion Saoul Mamby.

Benjamin, who will turn 50 next March is one of Guyana’s leading sports journalists.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday June 01, 2015)

COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) &AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to Thursday’s quiz:

13 Tests Alf Valentine (WI vs ENG, Old Trafford, 1950)

Today’s Quiz:

Which two of the following never made a Test match hundred?

Bernard Julien, Deryck Murray, Keith Boyce, David Holford, Junior Murray How many Test centuries Sir Gary Sobers made?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

national hockey league

––With 2-2 draw against Malvern HC ENTERING their second match of the day on Saturday last against Malvern Hockey Club, GCC must have been feeling confident of their chances as they held the highly rated Malvern Hockey Club to a 2-2 draw after defeating Checkers HC 2-0 earlier on Saturday and had already secured a 1-0 win against Malvern two weeks ago in their first round clash.

No sooner had the match started that GCC seemed destined for another victory as they made several forays into the deep defence of Malvern.

Striker Kerensa Fernandes was able to break free from her marker and feed several passes across the face of the Malvern goal but the Guyanese failed to secure the opening goal despite the early pressure.

After a solid start, GCC finally made the inevitable breakthrough in the 18th minute when a penalty corner strike from Fernandes was saved by the Malvern goalkeeper before Gabriella Xavier swept the rebound into the net.

GCC continued to enjoy the majority of possession but national T&T striker Kreszia Layne made a few promising runs for Malvern which were stifled by solid defending from Tiffany Solomon and Ulrica Sutherland. GCC seemed to secure the match through a brilliant solo run from Captain Sonia Jardine six minutes before the half as she weaved past several Malvern defenders and hammered home her shot for the 2-0 lead.

Overconfidence seemed to have crept into the GCC psyche as they continued to enjoy the greater possession.

Malvern, however, refused to accept defeat without a fight and gave a more competitive effort in the second half.

With GCC continuing to play aggressive hockey, Malvern adopted the strategy of pushing their strikers high up into the GCC scoring area and targeting them with long passes hoping to create one on one opportunities.

This ploy worked as Kreszia Layne managed a series of penalty corners with Layne’s resulting shot in one of them deflected off the stick of defender Sutherland into the GCC net. With the clock winding down, Layne received a pass on the high on the right wing with eight minute left on the clock.

The skilful striker managed to evade her marker and take a cracking shot at goal.

GCC goalkeeper Briawna Gordon was perfectly placed to block the shot but the rebound fell kindly for Layne who slammed home the rebound.

With the game being even once again, GCC scrambled for a third goal but Malvern held firm to leave the final score at a 2-2 draw.

GCC were due to play their final match of the tournament against Ventures Hockey Club yesterday morning.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Watling hits century as New Zealand turn screw on England ...New Zealand lead by 338 runs

By Ed Osmond LEEDS, England, (Reuters) - BJ Watling scored a fine century as New Zealand dominated the final session with steely resolve to reach 338 for six on the third day of the second test against England yesterday.

Watling and Brendon McCullum added 121 runs against a toothless England attack to help New Zealand

move 338 ahead with two days of a fluctuating match left, well placed to level the two-Test series at 1-1.

England had resumed in the morning on 253 for five in overcast conditions at Headingley and New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee claimed three early wickets to reduce the hosts to 267 for eight.

Ian Bell, on 12, edged a wide ball to Mark Craig

at second slip, Jos Buttler nicked a full delivery to Ross Taylor at first slip to depart for 10 and Moeen Ali made one before being smartly taken at third slip

by Martin Guptill.

New Zealand were eyeing a healthy first-innings lead but Stuart Broad and Mark Wood had other ideas and the pair added 51 for the ninth wicket from 49 balls.

Off-spinner Craig had

New Zealand’s BJ Watling leaves the field at the end of the day’s play after scoring an unbeaten a century. (Action Images via Reuters / Philip Brown

Wood caught by wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi for 19 but Broad put on 32 for the last wicket with James Anderson before being bowled for 46.

England were all out for 350, only the eighth time in Test history that both teams made the same total in their first innings.

Broad continued to shine after lunch with the ball.

