2015 1 18 by Guyana Chronicle

SUNDAY No. 104073 SUNDAY JANUARY 18, 2015

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President visits flood hit Essequibo Coast

-assures residents that relief is in sight

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Diplomats must adhere to principle of noninterference

- CARICOM’s Council of Ministers Page

Secondary Education Improvement Project to begin this year

Region 2 Chairman Parmanand Persaud and President Donald Ramotar speaking with National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Head, Lionel Wordsworth and other officials at the Lima Outfall on the Essequibo Coast

-will put Guyana closer to attaining universal secondary education Page

PSC Chairman Suriname delegation 2 amazed by development hails 10 Guyana/Suriname taking place here trade conference - during visits to housing, tourism a ‘positive step’ and business Page

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-towards economic integration between the two nations

places in Guyana

Acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran (yellow T-shirt) viewing, with members of the Suriname Delegation, a ‘Young Professional House’ in Eccles New Scheme (Photo by Adrian Narine)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

From left: Surinamese Agriculture Minister policy adviser, Phillip Young; Harold Singh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority; President of Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), Ramesh Dookhoo; Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Lance Hinds; Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Ramesh Persaud; President of the Chamber of Commerce Industry Suriname, HenkNaarendorp; Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce Industry Suriname, AnilkumarPadarath; and vice-chairman of the PSC, Edward Boyer (Adrian Narine photo)

PSC Chairman hails Guyana/Suriname trade conference a ‘positive step’ -towards economic integration between the two nations CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), (Guyana), Ramesh Persaud has hailed the trade conference between representatives of the

Guyana/Suriname private sector as a “positive step” towards economic integration between the two nations. The two sides met on Friday at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Lilrndaal, East Coast Demerara to map out a strategy for forging of stronger economic and trade and trade relations between the two neighbouring countries through greater private sector collaboration. TEAM VISITING GUYANA TO FOSTER ECONOMIC A 40-member delegation from Suriname, led by their Trade Minister, Don Tosendjojo arrived in Guyana to embark on a ‘Trade Mission’ with the hope of building economic relations with Guyana, particularly through trade. According to the PSC’s Chairman, the initiative which is geared towards fostering interaction between players in the business sector will also

seek to provide a way for ideas to be shared and partnerships to be built. Persaud said the initiative has “proven to be a positive step” towards two CARICOM countries furthering the process of integration through the private sector. “It is also a good example of good economic diplomacy and building significant relationships among businesses across borders.” Sharing the same sentiments was President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Lance Hinds who underscored the need for continuous engagement which he noted plays an integral role in achieving the private sector’s objectives. C o n t i n u i n g collaboration, he stressed, is needed so as to ensure that as much as possible, there is business to business collaboration and arrangements and to improve the economic integration between the two countries. The idea of the ‘Trade

Mission’ was birthed out of Suriname at a forum where entrepreneur and businessmen were seeking to draft ideas to foster better economic relationships with Guyana. This was according to vice-president of the Suriname Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Anilkumar Padarath. He further disclosed that as a result of this, both Persaud and the President of Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), Ramesh Dookhoo agreed to take action and seek to foster better trade between the two nations. “Our business people were happy and they are hoping that something happen for them,” Padarath said on Friday at a joint press conference hosted by the two sides. The ‘Trade Mission’ continues today with a number of business oriented visits by delegations from both countries to various parts of the country including Georgetown and Linden.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Diplomats must adhere to principle of non-interference -CARICOM’s Council of Ministers

RESIDENT members of the diplomatic corps in Guyana, as well as in other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, must adhere to diplomatic proprieties. This was the consensus of the CARICOM’s Community Council of Ministers, which held its 35th meeting at the CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana on Friday. The Council also stressed the need for members of the diplomatic corps to ensure that there is noninterference in the domestic affairs of member states. These sentiments follow several tense incidents between with members of Guyana’s own diplomatic corps and the current administration. FEATS OF FOLLY The most recent such occurrence saw British High Commissioner, Mr. Andrew Ay r e , c o m m e n t i n g o n Guyana’s political status quo at a news conference where he made statements that drew the ire of the Government. Ayre’s comments were largely premised on the November 10 prorogation of

Parliament and the fact that it has continued to date.

British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre The British High Commissioner is of the

opinion that Guyana is in “clear breach” of Guyana’s Constitution and the Commonwealth Charter – the latter violation being grounds for possible sanctions against Guyana. Head of the Presidential S e c r e t a r i a t , D r. R o g e r Luncheon was the most recent critic of Ayre. During a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday, he said there seems to be something about Western foreign envoys who are about to depart this country that encourages them to comment on Government’s affairs or as he described it as “feats of folly.”. Referring to the soon to depart UK High Commissioner, the Cabinet Secretary noted that the official who has served for three years,

took the opportunity to be “unusually remembered” by Government, further describing him as “terribly dishonourable” for attempting to depict President Ramotar’s actions as a constitutional crime. He added that the High Commissioner also attempted to portray the prorogation action as one worthy of Commonwealth sanctions, and one that could result in the withdrawal of

developmental aid. It was further noted by Dr Luncheon that the UK High Commissioner, “sinisterly and conspiratorially” revealed the European U n i o n ’s a n d t h e U K ’s handiwork in the recent EU dishonouring of its agreement with the Guyana Government on budgetary support. “His attempts to damage Guyana’s credibility and its economic prospects are considered by cabinet to

be unpardonable,” the HPS stressed. It was pointed out by the Cabinet Secretary, that since such concerns are usually shared bi-laterally, the High Commissioner’s actions needed to be condemned as they are, “unacceptable in the realm of international diplomacy as any concerns of the UK Government can and ought to be continued to be shared conventionally.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Fighting rages anew at Ukraine airport, three soldiers killed

France’s Hollande defends freedom of speech after anti-Hebdo clashes abroad (REUTERS) - FRENCH President Francois Hollande said on Saturday that anti-Charlie Hebdo protesters in other countries do not understand France’s attachment to freedom of speech. He was speaking a day after the satirical weekly’s publication of a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad sparked violent clashes, including deaths, in some Muslim countries. Demand has surged for Charlie Hebdo’s first issue since two militant gunmen burst into its weekly editorial conference and shot dead 12 people at the start of three days of violence that

shocked France. A cartoon image of Mohammad on its front page outraged many in the Muslim world, triggering demonstrations that turned violent in Algeria, Niger and Pakistan on Friday. “We’ve supported these countries in the fight against terrorism,” Hollande said during a visit to the southern city of Tulle, traditionally his political fiefdom. “I still want to express my solidarity (towards them), but at the same time France has principles and values, in particular freedom of expression.” The shootings in Paris were prompted by Charlie Hebdo’s previous publication

New volunteers for the Ukrainian Interior Ministry’s Azov battalion line up before they depart to the frontlines in eastern Ukraine, in central Kiev January 17, 2015. Credit: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich (REUTERS) - FIGHTING raged on Saturday at the main airport of Ukraine’s city of Donetsk as separatists resumed attempts to break the tenuous grip of government forces on the complex and Kiev’s military said three more Ukrainian soldiers had

A man (2nd L) holds a sign reading “Charlie and his allies are damned” during a protest against Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou’s attendance last week at a Paris rally in support of French More...Credit: REUTERS/Tagaza Djibo

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been killed. With attempts to restart peace talks stalled, pro-Russian rebels have stepped up shelling attacks to break the resistance of government troops dug in at the airport, itself a wrecked hulk battered by months of war. Though its runways are cratered and it has long ceased to function, the airport has symbolic value for both sides and has become the main flashpoint in the fight-

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ing as prospects for fresh peace talks have dimmed. A planned meeting of representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and separatist leaders on the Ukraine crisis failed to materialize in the Belarussian capital Minsk on Friday. A meeting of the socalled ‘contact group’ is seen as vital for getting the warring parties to observe a real ceasefire.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Brazil ‘outraged’ by Indonesia drug trafficking execution

(BBC NEWS) BRAZIL says it is “outraged” by the execution of one its citizens in Indonesia for drug trafficking. Marco Archer Cardoso Moreira, 53, was arrested in 2003 after police at Jakarta airport found 13.4 kg of cocaine hidden in his hang glider. Brazil says he was the first Brazilian national to be executed abroad and has warned it will damage relations. Five other convicts, from Indonesia, Malawi, Nigeria, Vietnam and the Netherlands, were executed on Sunday. Convicted of drugs charges, they faced a firing squad in Central Java

Anand Ramlogan (TRINIDAD EXPRESS) ATTORNEY General Anand Ramlogan said yesterday he could not do Faris Al-Rawi’s job—of defending Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley in the emailgate lawsuit—for him. “I cannot do Al-Rawi’s legal homework for him and I am under no duty to represent myself as well as his client,” Ramlogan said. He was responding to statements by Al-Rawi, that Ramlogan’s attorneys, having been fully informed of the latest details of the case (with respect of the granting of an extension to file defence), did not follow the “practice” and copy the

province shortly after midnight local time. Five were executed on the island of Nusa Kambangan and the other one, a Vietnamese woman was executed in the small central Javanese town of Boyolali. Ambassador recalled Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said in a statement that she was “outraged and dismayed”. “Relations between the two countries have been affected,” said Ms Rousseff. “The Brazilian ambassador to Jakarta has been recalled for consultations,” she added.

Anand: I can’t do Al-Rawi’s homework communication to the other legal team. Al-Rawi was under a duty to be vigilant and to make the necessary enquiries to ascertain the status of his application for an extension, Ramlogan stated. The Attorney General said, “In every single case, Dr Rowley and his attorney, have failed to meet their deadlines and keep delaying the progress of the case by applying for an extension.” He said the defence was due on December 16, 2014 and once the application for an extension of this date had been filed, Al-Rawi should have been checking with the court. The Attorney General said he

waited until one week after the January 7 deadline for the filing of a defence had expired. Ramlogan said the court was responsible for serving its orders and Al-Rawi should be very careful about his “pregnant speculation and insinuations” as that was precisely what landed Rowley in trouble in the first place when he alleged there was a conspiracy between the judiciary and the Government to favour certain persons.

Marco Moreira was sentenced to death by an Indonesian court in 2004 for drug trafficking offences

Witness says UWI belittled Bain (THE GLEANER) THE PROFESSOR Brendan Bain, University of the West Indies (UWI) court case continued on Friday with one witness testifying that he believes that the university belittled him (Bain) and failed to show respect when it fired the noted public-health professional. Professor of cardiovascular research at the Chronic Disease Research Centre at the UWI Cave Hill campus, Robert Clive Landis, further testified that a statement issued by the university announcing Professor Bain’s termination cast a shadow over his contribution in the field of HIV. Professor Landis said in his 11 years at the UWI, he had never seen a statement being issued in relation to the termination of any staff member. He said when the statement was circulated, it immediately conveyed that Professor Bain had done something wrong. Professor Landis also testified that the expert report that Professor Bain gave to the Belizean court in a case brought by a gay man was not arguing for the retention of the buggery law in that country. He said Professor Bain’s testimony was quite cryptic and was asking for HIV to be looked at in its entirety. Meanwhile, the third witness to take to the stand was Consultant Urologist Dr William Aiken. He said when he read a newspaper report about Professor Bain being fired by the UWI, his first reaction was that something had gone wrong.

Something unethical Aiken said he got the impression that something unethical was done to cause Professor Bain’s termination. According to him, the university must

BRENDAN BAIN have had serious reasons to terminate Bain’s contract. Professor Bain is suing the UWI for breach of contract, breach of constitutional rights and defamation over its decision to terminate his contract as director of the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Training Network (CHART). The UWI fired Professor Bain last May after alleging that his constituents had lost confidence in him.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Editorial

Guyana

DECISION TIME WILL SOON COME A MOST pertinent question, amid the prevailing silly politicking by the Alliance For Change (AFC), is for how much longer the decision-making councils of the People’s National Congress Reform intend to “play politics” with the so-called “leaders” of that minority group? When it’s not Vice-Chairman Moses Nagamootoo engaging in political ‘baby talk’ that, for instance, likens India’s most welcome offer to invest US$50 million in the proposed East Bank/East Coast road project to that of a “fly-bynight idea” (what an absurd insult)-we now have that party’s latest discovered “political consultant,” Daizal Samad,

forecasting that there would be “no coalescing” between the AFC and the PNCR. Well, with arrangements in process for new local, regional and national elections we should learn within the coming months of the losers and victors—party wise and otherwise. Stay tuned. However, for the decision-makers of the PNCR it must be quite embarrassing, if not humiliating, to be publicly subjected by the increasing double-talk, and behaviour of leading elements of the AFC, among their “comrades” Khemraj Ramjattan and Nagamootoo. In fairness, the forked-tongue outbursts by leading figures of the PNCR,

The AG has been vindicated

THE Kaieteur News and the Opposition parties have continued to misinterpret the private conversation between the Attorney General and his ‘friend’, Leonard Gildharie despite the fact that the Director of Public Prosecutions has made it pellucid that’ that private conversation contained no threat as defined by the Criminal Laws. There is no doubt about the political agenda of the Opposition Parties and their media. The Kaieteur News continued to publish sensational and misleading headlines such as, ‘Anil Nandlall has made a criminal threat,’ ‘Nandlall’s threats to K/News’, and ‘Nandlall repeats threats to Kaieteur News’. The battery of lawyers at the disposal of the Kaieteur News, AFC and APNU should explain to Glenn Lall the difference between a ‘warning’ and a ‘threat’. Let us look at the latest article which stated that, ‘Nandlall repeats threats to Kaieteur News’. In that article the Attorney General simply stated that what he had said ‘should be seen as a warning and if you cross the road carelessly you are likely to be struck down by an errant driver.’ Even Nagamootoo inadvertently admitted that, ‘Nandlall has given this country a warning that it is possible that you can have a terrorist attack on newspapers and that journalists can be killed.’ So indeed Nagamootoo, even though a neophyte lawyer, knows the difference between a ‘warning’ and a ‘threat.’

However, he then realised his mistake and added that, ‘Nandlall cannot escape such types of threats because peoples’ lives are at stake.’ What a chameleon! Even Dr Roopnarine spoke of ‘threats by Nandlall.’ A threat is a declaration of intention or determination to inflect punishment, injury, death or loss on someone’ whereas a warning is simply to give notice or advice or intimation to a person or group of danger, impending evil, possible harm or anything else unfavourable.’ Clearly, what the Attorney General was in effect saying is that if the Kaieteur News continues to provoke and attack people personally there might be repetition of what happened in 2006. If I told my friend that if you continue to curse people you will get beaten, should my friend take that as a threat or as a warning? Now just a few weeks after this warning by the Attorney General, the Paris terrorist attack was unleashed by a Muslim Group because of blasphemous cartoons published against Prophet Muhammad. These publishers were both warned and threatened by Muslim extremists but failed to realise the gravity of those warnings and threats. Again, Mr. Nagamootoo claimed in his dramatic style that ‘Nandlall could have written the script’ of that attack. Little does this man realise that there is a limit to what you can do with peoples’ emotions and beliefs. This was expressed by no other than Pope Francis. The Pope said ‘it was wrong

including when speaking on behalf of an apparent weakened APNU, further contribute to prevailing political confusion and uncertainties about their future in any possible ‘coalition.’ Following the recent public criticism by APNU’s chairman and PNC leader, David Granger, about continuing double-speak and failure by the AFC’s leadership to bring clarity to what they really want to discuss as an agenda for coalescing, APNU’s Basil Williams, who is also Deputy Speaker of Parliament, seems even more irritated over what he has now voiced as his disgust with what he deemed at a press conference on Friday as “pussyfooting”

to provoke others by insulting their religion and that one could expect a reaction from such abuse…and…if his great friend says a swear word against my mother, then he is going to get a punch’ and he punched the air. He continued by saying that, ‘it’s normal, it’s normal. One cannot provoke, one cannot insult other people’s faith, one cannot make fun of faith. There is a limit. Every religion has its dignity.’ If we reconstruct the Pope’s statement and superimpose Nandlall’s conversation, it can read as follows, ‘if Glenn Lall continues to hurt and provoke people and hurt their dignity then someone may react to such abuse and innocent people may get hurt’. If Nand-

by the AFC’s leadership on a coalition arrangement. Meanwhile, there continues to be widening interest in the sources of funding for both APNU and AFC in preparation for the coming elections with pertinent questions being raised in relation to their opposition in parliament last year to the passing of the anti-money laundering legislation. The harsh reality, as Guyanese across the political divide would be aware, is that of a widening gulf between the leadership of APNU and AFC and the people on whose behalf they claim to speak. Time will tell. That time will soon come.

lall’s conversation can be construed as a threat then the Pope’s statement should be similarly construed. Nagamootoo, Christopher Ram, the Guyana Bar Association and the Women’s Groups should once and for all keep their mouth shut. What is their take on this? The Attorney General has been vindicated once again, this time globally, and so has our President’s alleged ‘slapping’ statement at Aishalton. I want Kaieteur News and Stabroek News to analyse the Pope’s ‘punching’ and President’s ‘slapping’ and publish its findings. HASEEF YUSUF AFC Councillor-Region 6

Falling of prices just did not happen THIS is a clear message to Russia, Venezuela and the likes, don’t mess with Uncle Sam. If Russia continues to parade on the sovereignty of smaller countries and ignores the sanctions imposed by the USA and the EU we can all keep smiling all the way to the gas pumps! This action of falling oil prices did not just happen, it was a carefully orchestrated and planned event which will no doubt have severe ramifications in the Russian economy and countries like Venezuela will experience unbelievable hardships! With the USA being the largest importer of crude oil as well as holding an extremely large reserve capacity, they can certainly afford to

control and dictate the fluctuation of crude oil prices. In the interim, signing concessions and exercising waivers on taxes of oil sold to the other G-12 member countries which will have a less significant negative economic impact on those countries. Now that prices of oil are at a level we are certainly familiar with, it is interesting to see Russia’s next move, should they continue their bullying of Crimea and not adhere to the sanctions imposed on them then it’s safe to say we can enjoy cheap petrol prices for a long time to come! Check mate! JUSTIN WILTSHIRE

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Speculating on development (Part 1) By Keith Burrowes

THIS week, knowing fully well how partisan any attempt at debate can be, particularly on certain contentious issues, this week I want to look at a couple of things from a hypothetical perspective, focusing on the core mechanics of what is being done and what can be done better. I want to start with a hypothetical country with a history of political division, one in which the dynamics of political domination that have characterised it since independence have recently changed. With a strengthened political opposition, one that has raised legitimate issues, there is still the failure to take many of those issues on board. In such a situation, I can only see that political division deepening. But there is of course a flip side to all of this. Consider for example that one repeated cry of this same opposition group is that of corruption. However, with a functioning Integrity Commission in place, the very people that have made the allegations, both individually and collectively, still fail to cooperate

with that Commission and other supporting agencies in order to see that these charges of corruption. If it is that there is a constant cry of wolf, and there is no actual proof of the wolf, then it is reasonable for people to believe that there might not be a wolf, or quite likely just a cub. It is my view that there is a level of corruption in every single country in the world, and on principle it should be dealt with, something that is the duty of every single citizen, not just government, to help in rooting it out. Hypothetically speaking, suppose in this country that there are what appear to be clear cases of mismanagement; for example, this country has a recently built sugar factory, sugar being a critical industry, whereby the contract for construction had to be given to a company from a particular country, the same one from which financing for the factory is being sourced. Under the same arrangement, the feasibility study did indicate that the contract had to be given to persons from another country to be mandated to oversee the construction. Suppose that some problems arise, prob-

lems that could have been avoided if this supervising company that was duly paid was doing what they were supposed to do. Suppose that ideally the government’s position would be to sue the company that was responsible for but that this was virtually impossible under the contract that was entered into, since it stipulated that the jurisdiction for any legal action would be in another jurisdiction. Supposing that while the concept was sound, and fault lay completely with the supervising and constructing companies, I would argue that in this situation, it would time for there to be a national approach to rescuing this critical industry, one that rose above partisan blame particularly when it came to unforeseen situations, and one that included all parties in getting the situation corrected. Suppose, this country’s context was so similar to Guyana that in all areas over the past twenty years, that in other areas there was significant progress which was pushed by the head of the country who is no longer in office. However, in the eyes of the political opposition, none of that mattered and that former head of state is alienated and ostracised in

Keith Burrowes any forum at which the opposition is present. Finally, let’s suppose that in this politically divisive country, the President recently suspended Parliament, defending his decision that that no government would sit and allow a no confidence motion when constitutionally there are other options. I would hypothetically say that this is a fair position. Hypothetically speaking, I would recommend that there has to be more cooperation between the government and the opposition in the future. Doing the same thing over and over, and taking positions that are led more by self-interest and ego, than for the national good serves only to benefit individuals and not the nation.

Corruption, collateral damage, AFC and APNU

CORRUPTION is the propaganda swan song of the combined Opposition. Collateral damage is the military term Khemraj Ramjattan used in the civilian context when they voted to prevent the Government from pursuing developmental projects of national importance to Guyana. Unconcerned about the lives and livelihood of our Amerindian Peoples, chosen public sector workers and professionals on contract with state agencies, the ‘Moses Scissors’ snipped and snapped with deep bitterness and deadly vengeance at the jugular of these targeted groups – Indians and Blacks - as if they were sub-species of the human kind. Indeed, according to the Leader of the AFC, they are people, but people whose lives are of no importance. They are expendable. They are collateral damage. Their lives and those who depend on them – mother, wife, father and children - are of no consequence, once the objectives of the AFC and their political collaborators, the PNCR’s APNU are achieved. Corruption is often defined as wrong doing on the part of an authority or powerful party (organisation or individual) through means that are ‘illegitimate, immoral, or incompatible with ethical standards.’ Collateral Damage is an old terminology which regained prominence during the American invasion of Iraq in 1991, commonly referred to as the Gulf War. It is understood to mean damage to people or things that are incidental to the intended target. Those that are not involved, but who are ‘accidentally or unintentionally killed or wounded and/or having their property damaged as a result of the attack on legitimate enemy targets.’ The term Collateral Damage has been criticised in certain European quarters as ‘an inhuman euphemism…. abstract, agentless and affectless, so that even if people succeed in associating it with a real act or event they will be insulated from any feeling of repulsion and moral outrage.’ In actual fact,

the airstrikes in the Iraqi city of Baghdad were referred to as Collateral Murder! Collateral Damage then is coined as an excuse for wholesale slaughtering of innocent men, women and children in the name of a greater good. It is a manipulation of the minds to free those committing murder, those who are the architects of the murderous acts, and public opinion ‘from the feeling of repulsion and moral outrage.’ It is said hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children were slaughtered. The country was brought to total ruin. Infrastructure was destroyed, bombed into the Stone Age. This is Collateral Damage. In Guyana’s context, it basically means, burning and looting businesses, destroying property and killing innocent people, raping our innocent girl children (and given the new trend recently exposed, I dare say little boys also). The legitimate target for the AFC and their collaborators, the PNC’S APNU are the Government, the ruling party and all Guyanese who dare speak up for progress. There is nothing incidental or accidental here. Every action is coldly calculated with military precision and is result oriented. These are the fingerprints of decisive military minds and that of those who have brought their legal training into abject disrepute, shameless and conniving. When taken into context, one cannot help but wonder if this is Khemraj Ramjattan’s vision and intention for Guyana and Guyanese if he and his political cohorts in the PNC’s APNU do not get their way! But then it must be remembered, it is the tree that bears the most fruit that will be pelted most! The Government has been delivering. The more they deliver; greater is the cry of corruption! Are you seeing the drift? Corruption is the political subterfuge behind which the AFC and the PNC’S APNU hope to be crowned Kings. It is a failed, baseless and legally unproven political strategy which has pushed both the AFC and the PNC’S APNU to

desperation with their backs against the proverbial wall. It is a strategy aimed at sensationalising and playing on the emotions of people. It is dangerous. They have come to a dead end! The corruption bandwagon is a myopic and desperate political strategy with no legal standing. It has not and cannot be tested in court because all the claims of corruption made against the Government are based on speculations, uninformed opinions, political subjectivism, here say, rumours and of course fabrications. Not an iota of fact has been presented to substantiate their propagandistic claims. It is more a psychological strategy aimed at appealing to the minds of people knowing fully well that the average human being is never satisfied or contented with what he or she has. It is playing on their baser instincts and emotions. This is universal. It is not a Guyanese phenomenon. Kudos for the AFC and the PNC’s APNU! They are a smart bunch, but their collective political half-slip is exposed! Given that this may be so, it does not mean that the allegations of corruption may not have some degree of validity. But this is the political hardball. Prove it! Being accused of buggery does not mean one is guilty or innocent as accused! Prove innocence! Prove guilt! Strange it is that the same ones (PNCR in the APNU guise) who brought the country to its knees and the ones who invented the terms corruption, nepotism, bribery and kickbacks; who drained the state’s coffers, squander and spent as though it was their personal money until they finally brought the country to its knees, bankrupt and insolvent, are the ones now shouting foul from the top of Mount Roraima! They stole until there was nothing left to thief. The country went to the dogs. Today the coffers are full and running over. And once more they are chomping at their bits, salivating with expectations behind the corruption bandwagon just to get their hands once more in the money jar. Friday’s Editorial

dealt with the wrong doings of the AFC and the PNC’s APNU through means that are ‘illegitimate, immoral, or incompatible with ethical standards,’ corruption at the individual and organisational levels. These are incontestable facts. A few are in the Courts right now. Mind you these were not brought by politicians or government officials, but by civilians! In one instance of desperation, people or organisation associated with the accused, even attempted to pay the accuser three million dollars to say he was instigate by the ruling party! Indeed desperate people will resort to desperate and dangerous acts. In the AFC’s leader’s mad pursuit of Collateral Damage they wielded the ‘Moses Scissors’ with painful results for the people in 2012, 2013 and 2014! More than one billion Guyana dollars were voted down from the Amerindian Development Fund in 2014. Close to two hundred Amerindian communities suffered as a result. They nearly brought the country into a pariah’s status with the international community by voting down the Anti-money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill. And so too, did the ‘Moses Scissors’ ripped through the University of Guyana Student Loan Scheme which would have denied assistance to the young people of this country who aspire to educate themselves just like the leaders in the AFC! The biggest con game, which will be dealt with in another editorial, was the voting down of the Amaila Hydro Electric Project. Their very existence as a political grouping and that of the PNCR’s APNU were tied to that project. This is the Collateral Damage – at the expense of Guyana and Guyanese - the AFC’s leader has been so doggedly, deceitfully and decisively pursuing together with his political collaborators in the PNCT’s APNU. ROHAN SINGH

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

CARICOM’S FIRM STAND AGAINST FOREIGN ‘MEDDLING’ IN GUYANA

Analysis by Rickey Singh F I N A L LY, b u t t o t h e surprise of no one familiar with constitutionbased parliamentary democracy in Guyana, the 15-member Caribbean Community on Friday unequivocally declared “satisfaction” with the arrangements made by the Government for last November’s prorogation of this nation’s Parliament. The declaration by the Community Council— second highest forum of the Georgetown-based Secretariat, after the Heads of Government—also underscored “the need for the respect of diplomatic proprieties and for adherence in the domestic affairs of member states…” This position by CARICOM also reflect a denial by the London-based

Commonwealth Secretariat, as communicated with Guyana’s Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, that contrary to a claim by outgoing British High

Commissioner Andrew Ayre, this country could face “sanctions” by the

General Secretary Clement Rohee Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) over the prorogation and without a fixed date for new general elections. The Foreign Minister had disclosed in an earlier statement her consternation over Mr. Ayre’s claim about CMAG’s involvement in likely sanctions against Guyana, explaining that she is a member on that Common wealth body and there was absolutely no truth to any such development. Separately, the General Secretary of the governing People’s Progressive Party,

Clement Rohee, who is also Minister of Home Affairs, had also strongly criticised

British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre the British envoy for unnecessarily engaging in old colonial-style interference in the domestic affairs of Guyana. DIPLOMATS’ TANGO The British Government has so far maintained its public silence on the High Commissioner Ayre’s open political entanglement with the administration of President Donald Ramotar, while the diplomat is finalising his departure arrangements. Significantly

Ayre’s successor, James Gregory Quinn, was announced in November last year. He and former USA Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt, were together controversially involved in public campaigning associated also with parliamentary Opposition parties for the holding of overdue local government elections ahead of new national elections. Currently, the independent Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is finalising

arrangements for the conduct of new national and local government elections, the date for which is expected to be announced quite soon. New elections are not constitutionally due before November 2016. At the November 2011 polls, the incumbent PPP retained the Executive Presidency and had to contend with the challenges of governing –for the first time ever— with a minority of one in the 65-member National Assembly.

West Bank businessman remanded for possession of illegal gun, ammo A FORTY-year-old businessman was Friday remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry, after he was charged with having an unlicensed gun and ammunition. The illegal gun and ammo were allegedly found during a police raid at his home. Ravinauth Rampersaud of Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on January 15 at Block ‘Z’ Schoonord, he had in his possession one .38 Taurus revolver with 33 live matching rounds, while not being the holder of a firearm licence. Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that the police acting on information went to the defendant’s home and conducted a search in the presence of the defendant and his wife; the gun and ammunition were found in the closet, according to the prosecutor. The prosecutor added that when the defendant’s wife was shown the revolver and ammunition, she denied having knowledge of them and the defendant admitted that they belonged to him. Objecting to bail, Prosecutor Mangru cited the nature, prevalence and gravity of the offence as well as the penalty attached thereto. Rampersaud was represented by Attorney-at-Law Ronald Burch-Smith, who informed the court that his client had twice applied for a firearm licence over the past 10 years, but was denied, which caused him to buy the illegal weapon. Burch-Smith told the court that the father of two is a well- known businessman in the West Demerara area and has never been before the court, nor has he ever been arrested. He noted that Rampersaud and his wife are currently going through divorce proceedings and had been threatened by her, that she would get him into trouble with the police. The attorney told the court that his client is not a flight risk, pointing out that Rampersaud has sufficient assets such as several stalls in the Bourda Market. Bail was refused and the defendant will remain on remand until January 19, while the matter will being transferred to the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates’ Court.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Is there life for HIV programmes after The Global Fund? - Revised “…in 2012, 35.3 million people were living with HIV, due to the life-saving antiretroviral therapy; 2.3 million new infections globally, a 33% decline in new infections from 3.4 million in 2001; a fall in AIDS deaths of 1.6 million in 2012 compared to 2.3 million in 2005.” WHAT can we say about HIV and AIDS today amid a context of reduced donor funding globally? UNAIDS summed up the story of HIV and AIDS, thus: in 2012, 35.3 million people were living with HIV, due to the life-saving antiretroviral therapy; 2.3 million new infections globally, a 33% decline in new infections from 3.4 million in 2001; a fall in AIDS deaths of 1.6 million in 2012 compared to 2.3 million in 2005 (1). In presenting its post-2015 agenda for consultation,

implying the need to meet treatment costs for the life of the patient as well as prevention costs as AIDS is an infectious disease, UNAIDS will require an annual budget of US$16 billion to US$22 billion between 2011 and 2020 to fight AIDS (4). After huge initial bouts of funding, the financing started to fizzle out within the range of US$6.9 billion to US$7.9 billion annually between 2008 and 2012 (5). For a few years now, an implicit strategic goal of The