Tom Latham edged him to wicketkeeper Buttler for three and Kane Williamson fell in identical fashion for six to leave New Zealand tottering on 23 for two.

But Guptill and Taylor, dropped on six by Gary Ballance at slip, raced to a fifty partnership off 28 balls.

Guptill lifted Moeen straight for six to reach his half-century but the stand was broken at 99, Taylor driving Wood to Ben Stokes at cover to fall for 48.

Guptill’s fine knock ended on 70 when he edged Wood to Joe Root at third slip but McCullum and Watling showed fierce determination in a patient fifth-wicket partnership.

McCullum went past 6,000 Test runs, the second New Zealander after Stephen Fleming to achieve the feat, before Wood

trapped him lbw for 55.

Ronchi, after making a rapid 31, was caught by Buttler off Anderson but Watling completed a deserved century, his fifth in tests which included a six and 13 fours.

He will resume on 100 not out in the morning with Craig on 15 and New Zealand will attempt to bat England out of the game.

England won the first Test at Lord’s by 124 runs.

SCOREBOARD NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 350 (L. Ronchi 88, T. Latham 84; S. Broad 5-109) England 1st innings (Overnight: 253-5) A. Lyth run out (Boult, Ronchi) 107 A. Cook lbw b Craig 75 G. Ballance b Boult 29 I. Bell c Craig b Southee 12 J. Root c Ronchi b Southee 1 B. Stokes c Craig b Boult 6 J. Buttler c Taylor b Southee 10 M. Ali c Guptill b Southee 1 S. Broad b Henry 46 M. Wood c Ronchi b Craig 19 J. Anderson not out 10 Extras (b-19 lb-5 nb-5 w-5) 34 Total (all out, 108.2 overs) 350 Fall of wickets: 1-177 A. Cook,2-215 A. Lyth,3-238 G. Ballance,4-239 J. Root,5-247 B. Stokes,6-257 I. Bell,7-266 J. Buttler,8-267 M. Ali,9-318 M. Wood,10-350 S. Broad Bowling: T. Boult 30 - 7 - 98 - 2(nb-1 w-1, T. Southee 30 - 5 - 83 - 4(w-2) M. Henry 20.2 - 4 - 92 - 1(w-2),M. Craig 26 - 12 - 48 – 2, K. Williamson 2 - 1 - 5 - 0 NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings T. Latham c Buttler b Broad 3 M. Guptill c Root b Wood 70 K. Williamson c Buttler b Broad 6 R. Taylor c Stokes b Wood 48 B. McCullum lbw b Wood 55 B. Watling not out 100 L. Ronchi c Buttler b Anderson 31 M. Craig not out 15 Extras (b-4 lb-6) 10 Total (for 6 wickets, 75 overs) 338 Fall of wickets: 1-15 T. Latham,2-23 K. Williamson,3-122 R. Taylor,4-141 M. Guptill,5-262 B. McCullum,6-315 L. Ronchi To bat: T. Southee, M. Henry, T. Boult Bowling: J. Anderson 16 - 4 - 58 – 1, S. Broad 13 - 1 - 52 – 2, M. Wood 14 - 2 - 64 – 3, B. Stokes 12 - 1 - 61 – 0, M. Ali 15 - 0 - 70 – 0,J. Root 5 - 0 - 23 – 0.

Europe should weigh World Cup boycott to oust FIFA’s Blatter, UK says

By Andrew Osborn and Alice Baghdjian LONDON/ZURICH, (Reuters)-Britain said Europe should consider boycotting future World Cups if Sepp Blatter doesn’t quit as head of football’s governing body over a corruption scandal, while Swiss authorities denied they would soon question the newly re-elected FIFA president.

The Swiss-born FIFA chief complained on Sunday he had been shown “zero respect” in recent days, revealing how he had rejected advice from one of his main critics, the head of the European governing body, to quit at last week’s FIFA congress.

John Whittingdale, the British government minister with overall responsibility for sport, renewed calls for Blatter to step aside yesterday, saying all options should be considered when it came to pressuring him to resign, including boycotting the World Cup - something that could split the sport and be calamitous for the tournament.