UNAIDS indicated that the virus was the primary cause of death for girls and women aged 15-39 (17%) and the principal cause of death for boys and men aged 15-39 (12%); and in 2011, 7 million people entitled to HIV treatment were not reached (2). But as we view this startling progress made to turn the tide on the epidemic, we must not forget the work of the AIDS activist movements of the 1980s that formed people’s understanding of HIV and the responses they extracted from governments to address the HIV epidemic; from the era of these activist movements to activist countries, and then to global HIV governance, many activists have now been domesticated into becoming experts in governmental as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs); where they now merely impose a sanitised attention on managing the epidemic, solely involving a technocratic transmitting of drugs into bodies, thereby neglecting the social conditions of the HIV infection and the survival of the those living with HIV (3). The global HIV governance architecture may be the perpetrator of this stark negligence. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are two major components of the global HIV governance architecture, with donor-driven agendas. The GFATM, a major funding agency for HIV programmes since 2004 and the PEPFAR are contestants in a race to prevent and treat HIV in resource-constrained countries, resulting in a scale-up where donors and agencies are expected to develop health system capacity to implement treatment regimens; the cut in GFATM funding in many countries will hurt the treatment programme, resulting in a scale-down (3). Against this background of the story is the stark and harsh reality of the massive cutbacks in donor funding. For instance, with AIDS being a chronic condition

Global Fund is to develop country-led sustainable AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria programmes. To commence activities leading to this goal, The Global Fund in 2011 presented entitlement and counterpart financing guidelines wanting recipient countries to match its grant with a contribution from the government on the basis of the country’s income level; for instance, low-income countries have to match 5% of The Global Fund financing, 20% for lower low middle-income countries, 40% for upper lower middle-income countries, and 60% for upper middle-income countries (6). Today in Guyana, however, with GFATM in a scale-down mode, the local competition to maintain the existing HIV response is well underway. Within this context, though, there are two scenarios that require addressing: (i) What present HIV activities will be maintained? And (ii) is there life for the HIV programmes after GFATM, or even now during a decline in its funding? The first scenario has to do with concerns about global health activities: where there is increasing awareness that pharmaceutical and biomedical treatment alone does not make an individual whole; and where health activities should not be replacements for the non-existing social contracts and social safety nets in resource-constrained countries (3). In addition, sustainability after The Global Fund is not only about maintaining programmes, but also developing strategies to respond to new evidence, resources, and need in relation to economic growth and growing social inequality (7). Let me now look at the second scenario and use the case of Peru to see whether there is life for HIV programmes after GFATM exits. Overall, in the battle against HIV, Peru has done well in the absence of GFATM funding. One of the lessons from the Peru case, however, is that under GFATM funding, the powerful NGOs which made unilateral decisions jeopardized a coherent programme response and weakened the coordinating work

of the Ministry of Health’s HIV office (7). In fact, during the era of GFATM funding in Peru, there was inadequate governmental direction on HIV. In the event of a decline in GFATM funding or should GFATM exit at some point, there would still be life for the HIV programmes in Guyana. But drawing on the experiences of Peru, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Health must provide adequate direction on HIV and put in place accountability mechanisms. Indeed, placing HIV and AIDS activities within the national budget would show political commitment to addressing HIV and AIDS. In any country, any discussion on life for HIV programmes after The Global Fund should not start when the donor funding is fizzling out, but at the beginning point, when negotiations are underway to institute donor funding. And perhaps, even at the commencement of donor funding, focus should be on prioritization of services, cost efficiency measures, and accountability mechanisms; solid foundations for sustainability when donor funding ends. References 1. UNAIDS. Global report: UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2013 [January 17, 2015]. Available from: http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/en/media/ unaids/contentassets/documents/epidemiology/2013/ gr2013/UNAIDS_Global_Report_2013_en.pdf. 2. UN-NGLS. UNAIDS and the post-2015 agenda: upcoming consultation [January 17, 2015]. Available from: http://un-ngls.org/spip.php?pag. 3. Kenworthy NJ, Parker R. HIV scale-up and the politics of global health. Global public health. 2014;9(12):1-6. 4. Schwartländer B, Stover J, Hallett T, Atun R, Avila C, Gouws E, et al. Towards an improved investment approach for an effective response to HIV/AIDS. The Lancet. 2011;377(9782):2031-41. 5. Kates J, Wexler A, Lief E. Financing the Response to HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: International Assistance from Donor Governments in 2012 2013 [January 17, 2015]. Available from: http://www.hst.org.za/sites/default/ files/20130923_KFF_UNAIDS_Financing.pdf. 6. TGF. The Global Fund Operations Policy Manual 2014 [January 17, 2015]. Available from: file:///C:/ Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/My%20 Documents/Downloads/Core_OperationalPolicy_Manual_ en.pdf. 7. Amaya AB, Caceres CF, Spicer N, Balabanova D. After the Global Fund: Who can sustain the HIV/AIDS response in Peru and how? Global public health. 2014;9(12):176-97.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Suriname delegation amazed by development taking place here - during visits to housing, tourism and business places in Guyana By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally

T H E h o u s i n g developments, private developments and tourismbased entities of interest were toured yesterday by the Surinamese Trade Delegation currently on a three-day visit to Guyana. Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, explained that the delegation had some doubts about the investments and developments presently occurring in Guyana, and the decision was taken to have

them tour a few areas for their enlightenment. “We decided to visit Rossignol Butchery, which is a Suriname investment; Eccles Industrial Estate, Windsor Estates Housing Scheme, Bounty Farm and (have) lunch at Splashmins” he noted. S u r i n a m e ’s A c t i n g Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran expressed delight and amazement at developments the country has seen over the years and questioned: “If there is so much progress going on

“If there is so much progress going on in Guyana and it’s visible, why the Opposition and people in Parliament (are) having a problem with the Government?”

in Guyana and it’s visible, why the Opposition and people in Parliament (are) having a problem with the Government?” Similar sentiments were expressed by members of the delegation as they lauded the Government on a job well done. Some of the members noted as well that the standard of businesses, in especially the housing sector, is of the highest quality. The delegation’s first

stop was at Rossignol Butchery, where they were told that 70% of the meats being served comes from the local market, and that the Bounty Farm supplies all of Rossignol Butchery’s chicken needs. The delegation next visited the Eccles Industrial Scheme and the Windsor Estates, where they were educated on the young professional homes, the roads and connecting arms, and the

The Suriname delegation at Windsor Estate

- Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran

core homes, among other things. What amazed them was the fact that the Government was constructing the houses and making them available to persons of any status of living. They also noted that the Government’s position of having each individual own their own home is very commendable. During their visit at Bounty Farm, Bounty Farm’s General Manager, David

Fernandes, explained how his day-to-day operation runs. He noted that Bounty Farm employs some 465 persons at the farm, and has a production rate of 150,000 birds per week. “We have 40 farms that would supply the company with chicken, and this production accounts for only 40% of the consumption of the Guyanese people,” Fernandes noted. Fernandes explained that without help of the Government in terms of being there to defend the company, Bounty’s operations would not be possible. He noted that “the company is granted duty free concessions on certain items, which is a great help to the company.” During his closing remarks, he noted that the company must applaud the Government for defending the company and making sure that they continue to be viable. The delegation had a relaxing lunch at Splashmins Resort, where they experienced the scenic views and lush black waters of that entity (Adrian Narine photo)

Acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran; Bounty Farm’s General Manager, David Fernandes; and a member of the delegation examining the bell peppers grown by drip irrigation at Bounty Farm

Acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran, and Bounty Farm’s General Manager, David Fernandes, explaining the ‘chicken process’ to the delegation

The delegation viewing the pig farm at Bounty Farm

Acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran, enjoying a refreshing drink of Guyanese coconut water

Acting Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Djoemadie Kasanmoesdiran, and delegation walking through the farms at Bounty Farm

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

President visits flood hit Essequibo Coast

-assures residents that relief is in sight

FLOODING along parts of the Essequibo Coast, prompted President Donald Ramotar to visit several hard hit communities. Accompanied by regional officials including Chairman Parmanand Persaud and Drainage and Irrigation officials, the President had a firsthand look at outfalls in the communities of Devonshire Castle, Hampton Court, Lima, Anna Regina, Three Friends, Richmond, Reliance and Henrietta. In addition to observing the measures being instituted to relieve the accumulation of water, the President was able to meet with residents, many of whom voiced their concerns about the situation. President Ramotar instructed regional officials to keep him informed daily of the situation until it is rectified.

The fact that some seven inches of rainfall occurred along parts of the region, over the last two days exacerbated the situation. The president noted: “A lot of the problems have to do with the mud blocking up the outfalls and constantly as you clear it the mud comes back in”. Additional equipment is being put in place to remove the flood waters, he added, “We are sending in more dredges and more pumps so that we can have some relief from the situation as far as possible. The most important thing now is to try to get the water off the land,” the President assured. He also assured residents that officials are doing their best to bring relief to their plight, and empathised with them during this difficult time. Head of the National

Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wo r d s w o r t h , s a i d t h e heavy rains have resulted in flooding in agricultural and residential areas. A big effort now, he said, is to clear the outfalls and sluices to have effective gravity based drainage. “While that is happening, we also redeployed some pumps from the East Coast of Demerara and Georgetown to assist with the situation here”. The NDIA head said that in addition to the aforementioned measures, a second dredge will be put into operation this evening. The situation, he admitted, is a very challenging one for his team. “The accumulation along the outfalls is very frequent so it requires a constant effort to keep them clear so that the gravity drainage could

be effective. Unless we can overcome these challenges, problems like these can surface sometimes”.

He added that 12 pumps are currently operating along the Essequibo Coast and two

more will arrive from Georgetown and be pressed into service on Sunday. (GINA)

President Donald Ramotar with officials and residents at an Outfall on the Essequibo

Fogarty’s makes presentation to winners of Christmas Giveaway

THE seven winners in the Fogarty’s Christmas Giveaway promotion were yesterday presented with their spectacular prizes at a ceremony held on the ground floor of Fogarty’s on Water Street. The Fogarty’s Christmas Giveaway promotion commenced on November 24, 2014 and lasted until December 31, allowing customers to enter with every purchase of $3,000 and more at the Fogarty’s store in Georgetown. The drawing for the promotion, which took place on January 8, saw seven lucky persons carting off prizes which included one of three 16-piece dinner sets, awarded to the 5th, 6th and 7th place winners; one Canon camera, awarded to the 4th place winner; one of two 60” smart TV sets, awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place winners; and the grand prize of a Leather Suite, awarded to the grand winner. The winners of the promotion were as follows: Godwin North – 7th prize, Hillan Huntley – 6th prize, Oneca Padmore – 5th prize, Nandlall Rambohal - 4th prize, Delice Neblett - 3rd prize, Ryan Dos Santos – 2nd prize, and Sharmela Ramsammy – 1st prize. The winners’ faces were filled with joy as they were presented with their remarkable prizes yesterday by various supervisors and managers of Fogarty’s. Speaking at the presentation ceremony yesterday, Managing Director of Fogarty’s, Oscar Phillips, in brief remarks, stated that Fogarty’s always takes some time to give back to its customers in many ways, and this is just one way in which the business chose to show its appreciation to its legions of customers. He noted that the prizes presented to the winners are long lasting and are of great quality, and he took some time to thank the customers for supporting Fogarty’s, even as he congratulated them heartily on their winning the prizes by

shopping at Fogarty’s. In closing his remarks, he noted that the contribution of customers -- not only those who won in the promotion, but others who shop at Fogarty’s -- is to be recognised and appreciated, and he urged persons to continue supporting Fogarty’s as the company moves ahead and “maintains the

tradition of quality and service throughput the year”. Winner of the first prize, Ms. Sharmela Ramsammy, took the opportunity to thank the management and staff of Fogarty’s for the wonderful prizes presented in the promotion, and assured all present that the prize winners would continue to be loyal and supportive customers of Fogarty’s.

Winners stand alongside managers and other officials of the Fogarty’s Store in a pose for a group photo

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Secondary Education Improvement Project to begin this year

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

-will put Guyana closer to attaining universal secondary education

No breach of Constitution or Commonwealth Charter-CARICOM’s Council of Ministers THE Community Council of Ministers on Friday expressed satisfaction that the prorogation of Parliament did not breach the Constitution, nor did not constitute a deviation from the principles of the Commonwealth Charter. The consensus followed an update provided by Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, at the Council’s meeting held at the CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana. Prior to Friday’s update, the Government of Guyana had formally advised the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) of the prorogation and the reason for

this course of action. Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett also advised of the imminent announcement of

Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett

elections by the President of Guyana. President Ramotar has always maintained that the need for dialogue was uppermost in his mind when he made his decision to Prorogue Parliament on November 10. Paving the way for greater dialogue among political parties, he contends, would have kept the 10th Parliament alive to address critically important issues currently before the House. The effect of ending the first session of the 10th Parliament by way of prorogation is the suspension of the business of the National Assembly. As a result, the Alli-

ance For Change (AFC) sponsored ‘No-Confidence’ motion was not considered. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had, prior to November 10, signalled its intent to support the motion. Had it not been for the proclamation to prorogue Parliament and the no-confidence motion approved by the political Opposition, Guyana would have been headed to early general elections within three months. However, President Ramotar has made it clear that if these efforts prove futile, there will be a move to early general elections.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand HE commencement of the Secondary Education Improvement Project is scheduled to begin within the first quarter of 2015 and will put Guyana closer to attaining universal secondary

education. This was revealed during a press conference held at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) in Kingston. During her remarks, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand explained that the ministry was on track to attain universal secondary education within this new school term, but it seems as though this might not materialise. “This project is going to help us to get closer to our goal and the PPP/C(People Progressive Party/ Civic) manifesto promises of attaining universal secondary education by this term. That seems to be in jeopardy given that the term looks as if it is going to be cut short,” the Education Minister contended. Ms. Manickchand explained that two of the main objectives are: strengthening the capacity of secondary school mathematics teachers nationwide, and increasing enrolment in general secondary schools in targeted regions. “This is a US$10M project that is expected to be implemented over the next three years and will officially launch in the first quarter of 2015.” The Education Minister emphasised during her year-end review that primary schooling in Guyana has achieved the Millennium Development Goal and all children in Guyana have access to primary education. According to Ms. Manickchand, the secondary sector has not yet achieved this goal in every region, it has done so in most, and work continues towards achieving this across the board. “We have achieved universal primary education in Guyana and [are] very close in achieving universal secondary,” [education] she said. “Capacity- building, evaluation and improving facilities were also focused on under the Guyana Improving Teacher Education Programme. The number of additionally qualified primary teachers and others has exceeded the targets set,” the minister also said. Under the implementation of the project, approximately 800 secondary- level mathematics teachers nationwide would benefit from in-service training. The minister disclosed that the project’s direct beneficiaries would be 2,600 students each year, from new secondary schools in Regions 3 and 4,providing the schools are built. The project would also benefit students at eight schools with Technology-assisted Learning in Mathematics pilot programmes In addition, the Education Ministry would benefit from improved capacity in the Education Management and Information System (EMIS).