Blatter, 79, won a vote on Friday to serve a fifth term as FIFA president even though the U.S. Department of Justice has charged nine football officials with corruption and Swiss authorities are conducting their own criminal investigation.

He has played down the impact of the scandal on one of the world’s most powerful sports bodies, which takes in billions of dollars in revenue from TV marketing rights and sponsorships.

Blatter is not accused of any wrongdoing personally and has implied that the United States timed news of the charges to try to scupper his re-election.

Asked how he had coped with the criticism in the past few days, he told the Swiss newspaper Sonntagsblick: “Let me put it this

way: I’ve been shown zero respect.”

Blatter’s future could yet depend on the reaction of FIFA’s major sponsors and stakeholders such as Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, who have been dismayed by the arrests and U.S. prosecutors announcing indictments of officials and companies.

Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper reported Swiss prosecutors would question Blatter, who has led FIFA for nearly 20 years, as part of a criminal investigation into votes to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

A spokesman for Switzerland’s attorney general dismissed the possibility of immediately calling in Blatter as “nonsense”.

“The president of FIFA will not be questioned at this point in time,” the spokesman told Reuters. However, he added: “If need be, he will be questioned in the future.”

Russia and Qatar deny wrongdoing in their bids.

“A GIGANTIC PARTY” The Sunday Times reported Blatter would be the last of 10 FIFA officials to be questioned. Michel Platini, the president of the European governing body UEFA, and Vitaly Mutko, the Russian sports minister, would also be interviewed, it said.

In the Swiss newspaper interview, Blatter described a meeting he had on Thursday with Platini, when the former French international star encouraged him to quit with a fanfare.

“He said in all seriousness: ‘Sepp, hold the congress and at the end say you’re stepping down. You’ll have a gigantic party thrown for you, and you can keep your office here at FIFA’,” Blatter said, adding that he had refused Platini’s invitation to have the con-

versation over a glass of whiskey.

Blatter comfortably won the FIFA vote with strong support from developing nations, which have received generous funding from FIFA to develop the sport under Blatter’s leadership.

Britain - which has been one of Blatter’s fiercest critics, especially since England lost a bid to host the 2018 World Cup - stepped up the pressure yesterday.

“Michel Platini has talked of European nations boycotting future World Cups if Blatter refuses to stand down. No options should be ruled out,” Whittingdale, who is Britain’s Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, wrote in the Sunday Times.

Member associations of UEFA will meet before the European Champions League final in Berlin on Saturday to discuss its next step.

Before Blatter’s re-election, Platini said they would be “open to all options”.

But asked about a boycott, he said on Thursday: “I honestly don’t wish that.”

In any case, achieving consensus at UEFA may be hard; French media reported that the president of the country’s federation, Noel Le Grat, voted for Blatter.

Seven senior football officials were arrested in a dawn raid before the FIFA congress in Zurich, and U.S. authorities have said altogether nine officials and five sports media and promotions executives have been charged in cases involving more than $150 million in bribes over a period of 24 years.

The indictment mentioned two payments cleared by Standard Chartered (STAN.L).

“We are looking into those payments and will not be commenting further at this time,” a spokesman for the London-based bank said.

Other banks named on the indictment, including Britain’s Barclays, are making

internal checks on their involvement and cooperating with the authorities, banking sources told Reuters.

Barclays declined comment.

A CLEAR NEW START British Prime Minister David Cameron and Greg Dyke, the chairman of England’s Football Association, have urged Blatter to quit. Prince William, who lobbied for Britain to host the 2018 tournament along with star player David Beckham, has also spoken of the need for FIFA to reform.

The government of Germany, the reigning world champions, also called for change. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper that football brought people around the world together. “That should be the real legacy of FIFA. I have serious doubts, whether FIFA is up to this great task without a clear new start,” he said.

Many football experts regard a European-led boycott as unrealistic proposition believing that if it went ahead it would be a disaster for a sport that has avoided the kind of splits which have weakened others. Boxing for instance is now governed by four world bodies.

Dyke said it would be “ridiculous” for England to boycott the next World Cup in 2018 in protest because it would not have an impact. “It’s got to be done by enough nations to have an impact, if it’s done,” Dyke told BBC TV’s Andrew Marr show, saying any kind of action needed to be with others.