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

CHRONICLE WEEKEND ROUNDUP with Telesha Ramnarine JANUARY 12-17, 2015 MONDAY 12 Amaila construction for likely start before yearend THE 165 MW Amaila Falls Hydro-electric Plant remains Guyana’s most strategic project at this point in time, and if all goes well, construction is slated to start before the end of this year, negotiator on the project Winston Brassington said. New British High Commissioner to Guyana assumes office in February THE United Kingdom has identified a successor to outgoing High Commissioner to Guyana, Andrew Ayre, who will take up his diplomatic posting in Guyana next month. Ayre announced that Mr. James Gregory Quinn has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Mr. Quinn joined the British Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1995 and is currently Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Kazakhstan. Mom allegedly using teenage daughter to bait ‘sugar daddy’ SEVERAL residents of Cummings Lodge Park, Sophia are shocked at the actions of a 40-year-old mom who they claim is using her 14-year-old daughter as bait to extract monies from a bank manager with whom she is sharing an intimate relationship. A male informant, who is a close associate of the mother, said that the woman is desperate for cash to take out her minibus which has been in the workshop since last year. Second batch of visually impaired persons preparing for CSEC exams TEN visually impaired persons are now preparing to sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations as part of a project fostered by the Guyana Society for the Blind in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This will be the second batch of visually impaired persons who will sit the examinations in Guyana. ****************************************** TUESDAY 13 Patricia Sanasie executed in front of Atlantic Gardens home PATRICIA Sanasie, wife of auto dealer Deonarine Sanasie, was executed outside her home just as she entered the yard. The former Director of Studies at the Academy of Professional Studies lived at Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara. A vehicle reportedly pulled up and the man who exited shot the woman four times. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. African bees sting pitbull at Dartmouth to death A SWARM of African bees swooped down on a pit bull at Damon’s Street in Dartmouth village on the Essequibo Coast and stung the animal to death. Oscar George, the dog’s owner, said the bees have a hive under some dry branches in a coconut tree in his neighbour’s yard and it was from there that they launched their attack on the pit bull, which had been chained in a kennel. Shabazz makes return to Guyana’s football as head coach CONSIDERED Guyana’s most successful Technical Director, Trinidadian Jamaal Shabazz was named head coach of the Golden Jaguars who will be facing Barbados on February 1. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) also named their provisional squad for the game which will be played at the Barbados National Stadium. ****************************************** WEDNESDAY 14 President meets Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee

Ramotar had the honour of meeting Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan during a visit to Maharashtra. The President and wife also met with the state’s Governor, Vidyasagar Rao at Raj Bhavan. The Governor’s wife Vinodha, state Industries Minister, Subhash Desai, Minister for Housing, Mining and Labour, Prakash Mehta and Bachchan were among those present on the occasion. Jaguars not to be complacent in NAGICO Super50 tourney CLOSE to ten years ago, the Shivnarine Chanderpaul-led Guyana team defeated Barbados by the Duckworth/Lewis Method in fading light at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground to lift the West Indies Cricket Board/KFC Regional 50 overs championship. Guyana Cricket Board president Drubahadur recently met the NAGICO Super50 Guyana Jaguars team, which also includes the 40-year-old Chanderpaul, at the Windjammer Hotel, prior to their departure for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to bid them farewell as they left to compete in the WICB/Professional Cricket League/NAGICO Super50 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago. Police report 15% drop in serious crimes THE Guyana Police Force disclosed that there has been a 15% drop in serious crimes, as it released statistics in relation to the offences of murder and robbery under arms for the period January 1 to December 31, 2014, with corresponding statistics for the same period in 2013. The police said among the serious crimes are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping. A total of 147 murders were recorded at the end of December 2014 in comparison to 155 murders for the same period in 2013. ****************************************** THURSDAY 15 Gov’t announces 10% tax waiver on fuel for miners THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE), along with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), met with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) after which it was announced that approval has been granted for a tariff waiver of 10 per cent, on diesel imported by GGDMA Trading Inc. for use only within the mining sector. Replacing North West ferry with a modern one will cut travel time by half GUYANA has managed to secure a line of credit to the tune of US$8M for the procurement of a new ferry, which is expected to service the North West District, in Region One. According to Transport Minister, Mr. Robeson Benn, the two ferries currently serving the District have been around for decades, and because of this age factor, there has been a decline in the standard of service on offer, which commuters certainly do not deserve. Petting zoo to be declared open Sunday UNDER the Three-Parks Initiative geared at enhancing biodiversity conservation in urban areas for the protection of Guyana’s ‘green spaces’, the petting zoo at the Zoological Park (zoo) in the city will be officially declared open to the public today. ****************************************** FRIDAY 16 ‘Fly AllWays’… Another Surinamese airline sets eyes on Guyana’s skies ANOTHER Surinamese airline has set its sights on Guyana’s skies, according to Private Sector Commission (PSC) Executive Member, Ramesh Dookhoo, who announced that ‘Fly All Ways’ out of Suriname has made an application to add Guyana to its routes. He expressed hope that news of another airline operating in Guyana will bear fruit in the coming months and serve to assist in cross-border commute, including from other Caribbean countries.

Soca sensation Jumo releases ‘high energy’ single SOCA sensation Jumo Primo released his newest song, titled ‘Unruly’, a ‘high energy’ song that was launched on the local airwaves and so far has received favourable responses by fans and others. Primo said he will release a video for the song named ‘They like talk.’ Primo, called ‘Rubber Waist,’ stated that he is very pleased with the feedback he got for his latest song and it is the right music for Mashramani since it is an upbeat soca vibe with a hint of humour, which has readied him for his entrance in the 2015 Soca Monarch competition. Passenger left traumatised after robbery on minibus KEVON Carter was left in a tramautised state following an armed robbery while he was a passenger in a minibus on his way home. The 21-year-old security officer told this publication that he entered a route 42 minibus at the East Bank Demerara Park for home at Diamond, which departed the city with a bus full of passengers. Troy gets environmental permit for Region 7 gold project THE Australian-based mining company Troy Resources Guyana Inc. (TRGI) Limited received the finalised Environmental Permit for the construction and operation of its multibillion Karouni gold project in Region 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni). ****************************************** SATURDAY 17 Major road upgrade projects slated for this year PUBLIC Works Minister Robeson Benn lauded the support of international partners such as the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) with respect to their past and continued funding for infrastructural projects. The Ministry had completed feasibility studies for phase two which stretches from Stanleytown to Everton. He disclosed that there are other aspects to phase two of the East Bank Berbice road including a stretch from New Amsterdam to Stanleytown, but the feasibility study for that is still ongoing. He said that generally the Ministry is hoping very shortly to have the phase two of the E.B.B road tendered and awarded. “Work on Phase one from Everton to Lightttown funded by the Government of Guyana is ongoing so we are expecting that as soon as the IDB gives its no objections to the Feasibility study we can actually go out to tender for the phase two.” Feasibility studies are also on-going with respect to internationally funded road upgrades ` at Canals # I and # 2 and the West Bank Demerara ; the feasibility study for the East Bank Demerara (EBD) Road from Grove to Timehri is completed and the Ministry is awaiting the final submissions from the consultant . Body of Guyanese man recovered at Paramaribo dock TWENTY-EIGHT YEAR OLD Rawle Anthony Henry’s body was discovered trapped between boats which were docked at a Paramaribo wharf where the man reportedly slipped and fell. Henry, a Guyanese and father of one, who once worked with the National Communications Network Inc. and CNS 6 was at the time of his death working on board a tug when his co-workers reported that he tripped on a rope and fell into the river. The man was described as a strong swimmer. Amaila Falls Access road under US$12M budget as CJIA expansion continues apace THE substantial completion of the Amaila Falls Access Road with a handing over date set in March 2015 and the progression of the US$150M expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with a September 2015 deadline were among the many favourable reports coming out of the Ministry of Public Works. Ramesh Ghir, CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer announced that for the third consecutive year the airport earned revenues in excess of $1B. According to Ghir, of that amount some $678M were utilised by the Airport in order to meet its expenditure for the year and the remainder was transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Basdeo charged with wedding house murder NAVENDRA BASDEO, alias Pone, who was the main suspect in the Black Bush Polder wedding house murder, has been officially charged, following directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The defendant appeared at the Albion Court, before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, where he was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on August 23,

Karan Sukhdeo 2014, at Black Bush Polder, he murdered Karan Sukdeo, known as Vishal. He was unrepresented by Counsel, and is expected to attend the Mibicuri Magistrate Court where the matter has been fixed for hearing on January 20. Prior to the charge being instituted, the defendant was released from police custody and was placed on $100,000 station bail. Additionally, Basdeo, of 14 Johanna North Black Bush Polder, was expected to report daily to the Mibicuri Police Station. According to information reach-

ing this newspaper, the police file was initially sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice, but, had been returned with instructions for further investigations. As such, sleuths had appealed to the residents and attendees at the wedding celebration to come forward with the necessary information so that justice can be served. Karan Sukdeo, called Vishal, a medium built six footer died as a result of two stab wounds to his heart. Further, the autopsy report confirmed that the body of the now deceased was inflicted with five incised wounds resulting in shock and haemorrhage. The finding was made by Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan, following a post mortem at the Skeldon Hospital mortuary. The incident occurred outside a wedding house at Johanna North, Black Bush Polder, at about 23:45hrs on Saturday August 23rd. Investigations had revealed that the main suspect, who claimed to be seventeen years old, alleged that he was pulled from the wedding house by the deceased, who lashed him about his body with a piece of wood. A scuffle ensued between them before he, the prime suspect, left for home, leaving behind the injured man on a dam. Invitees to the wedding claimed that the suspect, who was under the influence of alcohol, was behaving inappropriately toward a female guest, prompting Sukdeo to usher him from the marriage celebrations. However, the younger sibling of the deceased, Ramesh Sukhdeo, recounted that he too was at the memorable event and had just served his sister–in-law Devi, with a bottle of the non alcoholic drink Smalta, when he heard screams. “After hearing the screams, I ran outside, just to see my brother collapsing on the dam. Some men

were hitting at him. I asked them what they were doing to my brother, and they ran away. Initially I thought my brother was just unconscious due to what I thought was a beating, but then I saw blood oozing … then I realised that he was stabbed”. Recounting in tears, the witness said, he desperately attempted to revive his sibling, but after he failed, he rushed home, awaking his father, who used his car to transport his son

‘Slim’ Murder trial …

Jury hears how woman was attacked and killed A JURY in the “Slim” murder trial at the Demerara Assizes before Justice Navindra Singh on Thursday heard how Bibi Raffina Saymar was attacked and killed at her home on May 29, 2010. The jury was also told that Troy Green called “Slim,” who was seen leaving the building shortly after screams from the woman had ceased, was later arrested and charged with murder. The witness, Joseph Cummings, a neighbour of the dead woman said on that night he was attracted by screams from Amanda coming from the house. He said that after the screams had ceased, he saw the accused descending the stairs of the building. In answer to cross-examination by Mr. Peter Hugh for the defence, the witness admitted that he did not attend an identification parade. Prosecutor Ms. Mercedes Thompson hopes to call eight witnesses in order to prove the state’s case. The hearing will continue.

They all came tumbling down! Narvindra Basdeo to the Mibicuri Cottage hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. In the meantime, the widow, Devi Sukdeo, who expressed fears after being thrown into the role of being a single parent, recalled seeing her husband in a stooping position, in the drain. “At first I did not know it was him… I don’t know why they killed him… I don’t want to believe that my husband had gone leaving me and our one year old son… what will happen to us now, how will we live without him”, she questioned.

Labourer jailed for 3 months for malicious wounding REPUTED husband Anthony Blair, called Horseman, 38, of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, was on Friday sentenced to three months imprisonment after he confessed to unlawfully and maliciously wounding his wife, who had slept one night away from home. He agreed with the sentence imposed by Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus at the New Amsterdam Court,

and said he lashed his wife to her nose after she slept out on January 2, last. The virtual complainant, Venus Laloo, said she went to a friend’s home where she consumed alcohol, and was invited to spend the night. The following day, she returned home and had picked up two water jars with the intention of filling water. She observed that her reputed

husband was burning her stand, and as she inquired his reason for doing so, he dealt her, a lash, to her nose. In his statement to the Magistrate, the labourer said, “‘Mam’ she left a night and a day I did not know where she went. I was cleaning the fireside when she came home and I took a fire stick and lash she in her face.”

Body in Demerara River at Watooka identified

Man held for incised wound to neck THE decomposing body fished out of the Demerara River in the vicinity of West Watooka on January 8, 2015 has been identified as that of Quincy Johnson, 25, of Half Mile, Wismar.

A post-mortem performed on the body revealed that Johnson died from an incised wound to the neck. A man has been arrested in this connection, and is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

The corpse, discovered at about 21:00 hours on Thursday last, was taken to the Wismar Hospital, where police were awaiting persons to show up and identify the body.

THIS minibus crashed into this coconut vendor’s push cart at Charlotte and Croal Streets, Georgetown on Thursday, January 15, 2015, as the push cart was about to cross the road in the vicinity of the Supreme Court and the passenger bus happened to turn at the same time. Several coconuts strewn on the roadway caused a temporary halt to the flow of traffic on that busy morning, but public-spirited citizens assisted the coconut vendor to clear the coconuts off the road. The pit-bull minibus was not damaged in any way because of the crash bar outfitted on the vehicle, but the same cannot be said of the hapless push cart.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Weekly Investment Insights

with Gary Eleazar

Consolidating investor information by bridging the digital divide

THE Guyana Office for Investment

THE Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), in its little more than two decades of existence, has, over the years, managed to secure a number of noteworthy, large-scale investments; but truth be told, some people believe that the entity can do all manner of things, which in reality it cannot, but should be able to. Last week, I hinted at a massive modernization drive which, among other things, will for the first time truly give GO-Invest, a more accurate picture of the investment climate in Guyana. One Parliamentarian’s favourite term in presenting a new piece of legislation in the National Assembly is to say that it seeks to remedy the ‘lacuna’ that exists. One such lacuna existing at GO-Invest is that is continues to be hampered by the lack of access to ALL investor information across the country, since it is not the only agency in Guyana that deals with investments locally. Many occasions, some investors entering into a venture locally have been facilitated directly through a Ministry, such as Agriculture or Natural Resources. Investors could very well find themselves securing swaths of land to either enter into some extractive activity or farming or otherwise; but with GO-Invest absent from the equation, it cannot accurately present an illustration of where and what investments dot Guyana’s 83,000 square miles. It would in effect be able to give only a partial picture. BETTER POSITIONED But 21st century technology is coming to the rescue, and the recently appointed GO-Invest Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Keith Burrowes, seems to believe that, in the near future, GO-Invest will be better positioned to use the information that will be at its disposal in the execution of its mandate. He sees a GO-Invest very soon in the future being able to map, for example, where the majority of overseas mining companies come from, and target potential investors more accurately. With the investment arm of Office of the President (OP) operating on an annual subvention, finding ways to better promote investment opportunities in Guyana will have to come through more targeted and prudent approaches. GO-Invest should, after all, be the primary contact for investors, and the agency liaising with Government agencies throughout the investment process.

The President has already approved the use of the technology, and Mr. Burrowes is looking to bring in specialised personnel. One of the things he is looking to have happen is to have an urgent, careful review focusing on concessions given to investors, whether local or foreign. With the database operational, all investor information will be consolidated; and GO-Invest, according to Burrowes, would

INVESTMENT TRENDS Investment trends are another area that GO-Invest wants to focus on heavily using its consolidated investor information. With knowledge of the varying investment trends, GO-Invest officers will be able to better anticipate and facilitate certain types of investment. Guyana has, for example, been attracting more and more diverse project propos-

then be in a better to position to track how concessions have been impacting on the Guyana Economy. With better indicators of how concessions have been able to aid businesses and their growth, it is only natural that concessions offered in future would be modified or tailor-made to achieve maximum results. Another potential advantage of the consolidated information, which has been hinted at last week, is the ability to make informed predictions of the economies of local investors. A practical example lies in the gold mining industry. A number of large foreign companies operate in Guyana, and gold prices have been taking a battering on the international market of recent. Should the economies of the those countries where those investors come from also show that, in future, this too is going to be taking a battering, then GO-Invest would be in a better position to decide on what kinds of risk it would want to take with such companies, particularly when it comes to concessions being offered. Offering concessions is, after all, almost the same as taking tax dollars and handing them to a company in order to offset many of its startup expenses, so that that company can try and get some firm footing in whichever industry it is venturing into.

als, and GO-Invest must be positioned to effectively deliver on its mandate of facilitating investments locally with mutually beneficial terms and conditions. I have learnt that a proposal for setting up a very unique liquid processing facility was submitted last year, but this company wanted to produce liquids to be used in the medical field, such as saline solutions. This is a venture that has never been proposed or even assessed before in Guyana, and, as such, the proposal will require specialised attention when being assessed by GO-Invest. As long as GO-Invest can be able to monitor the trend regarding the kinds of companies and businesses looking to invest in developing countries such as Guyana, that agency would be better prepared to confront head-on a wider gamut of proposals for investment in Guyana. Renewable energy, for example, has been taking centre stage in recent years, as scientists and politicians argue the merits of Climate Change and its effects, perceived or real. While a US$48 a barrel oil tag right now is certainly not going to kill the quest for other forms of renewable energy, it would most certainly push innovators to seek to deliver on cleaner energy at a cheaper cost, with even more varying methods.

Guyana has been attempting hydro power for a number of years now. A few years ago, there was renewed talk of wind turbines and solar power slowly gaining traction, but what happens when someone walks into GO-Invest with a proposal to build an ‘Atmospheric Vortex Engine’ that would supply more electricity than Guyana can ever imagine to use? INVESTMENT ROOM Another potential area of advantage that Burrowes is looking to implement in the not-too-distant future, with its pilot kicking off at its Head Office, is an Investor Room. Think about an E-Library complemented with hard data at the fingertips of a potential investor looking to enter into a business venture. Apparently, an untenable situation that obtained on many occasions when investors approached GO-Invest was the lack of information at hand both on the part of the investor and Government entity. The Investor Room is intended to remedy this, as all information related to investments in Guyana, Investing in Guyana, Investment requirement in Guyana — think all things doing business in Guyana — is a tedious task when not incorporating technology, moreso without all of the required information in a central location. One of the areas which frankly left much to be desired was that of the monitoring by GO-Invest, despite the fact that it had implemented a tracking system some years ago. But with such a tool available to GO-Invest, the database will, no doubt, provide for a more accurate and detailed report on investments in Guyana. The Economic Sector, the quantum of investment, number of jobs created, concessions, timeline dates, and a host of other investment details will now be of much more use to this Office of the President arm; and given the track record of the entity in recent years, it certainly has a bright future. Guyana, after all, is a country that has and continues to welcome Foreign Direct Investments. The applications of a database of consolidated investor information are numerous, and, technically, are bounded only by the human imagination; hence the acquisition of specialised personnel at GO-Invest to primarily utilise this information can only bode well. Comments and queries can be sent to garyeleazar@yahoo.com

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Guyanese have much to b and optimistic about

A GINA Feature

T is something any Government should be proud of economic growth. S o t h e Government and people of Guyana have every reason to be proud and optimistic. Guyana has been witnessing economic growth for almost a decade now with almost every sector showing significant and steady increases. Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, in a recent interview maintained that “this Government will continue to implement measures to ensure economic growth, well into the future.” The economic policies and practices of this government have attracted regional and international recognition St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, during a visit here, lauded Guyana’s housing programme. He emphatically stated that he did “… not know of any programme of this magnitude anywhere else in the Caribbean, in the Eastern Caribbean nor in the OECS.” During his address, at the 32nd meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government conference in St Kitts and Nevis two years ago, Gonsalves said

-given n pe

that Guyana “appears to be a bright growth prospect even amidst the global economic meltdown from September 2008 … (Guyana) has agricultural commodities to sell in which the country still has some competitive advantage… marine resources and gold… also Guyana has abundant hydroelectricity (potential).” So Guyana has every reason to be proud and optimistic. Dr. Singh explained that notwithstanding the challenges encountered in the parliamentary process, and the inevitable consequences that these challenges have posed for the political and by extension the economic environment, Guyana still continues to experience economic growth. The Finance Minister said recently that sustaining nine years of consecutive economic growth is not easy work, and that extending it remains high on the agenda of the PPP/C administration. Why? “We (the PPP/C) take very seriously our responsibility for ensuring that the economic environment in Guyana continues to be attractive,” he explained. According to Dr. Singh, the local economy continues to be one which is conducive to attracting investors, both local and foreign. “We have pursued relentlessly the

objective of ensuring that the conditions exist for steady improvement in the quality of life for all Guyanese.” The Minister pointed out that Government’s policy is to provide the same incentives to local and foreign investors who are interested in investing in Guyana. “If you look across the spectrum, you’ll see a very strong track record of investors from every jurisdiction, responding to the environment that we have created. We have today companies (local and foreign) in the natural resources sector, in gold, in manganese, in bauxite and in new and emerging industries. In others words, regardless of whether the investor is local or foreign, this Government will support its investors. Executive Director of the National Industrial Commercial Investments Ltd., (NICIL), Winston Brassington attested to the Minister’s sentiments. “We have been witnessing a lot of foreign investment and this itself is an indicator that the fundamentals to attract investment are in the right place.” NICIL, a Government holding company that manages, monitors and develops Government assets and investments, work directly with local and foreign investors.

CEO of the Massy Holdings Ltd., Gervase Warner greeting Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh at the opening of the US$10M Massy distribution centre at Montrose, East Coast Demerara in November 2014 Examples of foreign direct investment are evident in the international companies that have chosen Guyana as their respective investment destination. Examples of such companies include Guyana Goldfields, a Canadian company and Troy Resources of Australia; Exxon Mobil and CGX, internationally recognised oil companies;

Qualfon, a Mexican call service provider; and Massy Group of companies, one of the Region’s largest conglomerates. PROUD ACCOMPLISHMENT The Finance Minister noted that the nine years of consecutive growth were achieved despite non- support

in the Parliament from the Opposition which can only be deemed as a concerted effort to stymie development. He noted that Guyana could have achieved much more, had many pivotal projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion not been obstructed by the

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh speaking at the opening of UNICOMER’s US$6M distribution centre at Eccles, East Bank Demerara

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

be proud

national economic erformance Parliamentary Opposition. In addition, the Minister noted that the global economic environment has also been faced with its own problems and has impacted many of Guyana’s trading partners negatively. Given these internal and external challenges, Minister S i n g h s a i d G u y a n a ’s economic performance is worth commending. “It is most commendable not just to Government, but indeed to the investors, the entrepreneurs, and the workers, all of whom have contributed to this growth.” The Finance Minister noted that the economy was able to perform as well as it did because of investor friendly policies and prudent fiscal management by Government. It was also noted that in recent years the banking sector has been able to provide more loans to more Guyanese and more banking locations as it recognises the growth of Guyana’s economy. FOUNDATION Stressing that “economic growth is essential for improving the wellbeing of the people of Guyana,” Singh emphasised that Government will therefore continue to maintain policies, aimed at securing the country’s economic growth, notwithstanding the present and emerging challenges. “There was a time when the economy was dependent on one or two key sectors, but the country is now at a point where it is sufficiently diversified to be resilient to shocks experienced by any individual sector,” the Finance Minister noted. Even though this is what now obtains, the Minister charged that Government will not become complacent, and will continue to work assiduously to ensure that the main sectors remain competitive and continue to expand. DETRACTORS Expressing his belief that

the Parliamentary Political Opposition is all about injuring the economy, Dr. Singh said that the political challenges cannot be ignored, “The Opposition has not been shy of flaunting its tactics for all and sundry to see, and these tactics have been aimed at scaring investors away, intimidating investors, (and even) threatening (them).” He recalled when the Opposition went so far as to threaten that they would not honour contracts entered into with investors. Singh then stressed that in a democratic environment, these ‘Opposition actions’ are not deemed as acceptable behaviour, “since all leaders are supposed to act in the country’s best interest, regardless of which side they represent.” Referring to the AntiMoney Laundering Bill, the Minister expounded that this was “the starkest example” that the Opposition parties have made it quite clear, that they have no interest in the consequences of an adverse review by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the other external bodies that are responsible for reviewing Guyana’s financial actions. RESOLVE Dr. Singh stated that the PPP/C Government will continue to place strong focus on the building of key infrastructural projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, as “… these have the potential to cement the nation’s long prospects for economic growth.” He further emphasised: “ We ( P P P / C ) a re persevering with Amaila … we continue to work with international partners … notwithstanding the Opposition’s attempts to stymie and stultify t h e s e p ro j e c t s ( o t h e r transformational projects mentioned above), it is (still) very much our intention to ensure that these projects be realised”.

Fishermen making efforts to disentangle the whale from the seine that had it entrapped off the #37 Village seacoast, West Coast Berbice (Pictures :Compliments of Mr. Gordon Moseley)

Another whale dies after getting entangled in fishermen’s seines A fifteen-feet-long whale was found entangled among fishing seines along the seashore at No.37 Village, West Coast Berbice early yesterday morning. Alive when discovered by fishermen, efforts were made to free the animal but it subsequently died, reliable sources disclosed. The carcass was reportedly brought to Georgetown by officials of the Wildlife Management Authority late Friday afternoon. This is the second occurrence of a whale being trapped in fishing seines off the Atlantic coast in recent weeks. Late last December, a six-year-old male sperm whale measuring 45 feet and weighing approximately 30 tonnes was discovered dead after its carcass was washed ashore at the Kitty seawall. That whale was first spotted in the Mahaicony area, where it was caught in the seine of a

fisherman who had immediately reported the sighting to the relevant authorities after his efforts to free the gigantic mammal had proved futile. The agencies had initially sought to have the carcass brought over the seawall and taken to the Linden-Soesdyke Highway for burial, with the intention of subsequently retrieving its skeleton for storage in a museum for educational purposes. However, based on the advice of experts from the Caribbean, Venezuela, Suriname and Canada, a decision was taken to take skin samples from the mammal before burying it in a 22-foot grave a short distance from where it had washed ashore. Efforts to contact officials to find out what they intend to do with the carcass of the whale which died Friday proved futile up to late last evening.

Massey Security to compensate UG students for vandalised NBS dorms THE Massey Security Company reportedly has to compensate students of the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen campus for the losses they had suffered when their rooms in the New Building Society (NBS) Hall of Residence dorms were vandalised just after the Christmas season. The UG online entity, Splash, has said that Health and Safety Manager Hugh Gibson told that publication that the recent vandalism was caused by the “incompetence of the Massey Security personnel” and that the incident happened

discharge its function. The publication also disclosed that a similar break-in had occurred at the Office of the Pro-Chancellor, located at Pere Street, Kitty, in which several valuable items were stolen. Splash has further added that four security personnel are under investigation, and UG is recommending that they be criminally charged and placed before the courts. UG Public Relations Officer, Paulette Paul told the Guyana Chronicle that no feedback has been provided from the company, but, like every security company, protocol has to be followed in terms of compensation. She noted that normal procedure once any loss of property or belongings occurs is that the security company is held liable. “We regret the loss the students have encountered. As such, we are putting measures in place to combat this issue,” Paul said. She underscored the fact that UG continues to upgrade and improve its security system. THE INCIDENT

The vandalised New Building Society (NBS) Hall University of Guyana because the contractor from the Massey Security company refused to follow the guidelines, which have subsequently led to an infringement of the security system. The company also took one week to send its investigators to the scene of the infringement. Splash disclosed that a senior UG official has informed of a series of thefts occurring at UG, and this has reportedly brought into question the Massey Security’s ability to

Upon returning from their holiday break, UG of Residence dorms at the students were greeted with missing doors to their dorms, and they discovered that other possessions -- such as laptops and phones, among their other belongings -- had gone missing. It was obvious that the dorms had been vandalised by thieves. The University of Guyana was officially closed on December 19 last, and is slated to reopen for the second semester on January 26. The students are in jeopardy because the laptops, an ideal tool for delivering academic work, have all been stolen. (Shivanie Sugrim)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Resolutions for the International Year of Light

In last week’s article, we pointed out that this year, is the International Year of Light. Let’s take a look this week at what you can do to get involved in observing the International Year of Light. We are still in the first month of the year so you have the unique opportunity to make a

resolution to observe the Year of Light by making small changes in your lifestyle. Here are some ideas to get you started: • Make use of natural light as much as possible: During the day, open windows and pull the curtains to allow natural light to enter your home. Schedule outdoor activity during the morning and evening to use daylight as much as possible.

• Convert to energy saving bulbs: Use energy saving bulbs instead of the traditional incandescent ones that use more energy and produce a duller light. • Only use lights when necessary: Turn off lights when leaving a room or

• Charge mobile devices such as phones, tablets and laptops when the battery is completely low. This not only saves electricity but also prolongs the lifetime of the device. • Utilise the Internet to avoid un-

when the room is not in use. • Purchase energy efficient appliances. These are appliances usually have the ENERGY STAR label. • Unplug devices such as phone chargers and other appliances when not in use. Remember as long as a device is plugged in, it is still using energy.

necessary printing of documents that can be emailed. When possible, print on both sides of the paper, even if this has to be done manually. • Educate yourself about how light technologies such as microscopes, lasers,

‘Coolie Boy’ murder trial begins with voir dire JUSTICE Franklyn Holder is conducting a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to determine the admissibility of a purported oral statement by the accused Justin Felix, called Justin Percival. The accused is on trial for allegedly murdering Paul Austin called “Coolie Boy,” said to have been committed on the July 13, 2008, in the County of Demerara. The voir dire was initiated after defence counsel, Mr. Glenn Hanoman objected to an oral statement on the ground that it had not been obtained in accordance with the Judges’ Rules. The judge then decided to hold the voir dire in the absence of the jury to determine the issue and it will continue on Monday. At the end of it, Prosecutor Mrs. Teshana Lake who is prosecuting for the state in association with Miss Narissa Leander, will deliver her opening address to the jury.

Three petitioners granted $750, 000 bail pending hearing of cases ACTING Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S. C on Thursday granted three petitioners bail in the sum of $750, 000, pending the hearing of their cases. Following are the offences and offenders. MANSLAUGHTER: Donnal Callender $400,000; UNLAWFUL WOUNDING: Jamoden Arjune $100,000; R O B B E RY U N D E R ARMS: Francis Hinds $250,000; Five other applicants for bail had their matters adjourned to January 23.

the electric bulb etc. have made our lives better and share your knowledge with others. At present, most of the world’s energy needs is supplied by fossil fuels – petroleum, coal, natural gas – all of which are non-renewable resources. Unfortunately, the sourcing and burning of fossil fuels affect the environment by causing water and air pollution and climate change. Since humans rely on the environment for all aspects of life, it is compulsory that you do all that you can to maintain it in a state to continue to provide air, water, food, shelter and a suitable climate all of which are necessary for survival. In taking simple steps, you can contribute to the preservation of the environment. Moreover, making small changes in how you use energy will also bring you the added benefit of savings on electricity and equipment maintenance costs. Do your bit to create a brighter world! Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/o EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail. com.

Police seek help to determine identity of alleged David Emmanuel Marks THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday reported that the body of a man whose name was given as “David Emanuel Marks” is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting identification by a relative and a post-mortem. The GPF is seeking the assistance of the public in this regard. Contact can be made with the police on telephone numbers 226-1333 or 225-2722. “David Emanuel Marks” was allegedly seen breaking into a shop at Papi Show Landing, Mazaruni River on January 4, 2015, and when confronted by residents, is reported to have jumped into the river in a bid to escape. His body was recovered on January 7, 2015. “David Emanuel Marks” is of African descent, appears to be in his mid-thirties, is about 5’8” in height, is brown-complexioned and is medium build, Police said.