Later he told BBC Radio that any boycott needed the support of “10 large countries” to have an impact, adding that the Dutch and Germans were also demanding change.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday June 1, 2015

Golden Jaguars skipper optimistic of success at World Cup qualifiers

By Rawle Toney HE’s said to be Guyana’s most successful captain at the World Cup qualifiers and once again, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz has handed the ‘Captain’s band’ to Christopher Ronald Nurse to lead Guyana against St Vincent and the Grenadines in their June 10 and 14 home and way matches for the 2018 Russia qualifiers.

The 31 year-old Nurse has written his name in the history books by being the only Guyana World Cup Captain to score a goal in a qualifier and is the only Captain with four qualifier wins.

In a change to previous qualification tournaments, CONCACAF decided that the first three rounds will be played as knockout rounds, with both the fourth round and the final round (referred to as ‘The Hexagonal’) played as group stages.

Of the team that played in the 2014 qualifier that reached the penultimate round, Nurse, Ricky Shakes, goalkeeper Derrick Carter, Vurlon Mills, Collin Nelson, Trayon Bobb, and Dwayne Jacobs are the only returning players with Shabazz crafting a younger side.

Former Fulham FC defender Matthew Briggs, Bolton Wanderers’ midfield maestro Neil Danns, Leicester FC’s Marcel Barrington and Real Monarchs’ Emery Welshman are among the 30 man squad in training and Nurse believes that though the team is lacking the experience as compared to the previous World Cup qualifier’s squad, they are talented bunch of players.

Speaking exclusively to Chronicle Sport recently, the Carolina Railhawks player reflected on the services of former Stoke City and Hull City defender Leon Cort and his brother Carl who played at English Premier

“We know that as a team, talent wise we can probably match any team in the Caribbean region but we just need to be discipline, to be organised and we need to play smart and execute our

Goalkeeper Matthew Allick and Neil Danns in training at the Guyana National Stadium (Samuel Maughn photo) League sides New Castle and Leicester along with Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard and Kayode McKinnon, but quickly pointed out that the team this time around is younger and filled with exciting players.

plan. Even though we lack the experience, the new guys that have came in bring a little bit more energy and it’s an exciting tournament for them as well; it’s something new for them as well, ”

Emrit warns Tridents against complacency

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Trinidadian all-rounder Rayad Emrit has cautioned Barbados Tridents against complacency, as they prepare to defend their title in this month’s Caribbean Premier League.

Tridents beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in a rain-affected final in St Kitts last year to win the 2014 edition.

And Emrit said even though Tridents had an excellent chance of retaining their title, he warned that other teams had strengthened significantly and winning again would be no formality.

“The team has gelled really well and the most important thing is that we have the core players who have played in the last two seasons,” Emrit said.

“It’s always good when you go into tournaments such as these – franchise cricket – where this is a team that already knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses and I think that’s what we have over a lot of other teams.

“I personally think we have, if not the best chance, one of the best chances of winning the tournament so I think we can repeat again.”

He cautioned: “But it’s easier said than done and we have to work hard. Obviously we are the champions and every team is going to come and play us as hard as they can, so we need to step up. We can’t do the same things we have been doing for the past two seasons because teams are going to work us out so we need to prepare well.”

Tridents will launch the defence of their title in the curtain-raising game of

the tournament, when they clash with Amazon Warriors at Kensington Oval on June 20.

They will also do battle with 2013 champions Jamaica Tallawahs, last year’s semi-finalists Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel and new-kids-onthe-block St Kitts and Nevis Patriots,

Barbados Tridents all-rounder Rayad Emrit. in the space of eight days at the Oval.

Despite the challenging nature of the team’s opening games, Emrit believes Tridents had the ability to cope, especially since gaining valuable experience at last year’s Champions Trophy in India.

“After playing our first game against Kings XI Punjab we knew we could have beaten them. In fact, the first two games we played we had it in our hands and we let it slip away,” explained Emrit, who captained the

side during the tournament.

“We came to realise we could compete with the best in the world and our eyes opened up. I think it was a good learning experience … and I think Tridents know now how good they really are.