Police ‘F’ Division Commander Courtney Ramsey, in an interview last week, said police investigations have revealed that David Marks was allegedly seen breaking and entering a shop in the interior. He was confronted by several persons, but jumped into the river to escape capture. His body was retrieved from the river on January 7. Commander Ramsey added that a police probe revealed that Marks had been seen by the owners of shops which had not been broken into, but he was pursued and dealt several blows to the body by a group of men who were drinking, and to escape capture, he jumped to his death. Ramsey noted that the file was with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and it was recommended that the police do further investigations, since the incident was not classified as a murder.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Wortmanville resident refused bail on ganja charge A 41-year-old businessman was on Thursday refused bail after appearing before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine –Beharry after being found with 26 grams of cannabis. Raymond Clark

pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on January 15 at Durban S t r e e t , Wo r t m a n v i l l e , Georgetown, he had in his possession cannabis sativa for the purpose of trafficking. Police Prosecutor

Bharat Mangru told the court that on the day in question, police on an operation went to the defendant’s home to search for guns and narcotics. During the search, it was alleged that a small zip lock bag containing what

Rasville resident jailed, fined for ganja possession A RESIDENT of Rasville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Greater Georgetown, was jailed for two years and 10 months after he was convicted for being in possession of 28.5 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. Magistrate Ann McLennan found Andrew Williams, 41, of Lot 1435 Rasville, guilty as charged at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday. The particulars of the charge stated that on November 3, 2014, at Rasville, around 23:10hrs, police ranks were on duty and received a tip-off. Acting upon the information they accosted the defendant and told him of the allegation and asked to conduct a search on him, to which he agreed. While conducting the search, the police found a transparent plastic bag in his right hand. In the bag, leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa were found. The ranks then told the defendant of the offence after which he was arrested and charged. During his first appearance, the court heard from the defendant’s lawyer that Williams was the sole breadwinner of his household and on the day in question, there was a group of persons with Williams. Upon seeing the police, the four men ran, but Williams stayed to prove his innocence. Williams was also fined $34,200.

was suspected to be leaves, seeds and stems of the plant cannabis sativa, was found in the defendant’s toilet. According to the prosecutor, Clark told the police that the contents of the bag were his, and he was just making “a little hustle.” Consequently, he was arrested and charged

for the offence. Representing the defendant was Attorney-atLaw Gordon Gilhuys, who told the court that his client is single is a father of two and resides at Lot 8 Durban S t r e e t , Wo r t m a n v i l l e , Georgetown. The lawyer further informed the court that the

defendant and his uncle live at the said house, and the search was carried out in the wee hours of the morning around 04:00hrs. The magistrate remanded the defendant, who will make his second court appearance on February 19 before Magistrate Fabio Azore.

Joiner fined for unlawful assault, abusive language

A 40-year-old joiner on Thursday appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh charged with unlawful assault and using abusive language. It is alleged that Colin De Souza of Lot 15 Hadfield Street, Lodge, on January 6, 2015, in Stabroek Market unlawfully assaulted Alesha Moontaz and on the said day also used abusive language to her. The facts read that on the said date around 1600hrs, in Stabroek Market, De Souza approached Moontaz from behind and assaulted her with an object. He also uttered expletives to her and she reported the matter at the police outpost in the area. As a result, De Souza was arrested and charged. The defendant who was unrepresented by counsel pleaded guilty to the offence, but explained that he had been joking with the victim who did not like it and reported him to the police. He was fined $7,000 for the unlawful assault and $5000 for using abusive language.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Fish vendor gets 60 months for robbery under arms OTHELLO Duncan, a fish vendor of 117 Canet Street, Meadow Bank, Greater Georgetown, on Thursday was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment by Magistrate Judy Latchman after being found guilty of robbery under arms. Particulars of the charge state that on July 25, 2013 at the Meadow Bank wharf, being armed with a gun, robbed the virtual

complainant (VC) Hayman Harden of $316,000 in cash. On his first appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry on November 12, 2014, he pleaded not guilty to the said charge. The court was told that on the day in question, around 10:10 hours, the VC was at Meadow Bank when the defendant approached him and tried to relieve him of the money that he had in his possession; the accused placed the firearm to the victim’s head and asked him to hand over his cash. After the victim refused , Duncan pushed his hand into Harden’s pocket, took away the money, and made good his escape. The matter was then reported to the police. Prosecutor Shelon Daniels objected to bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence

and the fact that a firearm was used in committing of the crime. She also noted that the defendant had been evading the police since the report was made. Daniels also asked the court to consider the fact that violence was used in perpetrating the crime and that fear had been driven into Harden and that the defendant had permanently deprived the victim of his money. During his trial, Duncan gave an unsworn statement stating that an identification parade had not been held. The VC however stated that he had seen Duncan for three to five minutes during the incident, which gave him sufficient time to see his face. Magistrate Latchman pointed out the she was aware that no identification parade had been conducted, but the fact that the VC had seen the

defendant and has known him for a while, satisfies her that it was enough to enable the VC to recognise the defendant, particularly since the incident had occurred in broad daylight with nothing obstructing Harden’s sight. “Nothing can be said at this point of time,” were the words of Duncan’s Attorney Melville Duke, who told the court that his client is a father of two, had been working at the fisheries for over 13 years with no prior convictions or pending criminal matters. Duke pointed out that “persons can change their behaviour” and asked if Duncan would be allowed to pay some sort of compensation instead of serving a custodial sentence. Imprisonment at this point, counsel contended, would cause a severe blow to the defendant’s family.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

‘Rasta’ admits smoking ganja -ordered to do community service

Hotel clerk fined for possession of ganja

A‘RASTA’ who admitted to smoking ganja, was Friday fined $3,000 on a trafficking charge. Damion Carter pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry. The particulars alleged that on January 15 at Kitty, Georgetown, he had in his possession 1.8 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The unrepresented defendant told the court that he is a clothes vendor and resides at Lot 14 Railway Line, Kitty, Georgetown. Besides fining the defendant, the magistrate ordered him to perform six months of community service at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

KERWIN Prescott on Friday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with trafficking in narcotics. Prescott, who is a desk clerk at the K&VC Hotel, South Road, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge which was read by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry. The particulars of the offence alleged that on January 15 at Wortmanville, Georgetown, he had in his possession six grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. He was fined $3,000 and ordered to do six months of community service at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Miner charged with possession of ‘smoking pot’ crusher on $50,000 bail A 23-year-old miner charged with having possession of crusher used in the preparation of smoking pot on Thursday was made to pay bail of $50,000 when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry. Junior Camacho from Kitty denied the charge which read that on January 15 at Kitty, Georgetown, he had in his possession a utensil used in the preparation of drug for smoking that is an improvised crusher. The magistrate granted him bail and Camacho is to make is second court appearance on February 19 before Magistrate Fabio Azore.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Sunday CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Pakistan have firepower to surprise at World Cup - Waqar KARACHI, (Reuters) Pakistan’s preparations for the World Cup have not been ideal but coach Waqar Younis believes his team still have the firepower to surprise at the tournament. Leading off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in recent years, will be missing because of suspension due to his suspect bowling action. “Not having Saeed Ajmal is a big blow while some of our bowlers have faced fitness issues in the run up to the World Cup,” Waqar told a news conference yesterday.

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis. “It affected our preparations but no team should write us off.” All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, also suspended, will also undergo an assessment before the World Cup to find out if he can bowl. “We had fitness issues with our pace bowlers for the last few months and it has

unsettled us but those selected must now put their hands up,” Waqar added. Fast bowler Junaid Khan suffered a hamstring injury during training but MRI scans showed he had escaped serious injury and will travel with the squad to New Zealand on Tuesday. “I am happy our team is not tagged as favourites in the event it will help take the pressure off the players,” Waqar said. “Being favourites only adds to the pressure on players because of the high expectations from them.” Pakistan were not among the favourites for the last World Cup but surprisingly reached the semi-finals. “We also have plenty of experience in the side and I am expecting

seniors like captain Misbah-ulHaq, Shahid Afridi and Younus Khan to perform well and show the way to the younger players,” Waqar said. Waqar did not enjoy World Cup success as a player. He missed out with stress fracture injury in 1992 when Pakistan won the trophy and, as captain, his team were eliminated in the first round in 2003. “This time it should be better as we have time to acclimatise to the conditions in New Zealand and Australia,” Waqar said. Pakistan play two one-day internationals against New Zealand on Jan. 31 and Feb. 3, before starting their World Cup campaign against India in Adelaide on February 15.

No General Council meeting in the making – Urling By Rawle Toney THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) General Council is suppose to be the highest decision making forum for the Federation, but that’s according to the Constitution, which the world’s governing body for Football (FIFA) says must be reformed. After lengthy dispute in the sport under the presidency of Christopher Matthias, FIFA stepped in and installed Guyana’s first Normalisation Committee, headed by local businessman Clinton Urling. FIFA, through their Head of Member Associations Premo Cavaro and Head of Legal Affairs Marco Leal, announced the establishment of the committee via a press conference last year at the Pegasus Hotel. Cavaro has said among the Committee’s duties are, to formulate a new constitution for the GFF and its affiliates and to run the day to day operations of the local governing body, including interfacing with stakeholders and attending FIFA and CONCACAF Meetings. The FIFA official said that while the current constitution is not bad it needs to be improved and this is one area that the Committee will be looking at. He added that there will be big and deep changes in the manner

in which football is governed in Guyana, informing that the installation of the Committee will pave the way for a new GFF that will advance the development of the game here. In an interview with Chronicle Sport after the announcement of Jamaal Shabazz becoming Guyana’s head coach for the February 1 encounter against Barbados, Urling pointed out that “currently with the Normalisation Committee, there’s no General Council meeting until after we’ve done the constitutional reform and we have the General Council meeting which is the annual one; there’s no emergency one”. Many among Guyana’s fragile football community had questioned the modus operandi of Urling’s led Normalisation Committee, with some calling it churlish, since they feel that the committee is completely overlooking the fact that regardless of the mandated Constitutional reform, until such is taken place, the General Council should’ve been embraced. “We wouldn’t be calling any general council meeting or emergency meeting or anything like that from now until ma be after September. The Normalisation Committee is the GFF executive committee which FIFA appointed to straighten

things out, which primarily is the constitution and running this office and supervising the elections,” Urling added. At the top of the long list of priorities for the five-member GFF Normalisation Committee apart from managing the day-to-day activities of the country’s football will be to adopt the new constitution of the GFF; to amend the current one and to organise elections according to the new constitution. “ E a r l y F e b r u a r y, we’ll have a committee of no more than 15 persons sitting on that committee for two days and FIFA will handle that process and not the Normalisation Committee and after the two days, we’ll come out with a new Constitution, hopefully, and from then all our Member Associations’ constitution should mirror or fall in line,” Urling said when asked about when the constitutional reform will take place. The current constitution is seen as one with contempt and its nostalgic reading of the game had brought the world’s leading sport into dispute among the affiliated member associations. How the Normalisation Committee will go about making the historic reform is not yet known, with Urling pointing out “the approach to doing it in terms of how we’re go-

ing to our member associations, I can’t say presently; maybe we will hire a consultant to go around or we go as a committee, I’m not sure of the process”. Irish Racing Tips Leopardstown 08:50 hrs Bonny Kate 09:20 hrs Fletcher 09:50 hrs Vautour 10:20 hrs Foxrock 10:50 hrs Snake Eyes 11:20 hrs Mydor 11:50 hrs Balko Des Flos South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:35 hrs Silver Inspiration 09:10 hrs Texas Cowboy 09:40 hrs Jay Power 10:15 hrs Tiger’s Retreat 10:50 hrs Raaees 11:25 hrs Ramp Diva French Racing Tips Pau 08:45 hrs Blue Mambo 09:15 hrs Prince D’Araize 09:45 hrs Black Jewel 10:25 hrs Café De Paris 10;55 hrs Kalmonto 11:30 hrs Agades 12:00 hrs Tropical Rain 12:30 hrs Butsala English Racing Tips Kempton 09:05 hrs Salvado 09:35 hrs Shotgun Start 10:05 hrs Barwah 10:35 hrs Rock Charm 11;05 hrs Pabusar 11:35 hrs Happy Valentine 12:05 hrs Aldeburgh 12:35 hrs Tsarglas

Sunday CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Five-star Chelsea maul Swansea to surge clear

By Martyn Herman

LONDON, (Reuters) Chelsea ran riot at Swansea City by scoring four goals before halftime on the way to a 5-0 win that sent Jose Mourinho’s side surging five points clear in the Premier League title race yesterday. Brazil midfielder Oscar and Spain striker Diego Costa grabbed two apiece inside the opening 36 minutes as Swansea were torn to shreds. Substitute Andre Schuerrle got his name on the scoresheet late in a more even second half. “It was the perfect game, everything went in our direction,” Mourinho, who will be hoping Arsenal can take points off second-placed champions Manchester City on Sunday, told Sky Sports. Manchester United briefly climbed above Southampton into third spot, 12 points behind Chelsea, with second-half substitutes Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson on target in a 2-0 win

at second-bottom Queens Park Rangers. R o n a l d K o e m a n ’s Southampton again showed they cannot be dismissed as genuine contenders for a top-four finish when they won 2-1 at Newcastle United in the late kickoff. On-loan Eljero Elia scored in each half for the Saints who have 42 points to United’s 40. Playmaker Christian Eriksen struck another late winner to give Tottenham Hotspur a seventh 2-1 league victory this season, at home to Sunderland, and lift them above Arsenal into fifth, three points behind United. Seventh-placed Liverpool’s upwards push gathered momentum when Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert scored in a 2-0 victory at Aston Villa who have now gone five league games without a goal. Crystal Palace recovered from 2-0 down to snatch a 3-2 win at fellow strugglers Burnley, their second consecutive league victory since Alan Pardew took charge

Chelsea’s Oscar celebrates after scoring a goal against Swansea City during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Rebecca Naden) taking them up to 12th. Bottom club Leicester City’s recent burst of form, which had earned them seven points from three games, ended in a 1-0 home loss to Stoke City, Spaniard Bojan Krkic scoring the winner. Swansea have proved tough opponents in south Wales since joining the Pre-

mier League in 2011 and had only suffered two home defeats this season, but they were no match for a rampant Chelsea side who oozed class. ERRANT PASS From the moment Oscar ruthlessly punished an errant pass by Gylfi Sigurdsson to put Chelsea

ahead in the first minute the writing was on the wall for the hosts. A slick one-touch passing move ended with Costa making it 2-0 after 20 minutes and the Brazil-born Spaniard made it 3-0 following more dozy Swansea defending. Oscar’s second, a cheeky dink over busy Swans keeper Lukasz Fabianski, was followed quickly by Willian striking the crossbar as Chelsea threatened to run up a rugby score. However, the fizz went out of the visitors in the second half and they had to be content with one more goal when Schuerrle got the final touch to deny Oscar a hat-trick. As eye-catching as Chelsea’s football was, pragmatist Mourinho said the most important thing was winning matches. “There is no history without titles,” he said. “If we play fantastically well but we don’t win cups I think in 20 years’ time nobody will remember this team. “Everybody wants the

team to play very well -- I am the first one -- but we have to win competitions.” Manchester United were unconvincing in the first half at QPR but improved after the break when Fellaini replaced Juan Mata and Wilson came on for injured defender Jonny Evans. “It’s a change in attack that brings lot of risk, but we have won 2-0 and I think it was deserved,” Van Gaal said after United’s third away win in the league this season. With Chelsea and City clear at the top, United, Southampton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool appear to be scrapping for third and fourth but modest Southampton, who beat United last week at Old Trafford, are undaunted. “Maybe for everybody it was lovely to win at Old Trafford but maybe this win today is more important,” manager Ronald Koeman said after his side’s fifth victory in six matches.