“Take Jonathan Carter, for example, he scored a hundred and it is something he relishes, and I think he is going to be a very important player for us. I think Champions League was a real eye-opener and something great for Barbados Tridents.”

Emrit snatched 12 wickets during the last CPL campaign, and delivered telling performances in the last two preliminary games when Tridents crushed Tallawahs and Red Steel, to book a direct spot in the final.

He said he enjoyed the responsibility of big games, and was looking forward to similar experiences in the coming season.

“Whenever it comes to the big games, you know that you will be put in these positions of carrying the team especially in pressure situations,” he said.

“I’ve done it before so I’m used to it and CPL is one of the biggest tournaments in the world with a great atmosphere and I tend to thrive when it comes to the big games so it’s no pressure really.

“I really enjoy when I’m put in pressure situations and hopefully this season I can come out on top, if not all of the time most of the time.”

The final of the tournament is set for July 26 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nurse said.

Looking ahead to the St Vincent and the Grenadines clash, Nurse opined that “obviously we have to realise that it’s a home and away term now, so we have to be able to play smart in both games.

It’s not going to be gun-for-gun in each game, there’s going to be periods where we’ll have to play smart, especially if we have an away goal and we’re coming to the end of the game in St Vincent, you know that away goal is crucial, so as a team we’ll have to protect that goal” .

Guyana National Football Team has contested 28 World Cup qualifiers since 1976.

The National Team won its inaugural World Cup match 2-1 against Suriname at GCC Bourda, July 4, 1976 and defeated Grenada 5-2 at GCC in March of 1980 and 3-2 in the return fixture in April in St. George’s.

The next time Guyana tasted World Victory was 31 years later when the Christopher Nurse led Jaguars defeated Barbados 2 – 0 at the Providence National Stadium August, 2011.

Please find below Guyana’s Wo r l d C u p C a p t a i n s s i n c e 1 9 7 6 : Maurice Enmore 1976 – Santos Earl O’Neal 1980 – Thomas United Gordon Brathwaite 1984 – Western Tigers Deon Barnwell 1988 – Thomas United Andrew Grogan 1988 – Santos Ewart Grenville 1992 – Police Anthony Stanton 1996 – Western Tigers Shawn Beveney 2004 – Western Tigers Charles Pollard 2008 – Net Rockers Christopher Nurse 2011- Carolina Railhawks

Persaud shines again as Independence swim Meet continues EIGHT year- old Aleka Persaud yesterday continued her record breaking performance at the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Independence National Long Course Championships when the event continued at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC), Liliendaal.

Persaud swam to 47.56 seconds in the girls’ 8 and under 50m breaststroke which supersedes the currently standing 48.99 seconds record, that Persaud herself had set back in February at the GASA Mashramani meet. However, this new record remains unofficial until sanction by the GASA technical committee.

Meanwhile, the Silver Shark Swim Club swimmer also did well in her other event for the day, the 100m freestyle, where she superseded her personal best timings, setting the new time at 1:24.84s.

Persaud was among a number of swimmers, including Antonio Hussein, Leon Seaton and Amy Grant, who managed to produce new personal best timings in their events, while also winning gold in all their events.

Hussein swam 1:04.73s in the boys’ 13 – 13 100m freestyle, while in the 50m breaststroke the 37.22 seconds swim overtook his previous 40.28 seconds PB. Coming in second place in the event was Nathon Hackett who finished in 37.94 seconds.

Hussein also ended with a first place performance in the 100m butterfly where he clocked 1:14.50s, while Hackett took a first place in 100m breaststroke where he clocked 1:25.03s.

Grant, swimming in the girls 13 – 14 category outdid both her seed time and her competitors too in all three of the events she participated in for the day. The thirteen year old swam to a first place finish in the 400m freestyle (6:02.44s), the 100m butterfly (1:32.50s) and the 100m freestyle (1:12.37s).

In the boys’ 9 – 10 100m freestyle, Seaton ended the race in first place ahead of Dorado’s Noel Raekwon in a personal best time of 1:10.94s. Seaton also won gold in the 100m breaststroke (1:39.59s) and 50m breaststroke (44.35s).