Rain washes out third ODI between NZ and Sri Lanka (REUTERS) - Persistent rain washed out the third one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday after less than 30 overs of the hosts’ innings. New Zealand had been well-placed at 145 for three in the 29th over in the game that had already been reduced to 43 overs due to two previous rain delays. Opener Martin Guptill had shaken off a poor run of form at the international level with a confidence-boosting 66 not out from 78 balls, before the rain forced them off the field for the final time. Guptill, who had passed 50 just once since he scored 111 on the same ground against India a year ago, was tentative before he dispatched a Nuwan Kulasekara delivery for six over long on and then grew in confidence from that moment on. Until then he had been watching Brendon McCullum attack the Sri Lankan bowlers, belting 28 from 22 balls before he was well caught by Kulasekara off Angelo Mathews. Guptill and Tom Latham (42) then combined for 99 runs, while being forced off twice for rain, before

Martin Guptill Sri Lanka captain Mathews got the left-handed Latham to chop on then had Ross Taylor lbw for three in his next over. Rain then forced the players off for the final time. The series is locked at 1-1 with the fourth game of the seven-match series to be played on Tuesday at Saxton Oval in Nelson.

Sunday CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Pietersen guides Stars to big win

KEVIN Pietersen has again showed what England will be missing during the World Cup, spearheading the Melbourne Stars to an eight-wicket win over Sydney Thunder at Spotless Stadium yesterday. (Scores: Melbourne Stars 2 for 107 (Pietersen 67*, White 23) beat Sydney Thunder 8 for 106 (Blizzard 45, McKay 2-14, Beer 2-14) by eight wickets) Pietersen hit 67 off 42 balls as the Stars easily chased down’s the Thunder’s below-par total of 8-106 to keep their chances of a Big Bash League semi-final alive. The Thunder were no match for the in-form Stars, whose claimed the win in the 15th over and whose fourth straight victory moves them up to third on the BBL ladder. A win over the Perth Scorchers at the MCG next Wednesday, and they could find themselves in the top-

African Nations Cup…

two on run-rate differential. It’s all over for the second-last Thunder though, whose finals hopes are gone ahead of their season-ending derby with the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Thursday. The Stars, who won the toss and sent the Thunder in to bat, took advantage of the slow drop-in pitch to rip through their opponent’s top order Left-arm spinner Michael Beer (2-14) claimed the first scalp on just the third ball - bowling Jason Roy for a duck. And things quickly went downhill from there. The Thunder found themselves at 3-9 after 3.1 overs - Dan Hughes and star opener Jacques Kallis each dismissed on four runs by former Test quick Jackson Bird. They were 3-41 midway through the innings and finished 8-106. It was a target easily

Kevin Pietersen muscled 10 fours and a six during his 42-ball 67. met by the Stars, who were 2-108 after 14.3 overs, despite missing James Faulkner and Glenn Maxwell to the Australian one-day side. Cameron White (23), whose controversial dis-

missal involved a disputed outfield catch by Josh Lalor, in which he left the field and came back again as he caught the ball, and Luke Wright (4) were the only wickets lost.

As such Pietersen did most of the heavy lifting - although he barely broke a sweat. He even made his bowling debut this season, giving away seven runs in his oneover spell.

Late Congo goal spoils Equatorial Guinea’s party top in the 70th minute but again the effort was thwarted. Nsue did find the net four minutes later with a clever lob but was wrongly ruled offside.

By Mark Gleeson

BATA, Equatorial Guinea, (Reuters) Congo striker Thievy Bifouma grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw to deny hosts Equatorial Guinea a rousing start to the African Nations Cup finals at the Estadio de Bata yesterday.

They led with a 17th minute goal from English-based captain Emilio Nsue but their defence was finally breached in the 87th, ending the celebrations of a capacity crowd almost exclusively clad in their team’s red colours. The small central African nation, handed a place at the finals after stepping in as emergency hosts, were fortunate to lead as replays showed Nsue was just offside when he scored. Bifouma earned Congo a deserved draw after outpacing the defence and they might even have got the winner two minutes later but Dominque Malonga squandered a golden chance.

Equatorial Guinea Emilio Nsue Lopez (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the opening soccer match against Congo at the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON 2015) soccer tournament at Bata Stadium, in Bata yesterday.. (Credit: Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh) Bifouma, who spent most of the game moaning at the match officials, sped away to place the ball under home goalkeeper Felipe Ovono and just inside the post to stun the crowd. Substitute Malonga should have secured all three points for Congo on the stroke of full time but fired straight at Ovono from in front of the posts. The game began with a dramatic goal for the underrated home side as Nsue, a former Spanish under-21 international playing at Mid-

dlesbrough, swept in a clever pass from winger Kike after his probing run at the defence to sweep aside all the organisational problems that clouded the build-up to the event. Equatorial Guinea could have killed the game with the first chance of the second half when Balboa was one-on-one with the keeper but his effort was well saved by Christoffer Mafoumbi. Balboa also created a chance for Nsue to get behind the opposing defence with a clever chip over the

The home side’s failure to extend their lead meant Congo’s hopes remained alive and eventually they broke through for the equaliser.

Pietersen said he was just happy to “get over the line” after the Stars fell short in the last two matches against the Melbourne Renegades and Sixers. “I’m playing as good as I have ever played,” he said. “In 2012 I probably had one of the best years of my career in terms of the way that I played and I feel that now I’m playing just as well.” The exiled England batsman believed his recovery from a recurring knee injury was the sole reason for his good form. “For the last 24 months, since New Zealand 2013 when I messed my knee up, I haven’t been the same player,” he said. “When I was playing the Ashes here last year, my knee was horrendous. I was getting jabbed, I was on the physio bed three times a day. It was just a horrendous place to be. “But now, touch wood, my knee’s OK and I’m able to enjoy myself.” Pietersen said he was “not fussed” about not being part of England’s Australian tour, even with the knowledge he’s playing some of his best cricket. “Believe me, I’m having the best time of my life,” he added. (CA)

Sunday CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

SCOTIABANK lends support to YWCC MASH CUP 2015 SCOTIABANK, New Amsterdam Branch is the latest sponsor from corporate Guyana to come on board with the Young Warriors Cricket Club’s annual fundraiser dubbed Mash Cup, whose third edition will bowl off on Monday 23rd February at the Club’s, Cumberland, Canje based venue. Recently, the presentation was done in the office by Mr. Mohamed Azim, Business Banking Manager of Scotia Bank, who said they were happy to be part of this fun filled event and as a resident of the Canje area, he got lots of positive feedback from the previous tournaments, adding that he was impressed with the facility, when one takes into consideration what it was years ago. Senior coach and former national player Hubern Evans, who

received the cheque on behalf of YWCC, thanked Scotiabank for their kind gesture and promised that they (Scotiabank) will receive good mileage and the tournament will be done in a professional and transparent manner. Proceeds from the event will go towards replacing the covers that were stolen from the club late last year and further develop the venue, while also assisting with the day to day administration of the club. Eleven (11) second division teams from the Number 19 to Canje area will do battle on the day in question in a five overs affair with incentives of over $150,000 up to be won, along with gate prizes for the fans whom the club is encouraging to come out Head coach of YWCC Hubern Evans (left) proudly accepts the sponsorship cheque from Mohamed Azim, Business Banking Manager of Scotia Bank. and support this worthy cause.

Murray unfazed by `extremely difficult’ draw in Australia Open

Andy Murray By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE ,(Reuters) - The draw has done few favours for Andy Murray at Melbourne Park, but the Briton believes he has put in the off-season work to be rewarded at the Australian Open tennis. Murray will be seed-

ed sixth at the year’s first grand slam starting tomorow, bunched on the same half of the draw as Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, and with a possible fourth round match against Bulgarian danger-man Grigor Dimitrov. “Obviously, (a) very tough draw. Very difficult draw,” the

Scot told reporters. “It’s very hard to comment on it. If you have to play all of those players, obviously it’s going to be extremely difficult to come through that. “I’m aware of that. That’s fine. But, yeah, often in these events, there are upsets. And then you just have to wait and see who you’re playing in each round because it doesn’t always work out as simply as that. “I’m sure Rafa (Nadal) just now, if you said to him, ‘Give me a semi-final spot’, he’d be very happy with that coming off a tough injury. “But it will be interesting to see how it goes. But definitely with the names you mentioned, it’s very challenging.” A three-times runner-up at Melbourne Park, Murray was unable to add to his two grand slam titles in 2014 after coming back from a major back surgery and parting ways with coach Ivan Lendl. Since appointing Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo as Lendl’s replacement, his team has had further changes with assistant coach Dani Vallverdu and fitness trainer Jez Green departing in November. “It hasn’t been weird. It’s been, in my opinion, positive,” the 27-year-old said of the transition.

England’s Ballance fractures finger

Gary Ballance (Reuters) - England batsman Gary Ballance could miss the rest of the Tri-Series against Australia and India after fracturing a finger but will be fit for next month’s World Cup,

the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Saturday. “Ballance has a fractured right little finger, sustained during fielding practice in Canberra,” the ECB said on Twitter.

“Ballance will be available for the ICC Cricket World Cup and therefore we will not be calling another player into the squad.” The 25 year-old lefthander, who has played eight tests and 12 oneday international, sat out of England’s two warmup matches and Friday’s opening match in the Tri-Series, a three-wicket defeat by Australia. England’s opening World Cup match is against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Feb.14 (Reporting by Sam Holden, editing by Ed Osmond.

Match abandoned after four field inspections COUVA, Trinidad, (CMC)- The 5th NAGICO Super50 match between Windward Islands Volcanoes and Combined Campuses and Colleges at the National Cricket Centre in Couva has been abandoned. A wet outfield delay the start of play and after four inspections Umpires Nigel Duguid and Gregory Brathwaite decided that conditions remained unsuitable for play.

Sunday CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

‘Rules make it hard to play part-time bowler’ - Dravid FORMER India captain Rahul Dravid and former South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the rule changes in ODI cricket will encourage fielding teams to have a more attacking mindset in the 2015 World Cup, which starts in Australia and New Zealand from February 14. The two were speaking on The Contenders, an ESPNcricinfo special programme building up to the tournament. “The new ODI rules don’t impact scores in countries like Australia and New Zealand as they have say in the subcontinent,” Dravid said. “With the two new balls, the fast bowlers will get that level of assistance up front. The grounds are bigger too so it won’t be that easy to clear the ropes. I think it will be a challenge for the captains. For example, when you have five fielders in the ring, it’s very hard to play a part-time bowler. You are almost being forced to play five specialist bowlers. That is a real positive. You are going to be forced to attack and look for wickets rather than see part-timers bowl for a large period of play.” Among the significant changes made to the rules governing ODI cricket since October 2012, five fielders are mandated to be within the 30-yard circle at all times in the course of an innings. Only two fielders are allowed outside the circle for the first 10 overs while three are permitted for the chunk of five Powerplay overs to be taken by the batting team before the 40th over. Smith said bowlers who can “pick up wickets” are now all important. “If teams get partnerships in these conditions with the five in the ring, the Powerplay at the back-end, that’s when they are really going to get the opportunity to score big runs,” Smith said. “You are always looking at your attack and saying we can’t afford to carry two

Australia picked Xavier Doherty over Nathan Lyon in their World Cup squad, due to a belief that the left-arm spinner’s bowling was better suited to the playing conditions. part-timers, we need an extra wicket-taker here. If you don’t pick up wickets through your bowling session, you will be chasing a big total.” said the use of two new balls from either end would require the batsmen to “sum up conditions” quickly in Australia and New Zealand. “You need to set more of a platform, reverse swing and spin may not be as much of a factor as in the subcontinent so you could probably catch up in the last 20 overs,” he said. “The key is not to go 3-4 down for nothing up front in those conditions.” Concerns have been expressed about the impact these rules will have on the role of

Notable Dates Ojay Abraham was the first of five opponents Guyanese middleweight Howard `The Battersea Bomber’ defeated during the year 2000. On January, 18th Abraham’s hope of coming out the winner in the eight-round contest, was dashed in the second round. Eastman produced a flurry of punches to force the referee to call a halt to the fight and earn a TKO victory at the Leisure Centre in Nottinghamshire, England. The gangly Eastman was born in New Amsterdam, Berbice but fought out of England during the early and middle stages of his career. The former European and Commonwealth champion had his first pro fight on March 6, 1994. He knocked out John Rice in the first round then. He would later secure two shots at world titles but was unsuccessful on both occasions. Eastman was undefeated in 32 fights when he battled William Joppy on November 17, 2001 for the WBA version of the middleweight crown. In a close encounter, Eastman dropped the American in the latter stage of the 12th round but lost by a majority decision. A second chance was provided in February of 2005. The Guyanese lost by a unanimous decision to undisputed world champion Bernard `The Executioner’ Hopkins. Now a member of the Rastafarian faith, Eastman is still active and turned 44 last December 8. From a total of 62 fights, Eastman has won 49 (38 KOs) and lost 13.

spinners. Australia, in fact, left out Nathan Lyon - their most successful bowler in the recent Test series against India - from the World Cup squad on the basis that he may not be able to control the flow of runs. Dravid is of the view that if the pitches in the tournament are similar to the ones seen in the Test series, spinners will definitely have a role to play. “Those are the grounds we are going to be playing the World Cup in,” Dravid said. “They have been really slow and the spinners have come into play. You are just going to have to balance it out. There might be places where you go and say, the spinner might not have such

a big impact on that particular day. It’s a long tournament, it’s in their summer, the nature of the wickets might change, you are just going to have to be smart enough and hopefully have the balance to play different conditions and different kinds of attacks.” Smith added: “I think allowing two bouncers adds something to the fast bowlers’ armoury. I think to have attacking spinners is crucial because you need your spinner to pick up wickets through the innings and then you can bring your pace guys back and try and let them make an impact also. I don’t think like the older days, you will get too many guys bowling really long spells, unless it’s an occasion where it’s doing a lot. You are going to have a captain that’s going to be mixing it up a bit, trying to make an impact.” Dravid said he will be keeping an eye out for how the five-over chunk of batting Powerplay is used by captains over the course of the tournament. “A lot of time they just wait for overs 35-40. We saw in the home series Virat Kohli changed it about a bit and he used it really effectively against Sri Lanka. That’s a good opportunity for captains, as to how tactically they can use those five overs, that will be interesting to see.” Agreeing with Dravid, Smith said the Powerplay is a chance for the batting side to disrupt the bowling plans of the opposition. “If you look at Sri Lanka, Lasith Malinga dominates the death overs. It’s very difficult for you to score. You maybe want to take the Powerplay at a stage when he has to come back and bowl an extra over or two which then gives you the opportunity to score more runs in the last ten overs. Tactically, you can look at teams and say we need to take the Powerplay here, so we can get their bowlers done.” (ESPN Cricinfo)

Notable Dates

On January 18, 1989 Guyanese featherweight Wayne Smith lost an eightround bout to Jamaican Barrington Francis. The fight was held in Guyana and earned Smith his third defeat in 10 fights. Smith had a shaky start to a professional career which lasted five years. On February 26, 1985 he debuted against `Wonder Boy’ Darius Ford and lost via a decision at the end of six rounds. Smith then racked up six straight victories, including wins over Fitzroy Davidson, Lancelot Cyrus and Ronald Mc Bean, before meeting a slick boxer named Michael Parris. The two fought twice in 1988 with Parris, a bronze medalist in the 1980 Moscow Olympics, winning the first encounter on August 14. On December 4 the two battled to a draw when the featherweight title of Guyana was at stake. Smith would have his last three fights during 1990 with all being staged in French Guiana. He started his final year by knocking out Frenchman Philippe Binante in 21 seconds of the first round, but lost by points to Jean Marc Linguet in May and Mohammed Bennama in October. Smith ended with seven victories, five defeats and one draw.