Competition in the event continues tomorrow with sessions in the afternoon and in the morning.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Golden Jaguars skipper optimistic of success at World Cup qualifiers see story on page 23

Hinds wins Independence Three Stage Cycle Road Race

By Michael DaSilva TEAM Evolution’s Orville Hinds won the 33 rd edition of the National Sports Commission’s sponsored Independence Three Stage Cycle Road Race which concluded yesterday.

According to the race’s organisers, Hinds returned six hours 03.2 seconds in winning the annual event which was affected by early morning showers yesterday morning during the Kara Kara, Linden Highway to Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown stage of the event, a distance of 64.5 miles.

Hinds placed fourth in the first stage (46.6 miles) which started from outside the Corriverton Police Station and ended at the corners of Main and Alexander Streets, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

He then placed second in the second stage (60.4 miles ) which started at Rosignol Ferry Stelling and concluded on Carifesta Avenue in a bunch time of two hours, 18 minutes 51 seconds.

In yesterday’s final stage (64.5 miles) which wheeled off from Kara Kara Linden highway and concluded on Carifesta Avenue, Hinds

Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnarine (fourth from right), race organiser Hassan Mohamed (third from right) and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Conrade Plummer (sixth from right) strike a pose with the prize winners of the 33rd annual threestage cycle road race at the Carifesta Sports Complex yesterday. finished third.

The event should have concluded on Homestretch Avenue, but because of the heavy rains that caused flooding all over Georgetown, the organisers, during the third stage, after being notified that the Homestretch Avenue had been flooded, made a decision to have the race end on Carifesta Avenue.

Team Evolution’s Michael Anthony and Raul Leal occupied the second and third spots respectively,

while Continental Wheelers’ lone member Geron Williams placed fourth.

Alonzo Ambrose and Marlon `Fishy’ Williams occupied the fifth and sixth places, respectively.

Hinds’ overall time for the 171.4 miles event was six hours, 50 minutes 32 seconds, while Anthony returned six hours, 52 minutes 26 seconds.

Raul Leal registered Six hours, 02 minutes 31 seconds in placing third overall.

From the start of yes-

Second town-hall meeting set to coincide with opening Test

terday’s stage on the Linden Highway, the pack was tightly grouped but suddenly, Paul DeNobrega attacked and established a healthy lead.

He was subsequently wheeled in by the chasing pack and together the riders interchanged the lead. Before coming off the Linden Highway, DeNobrega again attacked the pack and established a lead, but once again he was wheeled in approaching the Linden/Soesdyke Highway entrance.

DAVE CAMERON

It was at Supply on the East Bank of Demerara that Jamal John the winner of the third stage along with Shaquille Agard and two other riders broke from the pack and was never caught.

In the end, Hinds was crowned overall champion in the all Guyanese riders affair.

Raphael Leung won the junior category ahead of John and Romelo Crawford respectively.

Leung’s overall time is six hours 58 minutes 49

seconds.

Eon `Dumb Boy’ Jackson won the veterans’ category in a time of six hours, 57 minutes five seconds. Second was Junior Niles and finishing third was Everal Mundy.

Anthony won four of the prime prizes that were up for grabs in the three stage event while Robin Persaud, Geron Williams, Andrew Hicks, Niles, Kravitz Jeffrey, Hinds and John won one each.

Ambrose, DeNobrega and Agard won two primes each.

ROSEAU, Dominica, (CMC) – The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will host its second town-hall meeting here today, as the country prepares to host the opening Test between West Indies and Australia starting Wednesday.

The event, set for Fort Young Hotel, follows the opening meeting staged in Barbados two weeks ago and will see WICB president Dave Cameron and vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan fielding questions and concerns from stakeholders here.

“We believe the public town-hall meeting is a great way to hear what people across the Caribbean have to say about the important issues facing their game,” Cameron said.

“It presents a great opportunity for our stakeholders to learn more about initiatives which the WICB is working on at this time.”

“We want to restore the public confidence in the WICB and we can only do this if we talk to our public – the fans, sponsors and our governments.”

The third town-hall meeting has been scheduled for Guyana on July 22 with another carded for Trinidad on July 24.

Cameron and Nanthan, the latter of whom hails from Dominica, were re-elected for second terms in March.

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MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015