Sunday CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Chronicle Sport goes one on one with GFF Technical Director Claude Bolton By Rawle Toney The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), recently appointed, Technical Director Claude Bolton (CB) spoke one-on-one with Chronicle Sport’s Rawle Toney (RT), where the Canadian of Guyanese parentage spoke about his plan for the sport and how he intends to return the Golden Jaguars, Guyana’s senior Men’s National Team, to being one of the top teams in the Caribbean and CONCACAF. RT: Based on my research, being one of the most qualified TD that we would’ve had in the past decade, some would say that qualifications doesn’t equate to success, so how would you be balancing that to show that you’re not just qualified by academia, but by your knowledge of the game as well. How would you answer them? CB: The people would say that, they have a certain perspective that I can’t answer for, but you can call anyone of the people that I’ve ever worked for and they’ll tell you that everything that I’ve set out to do or put in place has come to fruition and I have left all on good terms because of the success of the development programme as well as having success at all levels. I woud say that Seawall Football Club was very unexpected to be able to play well and prove that it could happen. If you ask the players from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) that trained with me under my short stint, I think they would say that they understood that certain things they have never experienced before when we have the camps. At Youth level, which I must say that youth development is an important part of this because no full or complete youth development

was ever put in place for the 20 years I’ve been around Guyana’s football. We had something call ‘Initiative 14’. In 2001 when some people said you can’t have a long term plan for Guyana, I said, give Guyana 14 years before you think about making a run at the World Cup. Now it may be coincidence in some eyes, but the 2014 World Cup qualifiers was our most successful run, so, it was already a vision there and we still made that run by putting in place some of the things that were in ‘Initiative 14’. Now imagine if all the things were put in place from (Initiative 14), doesn’t matter if it was another Technical Director, but Guyana needs structure that takes precedence over the people that implement it. What’s missing in Guyana is any structured plan that’s agreed to, that should be followed based on the expertise that are put in place. RT: There’s always an issue about money in Guyana. Some people believe that FIFA’s money is enough but sometimes it’s not even sufficient. Is this a question you would’ve asked prior to taking this job because though you have a plan, it would take funding to help execute? CB: The advantage I have is 20 years of Guyanese football which allows me to move with the limited funding that we have presently, so, yes those questions were asked that’s why I needed to come here for my interview. They said that they were many people they couldn’t really afford, but, truth is, they couldn’t afford me either if I had really set my rate as a North American but knowing what you have and saying that you’ll work within those parameters. What was asked is, are those funds going to be made available; is it going to be

transparent; where the funding is, where those dollars are and when we say we’re going to pay for things, will the money be present at the time as oppose to saying we have money coming, so we can prioritize.

leaves here to go play in Trinidad, or sits on the bench of an MLS team, it’s not strange to them; it shouldn’t be strange that you have to work hard or you have to dress a certain way, or you have to show

GFF Technical Director Claude Bolton Who am I to critique the financial happenings of the past because I always use to hear money is coming so we can get this done, but now, I’m asking so I would like to know the money is there first so that we can move forward. They are many things that can be done with no money aren’t being done in this country (Guyana). There’s discipline, standards, protocols; those don’t cost anything, yet they are still lacking, so, for any footballer, coach or fan to first turn to the money, we have an issue. Let us set the standards, the protocols in place first, then we could demand. We also take this thing that football is some kind of backward sport and is for some uneducated bunch; that’s foolishness. But we need to have standards, and that’s free but with them, that what starts professionalism. So when that player

up on time, or you have to train X-amount of time in the week and no matter how good you are, you’re not playing this week if you didn’t change. Until we as a fraternity can change that, then we will have success. RT: We’ve had a rocky period in the sport recently and following all the events as it unfolds in Guyana’s football and still wanting to be part of it; what does that say about Claude Bolton and what he could do for Guyana’s football? CB: I think it says that I understand that as a country, we’re still a family and as a people before football and that for far too long, Guyanese have been slighted and misrepresented abroad and that football truly is not lip service, it’s a tool of social development where it can help people rise above many challenges. It happens all over the world, we wouldn’t be

the first to do it but we shouldn’t be counted out. What it also says about Claude Bolton is that I simply love Guyana, the game and our people. It also says that I trust that the turmoil, although sad, was necessary, as is any fight in a family to air out some of the issues, so what it has done, if anything, has given us an absolute clean slate to rebuild and start again. RT: As we prepare to head into another World Cup campaign, they are top players in Europe who are capable of representing Guyana, but not necessarily are attracted to this football, as TD, what do you think you’ll bring to Guyana’s football to make them want to come and play? CB: I think first it’s to have a plan so that we can then approach them, so to create that plan, we’ll need the input from those stakeholders and those facilitators and whoever the head coach will be, the staff around that and the GFF itself to say ok ‘what are the plans, so that we can articulate it to these players so that they can see that there will be some success and not just putting them on a field, and secondly, we can’t side step the finances involve with that. I think Guyanese, no matter where they are, especially the ones born abroad, the pride is already there and those players in England and in Europe would be overwhelmed to put on the colours of their country and their heritage, it’s just for them to come to a safe environment; developmentally safe, so that they can get proper preparation and its more than just their presence that we’ll need. RT: As compared to the rest of the region, every Caribbean Island/Country could identify some player that would’ve gone on to play in

some of the World’s biggest leagues. What do you think is lacking from our structure where a player from the youth level can get that break internationally? CB: The proper environment; one, we must play and tournaments are not the only way, there must be some kind of regiment or a regular playing structure. For each Island or countries in CONCACAF, it depends on when it’s a season and so forth but you must have that regular regiment or something that players look forward to every week. Tournaments alone sometimes only bring out play, there’s no training involve there. Second, it’s coaching. We have people who are capable but don’t yet have the knowledge. People don’t know what they don’t know. Whenever you see the best team in Guyana, you say well, that’s the best football but that’s not necessarily the case. When you look at Guyanese players physically, compare to some others, we’re bigger, stronger and faster naturally, so the other piece to that is nutrition and education. Smart players are created not only on the field and in schools. That’s not to say that a player who doesn’t have a full education can’t be the best player, but its a different thing when you look at a player in Guyana on the field and say I want a bigger angle than this and that player doesn’t know what an angle means, so we must create not only technical players, but intelligent players. We have players with vision and players who can compete with anybody in CONCACAF but without intelligence and a coaching environment and nutrition, you can’t sidestep the fact that we have to teach players how to eat properly; it can’t always be some rice and some chicken.

Sunday CHRONICLE January 18, 2015

Windies aim to grab and retain momentum in second ODI

Jerome Taylor trapped Faf du Plessis LBW for a duck in the first ODI in Durban JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, (CMC)- New One Day International captain Jason Holders says the West Indies urgently needs to address a problem of retaining momentum as they prepare to battle South

Africa in the second ODI here today. West Indies relinquished favorable positions on several occasions to lose the rain-hit opening ODI against South Africa by 61 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis

method Friday. Windies had the Proteas reeling at 16 for two in the fifth over only for A B de Villiers to revive the innings by anchoring two excellent stands and on the chase the Caribbean men faltered after an enterprising 51-run opening stand. “I was disappointed. We lost wickets in clusters which didn’t help the cause,” declared Holder following his first outing as leader of the team. “We were in pretty decent positions but every time we got ourselves a little bit of momentum we just fell away with the wicket”. Holder suggested that the West Indies would attempt to address the prob-

lem as part of their preparations for the second ODI at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. “So I think it is a serious area we need to address,” said the young captain who was credited for effectively rotating his bowlers causing South Africa to lose five wickets for 61 runs in the first ODI. “Once we address that we would be in a much better position for the second one day”. West Indies are likely to replace Leon Johnson with Lendl Simmons who was not included in the side for the opening fixture. Johnson was drafted in to bat at No. 3 in Durban

Jaguars dent Barbados ...

After an emphatic 142-run victory over Windwards Volcanoes in their opening round Zone A match at the same venue on Thursday last, the Guyana Jaguars batsmen, apart from Barbadian-born Reifer and Permaul and Bishoo displayed a total lack of purpose, conviction and understanding of their respective roles against the Barbados Pride. However, at the end, it was the disciplined Reifer who emerged as the shining light and his heroism and sensible batting display together with the controlled aggression by Permaul and Bishoo during the eighth and ninth wicket stands that allowed the Jaguars to celebrate a famous victory and avenge their semi-final defeat in last year’s competition. Reifer was deservedly voted “Man- of- the Match” for his matured and superlative batting display and he was associated in two crucial partnerships with Permaul and Bishoo to rally the Jaguars to sensational fighting victory. He shared a 51-run eighth wicket partnership with Permaul and was associated with a heroic

unbroken 41-run ninth wicket partnership with Bishoo who also batted brilliantly for his unbeaten 21. Trevon Griffith failed again and made a threeball duck while Rajendra Chandrika was adjudged LBW to Javon Seales for two. Shivnarine Chanderpaul, in his career 400th List A match; scooped the ball to Ashley Nurse off Kevin Stoute and departed for 15 after a 31-run third wicket stand. Skipper Christopher Barnwell ran himself out for 16. He committed cricket suicide by pushing the ball straight to Stuote at short extra cover and raced to the non-striker’s end while Reifer watched in agony and despair to see such a calamity because Barnwell never attempted to regain his end and was easily sent packing. Further disaster for the Jaguars when Royston Crandon (1) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Dowrich off Ryan Hinds who also claimed Steven Jacobs was LBW for one. There were no heroics from Anthony Bramble as he did against Windwards. He was comprehensively bowled by

debutant leftarm spinner Joel Warrican for nought and the Jaguars had lost four quick wickets at 73, 74, 76 and 77. Permaul joined Reifer and they restored hope and energy into the proceedings with sensible batting and running between the wickets. Permaul was the original aggressor but he calmed down and allowed Reifer to up the tempo with some audacious strokeplay which proved too much for the Barbadians who were stunned at the end. Earlier, aided by three dropped catches, West Indies Test opener Kraigg Brathwaie chalked up his career highest List A score and rallied Barbados Pride to 168 for 4 off 36 overs. The 22-year-old Brathwaite was dropped by skipper Christopher Barnwell at first slip in leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul’s first over after he had replaced Ronsford Beaton who completed his first four overs and conceded only 14 runs. The right-handed opener was then offered another life by Rajendra Chandrika whose diving effort at leg gully was good enough to

hold onto the lobbed sweep shot off the luckless Permaul’s sixth delivery of his second over. Brathwaite profited with those let off at 14 and 18 and he motored along with Shai Hope and together they pushed the Barbadian Pride total to 64 for the first wicket stand before part-time offspinner Royston Crandon, who played in place of Vishaul Singh, effected the breakthrough when he deceived Hope with a quicker delivery and the edged stroke was well taken by wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble who featured in the other two dismissals. Devendra Bishoo outfoxed Kirk Edwards (7) and was caught by Bramble at 78 for 2 (21.1 overs) and eleven runs later Barnwell forced Shamarh Brooks (6) to edge through to the wicketkeeper who gleefully accepted the o ff e r a n d B a r b a d o s Pride were three wickets down for 89 off 24.1 overs. Brathwaite got his third List A fifty but was soon dropped by Bramble at 52 off Steven Jacobs who had returned for his second

but was out for a duck. Holder ’s men are expected to rely on flamboyant opener Chris Gayle to give them momentum after he cut loose again with 41 off 24 balls in the first ODI. But the captain, while justifying the reliance on Gayle, says he is confident that other batsmen are capable of stepping up. “We have quite capable batsmen. Marlon Samuels has done well for us over the past two years. We have got Dwayne Smith who has been in rich form coming off the last tour of India,” he said. “So we have got guys who are capable of scoring

From Back Page spell. The score was 96 for 3 in the 26 th over and Brathwaite continued his fortuitous innings to move past his previous highest List A score of 63 scored for the West Indies A team versus Sri Lanka A during the 2nd Unofficial ODIs at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka on November 3 last year. He was eventually run out for 73 after he had added a further 46 runs with former WI Test player Ryan Hinds who remained unbeaten on 37 off 36 balls when the innings closed at 168 for 4 off 36 overs. Ashley Nurse, who returned from South Africa where he played for the West Indies team in the T20 International series was the other not out batsman on 11. Bishoo (1 for 29 from 8 overs), Crandon (1 for 16 from 3 overs) and Barnwell (1 for 24 from 4 overs) were the successful Guyanese bowlers. Guyana heads the Zone standings with nine points and clash with the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) team in their final group match tomorrow at the same venue.

runs but at this present time Chris seems to be in a very good form so Chris has to be depended on in terms of taking up the mantle”. West Indies cannot boast an impressive record at Johannesburg, winning two out of the eight matches played on the ground. Their last victory at Wanderers was in 1993 when they defeated Pakistan by five wickets. The weather predictions indicate a sunny day at Wanderers on Sunday, a contrast from Durban where play was disturbed by rain.

SCOREBOARD BARBADOS Franchise K Brathwaite* run out (D Bishoo)

S Hope c A Bramble b R Crandon

K Edwards c A Bramble b D Bishoo

S Brooks c A Bramble b C Barnwell

R Hinds not out

A Nurse not out

Did not bat: S Dorrich, F Edwards, K Stoute, J Warrican, J Searles Extras 0nb 6w 2lb 0b 0pen

Total 168 for

Bowling: Beaton 7-0-42-0,Jacobs 7-0-23-0,Permaul 7-0-32-0,Bishoo 8-0-29-1, Crandon 3-0-16-1, Barnwell 4-0-24-1. Fall of wickets 1-67 (Hope), 2-78 (Edwards), 3-89 (Brooks), 4-135(Brathwaite) GUYANA Jaguars T Griffith lbw b F Edwards

R Chandrika lbw b J Searles

R Reifer not out

S Chanderpaul c A Nurse b K Stoute 15 C Barnwell* run out(K Stoute) 16 R Crandon c S Dowrich b R Hinds 1 S Jacobs lbw b R Hinds

A Bramble+ b J Warrican

V Permaul b J Searles

D Bishoo not out

Didnotbat:RBeaton Extras 0nb 11w 2lb 0b 0pen

Total 169 for 8 Fall of wickets 1-0(Griffith), 2-2 (Chandrika), 3-32 (Chanderpaul),4-73(Barnwell) 5-74(Crandon) 6-76(Jacobs), 7-77(Bramble), 8-128(Permaul) Bowling: Edwards 6.2-1-33-1,Searles 7-0-31-2,Stoute 4-0-15-1,Burse 4-0-23-0,Hinds 7-0-33-2, Warrican 7-0-32-1.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Windies aim to grab and retain momentum in second ODI See story on page 35

Jaguars dent Barbados pride with thrilling NAGICO Super50 win ...Raymon Reifer stars with unbeaten 84 (By Brij Parasnath In Trinidad & Tobago) A magnificent unbeaten 84 by Raymon Reifer and admirable support from Devendra Bishoo (21 not out), Christopher Barnwell (16) and Veersammy Permaul (11) helped the Guyana Jaguars to register a thrilling two-wicket victory over the Barbados Pride in their WICB NAGICO Super50 Zone A encounter at the Queen’s Park Oval last evening. The Jaguars made 169 for 8 off 35.2 overs in reply to Barbados Pride 168 for 4 off 36 overs in a rain affected match that was reduced to a 36-oversa-side affair. Guyana Jaguars celebrate another wicket in their Group “A” match against Barbados Pride in the NAGICO Super50 Tournament yesterday at Turn to page 35 Queen’s Park Oval. (Photo by WICB Media/Ashley Allen)

Normalisation Committee chairman Clinton Urling

No General Council meeting in the making – Urling

See story on page 29

Normalisation Committee Chairman sites Constitutional reform as priority

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015